James Gunn, the notable writer of 2004’s Dawn of the Dead and writer/director of the fan favorite, Slither, was charged with a daunting task.  Take some of the biggest names in horror, gather the avant-garde and the twisted, and set them loose to create comedic shorts which would then air on Microsoft’s Xbox Live platform.  The short films would be handled by James Wan and Leigh Whannell (Saw), David Slade (30 Days of Night), Lucky McKee (May), Marcus Nispel (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday the 13th remakes) and Gunn himself.

Lately, Gunn has been very public in his disappointment at the results of this online experiment.  And it is a fascinating idea, to bring the latest generation of horror luminaries into the online world, and let them do their own twisted takes on a different genre.  For that matter, it would be equally interesting to see comedic directors try horror.  We’ve heard about the Apatow-helmed horror flick that may or may not be in the works, but the idea is an intriguing one, no?

The fact that the films were edited, bleeped, and, in some cases, simply rejected comes as no surprise to those jaded by the increasing corporatization of artistic endeavors.  When the uninspired remake of Friday the 13th is green lit over the riskier, potentially braver efforts of a first-time writer, or even an established visionary like Gunn or McKee, we all lose.  And I don’t just mean fans of horror, in this case, but fans of every genre who prefer risk and reward

to pat expectation.  We lose a bit of our artistic integrity, even as Spain and France experience a renaissance of quality filmmaking with exports like Tell No One and Martyrs.  A lament I share with James Gunn is the fact that a new venue for filmmakers to branch out to do exciting and different projects has become a source of frustration, not an outlet for creativity.  I’m not overly surprised by Microsoft’s behavior, but I am disappointed.  

James Gunn will be returning to the big screen with his next effort, The Belcoo Experiment.  Gunn has proven to be a sturdy horror fan, and we wish him the best, even as one project seems doomed to sink into obscurity through mismanagement, another is sure to bring him the success he deserves.

twisted takes on a different genre.  For that matter, it would be equally interesting to see comedic directors try horror.  We’ve heard about the Apatow-helmed horror flick that may or may not be in the works, but the idea is an intriguing one, no?

What Gunn found, however, is that when working in an environment where a company as large as Microsoft has a vested interest in your project, it is doomed to have the stink of corporate America on it.  Not to get too conspiratorial, but there does seem to be a march towards homogenous entertainment in the United States.  In a country where 17 Again tops the box office (no offense to Zac, he seems likable enough), Gunn’s sensibilities come from a background with Troma, where he wrote (and served as an uncredited director, if you believe IMDB) Tromeo and Juliet.  Gunn did work within the studio system with writing credits on both of the Scooby Doo films, but he moved up to executive producer with the series of short films for Xbox Live.  In doing so, he shouldered the mantle of responsibility in dealing with the behemoth that is Microsoft, Inc.