There are precisely seven more months left this year, and I just know I’m going to eat my words once I begin screening the big Oscar hopefuls, but I think one of the best–if not one of the most entertaining movies all year that I’ve seen has to be none other than “Poultrygeist.”
I’ve always been that least popular cult lover who has always despised everything Troma put out to the audiences they tend to. I hate the Toxie movies, and the Nuke Em High movies, but I can safely say that with rock bottom expectations “Poultrygeist” likely won’t disappoint you.
I remember reading on a message board someone saying that the only audience this movie will please are hardcore Troma fans. I guess I’m the exception to the rule.
It’s really tough to find great performances in indies these days, but for some reason Kaufman is able to grab two really memorable ones from Jason Yachanin and Kate Graham who are pretty much golden when they’re playing off each other and when they’re alone.
I couldn’t get over Graham constantly muttering “Whaa’ happened?” and you have to love Yachanin’s conversation with the sloppy Joe (previously the ill fated Paco Bell) only to respond to it’s omens of zombie chickens with “I’ll believe in the supernatural when I see it, Talking Sandwich.” There’s also the hysterical method of keeping the zombie chickens out of the chicken place, which should have been a clunky gag, but had me in hysterics. And as for musicals, good ones are really hard to come by, and this proves to be one on many occasions. Hell, I had “Slow Fast Food Love” on my mind for days after watching this.
I can usually tell when a movie is due to suck after the first ten minutes, and much like the equally enjoyable shocker “Jackass 2,” I found after the first ten minutes I was laughing quite a lot. I’m not pushing this movie just to Troma geeks, but to anyone who is looking for a good time. Hell, if given enough time I could see this gaining a following like “Rocky Horror” did.
I actually saw it twice.
Kaufman does have an agenda though, and it’s to attack everyone under the sun. From liberals to capitalists, fast food conglomerates, patriotic Americans, racists, terrorists, xenophobes, immigrants, homosexuals, native Americans, lesbians, chickens, talking sandwiches, feminists, heavy people, men in dresses, men without dresses, s**t, everyone is fair game. And that’s why it’s such a damn good time.
So, I’m more than open to the onslaught of summer movies, and Oscar contenders, but I think a slot on my top 10 of 2008 is reserved for this.
“Poultrygeist” is playing out at the Two Boots Pioneer in New York City right now. If an adamant Troma hater can love this, I think lifelong Troma fans will drop to their knees to worship Kaufman.
After this, I may give Troma one more chance. Why not?
Yes, yes, I know. I jumped right ahead to June, what the hell, eh? I’m weird that way.
“There are precisely seven more months left this year…”
God DAMMIT!! When did they decide to combine Thanksgiving and New Years!?! Shifty Republicans.
p.s. It’s only May, Felix. Add a calendar to your spelling and grammar check that you ordered 😉