You Can't Stop the Murders

I first saw this movie on DSTV in South Africa in about 2008. The next time it was on I made sure to press the record button, and once I had it recorded I must have watched it almost every weekend I came home from boarding school.

I decided to Google it and noticed it was free to watch on YouTube, and watching it now I cannot help but smile and giggle the entire way through, only stopping to gafaw, pause the movie to Google what the director is currently making, and repeatedly ask myself how it's possible to make a film this good. I genuinely want the ability to make films that are this good.

It's brilliant on many levels and I don't think there is any nook or cranny of the human condition that this film does not explore.

Written by and starring short Tropfest film winner, bald local Sydney comedian Gary Eck, this is a supposed comedy showcase for Mr Himself, for himself and about himself. With the same derivative form of 'satirical' comedy (ie: lifted from other original ideas) just like the notoriously inept 90s comic horror SILENCE OF THE HAMS, or Exorcist farce REPOSSESSED, or Top Gun crap HOT SHOTS. This illconcieved film has a bumpkin hometown Village People serial killer whodunnit theme sliding sideways into some navel gazing about the main character, local cop as played by Mr Eck. Sadly there is not much in the form of originality and like the source of satire, probably 29 years out of date. Released in some local multiplexes for a week or so by Mirimax Australia I am quite sure someone almost lost their job because of this distribution pickup boo-boo. More was spent on the posters and ads than was spent on tickets if you get my drift. I am sure Gary Eck is a funny man at the stand-up club but I am not sure that recycling previously humorous characters or situations and claiming them as new and funnier in his films is the right thing to do. Like his Tropfest win hilariously recognized in all parts of the Oz film distribution network as having been sourced from a better idea, the 1978 musical travesty CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC is a funnier Village People storyline...if that is any indication for the murderous hilarity of this flop. I am sure he is well regarded as a comedian and it would be a happy experience for all concerned if he was attracted to original material only. I guess that is called creativity.

When I first saw the trailer I though to myself 'hey...nice idea'. However i was sadly disappointed with the overall product. Gary Eck, one of the writers and main character, wrote a winning 'Tropfest' entry in 2002 ('Tragic Love'), and in comparison to this short, 'You Can't Stop The Murders' just becomes a parody of itself. 'Tragic Love' was amusing and enjoyable because although the overall idea was absurd, it was played out in complete seriousness. If the same could be said for Y.C.S.T.M then I'm sure it would have made it a much more enjoyable film. However, with that all said and done. I'm sorry to use Gary as an example, and I'll continue the review.

The film overall is quite well make for Australian standards, especially on what I would assume was a small budget. The acting is an interesting mix characters and performers bound together through this interesting variation of the murder genre.

The 99 minute running time perfect for the story to progress. And the cinematography was an altogether different and refreshing view at yet another bland Australian landscape.

To start with, I'm a big fan of the stand-up work that the three co-stars are known for.

That is why I rushed out to see the film, on a Thursday afternoon of all things. Take my advice, try and see this movie with a large crowd of 25-30's. Group laughter will certainly enhance your experience.

Set in a small NSW town, with a population of 350, the movie follow the investigations of a serial killer who is stalking people who have professions used by the Village People. There are plenty of opportunities with the subject matter to get the audience into tears of laughter, but unfortunately the chances either not taken or are minimised with a laid-back small-town feel.

This truly is a wait-for-video film.

Can't Stop the Murders probably is Australia's worse movie. It's a comedy that has all these stand up comics who cant get a gig but are all put in a film for no particular reason. The script is full of cliches and fails to capture the real comedy of The Castle.