IndieWire After Dark is a series that airs on Friday nights, dedicated to showcasing feature-length films that celebrate unconventional cinema in the streaming landscape. The programming aims to highlight unique and often overlooked films, providing viewers with a curated selection of distinctive stories from various genres.
One film featured in this series is “Bait,” which revolves around the lives of two British couples and an American tourist who find themselves in an abandoned hotel. The film combines elements reminiscent of classic horror and thrillers, presenting a mix of styles from notable works such as “The Shining” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” The chaotic environment of the hotel traps the characters, leading to an intriguing scenario where they are stranded, complicating their interactions and survival.
Another film, “Bloody New Year,” directed by Norman J. Warren, is described as a low-budget disaster piece set during New Year’s Eve. The film combines absurd humor with a horror backdrop, showcasing a series of bizarre and gory events. Despite its self-aware absurdity and lack of coherence, it serves as an entertaining option for viewers looking to embrace the unpredictability of the genre.
The film begins with a home video from the last day of 1959, transitioning to a vibrant party scene that ultimately takes a dark turn with supernatural elements. The narrative continues with unexpected plot twists that connect to the 1980s, showcasing the film’s erratic yet engaging storytelling approach. Through these films, IndieWire After Dark aims to emphasize entertainment in its wildest forms, appealing to audiences who appreciate unique cinematic experiences.In a quirky narrative set against the backdrop of the Boardwalk Carnival in South Wales, a group of friends encounters a series of unusual and challenging situations. The main characters, couples Rick and Janet, and Leslie and Tom, are accompanied by their single friend Potato, who quickly shows interest in an American tourist named Carol. Carol’s experience takes a dark turn when she is mugged by thugs, prompting the group to come to her aid.
As the plot unfolds, the friends and Carol seek refuge from the chaos but end up taking a puzzling escape to sea. Their decision appears imprudent when their sailboat eventually sinks, leaving them to navigate their way back to safety. Fortunately, they find themselves near the Grand Island Hotel. Intrigued by the hotel’s strange circumstances, including its odd summer Christmas decorations and a mysterious plane wreck near the beach, the friends are compelled to uncover more about their unusual surroundings.
The comedic elements of their adventure resonate throughout the story, reflecting a blend of absurdity and charm as they engage with their bizarre predicament. The underlying motivations for their actions, particularly related to romance and personal desires, add layers to their relationships and experiences in this seemingly whimsical yet perplexing tale.”Bloody New Year” is a unique film that combines elements of British slang and humor with a nonsensical, low-budget style. The movie is characterized by chaotic sequences often reminiscent of amateur filmmaking, featuring ambitious practical effects. The narrative, centered around time travel, is not particularly groundbreaking; however, the screenplay by Fraser Pearce weaves together a story involving ghosts, zombies, and awkward romantic encounters, albeit in an incomplete manner.
Critics have noted the film’s poor acting, peculiar editing, and unconventional philosophical themes that challenge typical storytelling. Despite its numerous flaws, including erratic camerawork and inconsistent tones, the film exemplifies a dedication to creative expression. Its absurdity is highlighted as a quality that may even enhance enjoyment when viewed late at night.
Currently available for streaming on Tubi, “Bloody New Year” stands out as an example of commitment to the craft of filmmaking, even amidst substantial challenges.The film “Bloody New Year” has been described as a low-budget, chaotic experience reminiscent of a cheap party. With a mix of bizarre scenes and odd characters, it offers a unique viewing experience that holds fans of cult cinema in particular interest. The film is filled with quirks, from continuity errors to questionable special effects, and even dives into the realm of human emotion, albeit in a loose and unconventional manner.
The narrative features a ghostly cabaret singer who draws attention to various absurd elements of the story, including the complexities of the characters’ motivations and the strangeness of the setting, the Grande Island Hotel. This location has been crafted to have both appealing and unsatisfactory aspects, resulting in a viewing experience that evokes mixed feelings. Such intricacies prompt viewers to ponder deeper questions about the film’s ridiculous imagery, like the purpose of a snow globe scene or the sentience of peculiar objects.
The director’s struggle with production issues led to delays, but they eventually returned to create a 2K restoration, offering audiences the chance to engage with this offbeat title, now available on Blu-ray and streaming platforms. “Bloody New Year” serves as a unique artifact within the cinematic landscape, celebrated for its strangeness and the dialogue it ignites regarding the nature of art, even when it appears poorly executed. It stands as a nostalgic nod to films that are both meticulously crafted and seemingly haphazard, promising viewers a bizarre journey worth exploring.