Based off of Tony Burgess' novel Pontypool Changes Everything, the movie Pontypool (2009) (Canadinan director Bruce McDonald's adaptation of the book) is in my opinion a great movie. Set and filmed in Pontypool, Ontario this movie has its own twists on the classic horror genre.
What I love about this movie is:
- A) It's a Canadian production through and through (and its one that doesn't suck).
- B) I love the modesty of the movie (which is a notable trait among most Canadian films).
- C) It genuinely a good thriller with aspects of horror.
It's also won some awards which include:
- Official Selection: Toronto Film Festival 2008.
- Official Selection: SXSW 2008.
- Official Selection: MOMA Canadian Front.
- Genie Nominee: Chloturdis Awards 2010.
- Best Director.
- Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Best Actor.
In the movie:
A virus has infected the town of Pontypool and it (unlike many zombie movies) is not the result of genetic experimentation via a Corporate Agenda gone awry. Rather this virus has infected the English language and there exist certain trigger words that can set off a reaction in people. Each person has a different word that may set them off. Bruce McDonald describes these infected people not as "zombies" per say but rather what he likes to call "conversationalists". Here he is quoted saying,
"There are three stages to this virus. The first stage is you might begin to repeat a word. Something gets stuck. And usually it's words that are terms of endearment like 'sweetheart' or 'honey'. The second stage is your language becomes scrambled and you can't express yourself properly. The third stage you become so distraught at your condition that the only way out of the situation you feel, as an infected person, is to try and chew your way through the mouth of another person."
Pretty gruesome eh?
Most of the film takes place in the local radio station home to shock jock dj Grant Mazzy. As his co-workers become infected via their own language, the clostrophobia of the studio really makes a great setting for the ambiance of the film. Furthermore, with little to no scenes of the movie taking place outside of the studio, you really get a sense of the hysteria the characters go through. There's such a lack of information presented to the characters (for most of the movie) that it seems realistic enough and immerses you in the experience.
If you're a fan of the zombie genre as I am or just horror, hell even if you don't like zombies at all, I would recommend you give this movie a look.
No comments:
Post a Comment