Das Deutsche Kettensagen Massaker (The German Chainsaw Massacre) or in some places Blackest Heart (not really an appropriate title). The film takes place in the first week of Germany's reunification.
I highly recommend this film to anyone who experienced, studied or has an interest in Germany's reunification. While it can be enjoyed without having involved information on the reunification, there is a secondary level to the characters and their actions that is enhanced by intimate knowledge of German society on both East and West at the time of reunification.
But mostly the film is about normal people versus crazy-chainsaw-knife-weilding people. You know, the crazy people always win in that situation. There are parrallels to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which is obviously a major influence to this director, but it does not get bogged down in an attempt to reproduce said film. It easily takes the idea and creates something new and different.
Well you might find it hard to get your hands on a copy; I watched a PAL version...definitely worth it.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Hugo or Film History Re-Envisioned
This was a pleasant surprise. I knew very little about this film and every time I read a summary, I became more confused. I had inaccurately thought it was a fantastical epic, similar to Goldam Compass or Harry Porter.
Hugo tells the tale of an orphan who brings Georges Melies back to fame (more or less). The story well executed and heart-warming. Most families should enjoy it.
One aspect, I like, of this film is its historical significance. Much of the information regarding Georges Melies is accurate. As such this film smoothly informs the audience of an important film creator and one of the first.
Unfortuately they take liberties with the truth to simplify the story. For instance, his wife in the film (who he is supposed to have been married to forever) is in reality his second wife.
And just like Hollywood, they couldn't come up with an original story. This one is based off a book (which is based on real life! (why has everyone given up originality?!?)).
The Station Inspector is a horrible horrible person, and yet....they "reward" him after one, JUST ONE, instance of humanity. Apparently you only need to do one good thing to erase all the terrible things you have done in the past. I held no sympathy for this monster.
Despite these valid complaints, I would still recommend this to others, particularly if they nothing of Georges Melies.
Hugo tells the tale of an orphan who brings Georges Melies back to fame (more or less). The story well executed and heart-warming. Most families should enjoy it.
One aspect, I like, of this film is its historical significance. Much of the information regarding Georges Melies is accurate. As such this film smoothly informs the audience of an important film creator and one of the first.
Unfortuately they take liberties with the truth to simplify the story. For instance, his wife in the film (who he is supposed to have been married to forever) is in reality his second wife.
And just like Hollywood, they couldn't come up with an original story. This one is based off a book (which is based on real life! (why has everyone given up originality?!?)).
The Station Inspector is a horrible horrible person, and yet....they "reward" him after one, JUST ONE, instance of humanity. Apparently you only need to do one good thing to erase all the terrible things you have done in the past. I held no sympathy for this monster.
Despite these valid complaints, I would still recommend this to others, particularly if they nothing of Georges Melies.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Das Komabrutale Duell - The Ultimate Duel...well, sorta
Das Komabrutale Duell is a fascinating movie, but loses me. It is quite fascinating not only for its extreme exploration of gore, but also in its inventive world of "physics"/"medicine". I'm not sure what the plot is, but if I had to guess it would be two guys hate each other and try to kill each other with weapons, brothers, science, henchmen, and so forth.
I find it difficult to appreciate this film because of its disregard for "threat." The human body is quite fragile in many situations, and yet this movie has a scene in which a brain is transplanted with fingers and hot-glue. And it is successful!! Many of the main characters are stabbed, shot, and mutilated beyond recovery, but they seem to survive. If one can recover from a gun-shot to the head, then why would one fear a gun?
This movie would make more sense with an undead vibe, an immortal theme, or a super-healing atmosphere. Yet it leaves few options, but realism, as its crux.
A fascinating movie, but enjoyable to few...those few who can suspend disbelief for gore-ish pleasure.
I find it difficult to appreciate this film because of its disregard for "threat." The human body is quite fragile in many situations, and yet this movie has a scene in which a brain is transplanted with fingers and hot-glue. And it is successful!! Many of the main characters are stabbed, shot, and mutilated beyond recovery, but they seem to survive. If one can recover from a gun-shot to the head, then why would one fear a gun?
This movie would make more sense with an undead vibe, an immortal theme, or a super-healing atmosphere. Yet it leaves few options, but realism, as its crux.
A fascinating movie, but enjoyable to few...those few who can suspend disbelief for gore-ish pleasure.
Friday, May 25, 2012
A Dangerous Mathod - A Promising Result
Ther are two ways for me to analyze this film: 1. as a film compared to other films and 2. as a Cronenberg film compared to other Cronenberg films. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult for me to "judge" this film without taking into account its director, David Cronenberg.
This is a good film. It is about two famous psychologists who interacted and dealt with a patient, who later dealt in psychology. It's a strong film with careful and intelligent analysis of people's minds and psychology. While seeming a little slow, it is a film that is primarily concerned with characters interactions. Ergo their conversations are where the action happens.
It is a compentent Cronenberg film. His weakest is still Spider, the beginning of his "adaptation" phase. Since Existenz (a fantastic "What-Is-Reality?" film), David Cronenberg has made films based on books and/or other sources. As a result we, as an audience, have not gotten as much "bio-technology," one of his staple themes. This film continues his lack of "bio-technology," but still shows elements of his fetishness.
This film will be appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed by Cronenberg fans. Others, especially those not enamoured with his love for "bio-technology," will enjoy this film as long as they approach it with the right mind-set.
This is a good film. It is about two famous psychologists who interacted and dealt with a patient, who later dealt in psychology. It's a strong film with careful and intelligent analysis of people's minds and psychology. While seeming a little slow, it is a film that is primarily concerned with characters interactions. Ergo their conversations are where the action happens.
It is a compentent Cronenberg film. His weakest is still Spider, the beginning of his "adaptation" phase. Since Existenz (a fantastic "What-Is-Reality?" film), David Cronenberg has made films based on books and/or other sources. As a result we, as an audience, have not gotten as much "bio-technology," one of his staple themes. This film continues his lack of "bio-technology," but still shows elements of his fetishness.
This film will be appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed by Cronenberg fans. Others, especially those not enamoured with his love for "bio-technology," will enjoy this film as long as they approach it with the right mind-set.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Raid: Redemption - Action-Awesomeness
The Raid: Redemption is an Indonesian action film. I really don't have much to say about this film, except it is AWESOME.
The premise is rather straight-foward. A swat team storms an apartment building to snatch/arrest a powerful crime "boss". This crime boss has rented most of the apartments to other criminals and low-lifes. Once the swat team is in, he tells everyone over the PA system that they will get free rent for life if they kill the swat team. ACTION!
With such a ridiculous scenario, you don't want to wait 20 minutes for it to be set up. And you don't have to! 5 minutes, 10 tops, and then all inferno breaks loose.
The action is fast-paced, creative, and fun. The plot reveals more depth as the film progresses. The few main characters have strong varied personalities.
If you want to watch a well-made action film, this has it all.
The premise is rather straight-foward. A swat team storms an apartment building to snatch/arrest a powerful crime "boss". This crime boss has rented most of the apartments to other criminals and low-lifes. Once the swat team is in, he tells everyone over the PA system that they will get free rent for life if they kill the swat team. ACTION!
With such a ridiculous scenario, you don't want to wait 20 minutes for it to be set up. And you don't have to! 5 minutes, 10 tops, and then all inferno breaks loose.
The action is fast-paced, creative, and fun. The plot reveals more depth as the film progresses. The few main characters have strong varied personalities.
If you want to watch a well-made action film, this has it all.
Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) - Human Meta-pede
In order to appreciate Human Centipede II (Full Sequence), one ought to watch Human Centipede (First Sequence). It is not necessary, as much of the first film is in the second film, but the horror intensity is increased with detailed knowledge of the events in the first one.
Briefly, the first film is about a mad scientist/doctor who kidnaps three people and then sews them mouth to anus to create a human centipede, with the goal of ultimately sewing 12 people, mouth to anus, together. Human Centipede II is about a semi-mentally challenged man who is so obssessed with the movie Human Centipede, that he kidnaps twelve people and attempts to connect them mouth to anus, following the mad scientist's/doctor's "medically accurate" method.
Now I will stick to only the second film.
What makes Human Centipede so powerful, isn't just the brutal gore and disturbing images, but the psychological horror that the characters experience. Despite Martin's mental handicap, he is still able to put twelve people in positions of physical impotence. Even before he begins attaching these people together, the people know and live in the horror that they will "grafted" mouth to anus.
As an audience member our psychological horror is increased by the knowledge that Martin is not humanely conscious. Whether it is his mental handicap or whether it is his need for a human centipede, is unclear. However his actions make it clear that he only cares about his goal. In one scene he kills a man, kidnaps his pregnant wife (for the centipede), and then leaves their 3 year-old son in their car in a parking garage. No one is above and beyond his obssession.
Part of the strength of this film is the empathy that is creates for Martin. His goal, his desire, his obssession, his need is grotesque, monstrous, in-human, and yet we learn enough of his life to realize it is not an inherent aspect of him, but a consequence of the monstrous, in-human experiences he has been subject to. When his mother pisses over everything, figuratively, that is dear to him, mocking him as if he was an idiot, tears welled up in my eyes. Often the villains of horror films are condemned as evil, given little is any humanity. We, audience members, yearn for their punishment, applaud their demise. Such films make "life" black and white, construct obvious lines of good and evil. Reality is less clear. People, who have committed acts that can be described as evil, still have loved ones, still have desires, still have passions, just like us. And just like us they can be emotionally traumatized by ridicule, abuse, and disgust.
Because the film is directly linked with first film, the writer/director Tom Six was able to add a whole new level of disturbing (although this is more terrifying for actors, than anyone else). Martin is so obssessed with the film Human Centipede, that he attempts to trick the cast into coming for an "audition" for a film by a famous director...um I didn't recognize his name (ha ha). He gets one of them to come and adds her to the centipede. One might think acting in a horror film is innocent enough, but this film demonstrates a potential danger. The danger being that an avid fan of the horror film attempts to make you, the actor, live it out for real. An actor must have plenty of time to think about how it might feel to be in any of these dangerous situations, particularly grotesque ones, like having your mouth sewn to an anus (so that there is one digestive tract). To then be placed in said situation must flood the actor with unspeakable terror.
Ha ha ha. I didn't mean for that to be funny, but it is. "unspeakable terror"
While many criticize this film as being about shock value, I would argue that there is factual evidence to demonstrate that this is wildly inaccurate. This film (much like the first) shows what true horror is.
Because it's not being chased by a supernatural entity that can't be killed and who apparently likes to creatively kill his prey (Jason, Freddy, Michael, you get the point...).
Briefly, the first film is about a mad scientist/doctor who kidnaps three people and then sews them mouth to anus to create a human centipede, with the goal of ultimately sewing 12 people, mouth to anus, together. Human Centipede II is about a semi-mentally challenged man who is so obssessed with the movie Human Centipede, that he kidnaps twelve people and attempts to connect them mouth to anus, following the mad scientist's/doctor's "medically accurate" method.
Now I will stick to only the second film.
What makes Human Centipede so powerful, isn't just the brutal gore and disturbing images, but the psychological horror that the characters experience. Despite Martin's mental handicap, he is still able to put twelve people in positions of physical impotence. Even before he begins attaching these people together, the people know and live in the horror that they will "grafted" mouth to anus.
As an audience member our psychological horror is increased by the knowledge that Martin is not humanely conscious. Whether it is his mental handicap or whether it is his need for a human centipede, is unclear. However his actions make it clear that he only cares about his goal. In one scene he kills a man, kidnaps his pregnant wife (for the centipede), and then leaves their 3 year-old son in their car in a parking garage. No one is above and beyond his obssession.
Part of the strength of this film is the empathy that is creates for Martin. His goal, his desire, his obssession, his need is grotesque, monstrous, in-human, and yet we learn enough of his life to realize it is not an inherent aspect of him, but a consequence of the monstrous, in-human experiences he has been subject to. When his mother pisses over everything, figuratively, that is dear to him, mocking him as if he was an idiot, tears welled up in my eyes. Often the villains of horror films are condemned as evil, given little is any humanity. We, audience members, yearn for their punishment, applaud their demise. Such films make "life" black and white, construct obvious lines of good and evil. Reality is less clear. People, who have committed acts that can be described as evil, still have loved ones, still have desires, still have passions, just like us. And just like us they can be emotionally traumatized by ridicule, abuse, and disgust.
Because the film is directly linked with first film, the writer/director Tom Six was able to add a whole new level of disturbing (although this is more terrifying for actors, than anyone else). Martin is so obssessed with the film Human Centipede, that he attempts to trick the cast into coming for an "audition" for a film by a famous director...um I didn't recognize his name (ha ha). He gets one of them to come and adds her to the centipede. One might think acting in a horror film is innocent enough, but this film demonstrates a potential danger. The danger being that an avid fan of the horror film attempts to make you, the actor, live it out for real. An actor must have plenty of time to think about how it might feel to be in any of these dangerous situations, particularly grotesque ones, like having your mouth sewn to an anus (so that there is one digestive tract). To then be placed in said situation must flood the actor with unspeakable terror.
Ha ha ha. I didn't mean for that to be funny, but it is. "unspeakable terror"
While many criticize this film as being about shock value, I would argue that there is factual evidence to demonstrate that this is wildly inaccurate. This film (much like the first) shows what true horror is.
Because it's not being chased by a supernatural entity that can't be killed and who apparently likes to creatively kill his prey (Jason, Freddy, Michael, you get the point...).
Monday, May 7, 2012
Avengers (2012) - Who doesn't want to Avenge injustice?
The Avengers (2012):
This is actually difficult for me to analyze. Sure when a movie is poorly made, it is easy to criticize but when a movie is good, it's not.
This is still an origin film. BUT it's a team origin not an individual origin. Because Marvel has made competent origin films for each character, there is no need to elaborate or specify the roads that brought these characters to this moment.
If you have a biased towards origin films, it is pretty easy to use that as an excuse for this film. However I, on a personal note, would like to point out that there are few (in comparison) "team origin" films vs. "individual origin" films. That makes this film stand out from other "origin" films.
So besides THAT aspect, what is wrong with this film?
I don't have an answer for that.
What is good about this film?
Besides the crazy-fun action scenes, the awesome hero portrayals, the intensely cool super powers, and the excellent acting from each star (Samuel Jackson, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, etc.), there is a strong story that makes this film engaging and desirable to watch.
I highly (if not intensely) recommend this film to anyone...ANYONE who likes or appreciates super-heroes.
I think this film is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is actually difficult for me to analyze. Sure when a movie is poorly made, it is easy to criticize but when a movie is good, it's not.
This is still an origin film. BUT it's a team origin not an individual origin. Because Marvel has made competent origin films for each character, there is no need to elaborate or specify the roads that brought these characters to this moment.
If you have a biased towards origin films, it is pretty easy to use that as an excuse for this film. However I, on a personal note, would like to point out that there are few (in comparison) "team origin" films vs. "individual origin" films. That makes this film stand out from other "origin" films.
So besides THAT aspect, what is wrong with this film?
I don't have an answer for that.
What is good about this film?
Besides the crazy-fun action scenes, the awesome hero portrayals, the intensely cool super powers, and the excellent acting from each star (Samuel Jackson, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, etc.), there is a strong story that makes this film engaging and desirable to watch.
I highly (if not intensely) recommend this film to anyone...ANYONE who likes or appreciates super-heroes.
I think this film is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Moon Knight (2011-2012) - Who Says Crazy People Can't Be Super-Heroes!
Moon Knight (2011-2012) is a 12 issue comic book series written by Brian Michael Bendis, drawn by Alex Maleev, and colors by Matt Wilson or Matthew Hollingsworth.
The series follows Moon Knight attempting to retrieve an Ultron (the most diabolical a.i. in the Marvel universe) head and stop a new west coast crime boss. Many (if not most) Marvel super-heroes operate on the east coast (Spider-Man, Daredevil, Fantastic Four and even the Avengers' Mansion are all located in NYC). It was refreshing to see that crime doesn't limit itself to the north-east, and that heroes stop crime wherever it is.
What also makes the series interesting and fun to read is the character Moon Knight. He is haunted and supported by visions of other super-heroes. The best of the best "aid" him in his mission to keep the streets safe(r). While it at first seems like an affliction, Moon Knight later intimates that he sees these delusions (which he is consciously aware of) as an asset. With no true super powers (except possibly his delusions), he is able to turn their strengthes into his own. He find physical and inner strength from these symbolic heroes.
The writing rounds the characters with believable personalities, while the art creates a dynamic that complements the chaotic events.
I love this series, and if you love Moon Knight, Bendis/Maleev, or crazy super-heroes, you will too.
The series follows Moon Knight attempting to retrieve an Ultron (the most diabolical a.i. in the Marvel universe) head and stop a new west coast crime boss. Many (if not most) Marvel super-heroes operate on the east coast (Spider-Man, Daredevil, Fantastic Four and even the Avengers' Mansion are all located in NYC). It was refreshing to see that crime doesn't limit itself to the north-east, and that heroes stop crime wherever it is.
What also makes the series interesting and fun to read is the character Moon Knight. He is haunted and supported by visions of other super-heroes. The best of the best "aid" him in his mission to keep the streets safe(r). While it at first seems like an affliction, Moon Knight later intimates that he sees these delusions (which he is consciously aware of) as an asset. With no true super powers (except possibly his delusions), he is able to turn their strengthes into his own. He find physical and inner strength from these symbolic heroes.
The writing rounds the characters with believable personalities, while the art creates a dynamic that complements the chaotic events.
I love this series, and if you love Moon Knight, Bendis/Maleev, or crazy super-heroes, you will too.
Niku Daruma aka Psycho the Snuff Reels - Under Par Torture Porn
This movie is one of many that fit under the genre torture porn. What is torture porn? HERE
It must be noted that I watched this movie without subtitles. And while you might think that I could not possibly be able to watch or analyze this movie without knowing what the actors are saying, well...you'd be wrong. There are two reasons why this is the case, the first is that torture porn rarely relies on a complex plot. Typically these movies set up simple premises to allow the characters to brutally torture the other characters.
The second is that the plot of this movie is (ok. seems to be) about two guys who get a girl and a guy to do a low budget sex movie. Once involved in the sex movie production, these two up the scales by turning it into a torture-fest. The specifics of what the characters say appears to be...well, irrelevant.
There are many different styles of torture porn, but this one seems to follow the simplistic: get a victim, then torture the H E double-hockey sticks out of them. The gold standard of this style is Flowers of Flesh and Blood (the movie that caused (probably drunken) Charlie Sheen to yell "Snuff! Snuff!"). As you can imagine this movie does not rank up there.
Viewers have described this movie as incredibly brutal and painful to watch. I don't quite agree with this. Not only are there few moments of extreme brutalness, but the viewer is easily taken out of the moment by the cheap special effects (if you are using a saw, the bone should be the most difficult part to cut through, not the skin).
This movie is not a hallmark of torture porn. If you like torture porn, this should be lower on you list.
It must be noted that I watched this movie without subtitles. And while you might think that I could not possibly be able to watch or analyze this movie without knowing what the actors are saying, well...you'd be wrong. There are two reasons why this is the case, the first is that torture porn rarely relies on a complex plot. Typically these movies set up simple premises to allow the characters to brutally torture the other characters.
The second is that the plot of this movie is (ok. seems to be) about two guys who get a girl and a guy to do a low budget sex movie. Once involved in the sex movie production, these two up the scales by turning it into a torture-fest. The specifics of what the characters say appears to be...well, irrelevant.
There are many different styles of torture porn, but this one seems to follow the simplistic: get a victim, then torture the H E double-hockey sticks out of them. The gold standard of this style is Flowers of Flesh and Blood (the movie that caused (probably drunken) Charlie Sheen to yell "Snuff! Snuff!"). As you can imagine this movie does not rank up there.
Viewers have described this movie as incredibly brutal and painful to watch. I don't quite agree with this. Not only are there few moments of extreme brutalness, but the viewer is easily taken out of the moment by the cheap special effects (if you are using a saw, the bone should be the most difficult part to cut through, not the skin).
This movie is not a hallmark of torture porn. If you like torture porn, this should be lower on you list.
30: Minutes or Less (2011) - 83 Minutes of Fun or not
30: Minutes or Less is a comedic movie starring Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari, and Nick Swardson. This movie is about creating a comedically absurd situation in which the ridiculous is the only solution. It doesn't quite succeed.
The plot is not inherently comedic. With a similar plot, one could create an action movie or suspense movie easily.
The jokes in this comedy are also under-par. Most of them lack wit, unexpectedness or outrageousness.
"Sounds like this movie is pretty bad!"
Not exactly.
The redeeming factor of this film are the actors McBride, Ansari, and Swardson have already proved themselves as comedic actors. Whether with stand-up, tv shows, or guest appearances, they have made many (including me!) laugh hysterically. The individual character's lines may not be inherently funny, but these actors KNOW how to deliver them. And they do an excellent job, with what they have. Even Jesse Eisenberg, not independently a funny man, is able to turn these half-assed lines into humorous pleasure.
If you enjoy all these actors (if there's any you hate this does not apply), you will enjoy this movie, BUT I still wouldn't rush out to see it.
The plot is not inherently comedic. With a similar plot, one could create an action movie or suspense movie easily.
The jokes in this comedy are also under-par. Most of them lack wit, unexpectedness or outrageousness.
"Sounds like this movie is pretty bad!"
Not exactly.
The redeeming factor of this film are the actors McBride, Ansari, and Swardson have already proved themselves as comedic actors. Whether with stand-up, tv shows, or guest appearances, they have made many (including me!) laugh hysterically. The individual character's lines may not be inherently funny, but these actors KNOW how to deliver them. And they do an excellent job, with what they have. Even Jesse Eisenberg, not independently a funny man, is able to turn these half-assed lines into humorous pleasure.
If you enjoy all these actors (if there's any you hate this does not apply), you will enjoy this movie, BUT I still wouldn't rush out to see it.
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