"The Nostril Picker" or, as it is known on Amazon Prime, "The Changer" is a strange movie for sure.
The movie's basic concept that a grown man with an attraction to high school aged girls can make himself look like a teenager is pretty creepy. The basis for his ability to change makes little sense and the "effect" is achieved a bit like how they did it in "Quantum Leap" (except here there are a few reflection "goofs". A common problem for any independent production.) Overall though, once you buy into the concept, I think that aspect of the movie is pretty convincing.
The movie is a strange watch though. I think it's biggest problem is a lack of focus on its intent. It swings from gory to intentionally (or I think intentionally) humorous pretty quickly. I've been known to inject humor into my own movies, such as "Alien Vengeance" or "Stopped Dead" and "Lumber vs Jack" was clearly meant to be an off kilter concept from the get go, but something about this movie's core concept and then the High School comedy tone of the music video in the early few minutes was odd. Although, if I'm honest, I guess AV suffers the same quasi serious subject matter vs humor of the cheesy retro F/X and use of a plunger as a weapon.
The movie's tone aside, modern audiences also may be put off by a few other points. Being a product of the 90s, some things will stand out as not commonly acceptable. Transvestitism is used as a source of comedy, with a tongue in cheek performance by Steven Andrews as a cross dressing prostitute. The fashions may seem like they're there for comedy, but people used to dress that way for real. Although clothes in indie horrors do tend to be a few years out of date since we all know we'll be covered in blood before the shoot is over. The video quality is also not what one expects from a modern "shot on video" affair. The audio, however, is surprisingly clean for what seems to be a very independent effort.
Overall, if you're a fan of offbeat, disturbing and unintentionally funny horror, I'd give this one a spin. Some of the acting is exactly what you'd expect when someone gets non-actors together for a movie. ( A few of the cast members have only this movie to their credit.) Carl Zchering, however, is very effective and creepy in the lead role and that's what really matters.
You'll find yourself scratching your head while watching, "The Nostril Picker", which I guess is better than what you could be doing with your finger.
The transformation ritual.
The movie's basic concept that a grown man with an attraction to high school aged girls can make himself look like a teenager is pretty creepy. The basis for his ability to change makes little sense and the "effect" is achieved a bit like how they did it in "Quantum Leap" (except here there are a few reflection "goofs". A common problem for any independent production.) Overall though, once you buy into the concept, I think that aspect of the movie is pretty convincing.
The movie is a strange watch though. I think it's biggest problem is a lack of focus on its intent. It swings from gory to intentionally (or I think intentionally) humorous pretty quickly. I've been known to inject humor into my own movies, such as "Alien Vengeance" or "Stopped Dead" and "Lumber vs Jack" was clearly meant to be an off kilter concept from the get go, but something about this movie's core concept and then the High School comedy tone of the music video in the early few minutes was odd. Although, if I'm honest, I guess AV suffers the same quasi serious subject matter vs humor of the cheesy retro F/X and use of a plunger as a weapon.
The Movie's Musical Interlude.
Warning: Disturbing finger use ahead!
Warning: Disturbing finger use ahead!
The movie's tone aside, modern audiences also may be put off by a few other points. Being a product of the 90s, some things will stand out as not commonly acceptable. Transvestitism is used as a source of comedy, with a tongue in cheek performance by Steven Andrews as a cross dressing prostitute. The fashions may seem like they're there for comedy, but people used to dress that way for real. Although clothes in indie horrors do tend to be a few years out of date since we all know we'll be covered in blood before the shoot is over. The video quality is also not what one expects from a modern "shot on video" affair. The audio, however, is surprisingly clean for what seems to be a very independent effort.
Overall, if you're a fan of offbeat, disturbing and unintentionally funny horror, I'd give this one a spin. Some of the acting is exactly what you'd expect when someone gets non-actors together for a movie. ( A few of the cast members have only this movie to their credit.) Carl Zchering, however, is very effective and creepy in the lead role and that's what really matters.
You'll find yourself scratching your head while watching, "The Nostril Picker", which I guess is better than what you could be doing with your finger.
The transformation ritual.
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