Masters of Horror: Lucky McKee - Sick Girl (2006)

Angela Bettis (MAYTOOLBOX MURDERS) stars as a shy entomologist whose drab life is changed by the simultaneous arrival of a largemysterious bug and a torrid affair with a sexy young woman (Erin Brown aka erotic scream queen Misty Mundae). But when the bizarre insect chooses a shocking place to secretly feed Sapphic ecstasy turns to infectionmutation and murder. Will these lesbian lovers let a venomous threesome tear them apart or is the most horrific metamorphosis of all yet to come? Co-written and directed by Lucky McKee this babes n bugs shocker features extreme monster mayhem by KNB EFX (LAND OF THE DEAD HOSTEL) in one of the most unique films of the series Fangoria calls "A smashing success one the best anthology fright shows ever!Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HORROR Rating: NR UPC: 013131446890 Manufacturer No: DV14468 Product Description

My favourite in the Masters of Horror series.

Others may have their favourites, but this one is mine! It has no boring elements in it anywhere, Angela Bettis is superb as the quirky entemologist, even better than her performance as the title lead in "May", (another good movie to watch if you haven't already seen it) but the star of "Sick Girl", for me, is the cutest little green leaf bug I have ever seen; witness him waving his little arms around as though in a greeting, so sweet! This episode has everything, interest, originality, great sets, great effects, quirky lesbian relationship, and insects; most of all, that sweet little leaf bug, a star in his own right! Delightful.

Other good ones in the series, for different reasons: "Imprint" and "Haeckel's Tale". May 28, 2008

Keep the chicks, lose the bug

A bizarre Brazilian beetle and an odd new girlfriend (Erin Brown) both enter the life of a shy lesbian entomologist (Angela Bettis) at about the same time with predictably unfortunate consequences. Like many other reviewers, I was initially put off by the quirky performances of Bettis and Brown but I soon warmed to them so much that I was saddened that these characters were trapped in a horror film, destined to be tortured, killed, or worse by the end. I think I would rather have just watched their relationship develop, especially since the resolution of this episode is so weak. March 15, 2008

Bugged

It's a common flaw for the MOH series: you're tossed an idea that wouldn't make for a bad little horror story, but the execution is ruinous and the tension is deflated by a running time that's forty minutes too long. Take "Sick Girl," for example.

An entomologist who has a bad habit of taking her work home with her loses in her apartment a bizarre Brazilian bug. This happens at about the same time that she finds an equally bizarre girlfriend. The two sexy ladies frolick and cavort, but one of them has an encounter with the AWOL insect, an encounter that leaves her ... altered. What fate lies in store for the lovers? What will become of the strictly conservative granny-ish landlady? The lovably sexist coworker? The adorable little girl in the ladybug costume?

This horror-less gem takes an hour to answer these questions, and by the time they're resolved, it's hard to remember why you were ever supposed to care. Adding to the mix of Reasons Why This Thing Bites is the incompetent acting of our two lesbian leads. I'll admit I know little about horror veteran Erin Brown, but if her performance here as Misty Falls is any indication, she's very good at moaning, screaming, and looking through her bangs in a sultry, come-hither kind of way. And that's all she's good at. Angela Bettis was great in "May," but she performs every scene here with the studied grace of a telephone pole, and she delivers every line as if she just underwent orthodontic surgery. If those idiosyncracies are meant to be intentional, then I guess at least they're employed with some consistency, but I found them grating. They are to acting what constipation is to reticence.

Worst of all, however, is the tongue-in-cheek attempt of the movie to make a sly little statement about true love, about infidelity and dedication, and about the supernaturally wholesome power of childbirth and rearing. I'm known for reading too much into things, and I (really really really) don't want to give the MOH overlords any more credit than they're due, but there was so much empty space in the script that they had to fill it with something. Instead of tension, spookiness, or dread -- y'know, stuff you'd expect in a horror -- there's a lot of pablum about relationships and dating. It doesn't take much of a leap to see there's a theme at play, and it's as flat and uninspired as every other part of the product. I'm not saying I disagree with the message (such as it is), but the delivery needs some serious work. Or maybe just an econo-sized can of industrial-strength Raid. October 29, 2007

weird and wonderful ride

Really enjoyed this somewhat bent tale. Effects were great, acting superb (loved angela's character) and a very amusing ending. As far as the "hot lesbian action" referred by another reviewer? Were you watching the same movie? Bit of kissing and that's about it. Could have gone further with that part of the story but otherwise very enjoyable "masters of horror" bugfest. October 12, 2007

Bettis was Brilliant!

This was a good episode-- on the surface a light hearted, tongue in cheek spoof, but once it settles in, it becomes clear that this is a macabre, twisted, bizarre piece.

Bettis turns in a terrific performance as an introverted, nerdy lesbo scientist who becomes involved with another lady... uh, and eventually some bug from Brazil plays a role in a menage a trois type deal.

If you are into cult horror films with a surrealness, then check this one out. The focus is on the characters and not so much the gore or suspense. A very good entry which would have made 4 stars had it not been for the rushed, punchline ending. May 31, 2007

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