Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Sorceress Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 14, 2016

I don’t think director Jim Wynorksi has ever turned down a job, managing to build a career on blind script selection, finding hope with the bleakest of productions. He’s a B-movie craftsman, and one with plenty of experience with exploitation, credited on such titles such as “Not of this Earth,” “Deathstalker II,” “Chopping Mall,” and “The Bare Wench Project.” Give the man lunch money, naked actors, and the opportunity to spill a little fake blood, and he’s capable of creating a certain type of bottom-shelf magic. 1995’s “Sorceress” (titled “Temptress” on the Blu-ray) isn’t a raging effort of pure cinema, but as sleaze goes, it has its moments, most of them manufactured by Wynorski and his indefatigable interest in bedroom antics, seasoned here with bits of witchcraft. “Sorceress” doesn’t make complete sense, and its handle on refined filmmaking elements is tenuous at best, but for those looking for cheap thrills and a weirdly calming viewing experience, Wynorksi delivers here, wisely showing more interest in sexual gamesmanship than suspense, as the feature is much too silly to support the weight of proper screen mayhem.

Lawyer Larry (Larry Poindexer) is offered a senior partner position at his firm, with his path to success cleared by a car accident that leaves colleague Howard (Edward Albert) confined to a wheelchair. Orchestrating the disaster is witch Erica (Julie Strain), who uses her powers to keep Larry in love with her, helping him with professional opportunities. Horrified by the discovery, Larry tries to leave Erica for good, but ends up accidentally killing her, hit with a curse before she dies, with the witch promising to remain with her lover forever. While Howard deals with his injuries with help from wife Amelia (Linda Blair), who’s also involved with suspected murderer and part-time gardener Stan (Michael Parks), Larry finds a friendly rebound romance with colleague Carol (Rochelle Swanson), who’s recently picked up a silver medallion cursed with demonic powers. Puppeted by a villainous witch, Carol is slowly transformed into Erica, tasked with driving Larry crazy as he feels the burn of his ex’s dying promise to never leave him.

Wynorski doesn’t mess around with “Sorceress,” opening the picture with Erica’s big spell-casting display, which involves the burning of black candles, a focal point in Howard’s photo, and plenty of nude gyration as she slathers herself with baby oil to sharpen her evil energy, turning herself into a pauseable agent of Satan. Without warning, not even a hello, the feature launches into salacious content with complete concentration, jumping right into physical distractions with the statuesque Strain, who commits entirely to Wynorski’s full-frontal hypnosis, wisely pulling attention away from a plot that hasn’t even commenced yet. And why should it with pre-title sequence like this? Instead of dull exposition and introductions, Wynorski gets the ball rolling with peep-worthy gusto, welcoming the audience with unexpected intensity that brands the film with an encouraging tone of absurdity, mixing the unreal with the decidedly Skinemax.

It’s the first of many sleazy detours for “Sorceress,” watching Larry deal with his grief(?) through visions of time with Erica, with the pair moving quickly from cutesy connections to deeply sexual experiences, including a ménage a trois with the seductress’s witch sister, Maria (Toni Naples), who keeps a close eye on the lawyer after her partner is gone, complicating the situation with Carol. Nudity is offered throughout “Sorceress,” with long stretches of the picture devoted to the undressing of actresses, including Carol, whose evolution into Satan’s plaything includes a dreamscape romp with Eric and Maria, with Wynorski remaining on the softcore action for as long as the movie can stand. Sex is a priority here, making the film unsuitable for those who don’t see the value of long, lingering shots of characters showering. The production has a singular mission to excite and exploit, and it does so with remarkable concentration.

The story driving “Sorceress” doesn’t aspire to be anything more than a soap opera, managing the concerns of a handful of characters caught up in occult happenings. Perhaps the most curious addition is Stan, a possibly intoxicated gardener in hiding after being suspected of killing his wife. Stan doesn’t belong in “Sorceress,” or perhaps his part was shaved down substantially in the final edit. While Parks brings some fury to the role, Stan is a superfluous addition to the effort, included to offer misdirection the movie ultimately doesn’t need. Amelia and Howard’s subplot is more melodramatic, with the couple figuring out their new living arrangements after the accident, slowly catching on to Larry’s troubles. Again, performances are exactly where they should be, but the bigness of reaction is an odd fit for “Sorceress,” creating a divide between intimate moments and broad scenes of macabre discovery.

Sorceress Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation handles the limited cinematic demands of "Sorceress" with care, delivering a defined viewing experience that restores freshness to the 21-year-old video store staple. Detail is terrific throughout, capturing particulars on nudity and set decoration, while costumes, when in use, offer touchable textures that contribute to the effort's sensuality. Colors are nicely refreshed, with compelling primaries and natural skintones, while more drastic acts of violence present deep reds. Delineation reaches as far as the original cinematography allows, handling frame information satisfactorily. Source is in fine shape, without overt damage.

Sorceress Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix manages the weirdly soothing mood of "Sorceress" without disruption, leading with emphasis on scoring. While instrumentation is inherently thin, musical detail comes through as intended, bringing out the full range of the synth-based score. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and direct, capturing surges in emotionality without distortion. Sound effects are effective and broad, and atmospherics deliver without concern.

Sorceress Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Jim Wynorksi.

• Commentary #2 features Wynorski, make-up maestro Tom Savini, and plenty of cocktails.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Sorceress Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Sorceress" eventually arrives at a more traditional area of suspense, but it takes a long time to get there, requiring those in need of thrills to sit through conversations about Debussy recordings and scenes where the characters paint a living room. Wynorksi doesn't whip the picture into a frenzy, but violence does manage to lash out in the climax, giving the effort of jolt of gore. However, "Sorceress" doesn't exactly need the aggressive punctuation, doing an adequate job holding interest with B-movie adventures and mild unrest, leaving a specific audience with specific highlights. More pronounced ambition is met by a series of yawns and mental wish for more Erica-branded bedroom torment.