Down Terrace

Psychoanalyzing life. This film reminds me so much of A Serious Man, except it's about British gangsters and features the occasional hit. Really, that's all it takes to change something boring into something great.

Down Terrace
2009, directed by Ben Wheatley

K-20: Kaijin niju menso den (The Fiend with Twenty Faces)

The drama, the story, the action, the music - it's all over the top in all the right ways. This Japanese alternative-history superhero film is damn awesome.

K20: Kaijin niju menso den (The Fiend with Twenty Faces)
2008, 137 minutes, directed by Shimako Sato

Sweet Karma

Wow. Potent revenge, but no campy attitude.

Sweet Karma
2009, 85 minutes, directed by Andrew Thomas Hunt

A Serious Man

Larry Gopnik stumbles through life, letting anyone and everyone trod upon him. And then... nothing. He does nothing.

I think there are people that like this sort of film, since they seem to be made frequently. But I don't.

A Serious Man
2009, 105 minutes, directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen

Salvage

This dark and gory film doesn't need aliens or zombies or demons to show the depths of human depravity. Some horrors could be entirely man made...

Salvage
2009, directed by Lawrence Gough

[REC] 2

Having seen the first installment just last week, I was frightened to think of the many ways that the writers/directors of this film could screw it up in a sequel. But I have to say that I am almost entirely satisfied with the premise, the mechanics, and the twists it takes to continue telling the same tale. Although it picks up five minutes after the conclusion of [REC], with the same first-person camera work, the film has a very different feel while being part of a small, happy family. I do just wish this second installment had the decisive conclusion of the first so it didn't feel quite as made-for-sequel ready.

[REC] 2
2009, 85 minutes, directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza

Metropia

This film is an existential journey across dystopian Europe crafted with intriguing photo-animation. I loved the feel of the destitute world, and the resignation of most inhabitants to their fate. This was a fantastic film and I'm happy to have the privilege to see it on a theater screen.

Metropia
2009, 86 minutes, directed by Tarik Saleh

Mandrill

This film delivers a raw one-two punch of raw brutal rage and deep sensuality. The team of director Ernesto Díaz Espinoza and star Marko Zaror continues to evolve, producing a film more refined than their fantastic Mirageman of 2007. This film is a James Bond omage, taken to the next level. I look forward to continued production from this team, and am especially proud that they are able to retain control over their own U.S. remake of Mirageman, set to be titled Defender 3D.

Mandrill
2009, 90 minutes, directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza

Cropsey

Documentaries don't usually fit into Fantastic Fest's lineup. But a documentary about an abandoned hospital where New York City used to dump its mental patients, and where a series of missing youth led to the conviction of a "drifter" and former hospital worker? Yeah, it's pretty good.

Cropsey
2009, 84 minutes, directed by Barbara Brancaccio and Joshua Zeman

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

This is good. You'll like it. Go see it. Thank you Terry. Thank you Heath.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
2009, 122 minutes, directed by Terry Gilliam

Truffe

When small furry creatures try to dominate the Montreal truffle industry, only one woman can stand in their way. The director's cut, only 65 minutes long, is tight and crisp, with the trance-induced plot elements woven into a traditional three-act play. I especially appreciated the black-and-white film, allowing contrast to dominate the cinematography.

Truffe
2008, 65 minutes, directed by Kim Nguyen

Buratino, Son of Pinocchio

"Whether you're made of wood or plastic, when love is in the air you make it for sure."

This kooky musical narrative of growing up on the wrong side of town is a modern whimsical fairy tale crafted as an Estonian/Russian co-production. It's light and buoyant in a fanciful world even when confronted with the grime and poverty of Badville.

Buratino, Son of Pinocchio
2009, 76 minutes, directed by Rasmus Merivoo

The Legend Is Alive

Day four. I skipped my first film of the morning to get a good night's sleep, clearing the headache that plagued me yesterday. I'll likely skip tonight's midnight feature as well, so I'll be truly rested and ready to go for more midnight madness during the week.

In this Vietnamese film, a young man struggles with his physical and mental difficulties, the loss of his mother, and his vow to live a peaceful life, all while faced with the harsh realities of human trafficking. It's a good story told well, but don't expect roaring action, as the protagonist strives to use his training only for self defense or to help those in danger. When action does arrive, it feels like it comes from the heart.

The Legend Is Alive
2009, 90 minutes, directed by Luu Huynh

The Revenant

I was so looking forward to this one as a new take on the undead outbreak. What happens when you find yourself a newly-minted walking dead, with full mental capabilities, but no idea what you are or what you can and cannot do? It starts great, continues strong, then just takes a turn down a path I don't favor and fades away.

The Revenant
2009, 118 minutes, directed by D. Kerry Prior

Yesterday

"I was myself yesterday. I don't know who I am now."

Check this out for an ultra-low-budget take on zombie outbreak. It could be epic - but they're just too stupid.

Yesterday
2009, 95 minutes, directed by Rob Grant

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

The night of the undead begins with the first installment in this, the latest vampire franchise to be milked for teenage girls. This is the story of Darren, a boy who is led to give up his normal life and join a freak show as the assistant to a 200-year vampire. Little does he know that fate has plans for him as the instigator of renewed war with the more-bloodthirsty vampanese.

The Paramount was stacked with junior high and high school girls for this premiere, leaving us regular Fantastic Fest badge holders far outnumbered. The audience however seemed to really get into the film and the stars on hand for its premiere. The film was at its worst when it tried to be serious with itself, and best when playing on inside jokes between the script and the audience. While I may not seek out the remaining installments (until my daughter(s) beg me too in 10+ years), I hope the film succeeds and can continue the story.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
2009, directed by Paul Weitz

Under the Mountain

I see a lot of films that try to be something and fail. This film attempts to be a modern children's fantasy adventure, along the lines of Labyrinth or E.T., and succeeds admirably. The good guys are 100% noble or attain redemption, the bad guys are bad but a bit comically so, the urgency is dire and the adventure roars.

Under the Mountain
2009, 91 minutes, directed by Jonathan King

Fish Story

This wasn't at all what I expected. This slow, winding story leaps across time to what appear to be events only barely related by an unknown 1975 song by an unknown Japanese punk rock band. But watching the first hour and a half is so very much worth it to see the last half hour when they bring it all home.

Fish Story
2009, 112 minutes, directed by Yoshihiro Nakamura

Doghouse

Finally, some kick ass film to wake me up. The action starts fast and never stops. "Now is not the time to stop objectifying women." Fantastic.

Doghouse
2009, 89 minutes, directed by Jake West

Men Who Stare at Goats

As a secret screening, I had no idea what this one would be. It turned out to be marginal. It's a spiritual journey through the Iraq desert, weaving the tales of the U.S. military's 1980s-era New Earth Army and the fate of its solders. It's a "finding yourself" comedy where you aren't meant to laugh (often) but are supposed to feel good about yourself when its over. It's a bit baffling, really. The whole audience was left a big surprised when it just... ended.

Men Who Stare at Goats
2009, 90 minutes, directed by Grant Heslov

(Second time that last-second CGI has marred a film this festival.)

RoboGeisha

Well, this is the screening for which I'm giving up Zombieland. I suspect it's going to be RoboGeisha... and I'm right. Part geisha film, part splatter fest, part body modification, part giant robots, the film seems to be none of those things very well. And while the director warned us that he wasn't allowed to show humans spewing blood, the use instead of CG blood was downright distracting. (Though, having buildings bleed instead was novel.) Eh, given the limitations he should have shelved this script for later.

RoboGeisha
2009, directed by Noboru Iguchi

While they claim contractual obligations prevent this from being called the "world premiere", no one outside cast and crew have seen it before. That's good enough for me.

Krabat

This middle-ages sorcery tale drags in at two full hours long. While it's a good story - and would make a great novel, it's a bit slow for the screen. I did enjoy the imagery.

Krabat
2008, 120 minutes, directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner

Kamogawa Horumo - Battle League in Kyoto

It's a bit too slot and bit too long, but, as the Tim League recommended in the Fantastic Fest guide, if you're going to see this the best bet is to go in totally blind. What happens after 42 minutes should be a total surprise.

Kamogawa Horumo - Battle League in Kyoto
2009, directed by Katsuhide Motoki

Paranormal Activity

This film is generating so much hype here today. Together with the industry presence (30+ seats blocked off for cast and crew) and enhanced security, it's either going to be a huge blockbuster or a serious disappointment.

...watches...

Eh, it was ok, but not worth the hype. It was very predictable and lacked the stick-with-you creepy factor of similar films like The Blair Witch Project. I didn't go to sleep thinking about ghosts, I went to sleep thinking up a better ending. I overheard the guy sitting next to me say that there are eight endings, and he described one of them. Sadly, the one he gave was better than the one they used.

Paranormal Activity
2007, 99 minutes, directed by Oren Peli

read on for spoiler thoughts
The CG in the last second was totally out of place, and the ending was 100% predictable from the moment of the slashed picture. Come on, when she decides to not leave it's obvious she's been possessed. Rather than all of that, wind back to when she's dragged down the hall. Instead of having her pulled into a back bedroom until Micah rescues her, let's see her (via an arm, whatever) get pulled up into the attic through that back closet just before the door slam. Then Micah shouldn't be able to rescue her. He ends up alone. After the tension (and the activity) mounts over five minutes of him frantically figuring out what to do, she should reappear, just give a little grin, and then plug in the she-slaughters-him ending of choice.

Solomon Kane

Harry and the director wanted to be clear right off the bat that this film was new material, not drawn from any source novel, so as to preclude offense taken by the fanboys in the room. As I have no history with the content, that was unimportant to me. What I wanted to see was a kickass sword and sorcery adventure without the silliness or self-mocking-awareness all too often present in such films, and I got just what I wanted. The director shaped the film brilliantly with the resources he had, and the acting and photography brought it home. If it hits as well with a general audience (fingers crossed) as it did with me, this should become a series to follow.

Michael J. Bassett is a very eloquent director able to convey his passion for this material. Were I a producer, I'd want to bring him on and unleash that passion on my intellectual property.

Solomon Kane
2009, directed by Michael J. Bassett

Gentlemen Broncos

This Fantastic Fest, I wanted to see one of the big gala premieres. It would be Zombieland except Harry scheduled a secret screening on top of it, something I can't resist. So instead I'm here at the beautiful Paramount theater, a wonderful place to look at ... the place, but an awful place to watch a movie. As usual, all four good seats are reserved for cast and crew. My view is only partially blocked, and at least I'm on the end of a row so I can breath and move my legs.

So, Gentlemen Broncos. Small town kid in uncomfortable situations finds himself and wins big. If you liked Napolean Dynamite, well you'll get to see part two. If you didn't, like I didn't, well meh.

Gentlemen Broncos
2009, directed by Jared Hess

Первый отряд (First Squad)

The blend of survivor interviews, historian and "psychoanalyst" commentary, and kickass Japanese animation make this Russian adventure a dynamic success.

Первый отряд (First Squad)
2009, 73 minutes, directed by Yoshiharu Ashino

[REC]

As usual I neglected to plan ahead to see my Fantastic Fest prequels via Netflix. I expected to find only the U.S. remake Quarantine at the local Blockbuster, but to my surprise they had not just one but two copies of [REC].

This is a delightful low-budget shakey-cam survival horror flick. I quite recommend it in its original version and native tongue, as the actual low-quality tape (instead of the via-special-effects fake stuff that Hollywood would use) and low-budget effects leave room for the imagination to take over.

Next week, we'll have to see how much I like the convoluted plot they'll have to use to make a sequel...

[REC]
2007, 78 minutes, directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza

9

I'm really disappointed. The film starts with far too little time spent introducing the audience to the environment - the newly formed lead character intrinsically knows too much too quickly, and the action commences before the characters have context. Going back later and filling in the history with movie reels is no excuse for writing a poor exposition. This really just ruins the film.

It's billed as an adventure for adults and children, but I think anyone over 8 will be disappointed by the clumsily advanced plot, and anyone under 8 will be scared by the imagery. The saddest part is that, since the film is SO short, they could have had plenty of time to create a good story with proper pacing. Did they run out of money? I expected better.

9
2009, 79 minutes, directed by Shane Acker