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Psychotronic Film Society presents: "Demonstone" (1989)

  • The Sentient Bean 13 East Park Avenue Savannah, GA, 31401 United States (map)

8 p.m. showtime, with $7 admission and discounts on craft beer and organic wine during the screening.

The Psychotronic Film Society’s ongoing weekly showcase of overlooked or marginalized feature films from around the world continues with a special 73rd birthday salute to hunky 1970s and 1980s leading man Jan-Michael Vincent. Best known for his starring role in the popular TV action series “Airwolf” (for which he received the highest per-episode salary ever given to an actor up till that point), Vincent starred in scores of motion pictures and TV shows and developed a loyal international fanbase. However, he has been retired for the past 15 years, owing to debilitating health issues complicated by his well-publicized, longtime battles with substance abuse and alcohol addiction.

In his honor, the PFS will screen one of his least-known movies, the 1989 straight-to-video supernatural thriller “Demonstone,” co-starring R. Lee Ermey (“Full Metal Jacket,” “Se7en,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”) and Nancy Everhard (“The Punisher,” “The Incredible Hulk”). A low-budget guilty pleasure shot on location in the Philippines, it’s the dark and rather silly tale of two U.S. Marines who are sent to investigate a series of gruesome murders in Manila, and discover a strange connection to a 400-year-old amulet cursed by supernatural forces. Unfortunately for Everhard’s character (a lovely TV reporter), she becomes the object of said curse, and it’s up to Vincent and Ermey to battle the ancient demon.

“Demonstone” was also released in some parts of the world under the title “Deathstone,” but it’s never been shown on the big screen. If this sounds like your kind of movie, then it probably is. Although it is surprisingly effective as a straightforward action flick, there are plenty of moments where its ridiculous plot and amateurish production value get the best of it. Which is to say, come prepared to chuckle at times.