Runtime: 100 minutes
Directed by: Lewis Jackson
Starring: Fiona Apple's Dad (no, really), Jeffrey DeMunn, Dianne Hull, Andy Fenwick, Brian Neville
From: Edward M. Pressman
In my last regular review for at least the next week, why not discuss a movie starring Fiona Apple's father? No, really; I read that elsewhere and I was incredulous to this fact... only I used Google and discovered that Brandon Maggart was actually her dad. I've known of this for awhile so this was the logical time to see something easily available on Shudder... where it's listed under this this title yet the print uses one of its alternate titles: You Better Watch Out. As tomorrow I am flying out of state and won't be back in Florida until a week from today, I may only do a review or two during that time. At least I'll be online each day.
To be frank: a reason I saw this was a comment left on the Shudder website on the page of this movie. Someone asked why the plot of this was similar to Joker! I guffawed then was intrigued. Turns out, that is not an exact comparison although it can be said that like Joker, this was inspired by Paul Schrader, especially Taxi Driver. Of course, the director and screenwriter (both Lewis Jackson) is no Scorsese and Schrader, although the general idea was good and if the script would have been polished more, this would have received a higher rating for me. Maggart portrayed Harry, a poor schlub who at least has an alright job at a toy factory but otherwise is as troubled as Travis Bickle... in this case, as a kid he had a rather creepy experience where he realized that Santa wasn't real so subsequently he became obsessed over Santa. It was to the point that he spies on children in the neighborhood... which sounds horrifying and while it's just to write down in a giant book if they are naughty or nice, that doesn't mean it wasn't chilling.
Christmas Eve he snaps and the killings begin-only the targets he kills are the A-holes who are rude to him while he's kind to the children that deserve it, while he gives dirt to the bad kids. The first two acts are definitely uneven and slow. The third act, though... not only does business pick up, it becomes more and more bizarre until the ending happens, where I was befuddled yet I did laugh-in fact this has an undercurrent of rather dark humor throughout. The movie is rather peculiar-no wonder why John Waters loves it. Maggart's performance does carry Christmas Evil, along with an odd chilling score. In addition, Jeffrey DeMunn has a key supporting role and it was an eye-opener to see Mark Margolis pop in for about a minute.
There shouldn't be any concern—the rest of the holiday season I'll watch at least one appropriate picture that will be cheery/heartwarming instead of in the horror/thriller genre.
No comments:
Post a Comment