Though the Twlight Saga is the reigning champion in the public popularity contest, I’m curious who might have caught Canadian director, Rob Stefaniuk’s musical vampire flick, Suck which premiered at this years TIFF? I was lucky to get a spot at the cast and crew screening before the start of the festival…
The Toronto made film (featuring a slew of recognizable club-locations and settings) was one of the early launches at the Toronto International Film Festival and upon its sale to Tim Brown’s Joker Films, the 3.5 million dollar production celebrated their success at Toronto’s Phoenix Club venue for a charity concert event.
Let’s just say I would have killed to be in attendance. I’m going to assume the concert featured original songs from the film- and if you did get a chance to catch it at the TIFF, maybe you’ll agree with me that Stefaniuk’s writer/director/actor/songwriter roles paid off in this well-told story of a small-time rock band trying to hit the top by selling their soul to the greatest force of evil…that is before they reach the record label. The Quebecois humor played well by Chris Ratz and comedic contributions of the band’s disgruntled manager, Dave Foley (“Kids in the Hall”) make the experience into a blended up combination of Shaun of the Dead, Josie and the Pussycats (the good and bad parts) Velvet Goldmine and perhaps a dash of a straight-man’s Rocky Horror Picture Show.
With contagious glam-rock inspired songs, hilarious washed-up rocker cameos (see the trailer) and a formula that though a little predicatable, grants some ultimate satisfaction it’s safe to say that Stefaniuk’s Suck certainly doesn’t.
For the real popculture junkies, Stefaniuk dusted the film with a series of classic album cover recreations giving it a sort of “I-spy” aspect throughout.
This discussion currently has 4 responses.
I’m going to assign him a -3 for not directly cutting and...
November 30, 2009
That looks very cool. Just like you I love the cameos and I love the feeling of not taking it too seriously yet still looking very cool.
November 30, 2009
My only issues with this (and it is a problem with Stefanuik’s “Phil The Alien” that it is low-key Canadian to a fault. You now what Rusty complains about all the time. Take that and multipy it by 1000 here.
November 30, 2009
Don’t be hating on PHIL THE ALIEN – it’s awesome in it’s own way.
Looking forward to catching up with this at WFF.
November 30, 2009
Make no mistake, I do like me some Phil The Alien (I own the movie, in fact), I am just well aware that a certain flavour of Canadian Deadpan doesn’t travel well. And Phil The Alien has that in spades. It’s an interesting showcase for B-level toronto comedians in small roles as well. By no means a great film, but certainly a watchable one if you are in the right frame of mind. Suck looks to be bigger budget, and more cameos, but more of the same, I’m afraid.