Sunday, November 4, 2007

The Friday Matinee v1.2

Salutation, O Stalwart Cadets of Cinema!

This weeks adventure was titled "Dead Man On Campus."

The events of the film center on two college roommates, who undoubtedly are supposed two represent Generation X, that need to earn passing grades (for various reasons) to be able to continue attending college after their first term. Their only apparent solution is to find another roommate who is prepared, or at least predisposed, to commit suicide so that they will earn straight A's according to an archaic rule in the school charter.

I had two preconceptions going into this film that were created solely by the trailers and commercial. One:) That I was in for a cutting edge cinematic experience from hungry directors and writers who haven't yet been brought into the plush stables of the big studios. And, Two:) That I was about to see a whacky, irreverent comedy the likes of Animal House, or Revenge Of The Nerds.

Though it was occasionally teetering on the edge of breaking into a full-scale music video (an unfortunate side-effect of being bankrolled by MTV, I'm sure) the direction was very well done, leaning heavily towards intense. The writing was sharp. I appreciated the most the interaction of the minor characters with the central figures of the film, creating a sounding board for the behavior of the rapidly degenerating roommates. I was not disappointed with the technical proficiency of the up-and-comers working behind the camera.

However, DMOC did not have the fast-paced, way-over-the-top attitude of Animal House. This is okay. It unfolds with deliberate formation of the circumstances that will carry the audience to the final moments of the film. It is tight and precise. While it results to slapstick on the rare occasion, it does not become stupid or overly Juvenile.

A striking element of the film is that at face value this is a disgusting proposition which the audience is willing to ignore in the belief that the movie, being a comedy, albeit a Dark one, will insert a sufficient amount of zany material into the plot to desensitize us from the grizzly nature of the intent of the two main characters. It does not. If it can be said that there could be a tasteful treatment of the subject of suicide within the scope of this picture then I would say DMOC sincerely attempts to achieve this. Nevertheless, the humor present in the film springs from the circumstances that conspire to thwart the roommates in their goal. The great success of DMOC is that it finely balances the audience's moral dilemma with the scamperings of the main characters as their plans run the risk of unraveling.

Dead Man On Campus is definitely worth seeing second-run. It is a sharp commentary on the anxiety of Generation X vs. the "who-gives-a-f**k" attitude of the older demographic. It resolves well and was good for a laugh.

***

It may not totally Kick Ass, but some of you may care to know that trailers for Star Trek: Insurrection have begun to roll. It will be in theaters by December. Write if you want more info.

Well, that's it for this week. Remember to drink your milk and don't buy any copies of TITANIC.

The High Commander of Cinema

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