SXSW 2010 Shorthand: Tucker and Dale vs. Evil and Wake
by Britt Hayes
SXSW is hectic, to say the least, so I won’t get around to full reviews right off the bat. Instead, I’ll be throwing you some short initial thoughts, and posting the reviews when I get the chance. Look for reviews sometime this week or next week, and until then, enjoy my Shorthand thoughts:
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil: Fantastic horror comedy from Canadian writer/director Eli Craig. The film has a great cast, including Alan Tudyk – who you may know as Pirate Steve from Dodgeball – as Tucker, Tyler Labine – the drunk guy who walks into the coffee shop porn shoot in Zack & Miri, and the upcoming TV show Sons of Tuscon – as Dale, Katrina Bowden – Cerie from 30 Rock – as Allison, and Jesse Moss – The Uninvited, Ginger Snaps – as epic douche Chad.
Eli Craig, Director of Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Tucker and Dale are hillbilly best friends who are vacationing at their new cabin in the woods when they run into a group of college kids. What follows is a comedy of errors, an endearing romantic comedy, and a touching and hilarious bromance. The cast here is pitch-perfect and the comedy is non-stop. Once this film gets distribution (and it will), it’s going to hit big with audiences young and old alike. People will be quoting this movie, I guarantee it. Word is that Sony is screening the film this week. Not sure if they are buying it, but the fact that Sony wants to screen it this fast is good news. Even IF they don’t buy it, I’m positive Tucker and Dale will get picked up in the next week or so. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a late September/October release.
Wake: (Above picture from our friends at Cinematical)
Wake had its premiere on Saturday at the Paramount. Written and directed by first time director Chad Feehan (producer, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane), the film stars Josh Stewart (The Collector), Jamie-Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos), Chris Browning (Let Me In, Terminator Salvation), Angela Featherstone (Friends, The Wedding Singer), Afemo Omilami (The Reaping), and Trevor Morgan (Mean Creek). Paul (Stewart) and his girlfriend Adrienne (Sigler) are on a road trip to LA for an old frat brother’s wedding. They stop at an isolated hotel and cafe in the middle of the desert where they appear to be the only guests. An off-putting and quirky inn-keeper, a man who seems to know a little too much, and a strange woman who keeps appearing in the night all keep interfering with what was supposed to be a quick one-night stay in the middle of a long drive. The trio of outside forces begin to impact the couple and a dark secret from Paul’s past that could ruin them begins to come to light.
I enjoyed a good portion of Wake. It starts off slow and builds to an intense climax, with unforgettable performances from Featherstone and Browning. Sadly, as soon as the climax reaches its height, the film rapidly loses steam. All of the great influence of The Shining is lost, and the denouement is utterly ridiculous. While some might walk away enjoying the message, it seems like director Chad Feehan had a clear intention and just didn’t know where to go with it once the climax was over. The logic of this ending is hopelessly flawed and those who don’t enjoy it will find themselves angry. I’ve heard other festival goers and press saying they felt much like I did, and I have yet to hear a thoroughly positive response. Wake will most likely get distribution, but I see it going straight to DVD.
Well that’s it for today’s installment of Shorthand. Tonight I’m heading off to see Red White & Blue and the film I’ve been most excited for – Serbian Film. I’ll be back with a report tomorrow or Tuesday.
