Desecration (1999)

User Rating:

2.6/10   

Director:

Dante Tomaselli

Writer:

Dante Tomaselli (writer)

Genre:

Drama | Horror

Tagline:

You Will Burn in Hell...

Plot:

Sixteen year-old Bobby is emotionally damaged by his mother's early death. He accidentally causes a nun's death, unleashing a chain of supernatural events that lead him into the pits of Hell.

Plot Keywords:

Death | Hell | Supernatural | Nun | Demon

Cast

Irma St. Paule	...	Grandma Matilda
Christie Sanford	...	Sister Madeline / Mary Rullo
Danny Lopes	...	Bobby Rullo
Salvatore Paul Piro	...	Mr. Rullo
Vincent Lamberti	...	Brother Nicolas
Maureen Tomaselli	...	Sister Rosemary
Gene Burke	...	Father O'Leary
Ruth Ray	...	Reverend Mother
Helen Palladino	...	Mrs. Cannizzaro
Garret Montanez	...	4 year-old Bobby
Nora Maher	...	Sister Rita
Mark Mamone	...	Sean
Mary Fassino	...	Young Nun
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Elena Christiana	...	Paramedic
Rocco Spinelli	...	Bishop

Directed by
Dante Tomaselli

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Dante Tomaselli		writer

Produced by
Tony Rullis	....	producer
Jack Swain	....	producer
Dante Tomaselli	....	producer

Original Music by
Dante Tomaselli
Michael Tomaselli

Cinematography by
Brendan Flynt

Film Editing by
Marcus Bonilla

Production Design by
Michele La Rocca

Art Direction by
Michelle Lang

Makeup Department
Lorrie Ann Dobbins	....	hair stylist
Lorrie Ann Dobbins	....	makeup artist
Hilary Friedberg	....	additional makeup artist
Bogna Nasilowska	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Maria Tassiello	....	production manager

Art Department
David Fooden	....	storyboard artist

Sound Department
Dave Huber	....	sound mixer
Jake Karlsmark	....	sound mixer
Nadja Noon	....	sound recordist

Special Effects by
Nicol Ardissone	....	special effects modelmaker
Oliver Brigg	....	special effects modelmaker
Oliver Brigg	....	special effects supervisor
Tom Dedde	....	special effects modelmaker
Glenn Hetrick	....	special effects modelmaker (as Glen Hetrick)
Edward Salzano	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Evan Meszaros	....	grip

Music Department
John Califra	....	composer: additional music

Other crew
Dayna E. Clark	....	production coordinator

Distributors

• Image Entertainment
• L.D. Media

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Bedminster, New Jersey, USA

Quotes:

Brother Nicolas: Here, take this.
Bobby Rullo: Where'd you get them?
Brother Nicolas: They're mine...It's Valium.
Bobby Rullo: Can priests take Valium?
Brother Nicolas: Priests can do many things.

Movie Connections:

References Communion (1976)

Fantastic visuals… but lacks a coherent story

Tomaselli obviously has a flair for creating eye candy. Although a few of the effects in this film are hokey and ultra-low-budget (the model plane, the scissors), the majority of the visuals are fantastic – reminiscent of many Euro-shockers and the first "Evil Dead." However, what the film lacks is a coherent story. I'm not a moviegoer who needs everything spelled out – "Black Christmas," for example, was creepy because we barely see the killer, let alone find out his motivation. "Donnie Darko" remains an enigma even to the writer/director. "Burnt Offerings" leaves you to decide exactly what happened in the house. But at least the aforementioned have some sense of logic.

The principle story here is about a boy who's dragged to Hell by his dead mother as she attempts to escape. Or so they say. However, nothing that happens within the film justifies that plot line – and it all completely lacks logic. If Tomaselli had ended the film in the traditional Hollywood "it was all a dream" way, perhaps I could forgive the film for lacking sense. As is, it feels like an overlong student film.

The acting is horrendous all around, with the exception of the boy who plays Bobby. The old lady (who can't act, but I've seen in a slew of films) is annoying and, unfortunately, has the dominant part. The few male actors all sound like they're reading off cue cards, and then there's the nuns – but if you can't say something nice….

The DVD ends with an "excerpt from the original short film" on which this movie was based. I don't understand why it's not the complete film (the provided scene is exceptional) nor is there a commentary or any other extras. Enigmatic films such as this ALWAYS benefit from commentaries.

Those seeking something out of the norm might enjoy this, as well as stoner horror buffs. All others, avoid it.