You Can't Stop the Murders

This movie is so laid-back it's like a female contortionist. The sort of movie which could only be made in Australia; laconic in the Croc Dundee style, yet not so emphatically dinkum aussie as in "G'day mate" jargon. Professional film critics may give it one-and-a-half stars, but I'd give it a good three. Then maybe I'm easily pleased. I found it entertaining and amusing - if you're not too critical. You get a lot of chuckles and also some real laughs. I can imagine off-duty police seeing this picture, because it centres on the relationship between two local cops in a small town, and how their lives are fairly humdrum - until the murders start. A serial killer is loose, and the clue to his/her identity is in the occupation of the victim, and the symbolism of the corpse. The plot seems mainly a vehicle for sight gags and other humour, in Jacques Tati manner (Mon Oncle; M.Hulot's Holiday; Jour de Fête); yet there is an underlying tension due to apprehension as to who's going to be next victim. It's good to see perky Kirstie Hutton again (remember her from "Bullpitt!" on TV?), and all the lead actors are interesting characters; with an able and varied supporting cast. I think this movie should have popular appeal, at least in Australia, and might prove more successful than some would anticipate. ====================================================

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.

This is a really refreshing film given the height of junk my country has been spewing onto the silver screen of late.

An Australian film with a script and story that doesn't seem like it has gone directly out of the scribble pad and onto the screen. It's funny, dark. The best film made here since Muriel's Wedding. I had hoped it would be the beginning of better things for our industry, but alas it would seem it is just a diamond in the rough.

The only thing I have against it is the lack of technical depth with the filming. NOT EVERY Australian FILM HAS TO HAVE EVERY SCENE WITH MAXIMUM LIGHTING. Try having a bit of variety with the look.

Definitely one for the DVD collection. Yay SBS Independent, and yay Miramax (if FFC won't fund good films, at least there are companies that will) Loved It!!!!!!!!!!!

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.