(2001/USA)
REVIEW BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-DAN MINTZ CAST-BRAD HUNT, CYIA BATTEN, PATRICK McGRAW, and FRANKIE RAY. SOURCE-VVS FILMS DVD (CANADA)(REGION 1 NTSC / 95 mins / 2005)
Hector and Dorena find the perfect location to set up their speed lad in an abandoned house in the middle of no where. Hector’s long time friend Merle meets up with them their, as it was he who pointed them towards the house. Once holing themselves up in this rundown house and setting up a routine with Merle, who is to stop by every once in a awhile to supply them with food and water. The cooking begins, but that’s not all that begins. Once the first batch of speed is finished and they test out their stash, they start to experience something very strange with the house. The house begins to show it’s secrets to them, strange noises, ghostly visions and an escalating sense of distrust for one another. Strange thing is, are these the effects of the drugs themselves, or is this house really haunted. Either way, both Hector and Dorena find themselves diving more and more into the speed to ward off any demons, but of course we all know that only invites them in even more.
It’s a given fact that people who indulge with drugs invite demons into there lives, may it be personal demons, paranormal demons or plain old illusions, they all have a very negative effects on those users. COOKERS is a trip into this world, stripping out all the candy-land details and given us the viewers a direct vision of horror. Horror in the sense of just how much drugs can influence one’s way of thinking. Of course that’s not all, giving us a realistic view of how the mind adapts to an environment, one that is strangled of life’s necessities.
Teaming all of these aspects with the paranormal realm and you get COOKERS. Imagine you are walking through a haunted house, but strung out on speed not knowing if the visions you are having are real or your mind playing tricks on you. If the real becomes a dreamy state, one that just keeps playing over and over in your head like a broken record. Trust becomes a distant memory and paranoia that worst enemy that you keep a close eye on. Drowning the sunlight out and inviting shadows and voices to keep you on your feet. All within the confines of a house with a story to tell and over active minds to listen to them.
Right from the opening scene of a girl laying lifeless among the fall leaves, the camera breaks away from the body and floats upwards as to give us the impression of the girl’s soul leaving the body and looking down out herself. COOKERS right from the get go is one of the most hauntingly impressive films I have witnessed in sometime. What a shame it has taken me well over four year’s to view it. I’m sure it’s the same for many others as well as those of you who haven’t even heard of such as film. Sad really, as this is yet another example of a well crafted film that never really gets the exposure it certainly deserves. The DVD only being released little over a couple of months ago.
COOKERS conjures up some of the most creepiest moments that have come across a film in quite sometime. Using simple methods to convey nature human fears and mixing them with those fears that are man made through chemicals. So, even though this isn’t your conventional ghostly tale, it still displays a very unique way of telling it’s story. This is told brilliantly through the eyes of two actors who perform superbly in their respective roles. Both Brad Hunt and Cyia Batten who’s performances as the two speed freaks on the verge of total meltdown are some of the best scenes in recent independent film in awhile. Showing their eventual changes on a gradual decline throughout the duration of the film itself is yet another testimony to just how effective COOKERS really is. Yet, largely unknown and totally over passed except for the many festivals it has played in.
I can’t say this enough, if you are looking for a film that will generate fear, paranoia and downright eeriness, then you are best to hunt COOKERS down. Expect a good storyline to all of this mayhem as well. Director Dan Mintz brings us a visually stunning film that evokes fear even if you are watching this in broad daylight. I recommend to get the full feel of this film, to turn out all the lights, light a candle or two and turn this baya right up. As along the superb visuals, the audio with play a few tricks on the mind as well. It’s a that funhouse you had nightmares about throughout your childhood. It does end there either, as the ending will leave you either pulling the rest of your hair out leaving you in awe.
The recently released VVS Films DVD here in Canada is pretty much the barest of the bare. Giving you only a feature to watch, no extras in sight. On top of the lack of any real goodies, the film itself is presented in a full screen ratio. Still, with all the negative aspects with this DVD release, don’t be deterred at all, as the film itself is enough to warrant at least renting or an eBay bid. If you have a weak heart or can’t stand the dark, then make sure you are watching this with someone you can trust.
FILM/STORY-4/5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-2.5/5 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-3/5 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-0/5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-2.5 BITCH SLAPS -or-
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