First notes: The spoiler occurs within the first few minutes. A typical pre-wedding game of what’s the worst thing you’ve ever done, creates a continental rift with friends and the groom-to-be. It’s almost a disservice to the film and the screenwriter to have the premise redacted as it’s been in trailers. In the spirit of spoiler-free writing, THE DRAMA at its best opens up a dialogue that should be openly had in this country but at its worst invites the…

FACES OF DEATH fans may be disappointed, but the rest of the world will love the fuck out of this remake. Seeing Daniel Goldhaber’s film at Beyond Chicago on 35mm will be a cherished memory. A chance to see an audience’s first response, unswayed by writers, critics, or the PR final push. This audience provided the collective energy needed to watch something we were once double-dog dared to do. Edgelords born from video nasty propaganda who gatekept CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, MAKE…

Beyond Fest Chicago - Music Box - Night 1

First Notes: My partner and I have been awaiting Curry Barker’s follow up to his incredible debut film MILK & SERIAL since it was announced. Seeing it at a sold out Music Box screening is the most ideal way to see anything, but OBSESSION doesn’t require any special treatment, the work speaks for itself. Bear has been in love with Nicky since grade school, but is too anxiety-ridden and overflowing with cowardice…

Hey everybody have you heard the news? Joe Bob's season 3 episode 2 opener was Audition. With the live stream viewing, it's fun to hop on Twitter and follow #TheLastDriveIn. It was incredible to see the amount of people who hadn't seen Takashi Miike's first dive into extreme cinema. That's what makes The Last Drive-In so much fun. It's the feeling of being part of a cool kid cult... finally.

Audition may not be the most atrocious of Miike's films,…