Paranormal Activity review, Gentlemen Broncos review, Solomon Kane review, Van Diemen’s Land review
Historically, the first day of Fantastic Fest is pretty light on film, but I still managed to get four movies in. Of the four, three featured filmmakers or actors in attendance and spirited Q&As.
“Van Diemen’s Land” - Minor Rock Fist Up
“I am a quiet man,” an unseen voice almost mournfully says in Gaelic narration of “Van Diemen’s Land.”
His identity is not immediately clear as we join the story of eight malnourished convicts escaping into the unforgiving Tasmanian Wilderness—not exactly a place rife with edible wildlife.
After a few days of tense exchanges, macho bravado, nervous folk songs, and strained humor, the possibility of cannibalism is raised. Apparently, they hear that flesh taste like pork. This film is an adaptation of the legendary Australian story of one of the fastest cases of humans resorting to cannibalism.
I’m pretty sure I liked this movie, and I hope it finds an audience. The performances are stellar, the dialogue is strong, the humor effective and appropriate, and the creeping sense of dread well communicated.
But it’s difficult to make a movie about a group of exhausted, emotionally drained men without making the audience feel some of that exhaustion.
The worst part for me is that the epilogue of the movie wrapping up the story of the narrator actually seems like it would have been the more interesting tale to tell. It’s not just what happened that made this person noteworthy, it’s what happened after.
“Gentleman Broncos” - Solid Rock Fist Up
“Gentleman Broncos” is the latest from Jared Hess, director of “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Nacho Libre.”
His films have a certain flavor to them. If either of his first two movies were like candy to you, you’ll love “Gentleman Broncos.”
It’s the story of an aspiring teenage writer who finds his science-fiction novel plagiarized by a creatively tapped and desperate cult author. Meanwhile, a strained friendship with two amateur filmmakers leads to a shoddy filmic adaption.
One of the pleasures of “Gentleman Broncos” is the manner in which these three separate visions of the same basic story are peppered throughout.
The fact that the core story is wonderfully, hilariously juvenile makes the movie even better. Expect teenagers to be quoting Jemaine Clement and Sam Rockwell for months.
This film won’t convert the haters who have problems with painfully awkward human cartoons, but those who were lukewarm to Hess’ films could love this like I did.
One curious thing: The filmmaker’s continued affinity for 80’s technology such as VHS camcorders and calculator watches has the side effect of making it seem like nearly everyone in the film lives in abject poverty.
“Solomon Kane” - Rock Fist Way Up
Solomon Kane is a lesser known character from Robert E. Howard, creator of “Conan the Barbarian.” In comics, Solomon Kane was a sword-carrying Puritanical hunter of witches and eradicator of evil who famously never had an explicit origin.
This film attempts to remedy that.
It starts with a bloody and vicious raid on a castle, lead by a charismatic and vicious man in black. Knowing next to nothing going in, my first thought was “Wow, what a great villain for this Solomon Kane guy to fight.”
Of course, that man is Solomon Kane.
The film that is built around his journey is a bloody, gritty, and fun movie that spins the tale of an evil sorcerer, a pact with a devil, a masked rider, an army of zombie-like warriors, and a quest for redemption.
People have compared this to “Van Helsing,” but only because this is the movie that “Van Helsing” (directed by Stephen Sommers of “G.I. Joe” fame) should have been.
This film relies heavily on practical effects and real locations, so its short patches of slightly dodgy CGI are immensely forgiveable.
If more fantasy films were this satisfying, the genre would still be regularly producing blockbusters.
It also contains the single best twist on a crucifixion scene ever.
“Paranormal Activity” - Solid Rock Fist Up
This movie is a minor miracle. For once, the hype is justified. This is not the next “Blair Witch Project.” It’s better.
Equal parts engaging reality show and creepy ghost story, “Paranormal Activity”’s biggest strengths are its relate-ability and its believability.
The relationship at the core of this movie is fully realized by two actors who don’t look like movie stars. Their charm carries the film and helps ground it in a way that gives the scares greater impact.
His sense of curiosity helps grow the audience’s own; her fear feeds yours. Every bad decision can be explained by human nature and the stubbornness that is particularly common with long-term relationships in crisis.
This movie may be small in scale, but it uses every resource it has brilliantly. Near-seamless special effects make it good. Creative editing and smart pacing make it better. The performances truly make it great.
This is an ideal date movie. The experience is heightened by the reactions of strangers. The woman next to me kept muttering “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.” They should mix her voice into the soundtrack.
Ultimately, “Paranormal Activity” is disturbingly good and good at disturbing.
Day Two’s coverage is right here. >>
Do you have relase dates for these films?