Movie:
Swiss Army Man
Dir. DANIELS (Daniel Kwan &
Daniel Scheinert)
NOW AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL HD AND DVD/BLU-RAY
Swiss Army Man tells the story of a man (Paul Dano - Little Miss Sunshine) who can't find his way back home and stumbles upon a farting corpse (Daniel Radcliffe - Harry Potter) who can not only fart across the ocean like a boat but also has a the abilities to chop wood with his hands, spit stuff out of his mouth super fast, spit water, has a wang that points in the direction in which the man must use to find his way back home... Oh... He can also talk.
DANIELS:
The film was created from the crazy minds of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (who credit themselves as 'DANIELS'). In the past they've made various music videos and short films (all of which they've written and directed). The script is what attracted both Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe to the project. The pitch DANIELS used was: "The first fart will make you laugh and the last fart will make you cry." This was their passion project and their first feature film they've made. Since then Daniel Scheinert has gone on to direct an upcoming movie called The Death of Dick Long (coming out 2019) and Daniel Kwan currently has nothing planned. It's rumored that the two will reunite to make a Sci-Fi movie. Anyway, they wanted to make a movie with good actors, practical effects, a great score and a realistic dummy puppet based on Daniel Radcliffe.
ACTORS:
The movie follows Hank (Dano) and Manny (Radcliffe) as they try to navigate the scary world of being lost and trying to find your way home. The film also has a constant theme of love between the boys and Sarah (Mary Elizabeth Winstead - 10 Cloverfield Lane). The actors agreed to do the movie due to the crazy script that is unlike anything ever made in American Film History.
SCORE:
The film features music composed by Andy Hull and Robert McDowell (of the famous music group, Manchester Orchestra). The film using a mix of actual sounds (like clapping and banning on various objects) with a A cappella background. The music also features music sung by Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe. For example, the song "Montage" used in the film is composed/sung by Andy Hull and Robert McDowell and featuring the voices of Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe singing (both of which have a background in singing for either movies or Broadway Plays).
MAKING MANNY:
Daniel Radcliffe was willing to do most of his stunts along with Paul Dano throwing/pushing/holding him wherever he goes. But when Manny would have to fly or be lit on fire they needed a dummy to replace him. How they made the dummy was mold Daniel Radcliffe's face (and butt) and apply to a basic dummy body. They also added eyes and hair and the suit that Manny wheres throughout the movie so you can't tell the difference between the two. They also used wires and green/blue screen but you can't really tell the difference.
PRACTICAL EFFECTS:
The filmmakers tried to use as much practical effects as possible and try not to use a whole lot of CGI. for the most part they achieved this. With the dummy, water, fire and a moving wang they were able to capture various and crazy moments in the film. They even got a real bear! And made a robot wang!
MY THOUGHTS:
I know this sounds crazy! Especially for my parents. But this film is in my Top 5 Favorite Films of All Time. This film is truly unique and original (and somehow emotional).
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I forced my parents to drive me 2 hours to a big theater to see this. My Mom, Dad and Tate wanted to watch a different movie because none of them wanted to see this. My parents pretty much did Rock-Papers-Scissors to see who'd go with me into the screening. My Dad lost. My Dad, in the end, somehow hated it but liked it at the same time. He hated how original it was (and not in a bad way).
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I recommend this movie. Just to see at least once in your life to experience what it's like to watch this movie. My favorite part of the movie is the last three words of dialogue which is said by Sarah who says: "What the fuck?".
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That's what the reaction of someone behind me was. After the end title says "The End" a grown man behind me said "What... The... Fuck."
