Some movies get a bit lost in the shuffle and The First Power seems to have suffered from bad timing if anything. Released at the start of the 90's when horror was on the decline, it didn't seem that there was much of an audience for this kind of movie, but it's not a bad movie at all and a lot of fun.

Lou Diamond Phillips plays a cop whose track record for finding and imprisoning serial killers is some sort of legend. He gets an anonymous tip from a mysterious woman about the whereabouts of a killer named The Pentagram Killer, but warns him to only catch him and imprison him - not to kill him. He catches him, but the killer ends up getting executed in prison and his evil spirit is now free to torment and kill more people - this time, by jumping into other people's bodies.

The First Power might have a few missteps here and there (the killer's need to crack jokes reeks of late-stage Freddy Krueger and the nun character only seems to show up when necessary and is pure plot device), but the pacing is pretty even and the performances aren't bad with Phillips holding down the fort well as the lead and Tracy Griffith does well as the psychic.

A Los Angeles detective (Lou Diamond Phillips) teams-up with a winsome psychic (Tracy Griffith) to nab a nutso serial killer who was executed, but uncannily continues to manifest for more slayings.

"The First Power" (1990) is a fast-paced crime thriller with occult-oriented horror. It takes "The Night Stalker" (1972) template minus the vampire angle and mixes it with the real-life Richard Ramirez case, "Spellbinder" (1988) and "The Hidden" (1987).

It's as entertaining as any of those three movies, as well as more amusing, but it's hampered by predictableness. For instance, when the protagonist goes into the confessional you know exactly what's going to happen. Then there are some unlikely bits, like a vat of acid strategically placed in a sewer that explodes. Why Sure! Meanwhile the final scene leaves a sour taste.

Nevertheless, likable Lou works well as the driven detective while Redhead Tracy Griffith is a highlight. You might remember her from "Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" (1989).

The film runs 1 hour, 38 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles.

GRADE: B-

Hidden Gem , A dedicated L.A. police detective and a female psychic must stop a demonic serial killer the Pentagram Killer, one of Satan's disciples, possesses the First Power; the powers of resurrection, teleportation and possession.

The First Power is a pretty entertaining cops vs. serial killer movie with some interesting supernatural/Satanic twists. Resnikoff paces the movie quite well and keeps the action moving along at a good clip. The film also builds quite well to a pretty satisfactory conclusion that proves to be effective.

The film also has an appropriately dark look to it .Resnikoff slowly introduces more horror elements into the picture. There's good use of some interesting shadowy locations and the cinematography and lighting teams do an impressive job of balancing shadow and light in clever ways to create an eerie neo-noir atmosphere .

I was impressed by Lou Diamond Phillips (Logan), he finds comfort in this serial killer thriller, completely convincing as a cop on the edge, tracking an elusive madman with ties to Satanism.

Beautiful Tracy Griffith (Tess) is good as a professional psychic driven to stop when she starts seeing the pentagram killer after his death. She's a proactive character and a good foil for Logan. Tess doesn't come across as some kind of New Age flake, but a grounded person who speaks matter-of-factually about the spirit world.

The real scene stealer in the movie, however, is Jeff Kober as the Pentagram killer . He's obviously having a good time with the part and does a great job of creating some palpable menace with his character. The work of the three leads, combined with a few decent supporting efforts and the right balance of action, horror and suspense make The First Power is an entertaining thriller and a supernatural neo-noir ; a fine way to kill an hour and a half . 8/10

There is a 32 minute interview with Lou Diamond Phillips, 17 minute interview with Jeff Kober, and the original trailer. The interviews are excellent, and are full of behind the scenes details.