The Best of Horror Films -- Warlock -- Arachnia's Den of the Deceived

Julian Sands stars as none other than Satan's son in Warlock, a modern-day Horror film with just as much heart as the classics. The story begins in medieval times with a man who is set to be executed for known cohortion with the Devil. However, being a dutiful slave to Darkness and a well-seasoned warlock, he manages to free himself from his fate, mysteriously transported into some type of other dimension. What he in fact conjures up is a time warp of sorts, which will allow him to travel to a time in the distant future, away from those who wish to see him dead for his actions. Giles Redferne (Richard E. Grant) happens to be one of those people, for he saw his dear wife's death come at the hands of the warlock. Dismayed that if the witch were to escape him now, he might never answer to his actions, Redferne throws himself into the cyclonic warp, following the warlock into the unknown future.

The warlock finds himself in the 1980's ('89 actually), his surroundings tremendously unfamiliar. Taken in by Kassandra (Lori Singer) and her gay roommate, he wakes in a strange bed, confused yet unhurt from his travels.

He quickly finds himself a psychic medium with which he plans to communicate with his 'father', Satan. There, he takes on the task of bringing together the three parts of the Satanic Bible, the ancient Grand Grimoire which was believed to possess the power to undo all creation. Upon reunion of these parts, the hidden name of God was to be revealed. Once spoken, this name would essentially bring about the end of the world.

Warlock is filled with the kinds of things that make Horror movies what they are: suspense, violence and a wee touch of the demonic never hurts! Of course, the recent

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trend of blending together comedy and Horror is evident in Warlock, though not quite to the extend as such films as Dead Alive or Return of the Living Dead. The comic relief factor in this movie is just enough to keep things entertaining, without dispelling the rest of the film as pure farce. Warlock spawned a sequel: Warlock: Armageddon in which the Warlock (Sands) battles modern-day druids, and offers a much more powerful and menacing warlock character. However, his more than the average mortal disposition in the original Warlock film is much more subdued. Sure, he has powers, but they aren't so overwhelming that nobody has even the slightest chance at taking a slice at him. The fights in this movie are just so damn cool!