Sunday, February 20, 2011
Dead Hooker In A Trunk (2009)
Dead Hooker In A Trunk (2009)
Written by, Directed by, and Starring Jen and Sylvia Soska.
Set in beautiful Vancouver, four friends set out on an everyday errand and end up in a fight for their lives when they discover the body of a dead hooker left in their trunk...
DHIAT was ridiculous, repulsive, retarded, and I loved every minute of it! I truly mean all of those things in the nicest manner possible. I really got the great feeling of a film being shot by friends. I didn't really know what to expect going into the film, with it's mixed reviews and all, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The acting in the film really bounces around from here to there, but managed to stay above par, and the characters created are definitely interesting enough to engage me as a viewer from start to finish. The black and white contrast between the sisters was crucial to the story of the film, and involved a lot of playing off each other. One as the geek, and one as the badass is used quite a bit, but is also needed at a starting point for character development for DHIAT. Separate elements of the story are brought together when the sisters converge, and chaos ensues. The characters I enjoyed the most were actually the supporting cast. Rikki Gagne (Junkie) and C.J. Wallis (Goody Two-Shoes) really stole the show. The carried the comedic element of the film, and acted as the glue that kept the show together. I was happy to see newcomer C.J. Wallis in such a strong (and hilarious) role, and to watch his progression from the Goody Two-Shoes in to a character making decisions he previously wouldn't. Essentially watching him go from a boy to a man, including his persuit of the geek. From the Soskas to the Cowboy Pimp to the Priest, the cast of DHIAT was definitely its strong suit.
I felt the film itself was very well put together, and I could see the slightest bit of experience. Unique camera angles and well choreographed action sequences really drove the film experience. Some of the dialogue felt a little bit forced and some felt like improv, but if I were to pick any weak points in the film, that would be it. It was hard to take some of the more serious moments well... serious, but it didn't take away from the great display of filmmaking. Some of the action sequences had me laughing hysterically just thinking about seemingly normal people performing martial arts maneuvers. The part that was the most over the top was the gore, and I don't mean that in a bad way, as some of it was actually realistic, but when they wanted to be gory, it gave you everything it was worth from disembowelment to pulling teeth. DHIAT will keep you guessing from start to finish and I guarantee you will not always be able to tell what is going to happen next. Great pacing, a great story, and enjoyable characters make this film a must own for lovers of the horror and action genres. The Soskas prove that it doesn't take a large budget to make an enjoyable action film.
Entertainment Value: 8/10 Dead Hookers In A Trunk
Cinematic Value: 7/10 Dead Hookers In A Trunk
Considering the budget and the total of what, 13 people credited in its making? I thought this was one of the most accomplished and ambitious Indie films I have seen in a long, long time. It is the Grindhouse film that Rodriguez and Tarentino failed to produce, love it Russ!
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