ek Cthulhu sy Tim Cogshell Cthulhu, an enormous fictional creature that arises from the sea Inter: it and is {apparently}the progenitor ofhumankind, first appeared in several H. P. Lovecraft writings, Mast fi including “The Call of Cthulhu.” . Though we have yet to discern the : correct pronunciation ofthis word apparently neither did Lovecraft), we can recommend Cthulhu as a piece of »ngaging horror cinema that diverges from the contemporary modethat mixes Wat» norror and the excess (er “show")of porn, including all of the Saw and Hostel film ee the Hills Have Eyes series and all J-horror from 1983 to date, Cthulhu is horror cut com the cloth of such films as Rosemary's Baby and theoriginal Wicker Man. Which is te say while it's plenty creepy, it's also thoughtful, wryand kinda sexy, None of which will send audiences storming to theatres, but may spawn somethiz fa cult classic if Lovecraft fans dig the interpretation. Jere, a Seattle history professor (Jason Cottle) long estranged from his family -eturns to his seaside hometown in Oregon to deal with his mother's estate His family is at the head of a not particularly secret new age religious cult that Russ jenounced long aga There area number of circumstances at play in screenwriter 3rant Cogswell’s story, including a gay theme that's woven inte the storylineina manner salient to plot—rather than an expression of gay angst, or naked gay guy: or their own sake Not that there's anything wrong with that Still, there’s a reaso or the maypole and all that naked gallivanting in animal costumes in The Wicke Man, and there's a reason for the gay stuffhere 45 the creepy gives way tothe criminal, and ultimately tothe genuinely supernatural, Cthufhu maintains its grounding in the sort of real-world interests hat holds one’s attention without shocking demonstrations like dismembermentor jecapitation. There is a mystery, and an old relationship to be reconciled. The Oregon scenery is striking, and also relevant: Lastly, Cottle, a little-known character actor, gives a great performance hocwite his Lack of delorietp: proving the point hat talent sind fueare shinatines irutaally exchaciy