Anchor Bay was once a titan in delivering the best genre entertainment to physical media before simmering and disappearing several years ago. Thankfully, you can’t keep a good name down, and Anchor Bay is back with a vengeance with a trio of unique releases with qualities that could quickly lead them to cult status.
I recently reviewed the release of Sean Whalen’s directorial debut, Crust, so let’s look at a film with another actor stepping behind the camera. Jeff Daniel Phillips directs, stars, produces, and writes Cursed in Baja, which plays out like a wicked fever dream. The story takes the viewer on a journey into a world of death, drugs, and mythical creatures.
Pirelli (Jeff Daniel Phillips) is an ex-lawman who has served time in prison and is ready to move on to the next phase of his life. He’s offered a job by a millionaire that he wants nothing to do with. Reluctantly, he agrees to head to Mexico to search for an heir to a Los Angeles fortune. It should be a walk in the park, but everything quickly unravels when he’s confronted by drug cartels, a cult, and his own past.
Phillips has crafted a visually appealing thriller while remaining brisk and unpredictable. It has an interesting cast that’s fully devoted to their roles. Phillips really shines in the lead, and it’s evident how important the film is to him. He truly puts his heart and soul into every aspect; the final product is a testament to that.
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Most of the cast are newcomers or supporting actors, but horror icon Barbara Crampton has a memorable cameo her fans will be pleased by.
The story starts in an almost generic way but grows increasingly more will with each passing minute. This is only reinforced by how Phillips’s character, Pirelli, tries to navigate while dealing with his own mental health issues. It gives you that “is it real or is it in his head” feeling that only goes to show how well the story is mapped out.
Anchor Bay is off to a killer start. The transfer looks great, and while there are not many special features, the stuff included is really informative, especially Phillips’ commentary track. There’s also a ‘making of’ that gives a solid look at just how the film came together.
I’ve been a fan of Phillips as an actor for many years, and Cursed in Baja just reaffirms that he has far more stories to tell in unique ways, and that’s exactly what we need more of: people with an original vision. Thanks to the new Anchor Bay, these artists get the chance to show the world what they have to offer.
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