The Art of Pain

I've been following these guys' careers for awhile now. Their Troma film 'Skunkape!?' was one of my all time favorite films for a long time with it's original comedy and a good take on an old legend.

So when I heard that they were making a full length feature, I knew I had to see it.

The movie is great as a comedy, but what really makes it stand out for me as that you feel with the characters. What happens to them matters to you, you want to see all of them succeed in what they are doing.

The humor was top notch and original. The ninja school segments were defiantly my favorite parts of the film. Matt Brookens knows what he's doing and what he's doing is pure art.

Lloyd Kaufman's cameo was really good. When he's guest starring in films, his cameos sometimes feel forced, as he's just there to be there (like Stan Lee with some of the Marvel films), but here, he's actually an important character. And you feel just as sorry for him in the film as the rest of the cast.

What can I say, except that I can't wait for the next movie by Brookens and his friends.

Plus, the special features was really entertaining. They have a couple of short films here (like the Son of Roni) that are so hilarious, you are going to love every minute of it!

Inspiration is a coy mistress. Many an artist has grappled with her elusive nature through the ages to achieve greatness. And while muses and narcotics have come to the aid of some struggling for the creative impulse, "The Art of Pain" reveals a more reliable method: absolute devastation, courtesy of a rampant ninja.

Hot off of winning the Audience Award last spring at the Sunscreen Film Festival, Chicagoan writer/director Matt Brookens's "The Art of Pain" follows the mission of Marcus (John LaFlamboy), a greaser ninja desperate to win the approval of his demanding sensei (Arvin Jalandoon) and, consequently, his black belt. Marcus is told he lacks creativity and distinction, which he decides to remedy by exploiting the same qualities in someone else.

After gaining employment at a multiplex, Marcus recognizes his new coworker Jack (Anders Erickson) from high school. Back then, Jack was an avid painter, but Marcus can see that the complacency born of his job and his pretty girlfriend Sharon (Lauren Bishop) are stifling his potential. The combination of an informative run-in with George Romano (actually played by Lloyd Kaufman of the "Toxic Avenger" series), and a drug-fueled trip that brings the zombie metaphor to life, lead Marcus to hatch a pain-inflicting plan.

By systematically destroying Jack's sparse but content existence, Marcus hopes to wrench emotive paintings from him that will land him a contract to produce a mural for a new high rise. Jack's masterpieces would thus make Marcus a winner, apparently in accordance with the distributive property. His first step in releasing Jack's untapped talent is to start tapping his girlfriend, which leads to a hilarious public falling out between the lovers as well as an artistic awakening. And Marcus's tactics only get more brutal from there.

Centering as it does on artistic impulses and the creative brain, "The Art of Pain" intuitively manifests this world in the relationship between Jack and his geeky best friend Nick (Greg Brookens). As the pair brainstorm about a comic they're making together featuring the mythological Skunk Ape, animated characters spill across the screen. Additionally, their shared visualization of the great beyond and even their commonplace conversations teem with the originality that Marcus covets.

Meanwhile, Marcus inhabits a completely different universe from his coworkers. Ample showdowns with his sensei and fellow students take place in Chicago, but they achieve the imperial kung fu vibe. This is mainly thanks to the actors' expert handling of the fight choreography, which often includes authentic weaponry. Marcus's appearance at the mundane movie theatre is thereby initially hard to fathom, but later on, his guerilla attacks profit from his eccentric image.

"The Art of Pain" is built on a sadistic premise, but it's great fun watching it unfold. Characters like Peppito the perverted projectionist (Marshall Bean) and Charlie the effete manager (Jake Hames) pepper the theatre scenes, threatening to steal several of them. Also riotous to behold is the sheer number of ways someone can get his ass kicked; new weapons are literally invented for the cause.

With an alchemized mixture of gore and jest, "The Art of Pain" has the ability to gag, slay, and -- above all -- entertain.

It is obvious some folks do not understand campy and fun - not sure why some critics have been so harsh - delightful is deserved - maybe silly would be accurate. But overall a fun experience - keep up the work folks - I for one enjoyed watching a new genre being born. While not all actors were as accomplished as you would hope for the overall cast was more than adequate and I am guessing that the budget of the production did not allow for extensive casting or re-shooting. When you are watching the film you have to sit back and take in the concept and enjoy the idea that is being presented. With most movies - even the big budget extravaganzas you can find holes or weaknesses if you look at it hard enough but it is a movie - sit back relax and be entertained - and I found this movie entertaining.

"The Art of Pain" was selected as a winner from an international field for its imaginative plot, as well as the exciting pace of the action. Not only is it funny and well-written, but the acting, directing, special effects and technical aspects rival anything Hollywood has done lately--and you can learn something too. That's what I like about the Brookens brothers' films. They are not just a lot of silly action and mindless babble; they have a lot of thought behind them. Those who know Chicago will recognize many of the local landmarks. Greg Brookens is a master of timing and one of the best comic actors I've seen in any film, independent or studio. The rest of the cast was also very good. This film proves that you don't need to go to Hollywood to find talented actors and filmmakers.

I was so unfortunate to have a friend that got hold of one of the copies at the festival. He was so proud that he made me watch it which i really count as intellectual assault! The acting is really poor, the plot is weird and just because you arbitrarily mix up genres doesn't mean you create a new one.

Don't believe the reviews on this one, the film crew seems to be pretty desperate and busy on writing them to make a few people watch it.

Nice effort guys, but everything you create is Disappointment. Solicit this film for what it is, a senseless, stupid, no-point-making, B-Ninja-Zombie-Trash-Film.

There are people out there who could like stuff like that, THESE are your customers, not the people you make expect Oscar-worthy performances with your crap!

2/10 for 2 to 3 benevolent laughs