When you work in different aspects of the movie industry you watch a lot of films. People either hand you their movie or ask you to watch something they did. You read about a movie and think it might not be too bad and ask for a screener of it. For the most part 90% of it is pure garbage. There’s a reason that most people have never heard of the film never mind seen it. Every once in a while you get some obscure cult movie that’s really good (Thankskilling) or some movie you question how more people don’t know about it (The Waterhole, White Irish Drinkers). The most recent film to fit in to that last example is Some Guy Who Kills People.
Ken Boyd (actor Kevin Corrigan) lives with his mom, works at an ice cream store and oh yeah kinda just got out of a mental hospital. He’s quiet, likes to draw and design comics and ultimately tries to keep to himself. But Ken has a dark past. He was in the loony bin because he tried to kill himself. A girlfriend screwed him over, he was beaten up in high school, pretty much an overall crappy life. He seems to have a “dark passenger” that makes him think thoughts he shouldn’t be thinking.
Ken’s life gets even more chaotic when his estranged daughter shows up. Her mother told her that her dad wasn’t around and she wants to catch up with the dad she never knew. On top of the new girl in his life, his boss isn’t making his job pleasant and Ken keeps running into the boys from his high school days that made his life hell. The only person who seems to have his back is his longtime friend Irv.
But Ken’s life starts to get better. He’s enjoying his time with his daughter Amy and he meets a woman who’s interested in him. He goes on a few dates with Stephanie, his daughter loves him and just as it seems his life is going smoothly, some dead bodies start popping up. The local sheriff (Barry Bostwick) is slowly putting the pieces together and realizes the connection all the dead men have. That connection would be Ken. As his personal life is getting better is Ken’s thoughts getting the better of him? As the sheriff starts closing in on the killer, Ken tries to figure out everything and keep himself in check.
If you like dark comedies or films that don’t take themselves seriously, then Some Guy Who Kills People is for you. It reminded me of James Gunn/Rainn Wilson’s Super and Tyler Labine/Alan Tudyk’s Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. Sure it’s bloody and slasher film-ish, but it’s also really funny. It’s funny for two reasons, a sly crafty script and really good performances.
Barry Bostwick is absolutely brilliant as Sheriff Walt. He delivers some of the best lines in a slow deadpan that you know you shouldn’t be laughing at, but they are too funny. His puns around the dead bodies are just fantastic. Sheriff Walt is trying to find the killer, but doesn’t want to go after Ken too fast because he’s sleeping with Ken’s mom and doesn’t want to lose that, that's just awesome. One of Bostwick’s best characters in a long time.
The supporting cast is quite good besides Bostwick. Lucy Davis is as cute and Britishy as ever. Karen Black is quite funny as Ken’s mother. Ariel Gade should have a lot of work coming her way. And even though I always see him as Telly in Kids, Leo Fitzpatrick plays Irv really well.
But the man that makes the movie is Kevin Corrigan. I’ve been a fan of his since the TV show Grounded for Life. For those who can’t immediately picture Kevin, you know him from Fringe, The Black Donnelly’s, Pineapple Express and The Departed. Corrigan is a perfect fit for Ken. He looks like he’s got a few screws loose in the first place and he pulls off the character flawlessly. Usually more of a character actor, Corrigan shines as the lead and the movie is good because of him. An eye opening performance by Corrigan.
Clearly the movie isn’t for everyone and yes the title is one of the most self explanatory titles ever (right up there with Man on a Ledge), but for those into dark, quirky flicks, Some Guy Who Kills People is a must see. It isn’t very easy to find just yet, but if you can find it, watch it and look for it in the future for sure. A fun little film with solid writing and performances and a nice little twist that adds that extra level of entertainment.
You can follow me at www.Twitter.com/Murraymaker and also the writer of the film Ryan Levin at www.Twitter.com/SomeGuyWhoKills
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