‘A troubled and perverted family find their lives intruded by a mysterious stranger who seems to help find a balance in their disturbing natures.’ This Takashi Miike film was bound to be notorious, as it was directed by the same director who made Ichi the Killer and Audition. I was also looking forward to this …
American scientist Shane Brown, is with his wife on their honeymoon in Paris but seems more intent on locating his former colleague Léo Semenau and his wife Coré, who hold cannibalistic urges. Apparently this film had a budget of $3.8 million. But it looks like none of these were spent on the film’s opening credits …
Continue reading Shocking Cinema- Day 46- Trouble Every Day (2001)
On Christmas Eve, Marc, a singer and performer who plays at old people’s homes finds himself stranded when his van/mobile home breaks down. A creepy innkeeper, still dealing with his wife leaving him, comes to his rescue. Warning- this film is Belgian. They do horror and ‘weird’ very differently from everyone else. The problem I …
In present-day New York, David Moran saves a man who’s just been run over. Later on that day, this event forces David to reminisce about events that occurred in 1958. Meg and her disabled sister Susan are placed in the care of their aunt, Ruth who lives with her sons after their own parents are …
Continue reading Shocking Cinema- Day 39- The Girl Next Door (2007)
Elephant chronicles an average day in the life of a Portland, Oregon high school. But this is anything but an ordinary day as there is a school shooting. Gus Van Sant was inspired by the Columbine High School shooting to make this film. There’s so much to applaud here. Introducing characters by name on screen, …
A doctor, Andrew Bagby is found murdered in a park in Pennsylvania. His lifelong friend plans a documentary about his life featuring interviews with his family and friends along with clips from the short films Andrew starred in when they were growing up. There’s much more I could post about this feature, but I don’t …
Continue reading Shocking Cinema- Day 34- Dear Zachary (2008)
Larry Clark’s film follows Marty, who confides in his new girlfriend, Lisa, about his bullying and the invalidation he faces from his friend, Bobby. Lisa suggests the ultimate remedy- Bobby’s murder. They call some friends to help with the plot. Bully has an atmosphere all of its own which veers from goofy comedy to something …
Mr Lazarescu, an elderly man who likes a tipple and lives with his cats, becomes ill but, firstly, getting an ambulance to come out to him and then getting him to a hospital that will actually provide the appropriate care for him becomes nearly impossible. This Romanian film is admirably directed by Cristi Puiu, with …
Continue reading Shocking Cinema- Day 21- The Death of Mr Lazarescu (2005)
A young couple move from France to an isolated villa in Romania. This proves to be a bad move though as things quickly take a turn for the worse as they find themselves under attack. Beautifully photographed, brilliantly directed (loving the POV shots that place you in the shoes of the protagonists), Them (released as …
A gang of soldiers hear about a sanctuary from the living dead. It’s called Plum Island but unfortunately there’s a family feud dividing it. One family wants to exterminate the zombies, the other wants to peacefully live alongside them. What to do… This was George’s last film before his death. This is Romero attempting to …
Continue reading George A Romero Reviewed- Day 17- Survival of the Dead (2009)
