Thursday, July 29, 2010

2001 Maniacs: Field of Dreams and The South Will Rise Again: A Movie Review

Director/writer: Tim Sullivan.

2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams is a follow-up to director Tim Sullivan's previous film, 2001 Maniacs, which was released in 2005. This second film is being distributed by First Look Studios on DVD and the film stars Bill Moseley (Babysitter Wanted), Lin Shaye (Dark Moon Rising) and Chrisa Campbell (Day of the Dead). The film clocks in at a short eight-six minutes and the film is really a silly, send-up of characters and cliches from the South. More comedy than horror, 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams is a mostly fun film experience, with gratuitous nudity and gore the tools Sullivan uses to entertain.

In summary, 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams follows a group of Southern rebels and patriots who are looking for revenge after their countrymen have been killed, or mutilated in The Revolutionary War. So, this travelling group of hillbillies and rednecks tour the lower states in search of Northern victims, who they eat upon capture. A spoof of Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie's "The Simple Life" is thrown in and performed by the much prettier and talented actresses Katy Marie Johnson (Nightfall), and Asa Hope, as Rome and Tina Sheraton.

In this sequel there are a few changes. The part of Mayor Buckman, previously played by Robert Englund, is now played by Bill Moseley. Also, the more lifelike sheep from the first film have been replaced by a more stuffed version in this second film (Killer Reviews). Finally, in the first film this travelling Southern circus was comprised of ghosts, but now they have a more physical quality (Movie Cynics). However, the racism from the first film has been amplified, with the Southerners hate for the North still stable.

In a nutshell, the film has some funny moments and director Sullivan shows that he is not afraid to take on politically incorrect subject matter. Lines like: "are you looking for the underground railroad," which are directed at black characters can be funny, if only for their ugly take on uncomfortable subject matter. Not many directors would go to these darker comedic places. As well, some jokes take on the homosexuality from Brokeback Mountain and add in a bloodier layer, with a broken back for one of the characters the end result.

The film also does not shy away from showing many of the actresses topless for visual appeal. Actresses Andrea Leon, Christa Campbell and others disrobe at various times throughout the movie before slicing and dicing, or electrocuting the Northeners. Even actress Shaye gets in on the act with a steamy version of Fame. The nudity is not overdone, but Sullivan seems to be targeting male audiences more than female in these frequent displays.

2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams is for fans of horror who also like comedy and can handle political incorrectness. The film offers a few spoofs along the way and the film is recommendable as long as you are not expecting a lot plotwise nor in the area of character development. This is simply some shallow fun, which can be enjoyed for some of the cringe-worthy humour.

Acting/believability/consistency: 6.75 (nothing too exceptional nor poor here).
Directing/control of overall production: 6.5 (the story seems to jump around a lot).
Plot/story/writing: 7 (not many stories cover the South anymore).

Overall: 6.75 out of 10.

A review of the film at Movie Cynics:

2001 Maniacs at Movie Cynics

A review of the film at Brutal Shell:

2001 Maniacs at Brutal Shell

The film reviewed at Killer Reviews:

2001 Maniacs Reviewed at Killer Reviews

The film on Facebook:

2001 Maniacs on FB

Available since July 20th through First Look Studios:



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