Occasionally, yours truly will receive screeners from up-and-coming directors in exchange for my goofy little opinion, something that's as foreign to me as a Tennessee orgy at Marijuana Mansion. But I'm always happy to help those in need of a review or two, though I make no promises as to how their film will affect my delicate sensibilities. Just because you're willing to send me a copy of your film for free doesn't mean I'm going to like it. Sorry, buddy. No hard feelings.

So it's always nice when I end up with a flick like LovecraCked! The Movie, since I don't have to send them a link to a so-called "review" that may or may not result in some nasty words and a not-so thinly-veiled threat on my life. Director/star Elias has compiled a handful of short films into an entertaining full-length feature that unfolds like a bizarre mixture of Mr. Show and Tales from the Darkside. Genuinely funny and surprisingly horrific, LovecraCked! The Movie is unlike any horror anthology I've seen thus far. And coming from someone who usually can't stand anthologies, this is certainly high praise.

Held together by a handful of hit-and-miss segments featuring filmmaker Elias as a low-rent journalist investigating the life and times of one H.P. Lovecraft, the picture presents its core material as a series of short films inspired by the master of weird fiction himself. Ranging from straightforward to downright surreal, these small pictures are quite well done considering their limited budgets, resulting in a wide variety of oddly compelling narratives that share a common love of the truly strange.

For instance, The Statement of Randolph Carter is a faithful adaptation of the classic Lovecraft tale, while Remain and History of the Lurkers tend to borrow the utter weirdness and outright creepiness found in the late author's best work. What does all this mean, you ask? Well, I guess it means that your enjoyment of the flick and its contents relies on your fondness for Lovecraft and his bizarro tales of unspeakable horror and ancient evil. Those unfamiliar with the guy will probably wonder what, exactly, LovecraCked! is all about. However, most horror fans will openly embrace this loving tribute to an author many of us consider to be a major influence on our artistic output. That's not to say your ignorance of Cthulhu and its ilk will limit your enjoyment of LovecraCked!. Heavens, no. But some of the film's subtler moments may be lost on you.

First, we'll tackle the good stuff. Alecto is by far the film's brightest moment. The segment's unsettling nature and darkly silent performances weave a tragic tale of childhood trauma and its ability to worm its way into our adult lives. It's pure art, simple and perfect. It reminded me of a Takashi Miike short film, and wouldn't look out of place in something like Three...Extremes. And in case you're wondering, that's a compliment. Seriously.

Anyway, Bugboy is another quality piece. Outside of the uber-disgusting though slightly edited presentation of Re-Penetrator — which I'll discuss at-length in a moment — it has the best FX work of any of the films on display, resulting in a stark, David Lynchian take on one man's inability to accept his ex-girlfriend's upcoming wedding. Its ending will linger long after the door abruptly slams in your face, mark my words.