By Amanda Gilmore
Documentary You Cannot Kill David Arquette which follows his comeback to wrestling 18-years after fans were angered by his 2000 WCW World Heavyweight Championship win. Arquette never meant to disrespect the sport or enrage fans and fellow wrestlers. He just wanted to play the sport he loved since childhood. So in 2018, he began his road to redemption in hopes to garner the fans acceptance the way he respects them and the sport. He shows his respect by throwing streamers at the fans before entering the ring, just as the fans throw streamers at their favourite wrestlers.
The Documentary has many laughs as it tells the quirky story of an endearing underdog, however, it also shows the reality Wrestlers face. Arquette experiences many obstacles along his journey, from training, death matches, and health scares, but he is unwavering in his mission and persists. His passion for wrestling fuels him through every impediment allowing him to come out stronger on the other side. You Cannot Kill David Arquette gives us Comedy, Drama, Action and a Comeback Kid we route for throughout.
We were lucky enough to get on a conference call with Arquette this week to speak about his upcoming documentary. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: In the Doc, we see you go through a physical transformation. What were some challenges and benefits you found in getting in shape?
A: I used DDPY which is Diamond Dallas Page Yoga but its not really Yoga, it’s Yoga and strength training. That got me inspired to start my weight loss and getting prepared to take bumps in the ring. …Did Jujitsu…and boxing and then I worked with Peter Avalon as a Trainer. And it was really just great to get out there and do all that cardio. Then I went on a zero-carb diet for months and months. You have to reduce the size of your meals and eat smaller meals throughout the day. Its best if you don’t eat anything three hours before you go to bed. It was hard but it was something that as an actor you learn how to do. You just sometimes have to lose weight for a part, or put on weight. *laughing* But that’s harder sometimes in a way. *laughing* It taught me a lot of discipline and getting in the mindset of an athlete.
Q: When will we see you in the ring again, and what you hope your Wrestling career will look like in the future?
A: I don’t know if I will get back in the ring again. I really love being in the ring with my friend and tag-team partner RJ City. It’s a fun dynamic with him and a safer experience. *laughing* So when I’m with him it’s safer. When I’m in there on my own it isn’t the safest place for me. I don’t know if I will be wrestling anytime soon. I do love it. But I think this movie exists in its own world. And I think that it’s best if I just let it live there.
Arquette has two Films screening at Fantasia Fest 2020. His Documentary, which will screen live Mon. Aug. 24 at 7:30 PM, and Horror-Comedy 12 Hour Shift who he co-stars beside Angela Bettis and retired Wrestler Mick Foley, which screens live twice on Sat. Aug. 22 at 9:30 PM and Thu. Aug. 27 at 11:30 PM.
Elevation Pictures release You Cannot Kill David Arquette on VOD on August 28, 2020.
(Photo credit: Elevation Pictures)
By Amanda Gilmore
After another drug bender, Barry (Gary Green) gets abducted by aliens. One of the aliens visitors hijacks his brain and takes control of his body — bringing it on a joyride through Cape Town.
Fried Barry is one of the wildest, craziest movie experiences at this year’s Fantasia Fest! It’s a high-energy psychedelic ride filled with sex, action, comedy and gore. At its core is a controlled, highly comedic performance from Green. For a film as outrageous as this one, a fully committed yet restrained performance is needed and Green fully delivers. It’s also skillfully-directed by Ryan Kruger. Kruger shoots Cape Town as a first-time alien visitor would see the vibrant city. In doing so, he takes the audience on a wild ride through Cape Town and it’s one trip you will never forget.
Fried Barry will be available on-demand through Fantasia Fest Aug 20 – Sept 2.
By Amanda Gilmore
Good news Cinephiles, Fantasia Fest is still happening during these uncertain times! And to mould with the moment it’s going to be completely virtual. It’s all kicking off this week starting August 20th and will run until September 2nd with a mix of VOD and Live Screenings. That means those who want to attend won’t have to travel to Montreal this year, making this one of the more easily accessible Film Festivals of the year. And there are many films in the lineup this year gathering buzz.
Kicking off the festival is the opening night live screening of Niel Marshall’s (2019’s Hellboy) latest The Reckoning. The Film takes place in 1665 and follows a woman accused of being a witch after losing her husband to the plague. It stars Charlotte Kirk, Joe Anderson and Sean Pertwee. One film garnering buzz is Fried Barry, which follows drug-addict Barry (a fantastic Gary Green) who’s body gets hijacked by an alien and taken on a joyride through Cape Town. There is plenty of love for our homegrown Canadian talent as well. Slow-burning Thriller The Oak Room unravels a mystery though eery storytelling, cabin-set Isolation Film Bleed with Me follows a shy girl who struggles to integrate herself on a weekend getaway, and high-octane For the Sake of Vicious is a home-invasion gorefest with killer stunts and acting. There are also Documentaries making waves such as Canadian-made Clapboard Jungle which examines the life and career of an independent Filmmaker, and You Cannot Kill David Arquette which follows a wrestling comeback for its quirky subject.
The Films aren’t the only events you can virtually tap into! There are plenty of events happening, and what’s best is they are completely free! Afrofuturism takes place on August 21st at 5 PM and examines how Afrofuturism changed the lack of representation of BIPOC people in the Science Fiction genre. There’s going to be a talk with the Screenwriter of Horror-hits The Guest and You’re Next Simon Barrett on August 24th at 5 PM, Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House Writer-Director Mike Flanagan will be speaking about adapting literary works into film and making them your own on August 30th at 3 PM. And the legend of Horror himself, John Carpenter, is not only being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Fest, but he will also be giving a masterclass on August 22nd at 4 PM.
Don’t forget to check-back daily as we bring you reviews from the hottest Films to come out of the Fest!
If you want to get tickets or learn more about Fantasia Festival 2020 head over to fantasiafestival.com.
(Photo credit: Fantasia Festival)
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