The Runestone

At its core, The Runestone is a fairly routine '90s straight-to-DVD monster movie: an archaeologist examining an ancient Norse runestone releases Fenrir, the evil wolf-demon trapped within, and is transformed into the savage hairy creature for his trouble. However, the film has a distinctly askew vibe about about it that sets it apart from other creature features of the day, with awkward exchanges of dialogue, incongruous comedic moments, a few strange shots (the monster's claw moving past a full moon during a sex scene with no nudity), a notable lack of gore despite numerous deaths at the jaws and claws of the monster, and a thundering score more suited to a Bruce Willis action movie. Whether this off kilter approach was intentional, or simply the result of inexperience on the part of first time director Willard Carroll, I cannot say, but it makes the film a little more unusual and consequently more engaging.

The film reaches its crazy best during an exhibition at a fancy gallery, Fenrir invading a piece of performance art and tearing the participant to pieces, only for the violence to be admired by pretentious art lovers, although another scene in which the monster sneaks into the back of a police car and wears the cop's hat is almost as bizarre.

Joan Severance and Tim Ryan star as married experts Marla and Sam, and Die Hard heavy Alexander Godunov plays a mystical clockmaker, Sigvaldson, but Peter Riegert and Lawrence Tierney steal the show, Riegart as gum-chewing, Uzi-toting Italian police captain Fanducci, and Tierney as his gruff, ass-chewin' chief.