Directed by: Jim Muro
Starring: Mike Lackey, Mark Sferrazza, Pat Ryan
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"Nick…
Nick the Dick. That’s what they call you, behind your back, you know-
you and your restaurant. Your stinkin’ restaurant. He thinks he’s in
the mafia, he wears white shoes, all right?"
Street Trash is
one of those cult films where there seems to be more people familiar
with the poster than have actually seen the movie. The iconic image of
a man melting into a toilet is one of those things that just sticks
with young, impressionable minds as they roam the halls of videotapes
back in the day, as it did with mine. Unfortunately I never did get
around to seeing the movie, which is a goddamn shame, because it
might’ve warped my poor little brain even more.
This movie’s almost perfect, and holds up just as well today as it must’ve almost 20 years ago.
The Film-
A
junkyard is our setting here, with all the alcoholics and derelicts
that live in the place our characters. An insane Vietnam vet named
Bronson is the leader of the bums in the yard, who put up with his
insanity and violent nature to have a place to stay.
There’s a
couple of younger kids living there, trying to get by as best they can
on the streets while trying to scrounge up money to drink their
troubles away.
Meanwhile, a local liquor store owner comes
across an old case of booze called Viper that he starts selling to the
bums in the neighborhood for a buck apiece. It’s either a really bad
batch or has gone bad in the 30 years it was fermenting the basement,
because it doesn’t make people drunk. It does get them fucked up,
though… melting them down to little colorful chunks.
What the fuck did you eat?
A
cop is trying to figure out who’s murdering all these homeless people
(and how) so he delves into the mysterious world of the people you see
every day but never think about.
The Judgement-
This movie’s a blast.
There
are very few flicks that can pull it off the way this one does. It’s
funny, disgusting, silly and serious- all at once. There’s a mood to
the film that will put a grin on any fan of the genre… this is really
where it’s at.
The
film has always drew comparisons to Troma films, but besides the
inclusion of Pat Ryan (the big guy who also appears in Toxie Avenger
and Class of Nuke’m High) and some cheesy, over the top humor, these
are vastly different efforts… no matter what Lloyd might try to say.
The effects are also way beyond anything Troma has put out (to this
day!)
2001 this ain’t.
Gorehounds
will be in heaven here, and possibly want a bottle or two of Viper for
themselves. The meltdowns are brutal, with each one just a little bit
different enough to leave you wondering what’s going to happen next.
Now,
the one thing that might be seen as a downfall (to anyone who isn’t
turned off by melting bums, severed penises, and rape scenes) would be
some of the acting. Ironically, our two main characters (the kids) just
can’t cut it in the thespian department, especially when they’re up
against some of the genuine talent involved.
I’d
be an idiot not to mention the genius of the scenes involving the
Doorman (James Lorinz, the wannabe doctor from Frankenhooker) and Nick
Duran (Tony Darrow, who’s appeared in The Sopranos and a billion mob
movies.) The two have some of the greatest back and forth conversations
ever put to film. You can tell they’re having a great time, and indeed
Roy Frumkes admitted that they were heavily adlibbed. The Doorman
talking back to the mob boss is definitely one of the highlights of the
film.
Best scene of the film.
But
if you’re looking for a gory, fun flick with a manic sense of humor;
this is for you. Buy this disc, because they don’t make them like this
any more.
The Sight and Sound-
Synapse
did a tremendous job cleaning up this film- it really doesn’t look like
an older low budget flick. You’ll appreciate it more during the
meltdowns, where each person’s unique color splashes beautifully across
the screen. Great transfer from the original negatives which was
actually done by Robert A. Harris, a film restorationist who’s worked
on such films as Lawrence of Arabia and Vertigo…
no, that’s not a joke. So youl understand why it looks as good as it
does. The sound has been decently updated to a Dolby Digital 5.1 track,
which I’d recommend you listen to instead of the original 2.0 Mono,
even if you don’t have the setup. The voices are very low on the mono
soundtrack in comparison to the music and effects- you’re much better
off with the cleaner 5.1 mix. Great job bringing this bad boy back.
Quiz for those playing at home: Is he looking at
a) a naked corpse
or b) an opportunity?
The Extras-
This
is one of those dvds that are worth buying even if you’re a casual fan
of the movie, just because there’s so much quality stuff.
On
disc one there’s two commentaries, one by director James Munro and one
by writer/producer Roy Frumkes. Roy knows his shit, (make sure to check
Devin’s interview with him on CHUD)
and the commentary is absolutely packed with funny tidbits and stories
of the making of. Munro’s is a little quieter and he mostly talks about
the finished film, but both are worth a watch, although there is the
ever-present problem of repeated stories that comes with multiple
commentaries.
Disc 2 contains The Meltdown Memoirs– a two hour long
documentary that might possibly be as great as the film. It covers
everything from the original concept and the short film that inspired
the feature to the post production and their problems marketing a movie
with a title (and subject matter) like this. Roy Frumkes wrote,
directed and produced this flick, and right from the start you’ll know
you’re in the hands of a master. This is the guy who made the Document of the Dead, after all.
There
were just so many stories behind the making of this film that had to be
told, and it almost makes you glad that production lagged so much (this
took years to make) because they wouldn’t have had so much footage if
it hadn’t. There’s also extensive looks at what the actors for the
films are up to these days and how Street Trash
affected their lives, which is very interesting and something not
enough docs do. The fact that Roy interviewed most everyone involved
with the film means he had a wealth of footage to use for the film.
It
really is an incredibly well put together documentary, one that’ll make
you appreciate the movie that much more. Roy, we need more of these.
Also on disc 2 is the original Street Trash,
the 15 minute short that let to them making the feature film. It’s
pretty much the same story as the longer version, if that one was only
about bums melting down and had crappier effects. Worth a look, but
it’s nothing you’ll go back to.
There’s also a promotional teaser trailer that
was cut for the film before they had started shooting, to get backers.
The sound and video are a little messed up but as a little look at how
they managed to grab money for the flick it’s interesting to see.
His food fetish would not go unabated. The onions would be next.
The Packaging-
SPECIAL TWO-DISC MELTDOWN EDITION shouts
the top of the disc, and it sure is. The quote on the bottom references
3 movies that do nothing to tell you about the film inside it, but
besides that, this is one nice-lookin’ disc. The case is clear, with an
image of Bronson sitting on his throne showing through on the inside.
Along with that you get a card with the poster for The Meltdown Memoirs that shows the bums advancing on you.
The Lowdown-
Buy this. If you’re a fan of gore, if you’re a fan of camp, if you’re a fan of film. It really is that good. I’ve owned it for a month and have watched it 3 times, and the Meltdown Memoirs twice. This is one you’ll show to all of your friends.
Multiple colorful meltdowns
1 suit through a window
2 exploding breasts
1 flying penis
1 slit throat
1 stabby bone
Cop vomit