My Review of
I want to work on a John Water's film! Why? I just saw Cecil B. Demented and I realize what I'm missing in my life. I want to work on fun stuff. Yes, I've done work I'm proud of and all that, but John Water's films are always an inspiration. A celebration of wackyness and joie de vie that is sorely lacking in Hollywood. Not to mention daily life.
The basic plot is simple: crazy director is on a jihad to show how shallow Hollywood is. He gets a bunch of misfits and lovable wackos together to terrorize film-goers and film executives alike by kidnapping a famous actress and forcing her to be in his guerrilla-make-it- as-you-think-of-it film. At first she resists (silly girl), but eventually understands the shear magic of the concept. And for those who have never worked on low-budget films, there really IS wonderful magic in simply making any street a "set", pointing the damn camera, and shooting. This is a Waters film so there is an added ingredient: guns. The satire in this film is so delicious!
There's enough guerrilla-styled slogans Shouted in this movie to cover all the bumpers in the Shea Stadium parking lot. I'm planning on getting the DVD (when it comes out) and using every one myself. Right now my favorite is , "Power to the people.....punish bad cinema!!"
You know you're watching a Water's film when the characters are constantly rubbing their crotches ("Hi, Mom!") in the middle of various terrorist activities. Call me crazy but that just makes me laugh loudly. It's the same kind of kooky humor that I loved in Polyester when the son - who has a foot fetish - is constantly stomping on strangers feet. It's a world in which insanity rules and I feel completely at home there. God! I want to Live in that Universe! It's where it's GOOD to be creative AND passionate about it. It's where the evil and stupid people are shown to be the useless mumps they are even if they don't get their comeuppance just yet. Somehow just watching them be dumb feels empowering.
I'm just in love with Stephen Dorff (Cecil) - well, his character really. What enthusiasm! What singleminded insanity! What a nut! He so damn sexy! (I got the CD which has the film music mostly because the CD cover is a picture of Dorff with that Crazed look on his face. Ok, the music is funny, too). I work on special effects out in "The Land of the Lost", as I call LA. And there's alot of people there who Think they are creative, who think they can make an interesting and entertaining film or TV program, but basically have no clue. They have bought their own PR. And they are only in this business for the excesses and extras. The money, the bimbos, the accolades, the fame, etc. They CERTAINLY are not in it because they have a passion for film-making.
As you watch Cecil and his crew shoot film AND bullets there's never any doubt about who has real passion for movies. They prove they are willing to die for their art. They certainly are willing to make you laugh. Go see, enjoy.