Through the urging (or guidance?) of my good friend Bob, I saw a film last night that was slightly out of my wheelhouse. And by "slightly" I mean that the pitch was so high and outside that it risks hitting the mascot.
The film in question was HOUSE, a Japanese horror-comedy...and truthfully, I barely know where to begin describing this opus. "Gorgeous" wants to get away from the summer, looking to get some distance between her father and her new stepmother-to-be. She plans to visit her aunt in the country and brings five friends along with her. However, not terribly long after they arrive...they discover that the house they will be staying in is not what it appears to be.
Sounds creepy, doesn't it? Well it's not - not even remotely. Instead, this so-bad-it's-good howler eschews actual freakiness for comedic low bugetedness.
Again, this is usually not my style, but watching it in a rather busy theatre with a crowd that was laughing along at the film's crudeness and absurdity provided me an appreciation for it on a certain level. No word as to whether it's the level director Obayashi was going for.
There's more shots of fluffy cats than a Cottonelle commercial. There's a hungry piano that has an appetite for teenagers. There's a laughing watermelon. There's an introduction of the teenage girls that looks like a Mickey Mouse Club introduction...and I haven't even mentioned the musical numbers.
Watching such a thing alone on dvd would lead me to a state of confusion and bewilderment. Hell, I'd wager that it'd result in a reach for the remote and a muttering of "What the hell?". But getting immersed in it on 35mm lead to a whole other experience entirely. Indeed, it felt like I was drowning in it, rather than cavorting in a splash-pad like I would if I rented the dvd and heckled it with friends. The film is ridiculous...but watching it all so much larger than life, Iwas I able to surrender to its ridiculousness and actually be truly entertained.
Strangely enough, the movie is actually getting a Criterion release this fall, so if you're curious to see the freakshow that this film is, your chance is coming. For now though, I must admit that sitting through something that was "so-bad-it's-good" was indeed good for my filmgoing soul...
...and while it pains me to admit it sometimes, I must admit that Bob was right. Thanks for the tip pal.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Burning Down the House
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5 comments:
Oh goodness this movie blows my mind in so many ways, I love it! Glad you saw it in a theatre with a good audience- definitely improves the experience!
Very curious, but I think I need to follow suit and see this in a theater. Actually going to see The Room this Friday in a packed theater, hoping it's something along the same lines.
Actually Aiden, "House" is nothing at all like "The Room". As fun as "The Room" is (and I still haven't caught it with an audience - I hope to one day, so have fun on Friday), it really is a bad movie.
This is where I disagree with Hatter a bit - I don't find "House" to be "so-bad-it's-good". Given director Obayashi's vast experience in commercials and experimental films before it, I think he intended this film to be exactly what it is - a barrage of beautiful, strange, funny and slightly unsettling images and effects. He uses just about every technique in the book to convey what's happening and does so at a pace that is kinda overwhelming at times. But always fun. And that's the big difference - Obayashi intends this movie to be fun and you get caught up with it. It's the kind of film that will generate (and was designed to) spontaneous giggling from the audience during certain scenes.
Otherwise, Hatter is spot on - surrendering to its ridiculousness is the way to go. I'm so glad you liked it dude! It really is jaw dropping at times ain't it? And those gorgeous painted backdrops...And the new mother-in-law who has her own wind machine...And the music with a combination of sweet piano ballads, amped up super-hero action themes, prog-rock epics, jazz-rock funkiness and Saturday morning kids' TV shows...And everyone's favourite character "Kung Fu"...And...
A feast for the senses.
@ Alex... I was trying to remember if you'd seen it, or were going to see it. Glad you approve. Betcha can't wait for that Criterion dvd, eh?
@ Aiden... I echo Bob in that this film has more charm. But keep your eyes open as apparently this print has been touring. Might come your way soon!
@ Bob... What you didn't notice during the screening was how many times I glance over my shoulder at you...hoping you'd look over so i could give you a classic Hatter "WTF?" look.
Thanks again man - 'twas weird, but 'twas fun.
Heh, I caught that WTF look on your face a couple of times...But it was usually followed by a laugh or smile, so I knew you were sold on it.
I also wanted to say that as cool as the Criterion T-shirt is for "House", I really wish they also sold that sweater the Dad had on. What a fashion statement that was...
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