Tusk

Plot synopsis:
Best friends Wallace Bryton and Teddy Craft host the popular podcast The Not-See Party, where they find and mock humiliating viral videos. Wallace announces plans to fly to Canada to interview the "Kill Bill" Kid, an Internet celebrity famous for severing his leg with a samurai sword. In flashbacks spread throughout the film, it is revealed that Wallace was originally a failed stand-up comic who became popular with his increasingly vicious podcasts, and that he frequently cheats on his girlfriend, Ally.
Upon arriving in Manitoba, Wallace is surprised to learn that the Kill Bill Kid committed suicide. Upset that he flew to Canada for nothing, Wallace decides to stay an extra day and find another person to interview. He finds a handbill from someone offering a room in his home for free and the guarantee of hearing a lifetime of interesting stories. His interest piqued, Wallace arrives at the mansion of Howard Howe, a retired seaman in a wheelchair. Howard tells the story of how a walrus, whom he named Mr. Tusk, rescued him after a shipwreck. Wallace then passes out from the secobarbital laced in his tea that Howard made for him.
The next morning, Wallace wakes up to find himself strapped into a wheelchair and his left leg amputated. Howard tells him he was bitten by a brown recluse spider and a local doctor had to amputate it to save Wallace's life. Howard not only reveals that he can still walk, but lays out his plans for Wallace: he plans to fit Wallace into a perfectly constructed walrus costume. Wallace's attempts to contact Teddy and Ally fail when neither answer their phone. It is then revealed that Ally and Teddy are in fact lovers. Wallace leaves Ally a voicemail apologizing for how he treated her, and Howard knocks him unconscious.
Now aware that Wallace is in danger, Ally and Teddy fly to Canada to look for him. Back at the mansion, Howard continues to mutilate and alter Wallace, to whom he tells his backstory: a Duplessis orphan, he was sexually abused for years by the clergy who fostered him, and as a result is very misanthropic. He sews Wallace into a walrus costume made of human skin, complete with tusks made of the tibia bones from Wallace's severed legs.
A local detective puts Ally and Teddy in touch with Guy LaPointe, a former Sûreté du Québec inspector who has been hunting Howard for years. LaPointe reveals that Howard, nicknamed “The First Wife", has been kidnapping and murdering people for years; he says he believes Wallace may still be alive, but not as they remember him. They eventually find Howard's address through two convenience store clerks, whom Wallace had annoyed earlier.
By now, Wallace’s psyche has been completely broken and has been conditioned to think and behave like a walrus. Howard reveals that his obsession with walruses comes from killing and eating Mr. Tusk six months after living on the island, although a rescue boat arrived soon after. For the past 15 years, he has attempted to turn his victims into his beloved savior in order to relive their last day and give Mr. Tusk another chance at survival. Dressed in his own homemade pelt, Howard engages in a fight with Wallace that ends with Wallace angrily impaling Howard's chest with his tusks while Howard becomes satisfied with what Wallace has become. Ally and Teddy enter the enclave as Wallace bellows victoriously and viciously as a walrus does, much to their horror. LaPointe later enters the room and reluctantly aims a shotgun at Wallace.
One year later, Wallace, still sewn into the pelt, lives in a wildlife sanctuary. Ally and Teddy visit him and feed him a mackerel. Ally remembers a discussion she had with Wallace the day before he left for Canada about how crying separates humans from animals, because crying shows that you have a soul. Ally tells Wallace she still loves him before walking off crying. Tears run down Wallace's face as he bellows, implying that the human part of Wallace may not be completely gone.

Tags: dark, horror, satire

Review:
The very definition of "not for everyone", Tusk is an oddball, absurd, twisted midnight movie that plays more like a demented fever dream than a horror or comedy film.
Don't believe the tempting notion that this is based on a true story, supposedly Kevin Smith and his mate where discussing a Gumtree add which advertised free living if the lodger agreed to dress as a walrus...The thing that irritated me the most about this film, aside from the insanely non-funny comedic elements and special effects that look as though the production company allowed the intern free-rein of the art room, is the ending.
Fans of Kevin Smith may like the dialogue (like I did), but most people will not really go for this on account of the sudden change in mood that doesn't fit where the film was originally heading.Best to watch this one for free however you can before you invest in actually paying for it.
What starts as a juvenile comedy movie in the key of ''The Interview'' turns into a bleak body horror film like ''The Human Centipede'', gets a touch of a crime comedy movie like ''Good Cop, Bad Cop'' and becomes an existential and nearly philosophical drama like the ending of ''I Saw The Devil'' for example.
I hated the character the first time I watched TUSK, thinking him too goofy for the film, but he'd grown on me by the second viewing.
Johnny Depp makes sure to remind the viewers that he likes to be strange, the conversation between Depp's character and Parks seems like they are ad libbing and trying to one up each other with each line to see who could say the strangest thing.The movie is basically a joke on the viewer.
I am not surprised because I think if they had taken any longer they would have realized that maybe it wasn't such a good idea.I'm sure people who like the movie probably like it more because of reviews like this and how I just don't "get it".
I have seen other reviewers say that this one shows the depth of what happens when a pothead gets the ability to make his own movies, as an avid smoker of the greenery and a semi fan of Kevin Smith I take offense to this analogy.
Justin Long doesn't knock them out of the park every time he takes on a role but how on god's great earth did he ever get talked into this, and I won't even try to figure out how the talk went that convinced Johnny Depp to get involved ...
Do actors ever watch the crap they produce before its released, I would be truly embarrassed if I were even an extra in this piece of monkey spunk.Lastly I have seen other reviews that compare this to The Human Centipede, I see how you can come to that comparison and I absolutely hated The Human Centipede, but its an Oscar winning movie in comparison to Tusk.
Tusk try's to add levity to itself from time to time and fails at that as horribly as it does in turning a human into a walrus believably.I didn't toss in a lot of the spoilers and specifics I would like to because I hate reading reviews that pick apart the details of a movie I haven't seen, and there are PLENTY of other reviews here that already have done that.
I like Kevin Smith a lot , I get his sense of humor and I know he's a good filmmaker.
Kevin Smith's vanity film Tusk is sure to be polarizing: either you will love it or hate it, there won't be any gray area.
Archon Cinema Reviews happen to love it's crazy ass.Tusk is a half comedy and half horror film where podcaster Wallace Bryton goes missing while in Canada out looking for content for his radio show.Wallace's cringe-humor podcast with his best friend Teddy revolves around Wallace going out interviewing zany people and then telling Teddy about it, the podcast is aptly called the Not-See Party.
At this point Tusk turns from straight comedy to straight horror when Wallace goes MIA and his BFF and girlfriend Allison team up to look for him.If you don't know the idea behind Tusk, Kevin Smith came up with it while talking on his own podcast with his own friend.
Smith makes the film he wants with complete disregard for appeasing the viewers – and it pays off big for his fans and others who are simply dark and twisty in their gooey center.Tusk is neither comedic-horror or horrific-comedy and a clear and defined line can be drawn (or spliced) in the film where the two shant meet.
With that said, Kevin Smith's Tusk definitely could have done without it and it was a massive distraction that cheapened the horror half of the film.
If you heard about the cameo then you should know who I am talking about.Kevin Smith's Tusk is a film for the oddball freaks, when it comes down to it, but nobody can say it's not original.
There were some scenes that could have been trimmed down or cut altogether, and that lost it a star for me.I know a lot of people have said you either love or hate this film, but I'm sitting in the middle of the road, leaning towards "love" because there was so much of this that worked -- the acting, the script, the cinematography, the subtlety of some of the jokes.
This is a brutally gross film so I understand those that do not like it at all since it reminds them films like "Human Centipede." I have watched this film a few years back not really liking it and now feeling like it serves as one of those films you can't take too seriously but can't look away from because it too bizarre.Justin Long stars as Wallace, the main protagonist, along with Haley Joel Osmont as Teddy, two friends who run a podcast making fun of others for fun and money.
That is until Wallace reads Michael Parks's letter on a bathroom wall looking for a lodging partner which takes us into what becomes of Justin Long.Michael Parks does a good job playing the "crazy old man with an obsession", pretty much the only things that stands out in this film.
To be quite honest, I went into Kevin Smiths world premiere of Tusk not knowing what to think; should I take this movie as comedy or a thorough horror?
The truth is the flick is both and Kevin Smith has done something I have never seen before.When quirky mean-spirited pod caster Wallace Brighton (Justin Long) journeys to Canada to interview weird and wacky people not all is as he expects as this movie proves that not all Canadians are nice.Howard Howe is hands down the best character I have watched in a while and its not surprising when he is played by Michael Parks.
Howe is in love with his stories but after a while you begin to wonder if they are even real.Parks shifts from funny to terrifying to just plain weird will stay with you long after the film ends.
Who in the hell would want to be human" or "We must discover if man is truly a walrus at heart" stayed with me long after the credits rolled.Look I can't really review this movie without giving to much away, its a flick about a guy who turns the apple guy into a walrus.
I too thought the concept was bizarre but the movie works and hats off to Kevin Smith for making one of my favorites of the year..
The acting in this movie is god awful everyone does a bad job here, especially Johnny Depp(and I like him).The walrus/human looked too rubbery and we're supposed to believe its skin.
The title, poster and plot summery in a few lines, were enough to intrigue me to watch it.I recommend this film for those who like to be entertained with a little gore, fine characters, and interesting story.
Writer/director Kevin Smith, not known for subtlety, has crafted a smart horror film that comments on humanity, relationships, and obsession.
If you're not into philosophizing or theme hunting, you can still enjoy his expert use of horror-film tropes to satisfy your macabre urges.Podcaster Wallace Bryton (Justin Long) travels to Manitoba to interview Howard Howe, an eccentric adventurer claiming to have great adventures to tell.
It's a terrifying fun-house ride and a twisted clown show that should please Smith fans and horror/comedy audiences looking for their fix of "weird."Justin Long stars as Wallace Bryton, an American pod-caster who savagely makes fun of people in popular viral videos with his co-host.
The movie is quite zany on its own during the second half, and I think this character did a good job "ushering in" the audience to the film's true craziness when he showed up.
The only thing that would make this any better is if Johnny Depp and Kevin Smith come out and say well we wanted our kids to not have an acting career...ever.
I also feel that the very ending spoiled whatever pleasure I took from the film.I liked the acting and I think that they made a really good effort with the special effects and the sets and everything.
I also found interesting, although not all original, the idea to have a completely unlikable character as the victim, only to show that they were not that bad in the first place.If you are satisfied with the story and plot, then there is no reason not to like this film.
That night Wallace is drugged and so begins his slow descent into Hell, The worst I feel that has ever been bought to cinema.Kevin Smith the Director starts this as a comedy and even through the trauma of the third act this element still raises it's head but if only to confuse, making Wallace's story even more shocking.
I have seen the everything from A Serbian Film to Martyrs to Human Centipede the awesome second one not the first but this movie stands shoulders above the rest which is strange to me being that it is a Justin Long/Kevin Smith vehicle which contains comedy.
And most important of all, good acting.To sum it all up with one word, this movie is Entertaining:)An entertaining horror comedy that I could find myself watching again at a later point in my life.
The fact that I didn't even know it was Depp playing this incredibly off-beat, enchanting character made it that much better for me when I actually figured out it was him playing the guy.I have to say that I have always been a middle of the road guy when it comes to Kevin Smith movies, don't really love them, but I don't really hate them either.
I went into tusk thinking this was going to be a documentary about the ivory trade in Africa and though it was not that at all, I was not disappointed by this film.Johnny Depp has a soaring performance as a gritty cop who has turned in his badge to hunt down "the first wife" a serial killer and sailor who goes by many names.The plot is pretty straight, forward basically mix inception with blue planet and you have a pretty good idea of what to expect.I have one major gripe with tusk, the antagonist frequently refers to the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) as a hobo spider (Eratigena agrestis).
Tusk is doing actual opposite of that, it's importing comedy elements like Justin Long and Johnny Depp's characters into a thriller/horror setting.I've seen a lot of reviews comparing it to The Human Centipede.
I knew absolutely nothing about 'Tusk' going in other than it was a Kevin Smith film and it was a horror/comedy.
It started off like any other Smith film with brilliant dialogue (that I could happily listen to for hours on end) and an interesting set up which I had no doubt was going to lead to hilarious results.
Michael Parks was brilliant in his role and Justin Long was well cast in the lead.I'm glad there is no mention of the truly shocking element to this film in its synopsis as I think this will lead people to enjoy the film a lot more.
'TUSK': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)Writer/director Kevin Smith's new horror-comedy flick about a deranged, wheelchair-bound, retired seaman who attempts to surgically transform a popular podcast host (who's also a house visitor, at his home in Manitoba) into a walrus.
The film stars Michael Parks (who also starred in Smith's last feature film, 'RED STATE'), Justin Long, Genesis Rodriquez, Haley Joel Osment and Johnny Depp.
It's everything you could possibly want in a Kevin Smith movie, or an indie horror-comedy flick.
I loved it and I'm sure it will become a beloved cult classic (just like most of Smith's films).Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://youtu.be/hS02wz4z3uU.
And though it may not be the kind-of movie I would frequently recommend, mostly due to the odd looks I'd be given, it directly proves that sometimes weird is good.The film centers around a podcaster named Wallace (Justin Long) who, on a quest to find his next interesting interviewee in the backwoods of Canada, encounters a creepy and mysterious old seafarer that has an obsession with walruses.
While Smith's debut was influenced by his years working at a convenience store, it's no coincidence that Tusk's protagonist, Wallace Bryton (Justin Long), is a successful podcaster whose long- running weekly show features himself and his closest friend laughing themselves into a stupor.The film opens with one of these conversations, where Wallace and Teddy (Haley Joel Osment) are taking mean-spirited jabs at a YouTube celebrity, whose fame comes from the fact that he accidentally managed to slice his own leg off while wielding a samurai sword.
Thank you Kevin Smith for having the tusks to do this movie, i'm a big fan of TUSK, definitively.It's highly entertaining, shocking, funny and smart.
The Podcast which inspired this film was extremely funny, I normally enjoy the Smodcast and have been a fan of Kevin Smith for years.
Justin Long is terminally committed to his role and his Wallace Bryton and subsequent transformation are likely to become part of cult culture lore.In an effort to keep audiences engaged with a possible fairy-tale ending, Smith enlists the help of actors Haley Joel Osment (yes, of "I see Walrus People") and the drop dead gorgeous Genesis Rodriguez as two friends who engage the services of one Guy Lapointe (an over-the-top Johnny Depp) to assist in tracking down Wallace's whereabouts in Winnipeg.
I was intrigued and excited to watch Tusk being a fan of Kevin Smith, the actors, and the odd story line.
I am a fan of horror movies but do not like slasher films.
I also tend to like weird little independent films so if you're looking for intense horror.....This is probably not it but if you like movies where you find yourself thinking "what in the world is this guy up to?" and/or "How exactly is this guy going to......" then you might want to give it a go..
Having watched the trailer, and hearing some good early reviews I thought I would finally check out Kevin Smith's new movie.
The following is my review of Tusk.The film was written and directed by Kevin Smith.
If you aren't a horror movie fan, then watching this film would likely only make you upset.
Though the bits with Haley (I know, if you watch Sixth Sense before this and then this, it might be a shock to see him like this) and Justin could be attributed to that genre, but they are not the main focus here.The fact that Michael Parks is in the main role (was also in Smiths Red State) elevates this movie for me.
Smith's signature humor bleeds throughout the entire script, but "Tusk" is just as much a horror film as it is a dark comedy.
I just finished watching Tusk, the latest film by Kevin Smith.
With his film Tusk, Kevin Smith has made good cinema.
Not sure what drugs Kevin was on when he wrote and directed this piece of garbage, but they must have been strong - and judging from the partial podcast overlay on the second half of the end credits of this waste of a film, he's still on them.Sad that actors like Justin Long and Johnny Depp would be a part of this dreck - which, had it played like a straight horror flick instead of for the lowest common denominator of people who thing gross equals funny, it may have been worth something ...
although its revealed in the first 30 minutes: If I could ask Kevin Smith any question about the movie it would be why he decided to make Justin Longs character unfaithful.
Overall, if you are looking for a weird horror film in the similar style as The Human Centipede with a touch of comedy then Kevin Smith's Tusk is probably the right film for you as it is a Walrus Yes!
A provocateur with out integrity never gets his message through.Writing: 5, Acting: 8 (even Justin Long did a good job, but Johnny Depp was awe full), Message: 0 (Humans are stupid and evil) A few funny lines does not make a comedy A few cut off limbs does not make a horror movieBut drama Michael Parks can deliver even with a story of nonsense......Great job 10 stars to him he was the reason I saw the movie throughJay and Silent bob where funny as a teenager, time to grow up Kevin!
The film is a brilliant mash-up of horror and comedy that will only leave you wanting more (which is good, as Kevin Smith's "Canada Trilogy" is just getting started).