The Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol 2010 - REVIEW

Have you ever been asked to describe a film that you couldn't even wrap your brain around? It's almost like trying to explain politics, taxes and death to a curious child. Impossible right?? Because let's be honest, not many people really fully understand any of it. Yes, you get little pieces here and there like... I know that most politicians are elected for the simple fact that they are great liars, but I don't know why people fall for their bullshit. I know why I have to pay taxes but I don't know why they are so high. I know that people die and that it's part of life but I don't always understand why some are young and some are old... some are violent and some go in their sleep. You have to wonder sometimes why a loving God would allow people to die such a "gruesome death" (no pun intended). Wow, that took an ugly, controversial turn didn't it? Let's get back to the point.....

All Tommy (Tommy Pistol AKA Aramis Sartorio)  has ever wanted to be in life is an actor. In fact, he's so focused on it that he can't hold a job, or pay his bills, or take care of his wife and child. For all intents and purposes, he's a loser that's going nowhere fast. Even a year after his wife took their kid and left, he's still doing nothing but sitting on the couch eating microwave hotdogs, watching porn and getting his jollies from a penis pump. Clearly exhausted from all the... pumping... he passes out with a hotdog in the microwave (for way too long) and pump in hand. In his dreams, he becomes the lead actor in a snuff film, a celebrity skin wearing killer and the director of a porn film gone wrong. In other words, he's stuck in the middle of a Troma-esque anthology.

 I'm only going to focus on Sartorio's performance as he's the main focus of the film and there are just too many actors involved to critique them all... sorry other actors. The crowing moment of Sartorio's entire performance was in the first story (10 Minutes of Fame) when Tommy climbed to the top of a ladder, spoke directly into the camera and talked about how growing up, all he ever wanted to be was an actor. I'm not sure if that dialogue stemmed from personal experience but that was the only believable bit of dialogue and the best acting in this whole entire film. He seemed genuinely hurt that he'd been laughed at for chasing his dreams and the determination in his eyes was genuine. A kind of "I'll show you" look as if he was talking to a specific group of people. Pitty this isn't the film to use if you're going mock those who made fun of you as a kid.

I seem to be in the minority when it comes to this film. From what I can tell, a lot of other reviewers quite enjoyed it however, I did not. The quality was very low, any scene with quick arm/hand movement was blurred and fuzzy, the lighting was way off and the acting was subpar. I found myself wondering, at times, if there was even a script for this film. Most of the dialogue that took place between two characters came off as forced and lagged quite a bit almost as if they were improvising and playing off one another. Being labeled as a horror/comedy, I was really expecting a lot more but what I got was gore for the sake of gore and comedy that either wasn't funny or I'm just too stupid to get. I think had it been promoted as what it actually was, which was a not so soft core horror porn, I would've been more prepared and lowered my expectations. Is there an audience for a film like this, yes... it's just not me.

Breaking Glass Pictures Announces Release Date for The Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol

Breaking Glass Pictures has announced the March 27 release of the surreal, horror-comedy “The Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol” (SRP $24.99). Director Aramis Sartorio takes viewers on a demented roller-coaster ride through the mind of a down-and-out actor forced to the edge where sanity and fantasy collide, where he must ask himself, "At what point do you give up on your dreams?”

“The Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol” follows the disappointing life of struggling actor Tommy Pistol, who has turned his back on family and friends to pursue his dream of stardom. When he finally hits rock bottom, Tommy seeks solace in a penis pump and finds himself in a fantasy world where he pursues bloody vengeance against those who've put him down. What he doesn't realize is that his whole life has been leading up to the moment when he awakes to find that he's run out of second chances, and despite his regret, there is no going back.

10KBullets applauded its “willingness to go where very few horror films have gone before.” “Gruesome Death” has captivated viewers and made top horror films lists for 2011 as well as being named Best of the 2011 Pollygrind Film Festival.

You can view the trailer here.

The DVD release will come crammed with Special Features including director’s commentary, interviews with cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage, a feature heavy metal band “Amorea”!

For more information on “The Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol” including interviews and final DVD copies, please contact justine@bgpics.com