You Can't Stop the Murders (2003)

Very Cool!!!

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The first must-see film of the year.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Written by and starring short Tropfest film winner, bald local Sydney comedian Gary Eck, this is a supposed comedy showcase for Mr Himself, for himself and about himself. With the same derivative form of 'satirical' comedy (ie: lifted from other original ideas) just like the notoriously inept 90s comic horror SILENCE OF THE HAMS, or Exorcist farce REPOSSESSED, or Top Gun crap HOT SHOTS. This illconcieved film has a bumpkin hometown Village People serial killer whodunnit theme sliding sideways into some navel gazing about the main character, local cop as played by Mr Eck. Sadly there is not much in the form of originality and like the source of satire, probably 29 years out of date. Released in some local multiplexes for a week or so by Mirimax Australia I am quite sure someone almost lost their job because of this distribution pickup boo-boo. More was spent on the posters and ads than was spent on tickets if you get my drift. I am sure Gary Eck is a funny man at the stand-up club but I am not sure that recycling previously humorous characters or situations and claiming them as new and funnier in his films is the right thing to do. Like his Tropfest win hilariously recognized in all parts of the Oz film distribution network as having been sourced from a better idea, the 1978 musical travesty CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC is a funnier Village People storyline...if that is any indication for the murderous hilarity of this flop. I am sure he is well regarded as a comedian and it would be a happy experience for all concerned if he was attracted to original material only. I guess that is called creativity.

This is a really refreshing film given the height of junk my country has been spewing onto the silver screen of late.An Australian film with a script and story that doesn't seem like it has gone directly out of the scribble pad and onto the screen. It's funny, dark. The best film made here since Muriel's Wedding. I had hoped it would be the beginning of better things for our industry, but alas it would seem it is just a diamond in the rough.The only thing I have against it is the lack of technical depth with the filming. NOT EVERY Australian FILM HAS TO HAVE EVERY SCENE WITH MAXIMUM LIGHTING. Try having a bit of variety with the look.Definitely one for the DVD collection. Yay SBS Independent, and yay Miramax (if FFC won't fund good films, at least there are companies that will) Loved It!!!!!!!!!!!

Contains Spoiler!! Writing this as a simple minded Australian looking for a cheap laugh, yet who feels her intelligence is slightly insulted by an inundation of Hollywood schmuck -You Can't Stop The Murders was ultimately disappointing for me, due to a number of factors: 1) It is an Australian film... and it suffers for it, like most Australian films that go commercial, it is simply too busy being Australian to notice that it's not really that great nor is it entertaining. I'm puzzled as to why there were no lingering shots of Eucalypts at dusk or drunkards affectionately known at Rummy at the local. If the film goes international, viewers may be puzzled by certain references (e.g crazy Frenchman wielding a knife shot at beach) 2) It is a film about a Village People serial killer. I saw it for that premise alone, and boy was I disappointed. A Village People serial killer - for f**k's sake, capitalise!!! During the 99 minutes of a film called You Can't Stop The Murders I certainly expect many jokes at the expense of the Village People (bless them). But the plot is too caught up with the main character's struggle to become a "real cop" (apparently you're not a real cop until you've shot somebody), and simply coping with the people around him. No time for any Village People shennanigans, though *SPOILER* having the corpses spell out Y.M.C.A was a nice touch. Now the above probably sounds quite harsh, and by no means is this a bad film - it's just not a great one. It is certainly very well made and deals nicely with the intricacies of small-town life. I just expected something more relevant and more lowbrow, and it would have been great if it did lower itself just a tad - there were some gorgeously tacky moments, such as the line dancing and the Chief going incognito as Jesus. I hate to be so cruel to an Australian film but I feel so disappointed. The sheer idea of a Village People serial killer: 10/10. Entertainment factor: 4/10. Overall: 7/10

To start with, I'm a big fan of the stand-up work that the three co-stars are known for.That is why I rushed out to see the film, on a Thursday afternoon of all things. Take my advice, try and see this movie with a large crowd of 25-30's. Group laughter will certainly enhance your experience.Set in a small NSW town, with a population of 350, the movie follow the investigations of a serial killer who is stalking people who have professions used by the Village People. There are plenty of opportunities with the subject matter to get the audience into tears of laughter, but unfortunately the chances either not taken or are minimised with a laid-back small-town feel.This truly is a wait-for-video film.