Post by StevePulaski on Nov 5, 2011 9:17:29 GMT -5
Crazy events take place at Coconut Pete's Pleasure Island in Broken Lizard's Club Dread.
Rating: ★★★
Broken Lizard's Club Dread doesn't try to pay homage to slasher films as much as it laughs at them by introducing a bunch of oddball characters that are jumping around off their own medicine. The lively actors, beautiful scenery, and suspenseful scenes actually make this one of the few comedy/horror films that I'll recommend.
I normally hate comedy and horror mixed together, but that doesn't mean it can't be done well. Maybe I've just been unlucky when it comes to seeking out the right films. Broken Lizard's Club Dread compiles cliche, tired elements from old slasher films and truly makes them work with the cast's quick wit and the stylish directing which goes to Jay Chandrasekhar.
The story takes place at Coconut Pete's Pleasure Island, and our host of the same name is played by Bill Paxton in a very Jimmy Buffet-esque manner. Many tourists arrive at the island to have too many drinks and way too many careless hookups. Among the staff is Lars (Hefferman), a chubby man who has the hands for giving a great massage among other things, Jenny (Daniels), the sweet and "innocent" Yoga instructor, Putman (Chandrasekhar), the champion tennis player. Dave (Soter), Pete's crazy son. Juan (Lemme), a sex-maniac who is obsessed with a tourist named Penelope, but nicknamed by him "Pee-na-lope" (Ladd). And Sam (Stolhanske), the fun police of the island.
There learn that a killer is on the island, and is killing people in rhythm to a song written by Coconut Pete years ago called "Naughty Cal." The song has shocking parallels to a number of the murders, and only makes more out of such a small thriller.
Among the counselors, I think Lars and Putman where my favorites. Lars is sensitive, yet sometimes short tempered, and Putman is by far the quirkiest one of the bunch. Which is pretty much the highest compliment I can give him and the Broken Lizard group. They are a delightful, quirky comedic group that projects a unique type of humor onto modern society. Some love it, others don't.
To recommend this film to everyone would be a big mistake. It's a common sense recommendation - if you like comedy and horror, this is for you. If you don't, you should skip it. If you're new to the horror genre, this is not the place to start. Broken Lizard's Club Dread dares to be different, and it works out more often than not. It brings a lot to the table, with one of the most memorable items being self-made songs by Bill Paxton in his Coconut Pete character.
Starring: Bill Paxton, Kevin Heffernan, Brittany Daniel, Steve Lemme, Jordan Ladd, Jay Chandrasekhar, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Greg Cipes, and M.C. Gainey. Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar.
NOTE: There are two songs available on the internet by the Coconut Pete character. They are "Naughty Cal" and "PinaColadaBerg." They are so pleasant and so creative I'd recommend them as much as I do the movie Club Dread.