#Daxton William Lund

[badmovieihave]

Bad movie I have Anything for Jackson 2020

[literarysiren]

By now, Anything for Jackson has achieved cult classic status thanks in part to its availability on Shudder, and for good reason. The creatures that go bump in this night are some of the best of the year, not to mention the gravitas brought to the performances.

[moviemosaics]

Anything for Jackson

directed by Justin G. Dyck, 2020

[fearsmagazine]

ANYTHING FOR JACKSON  - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: RLJE Films

SYNOPSIS: Audrey and Henry are unable to go on without their grandson, Jackson, after he dies in a car accident.. Following the guidance of their ancient spell book, the elderly couple decide to abduct a young pregnant woman with the intention of performing a ritual that will allow the unborn child to serve as a vessel for their grandson’s spirit. However, it becomes clear the ritual has called upon more than one spirit, summoning more than were supposed to. They ask for help from a fellow Satanist to put an end to the evil entity they’ve invoked.

REVIEW: As I was watching ANYTHING FOR JACKSON there was something that had me thinking that the film felt like “what if the Lifetime Channel did a remake of ‘Rosemary’s Baby.” When I went and looked up director Justin G. Dyck’s directing credits made it obvious why I felt that way. With some 34 directing credits, the majority of the films and TV episodes he has directed are within that genre.

Screenwriter Keith Cooper also has a few writing credits that sound like Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, and a couple of genre films. He also has an impressive list of credits as an actor, producer, editor, and composer. So it’s with little wonder why ANYTHING FOR JACKSON is a tight, well crafted plot, with solid dialogue. The main characters of Audrey and Henry are more developed than you would expect in a genre film. Cooper crafts in a way that they feel like the sisters from “Arsenic & Old Lace,” but they embrace a much darker tone. While the genre elements feel utilitarian, the secondary characters have a nice splash of background information that adds more weight to the plot. Given what ended up on the screen and the solid performances, I think is a testament to what Cooper provided on the page. There are some comical moments early on in the film and I thought it was amusing that the local library allowed the Satanists to use a room to meet and perform basic rituals.

Veteran actors Sheila McCarthy and Julian Richings are delightful as Audrey and Henry. They are very convincing as a loving couple who are using the dark arts as a last resort to try and fix a trauma in their lives. I have to say they’re real troupers given some of the physical demands of the role. Up and coming actress Konstantina Mantelos, who plays the abducted mom to be Becker, delivers an excellent performance. There are several scenes where he creates these multilayered reactions that feel genuine and complex, adding depth to the character.

ANYTHING FOR JACKSON is shot at an excellent location as the story mostly takes place in Audrey and Henry’s home. The interior of the location is nicely shot as it is full of shadows and darkness. The bedroom where Becker is held captive is probably a set, given the action that takes place within it. It kind of feels out of place with the rest of the house and is explained away by them saying the room was redone and soundproofed for their plan. I like the costumes as they fit into the overall production design of the film and add to the tone and atmosphere. There are some nice special effects, most of them feel a bit crisp and not that terrifying for a season genre fan. There is one cool sequence with a spirit and dental floss that is creepy as hell. There is some grizzly gore, but it is not excessive and seems a bit reserved given the overall tone of the film. John McCarthy’s score is fine, but you can tell that he doesn't score that many genre films. It’s fine, it just didn’t add any additional atmosphere or fully enhance the visuals.

ANYTHING FOR JACKSON is being released on VOD, Digital, DVD and Blu-ray, but is currently available on Shudder. Sheila McCarthy and Julian Richings make the film well worth the watch. However, the Blu-ray comes with no extras. So if you are interested in seeing the film I would recommend spending it on a month of Shudder and enjoy the access to some of the other excellent horror films that are only available there.

CAST: Sheila McCarthy, Julian Richings, Konstantina Mantelos, Josh Cruddas, Lanette Ware, Daxton William Lund, and Yannick Bisson CREW: Director/Producer - Justin G. Dyck; Screenplay/Producer - Keith Cooper; Producers - Christopher Giroux & Bill Marks; Cinematographer - Sasha Moric; Score - John McCarthy; Editor - Vincent Whiteman; Production Designer - Daniel Markworth; Costume Designer - Tina Razian; Key Special Effects Makeup - Karlee Morse; VFX Artist / VFX Supervisors - Alex Freitas & James Anthony Young. OFFICIAL: N.A. FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/ufSp2XU2uQk RELEASE DATE: VOD, Digital, DVD and Blu-ray on June 15th, 2021

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay),  or 👎 (Dislike) Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri