South of Heaven (2008)

Dale Coop (Aaron Nee) and Mad Dog (Shea Whigham) kidnap Lulu (Lena Gwendolyn Hill) for the big score. Meanwhile Dale's brother naive Roy (Adam Nee) comes home to Roy's apartment where he gets beat up because he is mistaken for his brother,The plot takes a number of twists and winds up in South of Heaven Texas.This is a quirky film that takes place in the 1950's or so. The scenes are fake looking painted stage sets. At times the film takes on a cartoon atmosphere, other times it is noir. It is a black comedy that fans of ??? I am not sure what...would appreciate this film.Guide: F-word, brief sex, brief rape, brief nudity.

I'm really surprised to see some glowing reviews here on IMDb for this film. While I'm aware that everyone has their own likes and dislikes, I wonder if I saw an entirely different film.I just saw South of Heaven as part of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival and thought that it was by far the worst showing at the festival. I suspected it was only accepted due to it's international premier credentials which adds a little gusto to the festival.The film strikes me as an attempt to be artistic and a crafty word-smith by someone who has seen many films that have done this well previously but with no real knowledge of how to do so himself. The entire production comes across as a good treatment that the writer was unable to bring into fruition as a complex film.There was a handful of interesting characters (the thugs) who were marginalized at best in an attempt to focus on the least interesting of the group (Mad Dog). The writer (I believe) stood up and asked people to feel free to laugh during the film, but only a few in the theater took him up on this offer. In fact on the side I sat on the entire row in front bailed half way through and the gentleman behind me fell asleep and added the only real interesting aspect of the film.The kidnap and rape (continuously) of a 16 year old girl was handled as a joke and while it was an attempt at dark humor it played off as nothing of the like.The goods other than the thugs? Becky's sister was interesting, the make-up on the brother was great. The film was colorful, unfortunately the script was not.

I saw the premiere of South Of Heaven at Cinevegas and stayed for the Q&A afterwards. I thought the film started off kind of awkward, but after about 15 minutes I was hooked. By the end of the film I was blown away. This thing was amazing and left me and the rest of the audience speechless. (there were very little questions asked at the Q&A) I have never seen a film that left me without anything to ask at the end. This is one of those films that the more time that goes by...the closer to perfect I realize it was. I can't wait to see it again! I definitely recommend this film to anyone who wants a breath of fresh air at the theater. It is very original and I can't wait to see what Vara comes up with next.

I just saw this film at Cinevegas where it premiered. It is completely insane. Like a bizarre, colorful version of "Night of the Hunter" with a little "Once Upon A Time in the West" mixed in. A stranger film you will not see, unless spaghetti western gangster movies regularly play near you. This dude Shea Wigham tears up the screen and has the best lines. SPOILER "You show me you're serious and I'll show you I'm reasonable." Then suggests blowing this guy's knee cap off. That kills me. How great is it to finally see a film that is different? Now I know.The film also has this amazing look, exactly how the driving shots used to look, in older movies. Very dreamy. It all really exists within a created world which isn't that common today in independent film. They all look so bland, like someone just decided to shoot in a place without creating anything. Bloody, funny, perfect movie to get a little wasted and head out to see. People who appreciate Django, Duck You Sucker or any Sergio Corbucci will appreciate it and see many references. This movie is not for everyone, but those who love it will adore it as I did.