DVD Review: “Repo! The Genetic Opera”
Sarah Brightman (yes, Sarah Brightman) in “Repo! The Genetic Opera”
Rating: 32
“Repo! The Genetic Opera” is blood-and-guts Grand Guignol spectacle, an opera without memorable arias proudly affixing a low brow to high culture by merging the “torture porn” of the “Saw” films with mainstream Goth rock. If Andrew Lloyd Webber were a serial killer in his spare time, he might stage “Repo” — this is “Phantom of the Opera” with a bad skin graft and its vital organs spilling out.
“Repo” is the adaptation of a stage play about a cybergoth future in which a plague causes massive organ failure. A company called Geneco becomes the dominant force in society by supplying expensive replacements, and repossesses the organs when customers cannot pay. At the center of the tragedy is Shiloh (Alexa Vega) the daughter of a repo man (Anthony Stewart Head), who appears to have the same blood disease that killed her mother. Meanwhile, dying Geneco head Rotti Largo (Paul Sorvino) must wrestle with whether to leave Geneco to Shiloh (it’s a long, boring story) or to his wretched spawn (Bill Moseley, Nivek Ogre of Skinny Puppy and, yes, Paris Hilton).
Director Darren Lynn Bousman (“Saw II-IV”) unleashes this wave of sub-Evanescence Goth rock, future-shock architecture and ever-present viscera with bloody glee. Like Bousman’s other films, “Repo” becomes an endurance test, but mainly because the vital organ that failed this enterprise was its brain.
Oscar Statement from Gus Van Sant (“Milk”)
“I am so thankful, so humbled, by The Academy for the nominations they have given our film – I’m so proud of our screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, Sean Penn and Josh Brolin and our incredible team, Danny Glicker, Danny Elfman, Elliot Graham, and our amazing producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. These nominations ensure that Harvey Milk’s legacy will live on.”
Oscar Statement from Josh Brolin (“Milk”)
“It is very special because of this movie. I am happy ‘Milk’ received so many nominations and that people are paying attention. The subject matter is so timely and important right now because of what is happening in California with Prop 8. When I think about my life a few years ago, being happy just to feed my kids, never in a million years would I have imagined I would be up at 5 in the morning getting phone calls saying I was nominated for an Academy Award. There is no reality to it.”
Oscar Statement from Martin McDonagh (“In Bruges”)
“My heartfelt thanks to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, particularly the writers’ branch, for their support. I’m thrilled that a tale so peculiar and twisted, and that was released so long ago, has stayed in their minds for so long.”
Oscar Statement from David Fincher (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”)
“‘Benjamin Button’ was truly a labor of love and I am humbled by the nomination. On behalf of the producers, cast and crew, I’d like to thank the Academy, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros and most of all the city of New Orleans, who gave birth to Benjamin.”
Oscar Statement from Brad Pitt (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”)
“This is a great honor for the movie, and I’m especially happy for David Fincher, for without him there would be no Ben Button.”
Oscar Statement from Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”)
“I am very excited, deeply honored and grateful. I thank Laray Mayfield, David Fincher, Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy for giving me the opportunity to bring Queenie to life.”
Oscar Statement from Viola Davis (“Doubt”)
“I still feel like the little brown-skinned girl from Central Falls, Rhode Island who dreamed the biggest dream. And how great that all of my fellow actors were recognized with this incredible honor.”
Oscar Statement from Freida Pinto (“Slumdog Millionaire”)
“The entire ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ experience has exceeded my wildest expectations. I feel thrilled and so thankful that Danny had faith in me even though I had no past experience in films. Hailing from Mumbai, it means even more to me that a film about this unique city has been nominated for such a prestigious award. It’s been an absolute honor to have worked with such a passionate team and its wonderful to know that critics and audiences across the globe have loved what we have worked so hard to achieve.”
Oscar Statement from Dev Patel (“Slumdog Millionaire”)
“It’s just amazing. For ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ to be included in the nominations for the Oscars is a huge honor. When we first began working on the film I don’t think any of us ever imagined that we might end up attending the Oscars ceremony as a result. I’m just so proud to be a part of this project and I have been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the film. Thank you to everyone who has supported us. I truly feel blessed.”
