Killerfilm has a new look, new features.

Just in time for Halloween we’re unveiling a whole new look and a ton of new features.  I always love when we make a big change like this.  It keeps things fresh and exciting, but this time its really really different.

We’ve been working covertly for the last few weeks to change our entire site programming to make it faster, more efficiant, prettier, and most importantly to add a ton of cool new interactive stuff for you, our loyal readers.

Here is just a bit of what the revamped site has in store:

• RSS Feeds - Now you RSS junkies can subscribe to our feed, and get our latest updates the when they happen
• Subscribe by email - Not a fan of RSS?  We’ll you can get that same info in a daily email plopped right into your inbox.
• Videos - We’ve had videos before, but to be honest it was a huge pain to add them to the site.  Things kept on breaking if the writer didn’t do it just right.  Now adding videos is a few billion times easier (maybe 700 billion?)…so expect to see alot more videos soon!
• Categories and tags and such - Looking for something a bit more specific than just ‘reviews’.  We’ll soon be tossing out our reviews with way more specific subcategories so you can find what you’re looking for quicker.
• Stuff from Asia - Like Asian films and anime?  We’ve reviewed a few Asian films in the past, but now we’re ready to deliver a full force Tony Jaa elbow to the head of Asian films.  Expect Asian films to have their own category in the very near future.
• Social bookmarking - We’ve added all those little buttons everybody loves so you can bookmark our stuff to your hearts content.
• And most importantly…..COMMENTS!!!! COMMENTS!!!! COMMENTS!!!!

If there is one thing Killer Film has been lacking its the ability for you to voice your opinion.  After all, you have to listen to our mindless ranting…its only fair you get to fire back with some of your own.  I’m really excited about this.

But wait there’s more! Our new system makes it much much easier for me to add new features, and tinker with the way the site works.  So I’d like to end this announcement with a bit of a request…

Leave some comments below: Leave some comments on what you think of the new design, the new features, and so on.  Let me know if there are some other features you’d like to see implimented, or anything you’d like to see us start covering.  In short, let us know how we can make Killer Film you’re favorite site on the internet for movies!

Jon Peters Halloween Watch List

As Halloween approaches, I personally am always looking for some interesting new or different films to spend that night with. I think now in the age of almost every film out on DVD, we should easily be watching the typical horror films that night. I mean ‘Halloween’, ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’, ‘Night of the Living Dead’; the Universal Monster film like ‘Dracula (1931)’, ‘Frankenstein (1931)’, ‘Mummy (1932)’ and ‘Wolfman’ all should be in every rotation. Hell, you should be seeing ‘the Omen’, ‘Psycho’, ‘Exorcist’, and ‘Dawn of the Dead’ on a regard basis anyway, but for this list I will focus on some titles that should be seen and especially can add some spice to Halloween night.

Classics

Tired of the same old classics? Try these out!

-Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932): It’s only 61 minutes long, but Bela Lugosi gives another great performance and the film is oozing with eerie atmosphere. The film captures some of the German Expression style and is really well shot. This is also a great alternative for fans of the Universal Monsters that have seen them a thousand times but are looking for something similar.

-The Fog (1979): I know John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’ is the film to play on October 31st but this film is just as spooky as that classic. If you have a solid home theater system then the 5.1 mix will send shivers down your spine before Carpenter’s score kicks in. I have always enjoyed this flick for its well-paced terror and I am not one who enjoys ghost films that much, but this is really creepy.

-Dead and Buried (1981): This is just one of those films that are so good you can’t believe you haven’t heard of it before. There a decent twist to the film and I won’t spoil it here, but let me say that there is a sheriff investigating an eccentric mortician and zombies. It’s again a well-paced flick with some cool ideas and gore.

Wild Card Pick: Premature Burial (1963)

For Fun

If you’re just wanting to have a get together with beer and pizza here’s some flicks you should spin for your guests.

-Monster Squad (1987): This film is nothing but fun. I remember wanting to start up a group like the kids did in here but none of my friends knew very much about monsters. Losers! ‘Monster Squad’ is still a delightful film that has aged well with cool creature designs and a fun, unique twist on the classic Universal Monsters.

-The Deadly Spawn (1983): For such a low budgeted film I can’t remember having so much fun with an alien invasion. It’s not a campy take on one, it’s just fun in terms of its special effects on the creatures, the gore, and you can just tell the filmmakers had a ton of fun making it. Grab the Synapse DVD because it has a great transfer and fun extras. If you like ‘Aliens’ or the ‘Thing’ this is another fun alternative to those.

-The Tingler (1959): During the fifties nobody made fun or understood fun like William Castle. For the ‘Tingler’ he placed a handful of seats to be rigged with some electricity to shock you right when the film goes black and Vincent Price yells ‘the Tingler is loose in the theater!’ That must have been a fun gimmick. The film is pretty cool too, featuring a fun idea with Price going mad as he uses LSD!

Wild Card Pick: Trilogy of Terror (1974)

Gore

Let’s get splattered with blood and guts!

-Inside (2007): Pound for pound one of the more extreme horror flicks this decade. This is also one hell of a film; pure intensity and suspense, but it also features some insane ass bloodletting. The climax might make some of you turn your heads away.

-Aftermath (1992): This 28-minute short film packs some incredibly realistic looking autopsies and that alone will make many throw up. Cerda, besides the gore, has crafted an incredibly beautiful film using no dialogue and a great score. Seek this out immediately.

-Maniac (1980): I fully believe that Tom Savini has never done a more realistic and gorier film that this. A scalp being pulled back, heads being blown off, bodies ripping apart, sliced throats, ‘Maniac’ has it all.

Wild Card Pick: Mother of Tears (2007)

Besides treat or treaters, you should be busy enough with these Halloween films and I hope that they fulfill your night with terror, fun, and blood! Happy viewing!

Kevin Smith’s “Chasing Amy”

Starting with the month of October Jon Peters and myself (Donny Broussard) are going to pick a filmmaker that has made a substantial contribution to cinema, and examine their body of work for an entire month. October is my favorite month, mainly because it is host to my favorite holiday, Halloween. It’s a time for horror movies, campfire stories, dressing up as your favorite ghoul, and eating massive amounts of candy. So we decided that for the month of cobwebs and candy apples we are going to focus our attention on a filmmaker that writes and directs films that not only push the limits of what’s acceptable, he makes films with characters that spoke to a generation, and hopefully he’ll continue to make films without boundaries that speak to a new generation of moviegoers. Killer Film’s filmmaker of the month for October is none other than Silent Bob himself, Kevin Smith. And because Mr. Smith has a new film, “Zach and Miri Make a Porno” hitting theaters on October 31st we’ll be writing about every one of his films leading up to the release of Z&MMAP.

“Chasing Amy”

Donny: I didn’t think that another film could affect me the way that Kevin Smith’s film “Clerks” did. “Clerks” showed me that anyone could make a film, even with limited funds, and a cast of unknown actors. “Chasing Amy” showed me that a filmmaker could make a film with a soul of its own that speaks fan boys/girls as well as people that knew nothing about comic books. “Chasing Amy” was the first romantic comedy (can I call it that?) that I caught in the theater no less than 5 times, and that’s not counting the numerous times I’ve seen it on DVD.

I think that most comic book fans dream of creating their own comic book. Comics are similar to films because both are visual mediums used to tell a story only filmmakers seem to get laid a little more often than comic book creators. So the fact that Smith based a whole movie around indie comic creators Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) and Banky Edwards (Jason Lee) was a sign that not only did this director really care about comic books, he cared enough to base an entire movie around two comic book creators. Also, he was able to snag the godfather of comics, Stan Lee to appear in the flick as himself. An unforgettable role for Stan Lee, it allowed him to stretch his acting muscles as apposed to just making a brief cameo as a door man or some other such character. Kevin Smith understands the fan boy culture because he’s a fan himself, a fan that cares deeply about the subject matter he’s writing about. And just when you think you know what’s coming up next, he throws a beautiful love story into the mix, and does it in a way that I personally had never seen done before. His characters talk about the same kinds of things that real people talk about; they have faults, fears, and are always memorable down to the smallest role in the movie. There is no better example of this than in “Chasing Amy.”

I remember watching the credits roll after my first viewing of the flick. I sat there in the seat trying to take in all that I had just seen. Had I just watched a date movie that I could relate to, that didn’t take the easy way out the way most movies in this genre do? A movie that my girlfriend could enjoy, but had enough stuff in there that only a geek like me would catch? I remember asking myself these questions. The next night I rushed to the theater to get another look at this film, and it played better on the second viewing than it did on the first, so when I was leaving the multiplex and met up with a friend of mine that was going to see it for the first time, I decided to catch it for a third time. Once again, after the credits rolled I was just as excited as I was after the first viewing. In fact, I enjoyed “Chasing Amy” so much that I caught it at least two more times before it ended its run at the multiplex.

Jon: I was a punk high schooler when ‘Chasing Amy’ came out theatrically, so I missed that experience. I really wished I had that experience too because the one thing I love about it is the way Smith handles the relationships in this film. I think this film is essential viewing for almost anyone. I’m so glad Criterion adding it to their collection, as the film is a pitch perfect take at dating. I was Holden; I think Smith was too, hell, we (as in heterosexual males) all were. I love how Alyssa just sent him for a loop in almost every way. She changes his perceptive on love and on gays/lesbians.

This is Kevin Smith’s best film and while he might’ve had funnier films, the combination of superb dialogue and well-defined characters is pitch perfect and something I’ll take any day of the week. I’ve been noticing that Judd Apatow, everyone’s favorite new comedy director, has taken a lot from ‘Chasing Amy’. He took the snappy dialogue that made Smith and the way he uses it with characters that seem like you know them, with a great story that anyone with a pulse should relate to. Funny now that Smith has cast Seth Rogen, ah, how it all comes full circle, don’t you think? But seriously ‘Chasing Amy’ is the prototype in my book for a naturalistic comedy. Anyone can string together a series of jokes for 90 minutes and with having Jay and Silent Bob enter the film near the end shows that Smith was focused on telling a great story over an easy go-to joke, much like Jay and Silent Bob were used in ‘Mallrats’.

I think the film succeeds at the casting of Joey Lauren Adams. She’s the glue that holds it all together. Ideally casted, but more importantly, you can easily see why Holden (Affleck’s character) falls in love with her, despite the fact that she is lesbian. I was crushing on her too and still do. I love how Smith makes her an idol of affection and lust, but does not glorify her like Scorsese does blondes. She is a real person and he writes and treats her as such.

On a personal level this film has a speech that really gets me, mostly because it’s true:

Silent Bob: ‘So there’s me an’ Amy, and we’re all inseparable, right? Just big time in love. And then four months down the road, the idiot gear kicks in, and I ask about the ex-boyfriend. Which, as we all know, is a really dumb move. But, you know how it is - you don’t wanna know, but you just have to, right? Stupid guy bullshit. So, anyway, she starts telling me about him - how they fell in love, and how they went out for a couple of years, and how they lived together, her mother likes me better, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah - and I’m okay. But then she drops the bomb on me, and the bomb is this: it seems that a couple of times, while they were goin’ out, he brought some people to bed with them. MÃnage a tois I believe it’s called. Now this just blows my mind, right. I mean, I am not used to this sort of thing. I mean, I was raised Catholic for God’s sakes…So, I’m totally weirded out by this, right? And I just start blastin’ her. Like I don’t know how to deal with what I’m feeling, so I figure the best way is by callin’ her a slut, right? And tell her she was used. I’m-I’m out for blood. I really wanna hurt this girl. I’m like, “What the fuck is your problem?”, right. And she’s just all calmly tryin’ to tell me like it was that time and it was that place and she doesn’t think she should apologize because she doesn’t feel that she’s done anything wrong. I’m like, “Oh, really?” That’s when I look her strait in the eye, I tell her it’s over. I walk .I wasn’t disgusted with her, I was afraid. At that moment, I felt small - like-like I’d lacked experience, like I’d never be on her level, like I’d never be enough for her or something like that, you know what I’m sayin’? But, what I did not get, she didn’t care. She wasn’t looking for that guy anymore. She was - she was looking for me, for-for the Bob. But, uh, by the time I figure this all out, it was too late, man. She moved on, and all I had to show for it was some foolish pride, which then gave way to regret. She was the girl, I know that now. But, I pushed her away. So I’ve spent every day since then chasing Amy…

I’m chasing Amy.

Donny: I totally agree with Jon in that this is Smith’s most mature film, and it is a picture perfect example of relationships in the 90s. Jason Lee rocked this movie so hard that even to this day Banky is my favorite film character. I can relate to everything in this flick. When they are in a bar, I can smell the dirty floor and whiskey. With “Chasing Amy” Kevin Smith not only painted a picture of relationships in the 1990s, he painted the landscape of middle-class America.

Trance Poster!

The kick ass news staff at Arrow in the Head just posted a first look at the one-sheet for “Trance.” The film was written by the Arrow himself John Fallon, and was originally going going to be a project that John Fallon and myself (Donny Broussard) were going to co-direct, when other parties became interested in the project. So John sold the skript and the rest is history. It stars hottie Dominique Swain, and “Mallrats” alumni Jeremy London. It looks like it could be fun, so click here and read about the flick that should be out soon.

Red Hours Sitges diary!

Writer/Director John Fallon posted his “Red Hours” diary on his site Arrow in the Head. In it he talks about the reaction the film got from the audience in attendance at the festival as well as the Spanish press. John is a stand up guy that knows the horror genre inside out, so head over here and check out his diary.

Kevin Smith’s “Clerks”

Donny: I remember the first time I saw “Clerks,” my buddy Charles invited me over to check out this indie flick that he had rented. Somehow or another he had seen the flick on the big screen (Lafayette, La is a small town), and decided that everyone he knew had to see it as soon as possible. He kept telling us that the characters in the movie were exactly like us, but with thick Jersey accents instead of thick Cajun accents. So I decided to head over to his apartment to check out this flick that had clearly affected my friend deeply, also I was broke and figured he’d have beer in the fridge. Once I got to his place, and everyone settled in to watch this movie that was supposedly going to change our lives, I soon realized that Charles was right. These characters were just like us. They spoke like us (mostly), they talked about Star Wars frequently (I still do this), but most of all they spoke to us. To the generation of slackers that had embraced the grunge era, but hadn’t completely given up on 80s metal either. The generation of miscreants that worked dead-end jobs because it was easier than actually deciding to do something.

When the movie was over and the credits rolled, I couldn’t get it out of my head. The next morning I got dressed, called in sick for work, headed out to Home Video, and rented “Clerks.” I watched it twice back to back, and then at least 4 more times before bringing the tape back to the video store. I couldn’t believe that a black and white movie that I had never heard of was having such an affect on me. I was majoring in English at the time while working a dead-end job, but wasn’t really taking it seriously. So I decided to take a few art classes, and then changed my major to Media (we didn’t have a film school). I did this because for the first time in my life I realized that it was possible to make movies that spoke to people, real people, people that I knew, and that not all movies needed to be grand statements or blow up buildings in order to truly connect with an audience. I was a film fanatic before “Clerks,” but because of “Clerks” my life now revolves around film (don’t worry; I etch out a little time for the wife).

Jon: I had a similar experience too. “Clerks” was one of those movies I’ve heard people talking about; from the characters to the dialogue to the famous “Star Wars” Death Star labor issue, but back then I was stubborn, so I avoided renting it. It was actually a couple of years ago that I finally just saw it. My girlfriend at the time wanted to rent something of her choosing, mostly because when we watched movies, I picked the DVD. So after work, she came over and brought with her “Clerks”. She went on saying that it was awesome, funny, this and that, but I’ve always been cold to films people brag up. I know that seems hypocritical since I review everything and recommend films to people, but I get sick of hearing people say “You must see this film!” and when I do I’m usually letdown. I have this thing about comedies too; I like my comedies relatable and generally timeless. Comedies seem too in-the-now. I know it was a weird issue to have, but a few years ago that was me.

So we popped it in and I folded my arms expecting something over-hyped and stupid. Almost immediately I was hooked. Dante and Randall are incredibly funny as two friends working a crappy job, but also really relatable. I was laughing all the way through and soon I was quoting lines form the film like it was law. I’m not even supposed to be here” is one line I use still, every time I come in on my day off to help out. I also do a weak copy of Randall’s dance from the end of the movie. So while I parted with her, at least she gave me “Clerks”. I think it was a couple of days after seeing it I rushed out to buy “Clerks ” and soaked up all the commentaries, documentaries, and watched all three versions of the film. I think “Clerks” came at me at the right time; I could relate to almost everything happening to them, as well, I am pretty much Dante with a little Jay thrown in. As much as I love Kevin Smith’s films, “Clerks” is still one of my favorites from him.

Earlier this year I was dating someone else and while she wasn’t into film like me, I popped in “Clerks” and began laughing all the way through. I kept looking at her and she was blank. She smirked a few times during the film but she wasn’t as animated as I was or even my ex-girlfriend who showed me the movie in the first place. I asked her what she thought and she said nonchalantly, it was okay. I pounded her with questions about the film and she never said anything more than that. I don’t know if I could date someone who couldn’t find “Clerks” funny. Shortly after that we broke up.

Donny: I have to agree with you on that one sir, I don’t think I could be in a serious relationship with someone that didn’t think “Clerks” was funny. I really love this film, everything about it, even the gritty black and white look of the flick. Also the fact that most of the actors didn’t have much experience brought a real quality to the film that I don’t think could have been achieved using a cast of A-listers. In my opinion the one thing that no one can take away from Kevin Smith is his ability to keep an audience entertained without using fancy Hollywood editing and shooting techniques. When I go to the theatre to check out a Kevin Smith flick I’m not there to see a visual effects extravaganza, I’m there to see real characters that live and breath on the screen, characters that I can relate to, and dialogue that is impossible to forget. And “Clerks” is a perfect example of a movie that displays all of the qualities I just listed.

“Clerks” is a film that not only introduced the world to an amazing writer/director, it introduced the world to a cast of characters that would live on, not only in other Kevin Smith films, but in comics, shorts, books, and the hearts of fanboys/girls the world over. This flick is one of my all-time favorites, and deserves all the accolades that it has gotten over the years and more. Basically what I’m saying for all of you reading as I rant about this flick, is that if you haven’t seen “Clerks,” then by all means see it immediately (multiple viewings are necessary), and if you have seen it, then watch it again.

Red Hours at Sitges

John Fallon’s short film “The Red Hours” is making its debut at the awesome Sitges Film Festival! I was lucky enough to have worked with John on the flick as his Director of Photography, and it was a blast. Fallon is a stand up guy that deserves all the success that he can get, so head over to Arrow in the Head and check out the article the killer staff there did on the flick.

Making of The Scorpion King 2

Hey all you “Mummy” fans, check out this short behind the scenes clip called “Making of The Scorpion King 2″ on Youtube. It shows how they created built the extremely wicked set of the murky underworld.

Source: Universal Home Entertainment

Next Page »