Tusk is the story of a podcaster who mysteriously goes missing in Manitoba, Canada. This film reminds me of the horror movies from the 1970's and 80's. There is so much tension, and you are genuinely creeped out by the films' antagonist so much that you will be looking over your shoulder to see if he is there. I also love that, right off the bat, we are not only introduced to Wallace Bryton (Justin Long) and Teddy Craft (Haley Joel Osment), but we also see what they do for a living and how quirky their sense of humor is. That quirkiness is echoed by the horrors that Wallace endures throughout the film. I also enjoy the fact that there is very little music in the film, and that when you do hear it, it is more ambient noise than actual music. This adds to the genuine fear that you feel while watching this film.
While Kevin Smith does show that he can make a solid horror film, there are a few problems I have with the film. At one point in the film, Wallace calls his girlfriend Ally Leon (Genesis Rodriguez) and Teddy from inside Howard Howes' home to let them know what has happened to him. Later, we see Ally and Teddy looking for Wallace on the side of the road with a flashlight. This seems silly to me. It is clear that Wallace is trapped in Howes' home, so why would he be on the side of the road?? Also, some of the flashback sequences have different dialogue from when they actually happened in the film. I am sorry, but this is Continuity 101 that you learn in film school!! I also feel that Wallace turns "Full Walrus" a tad too quickly for my taste. I feel that there needed to be more character development for this to be believable. Other than these issues, Kevin Smith shows that he knows how to breathe new life into a genre that has gotten far too generic.
Michael Parks is truly disturbing as Howard Howe. Howe is such a layered character, and it is because of these layers that you believe he has gone completely insane. At first, it seems like Howe is out to punish people for things that they take for granted. However, we later learn that when he was rescued by the walrus, it had a profound effect on him and he needs that character back in his life no matter what the stakes are. Parks' greatest moments are in his two monologue scenes. The way he delivers his lines keeps you glued to the screen because you are just not sure whether he is going to pounce on Wallace mid-speech or just keep talking. Parks is absolutely horrifying, and will have you looking over your shoulder throughout the film.
Justin Long plays Wallace Bryton. Bryton represents the kind of person who has let success go their head, which makes what happens to him all the more satisfying. Bryton loves being successful, and even shows contempt for the person he once was. The scene where Bryton is bragging about his success to Ally is where you realize that you hate this character not only because of the fresh dialogue, but because of the way Justin Long plays the character. He is brilliant in the role, and also displays wonderful comedic chops at the expense of Canada.
Haley Joel Osment and Genesis Rodriguez play Teddy Craft and Ally Leon, respectively. Under typical circumstances, these would be the characters that attempt to find out what happened to the main character, and see if he is still alive. However, Kevin Smith wrote a beautiful angle between these characters that adds something to, not only their relationship, but their relationship with Wallace as well. The banter between Osment and Rodriguez is genuine and hilarious, and you ultimately see how the relationship their characters have is affected by what happens to Wallace. These are good performances, particularly by Osment, that help carry the film.
Kevin Smith is the director of Tusk. As I mentioned before, this film hearkens back to the glory days of horror movies. I have been openly critical about the current generation of horror films because I feel that they rely to heavily on gore and jump scares. There is gore, and there are jump scares in this film, but it is used sparingly and in places that you would not expect, much like the horror films of old. I also love that Smith uses classical music in the torture scenes. Howe is someone who sees what he is doing as art, and having beautiful music play in the background adds something to both his character and the film as a whole. Also, I am sick and twisted and I find something glorious about body torture in horror films. I personally find that classical music adds to the glorification of blood splattering all over the walls. One of the other issues I have with this film has to do with the final sequence of the film. The issue I have with it has to do with how film fans interpret the movie. The final scene takes place at an exotic animal shelter where Wallace is staying. If you look at this film as a horror movie, which is the way I look at it, this sequence feels entirely out of place and it does not match the tone of the rest of the film. However, if you look at this film as a dark comedy, this sequence will make you chuckle. It is all in how you interpret the movie.
It is nice to see Kevin Smith continually think outside the box, and make films that are outside of his comfort zone. I think horror filmmakers today could learn much from watching this film. If you are in the mood for something fresh and original from one of the industrys' top independent directors, look no further than Tusk.
While Kevin Smith does show that he can make a solid horror film, there are a few problems I have with the film. At one point in the film, Wallace calls his girlfriend Ally Leon (Genesis Rodriguez) and Teddy from inside Howard Howes' home to let them know what has happened to him. Later, we see Ally and Teddy looking for Wallace on the side of the road with a flashlight. This seems silly to me. It is clear that Wallace is trapped in Howes' home, so why would he be on the side of the road?? Also, some of the flashback sequences have different dialogue from when they actually happened in the film. I am sorry, but this is Continuity 101 that you learn in film school!! I also feel that Wallace turns "Full Walrus" a tad too quickly for my taste. I feel that there needed to be more character development for this to be believable. Other than these issues, Kevin Smith shows that he knows how to breathe new life into a genre that has gotten far too generic.
Michael Parks is truly disturbing as Howard Howe. Howe is such a layered character, and it is because of these layers that you believe he has gone completely insane. At first, it seems like Howe is out to punish people for things that they take for granted. However, we later learn that when he was rescued by the walrus, it had a profound effect on him and he needs that character back in his life no matter what the stakes are. Parks' greatest moments are in his two monologue scenes. The way he delivers his lines keeps you glued to the screen because you are just not sure whether he is going to pounce on Wallace mid-speech or just keep talking. Parks is absolutely horrifying, and will have you looking over your shoulder throughout the film.
Justin Long plays Wallace Bryton. Bryton represents the kind of person who has let success go their head, which makes what happens to him all the more satisfying. Bryton loves being successful, and even shows contempt for the person he once was. The scene where Bryton is bragging about his success to Ally is where you realize that you hate this character not only because of the fresh dialogue, but because of the way Justin Long plays the character. He is brilliant in the role, and also displays wonderful comedic chops at the expense of Canada.
Haley Joel Osment and Genesis Rodriguez play Teddy Craft and Ally Leon, respectively. Under typical circumstances, these would be the characters that attempt to find out what happened to the main character, and see if he is still alive. However, Kevin Smith wrote a beautiful angle between these characters that adds something to, not only their relationship, but their relationship with Wallace as well. The banter between Osment and Rodriguez is genuine and hilarious, and you ultimately see how the relationship their characters have is affected by what happens to Wallace. These are good performances, particularly by Osment, that help carry the film.
Kevin Smith is the director of Tusk. As I mentioned before, this film hearkens back to the glory days of horror movies. I have been openly critical about the current generation of horror films because I feel that they rely to heavily on gore and jump scares. There is gore, and there are jump scares in this film, but it is used sparingly and in places that you would not expect, much like the horror films of old. I also love that Smith uses classical music in the torture scenes. Howe is someone who sees what he is doing as art, and having beautiful music play in the background adds something to both his character and the film as a whole. Also, I am sick and twisted and I find something glorious about body torture in horror films. I personally find that classical music adds to the glorification of blood splattering all over the walls. One of the other issues I have with this film has to do with the final sequence of the film. The issue I have with it has to do with how film fans interpret the movie. The final scene takes place at an exotic animal shelter where Wallace is staying. If you look at this film as a horror movie, which is the way I look at it, this sequence feels entirely out of place and it does not match the tone of the rest of the film. However, if you look at this film as a dark comedy, this sequence will make you chuckle. It is all in how you interpret the movie.
It is nice to see Kevin Smith continually think outside the box, and make films that are outside of his comfort zone. I think horror filmmakers today could learn much from watching this film. If you are in the mood for something fresh and original from one of the industrys' top independent directors, look no further than Tusk.
No comments:
Post a Comment