This edition of Celluloid Menace takes a look at, not a film, but an individual who has garnered a great deal of animosity from viewers, gamers, critics, and filmmakers alike. This particular antagonist of cinema would be Wermelskirchen, Germany's own Uwe Boll. I'll be the first to admit that I find a lot of his films to be bad, House of the Dead, Far Cry, BloodRayne, and Alone in the Dark for example.
Yet, the last three films I viewed were eye-opening experiences in that they were decently-shot, well-acted, and told genuinely interesting stories. More so, only one of the three was based on a video game. Today, we'll be looking at three films from this divisive director that are worth your time, if you have the constitution for two of them. Consider this my defense of Uwe Boll.
Postal (2007)
Based on the violent video game of the same name, Postal stars Zack Ward (Scut Farkus himself) as the main character. The main storyline focuses on Ward's character and his Cult leader uncle (Dave Foley) as they plot to rob a theme park in order to pay off their debts. Ward is unhappy with his life, his morbidly obese wife, and his dead-end job. At the same time, the Taliban plan to rob the same theme park for their own agenda.
For a movie of this nature, to have such actors as Seymour Cassel, J.K. Simmons, and Erick Avari is an impressive feat for Boll. Larry “Soup Nazi” Thomas is inspiring as Osama Bin Laden. The jokes are hit-or-miss and come in a rapid fire, Airplane!-caliber style. As far as I'm concerned, most of the jokes hit. Its a politically incorrect movie that leaves almost no taboo untouched.
One major aspect of the film that garnered controversy was the opening scene with two terrorists flying a plane towards a NYC skyscraper. The scene has the terrorists in a discussion over the number of virgins that are to greet them when they die. When they can't come to agreement to the exact number they call Bin Laden to verify. They decide to change course after being told 20, at the most, will be greeting them for their martyrdom. Unfortunately, it is after this change of heart that the joke reaches its tragicomic punchline.
While being based on a video game, there was little plot to the game to begin with. Boll was able to create his own script that paid homage to the anarchistic spirit of the source material. If you enjoyed the insanity seen in a film like Team America: World Police, then Postal is one for you to watch.
Rampage (2009)
Bill Williamson (Tideland's Brendan Fletcher) is a twentysomething with no ambition. After being asked by his parents (Matt Frewer and Lynda Boyd) to move out among a series of events that push him, he subtly snaps. He pieces together a bullet-proof suit and arms himself with automatic sub-machine guns. He bombs the local police department and proceeds to shoot everyone in sight. He realizes that he can contribute to the survival of humanity by serving as population control.
Fletcher may not be as charismatic as other cinematic anarchists like Heath Ledger's Joker or Malcolm McDowell's Alex, but he is nonetheless chilling. The biggest surprise for me was seeing Matt Frewer give an impressive dramatic performance. Who knew that the same guy who played Max Headroom and Moloch the Mystic from The Watchmen had such dramatic skills in him?
The build-up in the beginning all leads to the action set piece that fill up the last half of the film. One scene that takes place in a beauty salon, featuring Katharine Isabelle of Ginger Snaps, shows that Boll can build dread and maintain suspense for a period of time. Another scene involves Bill going into a bingo hall. While suspenseful as well, it is much more surreal and is a curve-ball thrown by Boll in that it doesn't end the way we think it will.
Its hard to say what Boll was trying to convey in this film. Is it a film that showcases extreme violence as a means of speaking out against it, a la The Last House on the Left. Or is it a jab at a video game like State of Emergency where violence is the purpose of the game? Maybe Boll is making a statement about the violence gamers indulge in by using humans instead of pixelated representations. Either way, its a chilling look at a person who takes drastic actions to live his life on his own terms without interference or influence from others.
The Final Storm (2010)
At a time of socio-economic instability and bizarre weather patterns, the Grady family sits and watches as the news broadcasts these frightening images. One night, they take in a delirious stranger, Silas (Luke Perry, who stumbles into their home. Over the course of a couple of days, tensions rise as they try to find out who Silas is and why he came to their house. Gradually, they begin to wonder of the person they took in is another danger in a world quickly becoming unstable.
Lauren Holly (still very attractive while pushing 50) and Steve Bacic (TV's Big Love) are the heads of the Grady family with Cole Heppel of Diary of a Wimpy Kid as their son. All three are endearing and believable in their performances. Luke Perry as Silas stands out as a creepy, Book of Revelations-minded man of the cloth. Boll gets a lot of mileage from these actors who make the most of the minimal material given to them by script writer Tim McGregor (Biten).
This film is pretty much uncontroversial, but is a by-the-numbers supernatural thriller as the subtext and an intruder film as the main plot. While its procedural in its execution, the performances and a few suspense sequences give the film its legs. Had I not seen the opening credits, I would never have guessed this to be an Uwe Boll film. Take that statement as you personally see fit.
Yet, it has an ending that is a head-scratcher. We're given a series of effects shots that imply some celestial event, yet are never shown what happens after. Was this in the script? Did Boll not have a good ending to show and decided to end on that kind of a note? Either way, it adds mystery and doesn't hit us over the head with a drawn out answer.
Conclusion
And after hearing the audio review for Postal by Spill.com, I saw Boll in a new light. Like any honorable filmmaker, he makes movies because he couldn't see himself doing anything else. Plus, you need to consider that most of his opponents are people who criticize his work, yet couldn't make a film themselves if they're life depended on it.
People are quick to drop the Ed Wood label when it comes to Uwe Boll. Yet, unlike with Wood's films, I'm not as entertained as I am with Boll's films. Having seen Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space, I was honestly bored. I would say that Ray Dennis Steckler is a better comparison. He's the mind behind such infinitely amusing films as Rat Phink a Boo Boo and The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!!? And like Boll, Steckler made films because it was in his blood, his DNA. You may not appreciate his efforts, but you can't deny his dedication.
Next time, we look at an American exploitation classic: Tod Browning's Freaks.
