Put your kids to bed, this movie is not for them! For everyone else, bust out the popcorn and get ready for an ADHD experience that feels like old school MTV nostalgia with the gore turned up to 11. It would even make Art the Clown proud. We are going to change things up a little bit with this review.
Here are some facts, then we’ll get into the bloody thick of it.
Producers: Josh Goldbloom, Steven Schneider, Roy Lee, Michael Schreiber, Brad Miska
Writers: Zoe Cooper, David Moreau, Ernest Dickerson, RZA, Matt Landsman
Executive Producers: Ben Ross and Rami Yasin
Genre: Horror
Country: United States
Language: English
Runtime: 98 minutes
Segments include:
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
Directed by Renee Zhan
A studio attempts to reboot a long-cancelled puppet show with a mysterious past. Featuring work from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
HEARTBEAT
Directed by David Moreau
A pair of YouTube urbex influencers find themselves trapped in a decommissioned military facility used for sonic experimentations.
THE MUSIC OF MR. SZE
Directed by Ernest Dickerson
A college film student’s documentary project uncovers the reclusive life of a tormented musician.
DEATH TONE
Directed by RZA
A young sound engineer follows her late Dad’s instructions to create the ultimate track.
Wrap Segment
GWAR hosts skits and music videos in an MTV-style show from hell.
Featuring music videos directed by Tobias Forge and Flying Lotus.
Story: 9/10 (shock value: 10/10!)
You are thrown into a very uncomfortable visual right away, and that’s where you’ll stay for the whole ride, all the way through the bonus scene after the credits. There are four different segments telling four different stories, but each one is introduced by the one and only GWAR!
Side note for those who don’t know GWAR: picture a heavy metal band of intergalactic barbarian monsters who crawled out of a sewer in Richmond, Virginia in the ’80s and decided the best use of their time was drenching entire crowds in fake blood, fake guts, and whatever else a human body can leak. They “execute” celebrities and politicians on stage as part of the show. They’re the reason your friend who wore a poncho to a concert wasn’t being dramatic. Of course they’re hosting a horror anthology. It’s the only job that was ever worthy of them.
Side side note: I hope you also noticed that Jim Henson’s Creature Shop is involved. No more needs to be said.
Each segment couldn’t be more different. Puppets, stop motion, demons, lots of bloody murder, and all of our favorite kind of effects… the practical kind! Duh. Not everything can be a pun. Anyway, they’re all (GWAR’s portions included) unified by something to do with sound. And murder. But it’s pretty obvious this is a horror movie. I mean, just look at the poster.
No need to go through each segment. If you want a synopsis, check the descriptions above by each title. As for my favorite, putting GWAR’s segments aside since those are obviously the best… how dare you try to make me pick my favorite child! Watch the movie yourself and be glad you made it out alive. Just kidding. No one I know of was harmed for real in the making of this movie, but who knows, there’s still time to change that. Tee hee.
Acting: 10/10 (don’t even try to fight me on this!)
I know, 10?! Did this movie get me second-hand high or something? Maybe. But look at how many different mediums these segments span, and think about how many people, puppets, and monsters(?) it took to make them. You’ve got to give it up to them, and to the folks behind the scenes who directed and captured it all so even the most outrageous nightmare fuel feels believable. A standing ovation from me, with blood-slicked hands, so the applause is extra squelchy. Please don’t ask what’s on them.
Overall: (what do you think I’m going to rate this?)
A FREAKING 10! Yeah, so what, it’s my review. 10, 10, 101, 10101010101010… 10. I had so much fun watching this. It’s so refreshing, especially this fall when the creepy is at its strongest, and I can’t name another modern movie like it. It reminds me of being a kid, watching MTV late at night after my parents were asleep, knowing they’d be so mad if they caught me. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a deviant to enjoy it. Just bring some childlike wonder and a craving for the “oh shit!”
So dim the lights, grab the popcorn (and maybe a poncho), and press play on V/H/S/MIXTAPE, streaming exclusively on Shudder starting Friday, October 9th. Don’t say GWAR didn’t warn you.
Facebook Comments