Quick Reviews: Willow Creek (2013)

After previous attempts to blend Drama and Comedy (World's Greatest Dad) & Action and Comedy (God Bless America), let's see what Mr. Goldthwait can do with Comedy and Horror...

A guy wants to make a Film about Bigfoot by going to a familiar sighting location and brings his girlfriend along to help him film it.

His goal is to reach the famous Patterson/Gimlin location where this famous (and probably fake) footage was shot.

You gotta love that pose BTW.  It's like 'Bigfoot' goes 'Hey Steve, we got it now?'

Since we need background and motivation for the Characters, we get odd bits where they turn the camera on for about two minutes to film themselves arguing.  Weird.

They visit the town by the Park area and see the sights.  Some folks seem to just be marketing the whole 'Bigfoot' phenomenon, while others take their joking very seriously.

Despite not being trained Hikers or Campers (it seems) and being outright *threatened* by a guy not to go out into the nearby area, they do anyways.

All of this builds up the Film's key moment: the Tent Scene.  It is long, tense and divisive- to say the least.

I won't SPOIL this one any more for you, so let's just stop suddenly like most of these Found Footage Films do.  The End.

****

This is certainly an interesting one to diagram and break down.  I'm obviously not a huge fan of Found Footage Films.  I've also stated that I try to judge any Film on its own merits as well, so I don't immediately hate them either.  I do love Trollhunter, after all.  As for Bobcat Goldthwait's Films, I've generally liked them.  There is always something a bit *off* about them, of course.  They usually work for me though, whether it is Robin Williams' faux sincerity or America's dark tone.  In this case, it seems like he was hampered a bit by the Found Footage conceits.  The Car Scenes, for example, don't seem to have a reason to be filmed.  Other bits- like them in a Restaurant- aren't bad, but I don't get why/how they were shot either.  This one also falls into the 'How are we seeing this?' trap that 9 out of 10 of these Films tend to.  Is that really a SPOILER?  No, not really.  The Film has key points where it is trying to be funny (and usually works), but lots of scenes of dread.  If the idea was to make a Horror-Comedy, it is an uneven result.  If the result was to make a light-hearted start that turns really dark, then it is much more successful in that regard.  As I said before, the key bit is the Tent Scene.  Right or wrong, it is probably going to define this Film more than anything else.  How you feel about it will certainly sway your overall opinions on this one.  On the plus side, Bobcat seemed to be having fun.

A simple premise. some interesting build-up, but...kind of an odd one.  I didn't hate it...but it's not great.

Quick Reviews: World's Greatest Dad

Before I begin, let me say this: this is NOT an attempt to exploit the death of a great Man/Actor.  This is me looking back at the most recent work of his that I own and a damn underrated film.

In 2009, Robin Williams took on a dark, satirical role in this film by Bobcat Goldthwait, a man who's Directorial body of work is certainly interesting.  I love 2011's God Bless America and this is what came before it...

Robin's character Lance is a man with big dreams of becoming a successful Author.  Unfortunately...

Reality has not worked out that way.  He's a Poetry Teacher at a Public School and his son...

...well, his son is an asshole.  There's no beating around the bush here- it's just the truth.

Tragedy strikes his home as his son dies an embarrassing death.  Robin tries to cover up the circumstances, but takes it one step further...

...by writing his son's suicide note.  Will this finally get him the attention/fame he's wanted?

More importantly, can he live with the cost if he gets everything he wants in this way?  Given how great things are (save for his son's death), it is a tough question to answer.

To find out, watch the movie.  The End.

This is funny, but dark stuff.  The film has more heart than you might expect, but also doesn't pull any punches.  The bad side of human nature is not sugar-coated here.  Good people can do bad things, even if they think it is for a good reason.  Is it wrong to trick people if you help them at the same time?  Are words not poignant if they are coming from a place of falsehood?  Can a false idol still inspire people all the same?  This film is dark and twisted, but also raises some interesting questions.  I will admit that the film cuts a little too 'close to home' right now, but World's Greatest Dad is a great way to look at Mr. Williams' Career.  He did some goofy stuff, some serious stuff and then some really neat stuff like this.  His Career was so versatile that you can love for his Dramas like Good Will Hunting, his darker stuff like One Hour Photo, his broad comedies like Mrs. Doubtfire or stuff like this.  Men are not perfect creatures, but can do great things when given the chance to step up.  This is an example of this.  Am I overselling this?  Maybe- maybe not.  To err is human, but to decide for yourself is also human.  In moments like this, it is important to remember the good with the bad.  This shot exemplifies that in my own kind of crazy way...

Seriously, this film is VERY under-appreciated.  If you like twisted (but deep) stuff, check it out.

We'll miss you, Robin.  R.I.P.

Rare Flix: Meet the Hollowheads

When you give someone complete creative control, crazy shit like this can happen.  Today's film is Meet The Hollowheads, the one and only film by Thomas Burman.  He didn't die or fall into a Black Hole or something- he just only Directed once.  He has worked and continues to work as a Make-Up Effects guy in films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The Goonies (which explains a bit later) and current stuff like...Grey's Anatomy.  It's true- he works on the show right now!  Jumping back to 1989, he was given free reign to make his own film.  The result: a 1950's-style Sitcom Plot if it was Produced by Dr. Seuss on Acid.  It is weird.  It is damn weird.  Notable Cast Members include John Glover- who has played The Riddler, Dr. Phosphorus and Lionel Luthor- and Juliette Lewis, the latter of whom was trying to segue out of playing younger roles.  While she still plays a Teenager, this is definitely not the normal role for Teen Actresses!  If you ever wondered what would happen if a man who mostly made monstrosities for films actually got to write one, this is a good object lesson.  To see how this crazy mess plays out, read on...

Since it was made in 1989, Meet has a Rap Song introducing all of the Characters.  It was made in that awkward time before Rap became mainstream.  See Waxwork II or Adams Family Values...

Anyhow, the Dad works at...the Pipes and is bringing the Boss to Dinner in order to get a promotion.

The youngest son comes home with a black eye he got in a fight.  The Mom has a cure: strap him into a machine and let a giant leech thing suck the blood out!

You all have one of those right?

She spends most of the film preparing dinner.  In this weird, possibly-post-apocalyptic world, this is done by luring a creature's...hand (I hope) past this hole and then chop it off!

As the old saying goes, you have to chop a few monster dongs to make a monster dong omelette!

The family is quite odd- shockingly.  The young son has weird toys in his room, the daughter- Juliette Lewis- is apparently kind of a whore and the oldest son plays...this.  It is a...something.

Anne Ramsay makes her final screen appearance- since Burman created the Sloth make-up for The Goonies- as a crazy lady who is in charge of the Pipes.  She yells at the son and his friend- who were sent out to get it fixed- and just generally acts odd.  She's also subtitled...while speaking in English.

The Boss comes over, but acts like a real jerk.  On top of that, he abuses the young son and hits on the Mom pretty fierce.

On the plus side, the older kids are off doing drugs (among other things).  Oh...wait.

Things 'go South' eventually and the Boss gets very aggressive.  They keep thinking that he's dead- after about 3 times that he should be- but he keeps getting back up.

Things get worse when the older son shows up high off of his ass and the daughter is brought back shortly thereafter by the Police- with Bobcat Goldthwait?!?- also high off of her ass.  Oh and she was gang-raped....because funny?

In the End, the Boss is taken down AGAIN and left lobotomized in their basement with Grandpa (don't ask!).  Don't worry- Mr. Hollowhead gets the promotion...by just saying that the Boss gave it to him.

Everyone wins...except for the Boss and their super-creepy dog.  The End.

What in the blue hell was that?!?  This rare film from the 1980s is just plain weird.  The thing about it that is freaky is that it is structured like an old-school Sitcom.  It is a story grounded in reality, but done in such a bizarre way.  The Dinner- crazy, multi-colored mush made out of freaky, monster parts.  The Boss- a freak who gets mutilated many times in self-defense.  The Job- working at a Slime Factory around the Pipes.  The Family- a bunch of people with odd vices and personalities.  In many ways, it foreshadowed stuff like The Addams Family films that would come a couple years later.  The best and worst thing you can say about the film is that it was clearly made by a Special Effects (in this case, Make-Up) Guy.  You could see that in the overly-stylish aspects of Catwoman.  The film is a great showcase for the bizarre, Practical Effects that Burman brought/brings to the table.  In that regard, I really like it.  I can't say that is is my favorite film right now, however, since, well, it is full of weird, freaky imagery.  I wasn't ever 'grossed out' like some people would be, but they are a freaky sight to see.  If you are into that kind of thing, it is worth checking out.  Burman seems to only have been given one chance to do much more than do Make-Up Effects- you decide how you feel about that.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to put my face on...

Next up, some new crap in the form of a DTV Sequel...to a Remake...which already had a Sequel.  I love it when films blatantly lie to you!  Stay tuned...

Labor Dei: God Bless America

Happy Work-mas, everyone!  It's Labor Day, so that means that I have to stop working...on normal updates and do this special one.  Yes, I get extra work on Labor Day- joy.  Today's film is one that kind of sneaked under most people's radars.  It didn't do it on mine...but it was unavailable for me to do on July 4th. Might as well do it now, I guess.  The film is a dark, dark, dark comedy by Bobcat Goldthwait, a former Comic/Actor who is specializing in those recently.  If you didn't see World's Greatest Dad, you should.  It's uneven, but turns the idea of family movies on their head in a great way.  God Bless America is Bobcat's way of saying that Pop Culture can be annoying and could drive someone insane.  It makes sense to me.  Quick side note: this is also the subject of a Robot Chicken short from about four years ago.  Regardless, this is actually a pretty neat movie and I don't want to SPOIL it too much.  Review-in-Pictures time!  To see how funny murder can be, read on...

A man- one of Murray brothers- is fed up with his life.  He's divorced, lives alone and...now has a brain tumor.  He also got fired from his job- bonus.

With his life in shambles, he decides to...kill a reality star.  Seems logical to me.

*****

 *****

Oddly, he finds a partner in crime.  Her reasonings are interesting.  Even more interesting is her willingness to kill people for talking in a movie theater and killing pop culture analogs like the one you see below.

The alliance of youth and middle-age leads to many deaths.  He has big plans on his own, however, and he gets some serious heat.  Will a live broadcast of a TV show give him the audience he's desired?

To find out, watch the movie.  The End.

 *****

 *****

This movie is great, provided that you can laugh at death.  This movie is dark and acerbic.  It's full of killing, preachy monologues and more killing.  That said- I like the message.  I'm not for the killing, obviously, but the film is satirical.  Is killing alright?  Of course not.  Is killing a faux Bill O'Reilly after he bad-mouths you alright?  Hell yes!  The beginning portion of the movie does a great job of building up just how our 'hero' goes from normal guy to murderous vigilante.  As a comedy, it does a good job of building up him being 'bad-ass' and still being new to the whole thing.  The way the first kill plays out is just awesome.  Some people- read: my brother- thinks that it builds up too fast and easily, but I disagree.  The lead actors do a great job at their parts, a sign of good Direction.  To see bad Direction, see The Spirit.  If you're not a fan of Dark Comedies, this movie will not be for you.  If you enjoy those movies, you'll already know that Bobcat Goldthwait is a consistently-solid Director in this field.  I love this movie and think that all of those with an open mind should check it out.

Next up, a movie brought to you by one Internet entrepreneur.  It's a Turkish movie that may seem somewhat familiar.  Stay tuned...