So, this is what greets you with the newest release from Skullface Astronaut. Seems unassuming enough until you realize that you are now going to be fully immersed in the insanity that is the one and only Joe Sherlock.
Basically he has taken the whole 90s late night cable that many of us remember fondly and given it his own unique perspective.
It also made me feel like when I watched SCTV and thought to myself; 'This could use more boobs.'
Wish granted.
At first I thought I would just run down the list of what shorts and ads are on the disc, but I feel like that is more something the viewer should experience firsthand.
Does that mean I'm not going to talk about any of the films?
What do you think?
And before you think it's just another anthology film I would like to direct your attention to a classic The Groove Tube (1974). It took TV at the time and turned it on it's ear. Channel 99 does the same.
This experience is filled with aliens, werewolves, zombies, dirty apes, ghosts and much much more.
Did I mention the mayonnaise? Yeah, it's even got that.
When you're dealing with a film that is seriously a bunch of vignettes it's important to grab the attention of the viewer right away. It establishes a sense of curiosity and makes them want to stick around and see what else you can come up with.
The opener; Twisted Twisted Fates does just that. Using an older film as a springboard, Joe manages to pull off something that I personally felt was genius.
From there the weirdness continues as we get a look at a bizarre, sometimes sleazy underbelly of what appears to be a normal community. It just goes to show you that nothing is as it seems. The trailers for imaginary films that are interspersed throughout makes you want to see more. Always a good sign. I really do need a feature film of Link Masters: The Movie.
And, as many anthologies fail to do, you need to also keep interest up throughout the film. So many of them bog in the middle.
Not Channel 99.
In fact when we got to the end with Pickman's Model I was shocked at how fast it sped by.
And when you wrap things up with an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft it's important to keep the idea of the story and make sure you bring your own sensibilities to the material.
Joe Sherlock does both.
It's all true Channel (( does have it.
And you should get it for yourself.
Right here;
