Written & Directed By: Xander Robin Cinematography: Matt Clegg Editor: Xander Robin & Dustin Waldman
Cast: Chelsea Lopez, Michael Godere, Michael Patrick Nicholson, Charles Gould, Adeline Thery, Alice Frank, Dean Haletermann
After losing his job, girlfriend, and home in a single day, a desperate thirty-something accepts a delivery job in a remote upstate backwater. There he meets a beguiling and mysterious young woman with whom he shares a strange obsession.
This is one of those films that counts on you going in blind. As best to experience thought not sure if it is ultimately worth it.
The film at first feels quirky and becomes a junkie drama out of nowhere. As the film has a solid beginning then it seems to get lost throughout the rest of the film. Even when it tries to have a somewhat romantic narrative that is strange.
The film feels aimless and constantly not about anything except we keep following the leader wherever he goes and pretty soon we are grabbing at straws at any scene where it looks like a story could emerge. As we want to see where this is all going.
As the lead seems pretty simple and clueless most of the time.
The film eventually offers up enough to keep you interested, but then feels aimless and goes nowhere.
As we meet characters who seem normal but get bizarre as the film goes along and at times it just feels like the film is purposely forcing itself to be strange to try and entice the audience.
The filmmaking feels well done but ultimately feels confusing on purpose. At one point, the film and its Characters seem to be speaking their own language and the character’s actions make sense only to them.
As a Major point eventually, the characters start sporting hairlines similar to Anjelica Huston’s witch character in the movie THE WITCHES. Because of a shared hair obsession.
This ultimately feels like a student film Thesis with more resources.
Written & Directed By: Henri Safran Cinematography: Vincent Monton Editor: Don Saunders
Cast: Carol Kane, Tony Owen, Barry Otto, David Downer, Warren Mitchell, Sandy Gore, Virginia Hey, Myra De Groot, Louise Pajo
A teenage boy falls hopelessly in love with his new sister-in-law. When she gets pregnant, someone raises the question that he might be the father–a notion he does nothing to discourage.
This is one of those films I remember the poster and box art from video stores that I frequented as a youth. Not blockbusters, more the mom-and-pop independent ones.
Never got to see it as a kid when most interested and remembered but finally recently got to see it. I believe I would have had more patience for it when I was younger. As it basically plays like a young teen fantasy come to life of romancing an older woman who you have a crush on. Only here not only does the dream come true but so do the consequences of that action and they are not all that one would expect.
The main drawing power for this film is that Carol Kane is the star of the film. Which is rare In itself and the production takes place in Australia. Wished she had gotten more lead roles instead of this misfire. As she is a constantly appealing screen presence only misused and wasted in this film.
The film is supposed to be a comedy yet it’s never really funny and just not that good. Yet very 1980’s with a catchy main theme song. Not only is it in bad taste especially by today’s standards. It’s also very problematic.
A woman having an affair with her husband’s 12-year-old little brother is supposed to be romantic. You can understand the little brother’s actions but you question the woman is she a pedophile? starving for attention that she doesn’t get from her husband? sex crazed due to lack of sexual attention? or just in need to get pregnant. The film never answers that question and leaves the audience to answer a question they really don’t want to.
The film tries to be an ensemble film about a Jewish family but feels like it tries to invent drama where there isn’t in trying to frame it’s main plot. Worse of all it comes off dull.
Can see what the interest might have been at the time, a kind of taboo comedy that luckily doesn’t show but hints at a lot. Though it also makes you wonder who was the audience for this film overall.
As it’s not a teen movie, nor a sex comedy of T and A proportions. Nor is it exploitive, it at least tries to make the relationship look romantic.
The brother even suspects the wrong person of having an affair due to the infidelity of his business partner. This leads to confusion for his character and ends up being the most abused throughout for very little reason.
His father actually comes off as the most dramatic and sympathetic. In fact, throughout the film, the only character who seems to have a good head on their shoulders is the brother’s mistress.
The ending shows you the depth of young love and how quickly one can bounce their feelings to a new partner. As he seems to be a serial seducer with his innocence but now worldly ways. While it leaves her husband’s character in a kind of limbo
Jeanne, a shy young woman, works in an amusement park. Fascinated with carousels, she still lives at home with her mother. That’s when Jeanne meets Jumbo, the park’s new flagship attraction.
This film will remind some audiences in the know of Titane. As they have particular storylines that are similar but are in Totally different ways.
The French film, TITANE is dark and about more than necessarily meets the eye. Where it has things to say about many subjects. This film Is sweeter and has no pregnancies though it is a fairy tale based On reality and tries to keep matters at hand.
This film has a sweetness but doesn’t ignore its own implausibility. As it even has the character question her sanity. Though her own faith shows through. We in The audience begin to question as we see erratic behavior and every time there is something fantastical involving others we never see it as random there is a logical reason for it all.
The film doesn’t shy away from sex but it doesn’t make it feel tawdry it feels erotic but more out of innocence.
Even those close to her who doubt her and her sanity. We are left to wonder if they are doing it for their own self-interest and out of jealousy.
As the main character feels like a typical one you would find in a quirky romantic French film. She looks and dresses like a shy teenager even though she is a young woman in her 20’s.
The movie starts off innocent and as it goes along it gets more serious and into more issues and questions that are surprisingly asked. That is usually left out in films with scenarios such as these.
Noemie Merlant really shines in this film. She stays believable and strong even though her character can be weak at times and doesn’t speak up for herself. She seems to run away rather than confront. Though she gains our sympathy and soon finds ourselves rooting for her. As we watch from the beginning her character is a tomboy but wears such shapeless clothes we wonder if she is in arrested development. through it all even in various sex scenes. She still seems like an innocent more than anything.
Emmanuelle Bercot as her mother is also strong. As a hard-driven woman. She has had her heart broken quite a few times and wants to believe in love but finds herself defined by the company she keeps usually male. She wants the best for her daughter but that seems in the daughter more or less getting into a relationship and finding a man. As she tries to act more like her sister than her mother. She is tough to a certain degree but has a soft spot for her daughter that she rarely shows.
This is a film that might not always make sense but it does have a charm that is constantly on display and tries to always stay in reality. Even with its more fantastical elements.
Directed By: Takashi Miike Written By: Masa Nakamura Cinematography: Nobuyasu Kita Editor: Akira Kamiya
Cast: Masataka Kubota, Sakurako Konishi, Shota Sometani, Jun Murakami, Masayuki Deai, Cheng-Kuo Yen
Leo is a young boxer, successful but unable to show emotion. He has a fight scheduled and is sure that he will win. Instead, his opponent knocks him out. This triggers a chain of unpleasant events involving drugs, corrupt cops, the Yakuza, a female assassin – and Monica, an escort that he must rescue. It’s one hell of a night for Leo.
The film is brutal in its Violence at times but what else would you expect from director Takashi Miike. Though it similarly stays silly and fun. It also keeps an emotional connection.
This is a film that will feel immediately familiar but tries to be different in the details. As this isn’t lovers on the run but two characters with nothing to lose on the run. Who seem to fall for one another while on the run and trying to survive.
Throughout the film, you will be able to identify what inspired the movie, characters, and scenes.
The male is More motivated and driven as the only reason he goes out of his way for her. Is that he believes he is dying.
For the female character, the boxer is The first instance or ideal of the perfect person who did something above and beyond then for them and not fully realizing or taking time to see who the person truly is.
Some people experience this. When they experience it fully with knowing a person. All around can be rewarding rather than just connecting for a moment.
Though strangely the couple is the least interesting part of the characters. As they are pawns In a larger story but needed to advance the story. Is more of a crime Story involving two different mobs who end up in a war over a stolen shipment set up by a dirty cop and inserting
Each monster fang either tries to double-cross or is out for vengeance. Though each of them, also seems to have its ridiculous quirks.
The film offers some well-contained action sequences and constantly involves misunderstandings and double-crosses that leave you wondering who is out for who half the time.
The problem here is that as the tale goes on it builds momentum and smartly to a degree doesn’t keep building and putting out its Scenes slightly distanced. So it gives characters time to breathe before the next crazy scene instead of overloading and best one after another.
The drug deal subplot and mobsters do remind the viewer of the movie TRUE ROMANCE. But other than the simpler coincidences this tale goes its own way. As this film has a bit more humor.
Though the main characters are interesting in their reasoning and characters. Including one a drug addict who is beloved, she is haunted by her father who is always in his underwear. It’s the supporting characters who
Are more interesting and keeps the film interesting and on its toes.
Cast: Nao Omori, Mao Daichi, Shinbu Terajima, Hari Katagri, Ai Tominaga, Eriko Sato, Naomi Watanabe, Lindsay Hayward
An ordinary man with an ordinary life joins a mysterious club. The membership lasts for one year only and there is one rule: no cancellation under any circumstance. The man enters into a whole new exciting world he never before experienced where crazy love goes wilder and crazier. Is it an illusion or is it real? Welcome to the world no one has dared to explore until now!
The first act of this film is interesting, yet quickly becomes infuriating. As it introduces and lays the groundwork but then there seem like long scenes of repetition, long takes, and boredom.
The dominatrix scenes at least offer up what looks like random one-sided action scenes. Where we watch the main character go through many types of torture from various Dominatrixes and they each have a different specialty. That they come off almost as action hero henchmen or villains themselves.
The film from time to time offers commentary by the film audience seemingly verbalizing what the actual viewing audience watching the film is probably feeling or thinking or wanting to say and pointing out flaws. While also giving the film a meta element and thus another layer.
Once we get to the second act the film picks up as it doubles down on the out-there elements. Where the film comes off where it was already supposed to be more comedic.
Until we get to the over-the-top third act. Which involves more action, fantasy, and chases that feel more convenient while still keeping its odd quality about it.
I really tried to get into the film And it’s a ridiculous premise. I will admit it was a challenge and while I can certainly say it’s different. I can’t say it was very enjoyable.
The film tries to break down a lot in explications and randomness. What is supposed to be comedic introduces randomness that constantly makes the film non-coherent and fully self-contained. Yet the first half still feels a bit monotonous. Even as it constantly aims for absurdism.
Even as the film’s title reveals an inside joke. You know that it has a constant sense of humor about itself. In Japan, R18 is a rating that means no one under 18 is allowed to see it . As they will not understand the film. So this film’s title being R100 means it’s so disturbing that no one or at least no one under the age of 100 should watch it. As they won’t understand it. Which one can see?
Directed By: Leos Carax Written by: Ron Mael & Russell Mael (Sparks) Cinematography: Caroline Champetier Editor: Nelly Quettier
Cast: Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard, Simon Helberg, Devyn McDowell
Against all logic, Henry and Ann–he, a struggling stand-up comedian, she, a beloved opera diva. fall madly in love and become inseparable after a chance encounter in bustling, modern Los Angeles. However, all great romances are fraught with pain. Faced with the public’s surprise and the dark side of success, Ann gives birth to gifted Annette: the fruit of their love, a miracle, a child prodigy, and the couple’s damnation.
I didn’t Love it, But I like it, kind of. There is A lot to dissect.
Starts off purely cinematic then the following film has its Moments and looks beautiful but never matches. As it seems more satirical at times and less an intimate story maybe taking on so many subjects and story beats rather than keeping it simple.
It’s special as it is not typical or something you see often. Or is it lazy or subpar filmmaking but didn’t white make the connection or inspire amazement. Though keeps interest throughout but feels overwrought at times.
Amazing how it starts off with so much promise and the belief that anything can happen or at least if what will happen and steadily loses steam, But manages to keep you watching with hope. Interested to hear others’ opinions about this film. I certainly have mine.
Director Leos Carax The French David lynch obviously loves films and cinema. Only he has his own vibe and influence.
Always excited when he makes a new film, never knowing what we are going to get and will it be something to enjoy, study or both.
I believe most of his films Are meant to be seen in theaters as a requirement. Having said that I will admit I have never seen one in a theater but am fascinated and taken away by all of his films.
As they are constantly Alive. Unpredictable, breathing, moving, emotional they have hearts and minds. Where by the end you have an opinion or the both in them as they engage and make you think stylish and able to shock they have their eccentricities and personality.
As they strive to be different yet tell stories that are recognizable and somewhat identifiable in their own way. You can always call them different and yet seem exactly to come out of an individual’s Imagination. Who has made no compromises and told the tale the exact way they wanted to, no matter how it is taken. Not made necessarily to entertain or even be understood completely but to share and experience. Which ultimately shows its personality.
This is Definitely a film made by an auteur, not by committee, more like An expression of thoughts that come to a point, A theory
Movies have usually been driven by romantic notions and definitely influenced by music seeming like they are albums themselves with each scene or section of film being their own song or ballad.
The film is Stylish above all else. Bringing his passion and interests into the story. That still seems filled with surreal shots that seem straight out of a perfume ad or filmed perfectly for one.
The Director even cameoed at the start to show that he is the engineer behind it all before introducing his collaborators in a musical sequence in which they are all together. Keep in mind this was also written by the band sparks. Who has a cult following for their music which is original on its own. So this was going to be far from conventional in the first place.
Did the advertisement influence a certain kind of filmmaking or just copy the artistic type European style and Concepts?
Maybe as a more American English language production steers it not as homemade and comfortable but as a work that is more foreign common and for him a little more straightforward and normal
Obviously a musical. It wants to be an opera of its own, a kind of grand tragedy with big feelings and scenery yet personal and between few characters to keep it intimate with a huge Falsetto voice as it is not within the range of normal but gets attention and can be achieved.
Which will Make you notice and hit several notes, Not that easy to do. Yet lying seems to be easier for most than others but then again to maintain a lie you must create others to maintain which takes creativity
Whereas the truth is easier a s it is natural but hard when wanting to go against or refuse to believe it .
The film can be Graphic sexually but manages to make it sexy.
Instead of Driven showstoppers or performances more seems to be little ditties to go with the story or to tell with a few full song show stoppers.
The Camera always exploring as he creates his own world or a world that is quite different
Like a true musical the film feels constantly performed but within the confines of a certain reality in all of its absurd ness and artistic design.
There is a certain sadness that hangs over his films but also a current and electricity that makes the films somewhat exciting. Definitely a journey and excursion that feels like a trip.
Sacred It feels monotonous and more staged, artificial doesn’t cut straight to the heart. As it usually does not emotionally truthful yet is still emotional.
Adam Driver with long hair can go from heartthrob or ruggedly Handsome. Looking like a grown geek who loves with his parents or worse the guy who still not only has a ponytail. But thinks it is still cool. Of course the stand-up that he performs isn’t funny but more of a one-man show that is theatrical but is most Stand up like that? Confessional with laughs and jokes or a humorous way to look at situations and stories of your life personal and all, opinions.
Knew it was fake or skewed as his audience drank exclusively wine and cocktails and not one beer in sight.
The fleeting emotions and feelings, care and moods of crowds and fans especially. if you do any meet their idealism of what they want from
You Don’t give them what they want as they feel if they pay to see you they have made an investment into you and you are supposed to give them what they want out of you. But they never say exactly so you are supposed to guess or do what you supposedly normally do to entertain, only they want the same if what they have seen or updated new material in the same vein but if you evolve some will stay but others will go against. As how some people in your life want you to stay the same and any time you move on or change for the better personally they take it as an insult or against it because it is not the same they remember.
The rejection of the conventional or being dismayed that it is unconventional and challenging that makes one not a fan or that makes one a fan as it is different and outsider art.
The film while being indulgent is also about toxic male masculinity. Having to control and be in control. So much so that as the film goes on Marie Cotillard’s Character seems to shrink not physically but from the film. As we see her less and less and spend more time with him and when they are together he seems to take over. Physically because of his size and his direction.
It doesn’t help that we get many dimensions of him, but for her she forever stays mroe representative and never really get any inner life form her. So much so that she remains a symbol throughout instead of a real character
At the end Playful and silly. It always feels like a full on experiment project rather than a heartfelt and committed one .
A sound engineer’s work for an Italian horror studio becomes a terrifying case of life imitating art.
The film didn’t sound like anything amazing. In fact, it sounded more like a trick of a movie, like an M. Night Shamalayan films get labeled as more about spectacle and showing off than story, characters, and general enjoyment. Word of mouth leads me to give it a chance
This film throws you off so much that it makes your mind explode with ideas for possibilities at every turn.
It’s a film that shows a love for the magic, mystery, and technology of cinema and its making. Giving the audience insight into sound and foley artists while building a story around it. Then the film plays around with it to throw you off course. Leaving it up to you and your own interpretations as to what is going on.
It takes what could have been a simple premise and manipulates it and plays with it so much that you always have a feeling of dread. The film always makes sure that you never feel comfortable leaving you to wonder at times have things been lost in translation?
The characters seem like stock from a horror film at times then just seem like characters of the period it portrays. Female characters go from seeming plain and innocent to exotic creatures of mystery and depth. Characters go from seeming mysterious to comedic and or pathetic.
You can look at the film in many ways dark comedy might even be one of a mystery.
The film also feels like a film that could have been made of that period as it recreates to become a homage to that era and it’s filmmaking. It’s like a mix between David Lynch and Francis Ford Coppola but having a style, character and voice all its own.
To me it seemed almost to be a better version of the recent film BEYOND THE BLACK RAINBOW strived to be.
This definitely would be a good film to watch with INLAND EMPIRE and/or MULHOLLAND DRIVE and BARTON FINK only this film is more compact. It manages to make so much out of so little.
I was shocked at how much this film surprised and delighted me. This is really a standout film and Toby Jones is noteworthy as his character is so timid and awkward and the people at the studio he works at so mean, rude and obnoxious, but insists he is the rude and ungrateful one constantly.
I don’t want to give away too much of the films plot as it has plenty of surprises for the audience that are best to discover and truly contemplate.
My only complaint is that there isn’t a scene where Toby Jones totally gets to lose it. So that there is a release of emotions, but since this film is built on tension for the most part that would let the audience off, and clearly that is not this films intention.
Written By: Donald Cammell & China Cammell Based on the novel “MRS. WHITE” By: Andrew Klavan & Laurence Klavan
Cinematography: Larry McConkey
Editor: Terry Rawlings
Cast: David Keith, Cathy Moriarty, Alan Rosenberg, Art Evans, Alberta Watson, William G. Schilling, Mimi Lieber, Michael Greene, Danielle Smith
In a wealthy and isolated desert community, a sound expert is targeted as the prime suspect of a series of brutal murders of local suburban housewives who were attacked and mutilated in their homes. As he desperately tries to prove his innocence, his young wife starts to uncover mysteries of her own…
This film is like a jazz album. One can’t quite get into or find the correct beat to connect with to groove with it.
This film was recommended by quite a few people. Especially as it is one of the few films directed by Donald Cammell a popular writer and director of cult films such as PERFORMANCE.
As his films are usually out there it’s expected that his films will be a bit crazy. This one Certainly is it commits the sin of being boring for most of the film Until a totally bonkers ending. Which still doesn’t save the film as a whole.
The film shows its Giallo influences only when it uses them in the daylight. These scenes are the only time the film comes alive and its artistic touches work to its advantage. Other times it seems like a film that is pretty Mainstream and more a studio product but presented in a style that feels peculiar and not for the better. That comes off pretty bland the first 2 thirds of the Film.
The camera work is unpredictable which is a thrill. It keeps you alert. Even the casting is inspired but in the end, the ingredients are there, but the dish served comes up short.
What saves the film somewhat or at least keeps you watching is David Keith’s performance that goes from mundane to romantic to off the wall.
Alan Rosenberg doesn’t fare as well as he comes off like a New York stereotype at first who is dim-witted and then later comes across as a new age burnout.
Cathy morality gets a chance to not play her usually big-haired villain or tough New York City girl. Here she gets a chance to just play normally as the lead who might be a little too trusting, but other than Be the audience’s introduction to the events and revelations she is given little to work with or do with her character to make an impression.
It also doesn’t help that this film is supposed to be sexy and have a lot of sex and half the time it is usually the opposite and the seduction doesn’t seem to raise the temperature. Even the sex scenes take a while for the audience to realize what they are doing.
The film’s theme seems to be nature vs commercialism. Which represents more of an Avant-garde film abs approach that eases into trappings of the more ridiculous commercialism.
By the end the film made me come up with some thoughts when it comes to films such as these. Where it seems we will make excuses for ourselves to explain why we just sat through all of this, but rationalize what we have seen by giving it artistic credentials because it tries to be artistic and different. When it did take a gamble that was misguided. Ultimately it might actually be bad but if the filmmaker had success before there must be some kind of deeper point
Usually viewed by an audience who expected it. Usually mostly caucasian looking at it analytically abs since it speaks to them or is identifiable it must be good abs preached upon.
Edited, Cinematography, Written & Directed By: David Lynch
Cast: Laura Dern, Justin Theroux, Grace Zabriskie, Jeremy Irons, Harry Dean Stanton, Diane Ladd, Julia Ormand, Mary Steenburgen, Masiumi Max, Amanda Foreman, Terry Crews, Jordan Ladd, Ian Abercrombie, Cameron Daddo, Jerry Stahl, Nastassja Kinski
A blonde actress is preparing for her biggest role yet, but when she finds herself falling for her co-star, she realizes that her life is beginning to mimic the fictional film that they’re shooting. Adding to her confusion is the revelation that the current film is a remake of a doomed Polish production, 47, which was never finished due to an unspeakable tragedy.
I’m sorry I didn’t know what was going on half the time watching this film. It seems a film that is made more to test your interpretation or at least seems more like an art installation as film. Though truthfully might be the pinnacle and thesis of David Lynch’s filmography. Throwing any linear content out the window practically.
This seems more a film born out of his imagination and a kind of statement for him. As after all Supposedly This movie started with a phone call Laura Dern received from David Lynch asking if she wanted to come and experiment with him. That started the journey as the movie was filmed over several years and both of this films stars admit they don’t understand or what is going on in the film.
This movie makes every David Lynch movie from BLUE VELVET to MULLHOLLAND DRIVE look mainstream. This film is dark at times yet continuously feels unfocused for the audience while David Lynch directs with a sure hand. he does all the work here on his own for the most part it seems behind the scenes. So this is more his total creation. This is like an abstract painting brought to life on film. I think even if you are a David Lynch an this will test your boundaries of love for him.
In this movie there are scenes and shots of such beauty that only last a limited amount of time soon the film becomes tedious because it’s over two hours long. Now yes Andy Warhol would have loved it and called it a masterpiece and so will a lot of pretentious art film fans. Maybe it is. Maybe It’s just an abstract artist wavelength.
Now Mr. Lynch is a talented filmmaker, even in it’s moody overtones. Each scene breathes with life and opportunities that could take to scene and movie into parallel choices but it seems to just soldier on. Just like there are scenes where the film gets very interesting and seems to move only to be cut short abruptly and disappear.
I did really admire the camerawork and the end credits sequence as well as some scenes and Laura Dern’s performance as she is in the whole film and has to somewhat figure out what is going on as well as be surprised as she goes along throughout. Her performance I can understand. Because she gives it her all and she is challenged at each turn and gives all she can at each turn. Bringing some kind of understanding and emotion into all of this darkness.
The reasons you think but for the fluid camera movement and music selection. This is a should have been movie especially with the ending. I believe we look for meaning or at least a linear story in David Lynch films and when he doesn’t give it to us. We try to read too much into it and maybe give little things that are non sensical more meaning that it has. It could be just a glitch but these directors who don’t speak on their films really are hiding the secret because audiences praise them as geniuses and all it is is a mistake plain and simple or something that was forgotten looked on or couldn’t afford to fix. But the audience feels the director is being subtle or that audiences just don’t get it. Maybe we do more than you but you believing yourself to be superior and needing to have something to believe in or influenced by your artistic friends taste or maybe I’m an idiot who knows this isn’t a philosophy class. I just wanted to state my beliefs.
This is one of those films I believe film lovers and fans of lynch need to see. Though I can say definitely watch it after you have seen all of his other films and can’t say you will enjoy it. Though there is nothing like it and it’s a movie I will say I will most likely only watch once. From what I can understand is that Laura Dern is playing in a movie that is a remake of cursed early black and white film. From the line between reality and film and film within a film are blurred. Sorry I didn’t like it but I do like other Lynch movies just not this one.
Written & Directed By: Mitchell Lichtenstein Cinematography By: Wolfgang Held Editor: Joe Landauer
Cast: Jess Weixler, John Hensley, Josh Pais, Lenny Von Dohlen, Ashley Springer, Hale Appleman
Dawn grows up in the shadow of a nuclear power plant. In high school, while her biology class studies evolution, she realizes she may have a hidden curse, an “adaptation.” She lives with her mom, step-father, and hard-edged step-brother. She likes Tobey, a guy at school, and he likes her. She takes a pledge to remain chaste until marriage, so they date in groups, watch G-rated films, and don’t kiss, but the power of teen hormones is great, so temptation beckons. Dawn has an admirer in Ryan, and when when things have an unexpected twist with Tobey, she turns to Ryan for help. Will he be her mythical hero and rescue her? Or can she find her way as her own hero, turning the curse into an asset?
Not a blood thirsty violent horror film, not a fun look at the genre.
The premise of a midnight movie that has hints of horror but comes off as a brutal satire based in female sexuality and a vigilante tale all in one.
Jess Weixler is excellent in the lead role and makes quite the on screen debut.
The film isn’t as exploitive or sensationalistic as you might expect considering the premise. It and it’s shots are properly composed it feels off putting and isolated as everything is more matter of fact which makes it feel even more creepy. As in a David Lynch directed film where you wonder what dark intentions lie underneath this flaccid facade.
Not only the guilty are punished or become victims of this particular abnormality. Most of the male characters seem to be unlikeable or become that way. As they come across as predatory in some way. As the abnormality is not controllable as it strikes even when she is feeling comfortable and pleasure, but it seems to have an instinct.
As the film proves to be more complicated then at first thought. As it also includes a dysfunctional family melodrama but when her and her stepbrother played by John Hensley who seems intent on making her a victim in someway. The film does manage to surprise. As it seeks to be more then one note that It could have easily been or become.
The film is intense and punishing though chooses to take it’s time and be about more than it’s noteworthy premise.
One can see how some males would feel uncomfortable watching this film as it shows them being maimed, mutilated and disfigured usually in the genital region. Which allows the shoe to be on the other foot and see how some women might have problems watching films that seem to bask in or glorify violence against women.
Though director Mitchell Lichtenstein seems to over reach to try and make the film overly artistic though then again That could just be his style which gives the film an off kilter feel.
It’s an interesting film to watch but if expecting something over the top. You will be disappointed as or goes for something more textured.
Really hope there is a sequel. If anything his movie teaches us most teenage boys are dare rapists. I don’t know how true that is, but the cast is great, Jess Weixler cute bit in an ordinary way makes you believe her and her characters woes.
John Hensley is still A very peculiar looking man. Like a human anime character truly made me hate him and Lenny von dohlen. Great to see him alive always was a fan because of the movie ELECTRIC DREAMS but I haven’t. Seen him on anything since TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME.
So my final verdict check this out for a Friday night. Not a Saturday night
Cut To The Chase 