'RUBBER': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
This is the type of film that the USA Network used to run on it's 'USA UP ALL NIGHT' weekend movie show in the 80's and 90's. It's totally irreverent and almost mind bogglingly bad (but in an intentional way). Even so it's actually pretty well made and has strong production values (unlike most of USA's old weekend programing). It's written and directed by French filmmaker (and techno musician) Quentin Dupieux, who's previous two films ('STEAK' and 'NONFILM') sound like they were made in the same vein as this (although I haven't seen them). This film tells the story of a tire who comes to life, gains telepathic abilities and then goes on a killing spree. It's about as strange and crazy as it sounds.
The film stars Stephen Spinella as Lieutenant Chad, a police officer who appears to be in on the joke (that the movie is all a joke). Chad believes in the concept that all movies are filled with 'no reason', no matter how good or bad they are. He explains this concept to an audience of people, as the film opens, in order to prepare them for the events that follow. An Accountant (Jack Plotnick) then directs the audience's attention to an abandoned tire in a desert, which they watch through binoculars. The tire comes to life and begins finding joy in smashing inanimate objects and killing small animals. When it comes across a bottle it cant break it develops telepathic powers and blows it up. It then comes to a road and becomes fascinated with a beautiful woman passing by (Roxane Mesquida) and begins following her, killing anything that comes in it's path (as the audience continues to watch).
The film is sort of a cross between 'B' movie horror and meta comedy. It's not very frightening or very funny for that matter but it's definitely amusing. There are some funny jokes but they're definitely few and far between, most of the joy one can get from watching this movie is just pure bewilderment and curiosity. The film is without a doubt original and unique, whether it's a good film or not is completely debatable. Like I said it's a surprisingly well made film; it looks and sounds great and the acting is all decent. There of course will be a lot of people that utterly hate this movie, there will also be a fair amount that love it. Most will be one or the other. I'm the rare type of person that has split feelings on movies like this. I love it's originality, it's quirkiness and it's enormous balls; a filmmaker has to be pretty brave to attempt something like this. I don't think the movie is extremely funny or entirely effective on what it sets out to do but it's definitely amusing and admirable in a way.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqvCRlRn7qY
This is the type of film that the USA Network used to run on it's 'USA UP ALL NIGHT' weekend movie show in the 80's and 90's. It's totally irreverent and almost mind bogglingly bad (but in an intentional way). Even so it's actually pretty well made and has strong production values (unlike most of USA's old weekend programing). It's written and directed by French filmmaker (and techno musician) Quentin Dupieux, who's previous two films ('STEAK' and 'NONFILM') sound like they were made in the same vein as this (although I haven't seen them). This film tells the story of a tire who comes to life, gains telepathic abilities and then goes on a killing spree. It's about as strange and crazy as it sounds.
The film stars Stephen Spinella as Lieutenant Chad, a police officer who appears to be in on the joke (that the movie is all a joke). Chad believes in the concept that all movies are filled with 'no reason', no matter how good or bad they are. He explains this concept to an audience of people, as the film opens, in order to prepare them for the events that follow. An Accountant (Jack Plotnick) then directs the audience's attention to an abandoned tire in a desert, which they watch through binoculars. The tire comes to life and begins finding joy in smashing inanimate objects and killing small animals. When it comes across a bottle it cant break it develops telepathic powers and blows it up. It then comes to a road and becomes fascinated with a beautiful woman passing by (Roxane Mesquida) and begins following her, killing anything that comes in it's path (as the audience continues to watch).
The film is sort of a cross between 'B' movie horror and meta comedy. It's not very frightening or very funny for that matter but it's definitely amusing. There are some funny jokes but they're definitely few and far between, most of the joy one can get from watching this movie is just pure bewilderment and curiosity. The film is without a doubt original and unique, whether it's a good film or not is completely debatable. Like I said it's a surprisingly well made film; it looks and sounds great and the acting is all decent. There of course will be a lot of people that utterly hate this movie, there will also be a fair amount that love it. Most will be one or the other. I'm the rare type of person that has split feelings on movies like this. I love it's originality, it's quirkiness and it's enormous balls; a filmmaker has to be pretty brave to attempt something like this. I don't think the movie is extremely funny or entirely effective on what it sets out to do but it's definitely amusing and admirable in a way.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqvCRlRn7qY