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Okay, now I am REALLY confused. All I can say is that one
should never miss any Spike And Mike’s Sick & Twisted
Festival Of Animation, ever. Observe for yourself how
I suffer as a result…
SHOUT! FACTORY’s new DVD release of Spike & Mike’s
Twisted: Unprotected follows up the June release of a
DVD, Spike & Mike’s Twisted: Full Frontal. Together,
these two DVDs cover most, but not all, of the Spike &
Mike’s 2002-2003 Sick And Twisted Festival Of Animation®
that toured theaters. Both DVDs have cartoons that did not
appear in the tour. What really amazes me is that our talented
critic who reviewed the tour itself saw cartoons that aren’t
listed as being in the tour. What is the moral of this story?
Clearly, if you miss a chance to see any version of Spike
& Mike, you might never catch up!
Somehow, this does not surprise me. Spike (Craig Decker)
& Mike (Mike Gribble) have provided this unique
venue for unconventional cartoons for more than 25 years.
I’m especially impressed by the fact that Mike has been doing
it from beyond the grave since 1994. However this collaboration
works, the various Festivals have provided inspiration
and exposure for countless filmmakers. I only hope that Mike
can talk Kubrick out of “retirement.”
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Sick And
Twisted Festivals (both of you), these are cartoons that
surpass that label. On this DVD alone there are so many lewd
sex acts and examples of necrophilia or bestial necrophilia,
cannibalism, decapitation, and drug use that I lost count.
Snacking on fresh brains seems to be an especially popular
theme. But it’s all in good fun. I think. As Spike says, “Hi
Kids…,” there is something inherently amusing about the idea
of children watching these cartoons because none of the cartoons
are appropriate for children. They are only for naughty adult
children. “Doesn’t it get tiring?” you ask. It sure does,
but the gems still sparkle. I’ve found that people’s favorites
are always surprisingly and unpredictably different.
Here are my favorites:
Maakies, Tony Millionaire: For my money these
outshine all the other cartoons. Barely over a minute each,
only two on this particular DVD, I would buy this DVD just
for these cartoons. These are more mentally sick and
twisted than they are graphic or vulgar.
Fast Driver, Nick Gibbons: An awful parody
of the old Japanese animated series, “Speed Racer.” The dialogue
is hilarious and they did slip in one or two subtle visual
jokes as well.
Gack Gack, Hochschule fur Film und Fernsehen “Konrad
Wolf”: Definitely German. Visually inventive and with
remarkable vocalizations, the best I’ve heard in a long time.
Hangnail, Shane Acker: “Ren & Stimpy” creator
John Kricfalusi has done this single joke before, but
never better than Acker does in this short.
Heavy, Kellie McGregor. This one is a bit long
and slow, but an innovation on a very old story that is worth
noting. (Both of these cartoons represent UCLA. Maybe I should
have studied film at UCLA instead of the University of Texas?)
Bonus Material, Spike Live!: This will give
you an idea of what you’re missing in the live screenings
of these cartoons in a theater. This man knows how to please
his audience.
In conclusion, this DVD is sicker and slightly more twisted
than the other DVD, but both pale before the full experience
with an audience in a theater. Also, if you think that this
might be a great “date film”… I’d think twice.
—Steven Harding
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