Much has been done documenting professional wrestling and the participants in
the ring over the past decade, but little, if anything, has been done to
cover the people who go watch these things. This documentary does so and
letting the fans speak for themselves offers some hilariously funny, but also
frightening footage.
You think a made up villain like Freddy Krueger or Jason might be
scary ?
You think an actor's portrayal of Hannibal Lecter might give you chills
?
Well,
listening to some of these people will really terrify you, as people like this
are actually out there, loose on society. They actually drive, eat and walk
among the rest of us.
"God, you people are a bunch of
fuckheads," (can I get by with saying that on this page? [Yes - The
Editor]) That is what
went through my mind as I watched some of this, and I, myself, have done a
good deal of writing in the wrestling realm.
My only complaint about this documentary is it did not explore further into
the history of fandom in general, as there were some crazies decades ago,
especially when this got big on the new medium of television in the 1950s.
Instead, the aim is on the supporters of ECW (an ultraviolent promotion that
started in Pennsylvania in the 1990s, spreading as its reputation for mayhem,
wild bouts and crazed fans expanded). The fans here are really into the shows.
You have to give that to them. Are they normal? Well, that's hard to say. When
you see people paying $150 to attend a show, get to take home the chair they
sat on as a keepsake (shrewd) and then see them denting the things, hitting
each other in the head as they imitate the wrestlers they have just watched,
you really have to wonder.
For those not just interested in weird behavior (and this would make a great
discussion DVD for a college psychology class), there are some wild
wretslign bouts shown too, with blood that is real and not special effects. No
matter how fake or preplanned any endings might be, these guys are doing loads
of high risk moves and you see where what they are doing for the benefit of
the crazies in the stands is, indeed, painful beyond the scope of acting.
You will laugh at this, you will shake your head at this, you will love the
bouts if you are a wretsling fan, and you will either laugh or be dumbfounded
when some of the spectators have a mike stuck inf ront of them.
Now a couple of these people do make sense, believe it or not, but others,
well, it is best to see on your own and draw your own conclusion.
This is an indy production, just now fighting its way into the mainstream and
picking up steam. Information and orders may be found at http://www.extremefanz.com.
It is a little spooky to see Chris Candido on this DVD as well, for he died in
2005 due partially to wrestling related injuries. Sabu, Sandman, Balls
Mahoney, New Jack, Maven, Terry Funk, Bill Alphonso and others are also
seen.
Not a horror movie, but some elements are more terrifying than anything I ever
saw in The Texas Chainsaw
Massacre, Silence Of the Lambs or Hostel.
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