Fantastic Fest: Chronic-Con Episode 420: A New Dope (2015)

Chronic-Con Episode 420 IMDb 

Fantastic Fest Day 7 comes to an end with this mockumentary.  It was what I needed after I pulled a Korean double feature of some serious stuff.  This was okay for what it was.  Doug Benson is cool and all and I like his other stuff but I was wanting more out of this.  Doug Benson likes to mock the titles from Morgan Spurlock's documentaries.  He did Super High Me and The Greatest Movie Ever Rolled.  Now the stoner comedian is back with another clever plan.  Going to Comic-Con high.  Good concept.  Lots of munchies.  Not in the movie but for me in reality.  Doug Benson comes to Fantastic Fest every year to catch films and do some skits here and there.  He was here for this midnight movie.  I wish they would've had the whole thing on Comic-Con. One third of it was a stand up comedy show he did in another location.  But looking for Morgan Spurlock at Comic-Con was cool.  Lots of cameos.  Dancing Batman.  My pizza loaded with a bunch of pork hit the spot. End of Day 7.  One more day.

6 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Speed (2015)

Speed IMDb 

Continued my Korean double feature at Fantastic Fest with this melodrama.  Director Lee Sang-Woo brought I am Trash last year and this year he brought this one and Dirty Romance.  Speed is actually his most normal film out of the three.  A little too normal I would say.  The story was going okay but I felt like it was dragging on a bit.  Good characters though.  It was a mess at times but it was okay watching it on the big screen.  One of my least favorites of the festival.  This marks my 4th and last Korean film of the festival.  Out of all 4 Korean movies that played here, "The Treacherous" was my favorite.

5 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Dirty Romance (2015)

 Dirty Romance IMDb
Day 7 of Fantastic Fest.  Pulled a Korean double feature.  Director Lee Sang-Woo was here.  This is the guy that made me feel like shit last year with his messed up film: I Am Trash.  He's back this year and brought two movies.  Both are about love.  Still messed up but not as dirty as I am Trash.  Dirty Romance was a loud crazy trip about a mentally challenged lady wanting love, her brother as her pimp, and another mentally challenged guy in love with her.  Yes, true romance.  I'm glad that I didn't eat with this film because a little disgusting.  It was an interesting love story to say the least.  

6 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Klown Forever (2015)

Klown Forever IMDb

The crazy duo from Denmark are back in another raunchy comedy.  Love the first movie.  Didn't get to see at Fantastic Fest but it was awesome at home.  The sequel is not as great but still had its fun.  They go to Los Angeles in this one.  Hollywood Hills.  A ghetto night. Danish Party.  Drunk best friend's sister.  Adam Levine cameo.  Awkward friendship moments.  Solid entertainment.  I was a bit drunk going into this movie thanks to a few Fantastic Fest events before.  That's it.  If you're a fan of the first movie, this is worth checking out.  If you haven't seen the first movie and you're in the mood for a raunchy adventure comedy, the first one will deliver.  This movie ends an awesome day of Fantastic Fest.  I'm overwhelmed with all the great movies this year.

7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: The Witch (2015)

The Witch IMDb

There was a lot of hype behind this movie.  Lots of people calling the best film of 2015.  I went in trying to get the hype out of mind and you know what?  I enjoyed this fucking movie.  Awesome witch story.  So if you're into witches and Satan, this is going to be a masterpiece for you.  I wouldn't call it masterpiece cause I'm not too much into it. But this is well made, well acted, well shot.  Can't believe it's from a first time director.  He's going to places.  This is a slow developing horror drama.  You see glimpses of the horror throughout but the last 20 minutes were holy fucking shit, spooky.  

7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Green Room (2015)

Green Room IMDb

Fuck you, Fantastic Fest.  What the fuck are you doing to me?  Showing me all these badass movies in one week.  My brain is going crazy.  Green Room delivered the fucking goods.  Punk Rock, big conflict, nazi punks, killer dogs, Patrick Stewart as a head nazi punk guy, lots of cool kill shots, good payoff.  Fantastic!  This is from the same director who did a revenge drama called, Blue Ruin.  This one is one crazy thriller.  Solid entertainment.  Must see.  Must buy.  One of my top favorites this year.

9 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Dangerous Men

 Dangerous Men

Ladies and gentlemen, there is a new cult classic on the rise and it's called Dangerous Men.  This was a secret screening at Fantastic Fest.  They made a big deal out of it.  After years and years of hard work, it was finally released to the world.  Drafthouse Films will be putting it out there.  I saw it with this Fantastic Fest crowd and it fucking changed my life and the way I see movies.  Holy Shit!  The worst fucking movie ever that it's so fucking great.  Excellent cheesy 80's sountrack (by the way, they gave out cassette tapes of the soundtrack to the crowd).  Enjoyed it.  Up there with the famous cult classic, The Room.

There is no IMDb for it but check out the trailer:

Fantastic Fest: The Similars (2015)

The Similars IMDb

Day 6 started out with this Sci-fi Twilight Zone tribute from Mexico.  The director of this film premiered his first film last year, The Incident.  It was in my top 10 of last years Fantastic Fest movies.  This year, he's back with another pretty good movie.  Not as complex and mind-bending as his first film.  This is more like a tribute to B-movie sci-fi classics.  Love the washed out colors.  The story and concept where good except a certain part.  One of the main characters was very annoying and all I wanted was for his death but it never delivered.  So, it pissed me off a little.  Other than that, I enjoyed the rest.

6 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: The Wave (2015)

The Wave IMDb

Big Disaster movie from Norway.  Now disaster movies most of the time seem to be a disaster.  Not this one.  This one is done right.  It works and plays like a big Hollywood production movie.  Except the effects are better here.  The story is a typical Hollywood story.  A tsunami comes into a Norwegian town and people have literally only 10 minutes to find a safe place and or be in a higher altitude area.  Lots of suspense.  Very entertaining.  Would make a decent double feature with Force Marjeure (for those who really enjoyed that one). 

7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: High-Rise (2015)

High-Rise IMDb

Okay, let it be known, I am officially not a Ben Wheatley fan.  That's a sacrilege statement around Fantastic Fest.  Everybody loves his films.  Well, I've seen all his films and try giving him a chance but they're just not for me.  I respect his work and his ideas but that's it.  So this movie was hyped up by a lot of Fantastic Fest people but it just didn't do it for me.  I mean it was made good and it was good in some moments but overall it was just okay.  It's a social commentary movie.  A lot of crazy things happen but not chaotic or anything.  Loki is on here.  Tom Hiddleston plays the main character and does very good.  Too much hype ruined the movie for me.  I hope to be more open with other hyped up movies I expect to see.  Well, there is only one really very big hyped up movie I'll get a chance to see tomorrow.   

6 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Schneider vs. Bax (2015)

Schneider vs. Bax IMDb

Hitman vs. Hitman movie.  Dark comedy from the Netherlands.  It's a slow set up but it has its dark comedic moments.  Original.  I enjoyed it.  Wasn't blown away but it was entertaining.  The same director who did "Borgman."  Just like a lot of dark comedies involving a plan and hitmen, things don't always go right.  Those moments made the movie for me.

Solid 7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: April and the Extraordinary World (2015)

April and the Extraordinary World IMDb

Started day 5 of Fantastic Fest with this very cute French Animation.  Set in a parallel world where some things are absurd.  Lots of science fiction.  Marion Cotillard (you know the cute French girl from Inception) voices the main character.  It was a great start.  Love watching animations in the morning.  We got a talking cat, crazy scientists, and a climax with tall walking and talking lizards.  Simple story.  Must watch for those French fanatics and fans of Persepolis (some of the same makers) 

7 out of 10.

Trailer can be seen here:

https://youtu.be/-39w9wsaq4s

Fantastic Fest: Office (2015)

Office IMDb

I love Korean cinema.  Love it so much that I make it my goal to see every Korean movie that plays at Fantastic Fest.  This year, there are 4 Korean movies.  This one, unfortunately, wasn't good.  It has a good premise and all but it didn't quite do it for me.  Didn't like the characters, didn't like the outcome.  Just slowly becomes your typical slasher story but in an office.  Something was missing though.  Didn't find that spark.  Man, I was in a row this weekend.  Saw nothing but good to great films.  This one is down there with Assassination Classroom (which I saw on Friday at FF). 

4 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Zinzana (2015)

Zinzana IMDb

The United Arab Emirates is not a place one would suspect of making movies so this rare genre movie from that country was a treat.  An awesome indie treat.  One of the best villains I've seen this year has to be from this movie.  Very Tarantino type villain.  Loved the movie.  It's a cat and mouse thriller that all takes place in a small police station.  There were a few things that I didn't like towards the end but fuck it.  I had a good time with this story. Clever!  These types of stories get old quick but this one had style because of that villain.  The villain with a great sense of humor.

7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Love & Peace (2015)

Love and Peace IMDb

Anticipated Japanese movie.  Director Sion Sono.  Director of Suicide Club, Why Don't You Play in Hell?, and Tokyo Tribe.  This is a movie very different from his catalog.  Weird but not too over the top.  Sweet story.  Almost cried in one scene.  Very different.  At times, it got annoying but the set-up and the ending was very sweet.  This turned out to be a Christmas movie.  The best Christmas movie to see with a kaiju turtle, a loser type who rises to music stardom, and talking magical toys.  It was ridiculous at times but dammit that song was catchy.  Enjoyed it.  

7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: La Granja (2015)

La Granja IMDb

The first Puerto Rican film to ever play at Fantastic Fest was this crazy crime drama.  This is the Amores Perros of Puerto Rico.  Three tales showing the struggle out there.  Lots of drugs, kids boxing, and lonely women who want kids.  Very dramatic.  I've only seen two other Puerto Rican films in my life, I know this because they aren't big on supporting filmmaking.  Anyways, this one is probably my favorite among them.  The movie shows us the gritty ghetto side of Puerto Rico.  A lot of sweat in this movie.  I just wanted to take a shower after watching this.  That's it.

7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Liza the Fox-Fairy (2015)

Liza the Fox Fairy IMDb

Day 4 started out with this very awesome dark comedy from Hungary.  Another winner.  Fantastic Fest type movie.  These movies are one of the main reasons why I love Fantastic Fest.  Watching this on the big screen is a priceless moment.  This was sweet, comedic, and very warming.  It seems that this year, they decided to bring a lot of romantic movies.  But, when I say romantic, I'm not talking about rom-coms or The Notebook kind of stuff. I'm talking about crazy romantic sweet stories.  Hard to explain.  This one is among my favorites of the fest so far.  Catchy 70's type songs.  I need that soundtrack in my life.  Awesome quirky scenes.  If you read the summary to this movie, you'll have an idea of what you're getting yourself into.  Can't wait to own this someday.  

8 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Son of Saul (2015)

Son of Saul IMDb

Powerful holocaust movie from Hungary.  Heard big buzz about this after receiving a big prize at Cannes.  Oscar type movie which is rare for a movie that plays at Fantastic Fest.  Now, I'm a big fan of holocaust and World War 2 movies.  So I've seen my share of it and most of them make you feel the same.  This one was no different.  Different story but with the same feeling and tragedy that comes from these movies.  Here, we follow Saul the whole way through.  A lot of long shots.  Lot of cold blooded moments as one should expect.  Overall, I liked it but not among the best among other holocaust movies.  Good drama though.  A rare Fantastic Fest type movie.

7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Too Late (2015)

Too Late IMDb

Wow! Just wow!  Day 3 is turning out to be a hit.  Saw a bad ass movie before this (The Brand New Testament) and now this one.  This is my number one favorite now.  Shit, which one is it? Well, I love my private eye movies and this right here is one bad ass private eye movie.  All shot in 35mm.  Literally, the director does not want to convert this digitally for the theaters.  So he's negotiating.  It's great fucking movie.  Reminded me a lot of P.T Anderson with some Tarantino inspired moments.  Hell, the story is told in non-chronological order.  We haven't got to the good part yet.  This was shot in 5 continuous takes.  That's right.  5 long shots makes this whole movie (well, there were some cuts right at the last moment before the credits but you get the point.  Starring John Hawkes.  It also has Robert Forster and Jeff Fahey in it.  Plus some great looking women.  Awesome soundtrack!  Big winner!  Shot in Los Angeles! Didn't 100 percent agree with the outcome of the story which was shown 20 minutes before the end but it was almost too perfect.  Pulp Fiction like.  This is in my top 10 of the year so far.

9 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: The Brand New Testament (2015)

The Brand New Testament IMDb

Holy Fucking Shit!  God exists and he lives in Brussels.  This dark comedy delivered the fucking goods and this is so Fantastic Fest like.  A fucking gem.  My favorite film of the fest.  Dark comedy at its best but also very light hearted at the same time.  Great original story.  Great flow.  Great music.  You gotta have a very good sense of humor to enjoy this.  Hell, they say God has a good sense of humor.  This is the shit right here.  God made the world and controls it by his computer in his basement.  He makes the world a bad place for people.  Shit hits the fan when his teenage daughter rebels against him and runs away to write her own testament to make the world good.  Happy funny movie.  Look out for it.  This made it for me.

9 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: The Treacherous (2015)

The Treacherous IMDb

Day 3 started out with this Korean period drama/revenge flick.  I actually loved it.  Fuck yes.  Although, it got predictable halfway through.  There were some nice surprises later though.  People were trying to compare this to Caligula.  This wasn't too exploitational in my opinion.  Yeah, they treat women like shit in here. So, I wouldn't recommend this to feminists out there.  Based on a true story about a king who had big time carnal desires.  There is the revenge sub-plot (which was my favorite part) but the main plot is about this father and son who are "treacherous" to their king.  All about power.  Shit hits the fan in the climax.  Beautiful shots.  Lots of nudity.  Good morning, Day 3.  This is a festival favorite.

8 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Assassination Classroom (2015)

Assassination Classroom IMDb

Day 2 comes to a close with this silly Japanese midnight movie.  For the record, I went to a secret screening before this.  Saw Crimson Peak.  I'm not allowed to post any comments on it because of an embargo from the studio.  Even though I'm not a critic or anything, I'm doing out of that respect.  I have it saved and ready to go until October 16.  All I can for now is that it was okay.  Probably my least favorite Del Toro film.  Now back to this midnight movie.  This was too silly and childish for me.  I was tired from the whole day that I didn't really enjoy this film too much.  This has to be my least favorite film of the festival.  There were some okay scenes but the rest was just not appealing to me.  Well, maybe the shots with the Asian female teacher, I wouldn't mind staring at her.  That's it.

4 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Remake, Remix, Ripoff

Remake Remix Ripoff IMDb

Fantastic Fest 2015 has the spotlight on Turkish films this year.  They brought this documentary here along with three Turkish exploitation flicks and a modern Turkey horror.  Not sure if I'll get the chance to look at some of them but this was an interesting documentary.  This focuses on the Turkish film industry.  They rip off lots of famous films: Rambo, Rocky, Star Wars, Batman, Jaws.  Anything, you name it.  It talks about how they were able to make lots of films in under short period of time.  There's producers here that were involved in over 1000 films.  How about that?  It gets a little bit old after a while and it drags but other than that, good for a film history piece.

Not among my favorites this year but it was okay checking it out.

Fantastic Fest: Anomalisa (2015)

Anomalisa IMDb

Charlie Kaufman is here with his latest project, a stop motion animation.  Done very fucking well.  Original movie.  Charlie Kaufman is the genius who wrote Eternal Sunshine, Adaptation, Synecdoche N.Y. and etc.  He co-directed this.  He was in attendance at Fantastic Fest.  The movie is a dramatic movie with an interesting story.  It's a view on life and relationships.  Enjoyed it a lot.  Smooth flow.  Great details.  This is a must for fans of all the movies I mentioned that Charlie Kaufman was part of.  Not for everybody. 

7 out of 10.

Fantastic Fest: Victoria (2015)

Victoria IMDb

Day 2 of Fantastic Fest 2015.  A german movie that is all in one continuous shot.  And this fucker is long.  Over two hours long.  Ambitious shot and planning.  That's probably the best thing out of this movie.  How they were able to go from the club, to the streets of Berlin, to a cafe, back to the streets, and to a car scene, a planning of a bank heist, back to the club, police chase, the hideout, and the finale.  All in one fucking shot.  Kudos for everyone.  Story?  Well, it was okay.  Victoria is a stupid girl who gets drunk and makes the decision to hang out with four strange men on this one night and she makes the decision to get involved in whatever bad shit they're doing.  This was good for that one shot.  There were some "oh shit" moments but nothing else special but that one fucking shot.  That's it.

7 out 10.