Cool Air (2006)

Charlie Baxter, a struggling screenwriter, is searching for accommodation in a rundown mansion somewhere in the isolated mountains above Malibu. An expressionless and creatively bankrupt ... See full summary »

Director:

Albert Pyun

Writers:

Cynthia Curnan (adaptation), H.P. Lovecraft (short story)

Stars:

Morgan Weisser, Crystal Laws Green, Jenny Dare Paulin

Cast

Credited cast:
Morgan Weisser	...	Charles Baxter
Crystal Laws Green	...	Shockner (as Crystal Green)
Jenny Dare Paulin	...	Estella
Norbert Weisser	...	Deltoid
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Wendy Phillips	...	Mrs. Baxter

Storyline

Charlie Baxter, a struggling screenwriter, is searching for accommodation in a rundown mansion somewhere in the isolated mountains above Malibu. An expressionless and creatively bankrupt young man who rewrites exploitation sci-fi / horror scripts for a living, he takes a room in the mansion and learns of the mysterious doctor residing in the room above his own who dabbles in strange experiments. As he learns more about the circumstances of the doctor and the history of his landlady, her autistic daughter and the strange lodger across the hall, Baxter is inspired to write his long blocked "great American Screenplay". Working furiously, Baxter suffers a heart attack, and staggers up to see the doctor for treatment. He passes out immediately, but awakens a cured man. But at a terrible price. The Doctor, a strangely preserved woman named Shockner, persuades Baxter to stay until he recovers fully, and informs her "patient" of the medical condition that has forced her into a hermit's ...

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Plot Keywords:

heart attack | narrated by character | h.p. lovecraft | stroke | autism | 

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Taglines:

Death comes coldly.

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Genres:

Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hladan Vazduh

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,550,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (35 mm version) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the bottom of the stairwell in the boarding house is a poster for the 9th annual "Call to the Wall" at Malibu Surfrider Beach.

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Connections

Version of Cool Air (1999)

User Reviews

One of the very best Lovecraft adaptations

The original Lovecraft tale was set in a period when there was so much left to the readers imagination and life experiences were much more inside the head than experienced in reality. The world of the mind Lovecraft so exquisitely created has rarely if ever been duplicated in films of his works. With Cool Air we have maybe the very best adaptation ever because it doesn't attempt to show us what we fear or manipulate us with shocks or sounds. Instead this movie pulls the viewer into his or her imagination. And that is where we experience Lovecraft's sad, morbid tale of how far we will go to hold onto life or lives. The film makes your skin crawl and I found myself actually forgetting to breath. You hold everything so tightly and its almost unbearable tense, yet very moving. You really feel Lovecraft here and not some crazy "interpetation". Bravo to the writer for being a conduit for Lovecraft's world and actors for making you forget that these are performances. They create an almost documentary feel to the characters so you really believe in every moment. Not to be missed if you love Lovecraft!