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I love films
about filmmaking, but I especially love
funny films about filmmaking. During the
1990’s, there were two movies that
came out that were largely, and sadly, ignored.
Both offered hysterical takes on the behind
the scenes working of a low budget, independent
film. Both of them, “Living in Oblivion”
and "…And God Spoke" were
actually released on DVD a couple of years
ago, and I made sure reviews were posted
as quickly as possible.
Ever since, I had hoped that I'd get to
see another film about filmmaking that would
be equally as funny, though I doubted it
ever would. However, guess what I have sitting
next to the computer as I’m writing?
Thank you Gamma Gulch Productions for releasing
"Cyxork 7", another great film
about filmmaking, but one with the added
bonus of being about science fiction filmmaking.
"Cyxork 7" stars Ray Wise ("Robocop",
"Good Night and Good Luck") as
washed up science fiction movie star, Rex
Anderson. In his heyday he played Kommander
88 in a series of highly successful string
of "Cyxork" movies.
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Well, successful enough anyway to warrant the
creation of a fan club, complete with conventions.
(Of course, these days thanks to the Internet,
even a series that airs one episode can have a
fan club…) Unfortunately, Anderson's career
as an actor was waylaid by his being typecast
as the titular hero and getting roles in other
projects is all but impossible.
Enter struggling filmmaker Angela LaSalle (Sonya
Smith), who's ready to make a film… any
film to get her name out there. Her film? "Cyxork
7", an all-new sequel to the struggling franchise.
The two don’t see eye to eye, Anderson wanting
to make the 'shoot 'em up' vehicle the series
is known for, Lasalle opting to go for something
more stylized and deep. To make matters worse,
as if they could be, the film has no budget for
special effects. So they do what any enterprising
filmmaking team would do… they set up shop
to film right on top of the location where an
earthquake is expected to hit.
Wise, who I've always considered to be one of
Hollywood's more underrated actors, is perfect
as the aging sci-fi star. His attempt to hide
the desperation he has to get work comes through
with the littlest of body language and facial
expressions. He also seems to have uncanny knack
for delivering even the worst scripted lines (in
the movie within a movie) as if he were going
for an Oscar. LaSalle, whose previous work seems
to be primarily based in Spanish TV series, seems
perfectly at home in the role of the aspiring
director.
Adding to the comic sensibilities of the movie
are Greg Proops and Rebecca Corry. You might be
familiar with Proops as he is a regular guest
on "Whose Line is it Anyway", often
running away with as many laughs as Ryan Stiles
or Colin Mochrie. They are not involved at all
in the movie within a movie, but show up as reporters
for GNN (Generic News Network). Like the network
they parody, they report on all the Hollywood
happenings with all the air-headed banter they
can muster. They play off of each other just like
old friends, an extremely fake tactic used by
real news reporters who share desks since time
immemorial. Their language is peppered with expletives
that you don’t currently hear on regular
network channels, but I'm sure we're getting closer
to a day where we do.
Make no mistake "Cyxork 7" is a satire
of the highest order. But I’ve been around
some films; both high and low budget, as they
were being made. I’ve also had several friends
try to make their own films. Believe me when I
tell you that as ridiculous as some of the situations
seem in the movie, more than likely some filmmaker
somewhere has had these things happen in one form
or another.
Gamma Gulch Productions has released "Cyxork
7" on DVD, and I commend them on their transfer.
However, there aren't any extra features to be
had. I really would have liked to have heard some
commentary from director John Huff and/or producer
Andreas Kossak (both of whom also wrote the script).
According to their bios, both have had extensive
filmmaking careers both in and out of the Hollywood
system. I'm sure they would have had some awesome
horror stories to share, some of which undoubtedly
made it into this script.
In spite of this oversight, I highly recommend
"Cyxork 7" to any amateur (or even professional)
filmmakers out there, who want a little lesson
in what it takes to make a movie. Regardless of
the film’s silly nature, there’s still
a lot to be learned from it. Those familiar with
what goes on behind the camera will certainly
enjoy it the most, because even with all those
DVDs out there offering behind the scenes footage,
very few of you get to see what REALLY happens.
Directed by: John Huff
Starring: Ray Wise, Sonya Smith, Beata Pozniak,
Joseph Culp and Cassandra Creech
Extras: None
Specifications: Widescreen,
Studio: Gamma Gulch Productions
Release Date: Available
Region 1
MPAA Rating:
Website
We'll give Cyxork 7 a B+.
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