May

[JoBlo]

Still a little early to be discussing this one, but it's never too early to find out about upcoming movies and this one is pretty sweet. Lots more info on the movie here: http://www.joblo.com/movienews/910.htm

http://www.joblo.com/movienews/images2/newsmay1.jpg

[Nate6]

Oooh, that sounds weird and twisted. In a good way.

[bankholdup]

I just came into this forum to open up a topic about this movie until I noticed this one. Oh well.

I think this premise is very disturbing. A modern day Frankenstein is what it seems like, as it is mainly described.

[the movie guy]

I'm stoked. It's an awesome poster and a great sounding idea.

[xirtam]

Is Anna Faris the one from Scary Movie?

[Mike]

I've been meaning to post a topic about this movie since I first heard about it a couple of months ago. I even wrote the title down so I wouldn't forget it. I think it sounds awesome and I love Anna Faris (Scary Movie & Scary Movie 2).

I was thinking it would be more like a dark horror comedy but that poster looks damn creepy. I can't wait for it.

[daredevil0214]

the poster is definitely creepy, and this is the type of bizarre plot that i absolutely LOVE in movies. sooo excited about this one. is this in the new york film festival??

anna faris. shes great! cant wait.

[ghostworldfan]

It sounds like it has the potential to be the best film of 2003 IMO. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...but first, JoBlo, is it more of a horror or a dark comedy?

[Mike]

I can't wait for this one. I haven't voted for my most anticipated upcoming movies at www.boxofficereport.com (http://www.boxofficereport.com) for this week yet so I'm going to put MAY at the top of my list. I know I'll probably be the only one voting for it though because not many people know about it yet, plus it's a smaller non-mainstream movie. It would kick some major ass to see MAY make it into the top 20 list at the site but I highly doubt it will. Too bad, if it were in the top 20 it would get more people interested in finding out what exactly MAY is since most haven't heard of it. Oh well, it's got my vote, even if mine is the only one.

Go MAY!!!

[Mike]

Thank You bulletproof for the news... The "MAY" trailer is on the "FRAILTY" VHS. I wish I would have know sooner because I wouldn't have rented the DVD, I would have gotten the VHS. I'm so pissed at myself. Anyway, I just thought I'd let everyone know.

If you've seen the trailer what did you think?

[Mike]

I can't wait for this one. I just pray that it will be going wider, but I highly doubt it because, like a lot of Lions Gate movies, it just isn't too mainstream. I think it will be too violent and too dark for most mainstream audiences. Oh well, I will see it A.S.A.P., whether it be in theaters or on video (hopefully it will be in theaters though). So far, the advanced reviews have been great.

[Ed]

oh, i didn't notice there was another one in this thread. :rolleyes:
does anyone know where i can find a quicktime version of the trailer? thanx

[bondish]

In the forum @ Anna Faris Online they said that the Quicktime trailer for May was coming soon to the website. Anna Online is a really good site on Anna!

http://www.annafaris.net

[XCoRyX]

this film looks awesome,its finally getting a reaction by the public and noticed more,i have been interested in it since its first been heard about.....sounds impressive,and jeremy sisto is in it,i love him...kevin gage is also in it who is cool,total kickass dude.faris should impress people who judge her by her comedic performances and say she isnt nothing,like me.

[Mike]

Originally posted by bondish
In the forum @ Anna Faris Online they said that the Quicktime trailer for May was coming soon to the website. Anna Online is a really good site on Anna!

http://www.annafaris.net

This is so obviously spam that it's not even funny, but since I love Anna Faris I'm willing to forgive you.

[Mike]

Movie Review
"May"
Review by Eric D. Snider
for The Daily Herald

"May" is an astonishingly distasteful movie, yet an altogether enjoyable one, if that's your thing. It is the sort of blood-soaked flick that straddles the line between humor and horror well enough to be a cult classic -- which is a good thing, because heaven knows it will never find mainstream success.

"If you can't find a friend, make one." That's the advice given to misfit girl May (Angela Bettis) by her insanely one-dimensional mother (Merle Kennedy). May has a lazy eye, which forces her to wear an eyepatch as a child, which leads to a poor development of her social skills. Now, all grown up and no longer pirate-like in her appearance, she is sweet and friendly, but offputting to strangers.

She works as a veterinarian's assistant and grows fond of Adam (Jeremy Sisto), a mechanic who works down the street. He's an amateur filmmaker, and when he shows her his cannibal-themed student film, she takes it all too much to heart. This is a girl whose best friend, to this point, is a creepy doll her mom gave her. Separating reality from fiction is not her forte. Soon enough, Adam can't take any more of her strangeness, and dire things happen.

First-time writer/director Lucky McKee stays admirably committed to his giddily weird vision. His storytelling is uncluttered and relatively simple, though he does stray at times into a sort of over-deliberate strangeness where characters utter non-sequiturs just to remind us that yes, this movie is bizarre.

He also builds tension very well. The first shot of the film is of a girl's eye spurting blood, but that's the last glimpse of horror we see for quite some time. There is something evil afoot, though, and the sensation of that permeates everything, even when we're laughing at the morbid humor that abounds.

Angela Bettis is strong enough as an actress to carry the film on her petite shoulders. I also liked Anna Faris as Polly, a sultry, David Lynch-ian lesbian who hits on May at work.

It is quite gross indeed; make no mistake about that. But it's parable-like lessons and quirky sense of style make it a worthy effort, and a stand-out in its genre. Grade: B+

Rated R for scattered harsh profanity, abundant blood and gore, some strong sexuality

MAY
by Tim Merrill
(2001-12-20)

2002, Un-rated, 90 Minutes,

A loud, agonzied, bloody scream is a pleasantly jolting way to begin a horror movie. And while "May" isn't really a horror movie per se - not at first, anyway - it dives right in without regard for one's eardrums. And only gets better from there. Call it a horror movie, a psychological thriller or a feminist splatterfest, but this sort of story is tough to get right. "May" gets it more than right.

Angela Bettis ("Bless the Child") plays May, who is introduced as a sad little girl with a lazy eye and no friends to be found. So her mother gives May a friend, an antique doll named Suzy. Suzy lives in an ornate glass case, Suzy has huge blue eyes and a moon-white face, and Suzy is as scary-looking as a doll can be.

Twenty years later, it seems Suzy is still May's only friend. The lazy eye has been corrected with contact lenses, but in all other respects May is still painfully gawky, a real wallflower's wallflower. Bettis plays May just this side of over-the-top, a twitchy freak with hand-me-down clothes and rat's-nest hair. Writer/ Director Lucky McKee (despite his name, the guy has "horrormeister" written all over him), while mercifully steering clear of tired "Scream"-isms, isn't afraid to go for the odd - very odd - laugh at May's expense. And he has great fun with May's veterinary hosptial co-worker, a pistol-hot nympho lesboid named Polly, played to the hilt by Anna Faris ("Scary Movie"). Polly has a bit of a crush on May, believe it or not, but May has other designs.

The plot thickens and deepens when May finally gets the attention of a local mechanic - and Argento aficianado - named Adam, who is given an honest, laid-back allure by Jeremy Sisto (the TV Jesus dude). His herky-jerky courtship with May is entirely believable, and McKee allows it to develop at a refreshingly relaxed pace most horror directors wouldn't dare. It's a such a simple thing, yet so shockingly rare for the genre: get the audience to care about the characters, then do awful things to them.

As charitable as "May" has been toward its characters, when the awfulness does set in - very liberal lashings of gore, no punches pulled, thank you - the squeamish had better head for the exits. The gruesome turn of events begins when May blows her first kiss with Adam, a surprising and heartbreaking moment. From that point the movie never once flinches; it pushes us around and takes us exactly where it should. Shivery and seductive, "May" is a delicious little creepathon. You go, girl.

Grade: **** of *****

MAY

Starring Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Faris and James Duval. Directed and written by Lucky McKee. Produced by Marius Balchuas and Scott Sturgeon. A Lions Gate release. Horror. Not yet rated. Running time: 94 min.

Fans of the thinking-person's slasher flick are likely to flock to "May," written and directed by Lucky McKee with a real flair for the conventions of the genre. May (Angela Bettis) is a misfit with inherent sociopathic urges. Unlike Brian De Palma's Carrie, this twentysomething loner has no supernatural gifts--other than the "guidance" provided by a creepy homemade doll inherited from her mother, that is.

A surgical technician at a veterinary clinic, the virginal May is wooed by a flirtatious co-worker named Polly (Anna Faris), but yearns for a guy she has spotted on the street. Although Adam (Jeremy Sisto, Brenda's deranged brother on "Six Feet Under") makes cannibal-themed underground movies and says he likes weirdness, May is way too weird even for him. When her dalliance with the two-timing Polly also falters, she remembers some early parental advice: "If you can't find a friend, make one." It's a bloody good example of self-sufficiency. -Susan Green

*** of ****

MAY Review

MAY is perhaps the best debut horror film since Guillermo Del Toro’s CRONOS. In many ways it is far more entertaining and definitely accessible to a larger audience, but isn’t nearly as atmospheric or carefully crafted, however the debut movie by Lucky McKee isn't trying to do what CRONOS did, just as CRONOS wasn't doing this film's thing. Both are startlingly mature works from first time filmmakers in a genre that they both clearly love and belong in.

At this year’s Sitges Film Festival, MAY was the only multi-award winning film. It won Best Screenplay for writer-director Lucky McKee and it also won Best Actress for the wonderful Angela Bettis, who plays the title role. It was very strongly considered for another 3 categories including Director and Best Film. Why? What makes MAY so special?

First off this isn’t straight horror, it is Black Comedy. In a way, this film shares quite a bit in common with Jonathan Swift’s MODEST PROPOSAL in tone and absurdist horror. The movie thrilled audiences at Sitges and I’m convinced this film has a legitimate chance to be a genuine sleeper hit in the states if marketed properly.

You see, there’s a great film here. One that would resonate and be embraced by teenagers and adults alike. The story of this mousey MAY played by Angela is simply irresistible. Watching her pained social awkwardness. Her blooming sexual curiosity. Her dry sardonic grisly wit. She’s just a bizarre delight for folks that love movies like HEAVENLY CREATURES or HEATHERS or THE BAD SEED. You see… This is a very naughty girl movie.

For me, I’m terrified that Lions Gate will end up releasing this straight to video or DVD simply because of the marketing challenge that it represents, but frankly… Watching the film, paying attention to the story and the themes… there is simply great things to use to sell the movie.

First there is the image of that creepy damn haunted hand crafted doll that May’s mother gave her. That doll, for some weird reason reminded me of Edgar Allan Poe’s lost Lenore, nameless here forever more. Perhaps the widow eyes or the chalk dead complexion… Perhaps the purple lace or the bitter pursed blood stained lips… Or maybe it was that glass box of hers… a see-through coffin suffocating the isolated dying for an embrace doll… mint in package because she’s special. This doll is iconic. The cracking of the glass creepy as hell. In fact the entire campaign needs to surround this doll and this box.

A trailer should be a continual push towards the doll in its box, while we hear various innocent pieces of May’s dialogue… her nervous pratterings… her ‘really gross day at work’ stories… As each dialogue ends, a crack should screech through the glass, providing a flash of violent bizarreness, until you’re tight on the doll’s eyes. Then the words, “This Is May’s Doll!” then an image of the awkward sweet May with the words, “This is May!” Then a black screen… Those inhuman screams of May’s in the blackness and the words, “Wait till you meet Amy! She’s a Scream!” and finally “Coming Spring 2003!”

Ok… I know I know, I just can’t help myself, watching MAY is such a wonderful experience, that I get damn maternal about the film. I mean, it is so good. So damn good, that you just can’t help but want to see it go out in the world and do well.

You see, this isn’t just a horror film, it’s a GRIM FAIRY TALE. This has a wonderful sense of corrupt innocence and the performance of Angela Bettis is the best female performance in a horror film since Sissy Spacek’s in CARRIE… which is kind of ironic since Angela is playing Carrie White on Television. On that, I have no comment, but on her realizing of the character of MAY… It is a complete and total original.

It starts with that Lazy eye of her’s. It is so damn cute. You understand why she is so shy, so mousey. The opening sequence as a little girl with her scary scary mother, highlights exactly why May is the awkward girl that she is. Her job as a Vet assistant and the rather macabre duties that requires, well… it just endears her all the more. The way she seems to fear and crave interaction, while having no idea how to engage it is simply heart-breakingly adorable. I found myself falling in love with this character.

There’s a scene between her and Adam, the guy she develops a crush on, who has a curiosity about her too. He shows her his film, and I get the idea this is the first movie she’s ever seen. Watching her getting turned on by it. Well, given what the movie is of, and how she reacts to it. Oh my. If ever there was a patron saint symbol of film geek adoration, it is Angela Bettis in this scene. I mean, guys… you’ll fall in love. I mean it. She’s just precious here.

Someone had told me that the film was equal parts AMELIE, CARRIE and FRANKENSTEIN… but while that is uncannily apt, I would also throw in NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. This is a movie by a young future Tim Burton type. Lucky McKee is destined, I hope, for great things in the realm of weird horror cinema. We certainly need him and movies exactly like MAY.
In a way, for me, MAY is a feature length film about the SALLY character from NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, but imagine if Sally lived in our world and not in HalloweenTown. And if she had undergone the PINNOCHIO, “You Arrrre… A REAL girl!” transformation.

Everyone that I talked to at the festival that saw the film was instantly enchanted with it. In a very simple sentence, MAY is sweet! And when you finally get to see the movie, you will totally agree and understand EXACTLY what I mean.

Lions Gate, don’t back off of this movie. This is a complete winner. The movie deserves your full attention and support. I certainly hope that they get behind it, because it would be a shame for so many to have to discover this on DVD when it cries out for the big screen with a large audience.

-Harry Knowles (Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews)

I haven't been able to find a single bad review for this movie. I can't wait to see it.

[bondish]

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Originally posted by mike
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Originally posted by bondish
In the forum @ Anna Faris Online they said that the Quicktime trailer for May was coming soon to the website. Anna Online is a really good site on Anna!

http://www.annafaris.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is so obviously spam that it's not even funny, but since I love Anna Faris I'm willing to forgive you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I told you the trailer would be up.
http://www.annafaris.net/multimedia/may_trlr.mov

[bondish]

http://www.annafaris.net/images/banners/maybanner.jpg

[XCoRyX]

good to see some are still pumped for this one like i am....

[Ed]

thanx bondish!

[Ed]

the movie looks VERY good, actually better than i expected, the chick that plays May acts very good and Anna Farris looks hot, too bad i've never seen her in anything else other than comedies, is this her first 'serious' role?

[bowieee]

I want to see this movie so bad.

That poster posted in this thread look extremely nice. I hope word of mouth gives this one some success.

[Mike]

Originally posted by Ed
is this her first 'serious' role?

It depends on what you consider "serious." She was in this little STV slasher flick called Lovers Lane where she played a cheerleader, not exactly a comedic role, but I don't know if it would be considered a "serious" role either.

[Ed]

Originally posted by Mike
Lovers Lane where she played a cheerleader, not exactly a comedic role, but I don't know if it would be considered a "serious" role either.

hm, i think i've heard of it, something about a guy w/ a hook? never got to my video rental store.

[Mike]

Originally posted by Ed
hm, i think i've heard of it, something about a guy w/ a hook? never got to my video rental store.

Yep, that's the one. I love Anna and my video store didn't have it, so I bought it off from e-bay and watched it last spring, but now my video store got it after I already bought it. Oh well!

[bondish]

Here's a new poster for "May":

http://www.annafaris.org/Images/may/may.jpg