Skipp & Spector’s ‘Animals’ comes roaring onto Region 2 DVD
by Ben Bussey
Seems like this is a good time for the heroes of splatterpunk John Skipp and Craig Spector. A while back we told you about Skipp’s movie Rose getting set to shoot (see here)- but before that shows up, an adaptation of Animals, a 1992 Skipp/Spector novel, is hitting DVD, from Douglas Aarniokoski – the director of Highlander: Endgame, who was set to helm the Rodriguez/McGowan Red Sonja before that ship sank – with leading men Marc Blucas and Naveen Andrews. Yes, the question of who would in a fight between Sayid from Lost and Riley from Buffy will at long last be answered. Let’s synopsosize:
Ever since his dreams of a promising football career were shattered by an unexpected injury in college, one-time local hero Jarrett (Blucas) has spent the subsequent years wasting away in his rapidly dying hometown working days in a variety of dead-end, blue collar jobs and idling away his evenings in the local bar. While drowning his sorrows after being fired from his latest job following a run-in with his boss, Jarrett’s humdrum existence takes an unexpected turn when he meets and is seduced by a sensuous young woman, Nora (Nicki Aycox, of TV’s Supernatural), who is passing through town. Their reckless night of unbridled passion results in Jarrett experiencing strange primal impulses and heightened sensations, not least of which is his intense carnal attraction towards Nora.
The sudden change in Jarrett’s personality causes immediate concern for his best friends, barmaid Jane (Eva Amurri), who has a secret crush on him, and bar owner Jules (Andy Comeau). But their concerns are nothing compared to the problem Jarrett is about to face with the arrival of Nora’s former lover, Vic (Andrews), a volatile, bloodthirsty predator with whom Nora shares a terrifying bond. As Jarrett’s involvement in this deadly triangle of lust and bloodshed begins to threaten his very humanity, only Jane holds the key to unlocking the strangers’ secret and ensuring her friend’s survival.
I will not lie – this doesn’t look or sound all that great. I gather you guys in the States have had this one for a while (it was made in 2008) and I didn’t make much of an impact, which doesn’t offer much reassurance. But from what I’ve read of theirs, Skipp and Spector are a truly fantastic writing team; that Spector penned the screenplay does give pause for optimism. And as for Aarniokoski – if Rodriguez believes in him, then so can I.
Animals hits Region 2 DVD on 9 August from Chelsea Films. Look out for our review before then, and check out the trailer below:
