Are you ready for this trip, man?
R. Schaffer | NY, NY | 01/29/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Jose Marins, Ze de Caixao in Brazil, and Coffin Joe to us, makes surreal, disturbing, wacky films, and is a genuine indie filmmaker. This film, the 3rd Coffin Joe opus, is out of left field, and is almost experimental in its near plotless surreal collection of druggie imagery and sexual weirdness. Marins deserves far more attention as a filmmaker than he gets, for he is a true original. I don't quite know what to make of this film, but i enjoyed watching it. The plot has something to do with a doctor's theories on drugs and sexual perversity, and involves experiments on junkies. I think, anyway. Marins appears as Coffin Joe and as Marins the director, giving this film a self-referential element that was new when this film was made. Great Brazilian tropicalia soundtrack, akin to the sounds of Os Mutantes and other way out groups, this is a one of a kind piece of film. Not for everybody's tastes, but for fans of eccentric film, a must."
Turn on tune in and drop out, Brazilian Style
S. Boone | Louisville, KY | 09/25/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Awakening of the Beast differs from the first two Coffin Joe movies as it's done more in a "shockumentary" style, sort of a portrayal of the downfall of Brazilian society due to drugs and the resulting perversions of such activity. OK, now that I've tried to sound semi-intelligent this is one weird flick, and while it's not in the same vein as his first two films it's still strangely appealing in its own bizarre way. It's part "panel discussion" and part horror flick and part acid trip. Xe Do Caixao (Coffin Joe) is sort of "on trial" on TV because of implications that his movies and comics are perverting society. Sound familiar? And this was made in 1969, so not much has changed in the world. Complete with the usual bizarre imagery (look for the butt-heads) and and an experiment with 4 "addicts" and doses of LSD make this one compelling but oddball film, and if you enjoy Marins' other flicks you'll be sure to like this as well. I look forward to getting my mitts on other releases by this wacko when they become available. I hope."