Hey folks, Harry here... this week I know for a fact that one of the two films rules because I've seen it. BLACK DAYS is fun as hell and smarter than most of the films we've seen this summer, and definitely more worthy of a screen or two. And as for ATTACK OF THE BAT MONSTERS, as soon as Massawyrm brings me my tape back, I'll finally get to watch it, he's had it for like 3 days!!! The cur... And I have no idea why he carved his head in a Watermelon... though, him being a melonhead has crossed my mind ever since he admitted to not liking the Coen Brothers... ahem....
Hola all. Everyone's favorite Chain-smoking, Dr. Pepper Swilling, indie schilling, bitter about being abandoned in Austin while Quint gallivants about at one of the coolest conventions on the planet, Jesus clone back from a weeks hiatus (due to lack of submissions) to tell tale of two very cool indies I recently found on my doorstep: "Attack of the Bat Monsters" and "Black Days". Yes sir, daddy-o, two hip little flicks that shot me back to the days of greased hair, sputnik and women with bras that could poke your eyes out. That's right, both of this weeks picks just smack of fifties nostalgia, so I'm gonna pull out my copy of On the Road, smack the hell outta my bongos and chase the dames about. That or I'll tell you about this weeks films...
Alright, twist my arm why don't ya?
First up at bat this week is a fantastic little Austin made film called "Attack of the Bat People" and golly it was a swell film. Don't let the title fool you, this is not some cheapo fly by night horror film made in a southern California rock quarry. This is a film about making a cheapo, fly by night horror film in a southern California rock quarry. In 1959. Ala Roger Corman.
Now I am a an avid Roger Corman fan, as well as a die hard fan of many of the other 50's and 60's era independent genre films. For those of you not familiar with Corman, he's produced over 300 films, directed over 50, and introduced the world to the talents of Joe Dante, James Cameron, John Sayles, Jack Nicolson, James Horner, and too many more artists whose names begin with J to mention. And this film shows how he, and the others like him in the 50's and sixties did it. Right down to the minutia.
Attack of the Bat Monsters follows a B movie filmmaker and his stable of budding talent as they try to put together a horror film in 3 days. Having rented an area for 10 days, but wrapping in 7, the director decides to push the envelope and make one in 3. He has only two rules: Anything wrong can be fixed in editing and the movie ends only when the monster is dead. From that point on its a race to finish the film by its deadline.
This film is both funny and touching, while at the same time drawing the distinct parallels between the indie filmmaking of yesteryear of the indie film rush of the last decade. We watch the clash of art vs. exploitation, while getting wrapped up in the fun charecatures of a time that lives now only on the walls of your local video store.
Now I have it on good authority that I'm not the only one who dug this picture. Joe Dante, Joe Bob Briggs, George Romero and even Corman himself have reportedly enjoyed this little film. And you will too. It's a very inventive little indie about making inventive little indies. I highly recommend it.
Check out the trailer, the awesome poster and other little goodies here CLICK HERE
Attack of the Bat Monsters
Kelly Greene
7509 St. Louis St.
Austin, TX. 78757
(512) 453-1428
And next up this week is the comic noir "Black Days", the tale of one cool cat who gets cold cocked by one smooth, sadistic dame. This film is a dark satirical comedy set in a noir world. A world where a bad date can get you dead, or worse. A world where a dame ain't just a dame, she's a femme fatale. A world where every line is rapid fire and highly quotable. Black Days hits the shaded nail on the head.
What's so great about this film is it's painstaking recreation of a noir landscape. Every shadow is perfectly placed, every light pokes in at just the right moment, every camera angle breathes of nostalgia. And yet, they entirely update the concept through well crafted dialog and perfect, spot on performances.
However, Harry caught this film at Slamdance this year and described it better than I could ever hope to. He had this to say: "Imagine if Kevin Smith and David Mamet dropped acid together and decided to do a modern day Preston Sturges film noir riff on the comic genre and decided to work with pretty much all unknowns and it actually worked. The is a sick slick twisted fun ride, and when all cylinders are going on this one, it is a blast. The tongue tied Gordon is freakin hilarious. And the comic book dynamics of this black and white feature are just killer. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"
What more can I say except that Chris Scarafile, the DP on this one, is someone to watch (and one of my new indie DP heroes). I want this guy to direct a serious Noir next. Something gritty, grimy and just as spot on as this. He's gripped on "Requiem for a Dream" and "Bringing out the Dead" and boldly showed us what he can do behind a camera with this one. I can't wait to see more from this guy.
And a mention of the Femme Fatale herself, Gwen, played brilliantly by Shiva Rose. She really takes this part and makes it hers. Every word is spoken with this bitter, acerbic taint that drips off of her tongue and dribbles down to her cold black heart. Yes, this woman was born to play this role.
Check out Black-Days.Com for some cool images and background for the film.
Black Days
Ari Margolis/James Morley III
Jonxis/Jmorley3 (respectively)
2200 N. Beachwood, number 307
Los Angeles, Ca. 90068
As Always I implore, beg and beseech all you indie film makers out there, from the Big named, modest budgeted indie gods to the basement production artists and student film geeks: Send me your films. I want desperately to see them, to talk about them, to scream their praises from on high. Please please please. I'm begging here. Send me those freaking films.
Massawyrm
3408 Red River
Austin, Tx. 78705
Well boppers and all you cool cats out there, this is Daddy-o Massawyrm, smoking a camel, slamming a Dr. Pepper and saying I'll see ya next week when I bring you more undiscovered cinematic gold and until then:
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em. I know I will.
