RELAXER Fantasia 2018 Review

2018
Directed by: Joel Potrykus
Starring: Joshua Burge

If you take Ven diagram of David Lynch and Kevin Smith, then divide the result by Castaway, you get an idea of what Joel Potrykus has done with his latest effort, RELAXER. Abbie (Joshua Burge) is an impossibly sedentary 90s slacker dedicated to concurring Pac Man without leaving the couch. Set in the days and months leading up to Y2K, RELAXER presents a slightly augmented version of history through the eyes of its singularly motivated protagonist.

For a film set in one room and primarily focused on a single character, RELAXER moves through an impressive number of tones and visual styles. One of the biggest challenges with limited storytelling is in the cinematography. Potrykus manages to keep the film interesting from that perspective by shifting through distinct techniques for each of the film's 3 acts. At times warm and inviting, at others disgusting and uninhabitable, the apartment at the center of the film goes through its own character arc mirroring the slow decay of Abbie's psyche.

Slightly uneven performances could turn off some viewers but I found the whole thing utterly compelling. There are moments where the camera hangs on Burges' face and he has the ability to command the audience's attention. You are witnessing a man unravel without dialogue or optical trickery, its all in Burge's understated performance.

RELAXER has a voyeuristic approach that can be painful to witness. As an audience, we want to look away, but the mixture of body horror, comedy, and psychological deterioration is an effective and gripping cocktail.

For oddballs like me who are always seeking out something different and new RELAXER is a completely satisfying experience. Oscilloscope Laboratories has been consistently turning out odd little gems over the last 5 years, NOVEMBER, THE LOVE WITCH, and LOST IN PARIS all come to mind as interesting if not perfect films that beg for multiple viewings. They've become akin to an indie record label in the 90's. Much like Dischord House, SST, or Jade Tree, I'll give anything they put out a shot. While I might not always love the films I'm almost guaranteed to see something I haven't seen before.

RELAXER is a peculiar film that I want to hang on to and recommend to only a select few. It will without question be unwatchable for some but for others, it could be their favorite of 2018. At the very least it has been one of the highlights of this year's FANTASIA and a film I look forward to revisiting in the near future.

POPULATION PURGE Trailer and Release Info

In a dystopian world where a radical government has unleashed a deadly poison to control population, only those with blood type AB positive remain unscathed. But instead of outright death, the rest of the population is left to suffer in a state of chronic illness, causing widespread chaos and panic. As the majority slowly succumbs to the effects of the poison, their only hope lies in receiving transfusions of AB positive blood from the few immune survivors, like Charlie and his granddaughter Maya. Living in the decrepit remains of an abandoned amusement park, Charlie is a renegade supplier of blood to the underground market. But their sanctuary is threatened by the iron-fisted rule of District 22's ruthless warden, Onslow, who will stop at nothing to save his own dying son. As Charlie and Maya fight to defend their haven and their own sanity, the eccentric duo must navigate through a world of danger and betrayal. POPULATION PURGE was written by Brian Johnson and Toby Osborne and di

A SACRIFICE Trailer and Release Info

Written and Directed by Jordan Scott Produced by Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Jonas Katzenstein, Maximilian Leo, Georgina Pope Starring Eric Bana, Sadie Sink, and Sylvia Hoeks A Sacrifice is an emotionally turbulent story that follows American social psychologist Ben Monroe (Eric Bana) who is investigating a local Berlin cult connected to disturbing events. While he immerses himself in his work, his rebellious teenage daughter, Mazzy (Sadie Sink), becomes embroiled with a mysterious local boy who introduces her to the city’s underground party scene. As their two worlds head toward a dangerous intersection, Ben will need to race against the clock in order to save his daughter. A SACRIFICE will be in theaters on June 28th, 2024

Blue Underground to Release Goodbye Uncle Tom on 4K/Blu-ray!

In a bold move, Blue Underground has announced the upcoming release of "Goodbye Uncle Tom" on Limited Edition 4K UHD and Blu-Ray on April 23rd. This release will offer viewers a chance to witness one of the most notorious and graphic films ever made, showcasing a haunting portrayal of America's dark history of slavery. Originally released in 1971, "Goodbye Uncle Tom" is an Italian mondo-docudrama directed by Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi, the masterminds behind "Mondo Cane." Drawing from period documentation and historical accounts, the film vividly recreates the antebellum South and delves into the horrors of the slave trade. However, the film's unflinching depiction of slavery's atrocities sparked controversy from its inception. Distributors in the US insisted on radical edits to tone down the graphic content before its release. Despite these efforts, "Goodbye Uncle Tom" continued to stir strong reactions among critics a

FOLLOWING FILMS

Search This Blog