The Horror Show
Digging Up the Marrow
by Adam Green
Seeing the epic gore-slasher film Hatchet in Times Square was one of my most memorable movie-going experiences. Despite seeing it during my three year period living in NYC, a city I am convinced was designed solely to piss me off, I had a great time. Ever since seeing it, I became interested in the work of writer/director Adam Green. Green quickly proved himself to be more than a one-film type of guy and produced a sequel to Hatchet (which is often considered the fan favorite) as well as a third one, which he wrote, but didn't direct.
Adam Green was never one to stick to one type of horror film, however. He also co-directed the more psychological based horror flick Spiral along with Hatchet star Joel Moore. He also directed the practical 2010 horror film, Frozen, which brings fear from its audience based on tangible concepts and impressive uses of non-computerized filming techniques. Years later, this film would lead me to the conclusion that the creators of mainstream animated family films don't bother to do a Google search before naming their movies. I suppose it's because they have the annoying child demographic and what are YOU gonna do to stop them?! Nevertheless, Adam Green had found a dedicated, well-deserved fanbase. He also had a segment in the multi-director antology Chillerama/ and even has horror/comedy tv series Holliston to his credit.
Green's latest film Digging up the Marrow is very different from his previous efforts but still has a lot of his touches in it. I had a very strong reaction to the film, but first I will explain what it is all about.
The film is a faux-documentary in which Adam Green, as himself, is the star. It all centers on a letter that Green received from William Dekker, a man who claims that he has proof that monsters are, in fact, not only real but living very close to his home. Adam Green, a huge monster enthusiast, decides to help Dekker tell his story to the world. He also desperately wants the man to be right, as it has always been Green's dream for monsters to be a thing of reality.
When they meet Mr. Dekker (Ray Wise) it is clear that he is passionate and convinced by what he has to say as he is interested in getting his story out into the world. He is very frustrated with being looked at as some crazy guy and takes Adam Green, along with Green's producer/the film's cinematographer, Will Barratt. At first, the two men seem skeptical of Dekker, as he offers little more than a hole that he claims is where the monsters live as well as a handful of drawings. Dekker claims that the monsters are actually deformed people who disappeared from normal society and have multiple hideouts throughout the country. He refers to the entrances to their dwellings as “The Marrow.”
As the film progresses, Adam and Will find themselves with more and more reason to believe in the monsters, but less and less to believe that Dekker is telling them the whole story. Soon, despite having a whole new season of Holliston to write and a wife who is concerned about him being stabbed by Dekker who is probably just some crazy guy, Adam makes Dekker's story his primary interest, something that he will follow to the end.
To put it lightly, I loved this film. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it. It never gets dull for a split second which is so impressive in this type of docu-style project. Even with the theatrical nature of several scenes, it feels genuine and Adam Green does a fantastic job carrying the film as the likeable primary character. His back and forth with Will as well as the other characters is entertaining and the scenes that lay on the horror work effectively.
Ray Wise does a great job as William Dekker. While his performance is too theatrical to mistake for real footage of a non-actor, that's only because it is more impassioned and fun to watch. One second he will seem like just another guy but rub him the wrong way with the wrong question and it is clear that he isn't playing around. That is the concept behind the character and Ray Wise conveys it perfectly.
The scary scenes are sparse and far apart, but it makes the film work so much better than if they simply filled it with monsters. The film delivers, believe me it delivers, but it doesn't overwhelm and get you used to being scared right off the bat. It keeps you guessing and invested in the story before letting you jump out of your seat.
Digging Up the Marrow is filled with cameos of a lot of horror favorites all playing themselves. Along with others, fans will be treated to interview moments with Lloyd Kaufman, Mick Garris, Tom Holland, Kane Hodder, Don Coscarelli, Joe Lynch, Tony Todd, and even GWAR lead singer Oderus Urungus (who unfortunately died shortly after).
With Bringing Up the Marrow Adam Green solidifies himself as a Jack of many trades. He can do gore, mind-fuck, realism, and with this film, documentary-style. The movie is an absolute treat for the horror/monster fan in all of us and simply works. If you are interested in any kind of horror or the concept of monsters, I would definitely recommend checking out this film. I'm so glad that I did.
P.J. Griffin, HMS
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