Deathgasm

In the year of 1997, Sweden finally got a film that was worth to be proud of. It was a small budget film, but made with so much passion for B movies, that it was the greatest swedish film ever made. The film is called Evil Ed, about a man who works with censoring films, who becomes completely insane when he watches horror gore films. It should have been the biggest hit of that year, but critics hated the film, and not many cinemas did not show it. Since i bought on VHS, and later on dvd, i have watched it at least 20 times over the years. Plenty of great films have been released ever since then, from all over Europe, and America of course. But i have to say, Evil Ed is still close to my heart, even today. This film had everything you want when it comes to romance, you get loose limbs, body parts, lots of blood, ass kicking characters, all those wonderful details we used to see on TV4 on Kär Och Galen, with Lotta Engberg. Since i am a big fan of the B movie world, and appreciate directors who dare to try different genres and mix them together, i try and check out new releases that looks lovely. Not that long ago i watched Bloodsucking Bastards, a really funny tribute to the 80´s, or the 90´s, depending on how you see on the content. Since i am a big fan of metal music, i love to see films combined with metal and body parts flying, it is a combination that makes more sense, than Kim Davis lying about having a private meeting with the pope. I still don´t understand how anyone can belive this insane woman. Since i love new B movies, especially if they seem to have many nice ingredients included, i became interested in a new film called Deathgasm. The trailer looked insane, just the way you like it, almost like a tribute to the film First Daughter, with Katie Holmes. Once the reviews started coming in, i knew that the signs were looking good, so when Deathgasm finally had premiere on VOD, i was hooked up to experience what this could be. Is this the perfect reason to why Valentine´s Day exist, or is this an idea that could have been made much better ?

Brodie ( Milo Cawthorne ) is a metalhead, who is forced to move, when his mother is locked up in a mental institution. Brodie moves in to live with his fundamentalist christian Uncle Albert ( Colin Moy ) and Aunt Mary ( Jodie Rimmer ), and their son David ( Nick Hoskins-Smith ) who hates Brodie. At school, Brodie spend his time with his friends Giles ( Daniel Cresswell ) and Dion ( Sam Berkley ). Brodie have a crush on the school beauty Medina ( Kimberley Crossman ), but since she is with David, it seems impossible for Brodie to see her. At a record store, Brodie meets another metalhead Zakk ( James Blake ), and they become friends right away. In fact, they all start a band together, named Deathgasm. Zakk have an idea, that he and Brodie should visit an old house, where they found legendary musician Rikki Daggers ( Stephen Ure ) who lives there. Rikki give the boys old papers, that is supposed to have magical sheet music. Not sure what to think about this, they decide to try and learn the notes, playing in Uncle Albert´s garage. It turns out that these notes can bring a demon to life. At school a lot of strange things are happening, and more people are becoming possessed. Brodie must find a way to destroy the demon, and make everything to normal again.

You know, there are not many great family movies out there in these days. Remember when you used to gather your parents, grand parents and watch Evil Dead or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, to make sure you had a cozy loving moment ? In these days a lot of films are just simply typical mainstream releases, except for a few exceptions. Now, Deathgasm have everything you could wish for, especially if you love a cup of tea, and a biscuit in the afternoon, at the local poetry club. This is the most intelligent film of the year so far, just look at what we have here. Satanism, gore, blood, metal music, demons, all the basics that a family films need to be a worthy Kim Davis experience. The editing looks fantastic, the special effects are simply wonderful, the acting is Oscar nominations guaranteed. The story itself may not be very important, but it is the message of Deathgasm that matters.

Metal is what life is all about, swedish dansband music must burn in hell for eternity.

Great, now that we all know that, let´s continue with this wonderful review.

Deathgasm might be the most insane film experience this year, when it comes to insanity. And i have to see that as a good healthy sign. There are plenty of scenes where you will laugh plenty, if you are in the right mood. Director Jason Lei Howden have directed 3 short films in the past, and worked on many big budget films with visual effects. Deathgasm is his debut feature film. and i am really impressed how well he have managed to make this film look so good. Since this film was made in New Zealand, you get the sense that he might be inspired by Peter Jackson´s earlier classic films ? Could be, either way i like what i see. Lead actors Milo Cawthorne and James Blake are really good as the insane metal heads, ready to fight against the evil of Satan.
Not that long ago, Australia delivered really well with Wyrmwood, now it is New Zealand´s turn with Deathgasm, the future might look better than i expected if they continue to make quality films on this level. Deathgasm is a mix of Napoleon Dynamite, Evil Ed, Braindead, and let´s not forget Evil Dead, icluding classic metal videos. There are other influences here also, but what really matters is the odd combinations, that work so well together. This is one of the funniest film i have seen this year, no doubt about that. Since i have been a metal fan since the early 90´s, i appreciate this formula even more now, and i am turning 40 years old in just 2 years. This proves that you are never too old for metal, it is the best medicine ever created for everyone. If you love insane films, with all the ingredients that Feministpartiet would usually mix together at the christmas dinner, you are going to love what you see in this film. Watch Deathgasm on VOD, get your metal t shirt on, and get ready to headbang all night long. This is what life is all about.

Rating: DDDD