Reviews

There is a wealth of fascinating imagery in this film that is placed very adeptly. The plot move along like a dream, not always with a clear causal chain of events yet still somehow makes sense. The retro-aesthetic add that extra touch of the Uncanny to make this film a memorable experience. My only criticism is that when the two kids begin to dig the hole to Hell they invoke recruit the support of 4 other major world religions in addition to Christianity to protect them against Satan. The problem with this is that Lucifer's Fall from Grace and Heaven in the form depicted here is only relevant to Christianity. Furthermore, Buddism, which the film seems to linger on, is totally icompatible with the supernaturalism of the other 4 (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism). Had it not been for this error, I would give the film a full 10 stars.

This is not the first Jim Jarmush film I've seen, but it is most definitely the last. In typical Jarmush style, this film is composed of mindless dialog amongst flat characters that just goes on ad nauseum. When the characters' words actually lead to actions, those actions are barely able to keep an already struggling plot alive. What saves this film from utter ruin are some amusing one-liners that satirize life in the Southern United States and the naivité of overseas tourists when they end up somewhere like Memphis. Hence the 3-star rating instead of a 1-star rating. Nevertheless, I think the film as a whole fails to entertain or to make any interesting observations on life in general.

There's not much to say about the film other than it is excellent from start to finish. I lived in Germany for 6 years and I it does not surprise me in the least that Hitler came to power to the degree that he did. This is not to say that modern Germany is full of fascist goose-stepping Nazis, but many modern Germans, even if they claim to be anti- Hitler/ fascist, still show a rather unsettling tendency to cherish the values that Hitler, the penultimate German, held so high. I speak here of the almost fanatical reverence for 'law and order', the territorialism that goes along with it, and the deep suspicion of all things foreign, all of which are well depicted in this film through the character of Hitler. Thus I think that this is a very educational film for most Germans because they have the opportunity to be reminded, lest they forget, of the devastating effects of xenophobia and intolerance.

This film didn't knock me off my chair or anything, but it did hold my attention, and, towards the end, even had me speculating about how it might end, which, for me at least, is a clear indication that the plot has some depth to it. Nevertheless, though, the plot does drag in some places, as the serial killer and her victims get into a rather drawn out cat-and-mouse game, which is not very suspensefully depicted in the film.

For the most part the acting is believable but there are some weak links, particularly in the very last scene (why wasn't that cut?!) The soundtrack/score is noteworthy and supports the macabre mood of the film well.

Particularly noteworthy is the skillful use of lighting in the film for the purpose of supporting the story-line.

All in all an enjoyable film.

If you expect little more from a film than good special-effects, then you may find this film worthy of your time. If, however, you value character depth along with an interesting story-line, I suggest that you not spend your time watching this film. First, the characters in this film are very flat, all of whom embody the values typical of what the moderately educated middle-class place so high: a reverence and desire for all things that, on the surface, seem worthy of attaining (money). More specifically you have the 'caring, yet bumbling Dad just trying to secure a future for his family'; 'the hot and naive teenage daughter', whom, because of her good looks, we are supposed to pity when she is unjustly assaulted by one of the ghosts ; 'the mouthy Negro woman who 'tells it like it is''; and, of course, 'the sketchy character of the family that cannot be trusted', namely the rich uncle.

The story-line of the film is told before the backdrop of these lame characters. And as if the plot were not already predictable, it is then explained to the viewer TWICE! The result is devastating for the movement of the plot, as any interesting ending it could have had is laid bare for the viewer. The reason for this self-sabotage suggests that the makers of this film either believe its viewers to be completely stupid, or have no clear idea how to tell a story with an eye to holding the audience's interest. This is not a work of art as good cinema is, but just a collection of archetypal characters supporting a very tired and weak formulaic story-line. The special-effects are fairly good, but they can and never will be a replacement for rounded characters, an interesting story-line, and artful scripting. Leave this film on the shelf.

Part of the fun of watching this film is due to the "special effects", as they appear humorously unrealistic. Another element of fun are some of the lines and the way in which the actors deliver them. What is interesting is that these elements draw attention to the medium through which they are transported, which helps add to the surreal mood of the film. Phoebe Dollar is as irresistibly hot as ever (the finger bang scene is very erotic), even when she plays to the 'southern white trash' stereotype. All in all, this film achieves, what in my opinion, it set out to do: entertain the viewer. Give this film a look, and check out some of Phoebe's other work too (Goth), if you like, what I call, "surrealistic cinema".