68 Kill

“Trailer-dwelling, sewage-pumping Chip (Matthew Gray Gubler, Criminal Minds) may not lead the most glamorous life, but he’s got one thing going for him: he’s head over heels infatuated with his girlfriend Liza (AnnaLynne McCord, 90210). He’s more than willing to overlook her wild streak — the fact that she’s hooking up with their landlord, her rather extreme mood swings — so when she proposes a plot to steal $68,000, he goes along with the plan. But what was supposed to be a simple heist turns into an off-the-rails, blood-spattered crime spree, and Chip learns the hard way just how deranged the love of his life really is. The new film from Troma alum Trent Haaga blends wicked comedy with pure pulp thrills for a no-holds-barred blast of insanity!”

IFC Midnight has really pulled it together recently. I used to see a title from them and usually pass, despite how interesting it may look, because I have been extremely disappointed with their stuff in the past. Lately, however, the caliber of their films has hit a high point, releasing titles such as Autopsy of Jane Doe, which was one of my favorite horror films released last year. 68 Kill isn’t a horror film per se, but takes elements of the genre, blending it with some comedy and some straight messed up sequences, giving you a definite thrill ride you soon won’t forget.

To me, 68 Kill felt a lot like Martin Scorsese’s  After Hours. While I don’t mean to compare the two in any way cinematically, it’s the way the story goes and how the main character continuously falls deeper and deeper into an uncontrollably situation he can’t seem to pull his way out of, and all for the love of a woman. While the film’s portrayal of women is unique to say the least, the theme stays consistent throughout, as each woman Chip encounters seems to be psychotic to a degree you’ve likely never seen before, and he continues to go along with it basically so he can get laid.

The film is extremely well made, with great direction from former Troma director Trent Haaga. The combination of great performances, thrilling sequences and intense score bring the film together as something highly entertaining. Despite the high quality of the film, there are a few shortcomings with it that prevents it from being “endlessly re-watchable” as one of the quotes on the cover suggests. Although Chip is supposed to come off as someone who people walk all over, that kind of character just isn’t entirely likable. There was only so much I could watch of this guy getting in exponentially worse situations, all because he wants to be loved by his girlfriend. Chip does have a defining moment of course, but it is short lived and was a little too late for me.

Video

68 Kill is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1 and looks fantastic. Colors balance looks really good, giving off some very vibrant displays that give an impressive contrast. One thing that I took note of was the impressive cinematography. Scenes are shot and set up very well with a type of fluidity that creates a great pace for the film. No defects noticed.

Audio

The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and again, the technical aspects of this disc is quite impressive, with the audio equally as entertaining as the visuals. Audio levels sound great, with a good balance between some intense action sequences coming from the surrounds and the dialogue from the center channel. The score sounds great as well, definitely succeeding in creating tension in some key moments.

Special Features

Unfortunately, there  are no extras on this disc except for other upcoming IFC Midnight films. With the history and reputation of Troma, it definitely would have been interesting hearing a commentary from the director discussing his views of the film.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed 68 Kill, and its production value. If you’re looking for a fast paced blend of action, comedy and gore, 68 Kill will definitely satisfy all those needs. It’s worth checking out if you have the opportunity.