By Cookie 'N' Screen
In October last year, the BFI held its famed festival showing the latest and upcoming great movies. Amongst the collection were now Oscar winning films such as Silver Linings Playbook, Argo and Amour as well as favourites like Beasts of the Southern Wild. But if you dug deeper, much like I did, there were quirky and instant cult classics just waiting for a fan base. This is where I found John Dies at the End, one of the weirdest movies yet. And it is brilliant.
In October last year, the BFI held its famed festival showing the latest and upcoming great movies. Amongst the collection were now Oscar winning films such as Silver Linings Playbook, Argo and Amour as well as favourites like Beasts of the Southern Wild. But if you dug deeper, much like I did, there were quirky and instant cult classics just waiting for a fan base. This is where I found John Dies at the End, one of the weirdest movies yet. And it is brilliant.
In my attempt to sound professional, I lied. I didn’t stumble upon John Dies at the End. I went searching for it. A big fan of the novel by David Wong, while reading the program for the 57th BFI Festival and seeing this little film by famed cult director Don Coscarelli, I screamed like a pre-teen at a Justin Bieber concert.
Because the source material is just that good. Team it with the genius of Coscarelli who directed such brilliant cult classic such as Bubba Ho-Tep and Phantasm, and I had a change of underwear every five minutes because of the news. Now October 2012 was a long time ago and I bet you’re wondering why I sat on this review until now. I’ll tell you why - it finally came to British Cinemas last month.
Because the source material is just that good. Team it with the genius of Coscarelli who directed such brilliant cult classic such as Bubba Ho-Tep and Phantasm, and I had a change of underwear every five minutes because of the news. Now October 2012 was a long time ago and I bet you’re wondering why I sat on this review until now. I’ll tell you why - it finally came to British Cinemas last month.
John Dies at the End is a spaced out acid trip of cinema that is full of devilish fun. The film centres on David and his goofball friend John who are “exorcists” helping people with their many apparitions. During an interview with Arnie Blondestone, David Wong, desperate to get his story out there, tells how they came to be. What follows is a dabble in hallucinating drug “soy sauce” and many doors to different alternative universes. The ever-reluctant heroes David and John must defend themselves and the world against the monsters trying to get in.
John Dies at the End is a wonderful slice of fun cinema that happily plays games with the audiences. The mind-bending effects of “soy sauce” will certainly either scare you, have you giggle away or leave you scratching your head. The whole film is turned upside down, inside out and spun on its head; it’s breath taking to watch. The ghouls and monsters are not only freaky and terrifying but are definitely reminiscent of classic seventies and eighties horror movies.
John Dies at the End is a wonderful slice of fun cinema that happily plays games with the audiences. The mind-bending effects of “soy sauce” will certainly either scare you, have you giggle away or leave you scratching your head. The whole film is turned upside down, inside out and spun on its head; it’s breath taking to watch. The ghouls and monsters are not only freaky and terrifying but are definitely reminiscent of classic seventies and eighties horror movies.
The characters are real because there is no ultimate hero. David is a slacker who works in a video store and John is a burn out singer who will try anything once. You instantly like them because they are the average mid twenties Clerk style characters who are thrown into a world of worlds due to a series of unfortunate mistakes. And they are played outstandingly by newcomers Chase Williams and Rob Mayes, with old hands Clancy Brown and Paul Giamatti, the film is well shaped with some stellar performances.
Of course, those who are big fans of the book may find themselves disappointed because a vast number of storylines have been cut. Yet if the novel were translated to screen as in depth, it would fall short of the epic feast it is now. What Coscarelli did is pick the juiciest and greatest parts (bar one) of the story and wove it into a new tale, breathing new life into it. Coscarelli is a deft hand at instant cult movies, in the hands of the wrong director, this could be a farce. Yet Coscarelli dabbles with the oddities of cinema and gives us cinematic treats that horror fans can sink their teeth into. But also, he gives us a homage to the source material like no other. He adds just the right amount of frights, jokes and cheese and John Dies at the End is his finest work.
You won’t find this at mainstream cinemas so I urge you to hunt this little gem out and enjoy. It is a thrill ride that exceeds expectations and tickles your ribs. Brilliantly produced, directed and written John Dies at the End guides you down the twists and turns of soy sauce. And leaves you begging for another hit.
TTFN,
Cookie.
Check out more Cookie 'N' Screen!
Of course, those who are big fans of the book may find themselves disappointed because a vast number of storylines have been cut. Yet if the novel were translated to screen as in depth, it would fall short of the epic feast it is now. What Coscarelli did is pick the juiciest and greatest parts (bar one) of the story and wove it into a new tale, breathing new life into it. Coscarelli is a deft hand at instant cult movies, in the hands of the wrong director, this could be a farce. Yet Coscarelli dabbles with the oddities of cinema and gives us cinematic treats that horror fans can sink their teeth into. But also, he gives us a homage to the source material like no other. He adds just the right amount of frights, jokes and cheese and John Dies at the End is his finest work.
You won’t find this at mainstream cinemas so I urge you to hunt this little gem out and enjoy. It is a thrill ride that exceeds expectations and tickles your ribs. Brilliantly produced, directed and written John Dies at the End guides you down the twists and turns of soy sauce. And leaves you begging for another hit.
TTFN,
Cookie.
Check out more Cookie 'N' Screen!
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