Reviews

I'm really surprised to see some glowing reviews here on IMDb for this film. While I'm aware that everyone has their own likes and dislikes, I wonder if I saw an entirely different film.

I just saw South of Heaven as part of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival and thought that it was by far the worst showing at the festival. I suspected it was only accepted due to it's international premier credentials which adds a little gusto to the festival.

The film strikes me as an attempt to be artistic and a crafty word-smith by someone who has seen many films that have done this well previously but with no real knowledge of how to do so himself. The entire production comes across as a good treatment that the writer was unable to bring into fruition as a complex film.

There was a handful of interesting characters (the thugs) who were marginalized at best in an attempt to focus on the least interesting of the group (Mad Dog). The writer (I believe) stood up and asked people to feel free to laugh during the film, but only a few in the theater took him up on this offer. In fact on the side I sat on the entire row in front bailed half way through and the gentleman behind me fell asleep and added the only real interesting aspect of the film.

The kidnap and rape (continuously) of a 16 year old girl was handled as a joke and while it was an attempt at dark humor it played off as nothing of the like.

The goods other than the thugs? Becky's sister was interesting, the make-up on the brother was great. The film was colorful, unfortunately the script was not.

I really enjoyed this documentary about Kenny and Spencer's attempt to pitch "The Dawn". Was a great look at how outsiders try to get to the inside to make it big.

The story was put together well and organized in an interesting manner that made the film flow well. Certainly worth a watch. My only complaint is that their appeared to be no closure. Perhaps that is part of the point. We expect it but in reality that is not what happened (or usually happens).

The film is also a great way to see the personality of Kenny and Spencer outside of their Canadian television show. You can see a bit of what is yet to come.

I look forward to a chance to see The Papal Chase.