Kevin Smith's "Tusk"

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 9/19/14 at 8:52am

Just saw an early screening of the film last night and can say that this is one of the most odd and disturbing films I've ever seen. I enjoyed it, but it really did not feel like a Kevin Smith film at all. It also didn't feel much like your traditional horror film. It often switches between moments of pure terror and laugh-out-loud comedy. I'd really like to visit it again to further evaluate my opinion. Anyone seeing it this weekend?

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/19/14 at 9:41am

This is an article from todays New York Post. They also gave the movie 1 1/2 stars

http://nypost.com/2014/09/18/dear-kevin-smith-this-clerks-fan-wants-you-to-stop-smoking-so-much-weed/

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/19/14 at 12:33pm

I'm looking forward to it. It's not the kind of film he's known for but neither was Red State. I don't think it's fair to box creatives into one catagory. He's capable of making films of any genre he chooses. It has elements of Human Centipede, but with a comidic touch. It's a film born of a podcast for the podcast generation. Some people won't like it but I'm anxious to see it.

[broadway86]

Posted: 9/19/14 at 1:08pm

Very anxious to see it. I've heard very mixed things, which always piques my interest.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 9/19/14 at 1:08pm

I wish he would leave directing to some one else. Red State could have been great, but his utter lack of any visual sense killed that.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/19/14 at 1:44pm

I'll skip it. Never saw a Kevin Smith movie a liked. Hoped Red State would be different, but it was frustratingly awful.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 9/19/14 at 5:11pm

Word of mouth has been nothing short of deadly on this one.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 1:19pm

I just watched this and now I'd like to un-see it. I like Kevin Smith but this was enough to make me really never want to see another one of his movies again.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 4:07pm

Seeing as how I'm not a 15-year-old mall boy, I think I'll pass.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 4:33pm

I don't think I understand anything you just said.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 4:42pm

Translation: because I don't enjoy movies aimed at what I believe to be the target demographic for this picture, I don't intend to see it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 4:44pm

You mean you don't enjoy films that were targeted to fans of horror, comedy and independent films?

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 6:00pm

I watched this on the bus ride home for the holidays on my iPad, wondering what the hell anyone within viewing range might make of what was on my screen at points. It was a pleasant way to pass the time, and I've always been a fan of Smith, but it wasn't a keeper by any means.

I did like the backstory of the film, though, that they turned a discussion about a strange craigslist post on one of his "Smodcasts" and started riffing until it was about a guy turning someone into a walrus for free rent, and then taking that all the way into a screenplay that became an actual movie. So, for that reason alone, I wanted to see it.

As for Wilmington's concerns, Smith hasn't been making any movies that take place in the Askewniverse since 2006, so references to Mallrats, etc., are pretty dated and not very indicative of his recent output such as Red State, etc.

Of course, he is now making Clerks III, so yeah, avoid that one.

But you have to be somewhat intrigued by Justin Long becoming a walrus, no?!

Updated On: 1/14/15 at 06:00 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/15/15 at 1:28am

I enjoyed the scene with Justin Long and Michael Parks where Parks just sat and told stories. It's hard to engage an audience with just two characters on screen for so long but the writing and performances in that scene were excellent. I could have done without the rest of it.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 1/15/15 at 1:45am

@Jordan, again I'm sorry for not being clear. I don't enjoy movies aimed at those who live for yucks built around weed, gay panic, farts, big boobs, senseless violence, etc. Nothing wrong with it, just not my genre.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/15/15 at 1:57am

OK, but that's not who this film was aimed at.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/15/15 at 3:03am

"I don't enjoy movies aimed at those who live for yucks built around weed, gay panic, farts, big boobs, senseless violence, etc."

I think there may be some weed in the beginning, and I suppose a prude might consider turning a man into a walrus against his will through surgery both senseless and violent, but otherwise, this movie is not the same as the Kevin Smith movies you are referring to. He has moved on to do other things, even if you haven't let him in your mind...

[tazber]

Posted: 1/31/15 at 3:48pm

I just saw this last night. I had avoided this thread for fear of spoilers so I hadn't seen haterobics' picture, and I honestly didn't expect Kevin Smith to go all the way.

Looking back I don't know why I should have expected anything less though. I mean this is the guy who had a donkey show in Clerks II and a talking giant pile of SH*T in Dogma.

Regardless, I wasn't expecting it.

I actually thought the first act was very funny (still laughing at "Kill Bill Kid").

But when things got weird it became too disturbing. The tonal shift was so abrupt (maybe that was the point?) it didn't work for me.

Despite that I literally laughed out loud when the two of them start fighting at the end as walruses.

And the ending was as depressing as The Mist.

The tech credits were impressive though, especially on a 3 million budget. It looked great, the lighting was superb, and the sound design was eerily effective. Likewise the score.

So I liked it, but it is a disturbing and depressing film with some tone issues.

Updated On: 1/31/15 at 03:48 PM