indy-39

I've seen all of Osgood perkins films and I've liked them all. I especially liked "Longlegs" a film who's detractors didn't really understand it. "The Monkey" is another animal altogether (no pun intended). Black comedies are rare- gory, horriffic ones are even rarer. The film begins (after a brief opening) with children( I love children in real life- in movies I hate children...I particularly hate Stephen King children) so it was rather difficult for me to connect for the first 30 minutes.

Less than halfway through this film, though, I caught the thread of the film and it immediately reminded me of the amazing Dellamorte Dellamore (Cemetary Man for you phillistines out there). It's just a crazy, wild ride and you either go with it or not. I'm always happy to see a director take chances and so I support Perkins here. Is it as good as DD? No. But, perhaps upon rewatching I may warm to the beginning more and that 7 might become an 8. Takeaway here...if you haven't ever seen DD, you're missing out.

When I have great anticpation to see a film, it generally ends up with disappointment. Come to think of it, when I don't have great anticipation it pretty much ends the same way. Frewaka was that rare film fulfilled my hopes. I'd only seen "The Devil's Doorway" a few weeks ago and the promise I saw in that film (which had some great moments but was weighed down by the anchor that is "found footage ") was realized here.

I probably know a little more about Irish folklore than most, so that helps., but this is a really coherent cohesive work. If you're like me, when the film is over you'll go back and re examine the beginning and you'll find that this is a well thought out tale that holds together. First rate performances by all enhanced by strong camerawork, most importantly it sticks the ending unlike 95% of horror- though you'll have to endure the credits to find out how. Didn't give it a 10- because I never give out 10's.