Welcome to another week at the Indie Scene. My name is the same as always, TonyD. For the past week, I’ve been looking for more filmmakers to send their films in to review for Indie Scene. It’s not like I don’t have any more films to review. Hell, I have four editions worth that I still have yet to review. But don’t worry filmmakers, I’ll get to you. If anyone else wants to send in screeners for Indie Scene, e-mail me at TonyD@FilmArcade.net. If you don’t want your film reviewed for Indie Scene, send an e-mail to Screeners@FilmArcade.net. And for promotion for my good friend Anthony Thurber and his Horror Chamber column, if you want to send in a horror film to review, send an e-mail to Anthony Thurber. Thanks again. Now, let’s get onto the films…


“Gutterballs”
2008
**** out of ****
Director: Ryan Nicholson
Cast: Alastair Gamble, Mihola Terzic, Nathan Witte


I didn’t live in the 80s. I was born in the 90s, just after the slash-and-gash genre took its hiatus. Before that, films like “Hills Have Eyes II,” “Silent Night, Deadly Night,” and “Slaughter High” were considered to be the worst in the genre. Shot on such a shitty picture, very dark and very bad, they all had something in common – they were involved with the downfall of horror. After “Scream” came around, everyone suddenly forgot about those days and went on... except for one man named Ryan Nicholson. I haven’t seen his previous works, and until a few days ago, I only heard of the man from an interview on DVDActive, a site that I visit quite frequently. “Gutterballs” is a complete homage of the films back at the end of the era of slash-and-gash. Not only did I get to see the film the way it was intended to be seen (COMPLETE XXX BABY!!!), but the fact that it is so much better in XXX and the fact that very little of you will be seeing it in that version makes me oh, so much happier. Because if this had come to DVD, imagine all of the controversy. “Gutterballs” is the real deal. It’s funny, scary, and completely original… well, at least the killings are.

The very small plot tells of which of two rival bowling teams. When one gets into a fight with the other, the team rapes a member of the other team. The next night, people start dying… in awesome ways that I bet you have never seen before. This movie is a complete awesome ride from start to end. Earlier this year, I saw “Deaden.” In the film’s first five minutes, a baseball bat goes through a vagina. In “Gutterballs,” a bowling pin goes straight up there. More killings follow, including one of the best fellatio deaths that I’ve ever seen. A castration occurs which is right up there with the castration from “I Spit On Your Grave.” In other details, the acting is shit, but the actors made the right move with the shitty acting. When the acting in the film is shitty, it is easy to remind the audience about the shitty movies that came out over the fall of the slash-and-gash. The best part about the film, though, is that the little story never lets down. It keeps throwing twists at you and it never fails to succeed. “Gutterballs” is a whole lot of fun, but I feel that you can ONLY watch the film in its XXX format. How in the pluperfect hell can you WATCH that film if it was rated R?


“Kush”
2007
**** out of ****
Director: York Shackleton
Cast: Bret Roberts, James DeBello, Mike Erwin


“Kush” is a very interesting film. Last year around this time, I put “Alpha Dog” in my portable DVD player on the way to Egg Harbor Township, which is about an hour drive from my house (plus an hour back, which adds up to the two hour running time). There are going to be people, without a doubt, that will compare the two films, and quite frankly, I don’t see why they shouldn’t. Both films are very similar in terms of plot, both films are fun yet really depressing, and both films deal with drug dealing. Whenever a movie involves drugs, it will always be depressing. After “Requiem for a Dream,” I have observed that there is no such thing like “Goodfellas” anymore. People have been telling us that drugs are bad and not to get into them. After “Dream,” it is quite obvious why Hollywood would make films like “Things We Lost in the Fire,” “Candy,” “Alpha Dog,” and “Kush,” a film about how a Kush seller starts getting involved with cocaine, which ends up in dire consequences for his friends and business partners.

While “Kush” is much harder to watch than “Alpha Dog,” it shows many striking similarities. The characters are nearly identical to the ones shown in “Alpha Dog.” While it takes a longer time to get into the actual film, more character development is used and we see a whole different side of some of these kids. Both films take place in the heart of California, and they show the entire side of Los Angeles as partiers and druggies. Many of the drug scenes are hard to watch, but it’s used for impact. “Kush” can also be compared to the last ten minutes of “Requiem for the Dream.” What would you do to get the money that you need for a drug? Selling or using, you need the money, and “Kush” brings up both of those points. In the end, director York Shackleton proves that either way, you lose, but “Kush” is a great realistic story of the real dangers of drugs, and just why to avoid them. Take that, you stupid urban teenaged audience!


“Juno”
2007
**** out of ****
Director: Jason Reitman
Cast: Ellen Page, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner


I went to go see “Juno” before the hype started, and I’m sure glad that I did. I was able to call everyone at school fucking followers and tell them to anticipate these kinds of movies before they come out (also notice I did the same thing with “Across the Universe”). But after watching “Juno” three times (twice in theaters and once on DVD), I had come to the conclusion that in a few years, I just as hell may hate this movie. The hype will sure kill it, especially after being released on DVD. But for now, while it’s still just a bit bigger than most comedies, I can still like it. And it is still retaining its spot on my Top 25. Juno (Ellen Page) is a teenager who gets pregnant and finds a couple in the penny-saver to keep her baby. That’s pretty much it. She battles with the many different choices she has to make in her life, and discovers the real meaning of true love (of course, if there is such thing, which she does bring up by the end of the movie). I know that some of FilmArcade readers have read Royce’s wickedly awesome negative review, but I still think that “Juno” is better than that. Let’s hope it’s not like “Napoleon Dynamite.”

Does Ellen Page deserve her Oscar nomination? Yes. Does she deserve it now? No. The Academy recognized her in “Juno,” but the year before, she starred in “Hard Candy” and did a much better, plus much more disturbing, job. She does a great job with the title character though, almost like she was born to play the role. The biggest problem with the film is the soundtrack. It’s enjoyable first time you watch it because you don’t notice it, but the second and third time? It’s fucking annoying. Most of the songs were by The Moldy Peaches (sung by Kimya Dawson). They are all love songs where they basically repeat themselves. It doesn’t really follow the plot to the actual movie and are useless. In the end of the movie, some people will say that Juno learns her lesson, but like Royce, I’ll have to disagree. Basically, she is still the same person she always was, just a little less sarcastic and a little more loving. But it’s predictable… and by not spoiling anything for you… she has the baby. So, in the end, is “Juno” the best movie ever? No. Is it Academy Award worthy? No. Is it a good movie? Sure. Just don’t listen to anyone who says it is the best movie ever. You’ll be disappointed.


Well that was it for this week. Three films with a perfect four asterisk rating are perfectly fine with me. Make sure you search for all of these films. Next week on Indie Scene, I’ll be reviewing “The Murder Game,” “Road to Victory,” and “Last Request.” Also, UFC WILL BE CANCELLED THIS MONDAY, AS I WILL BE IN PITTSBURGH FOR A HOCKEY TOURNEY. Thank you, and keep reading.

Last week, I (TonyD) purchased a ticket for AMC's Best Picture Showcase at Lowes 24 in Cherry Hill on February 23, the day before the big show. I know I've been talking about it a lot lately, but I honestly can't wait.

A ticket is 30 bucks, but with a deal like this, it's soo worth it. Not only do you get to see all five Best Picture nominated movies ("Michael Clayton," "There Will Be Blood," "Atonement," "Juno," and "No Country for Old Men" in that order), but you get a large popcorn and unlimited refills. You will be given a special pass for you to come and go as you please. In that same parking lot is a TGI Fridays, and the Cherry Hill Mall is located a half a mile away.

If you guys are looking forward to go to the one at the same theater I'm going to, here's the link: http://www.fandango.com/amcloewscherryhill24_aaktm/theaterpage?wssac=58&date=02/23/2008&wssaffid=11480_LoewsTheatresWebsite

If you guys are looking forward to go to another showcase, or if you're looking for more info, go here: http://www.amctheatres.com/promos/showcase/

I'll see you there (RSVP if you'll be there!!!),


TonyD, Hardcore Film Maniac
Founder/Admin, FilmArcade.net
TonyD@FilmArcade.net


P.S. While we're on the subject, expect my Best Picture column a few hours before the telecast.