Popcorn time: Zero Day

Drawing from 1999's "Columbine Massacre" in Littleton, Colorado, this little-known film from independent director Ben Coccio (also little-known) is easily one of the most disturbing movies you will ever see. So now it's time for me to start singing it's praise.

First, a little history: The screenplay (what there is it, because 75% of the film is intentionally ad-libbed) was written shortly after said Columbine Massacre. Filming came shortly afterward. But in the middle of production, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 struck America, and the movie was delayed. After a 2 year gap, the movie debuted at as many independent film festivals as it could get entry to. Despite poor reviews due to controversy, the film has managed to get a following and attract positive reviews and even awards.

Now, on to my review. This movie is creepy. I don't mean "EEK! Something jumped out at me!" creepy, or Hitchcock-esque suspense tactics, this movie is genuinely disturbing. The film follows 2 teenage boys who claim themselves "The Army of Two". They have a methodically detailed plan to assault the students and staff of their high-school. The movie follows their video diaries of their planning and their thoughts on what is to come and what they've already done, leading up to the inevitable horrifying climax. (No spoilers!)

First off, the movie is filmed almost entirely in cheap home-video, and all the actors in the film are, indeed, not professional actors. This was mostly intentional, in order to add a flair of realism to what is already shockingly accurate. That being said, I felt as thought I really were following the main characters, Cal and Andre, around in their many escapades, such as egging the captain of the wrestling team's house, or Cal going to the prom with a group of people he obviously did not feel comfortable with. You are forced to see the human side of a couple of youngsters who are obviously not entirely well.

Some of the scenes in the movie really grab you, and send massive chills up your spine. Listening to Cal's musings (Such as his telling his little cousin/nephew/whatever what it would be like if the world was ruled by old people, and they all hit you with canes, or when he used garbled analogies to express his excitement about the shooting.) or getting a glimpse of Andre's temper (Such as when he was angry with Cal for doing something against his wishes, sending him into a screaming, fist-pounding fit of rage.) really give you a feel for how detached these children seem from reality, seeking revenge for what would seem to some normal teen behaviour and the way the world works.


Some lines in the movie leave you wondering what you should think of Cal and Andre's psyches, such as one of my favorite lines from near the end of the movie, which is almost an homage to the Quentin Tarantino cult-classic Pulp-fiction. ("Ok, is it 1.2.3 go, or 1.2 go? Do I go on 4 or 3?" "4. Everybody goes on 4.")

The end of this psychological thrill-ride (heh) is one of the most bitter endings I've seen in any film. The last shot in the movie will have you wishing things would have turned out differently, but realize that the message of the movie wasn't to understand how this happened (such as what would have happened if the school had tighter security), but rather what would force a couple of kids to want to do such a thing. The movie does not attempt to make any sort of valid, specific point as to answering this question, but instead chooses to study the goings-on of a couple of teens wanting to even the score in an environment they see as turned against them.

If you have a chance, I urge you to watch this movie. This could very well be the most important film ever to come out of post-Columbine society. The DVD seems to be overpriced everywhere, but it might be worth it to support a decent independent filmmaker. If that's not enough to sway your opinion, let me leave you with this: It's only 1 and a half hours long (Not a huge bite out of your life.), and if you don't watch it, I'll kidnap you and make you watch it.