The American Scream (2012)

Directed by Michael Stephenson

Starring Victor Bariteau, Manny Souza and Matthew Brodeur

Runtime 91min. - Not Rated

4 Stars (out of 4)

"The American Scream" is available on Netflix Instant.

Part of my Quirky Documentary series.

The town of Fairhaven, Connecticut is obsessed with Halloween. Or at least obsessed with Halloween decorations. "The American Scream" introduces us to three amateur "haunters" who lead the small town pack. Some are noticeably more talented than others, but all three households are veritably crazy.

Victor Bariteau is a perfectionist. He also gets the most face time in the film and rightfully so. His history warrants a little extra exploration. Victor was raised in a highly conservative religious family. There were no holiday festivities in his home. Not just strict Catholics or Protestants, he was brought up as a Branch Davidian. If that name rings a bell it's because the group was part of the infamously tragic Waco Siege of 1993. I'm unsure if he was part of that particular sect. His mother says she left the group when their prophet tried to resurrect a dead body during a service. Victor's daughter postulates that his current obsession with Halloween decorations is just a way of making up for missed childhood opportunities.

Now For Sale: Beauty Beneath The Dirt

Back in June 2012 I had the pleasure of seeing a film called "Beauty Beneath The Dirt". The documentary follows an unlikely trio of thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. At the time I offered up an interview with Kate Imp who has been involved with every aspect of the film from filming to editing to distribution. I also caught a local screening hosted by Brandon Imp and subsequently wrote a review.

Since that time I've kept up with the siblings on Facebook and through their official website.

I'm pleased to say that the film is finally for sale.

Actually, Kate Imp just posted a Facebook status update that I will now share with you without her permission. Hopefully she won't mind. I've linked up the crucial parts for viewing the film.

Yes indeed friends!!! My film is finally ready for your viewing!!! Thank you so much for your patience over the years. Blood, sweat, and tears doesn't even begin to describe all the love that went into this 2010 project, 2011 post-production, 2012 G2M Tour & University Tour, and now the 2013 digital and DVD distribution. And I seriously could not have done it without my inner circle of support (cough you cough). Seriously thank you. So, please, enjoy! Right now you can rent the film on YouTube or GooglePlay, and/or you can buy the DVD ... which includes over 3 hours of extra footage. In the coming months, more options will be available as well. And if you like it (or you like me) ... please share this link on your pages and twitter accounts. Email your friends. Let's inspire people together and let the world know how awesome nature can be.

 

Would You Rather (2012)

Directed by David Guy Levy

Starring Brittany Snow and Jeffrey Combs

Rintime 94min. - Not Rated

2 Stars (out of 4)

"Would You Rather" is available on Amazon Instant and ITUNES.

Would you rather: A. Watch this film - or B. Cut off your pinky finger? Hmmm. Well it would certainly limit my guitar skills but it'd be over so much quicker. Just take the damn finger.

Ok, so it's not that bad.

"Would You Rather" caught my attention thanks to its odd ensemble cast. I have a crush on Brittany Snow who stars in the film. Also, she did an amazing job in the 2009 film "The Vicious Kind". Playing the lead villain is Jeffrey Combs, the memorable mad scientist from the "Re-Animator" franchise. Former porn star Sasha Grey makes yet another appearance in a mainstream film. You may remember her from Steven Soderbergh's experimental indie flick "The Girlfriend Experience". Eddie Steeples is a name you may not know, but he played the Crab Man on "My Name is Earl". If you watch a lot of TV then you'll recognize the face of Enver Gjokaj as he's had several guest roles and starred in Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse". Johnny Coyne played the sadistic warden on the short-lived series "Alcatraz". Oddly enough, I am both familiar with, and a fan of, this entire band of misfits.

Wrong (2012)

Directed by Quentin Dupieux

Starring Jack Plotnick, Eric Judor and William Fichtner

 Runtime 94min - Not Rated

4 Stars (out of 4)

Now available on ITunes and other VOD services.

This review contains spoilers. Why? No reason.

What I like about "Wrong" is not the ridiculous events happening around the characters, but the passive nature of their reactions. Dolph Springer has a palm tree in his back yard. One day it's no longer a palm tree, but a pine tree. Instead of expressing wonder at this impossible transmutation he simply asks his gardener to remove it and put in a palm tree. He also works in an office where it's constantly raining, or maybe the sprinklers are perpetually activated. He and his coworkers just go about their business, using their laptops and phones while filling out soggy paperwork. He gets called into his manager's office where things are nice and dry. She asks him to use a towel before sitting down marking the only spoken reference to the situation throughout the entire film.

Klown (2010) (NSFW)

I'm including 3 movie posters. They're all excellent.

Directed by Mikkel Nørgaard

Starring Frank Hyam and Casper Christensen

Runtime 89 min. - Rated R

4 Stars (out of 4)

Available on Netflix Instant, Vudu, ITunes and Amazon Instant

Klown is a victory for raunchy comedies. It manages to be absolutely offensive and filthy while still maintaining a high standard of cinematic quality as well as a touching story. Wait, you love raunchy comedies but haven't heard of Klown? It stars Frank Hyam and Casper Christensen. You haven't heard of them either? That's because they're Danish and we stupid Americans just don't watch foreign films. Don't worry, there's already a remake in progress and I'm sure everyone will rush to see that inferior knock-off version lest they be forced to read a few subtitles.

(Related: Korean rapper Psy encourages people to watch foreign films in Gangnam Style.)

So what makes Klown raunchy? The opening act sees the main protagonist ejaculate on the face of his fiance's mother. That's just the tip of the iceberg.

On the set of "Restitution" - with lots of photos

"Restitution" was filmed with a Red Epic camera.

"I am a filmmaker, not a painter. I have a gift for arranging men and horses." - Werner Herzog

On January 4th I spent some time on the set of a film called "Restitution". It was a KickStarter project that met it's donation goal thanks in very small part to DustyOnMovies' $10 offering. I've donated to projects before, but this is the first time one has been filmed within 20 miles of my home. So I contacted the director, Matthew Pickett, and asked if I could come for a visit. To my surprise, he gave his consent without protest.


 

Matthew Pickett directs a shootout.

Being a western, "Restitution" required a location untouched by modern civilization. Pickett found that location in the mountains of Blacksburg, VA near a horse refuge called Advantage Ranch. This was a double win considering horses would be needed for the shoot. I parked at the ranch and was led down a wooded path and over hills of frozen mud until I came upon a small clearing. Invading that clearing was a cast and crew of about 20 individuals. Reflectors, shades, a camera dolly, make-up kits, sound equipment; this was clearly a rare event in this clearing, whose only other inhabitant was a busted picnic table.