The film follows three college buddies, played by Thomas Jane, Rob Lowe and Jeremy Piven, who look back on the emptiness of their lives during a summer reunion. Grey will play Raven, a free spirit who helps one of the guys realize “that nirvana can only be achieved by death.” Also joining the cast at this time are Zander Eckhouse, Abhi Sinha and Arielle Kebbel.

Filming starts next month, but you can soon see Ms. Grey in HBO’s Entourage this season.

The Film:

Lately, there’s been a resurgence in movies with filmmakers making homages to genres long since passed, like in Black Dynamite (blaxploitation), Bitch Slap (Russ Meyer films), and Grindhouse, and they have all been successful to a certain degree, some better than others. Besides these genre-honoring titles, certain directors of yesteryear have been either lampooned or honored, and that’s where Smash Cut enters. Herschell Gordon Lewis should be a name any horror and exploitation fan worth their salt knows, as he is credited with inventing the gore film in Blood Feast in 1963, and what would the 1970′s and especially today, be without that influential film? Lewis’ brand of sleaze filled drive-ins with cheap thrills of gore, boobs, and shock, making him a prime target for today’s remake happy culture. Smash Cut isn’t the first to do this, as his Wizard of Gore and Two Thousand Maniacs! have been subjects of recent remakes, to different results.

But Smash Cut isn’t remake, but a seemingly long-lost film from Lewis. If anything, that’s the success of director Lee Demarbe’s film. It’s a stunning recreation of all things Herschell Gordon Lewis, one thinks that a studio has found a long-lost film from the heyday of Lewis. Tarantino and Rodriguez attempted to recreate that 42nd Street feeling in Grindhouse but on like $40 million budget, Smash Cut is perfectly budgeted at under a half-a-million. This is key, because the aesthetic of the film’s look is the gateway drug to the era of Lewis, something that can only be done without a monster-sized budget.

The props, the blood, the sets, even the wigs, are all done on pennies, which is a loving recreation of Lewis’ gore-charmers. Also, key to the film’s success is casting. The film follows a worse-than-Ed Wood type of director (played marvelously by sleaze expert David Hess, Last House on the Left) that is failing with audiences, critics, and box offices receipts on his recent films. His films suck. In order to salvage his ego and career, he is desperate need of a “killer” idea. Smash Cut isn’t entirely original with this premise, but I’ll shrug that away, because Demarbre makes the film pretty self-aware about what it is and what it isn’t. Art versus trash. It’s a sleaze 8 1/2! It doesn’t go too deep with such notions and subtext, but it’s there, that’s for sure, to add some subtext to its appropriately camp gorefest.

You can’t talk about Smash Cut, without the cover girl: Sasha Grey. She wowed most critics, including me, in Soderbergh’s The Girlfriend Experience. What I’m liking about Grey in this and in The Girlfriend Experience, is she’s not overacting. She’s good in the confines of what the scripts, call for her to do making her incredibly watchable, likable, and it doesn’t help that she’s delicious. But you got to understand the aim of Demarbre gunshot. Smash Cut is a loving ode to Lewis’ sleazy romps of the late ’60′s, but it’s also flawed. Despite my praise, the film does tend to wander without much aim in the middle, making us wander mentally, since we’re bored. It also ends with a whimper instead of a money shot. All in all, though, Smash Cut is a loving tribute to a long-gone era.

The DVD:

Audio/Video:Media Blasters offers us a solid presentation. The video is tough to judge since it was the director’s intent to make it look like it was on 16mm or something related to that. We get that type of look, but colors and clarity are still good. The audio is solid for what it’s offering, making the entire package decent all around. You won’t complain.

Extras are pretty good. We get a Commentary from Lee Demarbre, that allows him to dish his intent, the making-of, and all sorts of other goodies, for what is a solid listen for fans. The Sasha Grey Dairies is a 22 minute video blog from Ms. Grey during her time on and off set of the film, sharing behind-the-scenes footage, personal thoughts, and other fun. A faux TV Spot for Terror Toy 2 that is fun, Deleted Scenes, a Gag Reel that is mildly entertaining, and a decent Behind-the-Scenes featurette, that offers us some interviews about the production. Production Stills and Trailers round everything out.

Conclusion:Smash Cut isn’t for every horror fan out there. One has to understand what it is going for, and with that the seemingly stiff acting and cheap effects make the whole thing worth while, despite the flaws. Sasha Grey continues her good non-adult work too.

The Film: Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The DVD: Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Here’s the plot and why Grey was cast from the mouth of the director: “takes the standard kids-in-the-woods-running-from-a-killer genre and flips it on its ear. The deaths aren’t random. They’re not cookie cutter. Each character dies in a fashion relating to the way they live their life. I’m less interested in gore-for-the-sake-of-gore (although there is gore in this film and plenty of it) than the psychology behind the characters and how they react to what happens. That’s why we’re happy to be working with Sasha. She’s more interested in the psychology behind the action than just the action itself. That’s what she conveys in her work in the adult genre, and that’s what we’re going for in this film.”

To me? I’m sold.

Source: HorrorSquad

The Film:

(This is my theatrical review, but my feelings have not changed)

While you never should write off anything until the so-called Fat Lady sings, I’m sure it’s a safe bet to call 2009 the Year of Soderbergh. Releasing incredibly diverse films like a historical biopic epic in Che, to an experimental HD film in The Girlfriend Experience. The Informant proves that director Soderbergh is a rare bird in his handling of any genre. I’m just waiting for the Soderbergh horror film, as he is very Stanley Kubrick in that regard. No matter the genre, he breathes new life into it somehow, some way, and comes out with a winner.

The Informant! is a hum-dinger of a corporate drama. Filled with one of the year’s most interesting characters in Matt Damon’s Mark Whitacre, Soderbergh isn’t crafting a standard issue corporate drama, like the ones that have failed recently. I’ll liken this to Michael Mann’s Insider, but funnier. That has been one of the film’s marketing ploys, is to show how funny the film is, and it is pretty darn funny. Damon is pitch perfect in his line deliveries, taking it all so dead-pan, as if what he is doing are some deep dramatic lines, that in turn is funnier for it. But much like the film itself, not all of it is what it seems. Soderbergh slowly, and with great care, pulls back the veil of Mark Whitacre in the second half of the film.

Look for some very, very subtle movements in the hair piece of Damon’s character. Could something be up with Whitacre? You’ll be hard pressed to catch these the first time through, making a repeated viewing most rewarding.

Like the food industry isn’t scary enough, we have this Mark Whitacre character revealing some highly unethical price-fixing. This is all in the early 1990s, and if the prices don’ kill you, it’ll be the high fructose corn syrup. Soderbergh’s satirical spin on the corporate thriller keeps the film feeling alive, and Damon’s goodie-two-shoe demeanor helps, but what keeps you on your toes here, is the handling of the film’s revealing of the hidden layers. It’s the slight-of-hand trick, that’s very Hitchcockian in delivery. I think the less you know, the better, as with any drama. Just go in knowing that Damon’s early blandness, is not just a Midwestern trait, but a deft magical trick for his game. Soderbergh is an equal magician as was this Mark Whitaxre fella, making The Informant! a riveting, hilarious piece of one of the most absurd political thrillers you’ll see.

And it’s all true…

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: The film looks as good as it did theatrically, but keep in mind that Soderbergh played around with the lighting in the film, which at times, gives scenes a soft look, to an overblown look to the whites. But all things considered, it’s a solid high-def disc. The audio is front heavy as the film is a talking movie, but the wonderful score fills the surround speakers. It’s an average track, but an audio assault this was never meant to be.

This is the first Blu-ray from Warners that will now included the film on a 50GB Blu-ray, and with the DVD and Digital Copy.

Commentary: Soderbergh gives us an analytical track that film nerds will love. A must listen for those in the business, as all others might feel over-whelmed with his information.

A collection of some short Deleted Scenes finish off the extras.

Conclusion: A quirky, oddball drama that only Soderbergh could deliver.

The Film: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray: Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Best Direct-to-DVD Horror Film: Laid to Rest (read the original review here)

Best Wide Release Horror Film: (TIE) Zombieland (read the original review here); The Collector (read the original review here).

Best Documentary: The Cove (read the original review here)

Best Limited Release Film: Medicine for Melancholy (read the original review here)

Honorable Mention Films: Che (here), The Girlfriend Experience (here), Coraline (here), Food, Inc. (here), and Observe and Report (here).

And now (insert drum roll) my Best Films of 2009, all in alphabetical order:

(500) Days of Summer

You know ladies, guys can be crushed from break-ups as well, as this film does so wonderfully well to depict. A great soundtrack, a clever premise and construction of the falling in and then out of love, with two solid leads, makes for one superb film.

Antichrist

Brutal, sickening, demented, and sorely misunderstood. There are images here so talked about, that will never leave your memory, but Von Trier gives us more than some gore scenes. The story of a couple’s descent into depression is harrowing, yet beautifully photographed. One of the prettiest films of the year, as well as, a borderline masterpiece. A modern Salo: Or, the 120 Days of Sodom. (read the original review here)

Avatar

I was one of this film’s biggest skeptics, until I saw it in the glorious IMAX 3-D. Say what you will about it’s simple story arc, it’s the event of the film, with the scope of Cameron’s vision, that makes the culture of aliens so appealing. This is what the Star Wars prequels should have been: a spectacle of effects, story, and event. (read the original review here)

Goodbye Solo

An intimate film about a friendship and tragedy and hope. Some superb acting, with Ramin Bahrani’s distinct direction. A small film in terms of budget, but a great film that I hope finds some Oscar love. (read the original review here)

Hunger

Riveting and heart-wrenching, a film I’m sure many of you haven’t caught theatrically. Please get the Criterion DVD soon, because you’ll be treat to some astounding filmmaking of the Irish Hunger Strike. There’s a 25 minute scene done in one take that is as powerful, as any 90 minute feature. (read the original review here)

The Hurt Locker

In a star making role, Jeremy Renner anchors this unique Iraq war film, that doesn’t parade heroism. Some people are just war junkies, and this film explores the why. (read the original review here)

Inglourious Basterds

Tarantino’s best script.  Granted the whole Mike Myers sequence could have been deleted, the first 45 minutes are so good, who cares? Funny, epic, a sprawling American fantasy of how WWII should have ended. (read my original review here)

The Messenger

A heart-breaking look at the team sent out to notify loved ones that their kin has died in war. Ben Foster is excellent, as is the under-appreciated Samantha Morton. (read the original review here)

The Princess and the Frog

Disney return to the Princess formula and cell animation is a stunning showcase of wonderful animation, great songs, and great storytelling. Pixar is not needed this time. (read the original review here)

Up in the Air

A keen look at both our economic woes and a man finding redemption, makes for a comedy that could nab the one Oscar, comedies don’t win: Best Picture.

What are you favorites from this year? Feel free to leave a comment!

Each critic will admit to something different, but after you un-belt your pants, due to all of the food you just ate, sit back and relax, and let’s give thanks to these five, for making 2009 pretty cool:

5- The Return of Horror – It seems to run in cycles, every few years horror becomes good again, after a drought, this year was a stellar year. Now, to each their own, but I was pleasantly pleased with the vast majority of horror this year, ranging from studio films, indie, direct-to-DVD, everything seemed to click. Vampires are all the rage again, thanks (or not) to Twilight, but somewhere lost in the talk of vampires, was the re-emergence of the slasher. Robert Hall’s Laid to Rest featured a mean, slick new killer in ChromeSkull, violent, ultra bloody deaths, and felt like a proper film a slasher should be. Dave Parker’s Hills Run Red felt that way too.

In the mainstream, Jason returned in a decent remake and so did Harry Warden in a 3-D My Bloody Valentine. Cheap thrills, but lots of fun. For me, the slasher that stands tall this year was The Collector. Inventive, sick, violent, and a super cool new killer in the Collector, this flick hurt me. Huh? I took a dear friend, and due to the film’s intensity and level of gore, she put a death grip on my arm, so much so, that she left little bruises where her fingers were. Thanks Marcus Dunstan!

Slashers aside, Drag Me to Hell rocked, Grace was neat, Haunted World of el Superbeasto was worth the wait, Orphan surprised, Trick ‘r Treat is a new classic, Saw VI was an impressive capper, Paranormal Activity was the scariest thing since Bush was elected to a second term, Zombieland was all sorts of awesome, and while there were a few clunkers, can we say thanks for Horror’s return in 2009?

4 – Steven Soderbergh - Three diverse genres, three awesome films. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to get one good film every3-4 years from a director, but Soderbergh gave us three great films, and all completely different from one another. In Che, he gave us an epic 5 and a half hour bio on the radical Che Guevara. It’s a long sweeping film, covering two key areas of his life. Del Toro IS Che, and owns the role in a completely gripping manner. The battle scenes are loud and spontaneous, but just as interesting as the psychology of Che. Should be a great Criterion disc, when they release it.

Soderbergh.

The Girlfriend Experience gets Soderbergh in his “let’s pick up an HD camera, and film something” mentality, and he films the gorgeous beyond words, Sasha Grey. Interesting, clever, experimental, the film lands itself a month prior to the election of Barack Obama, finding conversation on the crashing economy on the tips of everyone’s tongue, even that of a callgirl. Grey is really good in her first non-porn film, and his HD films are always worth a look.

Finally, Soderbergh’s The Informant! proves 2009 was the year of Soderbergh, as this film does an about face from the prior two, and is a dark humored look at shady pricing in the food industry. I’ll agree these three films aren’t masterpieces and are at times a bit flawed, but I’ll be damned if Soderbergh didn’t give me something to talk about after seeing these films, making me thankful a director like Soderbergh doesn’t flinch at taking chances, and never repeats himself.

3- X-Men: The Animated Series on DVD…finally! – Well, what took so long? Seriously though, the rights issue debacle kept this wonderful series in limbo forever. Luckily, I’m not the only rabid fan of this show out there, as this was the most request TV series around, and thankfully, Buena Vista/Disney listened! With all the hype for these discs, one thing was lost to us: would they hold up after over a decade of being out of syndication?

The classic animated show returns.

Quickly, after popping in Volume 1, the answer was yes, they are still as good as they were all those years ago. Sadly, there’s no extras on these discs, but lucky for you, I’m a huge nerd for this wonderful animated show, and if you search around, I got interviews with the producers, writers, and voice cast, making me incredibly thankful to relive each of the episodes forever…in constant loop…forever…and ever.

2 – Ramin Bahrani – Goodbye Solo is a superb film, one of the year’s best, and yet why are only myself and Ebert championing this great, young American independent director? Last year, his Chop Shop was one of the best reviewed movies of that year, and again, with Goodbye Solo it too, is one of the year’s best reviewed films. What is it with Bahrani that we love? He is incredibly sincere, and it shows within his films. Mature characters that are wholly American, even if their nationality is not of European descent. Bahrani usually works with so-called non-actors, and has a very still approach to his visual style, all of which sucks you up into the story he is telling. Powerful, moving, and all independent, I mean true, blue independent.

Bahrani directing.

He’ll shoot a movie with a $1.oo or $100,000, doesn’t matter because the end result is so moving and well-done, all you can say is thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bahrani for making a superb film in Goodbye Solo and being a true filmmaker. You know characters and stories worth telling, and you don’t cheat the audience or the characters. Hollywood is too shortsighted for your talents; do what you do, and continue, because your film is perhaps the best film of 2009.

1 – Blu-ray – Isn’t it silly to give thanks to a format, nearly three years old? They finally got it right this year, after finding themselves through innovation and quality. Discs are cheaper now, players have came down in price, and our favorite films have come out in stunning HD. What’s not to love? Sadly, the weak economy has put a damper on Blu-ray, because people, at least half, are strapped for cash, and currently DVD works for them. Also, Blu-ray has been fighting a tougher enemy than HD-DVD was: Digital downloading and online streaming. Despite the economy and downloading, Blu-ray is a head, and here is why:

First, the economy. Now, times might be tough, and something like a $20-$30 disc isn’t a top priority for some. Cool, but recessions always end, and we love movies. As soon as the economy picks up a bit more, and disc and player prices keep this new lower price tags, the Average Joe (a key buyer us film fans forget) will jump on board. Why? Well, he/she has already bought the HDTV, and has enjoyed either seeing HD movies via cable or satellite or have witnessed an upconverted DVD. It’s cool, and with these lower prices, and that $1000-$3000 TV sitting there, he/she will want to maximize that unit.

Two, don’t underestimate us film fans. We love movies, and Blu-ray is offering our favorites in 1080p, sometimes in stunning restorations, and solid extras. The collecting mentality can be squashed by the majority’s decisions, see Laserdisc’s quick life that was lost to DVD, but DVD made everyone into a collector. Collectors are gamers too, and the PS3 is the best Blu-ray player on the market.

Third, Digital downloading and online streaming will only cut into the rental market, not home video. I know, there are some saps that illegally download films, and I don’t know why. Why would you do that, when you forked over over a $1000 for an HD TV, maybe over $300 plus on surround sound, a $50 or more HDMI cable, to watch a shaky cam in Thai subtitles or a shoddy 480p copy, when you shelled out that much on that equipment? You really want to sit in front of your computer all day watch a film? Not me, and not people who love the cinema. I’ll admit, if that’s one thing that is holding back Blu-ray, it’s the fact that there’s a handful of things to do, in order to get the best picture and sound. First, a quality HDTV that’s 1080p and preferably 120HZ. Next, surround sound, and one that’s a separate receiver, with a speaker set, and a 10 inch sub. Then the cables, and a player. Expensive, yes, but worth in the long run.

I don’t mean to sound like a sales rep for Blu-ray. I am and will always be, a film fan. Blu-ray offers me my favorite movies, regardless of age, genre, color, black and white, the best possible experience. Blu-ray got it right this year. Watchmen from WB was a superb disc, Repulsion from Criterion proved why Blu-ray is the format of choice for black and white films, Up was so good it hurt my eyes (in a good way), I could go on and on, about my favorite discs, but I just got to thank this format for being the end all, be all in home video for years to come.

That’s what I’m thankful for this year, what about you? Feel free to leave a comment or email me at jon@killerfilm.com

Monsters vs Aliens

DreamWorks has a formula for their animated films, and it works. If it didn’t then why are they making so much money? This film is okay. I thought they could’ve done a lot more with the concept, though. Please note that while it was made for 3-D, neither the DVD or the Blu-ray will feature that option sadly, but some retailers have this with an all-new BOB short film that is in 3-D. (Formats: Blu-ray/DVD) Jon says: Rent Donny says: Buy

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

I love DC/WB animated films. This looks incredible, although its 67 minute running time has me worried. Can’t get enough though. (Formats: Blu-ray/DVD) Jon says: Buy Donny says: Buy

Away We Go

Some called this pretentious, but I called it a damn, fine film by Sam Mendes. Funny and sweet, with a great soundtrack. (Formats: Blu-ray/DVD) Jon says: Buy Donny says: Buy

The Girlfriend Experience

I love when Soderbergh does these little HDNet films, and this is one of this year’s under-appreciated films. Sasha Grey is really good as a call girl who gives men TGE for $2000 an hour, as they talk about politics and the economy. (Formats: Blu-ray/DVD) Jon says: Buy Donny says: Buy

Hills Run Red (2008)

This throwback to the ’80s slasher phase, is getting a huge word-of-mouth buzz, and I’m not sure why. Not too many people have seen it. I heard its gory as all hell, but can that make this slasher stand out amidst a year full of slashers? (Format: DVD only) Jon says: Rent Donny says: Rent

The Wizard of Oz

This should be the end-all-be-all for owning this classic film. The box set is amazing, featuring so many extras, it’ll take you days to watch it all, plus some super cool memorabilia. (Formats: Blu-ray/DVD) Jon says: Buy Donny says: Rent

Stepfather II (Special Edition)

Synapse Films releases the sequel to the original film with new extras. (Format: DVD only) Jon says: Rent Donny says: Rent

New to Blu

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Snakes on a Plane

That’s it for today! Keep it here to Killer Film for reviews of these discs and more! Tell your film loving friends too!

While you never should write off anything until the so-called Fat Lady sings, I’m sure it’s a safe bet to call 2009 the Year of Soderbergh. Releasing incredibly diverse films like a historical biopic epic in Che, to an experimental HD film in The Girlfriend Experience. The Informant proves that director Soderbergh is a rare bird in his handling of any genre. I’m just waiting for the Soderbergh horror film, but he is very Stanley Kubrick in that regard. No matter the genre, he breathes new life into it somehow, some way, and comes out with a winner.

The Informant is a hum-dinger of a corporate drama. Filled with one of the year’s most interesting characters in Matt Damon’s Mark Whitacre, Soderbergh isn’t crafting a standard issue corporate drama, like the ones that have failed recently. I’ll liken this to Michael Mann’s Insider, but funnier. That has been one of the film’s marketing ploys, is to show how funny the film is, and it is pretty darn funny. Damon is pitch perfect in his line deliveries, taking it all so dead-pan, as if what he is doing are some deep dramatic lines, that in turn is funnier for it. But much like the film itself, not all of it is what it seems. Soderbergh slowly, and with great care, pulls back the veil of Mark Whitacre in the second half of the film.

Look for some very, very subtle movements in the hair piece of Damon’s character. Could something be up with Whitacre? You’ll be hard pressed to catch these the first time through, making a repeated viewing most rewarding.

Like the food industry isn’t scary enough, we have this Mark Whitacre character revealing some highly unethical price-fixing. This is all in the early 1990s, and if the prices don’ kill you, it’ll be the high fructose corn syrup. Soderbergh’s satirical spin on the corporate thriller keeps the film feeling alive, and Damon’s goodie-two-shoe demeanor helps, but what keeps you on your toes here, is the handling of the film’s revealing of the hidden layers. It’s the slight-of-hand trick, that’s very Hitchcockian in delivery. I think the less you know, the better, as with any drama. Just go in knowing that Damon’s early blandness, is not just a Midwestern trait, but a deft magical trick for his game. Soderbergh is an equal magician as was this Mark Whitaxre fella, making The Informant a riveting, hilarious piece of one of the most absurd political thrillers you’ll see.

And it’s all true…

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Time flies when you are watching movies-a lot of movies, and 2009 has already reached its halfway point. Here at Killer Film, we try to catch as much of the films being released as possible, and we would like to present our 2009 Mid Year Report. Keep it mind, this is only what we have seen, and we can safely say we wish we’ve seen more, but we do still have the second half of the year to catch up. Without further ado, here’s our take of 2009 so far.

Quick Thoughts on the Year so far…

Donny: While I love horror, drama, documentary, and every other genre of film out there, my favorite by far is comedy.  In my opinion there is nothing better than watching good joke unfold on screen, but on the other hand if said joke doesn’t work (Year One) then my beloved genre falls flat on its face.  Luckily, this year we’ve had some amazing comedies grace us with their undeniable funny.  So far my favorites include; The Hangover, Adventureland, I Love You, Man, and the awesome direct to DVD 18 Year Old Virgin.  I’m also looking forward to Funny People and I want to see mega-hottie Megan Fox in Jennifer’s Body.  Lets hope the rest of the year offers up the good to make this year more than mediocre.  

Jon: I think so far, it’s been a decent year as of July 1st. A few select films are really worth seeing, others are okay. I suspect the rest of the year will have great documentaries, as I haven’t seen much so far released this year. I have enjoyed seeing studios taking chances on unique films like Watchmen, Observe and Report, and The Hangover, and that’s refreshing. 3-D films have been big and constantly pushed, a trend we will see more of. For the most part, 2009 started off slow, for me, and is just now picking up. See you all at the end of the year!

Serena: Being a huge horror aficionada, I was disappointed by the initial lackluster horror films slashing their way to the big screen, but I was quite surprised by how exceptionally well done the mainstream horror fare was this year. I also was blown away by some hidden gems like Pontypool, Dead Snow and The Children (my fave film of 2009 so far) that all reminded us why foreign films are owning the horror genre these days.  However, most of the big budget anticipated action films of 2009 have all left a bad taste in this reviewer’s mouth.  So far 2009’s films are a far cry from last year’s jam-packed list, but I’m looking forward to being entertained by Jake West’s Doghouse, Diablo Cody’s anticipated horror follow-up, Jennifer’s Body and to see how Juno is going to react to being left for dead in a cave in The Descent 2. 

Now, to the good stuff….

Best Films

Donny: The Hangover, I Love You, Man, Adventureland , Che

Jon: Pixar’s Up, Goodbye Solo, and Che

Serena: The Children,  Pontypool, The Last House on the Left, Drag me to Hell

Worst Films

Donny: Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Bride Wars, Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li

Jon: Pink Panther 2, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li

Serena: Bride Wars, Obsessed and Transformers 2 (sorry Donny! )

One Honorable Mention Pick

Donny: Downloading Nancy

Jon: The Girlfriend Experience 

Serena:  Downloading Nancy

Best Comedy

Donny: I Love You, Man

Jon: I Love You, Man

Serena: I Love You, Man

Best Horror:

Donny: Drag Me to Hell

Jon: Drag Me to Hell

Serena: The Children

Best Limited Release/Direct-to-DVD

Donny: 18 Year Old Virgin

Jon: Medicine for Melancholy

Serena: Pontypool

Best Direct-to-DVD Horror Film

Donny: Laid to Rest

Jon: Laid to Rest

Serena: Acolytes

Best 2008 Film Seen in 2009

Donny: How to Alienate People and Lose Friends

Jon: Waltz with Bashir

Serena: How to Alienate People and Lose Friends

One Film We Regrettably Missed 

Donny: Pontypool

Jon: Hunger

Serena: Adventureland

One Film We are Glad We Missed

Donny: Dance Flick

Jon: Dance Flick 

Serena: The Unborn

Well, we said ours, so what are yours? Tell us in the forums, comment below, or email us at donny@killerfilm.com and jon@killerfilm.com . Keep it here at Killer Film for more reviews, features, interviews, and news, and see you at the movies!

There are three reasons why you should see The Girlfriend Experience, the new Steven Soderbergh film, about a high-end escort girl and how she makes a living while the economy is about to collapse globally. It has that balance of a film mixed with a pseudo-documentary look, that captures non-actors in roles how they are in real life, and their conversations. The film tackles some pretty intriguing dualities in these characters, and it’s a film that can be a perfect water cooler subject. As a happy accident, the film was shot in October 2008, with our economy souring and an important election around the corner, Soderbergh’s willingness to allow on-the-spot improvisation luckily adds to the theme of the film. Right off the bat here, I’m telling you this is a good film, but I want to get to my three reasons of why you see this film.The first reason, and the most obvious, is it’s a new Steven Soderbergh film, another little HDNet film he’s done as part of his agreement with Mark Cuban‘s company. Much like Bubble, it’s an experiment. Say what you will about his Ocean’s 11 films or his mega-popular Erin Brockovich, the Soderbergh I like is the one that isn’t afraid of trying something new. Whether it’s The Third Man-inspired The Good German, the industry changing Bubble, the historical epic Che, Soderbergh isn’t afraid to do something new or take some familiar and put a creative spin on it. Despite flaws, these films are refreshing when compared to the safe Hollywood drivel we’re getting now days. His ability to adapt to the film’s surroundings and the budget, are at least allowing him to play around. Who would want to see a talented director playing around? He’s not afraid to take a chance, a word too easily side-stepped, especially with producers scared during this current economic climate.

Ah, yes, the economy. Another reason to see The Girlfriend Experience, is its ability to be timely. I’m eager to revisit this film years down the road. Like I mentioned earlier, Soderbergh allowed his non-actors to talk freely about whatever they wish since this is what most of these men want from the escort, or the affectionately named GFE (girlfriend experience). The timing of the film couldn’t have been better, since the election and more importantly, the economy was on everyone’s mind. We are all mini-capitalists, and the fact that while everyone is complaining about their jobs, money, its the fact that they are still willing to pay the escort for her GFE, is an interesting duality that film got by a lucky accident. Every thing’s changing; the stock market, prostitution, and the economy, our lives, but it’s interesting to see how, with the money constraints, Chelsea (the escort played by Sasha Grey) is upping her game by getting into having a website, buying certain clothes, and competing with other escorts. Her clients, despite whatever they’re complaining about, still pay her for her services. I found this upper clientèle she has to be somewhat of a mirror for today. We’re not about to give up out luxuries, are we? It’s timely filming that just might have documented a crisis on the verge that will in years to come, be just as deep and rich, as it seems now.

My final reason to see The Girlfriend Experience is Sasha Grey. She is what we needed from the film, and what the film needed for itself. Her character is played a bit cool, a bit dissociative, but it works perfectly for the film. Her front is explored, but in one scene towards the end, when it cracks, we finally see depth of her character. The film is solely focused on her, even when it takes a time out to follow her boyfriend-err, roommate, that he himself is selling a service. The camera loves Sasha Grey, a beautiful girl who is very comfortable and smart. I think for the sake of the film and the character, her adult film past was important, but personally, I’m sick of hearing about it in reviews. Sasha Grey is damn good, never doing more than what’s asked of her for the role as an escort, and do we demand more, or is it our preconceived notions about the fact Ms. Grey is a porn star? I think its that, and its short-sightedness on our part. It really doesn’t affect us as the audience that she’s a porn star, it only added to her casting and for Soderbergh, not us as viewers. Sasha Grey is what the film needed, and anyone else in the role, might have sunk the film, as she’s our experience from The Girlfriend Experience.

Convinced?

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Girlfriend Experience stars real life porn star Sasha Grace.

Source: FirstShowing