Plan9Reviews

In the halls of wonderfully bizarre cinema, “Ice Cream Man” holds a special, slightly melted cone in this reviewer’s heart. As a young horror fan wandering through his local video store, the image of Clint Howard holding an ice cream cone with an eyeball as a topping always stuck out. This cult classic, released in 1995, is a delightfully strange ride that serves up a scoop of humor, horror, and a whole lot of extra sprinkles of weirdness.

Our star is Clint Howard, brother to the famous Ron Howard, takes on the role of Gregory Tudor, the local ice cream man with an unconventional approach to his dairy delights you won’t find in any Ben and Jerry’s flavor. Howard’s performance is a beautiful waltz between unsettling and strangely endearing, creating a character that’s both the neighborhood’s sweet purveyor and an unhinged force not to be reckoned with.

The film’s narrative takes unexpected turns while masquerading as a typical suburban tale. As Tudor drives his ice cream truck around the town, his treats become more than just chilly indulgences; they become instruments for horrifying surprises. While Tudor can be the seemingly innocent ice cream man, the darker undertones lurking beneath the surface create a perfect blend of comedy and horror.

“Ice Cream Man” embraces its well-earned B-movie status and doesn’t hold back the cheesy special effects or over-the-top performances. The practical effects may be low-tier Hollywood quality, but they add to the film’s charm, giving it an authentic ’90s low-budget feel.

The supporting cast, including Jan-Michael Vincent and Olivia Hussey, adds to the film’s quirkiness. Their performances contribute to the overall campy atmosphere, creating a cinematic experience more about entertainment than cinematic perfection.

“Ice Cream Man” humor is as offbeat as the film concept. From quirky and sometimes painful one-liners to absurd situations that only exist in B-movies, this film never takes itself too seriously. This self-awareness and willingness to revel in its own absurdity makes it one enjoyable rocky road.

While “Ice Cream Man” might not be everyone’s scoop of choice, for those with a sweet tooth for unconventional cinema and a penchant for the peculiar, it’s a flavor that lingers long after the credits roll. So, grab your favorite frozen treat and dive into the oddball world of “Ice Cream Man” for a cinematic experience that’s wonderfully chilling in more ways than one.

Chime in below in the comments with your favorite ice cream and thoughts on this week’s film!

Ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round the cinematic table and prepare your taste buds for a feast of unfathomable proportions – ThanksKilling is served! This holiday cinematic experience from the vaults of schlocky horror is a turkey of a film that knows it’s a turkey and embraces its absurdity with open wings, er, arms. Don’t expect Oscar-worthy cinema here; pack your appetite for hilariously lousy acting, over-the-top gore, and one genuinely unforgettable poultry villain.

If you can call it that, the plot revolves around a foul-mouthed, wise-cracking, and downright homicidal turkey named Turkie. Armed with a penchant for puns and a taste for mayhem, this feathered fiend embarks on a murderous rampage against a group of unsuspecting college students during the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a ridiculous premise, and the film fully commits to its holiday lethal absurdity.

One of the standout qualities of ThanksKilling is its relentless commitment to the art of one-liners and cringe-inducing dialogue. Turkie’s quips are so bad that they’re good, and his punchlines are like the worst dad jokes you’ve ever heard – but with a side of horror. You’ll find yourself groaning and laughing simultaneously at the sheer ridiculousness of it all.

The low-budget nature of the film is part of its charm. The practical effects may not be top-tier, but they’re hilariously inventive. From Turkie’s rubbery puppetry to his ludicrously gruesome kills, ThanksKilling revels in its absurd visuals. It’s a delightful showcase of what a creative team can accomplish with limited resources and a limitless appetite for campiness.

In terms of performances, the actors are fully aware they’re in a cinematic turkey, and they ham it up accordingly. The characters are caricatures, and the film doesn’t aim for emotional depth – it’s all about the laughs and absurdity. There are moments when the overacting becomes a spectacle, adding to the film’s B-movie charm.

ThanksKilling is a glorious train wreck of a movie, but it’s one that you can’t help but keep watching. It’s not “Citizen Kane” and doesn’t aspire to be. Instead, it celebrates low-budget horror with a sense of humor as warped as its titular antagonist. If you’re in the mood for a cinematic Thanksgiving treat that’s both terrible and terrific, “ThanksKilling” is the perfect slice of cinematic pumpkin pie. Remember to carve out some time for this delectably awful flick, and let the poultry pandemonium commence! Gobble, gobble, horror buffs, and chime in in the comments on your favorite Fall film!

Rating: 4 out of 5 Bloody Giblets

In the realm of unconventional cinema, where the bizarre and avant-garde reign supreme, Quentin Dupieux’s “Rubber” takes the crown as one of the most peculiar offerings. It doesn’t tiptoe on the fringes of the weird; it unabashedly gallops into the absurd with a telekinetic killer tire named Robert. You read that right. This audacious and darkly comedic film weaves a more perplexing tale than a Rubik’s Cube in a house of mirrors.

“Rubber” opens in the barren expanse of the California desert, a place where oddities are as common as tumbleweeds. It introduces us to Robert, a discarded car tire that miraculously comes to life, sparking his odyssey of chaos. Instead of pondering the mysteries of existence, Robert takes an altogether different path. He discovers his psychokinetic powers, and what better way to use them than making people’s heads spontaneously explode?

But “Rubber” is not just a bizarre tire-tale; it’s a movie within a movie. A small audience in the desert watches Robert’s escapades through binoculars, and this self-aware commentary on the unpredictability of cinema is where the film finds its comedic rhythm. The absurdity is not limited to Robert’s mind-bending abilities.

The plot is more conceptual than complex, intentionally absurd, and unapologetically thin. It exists to give Robert a reason to roll through the desert and explode people’s heads with his mind. Yet, despite this apparent simplicity, “Rubber” exudes a sense of liberation in its narrative approach. It knows exactly what it is—a cinematic experiment in the absurd—and revels in it.

Visually, “Rubber” is a treat. The vast, barren landscapes of the Californian desert create a stark and surreal backdrop for Robert’s telekinetic tirades. The cinematography is striking, capturing the essence of the open, expansive desert and emphasizing the isolation of this bizarre story. The practical effects are brilliantly executed, considering the whimsical nature of the film. Seeing Robert “come to life” and roll around is strangely captivating.

While “Rubber” is a journey into cinematic absurdity, it is not for everyone. It thrives on its audacious weirdness and lacks a traditional narrative structure. It’s more a manifestation of abstract storytelling, a plunge into an unconventional whirlpool of cinematic experiences. This might not be your cup of tea if you prefer clear, straightforward stories.

In the world of cult classics, “Rubber” has cemented its place as one of the most bizarre films.  For those who delight in the joy of cinematic absurdity and revel in the gore of a blood-soaked highway, “Rubber” is a must-watch. This movie challenges your expectations and leaves you laughing at the sheer madness of it all. So, suspend your disbelief, embrace the weirdness, and roll into the strange and peculiar world of “Rubber.”

Rating: 4 out of 5  Murderous Telekentic Tires

In the hopes of driving reader engagement, whats the most unlikely villain you’ve ever encountered in media?

In the realm of cinematic absurdity, where over-the-top meets donut-shaped doom, “Attack of the Killer Donuts” emerges as a deep-fried delight that defies reason and taste buds alike. It’s a movie that throws sanity out the window faster than you can say “glazed and confused,” and it’s a blast – in every sense of the word. So, grab your favorite snacks (preferably not donuts) and get ready for a review that’s as sweetly absurd as the film itself.

“Attack of the Killer Donuts” plunges us into the quaint town of Grover’s Bend, where everything seems as mundane as a plain cake donut – until a freaky chemical mishap brings sentient donuts to life! Yes, you read that right, folks. Armed with insatiable appetites for human flesh (or maybe jelly), these doughy fiends embark on a hilarious and blood-sprinkled rampage. It’s a race against time for our motley crew of heroes, including a slacker, a donut shop worker, and a mad scientist, to save their town from becoming glazed carnage.

“Attack of the Killer Donuts” fully embraces its absurd premise, and that’s where its charm lies. It revels in its B-movie status, delivering dialogue and situations so cheesy you’d think they were crafted by dairy-fueled madmen. The humor is a delightful blend of intentional campiness and unintentional hilarity. You’ll find yourself chuckling at the sheer audacity of it all – from donuts rolling in gangster style to a donut-versus-human dance-off that must be seen to be believed. It’s a laugh riot that doesn’t take itself seriously for a second.

If you’re expecting top-tier CGI, think again. “Attack of the Killer Donuts” serves up a visual feast of practical effects that are so gloriously low-budget that they’re almost high art. The donuts in action are a spectacle to behold, each one more preposterous than the last. You’ll witness rubbery, animatronic pastries wreaking havoc, and it’s a deliciously terrible sight. The gore effects are equally campy, with fountains of fake blood that would make any horror aficionado giggle with glee.

“Attack of the Killer Donuts” is a cinematic sugar rush that defies logic, taste, and perhaps even the laws of nature. It’s a gleeful plunge into the world of B-movie madness, where absurdity reigns supreme. If you’re in the mood for a cinematic treat that leaves you both horrified and amused, this donut-fueled rampage is worth a bite. So, don your MST3K hat, gather your friends, and prepare for a sugar-induced, laugh-out-loud frenzy. Remember, it’s all in good fun, and sometimes, you just need a killer donut to brighten your day.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Doughy Demons