Sock Monster, Attack! Kill! Kill! Kill! Crust is kind of like Basket Case meets Ghoulies, Gremlins, and Little Shop of Horrors but more…dryer fresh and cuddly? The passion project of Sean Whalen (People Under the Stairs, “Aaron Burr” Got Milk? commercial) finds him not only starring in this production but also making his debut sitting in the director’s chair. He also co-wrote this delightful low-budget, dark-humor, social-satire horror movie that manages to be witty and fun while casting a sharp eye on celebrity culture. Whalen has assembled a solid cast that includes a genre legend in Felissa Rose (the original Angela in Sleepaway Camp) as well as rising scream queen, Rebekah Kennedy (Two Witches). Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) even drops in for a short bit.
Buy Crust Blu-rayDown-and-out former child-star Vegas Winters spends his days hiding out in a laundromat hoping never to be found. That all changes when his former co-star Randy (Ruck) decides to reboot the popular TV show that made them famous. People start to wonder where old Vegas is and one night a group of drugged-up cool kids stumble into the coin op and everything changes. Those baked youths catch Vegas during his “me” time and of course, record him in the act then threaten to post it online. After pleading with them to no avail and getting beaten up, Vegas takes refuge on a pile of left-behind socks he’s been collecting. Little does Vegas know that the tears of anguish shed upon that pile of crusty old socks has turned it into a 100% cotton monster that will protect and avenge him at all cost. Vegas dubs his avenging savior “Crust” and the two grow very fond of each other as Vegas works past his depression to regain a twisted new confidence. Eventually, Vegas begins to set his new pet after anyone, friend or foe, he believes is blocking his path back into the spotlight.
Whalen does low-budget right. Making the most of the single location by employing clever camera angles, using different lenses, and creatively placed lighting that give the little laundromat more depth and visual appeal. The placement of Crust in its debut shot and later kill scenes take their cues from great movies that Whalen loves: from various gangster noir films to Tim Burton’s Ed Wood and Batman. The decision to film in black and white, not so much a budget choice anymore it seems, was brilliant. It helps lend to that air of old-school B-horror/sci-fi and film noir while accentuating the influence of Burton and Ed Wood, both the director and the stellar bio pic, throughout.
Not only does Whalen playfully mock celebrity-gossip shows and Hollywood’s obsession with reboots, he also cleverly manages to inadvertently jab at the consumer and commercial culture by slapping generic bold-typed labels on everything used that would cost them in product-placement fees. From whiskey and beer to detergent and pills, they all sport a bland label a la those old-store brands of the ’70s and ’80s. It also proves to be a loving little nod to Repo Man, which lives side by side with the movie Dudes in my memories because they both feature punk rock main characters.
Whalen and his hand-picked cast turn in solid performances throughout. Whalen as the former star wrestling with his past and uncertain future is outstanding. Rebekah Kennedy shines as she nails the awkward new girlfriend and accomplice of sorts. Felissa Rose handles the ex girlfriend who wants nothing to do with Vegas well. Dudes co-star Daniel Roebuck is stellar as the alcoholic best friend and Alan Ruck is great as a celebrity has-been douchebag that will do anything to stay semi-relevant.
Special Features include Audio Commentary by Whalen and a group Q & A filmed at the Los Angeles premiere. The Q & A session is a great look at the main cast and how they got along and how much fun they had on set. Each share interesting stories on how they came to be a part of the movie. Whalen even mentions that indeed one of his most favorites movies is in fact Tim Burton’s Ed Wood. The audio commentary by Whalen is another fun and funny way to rewatch Crust along with him. He provides many insightful anecdotes about the making of the movie and working with actors he truly adores. He also hints that there is a director’s cut coming at some time. I’m interested to see what special features will be added to that release. Whalen also hints at possible sequels. Let’s see if they launch a plush line.
Also included as special features are two short films that feature Whalen and Roebuck; Dorothy: 50 years Later and Dorothy 2: The Bump and Run. Both are odd, creepy, humorous takes on what a delusional, broken-down Dorothy might be like 50 years after her return from the land of Oz.
Crust is a clever and fun small-budget masterpiece with cult classic appeal. It casts a sharp eye on celebrity culture and a sympathetic view of working through depression. More than a creature feature, Crust is about looking for a savior and finding one in yourself…with the help of an avenging sock monster.
