What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[trebor8273]

About to watch lair of the White worm, think I will enjoy it. It has the doctor in it and one of the people who worked on the the film has the wonderful name of Dick Bush

[keirarts]

Tusk.

After the complete mid-life crises melt down that saw Kevin Smith deliver a bland non-entity film that was unrecognisable from any of his previous work (copout) it seemed that Smith has given up film making entirely. then out of nowhere he delivered RED STATE, a film that really divided its audience. It was a wild, weird and somewhat sinister take on the fundamentalist Christianity that seems to be taking over America. Some people hated it but I really dug it, mainly because in spite of its flaws the film was total self indulgence from Smith who at this point didn't give a f*** about his critics and just delivered a film that he would enjoy watching himself. The central performance from Michael Parks is phenomenal and it was a real step away from the 90's slacker schtick that at that point made up the body of his work. (Though I seriously think Jersey Girl was unfairly judged, make of that what you will)

So, in-between pod casting He's gone and made another self indulgent, slightly messy, horror comedy hybrid with an astonishing central perfromance from Michael Parks. Parks here goes from f****g sinister to unpleasantly creepy to at one point hilarious (his take on the waterboy is genius) Like Red state I suspect half the people here will hate this films guts, the rest however may like it. It comes across as a middle index finger raised screw you to the torture porn sub-genre with a look at internet culture that turns the online horrors its podcaster makes fun of, straight back onto its protagonist with surreal gusto. Johnny Depp turns up and really gives one of his more 'out there' characters and Haley Joel Osmont finally emerges from whatever rock he was hiding under and crawls out into the light.

Personally I dug Tusk as much as Red state, I really think Smith needs to say f*** it more often and try and appeal less to his more main stream audience. As messy as they are their way more interesting.

[nosferatu42]

I really enjoyed Red State thought it was a worthwhile film.

[Frankie Teardrop]

TIN CAN MAN - I have yet to see 'The Canal', but found its reviews interesting enough to track down one of the director's other films, 'Tin Can Man'. It's not without flaws, but is certainly one of the most interesting and arresting works I've seen recently, one which is bound to linger in the minds of many, including myself. The plot kicks off when a loser-esque guy is visited by a sinister neighbour who quickly turns out to be some kind of serial killer... sound a bit ho-hum? Not for one minute. Even if the film didn't rapidly descend into florid nightmaresville, the noir-expressionist, perma fish-eyed photography which bobs nauseatingly from the get go would be notice enough that we're in for something a bit weird here. 'A bit weird' is putting it mildly... 'Tin Can Man' is a monochrome trawl through epic bad dream territory, and must've drunk thirstily from the wellspring that spewed the likes of 'Carnival Of Souls', 'Daughter Of Horror', 'Eraserhead', etc. But whereas those hypnagogic horrors often used silence and stillness in a bid to slip within the viewer's subconscious, 'Tin Can Man' is frenetic and dialogue heavy. In fact, much of the horror, the weirdness, comes from the talk, which is crazily hysterical in some scenes. Some kind of fever pitch is reached when the 'killer family' sit around and force the passive lead dweeb to eat cake... as reality-challenged and disturbing as the climactic dinner party in TCM, only more so. Slight imperfections dip in now and again with superfluous evil clowns and bits which to be honest try just a little bit too hard to be 'darkly surreal', but for the most part this piece of shoestring strangeness is suffocating, entrancing and just pretty messed up. I thought it was great, and totally recommend it.

CEMETERY GATES - As derivative as they come, 'Cemetery Gates' is a no-nonsense monster movie which spills loads of gore and is a lot of stupid fun. A mutant Tasmanian devil is sprung from a bio-lab by some activists and then there are some kids who smoke a lot of weed and go and make a zombie film in a graveyard by the woods where... oh who cares, it's basically about a monster who goes around killing people. Some of the 'comedy' is a bit wince inducing, but there isn't enough of it to offend, thankfully. In fact, when people aren't wandering around having conversations or explaining the non-existent plot, there's a barrage of flying limbs and guts courtesy of random onlookers dragged on-screen for the sole purpose of getting mauled. The creature doesn't look bad, either. Virtually all old school practical effects, too. From 2004, but sort of reminded me of a nineties direct to video flick, but with more gore. My fave bit was when the middle aged ponytail scientist father guy took time out from escaping from the monster to turn round to stab it in the eye with a plastic crucifix in slow motion. Sheer class. 'Cemetery Gates' is gleefully disposable schlock. Very entertaining.

[Demoncrat]

Sleep Tight (2011, Jaume Balaguero) Eone UK dvd.

Highly recommended!!
I know there have been a few reviews of this up already, I just want to add my tuppence....

Indeed, tis more a thriller than anything else. Even if it goes a bit OTT towards the end, this is not like any Hollywood derailment etc. Was well worth the wait!!

Also watched Redneck finally on dvd. Whilst the ratio may have been a bit sus imo, it contained everything that my precert vhs does, so happy enough. A dour wee film really. A jewel heist goes awry, and the crooks inadvertedly kidnap a child in the getaway. Telly Savalas chews that scenery like naebodys business!!!

What We Do In The Shadows. Amusing Kiwi "shakycam" take on vampires. Featuring two of Flight Of The Conchords... so Twishite this aint!! Recommended.

[Buboven]

Originally Posted by nosferatu42

I really enjoyed Red State thought it was a worthwhile film.

Certainly had a lot of interesting and valid political/social points to say.

[Buboven]

Originally Posted by keirarts

Tusk.

After the complete mid-life crises melt down that saw Kevin Smith deliver a bland non-entity film that was unrecognisable from any of his previous work (copout) it seemed that Smith has given up film making entirely. then out of nowhere he delivered RED STATE, a film that really divided its audience. It was a wild, weird and somewhat sinister take on the fundamentalist Christianity that seems to be taking over America. Some people hated it but I really dug it, mainly because in spite of its flaws the film was total self indulgence from Smith who at this point didn't give a f*** about his critics and just delivered a film that he would enjoy watching himself. The central performance from Michael Parks is phenomenal and it was a real step away from the 90's slacker schtick that at that point made up the body of his work. (Though I seriously think Jersey Girl was unfairly judged, make of that what you will)

So, in-between pod casting He's gone and made another self indulgent, slightly messy, horror comedy hybrid with an astonishing central perfromance from Michael Parks. Parks here goes from f****g sinister to unpleasantly creepy to at one point hilarious (his take on the waterboy is genius) Like Red state I suspect half the people here will hate this films guts, the rest however may like it. It comes across as a middle index finger raised screw you to the torture porn sub-genre with a look at internet culture that turns the online horrors its podcaster makes fun of, straight back onto its protagonist with surreal gusto. Johnny Depp turns up and really gives one of his more 'out there' characters and Haley Joel Osmont finally emerges from whatever rock he was hiding under and crawls out into the light.

Personally I dug Tusk as much as Red state, I really think Smith needs to say f*** it more often and try and appeal less to his more main stream audience. As messy as they are their way more interesting.

Totally agree with ur take on Red State.

Also wondering where did you see Tusk, really want to see it.

[Buboven]

The Burning (1981)

Why isn't this the classic 80's slasher. Much better than the original F13th and like Bay of Blood, it seems overlooked compared to the former.

8/10.

[Vipp]

Originally Posted by Buboven

The Burning (1981)

Why isn't this the classic 80's slasher. Much better than the original F13th and like Bay of Blood, it seems overlooked compared to the former.

8/10.

I always had a soft spot for this one too mate, such a great film.

[keirarts]

Originally Posted by Buboven

Totally agree with ur take on Red State.

Also wondering where did you see Tusk, really want to see it.

Tusk was being streamed at a mates house. Gods knows how legal it was though. I will be buying it on release!