Carnage & Deception: A Killer's Perfect Murder

With the advent of the procedural cop drama (CSI, etc.,) it could be said that the "hows" were taking over for the"whys" in mainstream thriller drama. Too much emphasis was placed on the ins and outs of the murders and crime and the fun of story telling was being lost.

Then finally, like Ed Wood before him, Derek Maki arrives on the scene and shows us that true drama does not stem from any believable plot or scenario, but rather from the filmmaker's ability to just say, "Screw it. Close enough."

There IS carnage in "Carnage & Deception" but there is no discernible "Deception" that i could find, other than the chain of events that deceived me into thinking it was a good idea to watch this film. There is also nothing to lead you to believe that these murders are in any way perfect. Even to cops with the brain power that Maki's characters seem to posses, these murders are all less than perfect and could probably be solved. Maki would rather have us believe that wearing gloves is all you need do to get away with the brutal murders in his lack luster script. Rather than cover what every other crime drama now takes as wrote, Maki lets us loose in a world where clues don't go past footprints and aftershave. Brilliant.

This inane little piece of awful is not without its charm, however. As I said before, Ed Wood fans should take note. Maki could be the next, great, worst-thing ever. His abandonment of convention, cliché, plot, dialogue, sound editing, pacing and story herald in a new era in schlock. One that Mystery Science Theater Fans everywhere can rejoice in.

There will always be bad films. But how often do really great bad film makers come along?

I just saw a preview of Derek Maki's Carnage and Deception.

Besides the fact that Mr. Maki had minimal funding, he was able to come away with a smart and refreshingly scary movie. Well acted and edited beyond perfection, this movie is done quite well

not too too bad for a first film. maki would make a good bad guy with a better script and budget. the focus of the film was given to "mary" whose acting ability as that most interesting real character was truly superior. who knew?

it got better as we watched and once i realized i could laugh, i did. one could tell derek was having a good time.

Carnage and Deception fails to deliver on its brief promise of a plot. No character in this film has any clear story or emotional arc. Derek Maki delivers a culminating scene which leaves us baffled and in awe that so many people can work so hard on something that makes so little sense. The most disturbing thing about this film, is that someone thought the premise "What if someone was killed in a pool?" was enough to base an entire film around. There are so many unanswered questions and unexplored avenues it's blowing my mind. And even if the writing were of the highest caliber, nothing could rescue this film from its painful production quality, grating score, and cable access-style directing. And I don't even have anything against this guy! I'm sorry, Derek, I really am.

Every so many years a movie in the indie circuit appears that gives us a taste of great things to come. In the 90's little movies like Reservoir Dogs, Bottle Rockets, and Hard Eights set the careers for three of the hottest directors in the business. 2003 is not devoid of a possible legacy as well.

Derek Maki's film, Carnage and Deception, has the possibility of being just that. It cuts new grounds in its relentless display of the criminal mind, and brings back memories of a Criterion Collection staple, Man Bites Dog. We see a murder plot through the eyes of a killer. It is not glamorized. It is not there for the sake of shock value, but it is there for the sake of gruesome truth.

What makes us interested in these characters, and so akin to the wacky inner rambling that they weave. If this is any indication of what Coolwater productions has the capacity of creating, then movie buffs, get ready for something to come. If you are so lucky to finagle a viewing of Carnage and Deception then see it. If not plot your own perfect "crime" so you can. Otherwise, keep your eyes open for what the Mak-man will have to offer.

I hear via the grapevine a piece about a Cabin being produced that has potential to spare. Needless to say I can't hardly wait.