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Curse of the talisman

Threat advisory: Guarded - General risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

The past unlocked, a myth released.

In 12th century England an unholy alliance of alchemy, black magic and puritanism combine to create a race of avenging demons sent to punish and destroy those condemned for immorality.

Nine hundred years later, on the other side of the world, a crate containing and ancient talisman is stolen en route to a museum and Jeremy Campbell (Jesse Spencer) is asked by his boss to store it. Suspecting that it's stolen, but being preoccupied with attracting the attention of gorgeous Fiona (Sara Leeson), he agrees. That night, cutting his finger on the talisman, he unleashes a dormant demon and sets in motion a 900-year-old curse. Helped by a mysterious priest, Jeremy learns that he only has five days, until Halloween, to find a way of destroying the demon before it unleashes an army of vengeful creatures to annihilate his town...

Also starring Max Garner Gore, Rod Mullinar, Dragista Debert and Nicholas Hammond. Written by Duncan Kennedy, directed by Colin Budds.

Cinematic intelligence sources

Studios and distributors:

Paramount Pictures

Intelligence analyst

Secret Agent Acid Thunder

Theatrical report

I was expecting a B-grade flick with the standard scenario dating back to the mid-80s mummy/talisman craze. Indeed, what I got can be considered to be the mummy/talisman craze, millennium edition.

Not happy, Jan.

I was wishing that I never agreed to review films in the first place. The solution might be to not watch them, but at least this way I can tell if they're good or bad without paying for them first. So far the ratio is 6 bad to 2 mediocre to 1 good.

I am seeing a trend in video whereby movies are becoming 80 minute TV episodes for Amazing stories. While they run longer than usual and shorter than expected, it's a wonder that they even make it to this great southern land. Is this what American culture revolves around? Are Little Aussie Battlers to be subjected to an ever increasing crap list of bad films? Are you expected to explore alternative means of entertainment?

Security censorship classification

M (Medium level violence, supernatural themes)

Surveillance time

88 minutes (1:28 hours)

Not for public release in Australia before date

DVD rental: 21 September 2001