Genre: Comedy, "Horror"
Director: Shin'ichiro Ueda
Starring: Takayuki Hamatsu, Mao, Harumi Syuhama, Yuzuki Akiyama, Kazuaki Nagaya
The Movie
The one thing I want to point out about One Cut of the Dead that I feel that needs to be impressed upon anybody who might wish to watch it is that it's one of those movies that plays best when you know as little about it as possible. It's also 100% not what you think it is, and please, for the love of god, keep watching after you see the credit roll. The journey of discovery for this movie is magic.
I'd also recommend not reading this review but still click my link just for kicks.
So, at this point I'm going to talk about this movie freely without restraint for spoilers, because it's impossible to really explain what makes this movie special without spoiling what direction it takes. If you read on, I'm either going to assume you're familiar with the movie or you're reading because you don't give a shit.
One Cut of the Dead starts with thirty minute story of a group of filmmakers who are making a zombie movie, but encounter a hoard of zombies while filming. After the conclusion to this opening, we cut to several days earlier, but it's not the characters from the film we've been watching, but the filmmakers who made that thirty minute movie who were asked to film it live for television. It that seems confusing to you, imagine watching a movie then watching a "making of" documentary immediately after, except the "making of" feature is also scripted and part of the movie.
So, if you're not familiar with the direction this movie takes, the first half hour of this movie probably won't impress many people. The single take presentation of it is impressive, but while it's amusingly silly, there's not a lot here that hasn't been done before (the basic premise is just Diary of the Dead, without the found footage technique) and there are little idiosyncrasies about it that leave the viewer with questions of "What the hell is going on?" Then a half hour into the movie, the end credits play, and I think to myself "This movie isn't over. Where is this going?" Then it does a hard cut to "reality" and I'm like "Oh. This is interesting. Is this going to turn into a horror movie too?"
It became clear that wasn't the intent of the movie. The movie is actually the story of filmmakers who are thrown into the grind by executives, who told them to film a half hour horror story for television, but has to be done live and in one take. It them becomes a story of people who are working under immense pressure, thinking on their feet, and making it work. The climax to this movie, where they're actually filming the "movie" and they're running into "complications," and they have to solve them in the moment, is outstanding. It's one of the best third acts ever committed to film. Suddenly, even if that opening thirty minutes isn't great, it's oddness makes sense and it's idiosyncrasies are explained. It becomes a product of passion and it stands proudly as being the result of tenacity.
This movie transcends being a simple movie and becomes a love letter to filmmakers who are familiar with working through the trenches and crawling through the mud to make their movie work. People like George Romero, Sam Raimi, or Kevin Smith, who moved hell and high water to make Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead, and Clerks. It looks at all who have gone through the process and says "We see what you did, and we appreciate you." And considering One Cut of the Dead was made independently by people who are working under that pressure to deliver this love letter, it's a meta group hug.
In case you can't tell, I loved this movie. I'm so happy I have this movie in my life, and I've already pre-ordered the blu-ray.
The Drive-In
Joe Bob does warn us that this movie might be a little different this week, but he's very enthusiastic about it. He has a little glint in his eye, as if he's plying a practical joke on the audience. He explains a few basic things about it up top, including most people who dislike it left after a half hour. He doesn't explain why, he lets the audience discover that for themselves. In fact, he leaves the opening half hour entirely uninterrupted and lets the entire sequence play out for itself. He might over compensate a bit with his opening rant, which lasts a bit longer than usual, about "Deep Fakes," which he uses as an attempt to set up the audience for what they're about to watch.
He actually doesn't pop in during this movie that often. He has a few tidbits about its production to say, but mostly seems keen to digress into other topics and to discuss the filmmaking process (including how much he hates a "jib"). He also spends time talking about what's transpiring onscreen.
It's very likely Joe Bob has limited information on this movie, but when the movie is over it becomes clear that he's showing this movie to make a point. He stands up and "gets real" with this audience, because he has a special message to all "aspiring" filmmakers out there (I use quotations on "aspiring" because Joe Bob says you should never use that word). He wants the movie to be an inspiration to the people who want to make movies in the world to go out and do it. Nevermind what resources and money you have, you can still create something. And the great thing about this message is that it doesn't just apply to filmmaking, it can apply to any sort of creation. If you're passionate enough about it, do it. Don't come up with an excuse not to, find a way.
Joe Bob's message includes:
1. Don't use the words "aspiring." Like Yoda says, "Do or do not, there is no try."
2. It's not 1970. You don't need to go to film school. We have everyday access to the technology you need and methods of learning at home.
3. There is no "Hollywood." Filmmaking can happen anywhere.
4. You don't need money. Creativity often happens by working with what resources you have available to you.
5. Be prepared to fall on your face. Failure happens. Accept it, learn from it, tighten your belt, and keep going.
Also, Joe Bob wants to see your movie. If you've made one, send it to him. He's genuinely interested in seeing what you can make with your own two hands. This is an open invitation to anyone. One Cut of the Dead is his chance to get that message out there, and I hope those who listen to it will embrace it.
Joe Bob's Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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