Tweet

Hey all. Long time no talk. I’m going to hip you up to Screamfest just in time for Halloween. Wait what? Just in time for Thanksgiving? Oh no, really? Just in time for the start of December? Well ok. My bad. I’ve been a little overwhelmed lately and haven’t been reviewing like I should, but hopefully we’re in the clear. So here comes Screamfest!

Opening night was awesome. It was without a doubt the most star-studded event I have ever attended, although what is that saying, really? The festival took place at Mann’s Chinese theater this year, in Auditorium 1 mostly, a nice big area, though not the main theater. The movie kicking off this joint was the world premiere of The Tripper, a horror-comedy written and directed by David Arquette. Yes, that Arquette. It stars Tom Jane, Jaime King, Jason Mewes, and a slew of other faces you’ll recognize, including Paul Reubens. David and Courtney Arquette both have sweet cameos.

The story follows a group of drug loving teenagers heading into the woods for a weekend long concert. What they don’t know is that years ago, a young boy was severly traumatized in these woods after an incident involving hippies, his dad, and a chainsaw. It’s sweet. Our protagonist is Jaime King playing “Samantha.” She’s just got out of a scary/abusive relationship with her boyfriend, who stalks her by phone and is played by Balthazar Getty.

Tom Jane plays the Sheriff who isn’t happy about the thousand hippies and druggies invading his woods but he aims to control the situation. Doesn’t quite manage it though, does he? Soon, hippies start dying at the hands of none other than RONALD REGAN. Ok, so it’s the crazy messed up kid who loves Ronald Regan (because he was anti-hippy) and now brandishes a large axe and a handful of attack dogs. Nice.

The struggle of the story involves, obviously, Jaime King trying to evade the killer who has already slashed her friends, dodge her suspect boyfriend who has found his way to the concert, all while Tom Jane tracks down the killer. There are a lot of political jokes, obviously, lots of nudity (male and female), drug use and violence. Towards the end it really turns into a chop fest and Ronnie-boy really knows how to swing that axe.

As the first film directed by Arquette, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s good. It manages to pull off “drug-induced” camera effects that normally I hate, but they work here. I loved seeing Regan chop up hippies and Courtney Cox’s cameo was righteous. The acting is all above normal for a film of this type and Tom Jane owns as always. It was really enjoyable, especially if you love old school horror. This really channelled the feel of the great 1980′s slashers.

This movie is getting a theatrical release sometime in 2007, I believe, but will be hitting a few festivals. See it if you get a chance. Maybe one day we’ll get The Tripper vs. Victor Crowley of Hatchet. See that review coming up.

On the Up Side: Great old school horror fun and competently directed by first timer Arquette.

On the Down Side: Strong political tones and specific genre means it isn’t for everyone, but I loved it.

On the Side: The premiere was attended by David, Patricia, and Courtney Arquette (and all the others I think), Tom Jane, Paul Reubens, Gary Shandling, Vincent Gallo, Rob Zombie, almost the entire cast (minus Jason Mewes), Paris Hilton, Fred Durst and so many more I’d be name dropping to continue. Uh…

Final Grade: A-