{"id":111,"date":"2011-09-29T02:53:35","date_gmt":"2011-09-29T02:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.revolutionsf.com\/revblogs\/geekcurmudgeon\/2011\/09\/29\/fantastic-fest-day-six-murder-and-mayhem\/"},"modified":"2012-08-17T05:18:26","modified_gmt":"2012-08-17T05:18:26","slug":"fantastic-fest-day-six-murder-and-mayhem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.revolutionsf.com\/revblogs\/geekcurmudgeon\/2011\/09\/29\/fantastic-fest-day-six-murder-and-mayhem\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantastic Fest Day Six: Murder and Mayhem"},"content":{"rendered":"

Making its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, the entertaining 3D bloodbath Julia X<\/span><\/a><\/span> featured the beloved geek icon Kevin Sorbo playing against type as a serial killer. Sorbo’s aw shucks charm lends a surprising strength and credence to the role. The never named killer finds through Internet dating serves. His latest potential victim Julia (the beautiful Valerie Azlynn) reacts unlike his previous hunts, leading to a ballet of violence, bizarre twists, and (intentionally) humorous bits. First time director P.J. Pettiette competently plays with the expectations of the genre, at times delivering some unique aspects and tense moments. The extremely well done 3D, as it is in most movies, appears as an affectation rather than an essential aspect to the picture. I suspect the film would screen just as well in 2D. Weakening the cataclysmic ending, Pettiette, who also wrote the screenplay, tacked on an unnecessary epilogue to set up the inevitable sequel Julia Y<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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Sorbo, Pettiette, and Producer Claudie Viguerie revealed some interesting tidbits during the post-screening q&amp;a. The movie was originally shot in September\/October 2004 pre-Avatar<\/span>, using many of the same techniques. According to Pettiette, Julia X<\/span> offers the first 3D scene shot in a swamp. Sorbo performed many of his own stunts and his extensive experience with fight scenes helped the neophyte action actors. Though it didn’t stop him from being smashed in the noggin by a vase in one scene.<\/p>\n

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Similar to the festival’s other super hero-inspired flick Calibre 9<\/span>, Haunters<\/span><\/a><\/span> introduces a first time director with an interesting, yet flawed film. A huge hit in its native South Korea, the film centers around the battle between two beings with super powers. A silver-haired, one-legged mystery man controls the minds of all he meets. Until during a foiled robbery, the unassuming Kyu-Nam manages to resist. With heighten reflexes and superhuman healing, Kyu-Nam challenges the power hungry telepath in a game of cat-and-mouse throughout the streets of Seoul. Director\/writer Kim Min-Suk display a creative use of the powers and engaging fights. The likable characters in the oft told tale of good versus evil lack any real depth. With a similar vibe to Unbreakable<\/span>, Haunters<\/span> offers a fun entertainment.<\/p>\n

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Based on Shohei Manabe’s popular manga, the ultra-violent, cruel-at-times Smuggler<\/span><\/a><\/span> marks the return of legendary director Katsuhito Ishii to the over-the-top, goofy action movie. Failed actor Kinuta must take odd jobs to pay off his debt to a loan shark. He joins a team of smugglers. They become embroiled with the colorful assassins Vertebrae and Visceral. High octane, comedic, improbable action fuels the story. Despite the gratuitous, graphically intense torture scenes, Smuggler<\/span> proves to be an above average, bug-nutty, Japanese action thriller.<\/p>\n

\nFantastic Fest Day Five: Zombies over Havana<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Fantastic Fest Days Seven and Eight: A Finale of Sorts<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Making its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, the entertaining 3D bloodbath Julia X featured the beloved geek icon Kevin Sorbo playing against type as a serial killer. Sorbo’s aw shucks charm lends a surprising strength and credence to the role. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n