We’re all feeling a little frayed around the edges. I did the math yesterday and I’m applying over 50% more energy to movie watching than I do at my job…well, my job on a quiet 40 hour week…which almost never happens.

• Cam2Cam – Internet chat is not an innovative idea in 2008, and misogyny in horror films — particularly in the modern brutal fashion — is a dead cliche. When a young filmmaker tries to rest on that crutch it will fail as it did in this attempt to update the stalker psychopath for the late 90’s.
• Left Bank – This dramatic Belgian thriller rests more on the drama than the thriller, but ultimately delivers a thoughtful horror discussion piece. Cinephiles will pocket this movie for late night beer talks for many years to come.
• The Good The Bad and The Weird – Korea has once again challenged the boundaries of homage in delivering this dead-on three-way Asian-continent western. Song Kang Ho, who blew us away changing the creature feature in The Host, kicks off the fun robbing a train…that is then attacked by two other outlaws. The stunning visuals, impeccable acting and thrilling action make this a must-see/must-own.
• The Brothers Bloom – Our first secret screening of the week wasn’t really a Fantastic Fest appropriate film, but it is a blast. The story of two brothers who start their con game early in life then end up split about staying in the game sounds cliched, but it is a laugh riot and Rachel Weisz is a “<sigh> I’m in love” crush of a leading lady. If Wes Anderson could get over his dysfunctional family fixation (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited), this is the movie he would make.

• The Chaser – Becky was put off by the bleak violent nature of this Korean thriller, but I think it is another solid film showing that Korea is producing some of the best films. The complex leading character, an ex-cop who has turned pimp, is backed by a funny cast that helps break up the tension as he runs down the ultra-creepy psychopath that has made two of his hookers disappear.

Here is where I admit that I finally purposefully missed a Fantastic Fest timeslot to go home and get some sleep. I have to start storing energy for Thursday night’s “Get Lit” Cave party.

It is hard to keep up at this point, but I’m having a blast. We’ve reached that point in the frenzy where I leave one theater and walk to directly into another. Whew.

• Muay Thai Chaiya – Fans of fight films, boxing and UFC will probably enjoy this flick about 3 boys from the sticks who grow up to fight Thai-style in the big city, but the cheesy soap opera music and overwrought drama were too much for me. Besides, I like my fighting to be a little more fantasy-based.
• La Creme – The first time film director for this movie has proven an ability to deliver a new concept with panache (and a low budget.) A man hard on his luck finds a face cream under his Christmas tree that makes people think he’s a celebrity, then the problems really begin. I look forward to more creativity in his next film, but if you like French dramedy then you should look for this movie.
• Spandex Man – A strange man with a superhero costume enters a stranger world in this very entertaining short.
• Santos – Two boys with unknowingly activated super powers grow up as freinemies with a common love interest (like Spiderman and Harry Osborn). One is a mogul, the other a comic book artist. It is clear that soon they will have to use their powers against each other to fight for the girl and the world. Comic book and Ultraman fans will love the not-so-subtle homages in this often hilarious comedy.
• Fantastic Fest Awards Ceremony – As usual the awards aren’t exactly what I agree with, but there is always room for other opinions. Muto should have placed first in the Animated shorts. I’m not sure how Cargo 200 even placed. Let the Right One In is not surprising for best Horror Feature. The Audience Award must have been a tight race and I recommend all the winners.

• Repo! The Genetic Opera – When I was 17-19 and had spent my life in the oppression of Shreveport, my soul ached for the kind of rebellious rock strangeness that this opera offers. It is a bizarre fun ride featuring two of my favorite actors, Alexa Vega and Anthony Stewart Head, and if I weren’t already full of odd/rock from over 70 viewing of Rocky Horror then I might have room for this really fun film.

Videos (possibly inappropriate) after the break.