Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

When Black Birds Fly(DVD/ Blu Ray) - When Black Birds Fly(DVD/ Blu Ray) [Bag Monster - 2016]

When Black Birds Fly is one of the most deranged, iris searingly psychedelic, and unsettlingly weird filmatic experiences I’ve had in some time. Here we have a early 2016 DVD/ Blu Ray release of this 2015 film from American animated horror film auteur Jimmy ScreamerClauz.

The film is set in a dystopian & monochrome city called Heaven- where the citizens live a prim & proper 1950’s American life- following closely teachings  of Caine- their self obsessed & egocentric leader.  Near by the city is a wall that encloses a ultra psychedelic coloured, yet depraved & sexually violent world- to which two children from the Heaven city journey into.  I won’t go onto detail the plot any more than this, as really this is a film best experience completely blind; as then the whole thing will come as even more of a head-fucking & sanity testing experience. I had seen the trailer before watching the film, and really that only just touches on both the depravity, searing psychedelic weird-ness, and ultimate drug ‘n’ sweat drenched nightmarish-ness of the whole thing.

The film comes in at just over the one hour & forty minute mark, and when going into this I worried it may be a bit  of a length for an animated feature. But really the story unfolds in a well & balanced manner- moving from the controlled  monochrome world, where no one is allowed to have sexual contact or un-pure thoughts. Though to eye scouring intense & ultra neon-bright world beyond the wall,  where every sexual & bloody act possible is carried out.

The animation style is quite realistic yet stark in it’s portal of the people in Heaven city, with the mostly grey back drops of the world broken up with colourfully poster showing Cain, along with often offensive & oppressive texts. When we move beyond the wall, that world is wildly psychedelic & visually deranged- with bright neon green grasses,  LSD pattern skies, and weird 'n' perverse monoliths. When the characters are in the beyond the wall world- their faces, features &  bodies often melt, glitch & distort.

Sonically we get: A formal  soundtrack which is a blend of sour & woozy ambience, with sudden jolts into more industrial & noise bound terrority. Along with some interesting sound design details- which mangers to deepened the more depraved & brightly deranged moments of the film.

Extras wise the DVD disc is fairly nicely loaded-with a informative commentary from Mr ScreamerClauz, and two chums connected to the film. As well a version of the film with cut scenes added back in. You also get a selection of shorter work from ScreamerClauz, and this is really even more deranged, perverse, & OTT…apparently his other work is more gore-bound & disturbing, than the derange yet often highly colourful worlds Where Black Birds Fly.

In summing up When Black Birds Fly is a  totally deranged yet highly original animated  feature length from Mr ScreamerClauz. And I can see that it will appeal to anyone who enjoys tripped-out, fucked-up, and weird film work- be it animated or other wise.

Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

Roger Batty
Latest Reviews

When Black Birds Fly(DVD/ Blu Ray...
When Black Birds Fly is one of the most deranged, iris searingly psychedelic, and unsettlingly weird filmatic experiences I’ve had in some time. Here we have...
190424   Zachary James Watkins - Affir...
180424   Ulvtharm - 7 Uthras
180424   The Bad Shepherd - The Bad Sh...
180424   Impulse - Impulse( Blu Ray)
170424   Jan Jelinek - Social Engine...
170424   Carlos “Zíngaro”, Guilherme R...
160424   The Borderlands - The Borderl...
160424   Rien - The New Source Recording
160424   Worship - Thoughts
150424   Lion-Girl - Lion-Girl(Blu Ray)
Latest Articles

The Music of Clay Ruby & Burial H...
Over the last couple of decades Wisconsin native, Clay Ruby has been creating some of the world’s finest dark electronic music under the Burial Hex mon...
280324   The Music of Clay Ruby & Buri...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom