Hobo with a Shotgun (DVD Review)

DVD review of the Canadian explotation feature film Hobo with a Shotgun starring Rutger Hauer, directed by Jason Eisener.



Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films.
Legal Line: Copyright © 2011 Hobo Inc. / 3243988 Nova Scotia Limited. All Rights Reserved. Distributed Exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Dir: Jason Eisener (Treevenge)
Cast: Rutger Hauer, Gregory Smith, Robb Wells, Molly Dunsworth, Brian Downey, Nick Bateman
Canada/USA, 2011

Reason to see: Doesn't the title say it all? Plus: Rutger Hauer and it's Canadian.

Ever wonder what would happen if a hobo rolled into a town overrun by anarchy and chaos? I know one way to find out: watch Hobo with a Shotgun! Rutger Hauer (Ladyhawke, Blade Runner) stars as our hobo in a town where no one is safe from fear, violence or torturous activity which runs rampant for the films 1h 27 minutes duration. This is purely for the extremist crowd with blood, guts and gore along with one liners and everything else you'd expect to go hand in hand with an exploitation film. And for that audience, it's amazing. Crazy over the top characters, brutal violence and kills and of course lots and lots of blood.

I'm not going to lie, there were moments that even I found hard to sit though and I'm well versed in a lot of extreme cinema. It starts off full throttle and keeps the level of tension and terror very high throughout the film. But, because it's so over the top you have to laugh and I did, a lot. Especially at some of the more bizarre characters which were, quite frankly, brilliant. I loved Rutger Hauer's pitch perfect performance as the rugged, tired and homeless hobo who has had enough and feels like the only sane man in an insane town.

Oddly, what I didn't expect from an exploitation-style film were things like a rather solid plot. That isn't even a dig, as it can be fun in these types of films to note the things that don't make sense but this proves that the plot making sense can work just as well! What I actually adored about the film is the beautiful retro look of hot/bright colours (see images below), hilarious and fitting costumes and overall wonderful art direction and production design that all work hand in hand creating this crazy world where Hobo with a Shotgun takes place.

It's quite astonishing that it can keep the extreme tension up for so long, and that's likely why it feels longer than it's just under 90 minute running time. But to be honest, like the hobo, I'm not sure I could have taken much more! A must-see film for extreme film watchers. And the post cards included in the DVD were a freaking nice touch to boot.

Warnings: extreme violence, gore, torture, disturbing ideas & imagery that persist for the entire film

DVD Extras
The 2 Disc DVD set has a bucket loads of bloody extras including postcards. Here are the details of the extras:

Disc One - Includes the film, audio Commentary, Shotgun Mode and Shotgun Mode Clips

• Feature Commentary with director Jason Eisener, writer John Davies, producer Rob Cotterill and actor David Brunt who played "Hobo" in Grindhouse trailer - very entertaining commentary with it's fair share of colourful language - even chatting about the colourful language in the film and discusses everything from films & character inspirations to technical info and often notations to how non-technical the shots are, notations of the (minimal) use of CGI, discussion of the make up and special effects, when different scenes were shot, the challenges of filmmaking and challenges of keeping certain scenes in the film, discussion over the inclusion of nudity, changes along the way, stories and inspiration behind ideas, scenes, moments and dialogue as well as scenes & ideas that were from the short Hobo with a Shotgun. Also has some really nice special touches like importance of fonts for opening credits (and the opening credits in Hobo are awesome) and, I kid you not, grizzlybear insights.
• Shotgun Mode: a icon appears on the screen at times when you can see behind the scenes looks of the film or you can watch the 40+ Shotgun Mode Clips with there Shotgun Mode extra gory shotgunness on the own or as a set.

Disc Two - Special Features

• More Book, More Heart: The Making of Hobo with a Shotgun, Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending, Video Blogs, Camera Test Reel, Fangoria Interviews, HDNet: A Look at Hobo with a Shotgun, Grindhouse Trailer Contest Winner: Hobo with a Shotgun, Hobo with a Shotgun Faux Trailer Contest Winner: Van Gore, Redband U.S. Theatrical Trailer and Canadian TV Spots

Plus

• Free Collectible Hobo Postcard Set (7 Postcards)

Hobo with a Shotgun is available on DVD as of July 5, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca (DVD) & Amazon.com (DVD)

Shannon's Overall View:
It was more brutal than I expected
I'd have to be in an extreme mood, but I would watch it again
I highly recommend it to fans of extreme films, exploitation films and over the top horror films

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© Shannon Ridler, 2011


Molly Dunsworth stars as Abby in HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, an Alliance Films release


Nick Bateman stars as Ivan in HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, an Alliance Films release


Hobo With A Shotgun, an Alliance Films release