Poe and Misery: A Movie Review

Metropolis Pictures Entertainment is the production company behind the independent thriller Poe. The film creates some loose connections between the character Jonathon Poe (Stelio Savante) and the famous American writer Edgar Allan Poe. This picture was recently completed in June and the film also stars Felissa Rose, David Fine, and Gene Silvers. Poe makes a bloody mess with a cannibalistic theme while the low production values and poor acting threaten to torpedo Poe's ship.

The film begins with Jonathon Poe being propositioned with a biography from an agent and part-time girlfriend. After some humming and hawing Poe takes on the job only to find himself in an orgy of mutilation, disfigurement, and murder. You see, Dr. Andrew Casey, Poe's subject, likes to make meat and hamburger out of the local prostitutes and wannabe actresses hanging out around Hollywood. Enter a moral dilemna and thankfully Poe comes to a quick end.

The screener that was sent to this reviewer shows some poor lighting, cheap film, and low grade acting, which might leave one groaning at either the dialogue, or the film's premise. An interaction between a part-time killing limo driver and an aspiring actress is especially awkward and one's hand might reach for the fast-forward or off buttons on the closest remote, early. Yet, the film continues. Dark lighting, some type of low quality digital film, and an almost inaudible soundtrack compete for worst film element.

Felissa Rose as pathologist Amy Short is one of the only exceptions in the acting department and the film does conclude, so there are some positives, too. Rose plays a competent and passionate medical doctor, who hopes to break the case on a series of disappearances. Her examination of a mutilated corpse is especially well done, but the most satisfaction comes from the credit roll, which occurs at the relatively light hundred and five minute mark.

To release later this year, once distribution is secured, Poe is a dismal film, with a dismal theme, which could use some brightening up in the characterizations. The film may undergo some final touch-ups before release, but this copy was very poor. Perhaps low-budget independent thrillers are your thing. If so, more details on the film are below.

Directing techniques/staging of action: 5.5 (are there any directing techniques used? too many stable, unmoving camera work, switch up the angles a little, nothing interesting in the staging of action).
Acting/believability/consistency: 6 (do not even know where to begin here).
Lighting/setting: 5 (turn up the lights during day scenes, use some interesting lighting sources, looks very dull and drab).

Overall: 5.5 out of 10.

Poe on Facebook:

Poe on FB

The film's website:

The Poe Official Website