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Overall Rating : 7.5/10
Directed By : Jack Perez
Kevin Corrigan (Pineapple Express)
Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
Karen Black (House of 1000 Corpses)
Leo Fitzpatrick (Kids)
Supplied By : Anchor Bay Entertainment
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : July. 18, 2012
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| PLOT At first glance, Ken Boyd may seem like an average comic enthusiast, living with his mother and working to make ends meet as an underpaid, underappreciated ice cream parlor attendant. But Ken has a dirty little secret: he fantasizes about killing people. After being released from a stay in the loony bin, for severe mental trauma suffered when he was beaten and tortured by a gang of high school thugs, Ken's repressed anger suddenly reaches a boiling point. With gleeful enthusiasm Ken hunts down his tormentors, one by one, and exacts his bloody revenge. | ||||
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| THE REVIEW In SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE, we meet Ken Boyd, a 34 year old man, who has recently been released after a stay in a mental institution. While living with his mother Ruth, the aspiring graphic novel illustrator, Ken hopes to get his life back together, by taking a job working for minimum wage at the local soda shop called "Fooger's". But while working at the shop, Ken finds himself often humiliated by his boss, who frequently makes him don the establishment's mascot outfit(a giant mint ice cream cone). This abuse, of course triggers repressed memories of the very incident that once sent him away. This in turn fuels Ken's inner desire to exact revenge on his High School tormenters. Coicidentally(or not), a short time later, a string of murders commences, and the victims? Well, they just so happen to be the very men that once made Ken Boyd's life a living nightmare. On the case is Sheriff Walt Fuller(whom just so happens to also be dating Ken's mom), and his crew of incompetent officers. As the investigation moves along, Sheriff Fuller, begins to piece things together, with all things pointing to Boyd(whether he wants them to or not), Meanwhile, Ken struggles with relationships, one including a lovely blonde Brit, the other, an 11 year old girl named Amy, who, as it turns out is the product of a one time fling that Ken once had. I'll be honest with you, I love the generic-ness of the film's title. But then again, a title like SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE suggests that the film is just some dime-a-dozen slasher flick. In fact, I had little hope for it initially, that was until positive reviews begin popping up everywhere(some being from friends, who happened to see it before me, seeing as I was late to receive my review copy). As it turns out, though, SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE, a film directed by Jack Perez, and written by Ryan A. Levin(and produced by John Landis), has much more to offer than that. Although SOME GUY WHO KILLS people does contain a little of the Slasher element, which it's cover art indicates, you'll find that the from crosses multiple genres, most prominently, drama, and comedy with a dark edge. Although the film paints Ken Boyd as a "do nothing", he is actually quite the likeable guy. The film focuses a good part of itself upon Ken's everyday life and his relationships, whether they be abusive or loving. Just as Ken believes his life won't get any better. He meets a nice woman, one of the ice cream parlor's newest patrons, whose name is Stephanie. But it is before that, Ken has a chance meeting with someone far more special, his daughter Amy, who has been kept in the dark about him, her whole life. Amy loves Basketball, and Stephanie, loves art, and it is through these things that Ken bonds with them. It is via these relationships in the film, that we grow to like this guy even more - although in the midst of it all, it seems as though Ken has a darkside, which he inhabits at night. And speaking of this track of gruesome murders(which consists of decapitations and severed limbs, among other things), they lead us to some of the film's more comedic most comedic moments, all of them almost always involving Barry Bostwick. As Sheriff Walt Fuller, Bostwick leads a squad of incompetence, as they fumble along the investigation of multiple murders. There are crime scene jokes, and even old school "cut out" serial killer letters sent to the Police station that manage to greatly confuse Fuller(and everyone else one the force) - all of which leads to some hilarious situations. Not to mention the additional fact that Fuller is banging Ken's mom, Ruth, which makes for several memorable dinner table scenes, as Ken shudders at the thought. Beneath all of the madness that is SOME GUY WHO kills people, actually lies a pretty solid script. One that is initially thought to be straight forward, the script eventually takes a turn that most may not expect. Without spoiling anything, i'll say that the film fooled me. For nearly the entire film, I figured that it would be one to go from "point A" to "point B" I assumed that there was not much to figure out, and it would all come together as it appears it will, however it doesn't. Instead the film takes an interesting, but pleasing turn in the end, and that's all i'll say. The acting overall. is very good. I Have seen character actor Kevin Corrigan in a variety of roles over the years, but when it came to this film, I was expecting him to be a little more ever the top. The fact that he wasn't isn't a bad thing, that is just the type of role that I picture him occupying. Instead, his performance as the film's centerpiece, "Ken Boyd", is very likable, sympathetic even. We can tell that he's a little mentally disturbed, but underneath it we find that he has a kind heart. The performance is much better than I expected, I must admit. And it's always great to see Horror and drive-inn vet, Karen Black. Once again, the actress some know as "Mother Firefly", is a mother on film once more. this time, as Ken's mother, "Ruth". Ruth is indeed kind of hard on her son at times, but deep inside it seems as if, she is just longing for a real family life. She receives this once Amy arrives and unexpectedly moves in. Although Ruth does not play a huge part in the film, Black's presence is very lending to certain scenes. Barry Bostwick, whom I mentioned earlier, is the Sheriff of the town of Green Oaks, and he is also Ruth's latest suitor. When he's not having sex with Ruth, he's out solving cases, or at least, most of the time, he's trying to anyway. Bostwick, who is likely best known for THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW as "Sam", really shines here in the fun role as the Sheriff, one that allows him to display his wit and comedic presence as an actor. This guy has some great moments in SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE, Two scenes in particular being the most memorable for me. First I love the scene where Fuller is driving down the road, with a pop song blaring on the radio, as he sings every word of it. And then there is the scene after they retrieve a decapitated head from the crime scene. He just sits and stares at his while having suspicion that the victim's eyes are following him. It's difficult for me to explain here, it is much funnier when seeing it! Other actors in the film include Leo Fitzpatrick of KIDS fame, Lucy Davis from SHAUN OF THE DEAD, and the DARK WATER remake's Ariel Gade. Fitzpatrick as a co-worker and good friend to Ken, "Irv", Davis is the girl who Ken falls for, "Stephanie", and lastly, Gade, and Ken's daughter, "Amy". Out of the three of them, surprisingly, Gade makes the biggest impression on the viewer. Her "Amy" character is greatly charming without coming off as being too annoyingly cute. We get a sense that Amy is elated to have found her missing piece, in Ken, her dad, and loves him. This is due to a very natural performance from Gade. It's been awhile since I have seen this young actress(The last time was possibly in the sort-lived TV series, "Invasion"), but she has matured nicely as an actress, and is as likable here as her co-star, Corrigan. To sum things up, i liked SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE, despite, initially not knowing what to expect. The film presents an enjoyable plot, with great characters who are interesting. Honestly, I did not want to believe the hype that this film has received, but it's true, SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE, is a pretty good time, and surprisingly, it's a film that has a lot of heart. |
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| GORE
METER 4.5/10 Hatchet embedded into one's skull, a decapitation, a severed hand, a slit throat - and other instances where blood is splattered. | ||||
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 5/10 The score is for the most part, old school suspense above all else. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE, isn't at all what I expected it to be, but then again, that's a good thing in this case. While it might by marketed more toward the Slasher film sub-genre, SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE is what i'd call a "dark dramedy", one that focuses more on it's dramatic elements while at the same time, retaining both elements of comedy and Horror It may sound like a combination that's a little strange, but in reality, the mixture works to great effect. It's dark and fun, and one that I surely recommend that you see! | ||||
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