Win a copy of Us Sinners

[vanlutz]

...the film features an ending that goes beyond disturbing and quickly finds itself in "that is just fucked up" territory... moviesmademe.com

... That final scene left me sitting straight-up, hands in front of my face, going, "Oh, no!" ... zombieboy/theplothole

...Us Sinners is an in-your-face, brutal piece that goes for the throat and never lets it go till the shocking ending... for those looking for a film that is made for true horror fans I have to say own this DVD when it comes out... videoviews.org

Own a copy before it's released. Win a screener.

visit www.ussinners.com for details.

[Roderick Usher]

I saw this review on Fatally yours ( http://www.fatally-yours.com/horror-...-sinners-2008/) and it made me chuckle.

Review by Dr. Royce Clemens

The first ten minutes of Us Sinners contains two blowjobs (both of which are ineptly staged and one of which is fatal), some kid playing with some fluid he found in his underwear, and a woman pulling down her adult son's tightie-whities and spanking his ass.

I envy Roger Ebert. Apparently, after you've reviewed movies for forty years, have your own show and win the Pulitzer, you can get away with reviewing the first eight minutes of a film and leave it at that. I can't. I sat all the way through this Godawful monstrosity just so I can tell you not to do the same. I'm tempted to call Us Sinners the worst horror movie I've seen this year…But JUST horror? JUST this year?

Tim was an odd little boy who grew into an odd little man. His insanely devout Christian mother beats him, his co-workers all laugh at him, and he takes his frustrations out by picking up hookers, choking them with his dick, beating them to death, suffocating them with trash bags and cutting off their toes.

He then meets a new co-worker, Louise, who doesn’t seem to treat him the same earned contempt that every one else does. She doesn’t fall into the ugly stereotypes of walking, ball-busting Oedipal concepts, catty ethnic co-workers and disposable, street-walking spank-dumpsters. No, Louise falls into what Nathan Rabin calls “The Manic Pixie Dream Girl,” who basically serves as that unattainable and untouchable woman who validates the lead character’s existence just by looking at him with pity…Which is an insulting stereotype in and of itself.

Now I know I’m reviewing a horror movie, and woman-hating and racism are par for the course, but Jesus H. Christ, can’t you be more creative than that?

And then, of course, there are the rape and murder scenes, which are somewhat undercut by the film’s attempts at humor… I think. Tim strips down to his tightie-whities (AGAIN!) and reveals big brown skid-marks, and even the rape is interrupted by Tim cutting a loud, wet fart. This film’s obsession with Tim’s butthole doesn’t end there, as not one, but TWO scenes are devoted to Tim making liquid dropsies while women (one of which is his mother) listen in.

Now does that make Us Sinners a film that is so bad it’s funny? No. In order to get to those bad, lazy laughs you have to wade through endless and innumerable driving scenes where the camera is places in the driver’s seat looking out the window while the same shitty jangly-pop song plays over the radio.

I know that as a critic, you’re not supposed to editorialize about what kind of person the director is. You’re supposed to review the work. But with a movie like Us Sinners, one can’t help but wonder whether this is a work of fiction or a kind of therapy session where the director and writer work out their gripes about women and God and their mommies. Because no one in the possession of their faculties could have written this with the ambition of entertaining an audience. Who the hell would write this stuff? Who the hell looks at said script and says “By jove, this will make a GREAT motion picture!”?

I haven’t mentioned any of the actors by name. They’re just starting out and none of the acting in this movie isn’t off-the-rails, Pocahauntus bad. So I’m feeling nice and will give them the benefit of the doubt.

I have not mentioned the writer by name either because, truth be told I can’t remember it. Us Sinners isn’t on IMDB and there is no way in hell I am putting the DVD back into my DVD player. Already I think it contracted some kind of exotic disease just from playing it. Like Legionnaire’s Disease or Projectile Leprosy.

But I do know the director’s name, and I will not mention it. That would provide publicity to someone who hasn’t earned it. After being inflicted with Us Sinners, I am not giving its perpetrator a cookie. But I do have questions.

Did this guy show this movie to his family?

And if so, what do you think they said to him afterwards? Did they manage to wring a choked “Yeah, sweetie, it was good,” out of themselves? Or was there a whole lot of perplexed staring?

[pinkfloyd45769]

I think i can tell from the review that i'm not interested.Staged blowjobs??Nah!

[vanlutz]

"I saw this review... and it made me chuckle."

I'm sure it did.

There's 3 others just like it, I'm sure you'd post those also, because you're an asshole. But, the scales are still in the excellent review column.

"Indie Scene: Pray for ‘Us Sinners’" (http://www.horror-101.com/?p=1286)

Realistic serial killer film gets down and dirty

The cover of Us Sinners features the bold quote, “The carnal climax is so disturbing it will leave you breathless.” This type of hype-oriented promotion is nothing new; just last year Hostel: Part II claimed to have “the most shocking ending in horror movie history.” Audacious statements like these often leave viewers with unfulfillable expectations destined for disappointment, but I’m happy to report that Us Sinners does have one of the more extreme conclusions in recent memory. But that’s the end; let’s rewind back to the beginning.

Tim Connolly (Brandon Schraml) is a strange individual, to say the least. He’s been his parents’ subject of physical and mental abuse since he was young. His father has since passed away, but his mother (Leslie E. Hughes) is a religious zealot, and things haven’t improved since his traumatic childhood. In addition to the ongoing anguish at home, Tim is walked all over at work. Despite his seniority over the maintenance crew, his co-workers constantly disrespect and tease him, referring to him as “Weird Tim.” Although not the most creative name, it’s quite fitting. The awkward, gassy character is a boy trapped in a man’s body.

These are all tell-tale signs of a serial killer, right? You got it. Tim lets out his frustration by murdering prostitutes in his spare time. The Tim that kills is not the same maladroit person we’ve become acquainted with, but rather a sadistic, bloodthirsty alter-ego. There may be a glint of hope in stopping the madman, though, in Louise O’Conner (Brenda Cooney), a new hire. The perversely shy Tim sees her as a fellow lost soul that may just be his saving grace. She agrees to go on a date with him and even puts up with being subjected by his mother but ultimately denies his affection and falls in line with the other workers. Although sympathetic at first, she gives him the cold shoulder by going out with another worker, Andrew (Jason Shoulders). When he catches her fellating him — an act with negative connotations for Tim — he becomes physically ill before going on a murderous rampage, all leading up to an ending straight out of the BME Pain Olympics.

Schraml is fantastic as the socially awkward Tim. His performance really brings out the duality of the character’s disposition. This is the theater actor’s first foray into film, but I hope this isn’t the last time we see him put to celluloid. Cooney does a fine job, but I think her character could have been fleshed out a little more had the story chosen to explore the dynamic of her being a fellow lonely heart more. Hughes role is one you love to hate. Her mother character is like that of Carrie but even more extreme, making the viewer angry just watching her. This emotional response is a sign of good acting and writing.

First time writer/director George Snow worked on his script for six years before committing it to film, and the final product is exemplary for a low budget horror, a simple story that keeps the viewer interested. The kills, including a lengthy child murder and a blasphemous death involving the Holy Mary, are shocking and innovative. What makes them even better (or worse, depending on how you look at it) is the gritty sense of realism throughout the film. You almost feel dirty watching it, similar to the sensation experienced while watching Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer or Maniac. There are a couple of well-placed moments of dark humor to subdue the impact of the disturbing nature.

Us Sinners is a fine accomplishment and even more impressive considering it’s Snow’s first time behind the camera. Sure, he makes some amateur mistakes, but overall it’s just as good as many of the video nasties from which it was influenced. Some may be turned off by its somewhat exploitative style but those who aren’t afraid to get down and dirty will really enjoy this indie feature.

Horror 101 gives Us Sinners an 82 out of 101

[Roderick Usher]

You know, I got to hand it to you. Even though your film looks offensive and distatestful at least you stad up for it and really care about your film. Too many people out there are making films with market research in mind and no real connection to thier art.

I totally respect your commitment and wish you every success.

[urgeok2]

Originally Posted by Roderick Usher

You know, I got to hand it to you. Even though your film looks offensive and distatestful at least you stad up for it and really care about your film. Too many people out there are making films with market research in mind and no real connection to thier art.

I totally respect your commitment and wish you every success.

did you win a free copy ?

[Roderick Usher]

god, I hope not:eek:

[urgeok2]

gotta admit - i like the title