In a working-class London neighbourhood, Janet, a widow, has welcomed relatives into her home. In addition to her elderly mother, Kath and her son, Billy, Janet lives with her daughter, Valerie and Valerie's abusive, alcoholic husband, Ray. This mix proves explosive. I thought my family was dysfunctional. Nil By Mouth is brutal, violent and utterly …
Continue reading Shocking Cinema- Day 25- Nil By Mouth (1997)
Stan Brakhage’s 32-minute film is soundless footage captured during autopsies in a Pittsburgh morgue. The film’s title is a literal meaning of the word ‘autopsy’. Obviously, don’t watch this whilst eating a meal (the first time I watched The Exorcist was whilst eating an evening meal with my dad. But that, as they say, is …
Continue reading Shocking Cinema- Day 22- The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes (1971)
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)
How the hell do I describe this film? Someone who looks like Leatherface stabs themself to death in the Evil Dead cabin. After this, we witness the birth of Mother Earth and the Son of Earth who then ‘journey across a dying world’ apparently. This scungy, lo-fi work by E. Elias Merhige features unknown actors …
Actress Nikki Grace lands the lead in a Hollywood remake of an unfinished Polish film, one that may be cursed. As she slips into the role of Sue, the line between Nikki and Sue, Los Angeles and Łódź, rehearsal and nightmare, starts to fade. There are talking rabbits, a screwdriver, a woman dying on Hollywood …
Continue reading Shocking Cinema- Day 19- Inland Empire (2006)
Philip returns to his childhood home and his wicked uncle. Past traumas come to the surface here. I was surprised that I had never heard of this film made by Matthew Holness and starring Sean Harris as Philip. But, on beginning to watch it, I realised why. The BFI logo came up and I soon …
A young woman has her life (and her new home) turned upside down by the arrival of a stranger. Well, the events in this film escalate quickly. I love that things can go from 0-60 in a breath. There’s also a gorgeous look to the film which looks like every individual frame has been hand …
Count Dracula is ill as he needs v*rgin blood but can’t find any. He decides to travel to Italy where he learns of a family which includes four daughters. The family is broke and so they think a Count might bring them a few quid if he marries into the family and so the arrangement …
Continue reading The Video Nasties Reviewed- Anomalies- Day 6- Blood For Dracula (1974)
In The Realm of the Senses concerns the s*xual relationship between a hotel manager (Kichizo) and a maid (Sada). Trigger warning- this film is an arthouse film and hence, not my usual fare. There are no chainsaws, zombies or apocalyptic dystopias. But there is smut. In fact, the film was massively controversial on its original …
Continue reading The Video Nasties Reviewed- Anomalies- Day 2- In The Realm of the Senses (1976)
Suzy Bannion has travelled from America to a very prestigious dance academy in Germany. Bizarre events happen right from the get-go, and Suzy is sure that there is more than meets the eye at the academy. Where do I even begin with Dario Argento's Suspiria? Maybe by saying that it's perfect. Every aspect of it …
Continue reading The Video Nasties Reviewed- Section 3- Day 72- Suspiria (1977)
