Skip to main content

96 SOULS review

2017
Directed by: Stanley Jacobs
Starring: Grinnell Morris, Sid Veda and Paul Statman



Dr. Jack Sutree (Grinnell Morris) is a biochemistry professor whose life is turned upside down when a lab accident gives him the ability to visualize his olfactory. If he looks at a flower, its fragrance is represented by a colorful cloud. Oddly though, when he looks at a person he is able to see their true motivations. He can see their innermost thoughts and secrets. It's a powerful and frustrating gift. With the assistance of a homeless musician named Bazemint, Jack hopes to unlock the mystery behind his powers and stop big pharma from using Jack's discovery for nefarious purposes.

96 SOULS fits in nicely with science fiction exploitation from the 50's and 60's. The science isn't very sciency and the fiction is super fictitious. The saving grace of most exploitation films is in the themes they explore. The reason a film like INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS transcends a silly plot is the exploration of cold war paranoia. While 96 SOULS never reaches BODY SNATCHERS levels of greatness it clearly has something bigger on its mind.

Presenting the pharmaceutical industry as our mustache twirling villain, 96 SOULS takes what could have easily become straight to MST3K level material and made it far more interesting if not poignant. Most films that take on big pharma usually do so with a sense of self-importance and gravitas that can come across as preachy. While Steven Soderbergh's 2013 film SIDE EFFECTS skillfully handles such material, it should be noted there are other approaches to be explored. Yes, this is an incredibly under-discussed issue facing the world but sometimes a little bit of sugar help the medicine...

Grinnell Morris is given the difficult task of delivering most of the films clunky exposition and manages to deliver a grounded but slightly off-kilter performance. Morris's Jack is the audience's proxy. We see the absurdity of this film through his eyes and given permission to have a good time, as long as we remember not to ask too many questions. Make no mistake about it, 96 SOULS is an exercise in idiocy that could turn many viewers off. But, I have a feeling it could also find a strong niche following. Certain audineces aren't as concerned with polish as they are with originality. They can forgive a film's sins if it has something interesting to say, or says that thing in a new way.

96 SOULS is currently playing in limited release and will be available on VOD May 30th

For more information go to their official website


 

Popular posts from this blog

Explaining the Ending of MULHOLLAND DRIVE

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is a complex and surreal film directed by David Lynch, known for its non-linear narrative and dreamlike sequences. The ending is open to interpretation and has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Here's a breakdown of the ending: Diane's Dream vs. Reality: Throughout the film, there are two main narrative threads: one follows Betty/Diane's dreamlike experiences in Hollywood, and the other delves into Diane's harsh reality. The ending reveals that the majority of the film has been a dream constructed by Diane Selwyn, a failed actress, as a means to escape the guilt and pain of her actions. Betty/Diane's Descent into Madness: Betty, played by Naomi Watts, represents Diane's idealized self—a hopeful and innocent aspiring actress. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Betty's story is unraveling, and her identity begins to merge with Diane's. This culminates in the revelation that Betty is merely a construct of Di...

Final Destination Bloodlines Set to Bring Fresh Horrors to the Franchise

The long-running and fan-favorite horror series Final Destination is set to make its return with Final Destination Bloodlines, bringing a new chapter of supernatural terror to the big screen. Scheduled for a theatrical and IMAX release on May 16, 2025, in the U.S. (and internationally beginning May 14), the film promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of chilling premonitions and inescapable fate. The upcoming installment features a fresh ensemble cast, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game, The Flash), Teo Briones (Chucky, Will vs. The Future), Richard Harmon (The 100, The Age of Adaline), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms, 100 Things to Do Before High School), and Anna Lore (They/Them, Gotham Knights). Also joining the cast are Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs) and horror icon Tony Todd, who reprises his role from the original Final Destination films. Todd, best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman fra...

4K Blu-ray Review: Drop (2025) — A Tense, Tech-Driven Thriller That Mostly Sticks the Landing

In Drop, director Christopher Landon (Freaky, Happy Death Day) crafts a nerve-wracking thriller centered on a devastating dilemma: would you take a life to save the ones you love? The story follows Violet, a widowed single mom attempting to re-enter the dating world after years of grief and recovery. Played with emotional precision by Meghann Fahy, Violet finds herself on a promising first date with the affable and seemingly genuine Henry (Brandon Sklenar) in an elegant, glass-walled Chicago restaurant. But their evening takes a sinister turn when Violet receives a disturbing message via a sleek, anonymous app called DigiDrop: if she doesn’t kill her date before the check arrives, her son and sister will die. What unfolds is a tightly wound 95-minute thriller that feels both classic and timely. The film builds its suspense through confinement, not action. Most of the story unfolds in real-time at their dinner table, creating a pressure-cooker environment that reflects Violet’s psycholo...