Weekend of Horrors 2007 San Jose / Re-Animator News / Sheitan — Driftwood movie reviews
This weekend marks Fangoria’s first Weekend of Horrors in San Jose (the first in my recollection, at least). Why they would host it in San Jose, I can’t say. It’s certainly the least interesting of the “big cities” in California. As far as the film scene is concerned, San Jose plays host to Cinequest Festival, the place where major festival rejects go to die, and its Camera Cinemas present the most pathetic Midnight Movie lineup in the nation. But hey, there’s something to be said for the festival being right here in our own backyard. At least I didn’t have to pay for parking in San Francisco.
Note: Sadly, due to a pending software release, marathon coding prevented me from attending the first day of the festival. But, thankfully, I had today off, and attended the show with Kris. I apologize for the brief and cursory nature of the rundown, but hey, I’m just reporting what was interesting to me.
The two main highlights of Weekend of Horrors 2007, for me, were appearances by Jeffrey Combs and Sid Haig. Being that Combs was the celebrity Q&A attraction for the day, he wasn’t to be found at the standard vendor and autograph tables. Haig however, was out on the floor, signing autographs, selling pictures, and promoting his new film, Dead Man’s Hand. I felt bad that I didn’t buy a picture, but my cubicle at work has run out of wall space, and a picture of Spider Baby wouldn’t exactly go with the rest of our home decor. Regardless, Haig was nice enough to agree to a photo with yours truly (see below). I asked Haig whether he was set to do any more sequels or 70’s throwbacks, to which he replied “No more throwbacks, and no sequels. We’re just going forward from here.” As much a fan I am of Haig’s performances in films like the Big Doll House and Spider Baby, it was a sentiment I was happy to hear.
^ H-A-I-G, Zap! ^
Jeffrey Combs’s Q&A session was a blast. He has an energy similar to that of friend Charles Band; very laid back, intelligent, with a tendency to start sentences using the word “Dude.” Combs revealed the box art and bonus green liquid pen for Anchor Bay’s upcoming Ultimate DVD Edition of Re-Animator (my personal favorite horror film), and sadly announced that the latest Re-Animator sequel has fallen to the wayside (it was a little too political at the time, and now slowly decreasing in relevancy). He did, however, talk about his upcoming Masters of Horror “The Black Cat” episode, where he plays none other than Poe himself. Also, he noted that the rights to From Beyond were bought up by MGM, before they were bought up by God knows who. The commentary track for the DVD has been recorded…there’s just no word on when the actual disc will be released. He also divulged that his two favorite horror films that he did not star in were the original The Haunting and Shaun of the Dead (the latter of which made the audience erupt into applause).
^ Holy Shit! It’s Jeffrey Combs! ^
While not attending Q&A panels, Kris and I were checking out the films screening for the day. The two we saw are reviewed below:
Sheitan – This French horror comedy about youthful partiers encountering Satanic backwater villagers is alternately hilarious and creepy. Though much of the film’s entertainment value comes from the talented cast comprising the racially diverse troupe of horny/rowdies, Vincent Cassel is the main reason to watch. You’ve never seen him quite like this before. Rude, yes. Crude, yes. But not creepy-funny-scary like this. The film’s locale and tertiary characters certainly help with the overall mood, while the music provides additional ominous vibes, as well as laughs. The film works on quite a few genre levels. Its sex and violence will satisfy the teen titillation and gore seekers, while its subtly nuanced narrative regarding the realization of Satan on earth will intrigue the older literary crowd. And yes, its comedy should delight all equally (just wait until you see the flashback tale of the homely fountain woman). Sheitan is a refreshingly different take on occult horror, and should serve as a healthy, intelligent alternative to the current American theatrical offerings.
Driftwood – Tim Sullivan’s “Teen Cool Hand Luke, with a ghost” tells the tale of David Forrester (Raviv Ullman), a young man sent to an attitude adjustment camp by his parents, citing the disturbing dark and depressed state he suffered following the death of his brother (sadly, this type of parental ineptitude happens to a lot of kids, for reasons ranging from simple adolescent angst to homosexuality). The camp is run by Captain Kennedy (Diamond Dallas Page, channeling Luke’s foreman), the resident hard ass, businessman, and youth hater. Needless to say, things prove far from pleasant for David, but the squabbles and abuses he encounters with fellow inmates and guards soon pale with his discovery of the ghost of a former resident.
While I haven’t seen Sullivan’s 2001 Maniacs, I had seen Detroit Rock City, which he associate produced. Sure, a producer’s credit gives no indication towards one’s own work, but it can still provide a sort of ballpark for film quality. Or maybe not. Straight up, Driftwood was a quality film. The performances by all involved were surprisingly competent — even Diamond Dallas Page. Honest to God. All the kids did excellent jobs, maintaining a sense of reality often absent from Hollywood treatments of teen angst. If the film had any problems it would be its tendency to become a bit preachy. There’s no denying its message is a good one, but at times it takes the film into near after school special territory. That said, Driftwood is a competent, thoughtful third entry from Sullivan, and certainly worth a look.
That’s it! We’ll see about possibly attending some of tomorrow’s show, but don’t hold your breath. If you’re at all interested in attending yourself, check out the official website, and program lineup here.
