“Reflections Of Evil” has the greatest imitation of Steven Spielberg I’ve ever seen. It also has the best vomit scene as well. Other than that, “Reflections Of Evil” is nothing more than a humorous mess of experimental cinema, best to be viewed with a dime bag and some Peppermint Schnapps.
Yet, like a train wreck, you just can’t turn your head away from it. Kernels of true ingenuity and originality are scattered within the film, but the human mind can only take so much mental abuse and soon you’re finally delighted to leave the disaster. It seems that the story is about a paranoid/physiologically disturbed man who sells watches on the streets of Hollywood Blvd, jumping back and forth into his childhood via flashback to find some insight for the method of his madness… I think. Along the way, we run into angry homeless people, rabid dogs, skate punks, and even a young Steven Spielberg and his pissed off crew.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Instead of exposing it’s faults, not to mention the merits of “Reflections Of Evil,” I think it’s best that I share with you the actual moments of utter hilarity so when viewing the movie in the privacy of your own home, you can go about your daily routine and come back at the precise moment when humor is released.
FIRST MINUTE: It’s opening is priceless and is worth the viewing alone. “Reflections Of Evil” starts with an introduction from movie mogul, Tony Curtis. The funny thing is, this introduction was actually stolen from a previous DVD called “Laser Lights Special Edition Classics.” As Tony Curtis gives the introduction, we get a quick insert of the director’s Damon Packard name in place of the real director Tony Curtis is discussing. We are then subjected to a Serta mattress commercial by the lovely Joey Heatherton.
FIVE MINUTES: A truly inspired opening credit sequence reminiscent the classic TV movies of the 70’s. Funny as hell and at same time seamless to the style it’s spoofing.
NINE MINUTES: The greatest vomit scene in movie history. It’s just that good.
TEN MINUTES: We take a mental roller coaster ride with a psychologically disturbed watch salesman on the streets of Hollywood. Shot entirely in M.O.S., we follow this “second-cousin” of Travis Bickle as he slowly falls into a state of extreme agitation for the world around him. This is at least 60% of the movie. After about ten minutes, it’s best to put some clothes in the washer or look for that pair of sandals you had an eye on at Target.
FORTY-SEVEN MINUTES: Hopefully your errands are done and you’ve come back just in time for a flashback sequence of a Universal Studios tour. The best part is, the unstable man’s sister sneaks onto a film set directed by a young Steven Spielberg. The mimicry of actor Dean Spunt’s performance as the classic director dealing with his irritable crew is the true sign of a mad genius.
SIXTY-SEVEN MINUTES: A deleted clip from “Jaws.” Don’t ask.
The rest of “Reflections Of Evil” is chock full of inventive sound effects, editing styles, and bizzaro characters, but unfortunately it never has a clear rhyme or reason for its absurdness. What the target audience is for this mind-boggling opus is anybody’s guess. But you have to give director Damon Packard some credit for taking the chance to do a tripped out film like this. It’s definitely going to keep my mind up nights wondering just what the hell I witnessed. Fight the power, Damon Packard, fight the power.
