Live Freaky Die Freaky (2006) Reviews

• A Fun and Morbid Idea, Great Cast, Horrible Execution

  gavin69422006-12-19

  In the distant future, life as we know it has been completely wiped out. Man is hungry for answers... and one day when a book -- "Helter Skelter" -- is found, some answers are given. Just maybe not the right answers. I am unclear how the people in the future connect to the primary story, a claymation retelling of the Charles Manson story. The suggestion is that reading the book would make them think Manson was a god, but the book would actually do quite the opposite. So I'm confused. And also, we have some of the biggest names in modern "punk" music: Billie Joe Armstrong, Tim Armstrong (no relation), Davey Havok. We have Kelly Osbourne and Sean Yseult. We have the erection-inducing Asia Argento. For those of us who like these people, this film would seem to be one of the greatest things to happen. It's not. The story is told in a bland manner, the claymation is poorly done. The songs are lame and carry on for too long. You would expect the music to be the selling point, but it's not. And for some reason all the names have been changed to things with the letter H: "Charles Hanson", "Susan Hatkins", "Hex Watson"... it's pointless and stupid. The best scene involves a group of The Family in a dumpster exchanging quips with Sharon Tate and her gay hairdresser. Another memorable scene is the claymation sex scene, which starts out shocking and funny but gets drawn out. People who liked "Team America" might like this, but I didn't think it was that outstanding. How to make this film better: get better music, cut out the future story and just tell the Manson epic in a unique way (which is already done thanks to clay). Films shouldn't make you say to yourself, "I can do this so much better", but that's how I felt about this junk. My interest in Charles Manson was dealt a blow from this mediocre adaptation. If you're like me, you'll know it's awful but watch it anyway. But I hope you're not like me.

• A movie that had the balls to be made in this area

  topthugla2005-11-16

  I have read some of these comments on this website ad please do not be fooled by some of the reviews. was at The Chicago screening and it was amazing everyone loved it. The person was a small minority if at all he or she was even there. Be warned there are lot of people that do not want you to see this movie. Because it questions everything the government does not want you to question!!!! What you are reading ( the negative reviews) are people trying to stop this movie from being seen. Please make up your own mind if you have enough sense. It is beyond John Waters, beyond anything you can believe and the cast is just the icing on the top. And for all you right wingers on this site trying to do damage on this site please go somewhere else...See this movie it is heartfelt, sleazy, funny and a laugh riot!!!

• Stops being shocking or funny after about ten minutes - and there's an hour to go

  adam11172006-01-29

  I saw a midnight screening of this movie in Chicago last night, and had to fight very hard to stay awake. The idea of a remarkably vulgar stop motion musical about Charles Manson isn't such a bad one in and of itself, and there's about a ten minute stretch after the opening sequence that's really quite funny. However, once the novelty of seeing explicit puppet sex wears off, it's not shocking, it's not offensive, it's not subversive, and and it's not funny - it's just boring, and there's a good hour left to go. Once you've established that the real agenda is to shock and offend by any means necessary, it's hard to find anything really offensive. One or two of the songs is kinda catchy, in that "here's a show tune written by the drama teacher from the local high school," Guffman-esquire sort of way, but most are instantly forgettable. About the only thing to break the monotony of puppets trying their hardest to be shocking and offensive is when they take breaks to let Charlie do some ranting - and then it's even more boring. The movie even jokes about how dull Manson's rants would get, but makes you sit through them anyway. The live action sequences from the 31st century at the beginning and end seem pointless - could the guy in them even read in the first place? Would he sit through all of Helter Skelter if he could? I'm not sure which kind of people are going to get a thrill out of this - some might see Manson's scenes and feel really rebellious, like they're questioning authority and "seeing something they don't WANT me to see." Who's the "they," exactly, that would find this so threatening? While there's a segment of the population that will always be ready to object to people seeing violent and/or naked puppets, you can disturb those people just as much by watching CNN - and that would be a much better way to spend your time than watching puppets try to offend you.

• Brilliant Pop Culture Satire

  gnrationfo2005-06-28

  I'm one of the lucky few who has seen this film. Although it may frighten the meek, this film is full of pop culture and social satire that borders on genius. From the opening musical homage to Paul Schrader's "Patty Hearst" to all the familiar faces of those Bass/Rankin claymation holiday specials that made you feel drug induced as a child. But the most memorable thing is the portrayal of The Brady Bunch from Hell..The Manson Family. The voice talents of many well known musicians give there all to bring this Macabre musical to life. John Roecker has done his research well and slips in many symbolic messages in the film that will make people take a second look at the world around them, while flashy and fun..evil can just be around the corner. This film is destined to be looked at for a long time just like John Water's Pink Flamingo has. This is a film that has a lot to say...once you're over the shock of nearly havin a heart attack watching it..you're gonna wanna talk about it !

• Trying too hard

  amateur162005-08-19

  It's easy to see why some of the animators flaked out on director John Roecker. Once you see what a pile of crap you're devoting your time to, how can your work seem worth it? Don't be surprised when you see this DVD on the discount racks at Hot Topic. Once you see the cast list, it is apparent that this film was tailor made for the mall-punks who clamor to buy clothing with pre-inserted safety pins that don't open. But indeed the vocal performances are the only reason to sit through this annoying little movie. The cast list is impressive--impressive enough to lure in the curious before they demand their money back. The program notes for the Chicago Underground Film Festival inform the audience that every line in the film is calculated to offend. It actually should have read "mis-calculated to offend." Every joke misses the mark and most end up being really lame. I almost felt embarrassed for everyone involved. It's really hard to be offended by something that's obviously trying WAY too hard to offend. I get the feeling that Roecker was the kid in your classroom who uncontrollably blurted out random bits of unfunny, snickering to himself while everyone else wish he'd just shut up. There's no doubt that people will be lining up to see this. I'd also wager that most who do will walk away disappointed. Does this film push boundaries? Yes. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't suck.