Mention the Laurel Canyon and people will automatically think of all the musicians that populated the neighborhood in Southern California. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, the residents included Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, Jim Morrison, Carole James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Linda Rondstadt, Mamas and the Papas, King, Crosby, Stills, Nash and even Young. You can probably still hear their harmonies echoing. But it turns out in the 21st Century, Laurel Canyon has gotten darker. Magick Mtn. fills the air of wonderland with the undead sounds of dark gothy music.
A sinister host promises us three tales about the darkness. The first story is about a sweet and carrying therapist who “rescues” a strung-out goth rocker who had come to Los Angeles to see a reunion of former Christian Death members. She wants to clean him up a bit since the guy has been living on the streets for a while. But is she really doing this out of the goodness of her heart? The second segment has two septic tank guys who work for Septic Shock Rooter, a plumbing company in the Canyon that has a rather ominous logo. The two guys are sick of getting underpaid while working on multi-million-dollar houses. While working on a clogged pipe, they contemplate doing a little criminal action on the side. Things get wild when one client turns a septic guy into a thieving goblin roaming the neighborhood in a leather jacket and a thong. Wonder if he broke into Frank Zappa’s old place. The final tale is about an architect ordered to design and construct a building on a piece of land that will conjure something. Can his talent be uses to rejuvenate what lurks on the magic grounds?
Spooky Season needs a film like Magick Mtn. to give a sense of the darkness at the core of the holiday. This film is so Goth, it made my living smell of clove cigarettes after it ended. The black and white photography makes the imagery feel even more wicked. Although it is strange to think that co-director Hana Mae Lee is best known as Lilly Onakurama in the Pitch Perfect movies. I had no clue she could create a film that has the same monochromatic vibe as The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence. She even gets an authentic magick ritual into the film instead of mere movie magic. The soundtrack for the movie is quite spooky. Among the featured artists are Rozz Williams, Eva O, Super Heroines. They even have tracks from the legendary dark English magician Aleister Crowley. If you need to find a new movie to freak out your guests this Halloween, Magick Mtn. is ritualistic perfection. Or if you need a Christmas gift for your favorite goth nephew/niece, I also recommend Magick Mtn. You can also spring this on your aunt who loves those Pitch Perfect movies.
The Video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. They transfer is in black and white so you can get in the proper mood. The Audio is Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo. You’ll want to turn up the volume to get the full dark nature of the soundtrack. The movie is subtitled in English.
Bonus Compilation (14:09) are deleted and alternate takes. There’s more footage of the ritual used in the first segment.
Slideshow (2:20) are press photos from the shoot.
Trailer (1:20) promises us dark tales from sunny Southern California.
Audio Commentary with filmmakers and cast. Hana Mae Lee and Hal Satin talk about what they did to make their dark low-budget movie come together. The whole movie was shot in Laurel Canyon outside of the Joshua Tree. Ozmodeus Le Preem and Ben Price explain their roles in the film.
Cleopatra Venom presents Magick Mtn. Directed by Hana Mae Lee and Hal Satin. Screenplay by Hana Mae Lee and Hal Satin. Starring Ashton Hirota, Monica Lamela, Jose Herrasti, Jae Lee, Miriam Ataya, Ron Reihel, Ben Price, Daniel Adkins & Ozmodeus Le Preem. Running Time: 80 minutes. Rating: Not Rated. Release Date: October 13, 2026.
