Comic-Con 2011: CHILLERAMA
Chillerama is an upcoming direct-to-video comedy/horror anthology film consisting of four stories that take place at a dusk ’till dawn monster movie marathon in an old school drive-in in California. Considering Adam Green is involved, would you really expect anything less than “old school?” Come on! But more importantly, Chillerama was premiered to us live at Comic-Con 2011 and I couldn’t be happier about it. Each story (or segment) is a homage to a different style and a different genre. So aren’t you curious to know what each story is about? You’re lucky I like you guys so much! Come on…let’s further dissect Chillerama.
Up first is the segment of the film known as “Wadzilla” and it is directed and written by Adam Rifkin. Rifkin is notably known because of a little cult classic he once directed, Detroit Rock City. The 1950’s monster movie spoof is about a guy that goes to get his sperm count checked and through some prescribed medication, he ends up creating one hell of a big sperm that ultimately attacks New York City. Tell me you read that sentence without chuckling. I dare you! Yep, that’s right…a killer sperm. Picture a giant sperm-like Pac Man creature with razor sharp teeth and there’s your vision of a killer sperm.
The second segment in Chillerama is called “I Was a Teenage Werebear.” It is directed and written by Tim Sullivan and stars Sean Paul Lockhart, Gabby West, Anton Troy, Lin Shaye, Adam Robitel and even Ron Jeremy. Basically, it’s both a musical and a spoof of Rebel Without a Cause, Grease and The Twilight Saga. You may remember Lin from a little successful film already this year called Insidious. And Ron Jeremy…well his name goes without saying. I can honestly say that after hanging with the cast after the film’s premiere last Friday night, they are all a swell bunch of werebears and I’m happy to have met their acquaintance.
Up next was the main reason I was there, in support of my main man. “The Diary of Anne Frankenstein” is directed and written by Adam Green. The black and white film about Hitler trying to create the perfect killing machine to win the war stars Avatar and Hatchet‘s Joel Moore. Moore plays Hitler and his bumbling vernacular, complete with English subtitles, steals the show. “It was a mash, it was a monster mash!” And to hear the crowd clapping along as Adam’s segment closed was just music to my ears.
And last but certainly not least, “Zom B Movie” is a spoof of 70’s and 80’s zombie films. It was directed and written by Joe Lynch. In the end, there’s a reason why this segment is last in the anthology. It ties together all the events woven in between each segment. I guess I should back up a minute here and let you all know that Chillerama is actually an anthology capsulated within its own film. That’s right. You heard me. Chillerama is its own film that just so happens to encompass all the segments and Joe Lynch’s finale brilliantly, in my opinion (rules of three), sends this film off in a promising way all horror and gore hounds will love.
So here’s the thing folks. Chillerama is ghoulishly good and delicious. Its like getting your favorite candy as a kid after an exhausting night of trick ‘r treating. There’s no way around it. If you are a fan of “old school” horror and comedy, there’s no way you can’t have fun with this one. And if you can’t, then you are already a brain dead zombie to me. Chillerama will have you in stitches one moment and gasping in disbelief at the rude, crude and gruesome events unfolding onscreen the next. You won’t find anything more offensive than this film and I mean that in the nicest of ways. I sincerely do.
Before the film’s screening, there was a short question and answer session with all four directors. Now tell me. How cool is that? The full length audio from the Q&A can be listened to below in it’s entirety. The audio is a bit rough because well, let’s face it…their PA system wasn’t the best. It wasn’t my fault. Honestly! But it’s still worth a listen, IMO.
Comic-Con 2011: Chillerama Q&A by Darkest Night Productions
As you heard in the above audio file, the film premiered to the captive Gas Lamp Cinema crowd raw and uncut, meaning some of the special effects were not completed as of yet. However, that did not stop me from enjoying this one and eating up every delicious morsel Rifkin, Sullivan, Green and Lynch had to offer. This is the feature every director in the aforementioned genres would love to make and have fun with and these four guys are doing just that…living the dream.
There is talk of a month long drive-in tour in support of the release of Chillerama. Unfortunately, I do not know the when, where and other pertinent details just yet. However, I do know the following. When Chillerama makes it’s way to home video later this year, there will be a place on my Blu-ray shelves for it. That’s confirmed, baby! Until then, if you get the chance to experience this the way it was meant to be seen…at the drive-in, then by all means go for it! Do it for America! It’s an America tradition (past time) after all. It’s almost like a civic duty. You have to go! Come to Cleveland, OH…PLEASE guys!
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