Smash Cut (2009) Review

Written by: BlackTequilaKiss   

Writing this review is not easy, why? Because it's not Hollywood, it's not obvious and it doesn't always follow the rules. It's a strange film I found myself allured to and whilst it is different from the usual, using touches of old Herschell films to be different, it is a fun film that works because of much of the cast and the equally eccentric plot.

I loved this movie. It's an interesting unique take, the blood is cheesy but in good humour and it kept me amused.

Not a film for everyone but a film well worth checking out in my opinion.

FILM SYNOPSIS

When film director, Able Whitman's latest film is lambasted by the critics for its poor quality and storyline, he finds himself at an all time low. Finding solace at a strip club he meets stripper, Gigi Stops, who he decides to take home. However on the way to his house, him and Gigi are involved in an accident where only Able survives. Unsure of what to do with the body he decides to use the body parts as props in his newest horror film, when praise is heaped for the realism Able suffers a breakdown and starts thinking the only way to make a good movie is to use real body parts. Thus starts his downward spiral as he begins killing all those around him to fulfill his newest 'project'...

Playing the lead role of Able Whitman was David Hess (The Last House on the Left '72) and it was interesting to see how he has mellowed over the years. In LHOTL he was cruel and rather evil so Smash Cut was rather a departure from that. He still has that eccentricness we see instilled in Krug but this time he also has something heart within his character that made him a lot more accessible. At times he dragged a little but honestly since his days of LHOTL he has matured and shown why he is a good actor. Loved, loved his performance!

Jesse Buck as Isaac Beaumonde, sweet crackers.. this guy was nuts! He was rather a parody throughout the movie but it never detracted. It was that obvious over-the-top acting of his, that made his character so much fun to watch. Imagine if you will an insanely hyper but suave Columbo with that same wit and intellect. He was a joy to watch and caused quite a few chuckles.

Those are the two who really made a mark on me. For her abilities of trying in the movie, Sasha Grey (more known for other areas) she just did not lighten the movie. More often keeping the same facial expressions and mannerisms of talking, she never tried to be out of range or different and it was her lack of trying that made her character rather forgettable. She could be good but until she tries to go for a wider range, I do not see that happening.

Cinematography? For a grindhouse film arching back to the older times and using Herschell Gordon Lewis as their tribute, it is what it is. Not exceptional but enough to keep the movie ticking.

The score is fantastic. It's odd, quirky and different and fits in with the ouevre of this movie. I admit I loved it.

Gore/ Special fx: Campy, OTT but oh so much fun. It is not hard to become invested in the bloodier climate of the movie given it is a more prominent feature. Harpoons in chest, intestines pulled from bodies, hacking off heads. All gloriously insane but fun. It never looks cheesy to the point you wonder if this movie is worth watching but cheesy enough to work in the frame of the movie.

I had only seen one review for this and nothing more. I chose not to watch the trailers or seek information and took one big leap of a gamble and to my mind it paid off. I will warn this movie is not for everyone, it's not like anything I have ever seen and for me that was the charm. The campy acting, the atrociously bad gore (which is simply fantastic!) and even the finale was enough to make me smile.

A world away from the usual horror this is a fun shclock horrro fest with everything in abundance and will tease some people's expectations. A bloody riot and for all the right reasons.

**By the way I must add on the DVD, after the movie is a gag reel that follows, it is funny as hell! I was laughing so much throughout a lot of the reel and it ends the movie in such a fun way**

Do I think this is worth it? To me yes to some others it might not tread as well but is worth the time to check out. Smash Cut was above quite a lot I have seen, for the flaws it gains 7 out of 10 but it is worth watching, just make sure you understand this movie or you might loathe it.

Fantastically horrific and camp as hell!

Bloody Smiles and Kisses,

BTK.