When the Screaming Starts

When The Screaming Starts (Grimmfest 9th Oct 2021).

A down-at-heel documentary film maker begins to follow a cinema usher (and former black metal guitarist) who has decided to become a serial killer.

A terrifically entertaining black comedy utilising an energetic ensemble. Equally funny in highlighting the mundanities of everyday existence for the central anti hero and character clashes as the plot develops.

The synopsis makes it sound like Man Bites Dog or Behind The Mask but this flick is savvy in avoiding aping superficially similar productions and carving it's own path.

What's particularly impressive is how the performances and thoughtful editing ensure the film maintains its energy through the final act as the story moves away from humour and into grim irony.

Highly recommended.

Good jokes. That's ALL a good comedy needs. And this comedy has tons of it. Typical British humor, with lots of terrific plot turns, silly situations that keep on getting sillier.

Any bad? Well, it aint horror (ofcourse not) but anyone watching this movie for a mere 2 minutes will recoginze the charming, comical nature of this movie.

I was really impressed by the many totally unknown actors that were perfect at making this silly comedy about a friendly couple who think about starting an alternative serial killer family and who start doing interviews in order to find those who would be the best at killing others.

Wacky. Silly. Original.

Very obviously written, acted, and directed by local theater types, whose desire to act and be on stage or in film surpasses anyone's entertainment needs. The characters are cliche from conception to execution. Performances are competent, but nothing special. Very weak concept and the comedy is half hearted and middling. Hits every British sitcom comedy trope like knocking down bowling pins or checking boxes one at a time. Musical score is canned and intrusive. Just not funny or original. Works best at keeping the participants busy with their just barely on the right side of competent theater group aspirations, and worst at being engaging or entertaining, much less surprising or challenging an audience. Some of the ideas are not bad, and even get close to being interesting or clever, but the concept is so silly and underwhelming it gets in the way of scenes which on their own might be lightly amusing if not presented as part of such a weak, absurd and goofy concept.

This is something between a comedy/horror movie and a dark comedy. Unfortunately, not too funny for a comedy/horror, and not too witty for a dark comedy. My expectations were low either way, so i found it entertaining, at leat until the last 15 minutes. This is a low budget production with unknown actors, so you should lower your expectations too, and you might entertain yourself. It is not a bad movie, acting was ok and the story was kinda interesting. Of course, not original neither creative. I had fun watching this and i was gonna rate it higher, however the last 15 minutes were not good. I'd say it became dumb and made me lose my interest. So, you should watch it only if you are a big fan of this genre. Otherwise, there are far better movies, even in this time era.

There is one scene I love above all others. It caught me by surprise and I've watched it over and over again. I hope you love it too. It is set in a park and was totally unexpected. Yet, it provides the motivation for what preceded it. Yes, this next comment is out of context but I enjoyed the film's soundtrack. See the film and the forgoing will make sense.

The film starts out as a documentary. Aidan is the subject of Norman Graysmith's documentary. Graysmith explores the world of Aidan. Aidan is the man who approaches you in a pub and chats and you think ... I'll make an excuse and leave, with a mixture of pity and fear. The film follows the adventures of Aidan and his girlfriend and his 'family'. They form an eclectic mixture of the loveable through to the frighteningly scary. Okay, I thought the acting was superb. I imagine this was not the easiest film to direct with such a mixture of comedy and horror, yet, it is done masterfully.

One moment I was captivated by the humour of the interaction within the group ... the next hands shielding my face in terror. Get your popcorn and your choice of beverage, turn off the phone - this is a treat.