John Dies at the End

Don't worry, the title isn't quite as spoilerific as it may first appear in writer-director Don Coscarelli's latest film (his first since 2002's Bubba Ho-Tep). It would be easy to offer comparisons between this and any number of other movies, from the stoner humour of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, to the psychedelic stupidity of Dude, Where's My Car?, or the cult appeal of Slither.

Coscarelli's vision is a sometimes overly ambitious, frequently confusing, time-travelling tale of friendship between Dave (Williamson) and John (Mayes) and their adventures after dabbling with an otherworldly drug called Soy Sauce. Most of the action is flashback, narrated by Dave to cynical reporter Arnie (Giamatti), and it's a fast-paced, delirious tale – quick enough to hide the fact that quite possibly it doesn't make any sense at all. Still, for the right audience, it's a joy, and worth a watch if only for the fight between Dave and an evil moustache. [Becky Bartlett]