NZIFF Special: Loop Track; Late Night with the Devil

Horror goes bush; an unhinged talkshow host talks to Satan

I don’t often venture into the world of film festival screenings, but a couple of films on the bill caught my eye this year that I thought would be worth a nudge. So glad I did, it resulted in a great weekend of eyeball entertainment.

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Loop Track

Cinema: Embassy Theatre, The Grand

Rating: 3/5

Thoughts

I’d call this movie a horror/dramedy. Like I said I’m not usually a film festival gal, it can all get a bit high brow for me but I’m glad I saw this film. It was authentic, and non-pretentious.

You might not get a chance to see Loop Track in theaters again and honestly I don’t know where film festival movies go after the festival is over but maybe check our the instagram page and see if you can buy or rent a copy at some point. It’s worth a watch.

Deeper thoughts (not that deep)

The story follows Ian, a man in the midst of a nervous breakdown who heads to the bush to get away from it all. Unfortunately for Ian, he doesn’t get the quiet or the escape that he wanted, being quickly accosted by fellow and far more seasoned tramper, Nicky, who takes a very reluctant Ian under his wing for the rest of the journey.

We follow Ian and his unwanted companions as they journey through New Zealand bush, watching as Ian’s mental health deteriorates the deeper they go.

Bits I liked

Tom Sainsbury delivers a very realistic depiction of a prolonged anxiety attack. Bit triggering to be honest. Ian has little in the way of dialogue particularly at the beginning, so I thought getting his state of mind across was really impressive. Lots of sweating and heavy breathing - Sean found this hard to watch. I thought it was great and pretty accurate.

The supporting characters were fun and familiar. Nicky and his $300 torch are insufferable. Everyone knows a Nicky.

The special effects were impressive! A constrained budget can take a good horror into camp-comedy real quick but this was not an issue here. The materialisation of Ian’s crisis was remarkable and I don’t think I could have envisioned something scarier myself. It’s pretty left field but in terms of its construction it’s really quite amazing.

The film reaches true horror terroritory in the final scenes with some squint-worthy moments. Loved it.

There were some beautiful shots in this film - I’m not an expert but if you get a chance to see it you’ll see what I mean - there’s some cool birds-eye shots of the bush which give context to sense of isolation and some also good homage shots to some blockbuster classics.

Bits I didn’t like

It was quite comedic particularly at the beginning - sometimes intentionally so but at other times I did feel a bit like I was laughing at the film rather than with it.

Ian’s awkwardness creates some pretty cringey moments, I personally love it when film does this because it seems like its exactly what the director wants you to feel. In saying that, there’s more than enough ‘Ian’ in the film and could have possibly had a little less heavy breathing.

Overall I think a few more revisions (I don’t know how editing works clearly) but I feel like I could have done with about 10-15 minutes less footage and still seen the same movie, though slightly more refined and improved its pacing.

The theatre

The unfortunate thing about IFF movies is you don’t get to pick your seats. We got stuck up the back of the The Embassy’s Grand Theatre and the seats are seriously shit up there. There’s no arm rests or cup holders, or leg room, and the seats are tiny. Sean’s 6’3 and Steven must be about the same so I felt for their knees. The Grande is in need of an upgrade in general - the ‘premium’ seats in the middle are comparable to the quality of most other theatres but the standard ones around them are average, then there’s the seats up the back where we were - nosebleeds.

The snacks

Snacks courtesy of my sis Steven today, we had a Chunk’d Cookie each, which I recently found out were vegan but I won’t judge them for it, and a sensible amount of maltesers.

As a little FYI Steven and I take our movie snacks in Tupperware so that we don’t rustle during the film - we are very considerate film watchers. If you’re a rustler you can’t sit with us.

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Late Night with the Devil

Cinema: The Roxy, Cinema 1

Rating: 4/5

Thoughts

LNWTD gives a brilliant twist on the ‘found footage’ horror film style and the 70’s decor and fashun is just to DIE for babes. Definitely try and see this movie and at the theatre if you can. It’s not just for horror fans either - if you like artistic films, docos or films about 70s cults or daytime TV talk shows, then you should also give this movie your time.

Deeper thoughts

LNWTD presents found footage from the recording of a talk show host’s Halloween episode special that goes horribly wrong when he invites a medium, a skeptic and a Doctor who can summons demons onto his show. The film plays the fateful episode back (preceded by some essential back story) and you watch all the horrors unfold in real time.

It’s set in the 70’s around the time or emerging of the Satanic Panic which totally levels up the context.

Bits I liked

This movie was a delight for the eyeballs.

David Dastmalchian. I was looking forward to seeing him not in a super hero film villain role. He was excellent at playing a slightly unhinged talk show host desperate on increasing his show’s ratings.

Entertaining and varied supporting characters complimented each other really well and each had a clear purpose. Some stand out acting I think, and that little girl is creepy as hell.

The 70’s fashion, set design and effects. Stunning. Some fabulous suits. Everyone looks so cool when they smoke on set. What a time to be alive.

Oh hey fourth wall. This was done so well. There are some really clever audience interaction elements to the point I had to look away because I was concerned I was being brainwashed as part of some social experiment.

Bits I didn’t like

Genuinely not much to say here this was such a great film. Though Steven and I did have to deliberate over what we thought the ending meant so possibly a bit of a clearer explanation of the reveal could have helped, or maybe I just need to be more clever.

The theatre

The Roxy is probably my favourite Wellington theatre because of the incredible events and retro screenings they put on - they know that films aren’t standalone and they create a whole experience around it. They screen classic Christmas movies every year and host the LOTR extended additions marathon (annually I think) so they have won my heart.

In saying that it also has the worst popcorn in town without a doubt. Tiny portions and enough unpopped kernels to crack your teeth on.

The snacks

Dr Pepper and an ice cream to accompany the American-retro era screening.

BONUS REVIEW: Theatre Camp

Cinema: The Embassy, Grand, nosebleeds

Rating: 5/5

Not a full review but an honorable mention of a film I got the last minute call up to on Sunday night. I saw Theatre Camp with my friend Dom who offered me a spare ticket. Not one I’d typically pick out. It was a total gas, real top quality comedy. When I saw Patti Harrison I knew it was going to be something special.

Dom also introduced me to my favourite Netflix show I Think You Should Leave which I watched about 3 times now and share youtube clubs of to anyone who will let me and to those who won’t. I have complete trust in Dom’s sense of humour and will take any comedy film recommendation he makes.

No snacks but we had Hot Like a Mexican tacos from Willis lane before going and both got the hot hot sauce and suffered for it.