I love the concepts and conventions of the fantastical genres. They are, without question, my favorite metaphorical languages. Unfortunately this year’s flock of summer science-fiction and fantasy films seem fairly trite. Though I haven’t seen them all and I don’t have anything against any of the filmmakers, I think the evidence is plain; seven sequels, some time travel, killer robots, intrigue, army guys, magic, a few superheroes, etc, etc. Sadly, without their respective brand names these tropes become interchangeable and arbitrary, which is to say, impotent. In their defense, the people and market research that produced them probably had no intention of doing anything special. No, such grandiose and expensive entertainment can only be measured in money-making power and so, in that context, I suppose these films were all successes. Be that as it may, most of them failed to interest me at all. In my own urbane and flowery way I like to think that I am a cultured appreciator of things that are inspired. I’ll give humanity the benefit of the doubt and presume that most people feel the same way, and without a monocle or top hat either. Nevertheless the average person might know something novel when they see it but how and where they they it is another story. I don’t think most of us are looking in the right place.
Last year Alrugo Entertainment released a weekly internet film entitled Italian Spiderman. To be very clear, this is not a parody of Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man. Aside from its stylistic influences (Dario Argento, Mario Bava, Sergio Leone), the premise stems from a bizarre subsection of international cinema. You might have seen clips of these movies on Youtube, deformed re-imaginings of popular American films (The Turkish Star Wars, The Turkish Star Trek, The Philippino Batman, The Indian Superman, The Indian Thriller, The Japanese Spider-Man). Typically they’re a morass of badly planned action scenes intercut with stock footage, incomprehensible stories, musical numbers and, well, blatant sexism. They do a spectacular job of distorting the well-established mythos of the characters and as a result are very strange, albeit kind of boring. I am happy to say that Italian Spiderman differs from it’s antecedents. It is by far one of the most original and hilarious films I have ever seen. The low-fi special effects, the performances, the writing and the pacing are very well thought-out and outstandingly executed.
Italian Spiderman Trailer
Unfortunately you wont see it screened at your local multiplex, and that’s my point. Popular science-fiction and fantasy has been atrophied for some time, but it has a chance of being liberated by independent production companies like Alrugo Entertainment. I am the first one to admit that the internet wont save humanity from itself, nevertheless it can save us from market-researched cinema and filmmakers who are too detached from their audience to care about what kind of film they produce.I’m not here to point out the foibles of Hollywood, nor to do I think it’s a particularly great way to spend our time. The heart of what I am trying to say is that independent internet film is increasingly becoming more and more impressive. What fatuous headlines pointed out as flash-in-the-pan web sensations created by amateurs are slowly overtaking the establishment. Italian Spiderman isn’t just a smattering of slapstick jokes or references to Italian actions movie, it’s a well-made film. Digital effects be damned, this movie has heart and imagination. If you haven’t already, I think you should watch the whole thing.
Italian Spiderman Episode I
Watch the rest at www.alrugo.com
Wolf Cop
He doesn’t have your best interests in mind.
Peter George Sims
He’s not just my close friend, but a filmmaker of talent… and a REALLY nice guy. Please enjoy his environmentally friendly short: Douchebag Pie. Made for the Cannes Lions Competition 2009.
Pixel Burglar
When Michael Joseph Daly bought his ‘Computrek™ Home Adventure Computer” in 1986 he wasn’t aware of its secrets. He wasn’t aware of the curse! Moments after loading Crime Alert™ off a pirated 5 1/4 inch floppy disk Pixel Burglar leapt from the screen and into his den. Michael’s entire family was present to this pixelated misanthrope crash through their window and careen down street, “blipping” and “booping” all the way.
The Pixel Burglar is a tricky and almost unstoppable criminal. Even if you memorize his pattern, you’ll discover he’s impervious to most harm. If you’re lucky enough to outsmart him by, say, reaching the finish line first, he’ll only re-spawn and the game will start over. It’s an endless battle, the Pixel Burglar is dauntless.
For more drawings visit my flickr gallery.
There was a time when Doctor Osmosis was one of the mightiest heroes known. Sadly, in the upper end of the fifties a scandal left shamed and ostracized from his fellow super pals. After a fifteen year bout with his unsuccessful insurance company, he turned to a life of crime. On Oct. 1 1974, Norman Mamaroneck, aka Doctor Osmosis, was arrested for robbing A+ Liquor Mart and Adult Magazine.
A sad fate, indeed.
For more drawings visit my flickr gallery.
He’s an evil door-to-door salesman. Who knows what nasty tricks hide in his magic briefcase sampler…?
For more drawings, go to my flickr gallery.
