Possession, has a very menacing atmosphere and absolutely wonderful, hysterical acting from both Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani, the scene in the tunnel always unsettles me.
Last House on the Left, such a brilliant horror film.
Hour of the Wolf is another disturbing masterpiece, the permeation of dread throughout that film stays with me for days afterwards.
Straw Dogs, totally misunderstood film, the rape scene is treated honestly and in accordance with the character’s personalities and motivations.
A few specific moments that have stuck with me over the years:
Woman gives birth to fully grown man – Xtro
Herr Dentist – Marathon Man
Frank reincarnates for the first time – Hellraiser
Mother killed by daughter – Night of the Living Dead
Spiked mask – Black Sunday
The opening of Suspiria, probably my all time favourite horror film
I myself have little time for film criticism in it’s traditional form, and most of my own film lit is made up of history and theory with bit of Farber thrown in simply because I enjoy his writing. With the advent of internet criticism, the amount of choice for any individual; who wants to hear another’s opinion is overwhelming and you are bound to find a “critic” whose writing and opinions you respect for their intellectual and emotional value. Waxing on about how such and such an individual is a snob or an elitist is both immature and innane, face it, there are people out there who simply know more than you do. If they choose to use that knowledge as a platform for public mental masturbation then ignore them, and form your own opinions for a change.
A hard choice, both excellent films in their own right, yet ultimately my own personal preference lands with Szindbád, it was simply a more interesting and moving film, with passages of pure poetry and a visual elegance that Manhattan couldn’t quite match. Can’t wait to explore more of Huszárik’s work.
Currently re-reading Aleister Crowley’s Book 4, an annual event and one I relish as hidden nuances and previously unnoticed cadences reveal themselves. Magick in Theory and Practice is one of the essential pieces of occult writing, any New Age pansies with a predilection for naive revisionism could learn a great deal from it. The man is truly one of the most misunderstood thinkers of the 20th century in my humble opinion.
Also reading Phil Hine’s excellent Condensed Chaos, one of the few works that spells out simply and clearly what practical magick is all about. Cuts through the archaic terminology and deliberately obfuscating mysticism that most occult tomes contain with a surgeon’s precision.
Fiction-wise, reading Naked Lunch for the first time (a criminal negligence has kept me away from this volume which has lain dormant on the shelves for several years) and loving it immensely.
I’m reading it as Burroughs’ intended, dipping in at a random point and reading through several vignettes and then leaving it. Very fractal but effective. I’m only familiar with his more traditional fare prior to Naked Lunch so it’s an original experience.
The scariest or most disturbing film you have EVER seen. about 2 years ago
Possession, has a very menacing atmosphere and absolutely wonderful, hysterical acting from both Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani, the scene in the tunnel always unsettles me.
Last House on the Left, such a brilliant horror film.
Hour of the Wolf is another disturbing masterpiece, the permeation of dread throughout that film stays with me for days afterwards.
Straw Dogs, totally misunderstood film, the rape scene is treated honestly and in accordance with the character’s personalities and motivations.
A few specific moments that have stuck with me over the years:
Woman gives birth to fully grown man – Xtro
Herr Dentist – Marathon Man
Frank reincarnates for the first time – Hellraiser
Mother killed by daughter – Night of the Living Dead
Spiked mask – Black Sunday
The opening of Suspiria, probably my all time favourite horror film
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 2 years ago
Good to see some appreciation of Ratanaruang, he’s all too often overshadowed by Weerasethakul.
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Our favourite paintings: the great Auteur Gallery about 2 years ago
A quick question, how does one upload pics to the forum, Photobucket and Imageshack are both being stubborn fools.
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Our favourite paintings: the great Auteur Gallery about 2 years ago
Appreciated, Jardun
Immortal in Splashed Ink, Liang Kai
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why do people hate film critics so much about 2 years ago
I myself have little time for film criticism in it’s traditional form, and most of my own film lit is made up of history and theory with bit of Farber thrown in simply because I enjoy his writing. With the advent of internet criticism, the amount of choice for any individual; who wants to hear another’s opinion is overwhelming and you are bound to find a “critic” whose writing and opinions you respect for their intellectual and emotional value. Waxing on about how such and such an individual is a snob or an elitist is both immature and innane, face it, there are people out there who simply know more than you do. If they choose to use that knowledge as a platform for public mental masturbation then ignore them, and form your own opinions for a change.
Go to Comment
Directors’ Cup Voting, Round 1, Match 1: Woody Allen (Manhattan) vs. Zoltán Huszárik (Sinbad) about 2 years ago
A hard choice, both excellent films in their own right, yet ultimately my own personal preference lands with Szindbád, it was simply a more interesting and moving film, with passages of pure poetry and a visual elegance that Manhattan couldn’t quite match. Can’t wait to explore more of Huszárik’s work.
Manhattan 0 – Szindbád 1
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Bresson & Ozu Inspired Short Film almost 2 years ago
Great short, very subtle piece and moving in a quite, incidental manner.
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Did I Mention I Totally Read Interesting Shit almost 2 years ago
Currently re-reading Aleister Crowley’s Book 4, an annual event and one I relish as hidden nuances and previously unnoticed cadences reveal themselves. Magick in Theory and Practice is one of the essential pieces of occult writing, any New Age pansies with a predilection for naive revisionism could learn a great deal from it. The man is truly one of the most misunderstood thinkers of the 20th century in my humble opinion.
Also reading Phil Hine’s excellent Condensed Chaos, one of the few works that spells out simply and clearly what practical magick is all about. Cuts through the archaic terminology and deliberately obfuscating mysticism that most occult tomes contain with a surgeon’s precision.
Fiction-wise, reading Naked Lunch for the first time (a criminal negligence has kept me away from this volume which has lain dormant on the shelves for several years) and loving it immensely.
Go to Comment
Did I Mention I Totally Read Interesting Shit almost 2 years ago
I’m reading it as Burroughs’ intended, dipping in at a random point and reading through several vignettes and then leaving it. Very fractal but effective. I’m only familiar with his more traditional fare prior to Naked Lunch so it’s an original experience.
Go to Comment
OT: What are you reading? almost 2 years ago
Prime Chaos – Phil Hine
Fictions – Jorge Luis Borges
Burma Chronicles – Guy Delisle
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OT: What are you reading? almost 2 years ago
Selected Poems – William Blake
The Great and Secret Show – Clive Barker
The Golden Days – Cao Xueqin
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Post a song you are currently listening to over 1 year ago
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Post a song you are currently listening to over 1 year ago
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Post a song you are currently listening to over 1 year ago
Seppuku – Toru Takemitsu
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OT: What are you reading? 4 months ago
The Street of Crocodiles – Bruno Schulz
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OT: What are you reading? 4 months ago
Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China – Ezra F. Vogel
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OT: What are you reading? about 1 month ago
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OT: What are you reading? about 1 month ago
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OT: What are you reading? about 1 month ago
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OT: What are you reading? about 1 month ago
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Post a song you are currently listening to 29 days ago
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OT: What are you reading? 26 days ago
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