If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

South Of Heaven is a hard film to really categorise. It's certainly crime themed, with a fair helping of black comedy and just a sprinkling of film noir.Telling a couple of interlocking stories regarding a kidnapping by an inept mismatched pair.The performances and cast are certainly competent and the film stars the criminally underrated Diora Baird who deserves a lot better than this.With oddly fake backgrounds, cheesy cut-aways and a highly questionable finale whatever potential this film had wasn't met.It simply wasn't funny enough to be a comedy and the story was too silly to be taken seriously as a crime drama. Again the cast did a fantastic job and some of the characters were very memorable but the whole thing just didn't glue together very well.The Good: The cast were brilliant Diora Baird The Bad: Film simply didn't flow Things I learnt from this movie: If your head is shoved into a flaming trash can you will be burnt beyond repair but your hair won't even be singed in fact it'll be restyled altogether The most intimidating mob enforcers dress like a barbershop quartet

I'm really surprised to see some glowing reviews here on IMDb for this film. While I'm aware that everyone has their own likes and dislikes, I wonder if I saw an entirely different film.I just saw South of Heaven as part of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival and thought that it was by far the worst showing at the festival. I suspected it was only accepted due to it's international premier credentials which adds a little gusto to the festival.The film strikes me as an attempt to be artistic and a crafty word-smith by someone who has seen many films that have done this well previously but with no real knowledge of how to do so himself. The entire production comes across as a good treatment that the writer was unable to bring into fruition as a complex film.There was a handful of interesting characters (the thugs) who were marginalized at best in an attempt to focus on the least interesting of the group (Mad Dog). The writer (I believe) stood up and asked people to feel free to laugh during the film, but only a few in the theater took him up on this offer. In fact on the side I sat on the entire row in front bailed half way through and the gentleman behind me fell asleep and added the only real interesting aspect of the film.The kidnap and rape (continuously) of a 16 year old girl was handled as a joke and while it was an attempt at dark humor it played off as nothing of the like.The goods other than the thugs? Becky's sister was interesting, the make-up on the brother was great. The film was colorful, unfortunately the script was not.

I saw the premiere of South Of Heaven at Cinevegas and stayed for the Q&A afterwards. I thought the film started off kind of awkward, but after about 15 minutes I was hooked. By the end of the film I was blown away. This thing was amazing and left me and the rest of the audience speechless. (there were very little questions asked at the Q&A) I have never seen a film that left me without anything to ask at the end. This is one of those films that the more time that goes by...the closer to perfect I realize it was. I can't wait to see it again! I definitely recommend this film to anyone who wants a breath of fresh air at the theater. It is very original and I can't wait to see what Vara comes up with next.

I just saw this film at Cinevegas where it premiered. It is completely insane. Like a bizarre, colorful version of "Night of the Hunter" with a little "Once Upon A Time in the West" mixed in. A stranger film you will not see, unless spaghetti western gangster movies regularly play near you. This dude Shea Wigham tears up the screen and has the best lines. SPOILER "You show me you're serious and I'll show you I'm reasonable." Then suggests blowing this guy's knee cap off. That kills me. How great is it to finally see a film that is different? Now I know.The film also has this amazing look, exactly how the driving shots used to look, in older movies. Very dreamy. It all really exists within a created world which isn't that common today in independent film. They all look so bland, like someone just decided to shoot in a place without creating anything. Bloody, funny, perfect movie to get a little wasted and head out to see. People who appreciate Django, Duck You Sucker or any Sergio Corbucci will appreciate it and see many references. This movie is not for everyone, but those who love it will adore it as I did.