The Ohio Sci-Fi and Horror Marathons

I don't post often but wanted to put in my two cents on this topic. I enjoy the fact that the more extreme films are booked at the marathons. As film lovers (and if you're spending 24 hours in a theatre I think you qualify), I feel we should be thrilled to have the opportunity to see these films the way they were meant to be seen.

That doesn't mean you need to watch the film, only that you are given the choice to do so. I personally walked out 10 minutes into Irreversible, the camera motion making me physically ill; but, I was glad to have the opportunity. In Ohio, a lot of these films are difficult to come by legal means (and I work in the film biz so it must be legal). Do I want to see A Serbian Film? My curiosity is peeked; I'll give it a fair chance and if I become too disgusted/uncomfortable/etc, I'll walk outside.

So, I say book extreme films. Nobody is tied to the chair. Nobody is forced to stay in the auditorium. In my experience we're all pretty good about saving seats if your neighbor needs to leave for awhile.

You know, with that in mind, we should really show "WILLY WONKA" at a horror marathon.

It is, after all, basically a kidified version of Dr. Phibes. And a lot of what happens to the children is pretty horrific.

The pro A Serbian Film fanatics keep on harping about that how you can pass judgement on said film without watching it. Well I force myself to watch said film. Now after I watch A Serbian Film I can say it is pure filth. Human Centipede Full Sequence looks mild compare to A Serbian Film.

Willy Wonka is a dark film. Most of the Disney flms feature a scene that the single parent gets killed. Heck having a gun pulled on the young girl in the movie Oliver and Company can be horrific.

How about screening Human Centipede Full Sequence instead.

I like the marathon showing one challenging, controversial film as well. I was reluctant with Irreversible but watching that with Scott Gordon was a unique, memorable experience (even though I'm still not a big fan of the film).

Not all "extreme" films are created equal and some may be worthy additions while others are probably worth a akip. I just don't think we should seek out what the blogosphere is calling the most disturbing and disgusting film made just because it's extreme and we want to add an extreme film. After doing a lot of research on the film, surveying the 33% fresh rotten tomatoes reviews, watching youtube reviews and a ton of fan comments the consensus seems to be that it's a revolting film, not very well made with few redeeming qualities, there are a few that love it though. When choosing one premier over another I hope we would look at how good the film is supposed to be as well as opposed to picking the inferior one just because it's "extreme" and controversial.

In other words this debate has nothing to do with censorship, wizards, pressuring Joe or the Tea Party but comes down to simple taste and personal preference. Between a new Ti West film and A Serbian Film I'd choose the Ti West. Some would choose A Serbian Film. Some LOVE the experience of watching extreme horror with a marathon audience others are ambivalent and just want quality films. In some cases I would choose Irreversible over a more disposable, lightweight film as I don't think you can just break this up as a "should we show extreme films or not debate." Each film should be debated seperately on it's merits and whether it would make a good addition. The marathon is fun because such a diverse group of films are shown.

Either way I don't care if it shows or not as I know some people would love to see it despite it not exactly being an acclaimed work. I've got plenty of other films I'm excited to see and who knows I might even stay and watch it. Crazier things have happened. You have to expect though in an audience of 300 people that a few might not leap for joy at the opportunity to watch necrophiliac newborn baby rape or how one critic described the film "A sordid welter of sexual sadism, incestuous necrophilia and 'snuff movie' nihilism." But if it plays they'll get over it and move on the next film.

Is your objection over quality or content?

You bash A Serbian Film, but support Human Centipede 2 or Salo as alternatives?

Salo, as has also been discussed here, is a horrifically revolting, challenging film that also could easily be referred to as "snuff" and "child porn" if one wanted to. There is a brain and a point to the madness, for sure, but it is an extremely difficult two hours to watch.
I admit I haven't seen A Serbian Film, but from what I know about Salo, I'm having trouble reconciling why you feel one would be acceptable, but the other wouldn't?

I also haven't seen Human Centipede 2, but based off what I've read and having seen the first one, this strikes me as being a far less thoughtful, more revolt-for-revolts-sake movie than A Serbian Film probably is.

Really not trying to be argumentative. I'm legit curious. Since you've seen both, why Salo is ok by your standards, but A Serbian Film isn't?

To explain what I mean is that Sàlo and Human Centipede II doesn't feature newborn rape witch make these two films slightly better than A Serbian Film. Plus while watching Sàlo I didn't physically get sick. Sàlo very over the top. It is highly unlkely that will ever happen in real life. Human Centipede II also unlikely happen in real life.

The acts that are feature in A Serban Film does happen in real life. To be more clear is that in my opinion to make any extreme horror films to work the content should be absurd.

In some weird way Sàlo in my opinion work as a sick absurd fairy tale. To the lesser extent the same goes to Human Centipede II.

One thing, that hasn't been touched on yet, is that the marathon is one of the few places one could see A Serbian Film projected. The truly extreme horror movies still get very few screenings for them. If it wasn't for the marathon, I never would have seen Cannibal Holocaust or Irreversible in a theater. I know those films aren't for everyone, but I absolutely appreciate Joe and the marathon for screening movies such as those. It's the rarer screenings that make me buy a ticket every year. I think anytime there is a movie that hasn't or won't be screened in Columbus, it should be booked if possible. Both Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil and Human Centipede 2 are booked to be in Columbus in the next couple of months, so that makes something like A Serbian Film so much more exciting for me.

One benefit to Human Centipede 2 is that despite the disgusting subject matter, I'm guessing that when we're not gagging or cringing we'll be able to laugh at its absurdities. The first was gross for sure, but its over-the-top nature also generated many uncomfortable laughs from me.
I'm going to assume (emphasis on ass) that the sequel may have a similar spirit.

It's been pointed out that other than Slither, there isn't many entries that veer toward the comedy end of the spectrum this year. Repulsive as it may be, Human Centipede 2 just may be a source of some humor. Between the retching, of course.

Right now Dale and Tucker is available Time Warner Cable Mid Ohio On Demand service.

One more thing about Salo 120 Days of Sodom is an adaptation of a Marquis de Sade story. Plus it's been release onto DVD and the upcoming Blu Ray by Criterion Collection. The director Pier Paolo Pasolini also directed Oedipus Rex.

I've noticed you tend to do this - pointing out ways people can catch the harder-to-see films at home. And that's great, but it kind of misses the point.

Part of the marathon experience is seeing the films in the theatre. On film (usually). I can rent every movie from most of the previous years of the marathon, and watch them all in my house in 24 hours if I want. But it's not the same experience - not even close.

Also to the point, there are many movies at the marathons I would never seek out on my own, but because they were a part of the marathon, I watched them and sometimes enjoyed them and sometimes hated them.

Here is my 2 cents on the subject:

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Yeah, space is awesome.

The reason why I do announcements of movies being release on demand before they get release into theater due to various reasons. For example that it might be only at a local theater for the weekend. It might be in theaters for two weeks late at night. The niche film might skipped Columbus completely. For people who depends on COTA they have to wait for it on Blu Ray or DVD. I can watch these niche films in HD via my Boise surround headphones without the hassle.

By the way I did found out that the Upper Arlington Library does have a copy of Sàlo 120 Days of Sodom. It is the 2008 DVD edition. It wouldn't surprise me that in my opinion they might get A Serbian Film and Human Centipede II.

Adam you make a good point. But will you feel uncomfortable being the only one laughing during A Serbian Film?