Dark Tourist

source: Dark Tourist

Disturbing, raven hued serial killer noir, 'Dark Tourist' has a cogent script, oodles of style, and an especially compelling performance by Michael Cudlitz as the introspective, taciturn, downward-spiralling nightwatchman who exchanges the solitary grind of his thankless job for a thrilling terror trip into the stark, sweltering Californian hinterlands, morbidly retracing infamous mass murderer Carl Marznap's (Pruitt Taylor Vince) historical killing spree! While well-paced, and razor-sharp in its execution, 'Dark Tourist' might not have enough wanton 'Slash N' Gash' to satisfy the more splatter-happy Grindhouse gorelings, but Krishnamma's angsty, flawlessly acted, sexually sordid thriller has a genuinely unsettling fatalistic tone that rigorously infuses the repressed, increasingly unstable psychopath's (Michael Cudlitz) grisly exodus with a palpably zesty threat of inexorable doom!

I recognized some elements of the characters obsession, a killer who burned dozens of churches and murdered scores more, but it was another Carl, and in 1930 they executed him. The Carl WOULD make a hell of a movie ALMOST beyond belief. The last name is an anagram. But ABOUT the film.... So I realized he doesn't really have red hair but I still really love the lead actor. Liked him on TWD. Its a very dark movie indeed. He can pkay a good guy or a real prick, or just a good guy with a bad mind or soul or whatever. He is a 2nd generation greif tourist. But he is also just an act away of becoming like the men he obsesses over. Or maybe he relates because he is just like him. This is raw and sweaty and naked, NOT for the folks who want a haunting ghost story. It's somewhat bloody but the violence gets seriously sexualized as it gets deeper and more out of control, like the characters mind. A character obsessed with serial killers. Like everyone else but you know hes just MORE into it than usual. hummmm... This is also not really fiction as the murder industry is lucrative. It began with an ever growing sense of dread. Effective. Scary. Hes so mean to a woman who is so kind. THAT was hard for me to watch. The rest got progressively more cruel. I assumed correctly he wasn't just a pedestrian. A meat and bones film. Was not too long which I appreciate! Did its job. I love Michael as a red head though. Great date movie...😉 Off to the void!

Grim and grimy offering from British director Suri Krishnamma who really seems to capture the unpleasantness of a true crime aficionado who gets just a little too close to those ghastly past events. Michael Cudlitz is solid in the lead and Melanie Griffith puts in a brave performance as a desperate and well past her prime waitress looking for love. Or at least something in her godforsaken town. Bleak throughout with little colour or light relief and grubby and difficult to enjoy whilst even the sex scenes lack glamour or titillation. The fantasy sequences are well done without any fancy effects and the whole is utterly convincing, its just completely uncompromising and oh so ghastly.

Well I would say that this is a slow hot soak in a long cool movie, except the movie is just over an hour long. Take the fact that it is shorter than most TV pilots, and forget it. You get every bit of a full fleshed out well acted, and filmed movie here, there is true darkness out there, and this is just one tiny little snapshot. A well told story that unfolds slowly enough to keep you on course from the beginning. Michael Cudlitz is really good in this movie, which is no surprise as he has been acting forever, I actually do remember pretty near every time his face has shown up since Jump Street. Melanie Griffith plays broken very well these days, you just see her, and feel the pain. I Enjoyed this movie, at first I thought it was going to be something else, but that is what you are supposed to think. I would only recommend this movie to horror/psycho killer kind of morbid death tour kind of stuff. You people that are afraid that one day the Hardy Boys won't be there to stop the mad voodoo witch doctor should most likely steer clear of this here.

James (Michael Cudlitz) is a security guard who likes to visit places of horrific crimes, hence the title "Dark Tourist." His current trip takes him to California to the home of deceased mass murderer and arson Carl Marznap (Pruitt Taylor Vince). James manages to make a connection with the spirit of Carl.... This is a slightly different kind of thriller. It has the expected twist. The use of headliners such as Melanie Griffith didn't make this "B" film any better. Available on a multi-pack. Guide: F-bomb, sex, nudity (TV star Suzanne Quast)

I was interested in this movie, in the beginning, because I kinda have the hots for the lead actor Michael Kudlitz, and believe he is a brilliant actor. It just so happens I am also a fan of unapologetic dark movies, without sappy happy endings. It was just by chance that I got both in this movie. This movie isn't easy to watch. The characters are "broken" sad, mislead, lonely, tired and violent. Melanie Griffith was superb. So natural, it didn't even feel like she was "acting" Pruitt Taylor Vince was also on top of his game. Admittedly these types of movies are not for everyone, but I really appreciate the honesty in them in showing the dark side of humanity. This movie certainly does that. I actually forgot I was watching ACTORS. Brilliantly done on subjects that is generally uncomfortable for most people.

For one thing, the dialog was so low in volume I had a hard time hearing it. The acting and story line was the worst I have seen. Melanie Griffith should be ashamed of herself for starring in this TRASHY movie. IT REALLY SUCKS!!! DON'T WATCH IT.

I thought Melanie's character was not needed. She also delivered a less than 'good' performance. I don't know if the Director thought he could cash in on her star power or what he was thinking by allowing her to be in this movie. I felt she sunk the movie faster than it was already sinking on its own. Her weak attempts at crying forced me to fast forward her parts in the movie altogether. The movie was on to something great then the writers or directors (maybe both) lost their way. Showing the other murders and far less of Melanie's character would have been great. The ambiguity of the prostitute in the next room was great because I wasn't sure if it was a man or a woman with a strap on. Some confusion on my part did set in when the reporter said that 6 transsexual prostitutes were murdered. That tells me it was a man. However, her/his phone conversation with the kid and going to Six Flags told me t was a woman. Confusing. HAD potential!

Going to dark places taking literally. Our main protagonist is not someone that will win a popularity contest. But that is not the kind of movie you should expect anyway. This is exactly what it says: Dark! And the main actor is great depicting the downfalls and the character trades in general. Which also makes this is a very uneasy view. This won't go down easy with people who can't stomach a few events. You might see a few things coming, but there are still some surprises that are going even deeper into the tunnel. Very well shot this was a favorite at the Frightfest in London where it was playing. Not for everyone, but if you can dig it (you'll know a few minutes in), you'll have a hell of a ride