Fantastic Fest 2010 Day One: Chaos Reigned

I'm thinking that keeping "Chaos Reigns" as a slogan is not such a good idea for a film festival. Last year's Fantastic Fest seemed about as big as it could get, but this year it's even more extreme. With every badgeholder trying to access the same website at the same time Thursday to reserve tickets on the fest's new online reservation system, things didn't go exactly as planned. Shortly after, badgeholders were advised to go down to the venue, making some nervous as the first films began seating before the line died down.  Fantastic Fest co-founder Tim League sent out an email later that morning, both apologizing and and changing the reservation system procedure to only VIP badgeholders. Regular badgeholders are back to getting up early and enjoying the ambience of an in-person line.

My first film was the ambitious German sci-fi film Transfer, where the very rich could transfer their consciousness to younger, healthier bodies. While daring, the provocative concept is diminished by an ending that doesn't match the rest of the film, and some of the worst subtitle timing and displays I've seen to go with looped audio. I can say this, it has one of the best scores I've heard in a long time.

Yoshihiro Nakamura's followup to last year's hit Fish Story has sealed Nakamura's place in the hearts of Fantastic Fest fans, taking the same time jumping non-linear storytelling to new heights. Golden Slumber surpasses expectations, and is going to be hard to beat as my favorite film of the festival.  The earnest and sweet Aoyagi thinks he's going on a fishing trip, only to find out he's being set up as a fall guy. As he runs from the national police and unsure who to trust, it turns out his friends -- old and new -- are the key to his survival.  At 2.5 hours long, Golden Slumber rarely lets up and is ultimately one of the most satisfying films I've seen in years -- without resorting to a Hollywood ending.

Next up, the rock-climbing French horror tale High Lane by Fantastic Fest alum Abel Ferry. With some disorienting cinematography, Ferry builds a very tense tale that is part man versus nature and part friends versus killer. Despite resorting to some cliches, it's a solid film, but not for those prone to vertigo.

The last film of the day -- and the first sold-out film of fantastic fest was Darren Bousman's Mother's Day about a party with friends turned horribly wrong when the sons of the previous owner turned up just before a storm.  When their mother shows up, things go from bad to worse.  While it resorts to more gore than I prefer, it has some brilliant moments as well.  Those of us able to get tickets were treated with milk and cookies, and cards from Mother herself.  Rebecca DeMornay was in attendance, along with the director and other cast and crew.

What's up for Day Two? Nothing for me, but I'm sure Jette and Debbie will have something to say, although I hear that lines for tickets were outrageously long very early this morning.