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Vern reviews the new Jim VanBebber box set!!!

first by Cpt. Arnoldo	May 26th, 2008 10:53:46 PM
muaha
Who? Wha? Who? by fiester	May 26th, 2008 10:58:39 PM
Did you make all this up, Vern? I'm checking my calender and it don't say April 1.
Is the Skinny Puppy video on this? by wash	May 26th, 2008 11:01:45 PM
Spasmolytic? One of their better videos. http://tinyurl.com/6j4t9l
I feel a bit disturbed... by The-Duke-of-New-York	May 27th, 2008 03:00:36 AM
Maybe it's just me, or Vern's continuing evolution as a writer, but it seems like he's lost some of his distinctive flair in recent months. His trademark phrases, malapropisms, and misspellings seem to have lost their spirit and be tacked on to vanilla reviews as opposed to his earlier stuff, when he uses them for comedic effect. But, I could just be one of the first bitter fanboys of Vern, angry and frustrated that he's getting less obscure and so I can't lord knowledge of him over other people.
by roachboy	May 27th, 2008 04:21:29 AM
Well, Vern's Battle in Seattle stuff on his site is still top notch, man.
But... by roachboy	May 27th, 2008 04:23:59 AM
I wish he'd update more often, though.
serious question: is this guy a mental case? by Spandau Belly	May 27th, 2008 07:36:53 AM
I've never heard of this VanBebber dude before but from the way Vern describes these movies I don't get why he doesn't have a "real" career and my only assumption can be that the dude is crazy or at least has a major personality malfunction because there's definately a market for these types of movies. I mean, I can't go to a video store without seeing 50 "Portrait of Serial Killer" DTV deals and have met countless weirdos who'll eat that stuff up. Same with that Deadbeat movie. It sounds like a million DTV actionners out there. So why didn't this guy get the break that Rodriguez did? Obviously somebody's heard of him since they're releasing these movies on DVD. Did he get offered some big shot to directed 'Yet Another 48 Hours' or something and just whipped it back in the studio's face? I could understand this guy remaining "fiercely indepedant" if he just wanted to make artsy movies, but it sounds like his passion is exploitationist genre outings.
CHUNKBLOWER!!!! by seabiscuits	May 27th, 2008 07:59:33 AM

Manson Family is worth a look by CarmillaVonDoom	May 27th, 2008 09:55:42 AM
A lot of it just sort of plods along, then WHAM it reaches real moments of unsettling creepiness.
Van Bebber is the Real Deal by doctorfreudstein	May 27th, 2008 10:43:14 AM
While bigger names remake (or pay homage to) no-budget exploitation classics, Van Bebber actually makes no-budget exploitation classics. DEADBEAT is a blast but I think MY SWEET SATAN and THE MANSON FAMILY are better than Vern suggests, as a glance at any random cross-section of "Portrait of Serial Killer DTV deals" will bear out. I own all this stuff already, but it sounds as if I will have to pick this up for INTO THE BLACK. Thanks Vern, for the heads-up and ringing the bell for Goose. P.S. I don't know what Van Bebber did to warrant a "special thanks" on Jeff Burr's STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, but the film itself is an unheralded DTV gem and well worth a look.
I liked Manson Family by Nico Toscani	May 27th, 2008 01:15:46 PM
Like Vern, I really could have done without the murdering punk rocker framing scenes. The parts in the 60's though are gold. The odd thing though is how they never use the people's last names. They just say "Charlie" or "Bobby." The staging of the Tate/Labianca murders is very, very creepy though. I still haven't seen Deadbeat at Dawn yet.
Roachboy by The-Duke-of-New-York	May 27th, 2008 01:42:05 PM
No argument, the Battle in Seattle review/account is excellent. Maybe it was just a phase, or a product of my own imagination. Hope so.
wow, cinematic gold! by quentintarantado	May 27th, 2008 02:19:29 PM
I have seen NONE of his films, but he sounds like the kind of guy who'd be at home in the Philippines. ALL our films sound like his! ALL our MAJOR studio films! And wait till he meets our bugfuck crazy indie directors!
Wow... by Abhimanyu	May 27th, 2008 02:41:25 PM
This sounds very interesting - but no chance of ever getting it here. But thanks, Vern. Hilarious/ insightful as always, and an eye for the off-the-beaten as always.
This sounds ****ing awesome by grungies	May 27th, 2008 02:49:13 PM
Netflix queue, say hello to Deadbeat at Dawn!
Vern god bless you for reporting on what I wouldn't watch by Stormwatcher	May 28th, 2008 12:23:41 AM
But am glad to have described to me. We do exist.
Also Vern: Give us an Indy Review. by Stormwatcher	May 28th, 2008 12:24:48 AM
The site needs it.
"Snakes they looked like snakes" by joshtownsend	May 28th, 2008 08:37:57 AM
You forgot to mention "Bonecrusher" the best character in the movie. Glad to see this on AICN. Almost made me wish I would have shot a seagal vid for ya this weekend. I only have long blonde hair though.
The Manson Family by Knuckleduster	May 28th, 2008 09:55:53 AM
Found it in some bargain bin a few years ago. Thought it might be cool, since I have slight Manson fascination. It didn't make much of an impression, but after reading this I'm definitely checking out Deadbeat By Dawn.
why you don't hear about Van Bebber by joshtownsend	May 28th, 2008 11:47:58 AM
Guy has always had a drinking problem. If you search the net you hear phone calls he made threatening the Don May from Synapse films because he didn't like the transfer. He in jail while director Karim Hussain(from the belly of the beast extra) did the reversal negative cutting for free. I love these movies and even still have Deadbeat at Dawn on VHS. The guy isn't making movies because nobody will give him money ande also he still 'only shoots on film'. I tried to hire him for flick and he refused cause we were shooting in HD. I love the guy, but he is what he is. A drunk who's no Sam Peckinpah.
I just got your book Vern by BitterMan23	May 28th, 2008 04:46:37 PM
I had to explain to the guy at the store that it wasn't 'like the Chuck Norris one', which he had presumed (i then had to endure a few "Chuck Norris Facts"). I look forward to reading it soon.
Van Bebber a wasted talent by axemurder	May 28th, 2008 05:13:31 PM
i had the pleaseure of being his friend for 10 years we flew him over to the uk twice to show at our film festival 'nothing shocking' and spent many a drunken, drug fuelled night together i spent time at his in ohio and he was a great guy, but drugs and drink have kinda ruined his career and life, which is a shame as he could of been one of the great exploitation of our generation ..thanks for giving him some props vern.

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Vern reviews the new Jim VanBebber box set!!!

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