TORONTO AFTER DARK FILM REVIEWS (Part 1) The Last Lovecraft
September 1, 2010 by The Punk
Filed under Pixel Punk, Recent Posts, Reviews
What’s going on everyone, Pierce ’The Punk’ Derks here taking some time out of my wacky life to bring you a review of my experience at 2010’s Toronto After Dark Film Festival.
‘What’s this after dark thingy you speak of Pierce?’
You’re not alone loyal ThisWeekInGeek.net reader and listener.
Young children and hobos constantly ask me this question on the busy streets of Toronto… along with the typical ‘where’s my mommy’ and ‘can you spare a buck?’..like I have time for that.
So for those of you who are unfortunate not to know of its awesomeness, TAD (Toronto After Dark) is a film fest that features “8 Nights of Horror, SCI-FI, Action & Cult Movies!”
Without further ado, here is my review of the opening gala film…
The Last Lovecraft (USA 2009, Dir Henry Saine)
Last Lovecraft follows the story of Jeff, a typical dude who’s too focused on his pointless cubicle job existence to see his life is going nowhere fast. The only thing positive about Jeff’s life is his best friend Charlie, your typical aspiring comic book writing slacker always trying to get his high strung friend to cut loose.
One day after work everything changes when Jeff learns he is the last descendant of acclaimed writer H.P. Lovecraft…and of course just like all relatives of the visionary author, it’s up to him to save the world from an ancient evil by protecting some relic.
Wait… did I miss something?
The two friends decided they are way over their heads and must team up with Paul, a stereotypical nerd/ Lovecraft aficionado from their high school days.
What follows is a typical buddy-comedy meets road-movie with horror sprinkled throughout as they rediscover themselves and their friendship as they try to save the world.
This film sells itself off as a Cthulhu comedy, which I must admit, is a unique and much needed addition to the over saturated horror sub genres.
Think it sounds awesome?
I did too…unfortunately this film fails on every conceivable level and never delivers on its monster movie promises.
This leads me to my three main problems with the film, delivered in point form.
1. The Characters
Jeff and Charlie are a cliché of the buddy team up we’ve been seeing in countless films ever since the success of Clerks. They are Dante and Randal, minus original writing and charming actors to bring them to life. What we’re left with are two individuals that you never believe have an ounce of friendship between them.
You end up loathing Jeff as he’s not so much ‘likable misfit’ as much as he comes across as an asshole. There’s not one single redeeming quality about his character, and as such, you don’t care about his story or what happens to him in the long run.
2. The Writing
I knew I was in for a treat when in the film’s first 10 minutes I was introduced to our main character in his cubicle as he utters the line…
“Is this all my life is?”
…
Dude…are you serious?
Did he actually just say that? Could you possible write a more direct and asinine piece of dialogue to try and explain the character for us?
That’s an internal thought, not something you embarrass the actors and insult the intelligence of the audience by having the character actually go and say.
Dreadful lines like this continue to pour on through the film as we get ideas and exposition blatantly fed to us rather than having it unfold through dialogue or character development.
Along with the terrible exposition and dialogue, we get comedy bits of ‘gold’ that have nothing to do with character, timing, or wit and quickly deteriorate into people yelling, cursing grannies, and homosexual hillbillies.
3. The Style
At this point you probably think ‘C’mon Pierce, it can’t be that bad?’
I will admit there have been many films I’ve enjoyed that suffer dreadfully in latter two categories, but they make up for it with a sense of style.
You know, a sense of direction, something that separates them from the rest of the cinematic filler out there.
This has none of it.
Even the opening credits come to us from a preset animation in After Affects.
For a horror movie you would expect at least some good gore…right?
Nope.
Instead we get a camera than pans ups up away from all of the action as we see either shoddy CG blood splatter against the wall or just a shadow. Mix this in with flat, lackluster cinematography and slow tedious editing (a character turns in one shot fully and then when it cuts to the next shot he’s still turning…editing fail) and you get the visual equivalent of…of… a stale donut.
The eye candy could have been so delicious and sweet…but instead it’s just bland and crusty.
That’s why I disliked this film so much, it’s not so bad it’s good, it doesn’t have the visual style to make up for atrocious writing, and it doesn’t have the heart in the story to make up for the poorly designed characters.
It’s just bland and boring throughout.
The only area where this film succeeds is with the monster design. You get to see some gorgeous looking tentacle beasts and other such Lovecraft-ian goodness… I just wish the actual film would have actually been a strong format to show off these lovely works.
Furthermore for an opening Gala event at TAD the fans deserved better! In recent years we’ve received the infectiously fun Black Dynamite and modern day masterpiece Let The Right One In on opening nights. Why drop the ball this year guys?
This thing also received the Silver for ‘Best Independent Film’ in TAD’s Vision Awards. This thing won while a unique film like Rubber was snubbed? Come on After Dark, you know better.
With so many amazing, innovative, and genuine horror comedy hybrids out there in recent years…
This film has no excuse.
Sorry guys, I know you’re passionate about your project, but a cool concept does not make a good movie.
Overall The Last Lovecraft get’s a disappointing 02/10.
Stay tuned for more Toronto After Dark reviews…and don’t worry, they’re not all this bad.
Pierce ‘The Punk’ Derks
TWIG episode 79-Scott Pilgrim franchise
August 31, 2010 by TWiG Crew
Filed under Episodes, Recent Posts
So you may have heard of this guy…Scott Pilgrim and he may have to defeat some girl’s 7 ex evil boyfriends?
Yeah, you know the one with the kid from Super bad right?
In this August topic show, we bring you our thoughts and feelings on the Scott Pilgrim franchise from someone who got to experience being in the movie first hand (Pierce is in the movie!) and Laidman and Birdman too! Scott Pilgrim has really put the geek spotlight back on Canada as more then just the lair of Smallville and Battlestar galactica but also home to one of the biggest pop culture phenomena in the last few years with Bryan Lee O’Malley’s fantastic graphic novel series come to life!
The TWIG boys talk about the books and the deeper meaning behind the crazy cast of characters, the film and it’s attempt to cram six books into one feature film shorter then “Inception” and lastly the kick ass video game adaption from Ubisoft (This game makes up for Just Dance, BTW)
Its time to go out and defeat our own 7 evil ex’s and get ready to rock out with Sex-bob-omb!
THIS IS SCOTT PILGRIM VS TWIG! THE PODCAST!
LINKS!
Visit the place where it all started at Oni Press
Support chiptune artist Anamanaguichi’s work by going here @
Buy the official Scott Pilgrim vs the World:The Video game soundtrack
Buy the Scott Pilgrim vs the world:The video game
Geeks:
Mike “Birdman” Dodd
Mike “Fist of Justice” Laidman
Pierce “The Punk” Derks
;Subscribe to us using iTunes
or
Use any other podcatching client by using http://feeds.feedburner.com/thisweekingeek
or
Click here to download TWIG episode 79-Scott Pilgrim franchise
SPECIAL REQUEST
Will you help send Birdman to MAGFest this year? Donate a few bucks if you can!
TWIG Special Event coverage-Toronto Fan Expo 2010
August 30, 2010 by TWiG Crew
Filed under Episodes, Recent Posts, Roundtables, Special Coverage
Toronto opens its warms wide open to welcome to geek community from all across Canada and the US with TORONTO FAN EXPO 2010!
Movies, video games, anime and so much more available to patrons who showed up and endured lines and more this past weekend in Toronto. The TWIG crew grabbed microphones, cameras and hit the con floor with as much force as they could muster to bring you the con experience that was Fan Expo 2010. In this special event coverage, we have a chance to speak with some people like Jim from Udon Comics and famous director Charles Band from Full Moon entertainment and a special preview of the Tron video games from Propaganda games. However what else happened on the con floor to make the TWIG guys so disappointed in this year’s Fan expo? What almost made Birdman walk off the con floor in frustration and why was the fire marshal called and what one disappointed con goer had to say..
All this and more in this special event coverage inside!
Pierce’s X babies artist link
Interviews
Jim from Udon Comics
Charles Band from Full Moon Entertainment
Chris Whiteside from Tron:the Video game 2010
If you want to help things be better for next year, write, email,call but most importantly tell them in a POLITE and courteous manner that we demand better!
Hobbystar’s contact information
Additional links to people who did not have fun at Fan Expo 2010
Rue Morgue’s Forums on the subject
Cosplayers’s page of rage!
Geeks:
Mike “Birdman” Dodd
Mike “Fist of justice” Laidman
Pierce “The Punk” Derks
;Subscribe to us using iTunes
or
Use any other podcatching client by using http://feeds.feedburner.com/thisweekingeek
or
Click here to download TWIG Special event coverage-Toronto Fan Expo 2010
SPECIAL REQUEST
Will you help send Birdman to MAGFest this year? Donate a few bucks if you can!
