NoGoodz

Rocky Horror Meets Blade Runner Meets Nip/Tuck

The other day we were here in the office and decided, hey, let’s go to the movies. So we took a look through various online means and decided to take our chances at the Ken Cinema in Kensington, San Diego. We’ve seen some pretty intense flicks there like the Director’s Cut of Blade Runner and a lesbian riot-grrrl retrospective called the “Itty Bitty Titty Committee”. Unfortunately it is also where we and so many others heinously lost a whole 2 hours of their lives watching the Daft Punk movie “Metroma”. It was a shameful, despicable, petty crime. No one needed to get hurt. Not like that.

So, when we saw the midnight movie was called “Repo: The Genetic Opera” and the poster showed a scary man in a red radiation suit, we were like “Yay!” Boy did we not realize what we were in for. Just standing in line was our first clue as everyone was dressed up more pointedly than your usual goth punks—and almost repetitively—in fishnets and feathers and chains and hair extensions and make-up. I hate it when I feel left out. And after we got in and seated, then the music and screaming began… followed by a parade of people dancing in the aisles and the whole crowd screaming “Testify!”

We were given a little intro by who we discovered was the director and some of the stars, who, after much screaming by girls, promised Q and A’s after the show and many thanks. We all just looked at each other, like “What have we stumbled into here?” Shortly after the movie starts it’s apparent the entire audience of a couple of hundred people have seen this movie a couple of hundred times. They are all screaming and clapping and singing and chanting and reciting along with the movie and the songs. They have props and costumes and whips and craziness.

It would be alright in and of itself—we are big fans of the Rocky Horror-ness of it all—and we love the participation! But the movie, the movie was awesome! Scarily odd and gorged with a cavalcade of odd stars like Anthony Head from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Brightman of the opera world, Ogre from Skinny Puppy, and Paris Hilton. (And Yes! This is the movie where her face falls off! Can we digress real quick to say that that was the best ever! To just see her face fall right off! She wasn’t in pain… just ashamed! It rocked!) It was a half sung, all drama goth rock opera set in the future. And the music rules with artists like Richard Patrick of Filter, Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction, Clown of Slipknot, Ray Luzier of Korn, David J and Daniel Ash of Bauhaus & Love and Rockets, Blasko of Ozzy Ozbourne’s band, Tommy Clefetus of Rob Zombie’s Band, solo artist Poe, and of course Soprano Diva Sarah Brightman.

Upon researching the movie after we got back in the office, this is what seems to be floating around about this seemingly secret cult classic:

“In the year 2056 - the not so distant future - an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants… for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family’s mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera”

Starring: Anthony Head, Paul Sorvino, Alexa Vega, Terrance Zdunich, Paris Hilton, Sarah Brightman, Bill Moseley, Ogre

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman (directed Saw II, III, and IV)

One of our favorite characters was Blind Mag played by Sarah Brightman. She’s this Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas-come-to-life Operatic Diva with Digital Robotic Eyes that both grant her vision and curse her with contractual obligations…or else. But, she can sing (she was in Phantom on Broadway, she was singing in the Macy’s Day parade… okay?) and is like Lily Munster and Morticia Addams with eyes that project holograms, so she’s cool with us. Watch her in the vid below…

Overall we loved the flick, it was perfectly sadictic and gory and sing-songy, and we’re sad to feel we got on-board late with the cultiness, but we would suggest taking a look at their tour dates to see the show in the theater or get the DVD… ours is in the mail! The rock opera tip is not too much and is kind of fun… swear.