Stomp! Shout! Scream!

Adult Swim wunderkind Jay Edwards' first full-length feature "Stomp! Shout! Scream!" is a nostalgic romp through the adjacent genres of kitch beach movies and even kitchier low- budget monster movies. A film for fans of both Edwards' AS work ("Space Ghost Coast2Coast", "Aqua Teen Hunger Force", "Squidbillies") and of post WWII nuclear age pop culture, S!S!S! is a real treat.

Set during an East Coast tour of a up-and-coming all-girl rock trio, the story plods faithfully through B-movie premises including forbidden love, comic authority figures, and "the big show". Nods to horror, beach, and water-themed movies from the last four decades are everywhere. The plot's punchline is a fun anachronism that fortunately wrecks any hopes of a deeper message, reminding fans that this is the same guy who makes cartoons about meal-deal superheroes and redneck calamari.

Stomp! Shout! Scream! Is shot on 16mm film and has a lot of the glorious primary colors and framing of the classic flicks, although at times some of the lighting and cinematography is downright gorgeous, jumping out of the simplistic realm of those genres. Otherwise, continuity on this film is commendable to even the most anal retentive prop watchers. The movie's soundtrack is a lot of fun and true to the period nature of the film as well.

By Edwards' own estimation, if you're looking for unflinching modern cinema, look elsewhere. But if you want a modern recreation of the early 60s most inexplicable movie constructs, hop aboard and enjoy the ride. Don't ask too many questions and don't dare take your tongue out of your cheek.

***For a valuable cult classic experience, please yell "Skunk Ape!!!" as loud as possible whenever the creature enters frame. And yes, I'm taking credit if the craze catches on.

"Homage" is an oft abused term, but it is completely apt for this beach party send up. This film isn't for everyone...but if you have a passion for the offbeat, camp, or AIP flicks, then this is the movie for you. The girls are sexy, the music is rockin', and the intentionally kitsch dialog delivered so straightforward and heartfelt is hilarious. The monster is ridiculous, but that adds to the effect rather than detracts. Watch for Deputies Bob and Tillus to steal the show, but the rest of the cast is great too. This would be an excellent film to double feature with The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, preferably at the midnight Drive-ins.

One of the only genre feature films I've seen recently that pay a respectful homage to the original films and still take themselves seriously without indulging in their camp-value - which usually creates the exact opposite of what they attempt, there is nothing worse than "camp" that's not entertaining. But again, this is not the case. "Stomp! Shout! Scream!" is funny, looks great and features excellent actors (a very lovely Claire Bronson in particular). Great original songs by Catfight! and excellent selections from various modern Garage bands including The Woggles, who are amongst the scene's best. For fans of the original 60's films, this is a must.

This movie has all the staples of the bad 60s beach movies but the site I watched it on claimed it was a comedy. Nothing even remotely funny happens until 59 minutes in and that's a song. I guess their idea of comedy is a deputy correcting the sheriff a hundred times. While the music is good, the rest of the movie just comes off like those old bad movies.

The girls singing group called "The Violas" is very similar to a real group called "The Surfrajettes". The Monster is attracted by their musics and lurks in back of the garage as they play. I have never seen any of the actors, they all seem to be fairly new, but they're all pretty good actors and actresses. The dialogue could be improved a little. Set in the early 1960s, the girls are drinking black label beer in the club. If you don't set your expectations too high, not a bad little movie. Worth watching. The songs that the Violas sing are pretty good. I'd be curious to know who wrote the songs.