Light day largely due to me getting a very high number (527) in the ticketing queue. Most movies were full, but I did manage to catch two that I was looking forward to seeing.
A well done, by-the-numbers gangster epic set in modern day Mexico, El Narco (released in Mexico as the far more evocative El Infierno) failed to live up to its promise. After 20 years in the United States, Benny returns home to find his brother dead. Assuming the role of lover/caretaker to his brother’s widow and teen son, Benny does whatever necessary to protect his new family while avenging his brother’s death. Beginning as an innocent, Benny eventually becomes the kind of man he loathes. Light, often not fully realized, comedic touches create a weird undertone throughout. Even with the excellent portrayals and a potentially interesting perspective of the drug trade, Luis Estrada’s standard direction and predictable script created a good, yet ultimately forgettable movie.
The French Calibre 9, uber-violent, highly stylized comic book movie, warns of the stereotypical evils of government corruption. City planner Yann, a pretty typical mid-level government drone, acquires, through contrived means, a magical gun. The weapon, possessed by the soul of dead hooker Sarah, grants Yann nearly superhuman abilities to kill people while avoiding bullets. Sarah talks to Yann and can even exert limited control over him. The very derivative tale sees Yann meting out justice against evil government officials. In this almost a parody of action and super hero movies, director/screenwriter Jean-Christian Tassy offers scant explanations, but things blow up pretty and the action is intense. With a look and edits inspired by Crank, the interesting Calibre 9 primarily teases of the future potential for first time director Tassy.
Fantastic Fest Day Two: Extraterrestrial Cometh or Free Beer