Dances with Werewolves

**_This is not a sequel to “Dances With Wolves”_** A young woman escapes her abusive beau in Kansas and hitchhikes to Los Angeles to find work (Aqueela Zoll). She ends up meeting a paranormal expert and his assistant (Omar Paz Trujillo & Lauren Parkinson), who are interested in a string of brutal slayings involving males with their guts ripped out. Could the crimes have anything to do with a Moon-worshipping countess from Romania (Tatiana Neva)? “Dances with Werewolves” (2017) is cut from the same cloth as Jason Momoa’s “Wolves” from three years prior, meshed with a little Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” such as bits of the score. Like “Wolves,” it’s reminiscent of Marvel Comics’ Werewolf by Night, at least the Don Perlin stint. It could’ve been the next sequel of The Howling franchise, after 2011’s “The Howling Reborn.” The writer/director team has a good eye for photographing women without getting sleazy. Protagonist Aqueela (Cassie) is the highlight, as well as Tatiana as the countess, both semi-statuesque. Winsome Kali Cook (Sheri) is worth a mention, although her part is small. Madeleine Wade (Queeni) and Jacqui Holland (Lady) are also on hand, but they’re prostitutes, which is a turn-off for me, not that they stay in that occupation (lol). The elaboration on the differences between werewolves, skin-walkers and shapeshifters is interesting, as is the idea of exorcizing a werewolf of its bestial infection. Sure, the cast are no-names and the flick’s comic booky, but it's well made for what it is and delivers the requisite entertainment. It runs 1 hour, 26 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area. GRADE: B