Writing for an indie renegade horror website, one might think that all I do is watch horror movies 24/7. Well, having a full-time job, unfortunately that couldn’t be further from the truth. I only wish I could watch horror all day. In the free time I do get, I also dig other genres of films. I love old kung fu flicks and spaghetti westerns. But I’m not here to talk about those. I also have a love for good comedies. Today’s flick is an interesting mesh of horror and comedy, that is mostly a comedy but I still feel it needs to be taken note of in the horror community. So, let’s pop some popped corn, crack open a frosty adult beverage and dim the lights. IT’S MOVIE TIME!
Director’s Cut (2016)
Synopsis
Knocked Off, aka Director’s Cut follows a team of determined cops set on the hot trail of a copy cat of infamous serial killers. A killer that is recreating crime scenes of some of the most macabre and blood drenched murders of the 20th century. Can the police stop the killer in time? Our will his copycat masterpiece be completed?
…Well that was the serious synopsis of the film…
Director’s Cut is in reality actually a faux special features-style commentary of the film dubbed by one the film’s “crowd funders”. Herbert Blount, portrayed by the hilariously awesome Penn FUCKING Jillette (Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!) of the Penn and Teller comedy troupe, is the bizarre crowd funder that has taken over the film. After somehow obtaining a rough copy of the film Knocked Off, he superimposes his voice and writing on the screen throughout the film. Where Blount credits himself as actor, writer, executive producer and pseudo-director of the film.
This hilarious genre blending film is directed by Adam Rifkin (Chillerama, Detroit Rock City). Starring alongside Jillette are Harry Hamlin (Clash of the Titans), Hayes MacArthur (Super Troopers 2) and comedy veteran Missi Pyle (Galaxy Quest, Dodgeball: A True Underdog). Rifkin and Jillette did a wonderful job casting, with all their performances helping to infuse serious tension with comedic dialogue. The casting was nicely rounded out with a cameo from Jillette’s brother in comedy, Teller. For those familiar with Penn and Teller’s comedic work, Teller’s cameo is a hilariously funny and welcome change.
With Jillette’s character constantly riffing throughout the film, I couldn’t help but think of my childhood favorite riff show Mystery Science Theater 3000. The film’s first act was extremely well done comedically. But, as the movie progressed, the schtick began to wear a little thin. I almost turned the screener off. But when the third act finally approached, I felt a second wind of rejuvenation and was completely reinvested in the flick. We find that Herbert Blount is obsessed with Missi Pyle and soon he finds a way to “finish” the film with albeit illegal artistic license, by superimposing himself into the actual film!!! It was completely ridiculous but hilarious.
I think there is something for everyone to enjoy with Director’s Cut. This is a comedy movie with horror elements. The blood and guts on occasion are enough for the horror crowd I think, which was really surprising, given the source material. But the comedic elements are what make this movie work, with Jillette’s crazed antics cracking me up. It was just a fun movie, plain and simple. It was extremely original and felt oddly fresh. Which is something to be said in cinema these days.
IMDb: 6.1/10
ZombiSurvivor: 6.6/10
Director’s Cut releases on DVD/Blu-ray on June 12th!
Thanks for reading and remember,
STAY SCARED!
-ZS
