The Bloodiest Show on Earth!
Company: First Look Studios Product: 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams Red Carpet Premiere
A few years back, I saw a movie called 2001 Maniacs and I absolutely loved it, so you can imagine my surprise when several years later they make a sequel, 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams. Even better, I was fortunate enough to get to go to the red carpet premiere of it! If you've seen 2001 Maniacs, then you'll recognize at least a few of the characters in the sequel. Granny Boone (Lin Shaye), the ever-popular Milk Maiden (Christa Campbell), and my personal favorite Hucklebilly (Ryan Fleming) are back for the sequel. You'll notice that I didn't mention Robert England returning as Mayor Buckman. Instead, Bill Moseley has taken over the role. Before I saw the movie, I was a bit worried about this change, as Mayor Buckman is a major part of the movie. I shouldn't have worried though, as 5 minutes into the movie I had forgotten that anyone else ever played the role of Buckman. Billy Moseley is just that good! Also, Harper Alexander is now being played by Nivek Ogre. Of course, there are some new Maniacs this time around. China Rose (Kathryn Le), Scarlet Red (Nicole Rae), and Crow (Ahmed Best) are the most notable of them. China Rose was a shocking addition to me, actually. Considering the Maniacs were shocked to see a "China woman" in the previous film, it was amusing to see one as a Maniac in this one. I guess they decided they needed someone to do the wash, as they say in the film, so they brought her in.
Since I got to go to the red carpet premiere, I had the chance to meet these people, the Maniacs and the victims (whom I haven't mentioned quite yet). What I was expecting was what you hear of Hollywood being like, with the actors walking by for pictures and then you never see them again. Instead, this was the most down-to-earth group of people that I've ever met! Larayia Gaston, who plays Cherry, is so different from her character in real life. I never saw her without a smile on her face and she was as polite and kind as she could be! She really had to act to pull off the much grittier character of Cherry! All of the actors and actresses were happy to talk and answer any questions and pose for pictures. After the "red carpet" and before the show actually started, we were all just milling around the lobby and I got the chance to talk to Ryan Fleming a bit and even some with writer and director Tim Sullivan. In talking with them, I learned that the entire movie was filmed in just 2 weeks, which I find amazing! I also learned that, much to his dismay, poor Ryan (Hucklebilly) doesn't get to have sex in this movie either, but he does get to be naked. Maybe in the next one though...
So enough of my stories of hanging out with the coolest cast ever; I'm sure that you want to hear about the movie! First off, just like in 2001 Maniacs, the great thing is that you cheer for the bad guys. You want the Maniacs to win. In most horror movies, you find yourself wondering how they're going to survive. In 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams, you find yourself wondering instead how they'll be tortured and how long until they die. In case you don't know the premise, the very southern town of Pleasant Valley has a festival every year. For this festival, they need "guests of honor," so they detour Yankees off of the main road and into town. What these guests don't know is that they are the main course at the festival. Well, unfortunately this year, they don't get any guests detoured so they decide to take the town on a road trip instead. When they make it to Iowa, they run into the cast & crew of a reality TV show, their new guests.
You'll get a full review with more details when the DVD comes out, so that's enough for now, but if you happen to be in a city that 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams is playing on the big screen, I highly recommend that you must go see it instantly! Unfortunately, it is not going to be playing in many theaters and that's such a shame, since you really need to see this much gore and gratuitous nudity on the big screen. But, when it does come out on DVD, you should definitely watch it like we were told to in the theatre: Every time you see Jezebell (the stuffed goat) on the screen, you take a drink (or a shot). 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams is the most fun I've had at the movies - maybe ever. Granted, it's also one of the most offensive movies, with the best death scenes that I've seen in a long time as well, but that's just part of what makes it so much fun! You should definitely find this movie and see it as soon as you can!
-Cyn, GameVortex Communications AKA Sara Earl
Related Links: 2001 Maniacs on IMDb.com 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams on IMDb.com
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