Anna isn’t typically a fan of most of the movies I pick out to watch. Since I tend to gravitate towards genre and exploitation films, which are prone to bouts of graphic violence and the occasional derogatory nudity, and she finds both stupider then stupid. It has gotten to the point that she simply assumes that any film that gravitates to the top of our queue is over populated with T&A and gore. So when Peeping Tom crept towards the coveted top spot she was noticeably leery. With such a salacious title, how could it not be a film that focused on gratuitous sex and nudity? But Peeping Tom had something far more disturbing in store for me.
Peeping Tom was something unlike anything audiences had ever seen when it was released. Focusing on a killer that used his daytime job as a photographer as a way to get closer to models, actresses and even the occasional streetwalker in order to kill them. Using a concealed razor sharp spike within the tripod of his camera, he slowly stalks his prey as they cower in fear, and just before he kills them he shows them something which serves to further fuel his murderous desires. But what was he showing them that causes them to be powerless with fear?
You would think this would be a difficult weekend to select just one recommendation out of all the movies being released, but really, the multiplex fare looks less then interesting, and the Indy fair while loaded with quality (Slumdog Millionaire and I’ve Loved You So Long), none compares to my selection this week, Let the Right One In. While most may not have much of a stomach for horror films, Let the Right One In is one I think that will appeal to people less then excited by the genre. It is more then a simple vampire film. It is more then a gore filled fright flick. In fact, most of the gore occurs off screen and the film is far from scary. This is a film reliant on atmosphere and character development. It is touching and moving and deeply and painfully honest. I can safely say I have never seen anything like it, and that it is far more then a genre masterpiece, it may be the best film of the year.
As for my DVD pick, it is a relatively easy one as well as Criterion has continued its quest to be Wes Anderson’s personal label by releasing Bottle Rocket this Tuesday. They also are releasing several other films as well on Tuesday, so be sure to stop in their store and checkout the selection. Oh yeah, I hear they are having some sort of fire sale as well.
If you are a cinema fan, this is Christmas come early. 40% off everything until November 24th. Mugs, poster, t-shirts, crappy copies of Michael Bay movies that no one will ever buy and even some great movies as well.
Now the only question is just how much will I buy. Hmm…
Looks like their are plenty of future guilty pleasure being released this week for me to pick from. And while I do love me some Rainn Wilson, I don’t think I am going to be able to bring myself, or more importantly Anna, to go watch The Rocker. Death Race and The House Bunny both look like they will more likely be awful then entertaining, so my choice for new releases this week is Hamlet 2. I’ll go see anything with Steve Coogan in it, and with a solid cast and the chance to be rocked by a sexy Jesus it could be a fun film.
DVD picks this week are a bit more difficult as their are several films I would like to see. The infamous Salò get’s a new release by Criterion which should have cinephiles salivating at the thought of finally getting to watch the film. Besides that Redbelt, Son of Rambow and Chicago 10 are all getting their first release on DVD this upcoming week, and all are worthy of renting.
But my DVD pick this week is a lesser known film called Dante’s Inferno. Dante’s Inferno is performed in a toy theater style using paper sets and puppets to recreate the epic poem. With voices being supplied by James Cromwell and Dermot Mulroney, Dante’s Inferno looks to be one of the more fascinating and unique film releases this year.
Welcome to our Olympic coverage of Rummaging through the Old Maids! Sure this doesn’t involve anything more then me posting via tape delay (Note to the audience: I have no idea what that means) but it is the thought that counts. Right?
While the amount of DVD releases this week are relatively thin, their are two pretty damn good ones especially worth noting. First is the Criterion release of Brand Upon the Brain, Guy Maddin’s oustanding pseudo-documentary science fiction/horror film on his growing up on a remote island with a mother who eats children to maintain her youth. It is a fantastic film and being released by Criterion inevitably means the transfer will be outstanding.
The other big release is CJ7, which took its sweet time coming to DVD even though it had a theatrical release last summer. Coupling Stephen Chow’s Looney Tunes styled direction with the most adorable alien ever created, CJ7 is a ridiculously cute and fun children’s film that appeals to adults as well.
Coming to theaters this week is the new film by Mumblecore vets Jay and Mark Duplass, Baghead, about a group of filmmakers that head up to a cabin to try and write their next movie. Only to discover that the movie they envision might be coming true. I don’t know too much about the movie outside of the trailer, but I enjoyed The Puffy Chair and I think the movie looks pretty interesting.
But the movie I am most excited for is Man on Wire, a documentary on tightrope walker Philippe Petit’s daring and incredibly stupid attempt to walk on a tightrope that spans between the newly built Twin Towers in New York City. It is a stunning documentary that should be a must see for everyone. Word of warning, even though it is almost all still photography, if you experience vertigo, or have a fear of heights, be prepared to have the crap scared out of you.
Anna isn’t typically a fan of most of the movies I pick out to watch. Since I tend to gravitate towards genre and exploitation films, which are prone to bouts of graphic violence and the occasional derogatory nudity, and she finds both stupider then stupid. It has gotten to the point that she simply assumes that any film that gravitates to the top of our queue is over populated with T&A and gore. So when Peeping Tom crept towards the coveted top spot she was noticeably leery. With such a salacious title, how could it not be a film that focused on gratuitous sex and nudity? But Peeping Tom had something far more disturbing in store for me.
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