Serial Killing 4 Dummys
Encyclopedia
Serial Killing 4 Dummys is a 1999 dark comedy film
written and directed by Trace Slobotkin and starring Thomas Hayden Church and Justin Urich.
, the Providence Journal wrote the film was "as fresh as the latest TV news break-in report." and "In the real world of schoolground slayings, Serial Killing 4 Dummys is in very bad taste. But that's the point. This black comedy, filled with barbed irony, is about the disaffected and talentless, who only see headline-grabbing mayhem as their way out of their personal ruts. And it shoves our noses in it.".
Beyond Hollywood wrote "the movie is much better than it really has any right to be", and that as both writer and director, Trace Slobotkin "oftentimes manages to ascend beyond the constraints of the movie." They note that the film is not without its issues, and that the background issue of there being a real serial killer at work does not begin to make its impact until after the first 20 minutes.
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
written and directed by Trace Slobotkin and starring Thomas Hayden Church and Justin Urich.
Background
The film first screened at film festivals and had limited release in theaters in the late 1990s under the title Serial Killing 101, before its "official" theatrical release in February 2002. When released on video in 2004, it was retitled Serial Killing 4 Dummys.Reception
Upon its screening in 1998 at the Convergence Film Festival in Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, the Providence Journal wrote the film was "as fresh as the latest TV news break-in report." and "In the real world of schoolground slayings, Serial Killing 4 Dummys is in very bad taste. But that's the point. This black comedy, filled with barbed irony, is about the disaffected and talentless, who only see headline-grabbing mayhem as their way out of their personal ruts. And it shoves our noses in it.".
Beyond Hollywood wrote "the movie is much better than it really has any right to be", and that as both writer and director, Trace Slobotkin "oftentimes manages to ascend beyond the constraints of the movie." They note that the film is not without its issues, and that the background issue of there being a real serial killer at work does not begin to make its impact until after the first 20 minutes.
Partial cast
- Thomas Haden ChurchThomas Haden ChurchThomas Haden Church is an American actor. After co-starring in the 1990s sitcom Wings, Church became well known for his film roles, including his Academy Award-nominated performance in Sideways and his role as the Sandman in Spider-Man 3.-Early life:Church, the fourth of six children, was born...
as Vince Grimaldi - Justin Urich as Casey Noland
- Lisa LoebLisa LoebLisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over...
as Sasha Fitzgerald - Rick OvertonRick OvertonRichard "Rick" Overton is an American screenwriter, actor and comedian. His writing credits include Dennis Miller Live, and his acting credits include Willow and The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne.-Life and career:...
as Mr. Korn - George MurdockGeorge MurdockGeorge Peter Murdock was a notable American anthropologist. He is remembered for his empirical approach to ethnological studies and his landmark works on Old World populations.-Early life:...
as Detective Ray Berro - Corey FeldmanCorey FeldmanCorey Scott Feldman is an American film and television actor. He became known during the 1980s, with roles in the Hollywood films Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, The Goonies, Stand by Me, The Lost Boys, License to Drive, Dream a Little Dream, Gremlins and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...
as Store Clerk - Barbara NivenDavid Niven, Jr.David Niven, Jr. , the son of Oscar-winning actor David Niven and his wife Primula Rollo, is a film producer and film actor with stints as an executive at Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures. His credits include Rush Hour 3, The Cool Surface, Psycho Cop Returns and The Girl with the Hungry Eyes...
as Donna Noland - Stuart Stone as Amil
- Raymond O'ConnorRaymond O'ConnorRaymond O'Connor is an American character actor.-Career:Raymond O'Connor has been in a number of films, some small roles and some large roles as well...
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as Sally Lindon - Chris WeberChris WeberChris Weber is is an American musician best known as the guitarist and founder of the groups U.P.O. and Hollywood Rose...
as Mark Pekla - Mark ThompsonMark ThompsonMark John Thompson is Director-General of the BBC, a post he has held since 2004, and a former chief executive of Channel 4...
as Chuck, Weatherman - Jennifer Loto as Marni Greenstein
- Michael Alaimo as Mr. Rabino
- Tegan West as Detective Pessin