filmfuture

C'mon, anybody who complains that a movie called "Thankskilling" about a foul-mouthed (or is that fowl-mouthed?) supernatural turkey who goes on a murderous rampage is not a good movie missed the point. This movie is not supposed to be good. It's supposed to be as bad as it sounds, and thankfully, it is! "Thankskilling" is a movie made for horror fans, as it totally exploits the ridiculous genre conventions most horror films employ to a fault. All the usual suspects of overused clichéd characters are here (The Jock, The Hot Girl, The Sensitive Girl, The Funny Fat Guy, and The Nerd), but each one is exaggerated to the point of caricature, so the whole thing works really well instead of being tiresome. The five friends embark on an idyllic Thanksgiving weekend getaway, and of course, things don't go as planned.

This movie is offensive, vulgar, and most of all, absurd, but all the crazy random elements are woven together in a way that could be called (dare I say).... brilliant? The villain of "Thankskilling" is a trash-talking necromanced ancient undead turkey realized on screen through a really poor quality hand puppet, and yet the Turkey is one of the most refreshing villains I've seen in low budget horror in a long while. He's definitely original (in the very least), but also boasts some unforgettable one liners that will keep you smirking long after the end credits have faded away. The acting is intentionally wooden and at times over the top, but it all gels perfectly with the outlandish and sarcastic tone of the film. And yes, there were a few times that I actually had to cover my mouth 'cause I was watching it late at night and I laughed that loud.

So if you're in the mood for some fun horror fare with a touch of the absurd, "Thankskilling" will offer you a great time. Just be sure to check your political correctness at the door.

Rated 8 out of 10 for the Horror/comedy genre (not as a film overall)

Yeah, the most common complaint you hear about AFV is the 'artistic merit' of the show, but who cares -- it's funny. Obviously, it's not funny in a cerebral or enlightening way, it just makes you feel GOOD.

I rediscovered this show thanks to KDOC (Orange County) reruns five nights a week, and I'm impressed with how the show is still funny all these years later. C'mon, everybody knows that Bob Saget's jokes were cringe-worthy even back in the day, and Tom Bergeron's antics fare only slightly better. Yet the main draw of the show isn't the host -- it's the videos themselves. That's why AFV is still getting ratings 19 seasons later. AFV (and COPS as well) has a dynamite formula -- it presents content that reflects people from all walks of life, rich, poor, educated or not, and offers a show that anybody can relate to. It is a show for all of us, no matter where we came from or what we believe.

I've heard people on the boards complain about how stupid the show is and how the producers pay ABC to air the show, rah bah, bah. But here's the deal, the politics behind the show are irrelevant to the enjoyment it provides to its audience. Let's be reasonable, who in their right mind would expect a program called AMERICA'S FUNNIEST (HOME) VIDEOS to be thought provoking anyhow?

So sit back, grab a snack, and the enjoy corny atmosphere of the show, 'cause with AFV, the one thing you can count on is plenty good 'ol fashioned American Cheesy Goodness!!!