[Weekly Update] Weapons: People laughed at this instead of The Naked Gun

Just returned from charity work, where we sell school supplies to children at a low price.

Except the low price is still 2 CAD for a freaking binder, when less than 10 years ago, you can get the same binder from dollar store for 1.50 dollars.

What is this economy.

CHANNEL UPDATE

New Video
Speaking of economy, we hope you enjoyed our last video on movie silences and its hidden cost. We don't usually talk about something so American centric on our channel, but on this occasion, I feel strong enough about the topic to feel the urge to make it.
Long time supporters of our Patreon page are likely familiar with our opinions on movie silence and also urban decay. But I believe this is the first time we really connect all the dots in a cohesive musing. Hopefully, my opinion on the issue successfully put some of your feelings into words, even if you don't fully agree with my analysis.
Finally, there is one point in the video that I didn't bother substantiating. I said that movie theaters in India and China are still healthy. And that wasn't just a vibe based statement. Box office and numbers of theater screens successfully recovered to pre-pandemic level in India and China. While there are hidden issues, such as declining viewership in China, the industry is at least healthy for now, even if it's not successful.

Next Video
We are close to finishing our script for the next video, in which we talk about Japanese made films that are set in China. Not a lot of new information to share at the moment, except I'd like to bring your attention to Sister Street Fighter, a 1974 Japanese made movie starring a Japanese actress playing a Chinese Kung Fu fighter who must infiltrate a criminal syndicate to rescue her brother. In other words, an unofficial Japanese remake of Enter the Dragon.
You are welcome.

September Videos
I'm still planning on doing the Ashiap Man video, but the project turns into something bigger than I thought. I did some digging, and realize the film has almost 50 reviews rated it 10/10 on IMDb. Many of these reviews also claim the movie to be the beginning of the new and improved Indonesian cinema, clearly attempting to sell the film through patriotic marketing. I'll have to do way more research to find out if that's just an isolated incident.

Because of Ashiap Man taking up so much time, I'll have to do something way simpler for October. I haven't decided yet, but I might just do 3 videos recommending some unknown Chinese cult movies. I guess we'll see.

MEDIA TALK

Zach Cregger's horror film Weapons first caught my and many other's attention with its brilliant marketing campaign. Turns out, the trailer is literally just the opening narration of this movie. The fascinating hook was enough to get my ass on the theater seat. The rest of the movie did not disappoint as well.

No spoiler for this review. I think.

In case you don't know, and trailer features a kid telling us that one night, in a small town, 17 children all ran out of their home, in the darkness, and never to be seen again. Once again, this is literally the opening of the movie. And from there, we see the film from multiple character's perspective, as they, and us, piece the answer of the mystery together.

I should clarify that I have not watched Barbarian, the film that put Cregger on the map of many horror fans. I went into this movie on a whim, and did not know what to expect. Somehow, I don't think that's the best way to experience the movie. Because knowing what to expect may actually put you in a better mindset to be playful with the film.

Ever since Jordan Peele changed the horror landscape with Get Out, horror movies today love to do tonal whiplashes. The most recent example being Sinners, a movie that is simultaneously deeply serious about its depiction of race and culture, but also deeply cheeky and self-aware with its horror. The Substance is another great example of a somewhat stylish but serious film goes completely off the rail in the last act.

Weapons is no exception. The film does not have any outright comedic moment, except maybe the final 10 minutes. And yet, there are many moments where the audience laughed out loud, as if they are laughing at the film, not with it. The non-spoiler example would be the way the kids run into the darkness. Their movement feels strangely unnatural that it can be scary. Yet at the same time it feels so much like Naruto run, it's hard not to see the absurdity of it all. Yet, the film is otherwise so well made, and every laugh is so self-contain, it is clearly intentional. So... the movie, for the sake of being funny, is intentionally sabotaging itself.

It's an unconventional choice, that is for sure. It's hard to say wether I enjoy it. Actually I'm pretty sure if I watch it alone, I'd really hate it. But if we were to judge the film by its authorial intention, and it is certainly a massive success. The audience was gasping (albeit for only one moment), and they were laughing at every moment that feels intentionally awkward. It's great execution. Wether you like the intention behind it is a different story.

I know I'm being very vague, but I know many of you want to watch the movie and don't want to be spoiled, so this is as far as I'll go for today. I still don't know how I feel about Weapons. But one thing for sure, is that I remember it. And that's more than can be said about a lot of movies this year.

Well, anyway, this is our update for the week. Hopefully I can finish the script soon. I'll see you in our next update otherwise.