"MAY"

[Mike]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009MEC4.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I'm sure everyone around here already knows that I'm DYING to see this film. Tomorrow is the BIG day----it's MAY-DAY.

Once you see it, you can post your thoughts on it here...


Here's a new review I just found for MAY. I didn't think it would be possible for me to get more excited about this movie, but this review managed to raise my excitement up a notch, even though it's already through the roof as it is. This review makes it sound fucking GREAT! I'm sure this film will be a real treat.


May (2003)


Directed by Lucky McKee
Cast: Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Faris, James Duval, Nichole Hiltz, Chandler Hecht, Merle Kennedy, Kevin Gage, Will Estes, Rachel David, Roxanne Day, Jennifer Grant, Jesse Hlubik, Nora Zehetner
2003 – 93 minutes
Rated: (for strong violence/gore, sexuality, and language).
Reviewed by Dustin Putman, July 11, 2003.

It has been over two years since I have written a review for a motion picture currently available on video and DVD. I mostly prefer to stick to critiquing movies currently in theaters, and very few others invigorate enough passion in me to feel the need to write about them. Something, however, must be said about debuting writer-director Lucky McKee's "May," which is finishing up its very limited theatrical release and will be released to DVD on July 15. "May" was a critical hit when it premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, and continued its acclaim via other fests and Internet word-of-mouth, but distributor Lion's Gate Films treated it like an ugly stepchild and gave it zero support. Shame on you, Lion's Gate! "May" is not only one of the most auspicious and original independent features in years—particularly for a first-time filmmaker—but it is one of the best films of 2003.

"May" is an incisive and touching character study about a young woman (Angela Bettis) whose childhood insecurities have carried over into adulthood. It is an often enormously funny comedy, in which the humor stems from both natural and offbeat human behavior and emotions. And then, finally, it takes a turn toward the grimmest recesses of the mind in the third act, when May's best friend—a sacred, eternally encased porcelain doll—is accidentally broken, and psychotic tendencies eventually alienate her from her only two living friends, the darkly sexy Adam (Jeremy Sisto) and wildly sensual co-worker Polly (Anna Faris). In a desperate attempt to rekindle the relationship she shared with her doll, May sets out to steal her favorite body parts from acquaintances and assemble a new life-size companion.

"May" is a horror film, and it is one of the most inventive and genuinely disturbing ones to come around in some time, at that, but it offers up another characteristic more rare for the genre. Through Lucky McKee's impassioned direction and alternately delicate and merciless writing, he gets the viewer to put a rooting interest into the story and characters, and then gets them to care. It is safe to say that May eventually careens over the deep end into madness, but through the careful set-up of her character, one understands why she does what she does in the third act, even if they can't necessarily relate to it. In May's eyes, the murder of imperfect human beings is only a means in which to make a perfect doll out of each person's best physical features. May is a sick individual, but she is almost as much of a victim as she is the villain. The viewer fears what she may do next, even as they empathize with her lonely plight.

Perhaps what writer-director Lucky McKee achieves most beautifully is his three-dimensional presentation of May within a film that offers almost no horror scenes in the first hour, yet still has the viewer recoiling in apprehension at every encounter May has with someone, simply out of fear of what she may be capable of doing. At one point, May goes to work with a group of blind children at a day care center, but it remains unclear if she has offered her services as a way of doing genuine good, or out of more devious reasons.

May is also deeply attracted to Adam, especially his hands, and she carries around a pack of cigarettes he once gave her as some sort of treasured entity. "Do you think I'm weird?" May asks Adam. "I like weird," horror movie buff Adam responds, but he follows that up later with, "not that weird," when she tries to reenact a scene from his latest student film, about cannibalism. Likewise, Polly is a free-spirited lesbian who shows a definite romantic interest in May, but unintentionally hurts her feelings when she later makes it clear that she doesn't practice monogamy.

In a talent-defining role that will hopefully do for her what 1976's "Carrie" did for Sissy Spacey, Angela Bettis (1999's "Girl, Interrupted") is note-perfect as the mousy and dangerous May. Bettis has made the wise decision to play up May's crumbling self-esteem and yearnings to fit in, rather than her villainy, which causes the proceedings to be all the more heartbreaking when she is driven mad. Meanwhile, May's doll, which she confides in and thinks of as a miniature version of herself, looms over the scenes even when it isn't present, the cracking of the glass it is encased in a chilling symbol of May's own fracturing sanity.

In key supporting roles, Jeremy Sisto (2003's "Wrong Turn") effectively chooses to play Adam with an attractive swagger he doesn't recognize, and a relatively normal personality that spars with May's more adventurous and pushy side, while Anna Faris (2002's "The Hot Chick") is a delight as the almost-as-offbeat Polly who, nonetheless, refuses to be faithful to May. Faris plays her last scene, especially, with a frightening vulnerability whose cumulative effect proves unshakable.

The climax of "May" is nearly unbearable in its assured intensity, and unforgettable in its unblinking views of psychological sickness, ruthless serial murder, and even darker possible areas of the human condition. The first full hour of exposition and set-up brilliantly paves the way for what finally occurs, even if you cannot quite believe director McKee's bravely grim and poignant intentions. The final image "May" cooks up is its most courageous. In the wrong hands, or in a more exploitative movie that had not allowed its audience to care about its main character, the shot may have inspired bad laughs. It does not, however, and McKee earns its subtle implications. Simply put, it is the most bone-chilling sequence of the year, infinitely more disturbing than anything in "House of 1000 Corpses," "Wrong Turn," "Identity," or "28 Days Later."

Lion's Gate may have ruined its chances of gaining a large following through theatrical bookings, but "May" has what it takes to become a cult phenomenon, much like 2001's initially overlooked but finally found "Donnie Darko." As a stirring drama, a marvelously developed character piece, a sly black comedy, a taut psychological thriller, and a gory, scary, no-holds-barred horror film, "May" is a new cinematic masterwork, a film with the ability to do all five things at once, or apart, with pitch-perfect grace. Don't let this one-of-a-kind experience pass you by.


Grade: **** of ****


Alright everyone, who plans on celebrating MAY-DAY tomorrow? :)

[ANTBond007]

I watched the video last night. Damn good film, but I don't really think it's horror.

[The Arrow]

Originally posted by ANTBond007
I watched the video last night. Damn good film, but I don't really think it's horror.

How is it not horror?

SPOILERS- SPOILERS- SPOILERS

I don't know about you but when a girl starts slitting throats with a scalpel and playing Dr. Frankenstein in graphic ways with chopped off body parts; its horror to me.

END SPOILERS

Just because its actually smarter, more psychological, more clever and more character driven than the genre norm that doesn't make it NOT horror to me, total opposite, it makes it DAMN GOOD horror. But that's just me bud!

[XCoRyX]

im also SO happy that today may comes out to DVD&VHS,been waiting to see it forever...

[someguy]

I think Mike has created a new catchphrase. When someone is obsessing about a movie we can say "Looks like your pulling a Kissing Jessica Stein" or "Looks like your pulling a May"


I'm kidding around,of course.

[Mike]

Originally posted by someguy
I think Mike has created a new catchphrase. When someone is obsessing about a movie we can say "Looks like your pulling a Kissing Jessica Stein" or "Looks like your pulling a May"


I'm kidding around,of course.

LOL! That's actually pretty damn funny. You're right, those could be new catchphrases. I'm sure pretty much everyone around here would know what you were talking about if you said them.


As for this not being horror:

Well, it "may" ;) have other elements, but I'd say the main category this film fits into his horror. Most people call it a horror film, and someday when it's not a new release anymore and you go to the video store you're likely to find it in the horror section. Plus I hear it gets pretty gory and violent towards the end. All in all, I'd say this is a horror film, at least part of it is.

If some people actually consider Donnie Darko, Mulholland Drive, and Fight Club to be horror movies, then MAY sure as hell is too. ;)

[A.J. Hakari]

I'm getting MAY from Netflix this week (either tomorrow, Thursday, or Friday), and I'll try to get it done first thing. Like I mentioned in another thread, Mike's rantings had better pay off. You got lucky with JESSICA STEIN, my friend. ;):D

[movies35]

Fucking videostores lost all orders of May and Gods and Generals!!!!!!! Now I'm not getting May for like 2 weeks!!!!!!! :(

[rtatick]

Today is the day!!! I'm off at 5:00 (it's 3:30 now) to get May, The Hitcher II and Shanghai Knights!!

[countchocula]

I won't get a chance to see this until next week. My expectations are inflamed, but I doubt that I'll be let down.

[Inglorious]

May - 8.5/10!

I just watched this film. It was good, but I didn't enjoy as much as I should have, maybe that's because it's too overhyped around here. But I really did like it, hence the 8.5! I posted a short SPOILER FREE review in the Horror Review Section.

[movies35]

Thank God! I found a copy... I think. So I should get it TONIGHT!!

[rtatick]

Originally posted by movies35
Thank God! I found a copy... I think. So I should get it TONIGHT!!

I've been to FIVE stores and have yet to find it. I'm so sad... :(

[movies35]

Originally posted by rtatick
I've been to FIVE stores and have yet to find it. I'm so sad... :(

Yeah, well, they thought I said MADE. And I have been to (no joke) 10 stores, and haven't found it.

[ANTBond007]

Originally posted by The Arrow
How is it not horror?

Because horror, to me at least, is something that tries to consistently scare its audience. Save for the creepy-looking doll, May never tries to scare its audience. It a drama/dark comedy about the girl with some death thrown in at the end.

It's about as much a horror film as The Terminator is. There's death, but it ain't horror.

[ColinM]

Originally posted by The Arrow
How is it not horror?

SPOILERS- SPOILERS- SPOILERS

I don't know about you but when a girl starts slitting throats with a scalpel and playing Dr. Frankenstein in graphic ways with chopped off body parts; its horror to me.

END SPOILERS

Just because its actually smarter, more psychological, more clever and more character driven than the genre norm that doesn't make it NOT horror to me, total opposite, it makes it DAMN GOOD horror. But that's just me bud!

Yeah, well put.

I saw May (8.5/10) yesterday and it certainly lived up to my high expectations set by JoBlo, Arrow, and especially Mike. :) I thought Angela Bettis and Anna Farris were fantastic, with Anna Farris especially stealing the show. Reminded me very much of a horror version of Ghost World (8.5/10), another recent favorite of mine, and I thought it was cool that JoBlo mentioned that in his review. I really hope to buy May soon.

[countchocula]

Originally posted by ANTBond007
Because horror, to me at least, is something that tries to consistently scare its audience. Save for the creepy-looking doll, May never tries to scare its audience. It a drama/dark comedy about the girl with some death thrown in at the end.

It's about as much a horror film as The Terminator is. There's death, but it ain't horror.

In my opinion, horror is a much broader genre than that. The genre doesn't exist solely to scare you. It encompasses every other genre imaginable. Its inexhaustible versatility is unparalleled by comedies, dramas, action flicks, etc.

[ANTBond007]

And you have the right to that opinion, chocula. I'm not bashing the film in any way, fellas. I think it's fantastic. It just doesn't fall into my personal definition of what a horror film is.

For instance, From Justin to Kelly is the greatest horror film this year.

[rtatick]

Originally posted by movies35
Yeah, well, they thought I said MADE. And I have been to (no joke) 10 stores, and haven't found it.

I FINALLY found it, but had to drive into the city. Ah well, I have it now and I am very happy :). Hope you find it soon!!!!

[cellar door]

woohooo!

I actually saw May about a week ago because I get the pre-streets (I work at Hollywood video.)

I LOVED this movie. Loved it. A brilliant study of her spiraling psychosis. A psychological horror that made me want to hug May at times and at other times run away as fast as possible. Bettis is amazing!

*SPOILERS*
Some of the most beautiful parts and poignant were:

the glass breaking (representing May's final break down) with all the blind kids searching for the doll

the milk and the blood mix-beautiful.

as May begins killing, she becomes more confident, even mocking

I have a question though-Did she die in the end? She went slack it seems, and it looks as though the "doll" moving was a dream...?

So yes, I give it a solid 9.5/10. Superb in a time of horrible horror movies.

[Ed]

MAY

"I like weird... I like weird alot"

I just saw May. OMG!! This movie is disturbingly great. I had so much fun watching this movie I can't even describe it. It is VERY weird! and as Jeremy says in the movie "i like weird ALOT"!! Angela Bettis gives one of the strongest performances I've seen in a loooooong while. She's kinda like the 'carrie' of our age in this movie going to completely sweet to hell psycho!! It was like someone else inside of her on the second half, like a completely different character... I was stunned by her performance. This movie has "Cult Classic" written all over it. I bet my ass it will get a fanbase pretty soon and I'm almost sure of its video/dvd success. It has a witty and clever script and I just loved the editing because it kinda leaved you guessing even though you where almost sure what was gonna happen. The music is great also, and every song is perfectly placed. As I'm writing this I realize how much I really liked it. Jeremy Sisto and Anna Faris where very good, althought Anna wouldn't have been my first casting choice for this role. But don't get me wrong, she did very good, glad to see her in something different. Also, for some weird reason, this movie reminded me in a few parts and in some of the charaters of Secretary (9/10), although they end up being complete opposites. Let me see... I also liked the colors of the film, the mood they created it really complemented the music and the situations. The only thing I'd change of this movie is the pace, I would've liked it to move along a bit quiker but it didn't REALLY bother me because everything about it is visually interesting. You can watch it on mute and enjoy yourself doing so hehe. Well, that's it, I recomend it to anyone who likes this kind of movies.
9/10

[XCoRyX]

yeah i just rented equilibrium and darkwolf,so when i return them im going to rent may.,

[movies35]

Originally posted by rtatick
I FINALLY found it, but had to drive into the city. Ah well, I have it now and I am very happy :). Hope you find it soon!!!!

I was in the city. NOt ONE FUCKING COPY IN THE FUCKING CITY!!!!!

[rtatick]

Originally posted by movies35
I was in the city. NOt ONE FUCKING COPY IN THE FUCKING CITY!!!!!

Your reply struck me as comical, but I really do feel bad for you.

I'm sorry... What city?

[spacemonkey]

Hey Mike thanx for posting that review, I was wondering what this film was about, now Im defenetly gonna rent it tonight.

I ll let you know what I think though by whats been said, its probably gonna be good. :D

[Mojo67821]

Screw renting it dude, I bought this film yesterday sight-unseen and it was the best 20 bucks I ever spent.

I won't ramble on with my long reviews that no one will read, I'll just say a few words...this movie is a fucking brilliant HORROR movie. In my book it gets 5 out of 5

Beautiful, sad, creepy, funny...everything I had been built up to expect and more...I love this film!!!!!!!!!!

[Hell Phantom]

I want to see this movie SO BAD! I can not wait to buy it when I go out of town in Augest! WHOA!

[Mike]

MAY (2003) - 9/10 (A-)


If you want to see my review of MAY, you can go here:

http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57943

[rtatick]

Just finished watching it and I have to say... It was my best blind buy EVER. It was SO good. Not perfect, but one of the best movies I've seen in a while. I'm DEFINITELY going to keep an eye on Lucky McKee!!

Was anyone else kinda turned on by the character May at the STRANGEST times?!

[Mojo67821]

I don't know about specifically May, but I must say that I'm OBSESSED with Ana Faris so when.... (spoilers)

*
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May and Polly started making out I thought I was gonna cream in my pants!!!

*
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(end spoilers)

Everyone should buy this film!

[rtatick]

Originally posted by Mojo67821
I don't know about specifically May, but I must say that I'm OBSESSED with Ana Faris so when.... (spoilers)


Yeah, Anna Faris is a FOX. DAMN! She looks SO good in this movie, so much better than in the Scary Movie series.

But yeah, I dunno, there are some scenes with May (even some with Mrs. Faris and May sharing the screen) where I was just going NUTS. May had this quality... I dunno... Maybe I'm just fucked up... I mean... I thought she had a REALLY pretty nose... Pretty nose... pretty nose...

[halloweengal]

I liked this movie. It was weird and creepy and funny too. I would give it a 7/10. I work with a girl who looks so much like Angela Bettis it is scary so I will never look at her the same again now. (well i already looked at her differently after the carrie re-make but now it's even worse) :eek:

[EDsoulsurvive*]

wow this movie was weird. I need to watch it again. I think i loved it, but im not sure. This is so fucked up!

[movies35]

**Spoilers**

May, is one hell of a film. It's not a movie with a twist ending, not a mind fuck, or whatever. It's just a great film.

Angela Bettis (May) was perfect for the part. I doubt many other people could have pulled the role of as well as she did. The charector had so many emotions, it must have been really hard to put it all on film.

Jeremy Sisto (Adam) was one mean fuck in this movie. He shouldn't have just left May like that, and he was one of the reasons I felt so bad for her until the closing credits. He did a really good job with the role---but he would have been better. I felt really bad when May was going to visit him, and she caught him talking about her.

Anna Faris (Polly) did an AWESOME job with the part. I was talking to a schmoe last night, saying how she was just alright. But after I thinked about it, she was just excelent as the part. She was pretty funny in it (Shut up you hooker! May, you know your always gonna be my main momma! I'm not scared, I know you wouldn't hurt me May.) She was a real "doll" in the movie.

The gore wasn't over the top. It wasn't really gross, and it seemed like there was a lot more gore when I saw it in the theaters, but oh well. The body of parts was very cool indeed. But whenever there was something even a tiny bit gory, my little brother would go "eww" and kind of ruin it.

I really loved this movie, I can't stop talking about it. And I can't stop saying quotes from it. Most of the quotes were from Anna Faris' charector, but some from May's as well

9.5/10 or A

"Aww, you crazy bitch."
"Do you like pussy---------cats?"
"Come here my little puss, puss."

[someguy]

I saw May recently. At first I didn't like it but the more I think about it I'm liking it more. I do know some things though after watching this movie. ***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

1. Anna Faris is a really good actress
2. Jeremy Sisto is also a good actor
3. Lucky McKee loves horror(that's a good thing)
4. I will now call a scalpel a scupel from now on
5. Never have glass near blind children.
6. Angela Bettis is very cute and mousey.
7. Angela Bettis deserves an award nomination for her role(a major award Nicole Kidman couldn't pull that off)
8. Don't be a boyfriend to a girl who talks to her doll.
9. When making a movie about cannibalism always put an upbeat song during the gross scenes
10. Don't throw ashtrays at cats
11. Never trust someone so that they'll never kill you
12. Don't force your kid to wear an eyepatch it does some serious damage.
13. May is a voo-doo priestess or something after seeing the final part of the movie.

[TheJadedGamer]

It has Anna Faris in it, so I'm going to pick this movie up the first chance I get, which will probably be tommarow or Sunday.

[freddy666]

Just finished finally watching this movie. Pretty damn good, if u ask me. give it a 7.5/10

[movies35]

Here are some pictures of her in May

**SPOILERS**

http://annafaris.net/pictures/may/may093.jpg

http://annafaris.net/pictures/may/may176.jpg

http://annafaris.net/pictures/may/may270.jpg

http://www.annafaris.net/pictures/may/may372.jpg

http://annafaris.net/pictures/may/may382.jpg

http://www.annafaris.net/pictures/may/may387.jpg

[someguy]

.

[countchocula]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009MEC4.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

MINOR SPOILERS

A few months back, I had the opportunity to see May (and a superfluity of other then-unreleased horror critic darlings) at a film festival. Needless to say, I was giddy with anticipation, but sensing that I was about to enjoy myself, life barged in and bequeathed a ridiculous ice storm to those with plans for the weekend. The driving conditions were nasty, so I spent said weekend at home reading glowing reviews of the films that I would be missing. But I knew that I would attain retribution upon May’s DVD release. I probably would have loved this flick even more had I viewed it at the film festival, shorn of unmitigated hype, but with or without the praise of my fellow horror freaks, this is an effectual character study that should have been sanctified with a wide theatrical release.

Angela Bettis stars as the title character whose lazy eye secured her a crestfallen childhood beset with rejection and loneliness. She pines for someone to notice her, to cradle her, to “see” her. When people finally begin to acknowledge her existence, she unintentionally repels them with her intrinsic (and worrisome) quirks. Bettis’ performance is nothing short of captivating, as the character in a character study should be. May’s transition from being mousy, fragile, and reticent to being manic, bipolar, and in some instances, self-assured, is handled with tactful prudence. You empathize with her and you want her to find companionship just as much as she does. This empathy proves to be stanch. It carries over into the third act where we find May claiming innocent lives. Instead of fearing for her victims, we fear for her.

That’s not to say that her victims are dispensable or unsympathetic; it’s just that our entrenched attachment to May supplants our ties to any other characters. The rest of the cast is up to snuff. Jeremy Sisto plays May’s slightly indisposed boyfriend, Adam. Since he’s a fervent genre hound, he’s likeable by default, but he also provides the film with a lone sense of normalcy. He offsets the offbeat characters around him while retaining a few offbeat sensibilities himself. His short film, “Jack and Jill,” is a fucking priceless smidgen of pitch black comedy that should have been included on the DVD as a special feature. Anna Faris is uproarious as May’s smitten co-worker, Polly. She plays the part with a ditzy energy that you can’t help but to adore. Polly’s interminable flirting with the oblivious May is hilarious, and I dug her bouncy dialogue (“Shut up, hooker!”).

May fiddles with numerous genres, refusing to settle into just one. The first hour works as a mordant romantic comedy. The script seems innocuous enough, the actors share potent chemistry with one another, and the comedic elements are unaffectedly interlaced into the storyline (“You can use me...I mean, mine.”). The humor is toned down, although not completely expunged, for the last 30 minutes. The mood is soured, May slackens her grip on sanity, and blood sheets down from the heavens. Some have referred to this brusque shift in tone as hurried and disjointed, a last-minute decision to convert the film into a gratuitous slashcapade, but I disagree. Much like May’s character arc, the transition from one extreme to the next doesn’t feel forced; it feels right.

I didn’t stumble upon many hurdles, but a couple of things rubbed me the wrong way. The subplot involving blind children could have been probed further. I would have liked to see May forge a friendship with the little girl that she’s assigned to keep company. It could have ran parallel to her relationship with her ancestral doll, Suzie, in that neither “friend” can see her. Also, the inclusion of the stereotypical “punk” was a misstep. In my eyes, it was a tad too over-the-top and didn’t gel with the rest of the narrative. But my negative avowals don’t amount to much in the face of a film as poignant and entertaining as May. In terms of notoriety, it’s an indignity to the craft of filmmaking that it will never be anything more than a cult classic.

http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19af0c5477f.jpg http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19af0c5477f.jpg http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19af0c5477f.jpg http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19af0c5477f.jpg http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19b100369a9.jpg

[Draven2277]

i just got done watching May. what an experience. my sister actually sat down with me and watched it from the beginning. about halfway through it, she muttered "This is horrible!" and walked upstairs.

That alone is a sign that this is a GREAT movie!!! my sister likes "a walk to remember" and "kate and leopold" and all those romantic - sorrow ridden movies that make me want to puke. imagine her surprise/disgust when i plop a movie like "May" in the DVD player. right from the getgo, i knew i was in for a treat!!! Ladies and gentleman, May is a definite gem!!

First off, i could like to commend Angela Bettis on her amazing portrayal of the title character. Bettis didn't even really ACT here...she totally immersed herself into the part and actually BECAME May. utterly amazing. it's too bad pictures like this wouldn't even be considered for an Oscar. She sure deserves some praise for this role.

This movie stirred up an array of emotions in me, and not many movies can do that. I felt nervous, scared, sympathy, i even laughed (this movie definitely has its funny parts), and ultimately uneasyness and disgust. When a movie incorporates material that can make a person feel all of these things (Donnie Darko is an excellent example of a film that is a mixture of genres and therefore gives the viewer a mixed bag of feelings) i think that is a definite sign of a good movie, which May certainly is. In a modern movieland riddled with FX riddled special effects extravaganzas like Ghost Shit, 13 Ghosts and teenie bopper slashers like Scream and Valentine - May is the most welcome savior of modern horror originality. Thank you, Lucky McKee!!! I hope your next film is just as original and well done as May!!

[sharkstank]

May 8/10 Scary, Weird, Gory And Moving “Horror” Movie
First off, May is not a slasher movie or a regular horror film. It works on many levels, not all being horror. A moving character piece, psychological thriller, and in the end, a slow gore filled horror opus. It is very original and a breathe of fresh air, although some may compare it to Frankenstein or maybe Carrie.May introduces us to May Canady(Angela Bettis) a social outcast who's only friend is a creepy looking doll in a glass case that her crazy mother gave her when she was younger. May has a lazy left eye(that her mom made her cover with an eye patch when she went to school) and cannot talk to people. She only feels good at her work, an animal hospital. It is at work where Polly(Anna Faris) a liberated lesbian takes a liking to May and befriends her. May also falls for a mysterious man with beautiful hands(Jeremy Sisto) but everything falls apart and May takes it very hard and the proverbial shite hits the fan. May worked for me on several important levels. The first half plays out almost like a dark comedy with some sad and scary moments sprinkled in, but then takes a gradual turn to horror in the second half. The laughs come from the little comments that flow naturally from the characters, but a feeling of unavoidable terror always lingers. You just know that something is going to happen and May is going to snap. All her relationships are quickly stopped once she feels open and unleashes her weirdness. The film runs briskly at 93 minutes and is able to give us very interesting characters that we know enough about to care for them. Especially May, as Angela Bettis portrays her as weak, strong, shy, open, scary ,and sad throughout the movie. The way she gains confidence during the ending sequences and then just falls apart is amazing. Jeremy Sisto gives a great performance as Adam also, giving him depth and playing the role as the cool mystery man who loves his horror films and likes weird(loved his movie too). Anna Faris gives Polly a fun, kooky side that also seems very vague, but we get her. She really has no feelings for May, but is interested in her odd and quiet demeanor, almost as if she's entertainment for her. Another incredible quality of May is the movie has scenes where it could just exploit gratuitous gore or try to force our feelings, but it holds back and that is more effective. Scenes like May at a blind child daycare and May always operating on animals don't exploit anything, they instead help us see May tolerance shortening. With all that praise being said, May does feature a couple of nothing characters and one or two needless scenes. I would have also like to have seen a bit more of May's mom and her childhood. But the last(and first) scene and feeling it leaves you with is not easily shakeable. May is a great movie that hopefully won't be overlooked by fans of film and people who enjoy thoughtful character studies with some blood, scares, comedy, and even heart.

[Spectro316]

Finally i found the movie after a weeks worth of looking, gonna order some dominos now and sit back and enjoy this film, hope its as good as everyones been sayin :)

[Pumpkinhead]

I just saw this movie the other day, and I am completely blown away. Considering all the hype, I had high expectations for this film, but I tried not to get too excited, as I have recently been disappointed several times by films that most people adored. It turns out that my worries were in vain, as May is truly an amazing film, and a modern horror masterpiece.

I just loved this film. I've seen plenty of horror films that have scared me, have made me laugh, and have made me think. But I cannot remember the last time I saw a horror film that moved me this much. The only one I can think of that rivals it for sheer gutwrenchingness (and yes, I know that's not a word) is Carrie. However, I hate to compare it to that film, because people have constantly been doing that, and I don't want anyone to think that May is a ripoff. May is its own film.

The strong point of May is that it is a rare film that allows you to sympathize with the murderer as well as the victims. The whole time, we feel for May, but we also like the potential victims. This means that towards the end of the film, we feel an enormous sense of unease, as we like Polly and Adam, and don't want anything bad to happen to them, but we also feel for May, and don't want her to go down this self-destructive path. Even though we know that it's going to get ugly, we really hope for the best. This just makes the film that much more effective.

Angela Bettis is brilliant as May. The only other film I've seen her in is Bless the Child, but after seeing May, I'm going to have to see some of her other work. I can't praise her performance enough. She conveys all of the right emotions, and never hits a false note. I loved Jeremy Sisto in this film. In a film populated by kooky characters, it is imperative to have a straight man, and Sisto plays that role to perfection. Anna Faris is wonderful as Polly. Some might think she went over-the-top, but I think her performance was right for the character.

This film has it all. It's scary, funny, intelligent, moving, ambitious, poignant, and disturbing. If you want to be truly moved by a horror film, check out May. I highly recommend it.

BTW, movies35, you might want to consider removing those pictures. They spoil an important part of the film, and people who haven't seen the movie yet who are just glancing at this thread for opinions might get angry.

[NonDeScript]

I came in here earlier, around 6:30 and saw all the postings for a movie I hadn't heard about...May. I was so compelled to see it that I went out that moment and rented it. Wow. This movie is one of the best I've seen. I loved the indy feel first off. I will admit that's what helped make it for me. There were a few odd spots in the story here and there but they were barely noticeable and the whole thing blended smoothly enough for me. The scares weren't over the top or incredibly "jumpy" - perhaps why some are saying this isn't a true representation of the genre? I loved the way everything crescendos up to the end. I think this is a great example of horror, once of the most freshly original movies in a LONG while. You guys know what I mean. I can see how some people would connect it to Carrie, but this story stands out on it's own. I "love" it that as she continues she seems more and more confident, as someone mentioned earlier. Gave me the creeps, made me care about the characters, (Especially Sisto, sorry but he's hot. :p ) and there was a half-decent payoff at the end that still left you with a sortof, "Oh..." feeling. And I think that wraps it up.

9/10

Ok, and I love that hooker line, priceless.

[The Claw]

Originally posted by countchocula

http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19af0c5477f.jpg http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19af0c5477f.jpg http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19af0c5477f.jpg http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19af0c5477f.jpg http://www.panterachat.com/phpBB/images/avatars/189e2d913f19b100369a9.jpg


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats so fucking cool!@#!%$


good review qcount.

[countchocula]

LOL, I was waiting for someone to take note of that! Thanks, Claw-y one!

[bulletproof]

I was very surprised with MAY.Ms Bettis was very good.She seemed too good.Jeremy Sisto was cool.But I thought Anna Faris stole the show.She was funny as hell.I love the movie Sisto screens for may.It had me rolling.But I also felt alot of sadness for May and her awkwardness toward society.

What was up with the ending????

9/10.

[EvilDeadGirl]

Does anyone know who does the song thats on the trailer for May? I absolutely love it! Haven't seen the movie yet...might watch it tonight if my local video store has it.

[VincentPrice]

Simply put...This is the leading contender for best movie of the year so far....with Willard a close second.

[XCoRyX]

like i said before in another related thread...this film SUCKED!big time,and everyone knows how much i wanted to see it and looked forward to it!this was such a letdown,so horrible,so lame,so stupid....

[Grega77]

MAY is a great movie and possibly the best horror film so far this year.
This will be a cult classic for sure.
I give it a 9/10 rating.
This is the type of movie i can watch over and over again.

[XCoRyX]

what a switch of posts :)

[EvilDeadGirl]

I'm faced with a problem concerning this movie. I've yet to find a place that carries it for rent...IE has it on the shelves in stock whenever I go in. I found a store that has it for sale now my question is should I buy it or sit down and suffer the horrendous waiting period of when I can actually catch it on the shelf for rent?

[VincentPrice]

Originally posted by EvilDeadGirl
I'm faced with a problem concerning this movie. I've yet to find a place that carries it for rent...IE has it on the shelves in stock whenever I go in. I found a store that has it for sale now my question is should I buy it or sit down and suffer the horrendous waiting period of when I can actually catch it on the shelf for rent?

BUY IT!

[Goku]

I rented it based on the review from Arrowinthehead. I guess I expected too much, because I was really disappointed. Anna Ferriss was really good, and so was the actress that played May. The movie had some moments which could have been nice if I had cared in the slightest about May. To care about a lonely girl resting her face against some dudes hand when he's nodded off, you have to care about the character. And this character is pointless. All I knew about her was she was lonely, and psychopathic.

[Pumpkinhead]

Originally posted by Goku
I rented it based on the review from Arrowinthehead. I guess I expected too much, because I was really disappointed. Anna Ferriss was really good, and so was the actress that played May. The movie had some moments which could have been nice if I had cared in the slightest about May. To care about a lonely girl resting her face against some dudes hand when he's nodded off, you have to care about the character. And this character is pointless. All I knew about her was she was lonely, and psychopathic.

You never felt sorry for May at all? Wow, you must be made of stone. I felt extremely sorry for her from the get-go. It probably doesn't hurt that Angela Bettis is incredibly cute and likeable, but some of the things that May said just made me want to hug her. Particularly when Adam comes over for dinner and asks, "Is this Gatorade?" and she gives him this shy little grin. She was so damn cute! I guess I can undertand your sympathy going out the window when she started hacking people up, but you never felt sorry for her at all during the course of the film?

Anyway, I wanted to add a few things. I gave my thoughts about May a while back in this thread, but there were two things I meant to say but forgot.

1) Anna Faris is incredibly sexy! I've thought she was cute ever since I saw Scary Movie, but I always thought that she was just that - cute. Watching this movie I realized how truly gorgeous she is.

2) Am I the only one who adored the scene where May calls up Polly on Halloween while that kickass song plays? I want to call it a montage, but is that what it is? Sorry, I know the basic idea of a montage, but I'm not quite sure if that was one. But whatever the hell it was, it was an awesome scene! When the movie was finished, I actually rewound it just so I could watch that part again.

[Goku]

Maybe I just expected too much. When I expect something great from a movie, it rarely lives up.
Maybe I was disappointed early and got too cynical. :cool:

[movies35]

Originally posted by Pumpkinhead
You never felt sorry for May at all? Wow, you must be made of stone. I felt extremely sorry for her from the get-go. It probably doesn't hurt that Angela Bettis is incredibly cute and likeable, but some of the things that May said just made me want to hug her. Particularly when Adam comes over for dinner and asks, "Is this Gatorade?" and she gives him this shy little grin. She was so damn cute! I guess I can undertand your sympathy going out the window when she started hacking people up, but you never felt sorry for her at all during the course of the film?

Anyway, I wanted to add a few things. I gave my thoughts about May a while back in this thread, but there were two things I meant to say but forgot.

1) Anna Faris is incredibly sexy! I've thought she was cute ever since I saw Scary Movie, but I always thought that she was just that - cute. Watching this movie I realized how truly gorgeous she is.

2) Am I the only one who adored the scene where May calls up Polly on Halloween while that kickass song plays? I want to call it a montage, but is that what it is? Sorry, I know the basic idea of a montage, but I'm not quite sure if that was one. But whatever the hell it was, it was an awesome scene! When the movie was finished, I actually rewound it just so I could watch that part again.

**SPOILERS**

Yeah, I loved the scene where she called Polly. And like I said countless times, I felt bad for May and I thought it was very sad. She died just because she wanted a friend. :(

[Mike]

Originally posted by Pumpkinhead
2) Am I the only one who adored the scene where May calls up Polly on Halloween while that kickass song plays? I want to call it a montage, but is that what it is? Sorry, I know the basic idea of a montage, but I'm not quite sure if that was one. But whatever the hell it was, it was an awesome scene! When the movie was finished, I actually rewound it just so I could watch that part again.

Nope, I loved it too! I could watch it over and over again. I loved it from the first moment I saw it on Ebert & Roeper.


Anyway, if anyone was left confused by the ending and would like some answers, you can check out my mini interview with composer Jaye Barnes-Luckett here:

http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=979815#post979815


Obviously, there's going to be SPOILERS! ;)

[EvilDeadGirl]

Ok, so I bought MAY the other day, only cost me $15.00.

I sat down and watched it and well.....

It was pretty good. I could sympathize with MAY in the begining when she wore the patch over her eye cause I had to wear one when I was jes' a lil' deadgirl. Man kids used to pick on me soo much. Children are mean little bastards. Anyway! MAY transition from weird to totaly nuts went rather smoothly. It shows the different steps and things that she went through to turn her into a nutcase which I found to be very nice. I always like it when they actually take the time to show you how the main character or any character becomes a killer.

I enjoyed the movie. Angela Bettis did an excellent job in her role as MAY. Did Ana Ferris (sp?) annoy anyone else? I'm sorry but I don't think she's that great of an actor. There were certain parts that she did a good job in and then there were others were I found myself rolling my eyes wanting to smack her. (I'd elaborate a bit more but I jes' crawled out of bed and am not fully awake.)

*SPOILERS*
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*

Anyway Adam was a dick and he deserved what he got in the end. His new girlfriend deserved what she got too. When MAY showed up she was being a rather sarcastic little bitch. I enjoyed her death the most due to the fact that MAY was continueing to ask Adam to touch her face and when he went to the other chick was looking at Adam and plung went the scapel into her neck. Hehe that was great!
*
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*

*END SPOILER*

In all I'm glad that I bought this movie. Another blind buy for me and it was worth the $ I paid for it. Overall I'd give this movie a 7.5/10

[dellamorte dellamore]

I still don't understand how rejecting someone , with good reason with regards to May's actions in this film , is somehow punishable by death .


I pitied the character of May , but in no way did i feel sorry for her . She should have just offed herself and been done with it , SHE was the one who deserved death , because she had no respect for it . Get over it bitch and stop whining that your pussy hurts , you think you have problems , there are people who go through 1000 times worse and they don't go on a mad killing spree , in a cinematic world that is .


That's the main problem i have with this film , it's obvious the director is trying to make her character sympathetic , and she doesn't deserve any once she goes off the deep end . Plus mainstream Hwood films always , always try the sympathy angle , it's an annoying habit not found in French character studies , so for the people that think this film is some sort of anti hollywood independent , i would think again , it utilizes much of the big studios elements , just with a smaller budget


It's posing as some rebellious cinematic opus , but in the end it's a pander fest , and i bet the director has his eye on bigger budget Hwood fare .

[EvilDeadGirl]

dellamorte dellamore posted - Get over it bitch and stop whining that your pussy hurts

LMFAO! Love that comment.


dellamorte dellamore posted - there are people who go through 1000 times worse and they don't go on a mad killing spree , in a cinematic world that is

Thats jes' it though. It's a cinematic world. The story was fictional. Thats what makes these movies so enjoyable is the fact that we can get taken into this world, something out of our own and be entertained with it. Anything can happen. Lets jes' say that MAY didn't end up killing her friends but commited suicide herself. Ok that wouldn't have been as much fun (IMO) but it would I think it would have been jes' as good a story and I still would have enjoyed the movie as much as I did. Some people aren't strong enough to sustain the little things that any normal cinematic character would simply shrug off. Then again what really is a normal cinematic character?

Ok, sorry, I'm rambling.

[countchocula]

Originally posted by dellamorte dellamore
I pitied the character of May , but in no way did i feel sorry for her . She should have just offed herself and been done with it , SHE was the one who deserved death , because she had no respect for it . Get over it bitch and stop whining that your pussy hurts , you think you have problems , there are people who go through 1000 times worse and they don't go on a mad killing spree , in a cinematic world that is .

You say that as if May were a sane individual. She doesn't have the capacity to think rationally, so of course she regards death as fitting punishment. She isn't you. She wouldn't do what you would do in her situation. Her extreme actions match her unhinged personality.

[rtatick]

Well... I thought it was better that she wasn't FLIPPIN' insane. That would be typical. He methodical transition was much more scary because the viewer was able to sympathize with her, see that she wasn't that bad of person... Then BAM... That illusion is shattered... That's what got me... That's why I liked it so damn much.

[Lindsey]

**SPOILERS**

I just watched it last night, and boy was it AWESOME! I felt bad for May in a way, but she was so weird that she brought everything down on herself. She seemed so sweet and innocient, but I think it was her best friend that turned her evil. I waiting for the doll to pull a 'Chucky' on me, but it never happened. The LAST 30 minutes were just amazing. The way she killed was pretty groovy. My favorite being Anna Farris's deah. "I trust you". Then SLICE...! I squirmed soooo much when she cut her own eyeball out. *shudders*

The only complain I have is the ending. What the hell is with the hand moving? That was a no-no. It was pretty sad at the end. Very gripping and suspensful. 9/10

[adamjohnson]

fuck, I had a patch when i was little for a lazy eye, you dont see me making friends that uh way...

Then again i AM a horror writer....

[psycho path]

I must be the odd one out. I fucking hated this movie. Know I now all of you will probably say: "You wanna know a bad movie? THE HAUNTING REMAKE!!!!!", But this movie pissed me off sooo much, and it was unbearably sick. I like gore when it looks slightly fake, but the blood in this was so realistic I almost fainted. I didn't enjoy one single bit of this movie, Not one! I dont want to sound like a capalert dumbass, but this was more then I could fucking take. Sick, sick movie.

2/10, cuz Anna faris is so cute, and that Angela Bettis put in a very good performance.

[psycho path]

Originally posted by Lindsey
**SPOILERS**

I just watched it last night, and boy was it AWESOME! I felt bad for May in a way, but she was so weird that she brought everything down on herself. She seemed so sweet and innocient, but I think it was her best friend that turned her evil. I waiting for the doll to pull a 'Chucky' on me, but it never happened. The LAST 30 minutes were just amazing. The way she killed was pretty groovy. My favorite being Anna Farris's deah. "I trust you". Then SLICE...! I squirmed soooo much when she cut her own eyeball out. *shudders*

The only complain I have is the ending. What the hell is with the hand moving? That was a no-no. It was pretty sad at the end. Very gripping and suspensful. 9/10

About the eyeball part, yeah, that was very hard to watch! I decided to bump my review up to a 4 sinse it had some suspense and a few laughs. Still hate it though.

[Lindsey]

Originally posted by psycho path
the blood in this was so realistic I almost fainted.

Really? It almost looked like there was a pinkish tint to it. Especially when it was on the floor next to the spilled milk.

[Razorblade Smile]

May is one of the best flicks I've seen in a long time. I would typically go so far as to say that Angela Bettis is an unbelievable actress...but that would be a lie. She is VERY believable and blew my socks off. Anna Faris is awesome too, although she stills seems to be locked into the shadow of the Scary Movie rhythm. In the immortal words of Goldmember, "Oh ya. Thish one's a keeper!"

:cool:

[psycho path]

Originally posted by Lindsey
Really? It almost looked like there was a pinkish tint to it. Especially when it was on the floor next to the spilled milk.

Well I turn my tv brightness down a few notches, so maybe thats why it looked real to me.

Oh yeah, why the hell did she kill the cat? It hisses and she throws an ashtray at it. Jesus.

[countchocula]

Originally posted by psycho path
Oh yeah, why the hell did she kill the cat? It hisses and she throws an ashtray at it. Jesus.

Because she's INSANE. Why were some of you caught off guard by May's sadism? Didn't you read the back of the box (or any blurb/article on the film for that matter)?

[psycho path]

I got the idea that she is insane, but it could have just ignored the cat throughout the rest of the movie, and find another reason for that one guy to say she's a freak and make her snap other then finding the cat in the freezer. I'm no wuss or anything, I just hate animal cruelty in films, real or fake.

[Lindsey]

Originally posted by psycho path
but she could have just ignored the cat throughout the rest of the movie

(You know I love you lots psycho path, but I feel like arguing on this one!)

Why in the world would she ignore the cat? She can't ignore anything in her life. For example her best friend the doll. If she would of ignored that, maybe she wouldn't be as psycho. But she continues to have conversations and arguments with it. The cat just added to the annoyence of what was happening. She was fed up with Adam, confused over Polly, and she finally realized that the only way to make things beter is to kill and make a new best friend after the doll had been demolished.

I was actually surprised that the clay ashtay could actually kill that damn cat. Who would of thought? I did laugh when she was petting the cat, while spraying lysol on it. Hehehehe :D

[psycho path]

Well everybody, after viewing May again, I learned to like it. Almost every time I watch a movie and dont like it the first time, I love it the second time. Well, same case with this one, only it's still not a favorite of mine...I felt sorry for May at the end, and the deaths were just creepy. Same thing with that song that plays occasionally, most notably creepy in the end credits. I boosted up the rating to a 6 1/2 out of 10.

[EvilDeadGirl]

What is that song playing at the end credits?

[Jules Winnfield]

Just saw MAY a couple nights ago, and I was impressed, but in a different way then I thought I might be. The trailer made it look like a horror movie, but I think instead it is THE blackest comedy I have ever seen.

[SweetEnLow]

After reading the reviews on here, I picked up May on Saturday night and watched it with my boyfriend and a few friends. What an awesome movie. I thought Angela did an awesome job in the lead- she played her role perfectly, it wasn't overdone, just right.

I think I'm going to have to buy this one for sure. Plus, it was a bonus to have Jeremy Sisto in the role. I don't think his character was an asshole, just a bit freaked out. If he hadn't been such a baby about a little bit of blood, nobody would have probably had to die. But where's the fun in that? ;)

After this I watched American Psycho. I loved this movie as well. Christian Bale was great in the role. Awesome movie. I can't get either of these movies out of my mind.

My friends didn't seem too impressed about either of them, they must have fallen asleep or something because they are now on my favorite movie lists. I only paid $11 for the American Psycho DVD. Now I just have to buy May.