Feast (film)
Encyclopedia
Feast is a 2005 black comedy
horror
film, a result of Project Greenlight
s third season, the amateur filmmaking documentary series and contest. The winning team was composed of writers Marcus Dunstan
and Patrick Melton
, and director John Gulager
. It was executive produced by Ben Affleck
, Matt Damon
, Chris Moore (through their LivePlanet
production company), Wes Craven
and the Maloof family
. The film was produced and distributed by Dimension Films
in association with Maloof Motion Pictures and Neo Art & Logic
.
) - enters through the door and warns them all of impending danger. No one heeds his warning, so he shows the bar patrons the head of a repulsive creature to make them take him seriously. He is soon pulled through a window and decapitated by one of the monsters, amusingly just after it was implied that his chances of survival were very high. After the carnage, a woman - "Heroine" (Navi Rawat
) - bursts through the door and reveals herself to be the recently deceased man's wife. After a brief sentimental moment between the wife and her late husband, they begin boarding up the windows in the bar. Despite their efforts, a young monster bursts through an uncovered window and begins decapitating the people inside the bar. It severs the leg of one of the women - "Harley Mom" (Diane Goldner
) - and it is initially assumed that she died from massive blood loss.
The monster disappears for some time, then is found attempting to sexually penetrate one of the deer heads nailed to the wall. A shotgun blast removes the deer head and monster from the wall. The monster drops into a freezer which is then sealed shut, trapping it inside. Following this, the remaining windows are boarded up and the bar patrons are given a moment of peace. Trying to call for help, they learn that the only phone in the bar has been hit by a stray shotgun blast and has been rendered useless. After a short breather, one of the women - "Tuffy" (Krista Allen
) - suddenly realizes that her son is still upstairs and runs to get him. Once she finds her child the group rejoices until the boy is pulled through a window and eaten by one of the monsters, leaving only his sneaker behind. Tuffy is now incapacitated by grief, and the monster then vomits a stream of slime at one of the group - "Beer Guy" (Judah Friedlander
). As the remaining people regroup downstairs, they realize that the slime has a decomposing effect and that the victim is being slowly overcome by its effects.
The group kills the young monster in the freezer and hangs it outside. The monster's parents quickly have sex and produce two offspring in a matter of seconds, all of whom begin to attack the pub with renewed fury. Meanwhile, one of the women - "Honey Pie" (Jenny Wade
) - begins washing off the blood and has to take off her clothes, much to the amusement of the others. The patrons regroup and enact various attempts to escape or drive off the monsters, all of which lead to more casualties, including the accidental death of the Heroine at the hands of another character (the aptly nicknamed "Bozo"). Driven by rage over the death of her child, Tuffy aggressively takes charge of the remaining survivors, which results in the audience seeing her nickname change from "Tuffy" to "Heroine 2". "Honey Pie" successfully makes it to a truck, giving the other characters brief cause for hope (until they realize she's speeding off by herself).
After many attacks and ultimately, a fight to the death between the last remaining humans and monsters, only four people survive the ordeal: Bozo, Hot Wheels, Tuffy (Heroine 2), and Honey Pie. One person - "Grandma" (Eileen Ryan
) - seems to survive but is seen being attacked by one of the remaining monsters at the end of the film.
Other characters
. However, the film has quickly become a cult favorite among horror fans.
, the film was later taken by Bob
and Harvey Weinstein
to their newly formed studio, The Weinstein Company
, along with the Dimension Films
brand after their so-called "divorce" from Miramax.
The film premiered at Fantastic Fest
in Austin, Texas
, the Chicago International Film Festival
, the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival
, and the Savannah Film Festival on various dates throughout October 2005. John Gulager was named "Best Director" for Feast at Fantastic Fest 2005.
After a period of delays, the film eventually made its way to American theaters on September 22, 2006. The DVD was released on October 17, 2006.
s were produced, Sloppy Seconds
in 2007 and The Happy Finish
in 2009, where John Gulager
directed both and Patrick Melton
and Marcus Dunstan
wrote the screenplay; Jenny Wade
, Clu Gulager
, and Diane Goldner
returned; Wade as Honey Pie, Gulager as Bartender, and Goldner as Biker Queen.
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
horror
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
film, a result of Project Greenlight
Project Greenlight
Project Greenlight was a contest and television series focusing on first-time filmmakers being given the chance to direct a feature film. It was created by Alex Keledjian, developed by Eli Holzman and produced by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Sean Bailey, and Chris Moore through their production...
s third season, the amateur filmmaking documentary series and contest. The winning team was composed of writers Marcus Dunstan
Marcus Dunstan
Marcus Dunstan is an American screenplay writer and director.-Life and career:Dunstan was born in Macomb, Illinois...
and Patrick Melton
Patrick Melton
Patrick Melton is an American screenwriter.-Early life:Melton was born in Champaign, Illinois. He attended Evanston Township High School, and graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies...
, and director John Gulager
John Gulager
John Thompson Gulager is an actor, cinematographer and film director.-Acting career:The production and filming of Feast was the main focus of season three of Project Greenlight. The film, made for Miramax, had a limited theatrical release. The DVD version was released on October 17, 2006. He was...
. It was executive produced by Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck
Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt , better known as Ben Affleck, is an American actor, film director, writer, and producer. He became known with his performances in Kevin Smith's films such as Mallrats and Chasing Amy...
, Matt Damon
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
, Chris Moore (through their LivePlanet
LivePlanet
LivePlanet is a production company that invests in content for television and new media platforms. It was founded in 2000.-History:The company was started by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Moore and Sean Bailey...
production company), Wes Craven
Wes Craven
Wesley Earl "Wes" Craven is an American actor, film director, writer, producer, perhaps best known as the director of many horror films, particularly slasher films, including the famed A Nightmare on Elm Street and Wes Craven's New Nightmare, featuring the iconic Freddy Krueger character, the...
and the Maloof family
Maloof family
The Maloof family owns numerous business properties in the Western United States. The origin of the family name is Maalouf and is of Levantine descent; the family is Lebanese via their paternal grandfather. The Maloofs are the owners of the Sacramento Kings of the NBA . The family consists of...
. The film was produced and distributed by Dimension Films
Dimension Films
Dimension Films is a motion picture unit currently a part of The Weinstein Company. It was formerly used as Bob Weinstein's label within Miramax Films, to produce and release genre films...
in association with Maloof Motion Pictures and Neo Art & Logic
Neo Art & Logic
Neo Art & Logic is a Los Angeles-based film and television production company. Founded by producers Joel Soisson, W.K. Border and Michael Leahy, the company has an ongoing relationship with Miramax and Dimension Films.-Neo Art & Logic films:...
.
Plot
As people are enjoying drinks in a bar, a man covered in blood - identified onscreen as "Hero" (Eric DaneEric Dane
Eric Dane is an American actor. After appearing in television roles throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he became known for playing Dr...
) - enters through the door and warns them all of impending danger. No one heeds his warning, so he shows the bar patrons the head of a repulsive creature to make them take him seriously. He is soon pulled through a window and decapitated by one of the monsters, amusingly just after it was implied that his chances of survival were very high. After the carnage, a woman - "Heroine" (Navi Rawat
Navi Rawat
Navi Rawat is an American television actress, known for her roles as Theresa Diaz on the drama series The O.C. and math prodigy Amita Ramanujan on the drama series Numb3rs. She is the niece of Prem Rawat....
) - bursts through the door and reveals herself to be the recently deceased man's wife. After a brief sentimental moment between the wife and her late husband, they begin boarding up the windows in the bar. Despite their efforts, a young monster bursts through an uncovered window and begins decapitating the people inside the bar. It severs the leg of one of the women - "Harley Mom" (Diane Goldner
Diane Goldner
Diane Ayala Goldner is an actress. She is best known for her roles in her husband, John Gulager's film series Feast.-Filmography:*Honeymoon .... Laura*The Poet Writes His Wife .... Caitlan Thomas...
) - and it is initially assumed that she died from massive blood loss.
The monster disappears for some time, then is found attempting to sexually penetrate one of the deer heads nailed to the wall. A shotgun blast removes the deer head and monster from the wall. The monster drops into a freezer which is then sealed shut, trapping it inside. Following this, the remaining windows are boarded up and the bar patrons are given a moment of peace. Trying to call for help, they learn that the only phone in the bar has been hit by a stray shotgun blast and has been rendered useless. After a short breather, one of the women - "Tuffy" (Krista Allen
Krista Allen
Krista Allen is an American actress. She is best known for her work in the television series Days of Our Lives, Baywatch Hawaii, and What About Brian; and in the Hollywood films Liar Liar, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Anger Management, and The Final Destination...
) - suddenly realizes that her son is still upstairs and runs to get him. Once she finds her child the group rejoices until the boy is pulled through a window and eaten by one of the monsters, leaving only his sneaker behind. Tuffy is now incapacitated by grief, and the monster then vomits a stream of slime at one of the group - "Beer Guy" (Judah Friedlander
Judah Friedlander
Judah Friedlander is an American actor and comedian, known for his trademark trucker hats, oversized glasses and unkempt appearance, which he retains in many of his screen roles.-Early life:...
). As the remaining people regroup downstairs, they realize that the slime has a decomposing effect and that the victim is being slowly overcome by its effects.
The group kills the young monster in the freezer and hangs it outside. The monster's parents quickly have sex and produce two offspring in a matter of seconds, all of whom begin to attack the pub with renewed fury. Meanwhile, one of the women - "Honey Pie" (Jenny Wade
Jenny Wade (actress)
Jennifer "Jenny" Wade is an American actress best known for playing "Liz Traynor" on the Fox television series The Good Guys, "Nina" in TV series Reaper and "Honey Pie", in the Feast trilogy.-Life and career:...
) - begins washing off the blood and has to take off her clothes, much to the amusement of the others. The patrons regroup and enact various attempts to escape or drive off the monsters, all of which lead to more casualties, including the accidental death of the Heroine at the hands of another character (the aptly nicknamed "Bozo"). Driven by rage over the death of her child, Tuffy aggressively takes charge of the remaining survivors, which results in the audience seeing her nickname change from "Tuffy" to "Heroine 2". "Honey Pie" successfully makes it to a truck, giving the other characters brief cause for hope (until they realize she's speeding off by herself).
After many attacks and ultimately, a fight to the death between the last remaining humans and monsters, only four people survive the ordeal: Bozo, Hot Wheels, Tuffy (Heroine 2), and Honey Pie. One person - "Grandma" (Eileen Ryan
Eileen Ryan
Eileen Ryan is an American actress who has appeared in a number of movies and TV series. She is the widow of actor and director, Leo Penn, and mother of singer, Michael Penn, and actors, Sean and, Chris Penn, who died in January 2006....
) - seems to survive but is seen being attacked by one of the remaining monsters at the end of the film.
Cast
- Eric DaneEric DaneEric Dane is an American actor. After appearing in television roles throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he became known for playing Dr...
as Hero - Balthazar GettyBalthazar GettyBalthazar Getty is an American film actor and member of the band Ringside. He is known for the roles of Thomas Grace on the American action drama Alias and Tommy Walker on the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters.-Early life:...
as Bozo - Henry RollinsHenry RollinsHenry Rollins is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, writer, comedian, publisher, actor, and radio DJ....
as Coach - Navi RawatNavi RawatNavi Rawat is an American television actress, known for her roles as Theresa Diaz on the drama series The O.C. and math prodigy Amita Ramanujan on the drama series Numb3rs. She is the niece of Prem Rawat....
as Heroine - Judah FriedlanderJudah FriedlanderJudah Friedlander is an American actor and comedian, known for his trademark trucker hats, oversized glasses and unkempt appearance, which he retains in many of his screen roles.-Early life:...
as Beer Guy - Josh ZuckermanJosh Zuckerman (actor)Joshua Ryan "Josh" Zuckerman is an American actor. Perhaps he is known for playing Mark Hughgrant in the science fiction TV series Kyle XY, Eddie Orlofsky for Desperate Housewives both aired into ABC and currently Max Miller in the spin-off of 1990's TV adaption 90210 aired on The CW.-Life and...
as Hot Wheels - Jason MewesJason MewesJason Edward Mewes is an American television, film actor, and internet radio show host best known for playing Jay, the vocal half of the duo Jay and Silent Bob, in longtime friend Kevin Smith's films.-Early life:...
as Jason Mewes - Jenny WadeJenny Wade (actress)Jennifer "Jenny" Wade is an American actress best known for playing "Liz Traynor" on the Fox television series The Good Guys, "Nina" in TV series Reaper and "Honey Pie", in the Feast trilogy.-Life and career:...
as Honey Pie - Krista AllenKrista AllenKrista Allen is an American actress. She is best known for her work in the television series Days of Our Lives, Baywatch Hawaii, and What About Brian; and in the Hollywood films Liar Liar, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Anger Management, and The Final Destination...
as Tuffy - Clu GulagerClu GulagerClu Gulager is an American television and film actor. He is particularly noted for his co-starring role as William H. Bonney in the 1960–62 NBC TV series The Tall Man and for his role in the later NBC series The Virginian...
as Bartender
Other characters
- Eileen RyanEileen RyanEileen Ryan is an American actress who has appeared in a number of movies and TV series. She is the widow of actor and director, Leo Penn, and mother of singer, Michael Penn, and actors, Sean and, Chris Penn, who died in January 2006....
as Grandma - Duane WhitakerDuane WhitakerDuane Whitaker is an American actor.Duane Whitaker is probably best known for his role in Quentin Tarantino's popular 1994 film Pulp Fiction as Maynard, the sadistic pawn shop owner. He wrote and portrayed the title role in Eddie Presley...
as Boss Man - Diane GoldnerDiane GoldnerDiane Ayala Goldner is an actress. She is best known for her roles in her husband, John Gulager's film series Feast.-Filmography:*Honeymoon .... Laura*The Poet Writes His Wife .... Caitlan Thomas...
as Harley Mom - Tyler Patrick JonesTyler Patrick JonesTyler Patrick Jones is an American teen actor known for his recurring role as Ned Banks on the CBS television show Ghost Whisperer.-Commercials:* Hallmark - Daniel* Macy's Super Saturday Sale...
as Cody - Anthony "Treach" CrissTreachAnthony Criss , better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is best known as the lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature.-Career:...
as Vet
Reception
Feast received mixed reviews from critics, scoring an average of 43% on MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
. However, the film has quickly become a cult favorite among horror fans.
Release
Originally produced at Miramax FilmsMiramax Films
Miramax Films is an American entertainment company known for distributing independent and foreign films. For its first 14 years the company was privately owned by its founders, Bob and Harvey Weinstein...
, the film was later taken by Bob
Bob Weinstein
Robert "Bob" Weinstein is an American film and theatre producer, the founder and head of Dimension Films, former co-chairman of Miramax Films, and current head, with his brother Harvey Weinstein, of The Weinstein Company.-Career:...
and Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein, CBE is an American film producer and movie studio chairman. He is best known as co-founder of Miramax Films. He and his brother Bob have been co-chairmen of The Weinstein Company, their film production company, since 2005...
to their newly formed studio, The Weinstein Company
The Weinstein Company
The Weinstein Company is an American film studio founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein in 2005 after the brothers left the then-Disney-owned Miramax Films, which they had co-founded in 1979...
, along with the Dimension Films
Dimension Films
Dimension Films is a motion picture unit currently a part of The Weinstein Company. It was formerly used as Bob Weinstein's label within Miramax Films, to produce and release genre films...
brand after their so-called "divorce" from Miramax.
The film premiered at Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest is an annual film festival in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 2005 by Tim League of Alamo Drafthouse, Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool News, Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, and Tim McCanlies, writer of The Iron Giant and Secondhand Lions. The festival focuses on genre films such as horror,...
in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, the Chicago International Film Festival
Chicago International Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America....
, the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival
International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival
International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival is a film festival dedicated to the genres of horror and science fiction that is held annually in Tempe, Arizona, United States...
, and the Savannah Film Festival on various dates throughout October 2005. John Gulager was named "Best Director" for Feast at Fantastic Fest 2005.
After a period of delays, the film eventually made its way to American theaters on September 22, 2006. The DVD was released on October 17, 2006.
Sequels
Two sequelSequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
s were produced, Sloppy Seconds
Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds
Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds is a direct-to-DVD 2008 horror - black comedy film and sequel to the 2005 film Feast. The film was directed by John Gulager and written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton....
in 2007 and The Happy Finish
Feast 3: The Happy Finish
Feast 3: Happy Finish is the third entry in the Feast trilogy. The film was released, direct to DVD, on February 17, 2009.-Plot:The film picks up where the previous film left off. Honey Pie is mauled and beheaded by a monster. Lightning survived the explosion near him and stumbles off...
in 2009, where John Gulager
John Gulager
John Thompson Gulager is an actor, cinematographer and film director.-Acting career:The production and filming of Feast was the main focus of season three of Project Greenlight. The film, made for Miramax, had a limited theatrical release. The DVD version was released on October 17, 2006. He was...
directed both and Patrick Melton
Patrick Melton
Patrick Melton is an American screenwriter.-Early life:Melton was born in Champaign, Illinois. He attended Evanston Township High School, and graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies...
and Marcus Dunstan
Marcus Dunstan
Marcus Dunstan is an American screenplay writer and director.-Life and career:Dunstan was born in Macomb, Illinois...
wrote the screenplay; Jenny Wade
Jenny Wade (actress)
Jennifer "Jenny" Wade is an American actress best known for playing "Liz Traynor" on the Fox television series The Good Guys, "Nina" in TV series Reaper and "Honey Pie", in the Feast trilogy.-Life and career:...
, Clu Gulager
Clu Gulager
Clu Gulager is an American television and film actor. He is particularly noted for his co-starring role as William H. Bonney in the 1960–62 NBC TV series The Tall Man and for his role in the later NBC series The Virginian...
, and Diane Goldner
Diane Goldner
Diane Ayala Goldner is an actress. She is best known for her roles in her husband, John Gulager's film series Feast.-Filmography:*Honeymoon .... Laura*The Poet Writes His Wife .... Caitlan Thomas...
returned; Wade as Honey Pie, Gulager as Bartender, and Goldner as Biker Queen.
External links
- Feast Reviews & Scores at Metacritic