Death Mask (1998)
- written February 2000
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Wilbur is just an old lonely carnival worker, who has a some big scars and a nice collection of masks. He wears a protective mask so his fellow workers won’t gawk at his ugliness and as such he takes most of everyone’s crap. Angel Wilson is just an over-the-hill stripper who helps promote the Strongman’s exhibit but she actually cares for Wilbur, the only person who seems to care. It is when the boss, Guido, threatens to fire Wilbur, that Angel and Wilbur finally decide to do something. They visit the swamp lady Zaranda who gives Wilbur special tree bark which will allow him to mask a magic mask, which no one will be able to take their eyes off of. But Wilbur gives up all money he can so this can happen, but while working on the mask his many years of hatred and fear go into the mask too. When the mask is all ready, Wilbur shows it off, and it has immediate effects. Everytime he begins to show it to people, they start to die off. Problem is, every time he wears it, it becomes harder and harder to remove. Wilbur now must decide whether he wants to use it to kill off his enemies, or become part of the mask himself.
Overall: Brutal film which stars James Best (Roscoe on "Dukes of Hazzard") and Linnea Quigley. All of the film’s deaths are previewed at the beginning and maybe the only redeeming shot of the film is Quigley in the shower. Otherwise, the make-up is terrible because Best doesn’t look that bad in a role designed to maje him look scary (we hope), and the acting is abominable. Skip it. Comparison: Carnival of Souls meets The Waterboy |
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