Voodoo(1999)
(Review
by Tim, the Wonder Horse)
Voodoo is a funny little B&W black comedy about a
first date from hell (almost literally). The story centers
around a young man, his date and a little girl. The
youngster tries to do everything to stop this guy from
dating her mother/sister (I'm not sure which), throwing
up the supernatural cock blockers left and right.
The movie plays like an homage to Robert Rodriguez
and Sam Raimi (whether that is intentional or not),
very fast paced and cartoonish in feel. One of the main
things that really sells this movie, like in most others,
is the acting. The performances here will not earn Oscars
but are a definite credit to the performers and their
director, who I'll go into a little later.
(Editor's note: Unfortunately, the Slamdance program
does not include the name of the actors in most short
programs)
The main actor who plays the young man gives a great
comedic performance, that appeared to be extremely physically
demanding. So, if you like that kind of Bruce Campbell
zaniness then AGAIN check this out. Then there's the
main actresses who plays the woman, who although doesn't
give quite performance of her male counterpart, does
give a very good performance that will surely be overlooked
because it's so low key. But, it is one the vital things
that makes "Voodoo" work, because it adds a nice sense
of "television commercial" realism that makes her suitor's
troubles even funnier. This is, of course, because she
never sees anything that's going on. Sure, it's typical,
but if she did see anything then the movie wouldn't
last as long as it does. I dunno I liked it. And finally
there's the little girl who plays the little hellion.
Her mission is to throw her little monkey "blood" wrench
into the nookie machine. (Her performance is very similar
to the kids in Rodriguez's "Misbehavors".) She's very
good.
Hell, this movie even had a moral, whether it was
intentional or not, which was simply "don't fuck with
black magic", cause someone will always have to pay
the price. It doesn't exist unless it's unleashed on
somebody and who knows some day it could be you.
After the screening at Slamdance, the director Gregg
Bishop got up and told us about how this was an assignment
in one of his film classes at USC. He was required to
make a five minute and thirty three second short (or
something to that same insane exact chronological effect)
that was to be told with no dialogue. So, it had to
rely on clever editing and strong visuals. Now, the
visual weren't exactly breathtaking but necessary, none
ever upstaging another unless it was necessary. He really
seemed to know what he was doing. I don't think Bishop
ever said whether he got an "A" at USC or not, but if
he didn't there, then I will give him one here.
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