Camp – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Amanda Kramer

Written By: Amanda Kramer and Noel David Taylor

Cinematography: Patrick Meade Jones

Editor: Benjamin Shearn

Cast: Andrea Risenborough, Harry Melling, Demi Moore, Karl Glausman, Ryan Simpkins, Jaz Sinclair, Dana Ashbrook, Mary Lyn Rajskub, Alisa Torres, Cole Escola

Newlyweds Suze and Arthur become the dangerous obsession of a greaser gang that awakens a sleeping quandary into the couple’s sexual and gender identities.

This film is certainly original. It plays like an homage to biker movies of the 1950’s a bit with the gangs of WEST SIDE STORY and THE WILD ONE thrown in. Though the film Dwells on the homoeroticism of the times while being a send-up and satire of them. That offers the characters not as misunderstood but actually very violent and unrepentant.

As the story of the film is a throwback that works. As a kind of lgbtq west Side Story 1950-inspired set. Though supposedly modern. That seems to be more about repression and a bit of fetishization. As well as being free of gender norms. Though showing the hardships of dealing with it in a supposedly repressed society.

Where everyone seems to be doing it in the shadows themselves. While also seeming to take a look at and send up the time it depicts. Making it more of a camp romp. Though it seems like a farce it tackles these subjects head-on and in a brave and revelatory way. That goes a long way for representation and not as a fetish of any kind.

We are with a couple who are witnesses to a murder by a street gang. Who seem to invade their lives and territory more and more. It awakens a wanting feminization for the male in the couple and more of an aggressive masochistic side in the female of the couple.

Demi Moore has an extended cameo that comes out of nowhere but adds to the action. As her character becomes very important overall.

The film is exciting as you watch it. As the audience never knows what is going to show Next. So we are on our toes. The film is campy and avant-garde at the same time. As the film seeks to say something, but the message always seems a bit off. Yet never quite reaches a level of true awe.

Grade: B-

Written & Directed By: Joshua Grannell
Cinematography: Tom Richmond
Editor: Rick LeCompte

Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, , Cassandra Peterson, Mink Stole, Noah Segan, Jack Donner, Kat Turner, Jade Ramsey, Nikita Ramsey

A mousy librarian inherits her father’s beloved but failing old movie house. In order to save the family business she discovers her inner serial killer – and a legion of rabid gore fans – when she starts turning out a series of grisly shorts. What her fans don’t realize yet is that the murders in the movies are all too real.

This film is campy as hell. It feels like a lost John Waters-inspired script.

As it plays homage to horror films of the past but never plays it relatively straight or dramatic each scene feels filled with comedy more than anything.

As the film is over the top as is its Star Natasha Lyonne who is truly one of the only reasons I watched this film. As I have been trying to see it since it first came out and only have had a chance to finally more recently. As she was THE IT girl of indie cinema at the time. This is truly a star-making role for her as she truly gets to go off the wall and fully inhabits the madness of her character and the silliness of the film.

As this paved the way for the type of roles and characters she would soon play after this. This is more of an introduction to those types, especially as a character who marches to the best of her own drummer.

You can Tell she is having a ball in the role. As it is truly a transformation. Her character starts off the film as meek and shy; throughout each kill, she gains confidence. Until she actually becomes a diva and star. Who gets more stylish and develops a different way of speaking. Like a classic movie star. She also gains a murderous entourage to help her with her kills and productions. Who seems scarier than she but they obey.

Noah Segal in particular is a hilarious scene stealer. As is a veteran actor Jack Donner. It’s also nice to see actress Cassandra Peterson in an actual character role that is not her infamous one of Elvira, mistress of the dark. Even though the film does throw in a joke about that.

You can never take this film or anything in it seriously. Though it is silly and stupid at times it stays fun throughout. If you are into this type of humor. Even the ending that involves poison has to go grotesque in an absurd way.

The deaths are inspired and gory. Most of the deaths happen to characters who are annoying or villains.

It might warm movie fans’ hearts to see that the filmed death scenes were made to be short films. Usually, they are like public service announcements of what not to do at movies to disturb the experience and the consequences of what you do.

Thigh the killers are portrayed as scary they are demented and you enjoy the film more when they are on screen. The scenes of the supposedly normal characters are much scarier. As they are completely off but considered normal or sane. As everybody In This film is somewhat off in some way

In the end, it just feels like a film of a different era. Yet very specific in its aim and intentions

Grade: C+

Tag: Camp

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