Cup of My Blood (2005)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Lance Catania

Writers:

Lance Catania (story)
Kenneth Nilsson (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 August 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Now it's dark.

Plot:

A seemingly random accident leaves porn photographer Jack Fender in possession of Christianity's most Holy Relics...

Plot Keywords:

Blood | Sex | Holy Grail | Religion

Cast

Daniel Patrick Sullivan	...	Jack Fender
Janina Gavankar	...	Iona
Allie Smith	...	Tina
Roger Anderson	...	Sparky
Lance Mulvaney	...	Alex
Circus-Szalewski	...	Nibbles
John Turk	...	Memoli
Quiana Whittler	...	Scooter
Terrina Reese	...	Kelly
Gunnar Lewis	...	Old Jack
Mark Nilsson	...	Chad
Brent Douglas	...	Erik
Lana Cheney	...	Jennifer
Laurence Skorniak	...	Limpy
Darryl Warren	...	Father Ferrin (as Darryl Warrren)

Also Known As:

The Da Vinci Virus (UK) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, sexual content/nudity and some language.

Runtime:

USA:107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

X RAY Productions Inc.

Interesting and Atmospheric

When Jack Fender (Daniel Patrick Sullivan) - former photographer turned pornographer - witnesses a car accident, the dying passenger charges him with a task: take care of the box she's carrying. Don't look at what's within and keep it safe. Jack takes the box and is soon haunted by strange dreams, weird visions and a feeling of acute paranoia. And rightly so, as the box contains the Holy Grail and there are forces who will go to great lengths to get their hands upon it...

Imagine if David Lynch was Japanese and he'd directed The Ninth Gate.

That's probably the best way to describe "Cup of My Blood," a creepy, atmospheric supernatural thriller that delivers some very well-timed shocks, has a great sense of dread, features some nice "in-camera" SFX (ala Jacob's Ladder) and some very well executed (no pun intended) gore scenes, which, although not hugely visceral, are enough to keep schlock fans happy without offending the more sensitive horror fan.

One other point to raise is the superb use of sound in this movie. Atmospheric rumbles, almost bordering on the subsonic haunt the movie's soundtrack, creating a very disturbing, eerie atmosphere of dread.

Sadly, performances are a mixed bag, with some stilted acting and - to be brutally honest - dialogue that's at best, okay and at worst, bad. Despite its faults, though, it manages to retain a great sense of dread and an interesting - if at times confusingly overplayed - plot.

Whilst the movie's basic plot is straightforward enough (providing you stick with it - just roll with the "flashbacks/intercuts," as they're explained later), but some extra backstory on a couple of characters and a clearer explanation on exactly WHY the Grail is so important (being Christ's cup aside) would have helped.

As it is, "Cup of My Blood" falls short of being a great movie. With a stronger cast, a little tightening around the edges and a little more exposition it could have been superb. As it stands, it's a solid, entertaining enough movie that I doubt will make anybody's Top Ten, but kudos to Lance Catania and crew for producing a chilling, different and interesting movie. I look forward to seeing his future work.