Another festival has come and gone and while I wasn’t able to view everything that I had hoped, I was still able to check out some really cool genre films courtesy of the Boston Underground Film Festival. Hopefully, I’ll get my hands on more next time around. That being said, the few films are definitely not to be overlooked, so if you see something you may be interested in, I suggest making a note and circling back when they are more widely available.
Mister organ (2022) ★★★★
How can someone take such a horrible subject and still weave such an entertaining ride? While David Farrier may have inserted himself a bit too much, that doesn't make the final product any less intriguing. Fun but frightening.
The Unheard (2022) ★★★
Although the film is rather long with a fair share of weird subplots, it still manages to deliver an unnerving atmosphere. Not a perfect film, but not the worst either. The meticulous sound editing is the real hero in this one!
Stand By for Failure: A Documentary About Negativland (2022) ★★★½
Edited in a way that keeps things fresh with equal parts odd, informative, and absolutely insane - this is the perfect introduction to the minds behind your next experimental obsession!
Smoking Causes Coughing (2022) ★★★★
Balances clever and absurd too perfectly! Each joke outdoes the last, and because of this, the only disappointment was that the fun had to come to an end. I can't wait to make my friends watch it again and again.
Sick of Myself (2022) ★★★★½
Always compelling with more turns than the Indy 500. While having similar beats to Chuck Palahniuk's Choke, this one pushes it to the point that would make Dee Dee Blanchard blush. Ballsy and brave from start to finish!
Nightsiren (2022) ★★½
Stimulating enough to keep me invested, but it ultimately fails to deliver an engaging narrative. While I did like some of the choices made here, I found myself counting down the minutes until the credits rolled.
Spaghetti Junction (2021) ★★★
While it has little to do with Eternal Sunshine, stellar performances and smart cinematography live throughout. The soundtrack is another high note, haunting the viewer and acting as a character in itself. Don't miss this!
Moon Garden (2022) ★★★★
Labyrinth meets The Cell in this feature-length dream sequence that drowns you with heart. Amazing performances all around, and one of the most frightening monsters ever to be featured alongside a child. I loved every second!
Again, solid stuff here. Obviously, you can see by the star ratings that I got lucky this time around, but you never know when festivals and conventions. If you have the time, I suggest taking a look at any of the films mentioned above as well as maybe attending the Boston Underground Film Festival for their next event.
Jessie Hobson