Tokyo Gore Police

Has the title seduced you yet?

I felt the need to watch another film set in Tokyo -- to extract the horrifying image of Enter the Void out of my brain.  Tokyo Gore Police was undeniably the appropriate pick.  I’d been anticipating the 2008 Japanese-American splatter film ever since Victor (lover of all things dark and depressing) showed me the trailer -- the most nondescript, bloody, deranged preview I have ever seen.  

I was taken aback to learn that this movie had structure… or even a storyline period.  As a child, Ruka (Eihi Shiina) looked up to her father -- an honorable police officer, who loved his job and was equally loved by all.  Following his assassination, Ruka is determined to emulate her paternal hero and becomes a sword wielding / ass kicking police officer.  In the futuristic version of Tokyo, the police are presently a privatized organization.  Their ongoing mission has been to exterminate a new race of murderous monster humans called engineers.  Engineers have the capability of mutating any of their own wounds into weapons -- and can only be defeated by cutting off said weapon.  While Ruka has proven that she is proficient in the execution of these creatures, her true life’s work is to avenge her father’s death.  

Dun dun duuuuuuh!

The director of Tokyo Gore Police, Yoshihiro Nishimura, is known for his makeup and special effects in the feature film The Machine Girl.  Although the two films are distinctly different, they were made for similar audiences, causing high anticipation for the release.  As expected, the whole film is brimming with murder after murder after grisly, blood soaked murder.  Like seriously - blood spewing far and wide in a nonsensical fashion.  Very little CGI was used, as to give the movie a natural, authentic and campy feel.  But not only is this movie cram-packed with gore, Nishimura unleashes a world of maniacal sordid creatures -- from a dog woman with knives for legs.. to a deadly, phallic firearm.. to a seductive half woman/half alligator.  A great deal of the imagery shown is straight up stunning pieces of art.  

Companion director, Yūdai Yamaguchi, proposed adding in some lighter notes to keep the film from becoming too dark.  He suggested and eventually directed short comical commercials to be played throughout the film - keeping the story amusing and upbeat.  The advertisements incorporated  several troubling recruitment videos for the police force as well as a commercial announcing the sale of designer knives for self mutilation.  Though the ads were meant to be viewed as a topical analysis - I had a hard time seeing past the hilarity and aforementioned blood and guts.  

Generally speaking, Tokyo Gore Police was EPIC.  It truly lived up to it's title. If you haven’t seen it yet, run home, get a Netflix DVD or Vudu account and watch the shit out of this movie!

At #16 -- Tokyo Gore Police.

15th Annual TromaDance Film Festival

TromaDance brought it's 15th Annual Film Festival to Williamsburg, Brooklyn this past weekend.  Hosted by Lloyd Kaufman (co-founder of Troma Entertainment), the event highlighted feature length and short films of violent and provocative nature.  Not only was the audience granted free admission -- we were also awarded the chance to meet the filmmakers, drink and win some awesome prizes.  Being just 3 train stops away from my apartment, there's no way I was going to miss this!  

My boo and I arrived just in time for 2013's Chimères -- the first full-length film of Swiss director Olivier Beguin.  After a terrible car accident, Alex (Yannick Rosset) is given a blood transfusion.  What he does not know, is that this seemingly generous gift of fresh blood is very contaminated.  He slowly begins changing into a blood thirsty monster... the vampire type.  His girlfriend, Livia (Jasna Kohoutova), is frightened, but continues to adapt to her partner's new way of life.  It's the age ole' tale of vampire and mortal human love.  The plot is not anything dramatically unfamiliar -- but with such a low budget, I'm very impressed with the outcome of this movie and think that vampire lovers will consider it a nice surprise.  The imagery is dark and beautiful, as we follow the story of a man's transformation into a monster.  I think Chimères sets a good example, that sometimes hard work and commitment can make any low budget film look polished and authentic.  

Next, we viewed 6 films in the Short Films Block -- each running roughly 5 to 20 minutes.  

Christmas Eve Pet Massacre (Daniel Whidden, Canada) did a lot with very little.  Though the art department appeared limited, this movie really lived up to it's name.  A clearly insane family is spending a weird Christmas Eve together, when the family pets decide to revolt and vanquish their owners.  Carnage ensues -- including a bird flying into an eye socket, a dismembered member and death by fire. Clearly low budget, the one-of-a-kind story and kooky acting made this short film stand out.  

My personal favorite of the short films was the impressive Cólera (Aritz Moreno, Spain).  The camera follows a group of angry villagers as they march towards a shack in an empty field.  They have come to rid their town of a diseased looking creature, who is carrying some unknown infection -- his existence threatens to spread the sickness to the rest of the village.  Shot in a single take, the camera sometimes mimics Requiem for a Dream's SnorriCam chest rig shots... and eventually ends in a bird's eyes crane view.  Brilliant color correcting, flawless camera work and realistic special effects, makes this short film seem like it was pulled straight out of an episode of Game of Thrones.  But with a clear beginning, middle and end, this medieval story couldn't be anymore solid and stands on it's own.  

Last, but certainly not least, was the world premiere of post apocalyptic space quest,  NightSatan and the Loops of Doom.  This short film is a true visual masterpiece.  Written and Directed by Christer Lindström, the film follows the unusual journey of the band NightSatan, as they wonder an abandoned desert world looking for adventure and sex.  The imagery is graphic, colorful and plain spotless -- you'll really believe you are in a barren, desolate wasteland.  But the most outstanding feature turned out to be NightSatan's soundtrack.  A killer synth score that pays homage to past 70's and 80's horror/cult films, such as Halloween and Big Trouble in Little China.  Hats off to Svart Records -- prepare to be sucker punched by this one.    

I had a terribly amazing time at the bizarre TromaDance event.  I saw heads explode, hands punch through faces, grisley creatures, and creepy clowns.  I truly felt in my element and am looking forward to more disturbing films from the creators of The Toxic Avenger.  

You can see more from each film by clicking on the links below:

Chimères Teaser

Christmas Eve Pet Massacre Trailer

Cólera

NightSatan and the Loops of Doom Trailer

Enter the Void

I saw things in this movie that I never thought I would see.  

Within the first 10 minutes of Enter the Void, my girl B and I were already wigging out.  Watching this movie is moderately similar to being smacked in the face.  This french psychedelic melodrama was written and directed by visionary, Gaspar Noé - director of Irreversible.  Told through the eyes of the main character, Enter the Void is a story about life, death and reincarnation.  Oscar (Nathaniel Brown) is an American drug dealer living in Japan.  When a narcotic delivery goes wrong, Oscar, who is high on drugs, is shot by police and dies in the corner of a small nightclub bathroom.  His soul continues to ascend out of his body as to observe the impact of his death, via an “out of body experience”.  Trippy…  Backdropped by the brilliantly colorful Tokyo-- this movie is less about the story, and more about the visual adventure.  

I was not surprised to learn that Noé spent 15 years planning this film.  Initially, the concept was conceived when a young Noé viewed Robert Montgomery’s Lady in the Lake (1947) -- which is shot exclusively in point of view takes.  Enter the Void mimics the first-person viewpoint, only seeing the primary character alive once while he is looking at himself in the mirror.  We see Oscar’s lengthy drug-induced hallucinations -- depicted through flashing lights, bold colors, organic patterns and experimental music.  Noé designed this effect by studying the star gate sequence in Stanley Kurbrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey; as well as the drawings of biologist, Ernst Haeckel.  

Once Oscar departs from his body, we resume seeing through his eyes -- as he floats above the city, looking into buildings from a bird’s eye perspective.  He has flashbacks from his adolescence, and occasionally re-lives life experiences while staring over his own shoulder.  A few times, Oscar chooses to see inside the other character’s bodies as well.  So I’ll give you fair warning -- if you’ve ever wanted to see intercourse from an internal view, this is your lucky day.   

Overall I enjoyed Irreversible more.  Both movies had a tendency to be chaotic from the start, and dramatically lighten more and more before the finish line.  None the less, this movie scared me shitless.  Gaspar Noé is a true idealist.  

Unless you want to lose your mind, I suggest NOT watching this movie while on drugs.  

#13 -- Enter the Void

You can stream Enter the Void on Netflix Instant, or purchase on Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, Google Play and Youtube.  

The Skin I Live In

A modern, elegant rendition of Frankenstein.  

Technically, The Skin I Live In is a 2011 Spanish psychological thriller, written and directed by the inventive Pedro Almodóvar.  The gracefully told feature could presumably also classify as a horror movie without the blood and shrieking.  Almodóvar presents a perplexing, vengeful story about the life of Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas).  Robert is an established surgeon, who has taken part in several of the world’s successful face transplants.  He has been experimenting with a new form a skin that is invulnerable to fire and bugs.  Seeming to be held prisoner in Robert’s secluded surgical facilities, Vera (Elena Anaya) remains the doctor’s lone test subject.  She has slowly been undergoing the new procedure and receiving skin transplants -- as to be remodeled in the image of Robert’s deceased wife.  It’s left unknown who Vera is and how she became part of the doctor’s experiment.  But one thing is for certain -- Robert is making God-like decisions and feels that he possesses the right to use other people’s bodies to repair past wounds of his own.  

Pedro Almodóvar is known for creating movies with complicated plots, tongue-in-cheek dialogue, bold colors and sleek interior design.  The Skin I Live In does not skip any of these characteristics.  Confusing at moments, this movie is not your average medical horror.  It’s an existential puzzle containing betrayal, grief, loneliness, revenge, sexual identity, rape and survival.  It is a mystery left for you to solve.  Slow moving, the film twists back and forth, revealing the story through past and present.  Don’t worry though, this film is meant to disorganize your mind - everything is eventually explained.  

Despite the convoluted plot and lustrous cinematography, what sticks out are the sly, underhanded characteristics of the cast.  Antonio Banderas wouldn’t have been my first choice for a seemingly mad scientist - but his portrayal of Robert comes off as a clean cut, dapper gentleman who has been hurt, and therefore retracted into a man that is evil to the core.  We follow the story of a monster, but are totally unaware of his capabilities.  As well, Vera is beautiful, yet has the tendencies of a psychopath.  And rightfully so!  Every character is so wrapped up in themselves, that they will do whatever it takes to get what they want.  

There may not be a slew of violent, blood stained scenes in this movie - but be forewarned, the story itself is frightening enough on it’s own!  You will not be disappointed.  

Number 12 - The Skin I Live In

You can purchase this movie on Apple iTunes, or rent the DVD on Netflix.  

Humanoids from the Deep (1980)

Budding, attractive girls in bikinis beware!

Also known as Monster, Humanoids from the Deep is a science fiction monster movie that any old-time “creature horror” fan will adore.  As straightforward as you can get, there is no need to analyze this provocative gorefest!  Life is relatively quiet for the residents of a sleepy fishing village in the Pacific Northwest.  When their salmon start disappearing, the townsfolk aren’t sure what to do to replenish their primary commodity.  As it turns out, their precious salmon have been exposed to DNA experiments, causing the fish to mutate into enormous half man-half fish behemoths.  The evidently all male beasts are steadfast on breeding, as they start killing off the town’s men, and procreating with the women.  Take heed people - this movie is heavily rapey.  

I was surprised to find out that this marginally sexist movie was actually directed by a woman -- Barbara Peeters.   Supposedly, she was not the leading pick for the position and was criticized for it.  It was suggested that her vision for the film was not scandalous enough to entertain horror fans -- seeing as the male deaths excelled, while the female scenes were left ambiguous.  James Sbardellati, the second unit director, was brought on to re-shoot the rape scenes - which was left unknown to a great deal of the cast and crew.  Both Peeters and star Ann Turkel requested to have their names taken off to no avail.  As a grown woman, I was personally not insulted by this film.  If this movie was out in theaters at present, I most likely would have viewed it as an interpretation of the rape culture we’re said to be living in today.  And besides - the gory special effects and slimy monster costumes were outstanding.  Giant, oozy fish men with exposed brains, pointy teeth and extended arms -- what’s not to love?  Just don’t expect to see me wearing a two piece at the beach in the near future.  

Coming in at #23, Humanoids from the Deep.

You can catch this movie on Netflix Instant!

Funny Games (1997)

This movie is definitely a game.  Funny... not so much!

My boo and I did not know what we were getting ourselves into when we decided to have a movie date night.  I told him that he could pick from a selection of movies in my que.  Unaware of the consequences of his actions, he picked Funny Games.  A 1997 Austrian psychological thriller, directed by Michael Haneke.  Considering that I’d already seen the 2007 shot for shot American remake by the same director -- I knew we were about to watch an agitating, voyeuristic movie about hostages and torture.  Ahh, romance.  

The movie opens as a conventional, upbeat family is traveling to their vacation home.  George (Ulrich Mühe), Anna (Susanne Lothar) and their son Georgie (Stefan Clapczynski) are looking forward to a holiday in their sizable fancy lakehouse.  Upon their arrival, the family meets Paul (Arno Frisch) and Peter (Frank Giering), two young men who appear to be acquaintances of neighboring friends.  Seeming friendly enough, Anna doesn’t think twice when Peter shows up at her door looking to borrow a few eggs.  Unfortunately, eggs aren’t the only thing that Peter craves.  The family finds themselves imposed upon by the two pushy young men, who just won’t seem to leave their house.  Tensions escalate as the family dog goes missing and George has his leg broken by a golf club.  Situations get more distressing when Paul bets the family that they will all be dead by 9AM.  A fun family vacation quickly turns into a nightmare as the two men force the family to play games determining the order in which they will die and how they will succomb to their deaths.  

As if home invasion isn’t scary enough, Funny Games surely outstays its welcome.  The movie focuses on the family’s twisted fatal game, but in actuality the game is meant for the audience.  With a plethora of difficult scenarios to sit through, Haneke challenges you to view the whole film.  Don’t expect to see graphic violence however -- the bulk of the casualties happen offscreen.

I’d say the most terrifying part of Funny Games, is the breaking of the fourth wall.  Paul is totally mindful of the fact that you are watching this movie, shown as he turns and speaks to the camera several times.  He is aware that you want the family to thrive and make it to the end.  Don’t underestimate him though.  When Anna picks up a gun and shoots Peter, Paul famously takes the television remote control to rewind Peter back to life.  He is in control and it just isn’t fair.  

Haneke has said that Funny Games is less about torture and more of an interpretation on how violence is shown in the media.  How strong brutality is shown for no reason.  I guess I didn’t pick that message up while I was watching…  But I know one thing for sure, I will not be taking any lakeside vacations anytime soon!  

Replacing Black Death in the number 21 spot… Funny Games.

Funny Games is now available to stream on Netflix Instant and Snagfilms.  

Stitches

Ben & Jerry’s presents new brain flavored ice cream - limited time only!

Clown movies don’t typically pique my interest.  I initially saw this title on some comprehensive list of “Best horror movies to come out in 2013.”  Respectively, the description that stood out to me was intestine balloon animals.  There was no way I couldn’t watch after that.  

Richard Grindle (Ross Noble) is a disgruntled man.  He’s pretty lousy at his job - a children’s party clown that goes by the name Stitches.  It’s not surprising when he shows up late to Tom’s (Tommy Knight) 11th birthday party.  The bratty guests are clearly unimpressed by Stitches’ act.  Some youthful shenanigans happen, haphazardly causing the clown to trip and fatally collapse on a kitchen knife.  Fast forward 6 years - Tom, still a little traumatized from the past event, is now a socially awkward teenger about to turn 17.  He elects to throw a huge “teen film” type party - inviting all his childhood friends.  Unbeknownst to Tom and his guests, Stitches has emanated from the grave and is set on retaliation.  He does not intend on deterring his plan until every original party guest is massacred in the most merciless way possible.  

What an astounding surprise this movie was!  By the conclusion, I was fully enamored.  It was everything I love - a gorey, black comedy horror.  Ross Noble, a stand up comedian, gave an eccentric portrayal of Stitches the clown.  Maybe the plot wasn’t entirely authentic - but I enjoyed the fact that the film was predominantly paying homage to “Killer Clown Horror Films.”  What makes the movie stand out from the rest, are the beautifully handcrafted murder scenes.  The deaths are excruciating and outlandish in their conception.  My favorite, being, an ice cream scoop straight to the brain.  Yeesh.  Allegedly, there were complaints about this movie being low budget - but I didn’t notice.  Directed by Conor McMahon, Stitches is a risque, whimsical story that can be enjoyed by any Campy Horror fan.  

You can stream online at Netflix, or purchase on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu and Xbox.