Magus

Excellent makeup, morphing and lighting effects spice up this tale of a power struggle among the underworld’s dark wizards. When the evil and cruel Magus (an appropriately bratty Ron Fitzgerald) makes a play for more power, retired magic healer and lightning-hurler Felix (Bill Steele) and his mortal niece (Lizzy Strain) team up to stop him. But first, they have to get past Magus’ bodyguard/dominatrix Sen (Eva Derrek).

Shelf Talk: With 25 years in the business, Chicago-based gothic magician Fitzgerald has a fan base that will be interested in seeing him in a star turn, which he makes the most of here. Not surprisingly, Fangoria magazine is featuring the film in an article and review, and MTI, in addition to its usual Internet grassroots efforts, is running radio spots in major and minor markets at street date. Strain’s better-known campy half sister Julie turns up as a fortune teller in a few scenes, so make sure her audience knows that. Supernatural fantasy, a la The Highlander series, has a strong following, and Magus is a rare one that’s aimed at adults.