Frankenpimp is Indie Horror that Takes a Lot of Risks, as Only an Indie Can
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Unfortunately for Frankenpimp and Horror Freaks, from the rubble of all the risk taking a cohesive or follow-able story failed to emerge.
Written by The Horror Czar, Don Sumner
February 5, 2011
Buy Frankenpimp on Amazon
Movie Trailer
Release: October 13, 2009 (U.S. DVD Premier)
Written and Directed by: Vivita and Tony Watt
Starring:
Tony Watt as Patient Zero / Romeo Montague
Vivita as Julie Capuletti/Officer Ilham Otaku/Altar Girl
Martin Magee as Tricky
Michelle Newland as Nurse Ingrid / Rose
Devika as Killar Queen
Lloyd Kaufman as Richard Rammer - The Reporter
The normal course for an analysis of one of our treasured Indie horror films is to give a short synopsis, followed by some thoughts and specific examples to back up those thoughts, and finally a conclusion that sums up the film and whether or not it is a recommended addition to the highly competitive mindshare of the Indie Horror viewing horror freaks. In the case of Frankenpimp most, if not all, of these components come with distinct challenges.
First, the synopsis… here goes, but with a disclaimer; I was so confused through this film that I offer no warranty as to the accuracy of this synopsis. Please proceed.
A guy, while getting a blow job from a French hooker smoking a grandpa pipe, shoots himself in the head in despair. A doctor, who gets his butt whipped regularly with a stethoscope by his nurse, attempts to treat the man, who presumably is already dead. After applying electricity to the dead man (or maybe lightening strikes, I'm not sure) he comes to life again. He then somehow becomes an android fighter who is part of a government conspiracy. Plus he's another guy who wears cowboy hats. After he is attacked in a barber shop by another android (who was breaking the rules by being a thug) the movie continues on in inexplicable fashion.
The synopsis is a bit weak, but that's as much as I could figure out about Frankenpimp. I guess the guy was a pimp, and also an android, and I think also an antique collector… so the plot thickens.
Frankenpimp, rather than attempting to display smooth production value that suggests a higher budget than it actually had, instead goes for the "70s porn grainy feel". At least how Crypticpsych told me 70s porn looks… or was it The Zombie Master… I'm not sure. Anyway, one of those guys told me what 70s porn looks like, and it was just like this film. The acting is horrible, but I think that was on purpose because the entire production is very tongue in cheek. Still, the acting is horrible. The Lloyd Kaufman cameo is pretty good though.
There are some interesting previews and shorts of other films, done in the Grindhouse-esque style of coming attractions, and they didn't make much sense either. Some of the themes attacked by this film are a bit out there, though, so I must give kudos to the filmmakers for fearlessly venturing into taboo land. The opening scene with the hooker and the gun headshot alone crosses a few lines. The risk-taking elements were sound, and did Indie Horror proud.
Scene for scene there are actually a lot of interesting things going on in Frankenpimp like wild visuals, crazy sound effects and other such oddities, but none of them seem to be part of anything larger, namely a story or a point. The difficulty here is finding a reason for this film to exist. Then it came to me.
The best use for Frankenpimp is as background entertainment during a party, Halloween or otherwise - just have it playing on a TV somewhere to fill the lulls in conversation. There are plenty of moments that would draw party guests in, and even hold their attention for a while, but when things got incomprehensible they could move on to the bar and get another shot of Jager.
Sitting through this one beginning to end, and trying to make it make sense, is an exercise in futility that I don't wish upon you. Talk about a party foul.
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