Shameless Movie Plug: Black Sheep and Horror Comedy
This post was just going to be a "go see Black Sheep" shameless plug. But it's evolved. Like a monster. Like The Host.
I've been labeled a snob before, especially when it comes to my film viewing preferences. I just don't get the appeal of Adam Sandler (although I do like his non-comic roles). My waxing lyrical about scene composition in The Fountain and the brilliance of Darren Aronofsky, and exactly how the companion films Pan's Labyrinth and The Devil's Backbone, contrast and complement each other has been known to make people run in fear. And usually, I like my horror creepy and cerebral, like The Devil's Backbone, and Session 9. Gore in film bores me.
But I have an unnatural fondness for Horror Comedy that developed in the last few years. I blame my friend David. I went to a 'Round Midnight screening of Undead at SXSW Film Festival one year with him, and laughed hysterically. Part of it was the company, part of it was the sleep deprivation. But part of it is a good dose of schadenfreude. These are films best seen with good friends, and preferably with festive beverages on hand. These are what I call "Alamo" or "SXSW" movies, best enjoyed by an appreciative crowd (and don't forget the beer).
Soon, I was seeing Cabin Fever on DVD, taking perverse pleasure in it. "Pancakes" uttered randomly can set me of to this day (at least when uttered by David). Soon I was looking for things like Dog Soldiers, (I never knew swearing could be so eloquent). I waited eagerly for Shawn of the Dead to be released, frustrated at not getting to see it in advance at the Alamo Drafthouse, with filmmakers in attendance. Of course I had to be there for the SXSW premiere of Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, which completely dissects the slasher genre. I ended up seeing Severance three times before it was even released, and championing to everyone I know who might like it.
So in March, I got to see Black Sheep and I had my new favorite. I suppose if you live in New Zealand, there are no end of sheep jokes, as there is no end to sheep. And Jonathan King uses all of them, and adds a few more as he turns sheep into nightmare creatures. THe whole "Nature's Revenge" plot device gets turned on it's ear... or hoof, as it happens. It's funny, and very, very wrong. It's not a film for those with poor bladder control or respiratory ailments. It's that funny.
So to finish making a short story long, Black Sheep is playing in limited release, and in Austin, it's at the Alamo South Lamar, so Austinites have NO excuse not to see it. So after a long hard day at the cube farm, take some pals and head out for festive beverages and catharsis through sheep and laughter.
I've been labeled a snob before, especially when it comes to my film viewing preferences. I just don't get the appeal of Adam Sandler (although I do like his non-comic roles). My waxing lyrical about scene composition in The Fountain and the brilliance of Darren Aronofsky, and exactly how the companion films Pan's Labyrinth and The Devil's Backbone, contrast and complement each other has been known to make people run in fear. And usually, I like my horror creepy and cerebral, like The Devil's Backbone, and Session 9. Gore in film bores me.
But I have an unnatural fondness for Horror Comedy that developed in the last few years. I blame my friend David. I went to a 'Round Midnight screening of Undead at SXSW Film Festival one year with him, and laughed hysterically. Part of it was the company, part of it was the sleep deprivation. But part of it is a good dose of schadenfreude. These are films best seen with good friends, and preferably with festive beverages on hand. These are what I call "Alamo" or "SXSW" movies, best enjoyed by an appreciative crowd (and don't forget the beer).
Soon, I was seeing Cabin Fever on DVD, taking perverse pleasure in it. "Pancakes" uttered randomly can set me of to this day (at least when uttered by David). Soon I was looking for things like Dog Soldiers, (I never knew swearing could be so eloquent). I waited eagerly for Shawn of the Dead to be released, frustrated at not getting to see it in advance at the Alamo Drafthouse, with filmmakers in attendance. Of course I had to be there for the SXSW premiere of Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, which completely dissects the slasher genre. I ended up seeing Severance three times before it was even released, and championing to everyone I know who might like it.
So in March, I got to see Black Sheep and I had my new favorite. I suppose if you live in New Zealand, there are no end of sheep jokes, as there is no end to sheep. And Jonathan King uses all of them, and adds a few more as he turns sheep into nightmare creatures. THe whole "Nature's Revenge" plot device gets turned on it's ear... or hoof, as it happens. It's funny, and very, very wrong. It's not a film for those with poor bladder control or respiratory ailments. It's that funny. So to finish making a short story long, Black Sheep is playing in limited release, and in Austin, it's at the Alamo South Lamar, so Austinites have NO excuse not to see it. So after a long hard day at the cube farm, take some pals and head out for festive beverages and catharsis through sheep and laughter.
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