2003 december 5.: Microcinemascene (USA): Review: "Hasfalmetszok (See No Evil)"

Two hapless hitmen are hired to knock off an unfaithful wife, while another cold-eyed thug is hired by the wife to return the favor. Soon both groups track their targets to a spooky old house that unfortunately is next to a pretty lively graveyard.

Hasfalmetszok starts in familiar backyard Tarantino fashion, as unflappable zen-hitman Moszta (Csanalosi) and his rabbity pal Puncsos (Nagy) listen to growl-metal and wax philosophical in their impressive powder-blue pimp-mobile before going on the job. But this backyard is in far-off Eastern Europe, which gives the project a unique flavor and outlook.

Soon director Zsolt Bernath shows off his knowledge of Italian cinema as well, as the pair find themselves in the middle of an undead uprising at a remote country house and end up having to fight their way out in a gore-drenched finale.

The charismatic leads really carry the day, especially Csanalosi, whose calculated cool never wavers even in the face of one shock after the next, and Nagy as his skittish pal.

Bernath brings a lot of creative energy and humor to Hasfalmetszok; and Mark Kis-Szabo's script is coarse but funny, with a few grisly shocks along the way. Although they did a lot with a little, Hasfalmetszok does show a few modest seams inherent in a lot of no-budget productions. A sluggish start, and a rather poor English dub track, also hinder the project somewhat, and a slightly longer running time would have been appreciated.

But I can't help but nudge the rating up a bit because of all the heart and energy showcased here, and for this intrepid band of filmmakers working against the odds in Hungary's emerging Microcinema scene. And it's the best hitman vs. zombie movie I've ever seen from Hungary.

Three stars.

(John Oak Dalton)