3. Tusk (A24)
Kevin Smith, what am I going to do with you? I have learned one thing in re-watching all of his previous films – he’s a terrible filmmaker. While I do still enjoy Mallrats and Chasing Amy, there’s no way around the FACT that he’s an awful, awful director who is also surprisingly tone def and misogynistic (the word of 2014!). After Red State, I thought it was clear Smith had no idea how to create suspense in his work, which is why it was nice to see him tap into his early comedic roots with Tusk. Only, it’s not funny. At all. And if it weren’t for Michael Parks’ best-of-the-year performance, Tusk would be one of the worst films of all-time. Proof in point? Did you see Johnny Depp? No, seriously, did you? Depp delivers one of the worst performances in the history of film – which is why I’m sure he’s ecstatic nobody saw this trash. But what really makes steam come out of my ears is how mean-spirited Tusk truly is. Smith can defend it all his wants, but I know the truth, Smith is trying to hurt his viewers. If this is what “stoner comedy” has become, I want nothing to do with it.
