UMNEY'S LAST CASE - The Pit Of Horror Review Where horror movies are concerned, the name Stephen King is usually synonymous with low quality. In some cases, King has denied any association with the productions (Pet Sematary Two, The Lawnmower Man), but he had an active part in one of 1992's worst films, Sleepwalkers. Now, King's name is back on the marquee with TNT’s horror anthology Nightmares And Dreamscapes and, while this isn't a masterpiece of the genre, it's a moderately entertaining and occasionally intelligent. Especially in the case of "Umney’s Last Case" starring William H. Macy. After the death of his son, writer Sam Landry (Macy) is so desperate to lead another life, he writes himself into his own book, forcing his long-time character (also played by Macy) to change places with him and live in the modern day. But things get deadly when Landry realizes Umney is trapped and cannot write himself out of his new reality. The key to the success of "Umney’s Last Case," as for almost every horror film, is the audience's ability to suspend disbelief. Unfortunately, the movie is not proficient in promoting this quality. The setup, as well as most of the every-day character interaction, is so normal and "real" that when the consideration of a supernatural explanation arises, it's difficult for the audience to swallow. Had director Rob (The X-Files ) Bowman fashioned a skewed vision of America (akin to David Lynch's towns in Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks), the transition might have been easier to accept. Nevertheless, many aspects of "Umney’s Last Case" rise above above the gutter where horror films traditionally reside. While the resolution is pure formula, many of the events leading up to it are not. The characters are well-written and well-developed, the cinematography is effective, and the special effects are a cut above the norm. William H. Macy shows excellent range here in his dual role. Jacqueline McKenzie brings some personality to the thankless role of "the wife". While there's little doubt that most Stephen King fans will enjoy this short, it's unclear whether there's enough in this story belongs in a horror anthology. And while this isn't a complete comeback for screen adaptations of King's work, it's a worthwhile step. I thoroughly enjoyed it. OFFICIAL SITE BATTLEGROUND REVIEW DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS Review by John Gray, for Pitofhorror.com << Back Home