Motivational
Growth (2013/Parade Deck Films/MVD Visual Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: C Film: C
Jeffrey
(Re-Animator) Combs stars in Motivational Growth (2013)
where Ian Folivor, a depressed and reclusive 30-something, finds
himself taking advice from a growth in his bathroom after a failed
suicide attempt. The Mold, a smooth talking fungus who was born of
the filth collecting in a corner of Ian's neglected bathroom, works
to win Ian's trust by helping him clean himself up and remodel his
lifestyle.
With
The Mold's help, Ian attracts the attention of a neighbor he's been
ogling through his peephole, Leah, and he manages to find a slice of
happiness despite his unnatural circumstances. But Ian starts to
receive strange messages from his old and broken down TV set that
make him realize that The Mold may not be as helpful as it seems to
be, and strange characters combined with stranger events cast Ian's
life in the shadow of an epic battle between good and evil that Ian
is only partially aware of.
The
film is an attractive mix of indie horror and experimentation with a
great performance by Combs and pretty solid special effects. It's
definitely an off kilter idea and a strong study in madness and
solidarity. While the filmmaking is sharp, however, the film isn't
exactly one that I would see more than once. For what it is, it's
done well with many scenes aiming to disgust the audience. Sometimes
this effort works and sometimes it doesn't.
Sound
and Picture on the disc are strong with a 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High
Definition transfer and a Dolby Digital 5.1 track that doesn't
disappoint despite being lossy. Special Features include a
Commentary, Trailer, and a Photo Gallery.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
