Serial Killing 101 (2004)

Admirable film.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Malcontent and sardonic teenage misfit Casey Noland (a solid and likable performance by Justin Urich) aspires to be a notorious serial killer. Fellow suicidal kook Sasha Fitzgerald (a nice and appealing portrayal by adorable singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb) wants to be Noland's first victim. Meanwhile, a real serial killer is terrorizing the neighborhood. Writer/director Trace Slobotkin relates the hilariously wacky story at a constant brisk pace, maintains an appropriately amusing tongue-in-cheek tone throughout, and populates the movie with a colorful array of spot-on enjoyable broad stereotypes. This movie further benefits from lively acting from an enthusiastic cast: Urich and Loeb do super work in the lead roles (the romance that develops between these two endearing oddballs is genuinely sweet and charming), Thomas Haden Church almost steals the whole show with his marvelously obnoxious turn as ruthless ramrod gym coach Vince Grimaldi, Corey Feldman has a neat bit as a dorky, buck-toothed hardware store clerk, plus there are fine contributions by Rick Overton as geeky wannabe hip guidance counselor Mr. Korn, George Murdock as crusty, rumpled homicide Detective Ray Berro, Barbara Niven as Casey's concerned mother Donna Noland, Raymond O'Connor as creepy sleazeball voyeur janitor Frank, Stuart Stone as Casey's screwball nerd buddy Emil, and Esther Scott as cheery, earnest school psychiatrist Sally Lindon. The wickedly sidesplitting sense of inspired playfully sick humor elicits plenty of laughs; Casey's deranged daydreams are positively hysterical and the dialogue is often priceless (favorite line: "I have the skill - to kill!"). The final confrontation between Casey and the killer is a total gut-buster. John P. Tarver's slick cinematography, Jeffrey Alan Jones' funky score, and the groovy alt-rock soundtrack all further enhance the infectiously loopy fun to be relished in this absolute hoot.

Don't be mistaken when you read the tag that this movie is indeed a horror movie because it is the furthest thing from it. Casey Noland is destined to become the worlds most notorious serial killer alive following in the steps of what he thinks are "Babe Magnets" Ted Bundy and others like him. But what Casey does not realize is that he is way to nice and good hearted to kill. The truth came out when he went to kill an annoying dog and an old woman on her death bed. The whole plot of the movie is hilarious. His gym teacher played by Thomas Haden Church is a complete jerk to him because Casey is so soft. This movies plot was funny and a pretty descent one when you look at all of the complications it unfolds.

This movie was surpisingly great....a satire on slashers, school, young love, and right livelihood. Casey Noland sets out to be a killer but ends up a hero. He attempts to defy as many of society's conventions as possible but his inner goodness brings him to a place of true redemption and the possibilities of a good and wonderful future. I really enjoyed this film..not expecting very much starting out but it grows on you with each frame. The director and writer (same) has a true wit and seems to have a removed view of society's conventions; allowing her to create this kind of twisted, unconventional but truly fun piece of off kilter reality slash movie.

This movie has Lisa Loeb casted in it for, as far as I know, her only movie part ever. There are several interesting death scenes and gratuitous comedy. Thomas Hayden Church, aka Loel from "Wings," plays a janitor with a dark side. See it, if you can find it.