A long whiles ago I was planning on spotlighting WAKE IN FRIGHT while it was hanging out on Netflix Streaming but before I had a chance, it got evicted and up and disappeared! There's no need to fret though cuz it's done showed up on HULU! Yay! Making matters even more convenient, a quick search of my trashy desktop uncovered half of the post I never finished from zoinks, way back in January! I'll just paste it here for ya'll….
From TED KOTCHEF, the director of FIRST BLOOD, WAKE IN FRIGHT is a highly unnerving outback odyssey into inebriated oblivion. It's a difficult movie to shake and I'd put it right up there with STRAW DOGS and DELIVERANCE, two films that share its fascination with the fallout of testosterone run amuck. Wow, just think of how peaceful the world would be if men decided to stop trying to impress other men. It would be like mellow rainbow unicorn town all over the place.
Unfortunately for me, this great film has a searing drawback in that it features the most atrocious animal deaths imaginable during a kangaroo hunt scene. It can't be unseen and I can attest that putting your hand over the computer screen only helps a little. Some small solace may be derived from knowing that the director utilized footage from an actual hunt that was going to happen anyway in order to expose the cruelty involved. Still, I can't help thinking it's bad mojo. Now real death has floated out of my computer and pushed through my eyes and is currently swinging in a hammock in my head humming "The Old Gray Mare" in the creepiest tone possible. Maybe fast-forwarding is the solution. It's not like you can pass up the only film that directly confronts the perils of waking up naked next to DONALD PLEASENCE.
…and that's all I wrote. Hmmm, funny this film came galloping back to my awareness after this grueling week of dealing with the repugnant murder of Cecil the Lion. I know, some people will ask as they have before, "How can you get upset about an animal's death when you watch so many movies in which so many people die?" It's really very simple. I like animals waaaaaay more than people. I never told you that? It's true. Animals are cute and loyal whereas humans are soulless tubs of rank manure on stilts who'll stab you in the back the first chance they get and would drive over their own Grandmothers if it meant a few extra bucks in their pocket. Present company excluded of course! I need to remember that our readership is mostly human even though we do score highly with doggies aged 2-4 (that would be 14- 24 in people years). Anyway, watch the trailer and excellent movie below, neuter your pets and maybe take it easy on the beer when vacationing in Australia.
I absolutely agree!!!!!!
"I like animals waaaaaay more than people. I never told you that? It’s true. Animals are cute and loyal whereas humans are soulless tubs of rank manure on stilts who’ll stab you in the back the first chance they get and would drive over their own Grandmothers if it meant a few extra bucks in their pocket."