You Can't Stop the Murders (2003)

Written by and starring short Tropfest film winner, bald local Sydney comedian Gary Eck, this is a supposed comedy showcase for Mr Himself, for himself and about himself. With the same derivative form of 'satirical' comedy (ie: lifted from other original ideas) just like the notoriously inept 90s comic horror SILENCE OF THE HAMS, or Exorcist farce REPOSSESSED, or Top Gun crap HOT SHOTS. This illconcieved film has a bumpkin hometown Village People serial killer whodunnit theme sliding sideways into some navel gazing about the main character, local cop as played by Mr Eck. Sadly there is not much in the form of originality and like the source of satire, probably 29 years out of date. Released in some local multiplexes for a week or so by Mirimax Australia I am quite sure someone almost lost their job because of this distribution pickup boo-boo. More was spent on the posters and ads than was spent on tickets if you get my drift. I am sure Gary Eck is a funny man at the stand-up club but I am not sure that recycling previously humorous characters or situations and claiming them as new and funnier in his films is the right thing to do. Like his Tropfest win hilariously recognized in all parts of the Oz film distribution network as having been sourced from a better idea, the 1978 musical travesty CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC is a funnier Village People storyline...if that is any indication for the murderous hilarity of this flop. I am sure he is well regarded as a comedian and it would be a happy experience for all concerned if he was attracted to original material only. I guess that is called creativity.

This film is okay - not amazing funny but has some nice touches.For a low budget film it has a very polished look and all in all I think it is far better than most of the comedies currently rushing into production in Australia.What is also nice about this one is that it is so obviously a labour of love by the three stars who are also the main creative team (director and writers)It's a nice little film which will perfectly suit a video night with some friends.

Contains Spoiler!! Writing this as a simple minded Australian looking for a cheap laugh, yet who feels her intelligence is slightly insulted by an inundation of Hollywood schmuck -You Can't Stop The Murders was ultimately disappointing for me, due to a number of factors: 1) It is an Australian film... and it suffers for it, like most Australian films that go commercial, it is simply too busy being Australian to notice that it's not really that great nor is it entertaining. I'm puzzled as to why there were no lingering shots of Eucalypts at dusk or drunkards affectionately known at Rummy at the local. If the film goes international, viewers may be puzzled by certain references (e.g crazy Frenchman wielding a knife shot at beach) 2) It is a film about a Village People serial killer. I saw it for that premise alone, and boy was I disappointed. A Village People serial killer - for f**k's sake, capitalise!!! During the 99 minutes of a film called You Can't Stop The Murders I certainly expect many jokes at the expense of the Village People (bless them). But the plot is too caught up with the main character's struggle to become a "real cop" (apparently you're not a real cop until you've shot somebody), and simply coping with the people around him. No time for any Village People shennanigans, though *SPOILER* having the corpses spell out Y.M.C.A was a nice touch. Now the above probably sounds quite harsh, and by no means is this a bad film - it's just not a great one. It is certainly very well made and deals nicely with the intricacies of small-town life. I just expected something more relevant and more lowbrow, and it would have been great if it did lower itself just a tad - there were some gorgeously tacky moments, such as the line dancing and the Chief going incognito as Jesus. I hate to be so cruel to an Australian film but I feel so disappointed. The sheer idea of a Village People serial killer: 10/10. Entertainment factor: 4/10. Overall: 7/10

This movie is so laid-back it's like a female contortionist. The sort of movie which could only be made in Australia; laconic in the Croc Dundee style, yet not so emphatically dinkum aussie as in "G'day mate" jargon. Professional film critics may give it one-and-a-half stars, but I'd give it a good three. Then maybe I'm easily pleased. I found it entertaining and amusing - if you're not too critical. You get a lot of chuckles and also some real laughs. I can imagine off-duty police seeing this picture, because it centres on the relationship between two local cops in a small town, and how their lives are fairly humdrum - until the murders start. A serial killer is loose, and the clue to his/her identity is in the occupation of the victim, and the symbolism of the corpse. The plot seems mainly a vehicle for sight gags and other humour, in Jacques Tati manner (Mon Oncle; M.Hulot's Holiday; Jour de Fête); yet there is an underlying tension due to apprehension as to who's going to be next victim. It's good to see perky Kirstie Hutton again (remember her from "Bullpitt!" on TV?), and all the lead actors are interesting characters; with an able and varied supporting cast. I think this movie should have popular appeal, at least in Australia, and might prove more successful than some would anticipate. ====================================================