Wishmaster (1997)
The djinn in human mode is basically just Leland Palmer from Twin Peaks. When he’s not looking like a long-lost member of GWAR, that is. From moment one it’s clear that Wishmaster is a special effects phantasmagoria first and foremost. And what a hell of a lot of fun the SFX department must have had with their gallons of latex and foam rubber, flaying dummies and building puppets. Here and there it shows its age through regrettable optical effects, but the ooey-gooey gore splattered throughout is more than enough to forgive the occasional glass door security guard. Every wish is a death sentence, and each scenario is taken by the creative team as a challenge to transform it into a monkey’s paw situation. Sure, some of the twists are more clever than others, but it declares its intent and sticks to it. And hey. Sometimes that’s all you need in a movie.
THE RULES
SIP
Someone says ‘wish’.
The jewel appears onscreen.
Alex has a vision.
The djinn changes form.
BIG DRINK
Josh gets friend-zoned.
Fakeout jump scare.
Alex screams someone’s name as if it’ll do anything.
