Review of Some Guy Who Kills People (2011) by Nigel B — 01 Jul 2012

This is another example of how judging a book by its cover or not knowing much about a movie before hand can illustrate you being wrong, but it actually paying off. "Some Guy Who Kills People" appears to be an average slasher with an overdose amount of cheese injected into it, but it's actually a dark comedy more than anything. Ken's mom Ruth, portrayed by Karen Black, is overflowing with sarcasm and the town sheriff, Walt Fuller (Barry Bostwick), is a bit of an idiot who does nothing but tell inappropriate jokes. It sounds kind of harsh and cruel, but it's also pretty funny in the same vein as Bobcat Goldthwait's "World's Greatest Dad" or "God Bless America.".

The Amy Wheeler character (Ariel Gade) is your average little girl; never stops talking and is curious about everything. Meanwhile, Ken doesn't say much. It's kind of the beauty in his character. It keeps him mysterious, but it also illustrates how much his past has affected him. Once Ken and Amy have screen time together though, it's like there's instant chemistry. Amy drags answers out of Ken and her enthusiasm brings out the best in him. The characters have a lot more in common than they realize and it's almost as if they need each other to feel complete.

One of the best comedic sequences in the movie is when Brett Miller (Jonathan Fraser) tries to scare off an intruder at the supply store. "I was in the Green Berets, a**hole," he says. "And the Navy Seals. And...I was in...Gettysburg!" He fires off a few rounds and curses before saying, "I think I still have bullets!" It's just ridiculous and hilarious. With that said, the movie doesn't shy away from heavy violence either. Blood is constantly splattering on car windows or all over the hood of a car while somebody else is decapitated and another victim gets an axe to the skull. "Some Guy Who Kills People" never really doesn't feel like a horror movie and yet it so clearly isn't.

Comedy and horror have always been attached in some capacity like Siamese twins who only really come together over the holidays, but "Some Guy Who Kills People" brings comedy and horror together in a way that feels unique. It already isn't taking itself too seriously, but the acting is pretty great as is the screenplay. The humor is actually funny and the gore isn't half bad. "Some Guy Who Kills People" blends horror and comedy into a pretty outstanding little movie that is one of the most uncommon features of the year.