People from the South certainly do make for colorful cinematic fodder. Take 100 Proof, an affecting little indie currently out from Water Bearer Films. The film's story is fictional but inspired by the true story of a mass murder in Kentucky. Two women (Pamela Holden Stewart and Tara Bellando) take care of a seriously fucked-up senior couple as a way of picking up a few extra bucks. They also turn the occasional trick. Complicating their dreary, impoverished lives are their rather overbearing drug habits (cocaine and heroin both). Making an appearance is a barely-recognizable Jim Varney (Ernest), who plays Stewart's father (a man, we learn, who raped her repeatedly during her childhood). Basically, the pressure for these two women builds and they eventually go nuts (for those who don't like me revealing too many details, shaddap already, I'm not giving anything away that isn't already revealed on the box).

This is a truly miserable film. The standout here is Stewart, who delivers an amazing, shattering performance as the film's haggard centrepiece. Sadly, the rest of the film, which drags out too long, doesn't quite match her panache.

For those who missed it in cinemas, The Mummy is out on video this week. It's a hoot, though it is best appreciated on the big screen.

--Matthew Hays