Blu-ray Review – John Dies At The End

John Dies at the End is the first film by Don Coscarelli in about a decade. It’s the first one since the much-loved Bubba Ho-Tep if you don’t include his contribution to the Masters of Horror anthology tv show. Coscarelli besides being known for Bubba Ho-Tep is known for the Phantasm series. It’s also based on the cult novel of the same name written by David Wong.

The film concerns David Wong even though he has the same name as the author he is very different. Reporter Arnie Blondestone is interviewing David and he tells him his bizarre story of soy sauce, interdimensional travel, hallucinations, visitors trying to infiltrate this dimension and a weird Rasta dude. It all gets pretty damn weird and let somehow its coherent enough to make sense if you are willing to go with the follow of it.

Chase Williamson is great as David Wong and gets the wigged out drug induced state he needs to be in perfectly. Paul Giamatti as expected is great in his extended cameo. It’s a rip roaring bizarre head scrambler that reminds you why you loved Bubba Ho-Tep. It was however sadly made on such a small budget and it really shows in the special effects near the end if they got some more money it could have been something really special.

Overall it’s a surreal stoner black comedy that boosts lots of fantastical ideas. Sadly due to the budget constraints it can never fulfil it’s true potential. It’s one of the most intriguing independent films in a long time and it has a lot of weirdness going for it and it’s pretty funny in parts. The great folks at Eureka Video have released it and oh and can somebody score me some soy sauce? Sounds like a trip. 

***1/2 Stars

Ian Schultz

Genre:
Fantasy,Comedy,Horror
DVD/BD Release Date:
17th February 2014 (UK)
Distributor:
Eureka! Video
Rating:18
Director:
Don Coscarelli (read our interview)
Cast:
Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Paul Giamatt
Buy: John Dies At The End (BLU RAY) [Blu-ray]

About the Author

Ian Schultz

I'm the guy who normally covers stuff released by Masters of Cinema and Arrow Video along with a sprinkling of other stuff. I love a wide range of films from European art house films to silly action films. My top 10 films are Brazil, Blue Velvet, Donnie Darko, Fight Club, Jackie Brown, Seconds, Pan's Labyrinth, Badlands, Blade Runner, The Night of the Hunter.

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