Just Buried

I had a hard time warming up to 'Just Buried'. I came in with high expectations but it initially gave me an impression of unbelievability. I had a hard time believing Jay's character, and the beginning dialog. As I continued watching the movie I understood the universe director Chaz Thorne created. After understanding the intentions behind what was happening the film became very entertaining, extremely ironic and in many ways quite clever. It's not a complicated plot nor a complicated film but for something made in such simplicity there's a lot it has to say.

I hope you watch it. I hope you enjoy it.

PS: Rose Byrne was gold!

After his father dies a young man inherits an old funeral home. The problem is that it isn't getting any business. So he, and the beautiful mortician, decide to kill people from the town to get the business booming. Sound familiar, that's because this is basically a remake of sorts of an old film starring Boris Karloff and Vincent Price called The Comedy of Terrors.

This film feels like a mixes dark comedy and horror. There are numerous deaths but all of them are off screen, with the exception of 3. One of which is pretty gruesome. It stars Jay Baruchel and rose Byrne, as the son and mortician. Byrne is pretty sweet here, in her dark and twisted role. Baruchel plays awkward well, and it fits the character here. It's just too bad I wasn't a big fan of this character. I found him annoying and incompetent.

The film has a few funny moments, but a lot of it is dark and doesn't get many laughs. It's more concerned for it's characters and morbid story then laughs. The film isn't for everyone and it tends to drag in parts, but for the most part I enjoyed it. It has a good twist and the good outweighs the bad.

I wasn't expecting much from this film at first, but minutes in, I was intrigued, and as time went on, I really dug the story and the characters. Oliver inherits his father's funeral home in a town where no one is dying. The solution? Kill people. It's dark comedy at its finest. Jay Baruchel plays a nerdy weasel while his partner in crime, Rose Byrne, mixes seductive tendencies with a cold blooded streak. It's quirky and gory (a warning to those people who are squeamish). The twists and turns shocked me each time. I only wish the film was longer, because the story has so much potential. But don't let that dissuade anyone. The film is great.

This funeral home based dark comedy is somewhat of a rarity. It does not pull any punches, at times is gritty, and resolves itself with quite a satisfying ending. The fact that other than Graham Greene's character, no one will elicit any sympathy just adds to the fun. If you like death as a motivation for personal gain, then "Just Buried" is a must see. The acting and character development is quite good for this limited budget endeavor. It is funny, never boring, and at times unpredictable. The conclusion especially is surprisingly original. I recommend this black comedy for both it's creativity and entertainment value. - MERK

Jay Baruchel plays a nerd and he plays it well. He has nosebleeds if he's stressed out so of course when he inherits a funeral home, he gets many nose bleeds. The movie was filmed in Windsor and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The camera shots are wonderful. But wait: the plot (or plots?) is convincing and I must warn those who are easily grossed out not to watch this movie. I hooted and cringed all in a matter of minutes. You'll see what I mean when you see certain scenes. I haven't seen a movie that is as original as when I'd last seen of one Alfred Hitchcock movies. So its true: this is a "very" dark comedy. If it was released by Paramount, talk show hosts would be talking about it. But once again, I warn you that certain scenes are beyond gross. I rate "Just Buried" highly. Spend the ten bucks and go see it for yourself, while it's still in Canadian theaters.