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There’s
a little thing that has long been missing
from the filmmaking world. A little thing
called imagination. Most movies are a rehash
of other movies or re-imagined TV shows.
A lot of these movies are still entertaining,
but it really gets frustrating when you
want to see something new and different.
I can’t really blame Hollywood on
this either, it’s been running rampant
in the Indie world as well. I mean how many
zombie, cabin in the woods, or slasher killer
films can you make that actually have an
original premise?
That’s why I love it when a movie
comes by way that is a little different,
or at least has an interesting twist on
an existing genre. “Rubber”
is one of those movies. It’s not a
great film by any stretch of the imagination,
but it is a wholly original one. Oh sure,
there is a killer on the loose, albeit one
that slashes tires. Wait… scratch
that and reverse it… there’s
a tire that ‘slashes’ people.
No you didn’t read that wrong. The
tire kills people. A tire… like you
find on a car… kills people.
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But in its defense, you have to understand that
the tire was abandoned out in the desert, surely
it would need to find some revenge… if it
were able to come to life… and look for
that revenge. Which is what happens here with
Robert… and yes that’s the tire’s
name.
With “Rubber” writer/ director Quentin
Dupieux has offered up a dark, gory and oddball
comedy. One that will likely not appeal to the
mainstream audiences looking for that next popcorn
fix, but rather those audiences who like a lot
of quirkiness in their viewing choices. I’ve
personally never seen a movie quite like this,
and I certainly enjoyed the heck out of it.
In a nutshell, the plot goes like this (and I’ll
attempt to keep it spoiler free), Robert…
the tire… ‘wakes up’ one hot
day, confused and alone. We see it (him?) take
his first rolls (steps?). It quickly learns that
there’s a lot of fun to be had in running
things over, until coming across something it
can’t roll over. Frustration sets in and
that’s when its ‘powers’ develop.
It can destroy anything that gets in its way.
Can’t say really any more, you just have
to see it for yourself.
As if it isn’t already evident, “Rubber”
is an odd film, made even more so by Dupiex’s
unusual film style. The story is not told in an
entirely straightforward manner as there is a
narration that goes along with it delivered by
a sheriff (Stephen Spinella) as it is being told
to a crowd of onlookers, who are also watching
Robert’s rampage from a safe distance. Confused
yet? Don’t worry… you’ll still
be a bit confused after watching the movie. But
if you can allow yourself to go along with it
unquestioningly… get a kick out of the ride.
(Just don’t kick the tire…)
Magnolia Entertainment is releasing “Rubber
“ this week on Bluray and DVD. The DVD offers
up a nice transfer, which thanks to Dupieux’s
camera work, actually looks quite good. In terms
of features, there are interviews with the cast
and director (which you HAVE to watch… you’ll
see why), teaser shots of Robert, a featurette
from HDNet, and the film’s trailer.
“Rubber” is a very original, very
bizarre little film. It won’t appeal to
many, but if you’re a fan of the odd and
quirky, this is about a far left of field as they
get.
Directed by: Quentin Dupieux
Starring: Nicolas Stephen Spinella, Wings Hauser,
Roxane Mesquida, Robert The Tyre
Special Features: Interviews with the Cast and
Director; Rubber ; Teaser Camera Tests; HDNet:
A Look at Rubber; Trailer
Release Date: 6/7/2011
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
http://www.rubberthemovie.com/
We'll give Rubber a B.
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