What I’m watching: a true escapist film

Date: 10/12/2021

In theaters: “Venom: Let There be Carnage”

As I was sitting in the theater watching this film, all I thought of were the often-outrageous exploitation films that Roger Corman released through his New World Pictures back in the 1970s and 80s.

Directed by newcomers that included people such as Joe Dante, Allan Arkush and even Martin Scorsese, there was often a true sense of surprise about the direction in many of their films. Left turns in the script were common. Many of the films may not have succeeded as finely crafted pieces of cinema, but instead won their audience over through sheer outrageousness.

Now this sequel was made with a budget that far exceeds the amount of money with which Corman could have made a dozen films – heck, maybe two dozen – but within the rarified air of big screen superhero outings this new film’s crazy vibe and story truly stands out as different.

It’s not as well-done as the “Deadpool” movies, but it’s definitely in the same spirit.

As in the first film, reporter Eddie Brock has his life turned upside down when he is joined by an alien symbiont called Venom. Venom is quite the character: strong, violent and craving the taste of human beings. Eddie manages to get Venom in line and becomes a hero of sorts.

In the second film, Venom and Eddie have managed to coexist much better. Venom is now eating chicken brains and chocolate – both have the nutrients he needs – but he isn’t against advocating that Eddie should allow him to eat some bad guys.

They have become bickering but begrudgingly affectionate roommates with two pet chickens that Venom cannot bring himself to eat because they are his friends. Venom misses Eddie’s girlfriend, who is now engaged.

The opportunity to get back into the spotlight with a story comes when a notorious serial killer, Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) wants Eddie to interview him before his execution.

Kasady manages to bite Eddie and taste his blood and that means a nastier version of Venom is transferred to him. Soon Kasady has broken out of prison thanks to his new symbiont buddy and is attempting to meet with his childhood love Frances (Naomie Harris) who has a power of her own.

Naturally there is a huge CGI fight at the film’s conclusion.

The script and the direction – by Andy Serkis – emphasizes that Eddie and Venom are, in many ways, a comedy act. I applaud this decision as it sets the film apart from other “superhero” films.

There is a question: are Eddie and Venom superheroes?

Yes there is the single f-bomb the PG-13 rating allows and its used in such a way to elicit big laughs.

Is this a good movie? Well, there are some story issues and while Harrelson makes a great villain he is too old for the part. And what’s up with his wigs?

It’s silly and at times sloppy, but it has that charm – at least for me – as the kind of film that harkens back to the unexpected and often subversive drive-in movies of too many decades ago.

Be sure to catch the last scene in the middle of the credits.

On Netflix: “Attack of the Hollywood Clichés”

Now class, this is required viewing. Every movie lover will appreciate this funny yet sharply accurate look at many standard Hollywood tropes that appear even in well-made big budget Hollywood films.

Host Rob Lowe is quite funny and the guests, who include fellow actors as well as a number of film critics and historians, make very salient points about clichés such as meeting cute, whether or not to cut the blue or red wire on a bomb, the maverick cop, and the jump scare among many others.

It’s fast-moving, funny and truthful hour you should see.