Slaughterhouse of the Rising Sun (2005)
The year is 1971. Jennifer, a troubled actress, is institutionalized following psychotic visions on the set of her latest film. Upon her release, Jennifer becomes stranded in the desert only to be rescued by a colorful band of nomadic rebels. Helpless and alone, Jennifer has no choice but to follow them and is subtly but swiftly introduced into their family. That night, a local desert dweller tells them of an abandoned house and warns them to stay away. The family ignores the warning and uses the house as their latest crash pad. Jennifer becomes further plagued by sinister visions that reduce her ability to separate reality from fantasy. Soon members of the family are mysteriously killed one by one in the legend known as the "Slaughterhouse Of the Rising Sun"...
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Wow! Such a good movie.
Boring
It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
This is not a horrible movie. It has a few moments. But there are many obvious giveaways that make it clear that it was not made in 1972. Things like hairstyles, clothing, the use of a steadicam and other modern digital editing techniques totally spoil the potential illusion. I don't know how anyone can say that it is convincing in this respect. Unless they have not watched a lot of films from 1972. The music is probably the most convincing part. I also think they make the mistake of playing for laughs at times (and not getting them) when they should have just played it straight. It could have been funnier that way. Just watch SCTV for examples of how that can work. But, in fact, I would have preferred it if they were not going for laughs at all. If they had instead chosen to just make a good solid horror film in the style of movies from 1972. And just an odd side note: Texas Chainsaw Massacre came out in 1974. I'm not sure how to interpret homage to/parody of a movie which is embedded in a movie that's supposed to be made two years earlier.
An excellent re-work of Seventies film clichés - or really a Seventies film, how the prologue will suggest? It's pure fun to point out during watching this very charming genre bastard, which contains several elements of 70ies road movies, hippie movies, horror movies, drug movies and a little bit Russ Meyer touch. And also a bit of David Lynch-like atmosphere. Okay: Lynch is not very typical for the 70ies, but anyway. The acting is great (especially the director himself as crippled hippie leader), also the dialogues and the cinematography. And there is also a lot of strange humour and irony in this generally strange, funny and likable independent movie.
I normally hate horror films, but this eerie and very funny film was really fun to watch. Really good acting, great lines and psychedelic imagery made this a real throwback to 70's films that I grew up with. Vin Crease is a very talented director and has a great screen presence. I really loved the pathetic Sabbath Jones and Westy Westerman -- a great love/hate character.
I saw this film at the Denver Underground Film Festival and I was so surprised to to see such a funny, campy and creepy film. Although this is a new film, you would swear this was made in 1972. All of the characters are hilarious and memorable -- especially the psycho-duo Guilty and Violence (they're also really hot!!!). The movie touches on so many horror and exploitation films from the time -- from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Last House on the Left" to Russ Meyer's films and all the groovy counter culture films from back then. Even the music, editing, titles and effects are dead-on. The film is definitely the kind you'll see at midnight shows for years to come. It has the kind of lines that people will probably interact like they do with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". I can't wait to see this again. A true modern cult classic.