Blood Machines - Review (No Spoilers) - The Most Visually Intoxicating Movie of 2020

My review for 'Blood Machines' directed by Seth Ickerman with music by Carpenter brut.
Follow Me on Twitter: / colebrax
Check Out My Podcast Wrong Reel: wrongreel.com/
Wrong Reel T-Shirts for Sale: teespring.com/...
#CarpenterBrut #Shudder #BloodMachines

[@Eggplantman21]

This movie has been on my watchlist since I saw the first trailer. Your words got me even more amped!

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Anyone fired up by the trailer is going to be very happy with the final product.

[@QuasarSniffer]

I've been looking forward to this for a while, and now I'm hyped for this even more. Thanks, as always, for the great review!

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

It will absolutely blow your mind

[@billy_little]

Been waiting so long for this. So excited that we’re so close to an actual release! I’ve loved Carpenter Brut since I saw them open for Ghost in 2016. Cannot wait for more!

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I recently ripped through all of Carpenter Brut's videos. I'm dying to see a live show.

[@billy_little]

Geekin' with James Hancock Geekin' with James Hancock They’re so great! And after discovering Turbo Killer, I did the same thing as you mentioned; party setting? TK is gettin’ pulled up, for sure. Haha I was stoked to see you review this (at first I thought I’d missed the release date or an update from the KickStarter) and I can’t wait to watch it. Love all of your reviews, and can’t thank you enough for all the recommendations that you give whether it be books or movies. And I notice you’ve got a set of dice on your bookshelf, what’s your TTRPG of choice (sorry if you’ve talked about or answered this previously)?

[@chiranjeevgorur7867]

Bro you truly deserves to get a million subscribers. I pray that it happens. I binge watched multiple videos of yours and the movie knowledge you have is something cinephiles like me love to know. Thank you.

[@amcaesar]

CARPENTER BRUT is the tits, it's where it's at. I would recommend that "Maniac" cover if someone's interested in hearing what they're all about.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

That video for Maniac had me leaping around my apartment like a total freak.

[@terrylight3086]

I ordered shudder BECAUSE of this. The service is ok on content..but looking forward to this one

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

The subscription will be well worth just to see this flick. It's absolutely wild. Excellent acquisition.

[@scurus11scurus]

i did the same, because of this!!!

[@pgl79]

Just done the same, desperate for this on Bluray as a single movie, not in 3 parts

[@PantsuMann]

This movie is the tits, pun intended. It's an artistic masterpiece. If you have the mindset to let go and not focus on story and just enjoy the ride, this movie is for you. We are in deep need of movies portrayed with the artistic freedom as Blood Machines. Ever since I saw Turbo Killer I wanted more of that art style. After seeing Blood Machines I'm amazed how well it works in a movie. And by god the design on everything is amazing.

[@danielarcher369]

Good review, thank you. I thought this was going to be special so i supported (as associate producer) the extra push to make it better and longer than was initially planned... i am really glad with the result. The next effort of this team... who knows what it will be... but i will support it.. i am also writing something for seth ickerman that they may be interested in... it is a sort of sci fi necromancer story.. with the scale of a full movie....

[@richarddeese1991]

Thanks. I've been hearing about this one for a while, and it's sounded very intriguing. You say that's it's maybe a bit light on plot; I'd have liked to know how it is on dialogue as well. Is there much verbal back & forth between characters, or is it mostly just visuals & music? Anway, thanks again. tavi.

[@thomasbrush]

Wonderful review. You have a great way with words

[@jarlehugdahl5062]

Backed it a few years back, now here we are, did not expect you to talk about it, glad you too loved it.

[@ondrejmarek1980]

watched trailer, sold .. seen the visuals used in one of the Carpenter Brut music videos (turbo killer) and was insta fav any idea if that will be also on netflix or smh? no cinemas for the forseeable future so maybe will have to wait and sail high seas to see it

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

If you subscribe to Shudder, you can see it this Thursday.

[@WaffleNova]

I'll will be endulging heavily. Gonna make a whole "night" out of it , will the full visual emersion set up i have in my home theater. Beyond excited

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Sounds like an epic evening. Definitely invite people to join you.

[@WaffleNova]

@@geekinwithJamesHancock always this is a fairly regular thing for us. Gonna start off with the vimeos as they have not seen them yet. Then show part one. Then watch blood machines.

[@FrenchSparda]

Nice review. But dont forget to say that all Carpenter Brut videoclips, except Turbo Killer are made/created by Silver Strain, and he really helped Carpenter Brut to become famous, thanks to his awesome videoclips. Of course, now both of them are totally working together, and i really hope we'll see a Leather Teeth movie someday 🤘🤘

[@rawonfeng2398]

I'm a fan of Synthwave and cyberpunk elements this is kind of like live action retro anime where "metal-flesh" infused to one kind of anime, vulgar erotic violence sci fi colorful stuffs

[@miller-426]

Carpenter Brut is awesome! Found out about them a couple years ago when they were opening for a favorite band of mine, Ghost. Who, now that I think about it, also have cool music videos. Often resembling something done in the 50's and 60's maybe.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I'd give my right arm to see Carpenter Brut live.

[@samueltheprideofafrikarobi9319]

I'm not familiar with this streaming service's distribution practices. Since this is on Shudder and not on Netflix, do you think that they will allow it to eventually be released on Blu-Ray/DVD? Have you heard anything to this effect? Also, since you mentioned Heavy Metal, if you haven't seen Love, Sex & Robots on Netflix, you should watch it. I've referred to it often as the Heavy Metal for the modern audience. Very much the same experimental and sexually charged type of cinema broken down into a number of short stories for easy digestion...but with much better writing save for two of the film's stories.

[@Just-My-Opinion]

What's up with the upside-down cross and pentagrams ?

[@v.h.rodriguez7997]

I'm into it! Looks like this will be part of that ultra-intense genre aesthetic found in movies like Let the Corpses Tan, Mandy, and Belladonna of Sadness. I've been a huge fan of Carpenter Brut since @MyFavGhost introduced me to their music a couple years ago. Definitely agree there is some shared DNA w/the comics from Humanoids/Heavy Metal/Metal Hurlant. Thanks, James!

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I still need to see Let the Corpses Tan. It has one of the coolest posters I have ever seen.

[@sarlaccstapeworm990]

Thx for not spoiling it! I'm going to watch it right now. I was just wondering if it was anything akin to "bladerunner", since the name "bladerunners" was mentioned in its description on the movie app I got (I was wondering if it might be in the same universe)... Anyway, great review. Thank you! 👍

[@homebrandrules]

Absolutely superb style of lexiconical commentary. Hats of to you sir !

[@S1ipperyJim]

Have you checked out snowpiercer on TNT yet?

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I have not. I'm reluctant to do so in that I was such a big fan of the original movie.

[@coreymcmanus4749]

You took the words right out of my brain. This needs to be put into a video game.

[@niolss]

Where can you see this movie? Cant find it

[@nicksothep8472]

Totally agree, found it tonight and absolutely loved it!!! One of the best flicks, be they short or full length, to come out in the last 30 years, if not ever. Pure genius ☠️🖤☠️

[@cyberlivion8363]

Roller Mobster. After seeing the bass line and learning it I realized I had found perfection. You can’t understand those days of feeling that I had found imo the best song of all time.

[@phoiaikonyak8672]

Is it available in VCR?

[@LionKimbro]

So excited to watch Blood Machines!! I loved this video because it pointed me to the Vimeo collection of Carpenter Brut, which I've been bathing in, and Murder Rock..!

[@lv2465]

Shudder will make a sh*tload more money if they release this on Bluray and digital download. Are you listening SHUDDER?

[@MrGolddenboy]

Were can I find the full video they say its 50 minutes long but . All I see is short films no more then a couple of minutes

[@BrianDenton3]

Nice review. I'll check it out. Just got a Shudder subscription. I also like your bookshelf. Hitchcock/Truffaut is one of my favorite cinema books.

[@zachwhitehorn7926]

it’s hard NOT to mention Heavy Metal in the same breathe but I’m glad you did. My sentiments exactly.

[@EbrahimKaram]

Hey man. Great video. You need a p-shield for your mic Or move your microphone to the side. Your p’s are causing your audio to clip

[@EbrahimKaram]

www.amazon.com/Microphone-Flexible-Gooseneck-Stabilizing-Earamble/dp/B06WVFRW4H

[@te9591]

Yeah, the Carpent Brut/Seth Eckerman group are next wave developers.

[@mrcllz]

im in love with the soundtrack, im already in, thanks James.

[@ZobethC]

I just got Shudder as birthday gift on June 19th. This will be my first film to watch.

[@explorationofvisualartside1163]

Saw the first episode. The story is weak, but maybe that's the point. If the director wanted space opera, Heavy Metal style, then he succeeded. However, erotica and great visual effects doesn't make sci-fi good. Story makes sci-fi good. Whether it's a long story or an extremely short story, purpose and meaning is needed in a story otherwise a show/film is secondary and can't exceed the test of time as other shows and films have. A great example is "Neo Tokyo" the Japanese anime. This anime used erotic implementations every now and then. Throughout certain stories of this short film, the purpose for each art and emotion never felt unwarranted or interrupted the overall direction for the film. If you need drugs to watch any movie or show, that movie or show is a fail. Blood Machines is interesting in presentation, but on a scale of one to ten it's no higher than a seven. Blood Machines is an A+ in visual effects, but fancy effects, bizarre situations, and erotic moments aren't enough to classify this show as great.

[@Panyc333]

I love carpenter brut. Really pumped to see this

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Definitely his most ambitious project yet. Perfect showcase for his music.

[@ondrejmarek1980]

if you want to play some game with similar vibe, aesthetically i'd say Warframe and in the future hopefully Cyberpunk 2077

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I'll be there on day 1 playing Cyberpunk 2077.

[@Masterthief014]

Just watched it! It's great, but not at all what I expected? It's nice knowing who the Turbo killer is, but It'd be great to bridge that gap. There could have been more dialogue for vascan and Lago, as they felt like props. It's kind of showing how our over reliance on technology will be our downfall. It was great! Especially going from the soundtrack to seeing it on the film, just genuinely wish it was a bit longer/ more fleshed out.

[@applecrow8]

There are two halves of my genre life. Before I saw Blood Machines and After. I've watched it every night since it came out. And this was made for a literal shoestring.

[@peybak]

It's like opening a Heavy Metal magazine :)

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

100%. Whether you love the magazine or the animated film, this flick feels like a love song to that whole style of storytelling.

[@samuelschwager]

At first I thought you were going to say Turbo Ki...d ;)

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I'm having a slow moment and can't fill in the blanks on that word but the Turbo Killer video is absolutely worth hunting down.

[@samuelschwager]

@@geekinwithJamesHancock Turbo Kid! Pause, not blanks ;)

[@Eggplantman21]

Sorry James. I saw you replied to a specific comment and urge you to please be careful to anyone who comments "wanna be friends". Its a big online scan where you can put your account in serious trouble. This video explains it better than I could. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX6saoKiadatnK8

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Many thanks for the heads up! Greatly appreciated.

[@BLACKSYNTH]

yeah I think the acting style is done on purpouse to some extent, kinda a throw back to 90s badly dubbed Manga. which is awesome and special. and I think its somewhat done this way for effect , not from just bad acting.

[@funzo3505]

Definitely been looking forward to this, time to try Shudder.

[@pallenda]

I backed Blood Machines a long time ago, only based on Turbo Killer and that Carpenter Brut is one of my favorite bands. Go to a concert with them in the future if you can. I have just watched Blood Machines digitally from the Kickstarter. Visuals and sound is great, sadly the story after first viewing made me think that either I am not that smart or this story is not told that well. I liked the acting of a few of the people, but I think the script is just lacking.

[@beezzarro]

Thank you for saying "addictive" and not "addicting"

[@JC-zt5dp]

Still have yet to find anything that beats Enter The Void in terms of visually stunning cinema..but for a low budget film like this I was very impressed and Blood Machine makes my top 3 for sure...this movie rocks!

[@bigmiki2620]

Enter the Void?

[@johola]

Saw it Strasbourg last year and absolutely loved it, but there isn't too much story to spoil honestly😂

[@localasbestosremoval8392]

I agree pls someone give the team of Blood Machine some proper money and let them Lose... COME ON NETFLIX

[@Beanso]

Great review!!!

[@McTofuwuerfel]

Story: Very Good, something new. Narrative: Good. You have to fill in some gaps yourself, but that's understandable given the relatively short duration (3 parts each about 20 minutes long). Some foreshadowing and mirroring, I like that. Acting: Meh. As already mentioned in the review: Borderline Amateur. Christian Erickson (Lago) was okay though. But given that this is an indie film it does not bother me much. Visuals and Soundtrack: STUNNING! I combine these two ratings as they go hand in hand. The visuals without the music wouldn't be half as good and vice versa. . I think the visuals/music and the story plot are the primary aspects which this film should be rated upon. The female nudity is kinda overused for my taste, but does not make it bad. On the other hand, the plot has strong feminist tendencies. :) . I can definitely recommend this if you're into (non-mainstream) sci-fi and electronic music (especialy synthwave).

[@Inesophet]

I think releasing the soundtrack before the Movie really didnt do the movie any favors. I listened to it up and down before release and when i watched it, it was good sure but it wasnt fresh. This movie is fresh. Its new. It does something i would describe as Grimey VFX, an absolutely unique style. It reminded me in parts of Metropolis. The many credit sequences though, yeah im no fan of those. They simply padded out the runtime with this. But then again, as someone who does VFX as well. I can see how much fucking work and rendertime went into every single second of this. The sheer love for details such as small particles buzzing around the many unique models. Man i have nothing but respect and i personally learned alot from watching this. Absolute feast for the eyes.

[@ragnarlothbrok1147]

ONE OF THE BEST SERIES I’VE SEEN.

[@ondrejmarek1980]

the style reminds me a bit of Kung Fury.. maybe there is some creative overlap

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

There's definitely some overlap but the tone for Blood Machines is quite different. There's no comedy of any kind and the experience feels much more hallucinatory.

[@chronokoks]

David Sandber is an executive producer on this shit flick.. Kung Fury was much much better

[@scurus11scurus]

chronok u don’t like fun bro

[@McTofuwuerfel]

Not much apart of the 80s stylization.

[@scurus11scurus]

chronok ok, i’m new and had to check the kung fury but still

[@kyleleyve5309]

Finally a new movie to watch on psychedelics .

[@cyklonus1]

Not gonna lie, I had HIGH hopes for this. Just saw the 3 20 min episodes and The graphics are amazing, but the acting was really boring. And I LOVE carpenter brut, but there wasn't a whole lot of epic music played. I expected more energy like Turbo Killer. 🤷‍♂️😕

[@LithiumLogica]

It feels like a years long bait and switch. I'm genuinely disappointed. The weird SJW vibes I get from this confuse me, as the original was just an interesting visual storytelling music video. I loved it. This is.. .long, drawn out, plodding along, miserable, half-assed... and just boring. Really let down. :\

[@cyklonus1]

@@LithiumLogica very accurate review. 💯

[@LithiumLogica]

@@cyklonus1 Greetings, two years later. XD

[@rileyindieman1]

A film based on one of Iain M Banks Culture novels, directed by Ickerman? Take my money!

[@TheMadLeprechaun]

The music and the visuals are great. The story is nothing we haven't seen before.

[@FCSchaefer]

Heavy Metal is top of my list of films that never got a sequel that most deserved one.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

It got a sequel but it was so horrible that everyone forgets it got made, lol.

[@kristynahelgetova8061]

You are speaking very fast, so for some not native english speakers it may be hard to keep up... Over all, I saw blood machines yesterday, and it was fucking awesome!

[@Tony-1971]

I really hope this gets released on blu ray. Has anyone mentioned that might happen?

[@AndréVilaFranca]

I can't wait to watch this. I hope these directors have success and much more money on their next projects because Hollywood creatively dead.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

A lot of big budget directors are going to realize just how risk-averse and boring their movies are after seeing 'Blood Machines'.

[@AndréVilaFranca]

@@geekinwithJamesHancock I really hope so. But the problem is that not knowing it already tells me how untalented they are. We need new blood on the industry. And I have hope it's gonna come. Otherwise the industry dies. But I think and hope the new generation is gonna pump new energy and creativity into the art of fim.

[@Baconator119]

Watched it the first time, thought it was one of the best movies, visually, that I've seen in years. Had to watch it again while trippin. Great time.

[@raymondterrazas5702]

Wait is this a movie or series?

[@user-mf8oy4xd8i]

Sort of both, some sites separate this into 3 chapters but some have the full film

[@ironmike650]

Just checked out turbo killer that's smeging orsum and I only check blood machine because it was a advert on my facebook

[@scurus11scurus]

they like anonymity... here are their names.

[@jacobellinger8027]

why does the girl have a upsidedown cross?

[@DavidBenson2]

Where the hell cam you watch this?

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

It is available as a Shudder exclusive

[@Food4thought1234]

I liked it at first. But the inverted crosses were too much for me. He obviously have a agenda to be anti christ, and it's his choice. However, when your agenda push if more than your movie, I think i'll just pass.

[@dreioo8759]

This is what Doctor Strange was in my mind.

[@josoffat7649]

Sure, stunning visuals but I found it to be very much lacking anything of real substance. It does not have the intensity and dark mystery of the music video. I find it conflicts with the video more than it enhances it.

[@doublep1980]

Great visuals and soundtrack,but everything else is complete dogshite. I get it,they wanted to make a live-action version of Metal Hurlant/Heavy Metal but like with that mag,some of the stuff is great,some if meh and lots of it is crap.

[@Israelpwn]

@Skylar Fawna Keep in mind that they did extend the runtime, the initial movie was supposed to be 30 mins I believe, then they had a round 2 kickstarter. They could only do so much. I wouldn't say dogshite - I'd say rushed. There were some nice commentaries on reliance on machines, how we enslave those we need and abuse them - and how the victims can become abusers in their own sense (if I understood correctly that in the end, Vascan's soul is stuck in the female machine). From there you can either justify it as a means of survival, or just a flipping of the cards. Also the male-female paradigm, though slightly forced, didn't feel SJW-preachy. Something about the captain's comments on fucking machines pierced me more than I expected

[@brian4480]

The themes were garbage... hopefully they take the visuals and the sounds and turn it into something other than a virtue signal for the dominatrix these two pine over... The visuals were some of the most beautiful images I have seen.

[@w00tkid]

Agreed. The movie overall is very poorly written, I’m not joking when I say I could’ve literally written a better plot for this movie. As a music video, it’s incredible. I really hope a better production company steals the aesthetic and makes a Netflix series out of it.

[@aftertheshowmoviepodcast]

Never heard of this, slim pickings at the moment so I will give it a go.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Have a look at the trailer. Perfectly sets the stage for what to expect. Also check out their music video Turbo Killer.

[@aftertheshowmoviepodcast]

@@geekinwithJamesHancock Thanks James just about to!! Have a great evening.

[@JesseSwaney]

It's cool I guess. Visually it's amazing. The acting though.. meh :/

[@nemomarc7841]

I have seen BLOOD MACHINES vessels of naked women flying in space. Very very weird 😁 awesome

[@alexanderarkum4793]

Nice book collection

[@kenepo1227]

Just finished all 3 ep. It was awsome but man I wish the would had made it into a move instead

[@Scaran1982]

Want to see it, but at the same time no budget for it 😢😢

[@terryjones2867]

Cnt be that good if its only on shudder.. im already paying for netflix im not paying for another service just for this

[@TacoSpaceKitten]

This movie was not good plot wise. It was more of a visual experience at least thata what I took from it

[@dantebruno5474]

Check out ....king fu fury....by the same directors...great fun. Amazing. I hope they get more budget

[@applecrow8]

Call me overzealous but I feel like Blood Machines does change the game for sci-fi. I think the low budget helps the team push all the boundries of what they can do. I"m all in on their next project and one of my biggest regrets is finding the kickstarter after it completed.

[@jelaninoel]

Wtf is Shudder? Why can’t this just be on youtube or Netflix like Kung Fury😩

[@danielarcher369]

Shudder is actually pretty cool, they supported this project so that speaks for them...

[@HenningBoerstad]

its like drdisrespects dreams

[@danrich92]

Holy adderall Batman!

[@id104335409]

Just saw it and quite disappointed. Turbokiller was 10 times better.

[@timostrom5710]

i've been watching bits and pieces... reminds me of borderlands the game... the one with space jump, and 4 player, screw the new one...

[@paulthebeardedonedowning6820]

hmmm got me curious

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Give the trailer a look and definitely check out the music video for Turbo Killer.

[@josephedric4081]

Looking at a pencil laying on a desk would be more visually intoxicating than looking at blood machines, based on the crap trailers.

[@TheeRobc5000]

It’s so short 😔

[@88Kent]

What was the massive chick at the end 🤣

[@megadeth-1a885]

Movie? Says it's a series.

[@user-mf8oy4xd8i]

It sort of both. Some sites list it as a 57-minute film or 3 17-20 minute episodes

[@Scaevola9449]

This movie could've been a real masterpiece if it didn't stink of thinly-veiled virtue signal. A few tiny story decisions could've been changed to preserve the film's integrity, but nooo. They just had to go for the muh womyn powa, womyn stronk patriarchy weak but somehow womyn oppressed also" horseshit.

[@rickdekard218]

This movie was terrible with amazing trailers,it sucked.

[@r.n6775]

Sadly this could have been a great short movie however the two guys that made this must be overly neo-feminist self hating men. I loved the visual quality and music and movie was well done, but the characterization of the lead male character as an overly aggressive and ignorant misogynist while the female lead is clever and powerful etc...blah blah blah. I am personally very tired of being preached to when all I want is a good story and to be entertained. The whole movie just feeds the ridiculous new feminist movement that is simply about hating men and reversing their this weakly conceptualized version of the dominant male character onto women. I feel the empathy for the real feminists who worked very hard for equality to see it turned into just another form of thoughtless anger.

[@FrenchSparda]

I was lucky to spoke with one of the directors in Paris some months ago. I dont think there's neo-feminist bullshit in Blood Machines. Dont forget that at the end "spoilers", the only character (a woman) who was claiming "machines are alive".... release their souls...simply to use them as tools/weapons against the big bad mothership....." There's many way to interpret a story, but neo-feminism.....no definitely not.......and god know how much i hate that kind of extremist.

[@r.n6775]

@@FrenchSparda Interesting point, I however see the female lead protagonist as simply the "leader of the movement" controlling her followers. You're right it could interpreted many ways. Perhaps I was a little frustrated and disappointed as I'd waited a long time for the film and I am very tired of the current wave of preachy SJW content in film.

[@brian4480]

Are you two insane? The entire story was essentially...men bad.... men dumb... men can't live without us... now we control men... but its cool cuz we r wamyns. OP is 100% right.

[@brian4480]

@Skylar Fawna Her actions were a great triumph... He was portrayed as a bumbling idiot who cared more about "muh dick" than living. She on the other hand was the arbiter of the new world where men are stuck in the machine....And then they rode off into the neon sunset a better universe. You might have seen her as a murderous skank i never said you didnt...but the movie did not want you to feel that way. That is my point.

[@r.n6775]

@@brian4480 Yup...I was not impressed. There hasn't been a decent movie made since 2005 that doesn't have some annoying feminazti, racial or SJW f!@#king message preaching at us. I'm re-watching all the old stuff. First 20 minutes of "High Plains Drifter" is awesome ;)

[@voidandnon-2530]

Its terrible. Fucking terrible.

[@chronokoks]

It's absolute crap.. it's sooooooo baaaaaaad