Mike Wilson is a motivational speaker and his motivation is killing people. He takes Bart, the local video store clerk, under his wing to train him on the ins and outs of letting yourself go through the act of murder.
Written and Directed by – Luke Ricci
Starring – Dameon Clarke, Ryan Smith, Laura Regan, George Wyner, Mary Jo Catlett, Douglas Dickerman, Mark R. Gerson, Matthew Gray Gubler, Ramon Hilario, Gonzalo Menendez, Jose Ordaz, Lindsay Stidham, Ari Welkom, Gary Wolf
Another mockumentary style flick, although this one has only small moments that would classify it as mockumentary. It’s not the best movie I’ve seen lately but Dameon Clarke in the role of Mike, the motivating serial killer, left me with a few laughs.
I think the problem with the movie is that it’s going the comedy route and comedies just never work for me. Very few have impressed me over time and they always have many hurdles to overcome to entertain me. To me, this is like the comedy version of Behind The Mask, which I just watched not too long ago. There are rules to Mike’s world of serial killing and he shares his insight with Bart. Mike’s determined to get Bart to open up and just go with his gut in life.
Serial killer in training, Bart.
Most of the laughs come from the little rules that Mike has. You can’t kill children, even if Mike can’t stand them. You shouldn’t hurt animals, leave the homeless out of it because they’re the result of society and not something they’ve done themselves. Mike just may be the serial killer with a heart of gold, unless you tailgate him! Mike even carries on a relationship with his girlfriend complete oblivious to his secret life.
Even Mike the serial killer needs love.
Throughout the entire movie, Mike has it all together which means that it’s all going to fall apart eventually and fall apart it does. I couldn’t spoil it for anyone that may be interested in seeing this one but it’s a drastic switch, although a predictable one.
In the end the movie winds up being average. Maybe it’s my odd disapproval of comedies in general that ruined it for me. I’m sure there’s lots of comedy in there that others may find entertaining but I didn’t. What I liked about the movie is anytime Mike and Bart are in the middle of their lessons on serial killing. These were my favorite parts and where I found the most fun.
Under the marquee – Will
Another interesting film about serial killers: “Serial Mom” starring Kathleen Turner. Saw this in my formative teen years and it haunted me for a long, long time. I’m not sure why, since the acting isn’t that great. Maybe it had something to do with the whole “killers live in our neighborhood, and they look just like us” premise. Still, an unsettling if poorly made movie.
Heard of it, never seen it but it’s one of those movies I seem to hear about often enough. I’ll have to put it on the list and see if I come across it soon.