A "Pick-Off Movie" is a term I've come up with to describe movies that focus on an ensemble of one-dimensional characters (The Tough Guy, The Determined Heroine With Thin Hips, The Greedy Guy, The Useful Nerd, etc.) and then introduces a mindless killing machine (an alien, zombies, or in this case a bunch of vampires.) The story then progresses to violently pick off the cast of characters one at a time. This is the basis for all zombie movies and slasher films. Here are some good examples for the form:



From the writer who brought us Waterworld (yes, the movie where Kevin Costner drinks his own undie juice), David Twohy comes this emotionally deficient movie about a group who are stranded on a distant planet after their space ship crashes. Not only do they have to worry about Riddick, the killer they're transporting, but they also have to content with the planet's hungry creatures that attack as the globe is sent into a sunless darkness. This is straight up pick off movie but it has some interesting elements going for it. Vin Diesel is surprisingly effective as Riddick and the duel concern of his unstable loyalty to the other survivors and the threat of the flesh eating creatures has some impact. This is violent and bloody and therefore not for everyone.



"Game over man!"

Probably the best pick-off movie of all time and one heck of a McMovie. James Cameron takes the Ripley Scott's classic Alien and transforms it into a blue-filtered video game. Cameron's mastery of pacing is in full effect and he unfolds a taut, gripping action flick that is enjoyable even twenty years later.

This is probably the only time I can think where casting Paul Reiser was a good idea. No really.




A small budget, stupid monster movie with a flimsy script and shoddy acting. All signs point to crap (with justification) but for some reason this thing works. Tongue firmly inserted in cheek, the movie has the wisdom to not take itself seriously and is comfortable being a fun diversion. If a group of hicks troubled by subterranean carnivores that burrow under people and then snatch them from the Earth sounds like fun to you, have at it.

Labels: movie recommendations