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Created Jan 19, 2013 10:20AM PST • Edited Jan 19, 2013 10:20AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Chasing a copycat killer who has decided to mimic the gruesomeness of Poe stories isn’t a bad plot. Especially if you are old school, it was engaging to get a taste of the famous Poe stories; most notably “The Pit and the Pendulum”, “Tell Tale Heart”, “The Masque of the Red Death”, and others. Throw in John Cusack as Poe, who the police employ to get the bad guy, and the movie attempts to shed some light on Poe the man as well. I have no idea of gauging how well they did, but a few Wikipedia fact-checks indicates that they tried to cover the basics of his eccentric behaviors. In the end, I thought the movie was Ok; Interesting enough when you are running out of other options in your playlist.

4. Acting

   OK 2.5

   John Cusack was largely unremarkable as Poe. He tries to be exuberant and eccentric – but it really doesn’t work well for some reason.

   Alice Eve was delightful to watch on screen – but her acting is a bit underdeveloped. Good chemistry with John Cusack though – which is a good thing, since it is told that the the story Edgar and his wife Virginia was true romance indeed.

   Luke Evans comes across well as an inexperienced but smart and eager detective; But like Alice, I’m not so sure folks will remember him for this.

5. Male Stars OK 2.5

6. Female Stars OK 2.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    Good 3.0

    Employing the evil devices of Poe stories is unique, and the movie does a good job at portraying the horror and gruesomeness.

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.5

17. Sex Titillating 2.5

18. Violence Fierce 2.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.5

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.5

23. Biological Surreal 2.5

24. Physical Surreal 2.5