"Dead-Alive"
Peter Jackson's "Dead-Alive" is a masterpiece of over the top gore and zombie violence/hilarity. A must for gorehounds and fans of twisted humor alike.Date Night - Online Premier, Monday December 5th!
386 Films "Date Night" will be available for online viewing through Vimeo on December 5th. Click the image above to watch the film (Again... Available December 5th), or click here to read Critical-Film's review of this incredible short.
'41' Review | Critical-Film.com
Synopsis
In the winter of 2003, a catastrophic fire erupted in a Rhode Island concert club, ultimately claiming 100 lives. Out of the ashes of the tragedy arose an equally profound story of hope. "41" tells the remarkable story of Nicky O'Neill, the young actor, writer and musician who left the world at age 18 but who left behind a message of deep spiritual importance that has already inspired thousands. "41" weaves together the story of a beautiful life cut short with the saga of a community in mourning and a family finding its way out of the darkness.
'Overnight'
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Overnight"
I remember watching "Boondock Saints" for the first time on television. The movie had been out for a while, I assume, but I had never heard of it. I remember taking the directors name, Troy Duffy, during the opening credits. I thought about it, but couldn't seem to associate him with anything else I could remember seeing. When the movie was done, however, I was impressed, very much so. I saw a lot of potential in Duffy's first film. I didn't realize exactly why he never made another movie. "Overnight" documents Duffy's rise in Hollywood, and his subsequent destruction, due to his own arrogance, intolerance, and ineptitude.
'Outdoorsmen, The'
"The Outdoorsmen"
"The Outdoorsmen" is a special kind of film in that it is completely unique. It is developed as a documentary, yet plays out like an episode of “World's Strongest Man”, with plenty of beer, of course. Scott Allen Perry's film displays a group of men, who, while certainly getting older, find the time to spend one weekend of the year amongst their friends, perhaps simply for the fun of it, perhaps because it has become a tradition, or perhaps they are trying to reclaim that little bit of youthful vigour they once had, which may have been lost within the responsibilities they've accepted within their lives.
'Noroi'
"Noroi"
There's a certain something about Asian horror films that just gets me all warm and tingly. It was Takashi Shimizu's film "Ju-On" that brought this all about. A film in which the director's style and craft take over and create something amazing despite the film's other significant shortcomings, which include a simple story that is made needlessly complex through a nearly incomprehensible non-linear format. The reason why "Ju-On" was so successful in my eyes is simply because Shimizu had such an incredible handle on the atmosphere created throughout the film. The film was creepy as hell, and nearly every scene invented a feeling of dread and terror that would swell in your stomach to the point that you were just aching for the scene's grand reveal. It was the first time I can remember being genuinely frightened after a film's closing sequences. "Noroi" is the first and only film since "Ju-On" which has affected me in a similar way.
'Night and Fog' aka 'Nuit et Brouillard'
"Night and Fog" aka "Nuit et Brouillard"
"Night and Fog" is one of the most emotionally powerful films I have ever experienced. It is a film which approaches its unpleasant subject matter with such minimalism, in order to make it that much more powerful. While only 33 minutes long, "Night and Fog" is perhaps the greatest film ever made documenting the events which occurred in World War II Germany.
'My Date with Drew'
"My Date with Drew"
Who, between the ages of 20-27, didn't have a crush on Drew Barrymore growing up? I certainly did, as I'm certain many of you did as well. But, even putting that aside for a minute, "My Date with Drew" is certainly relatable to nearly anyone. The thought of putting everything aside in order to pursue a lifelong dream, is something we all wish we could do. However, it seems more often than not that we let the thought of failure or the intimidation of giving up our routines, or way of life, hold us back. It's sad, but true, and every single one of us is guilty of it.
'Faces of Death'
"Faces of Death"
One of the most famous of the ‘Video Nasties,' Conan Le Cilaire's (AKA John Alan Schwartz) "Faces of Death" compiles numerous video clips in which people (and animals, for that matter) are killed, usually unexpectedly, and in an increasingly violent matter. "Faces of Death" is a complete mystery to me, as there is seemingly no way to take this film in the context in which it was originally intended… Let me explain.
'Delicate Art of Parking, The'
"The Delicate Art of Parking"
The problem with the “Mockumentary” as a genre, is that they are generally unfocused, trying to tell an unrelated story, alongside the subject which is supposed to be the basis of the documentary. This is the major failing point of "The Delicate Art of Parking", as there are a number of scenes which are included, which would generally have no place within the documentary itself.
'Blood of the Beasts' AKA 'Le sang des bêtes'
"Blood of the Beasts" aka "Le sang des bêtes"
"Blood of the Beasts" is a short documentary, produced in 1949, and shot in glorious black and white, which documents what occurs in the slaughterhouses of Paris . Director George Franju made the decision to shoot in B&W, so as to not horrify the audience with the events that occur onscreen throughout the 22 minute film. His intention was to create a film which affected the viewer aesthetically, not physically. After watching the film, I do believe that if I were to see the film in full color, I wouldn't be able to handle it.
'Aristocrats, The'
"The Aristocrats"
"The Aristocrats" takes its title from the punch line of the world's filthiest joke. A joke that I had no idea existed before watching this movie. What sets this particular joke apart from the infinite realm of other jokes, is that, while nearly every comedian apparently knows it, it's completely different every time. It works like this... A family, generally consisting of a father, mother, son, daughter, and pet dog (or in one instance, a gorilla), approaches a talent agent or manager with a great idea for a stage show. Depending who's telling the joke, the comedian digs deep, and comes up with the most disgusting imagery he can think of, involving bodily fluids and waste, sex, violence, whatever, all involving only this family. "That's great" says the agent... "What do you call yourselves?" the father replies, "The Aristocrats".