Mandao of the Dead

"Mandao of the Dead" deftly does that high wire act between horror and comedy, never pausing to look down at all the failed attempts rotting in the canyon below. This is a terrific film delivering on the promise of its unique concept, and it thrives on the strength of some wonderful character writing.

Scott Dunn directs, and also owns his space as the film's namesake: Jay Mandao gets by on royalties from his dead dad's cereal business, taking in just enough to also support his none-too-motivated nephew. Soon Jay realizes a burgeoning skillset in the socially neglected niche of astral projection; an epiphany that sets the wonderfully honed humor into full and joyous motion.

Like the best of films in comedy and/or horror, a soul has to emerge from the inside, and Jay is in abundant possession of it. Dunn terrifically threads Jay's heartfelt connection to his old man's lineage, and sets it off by surrounding Jay with a terrific ensemble of uniquely memorable characters. "Mandao Of The Dead" is a massively entertaining film, made so by the director's expert craftsmanship in reaching for and achieving something a bit aspirational.