Lars von Trier’s “Nymphomaniac: Vol. I”
Lars von Trier is a director that is seemingly constantly pushing audiences into feeling as uncomfortable as possible. So, when I got the chance to check out his newest film I jumped at it. I figured if nothing else it will be like nothing I’ve ever seen before. On that front I was disappointed, but as a whole the film is quite enjoyable.
When you go see a film called Nymphomaniac by a director who notoriously shows plenty of on screen sex and violence you expect it to be taken to a whole new level. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sex scenes were not horribly graphic and awkward but also mostly short and humorous. I found myself laughing during most parts of the film. even with the film’s dark subject matter, I never felt it was being too serious. Part of this is due to the fact that the main character is not very well-rounded, and our glimpses into her life tend to just be the highlights (or lowlights). We don’t really feel connected to her as a human. If we did, the story would be much more of a tragedy and I have a sneaking suspicion that Part II will quickly descend into this very dark place. Read More…
With Halloween coming up it only seems right to snuggle up and get some screams coming out of the TV screen. But if you’re like me you get a little tired of watching the same slasher sequels year after year. I wanted to make a list of Halloween films that are not only more obscure but also better than almost everything you’ll find playing on TV this year. I also wanted to make a list of films that had something for everyone. So, whether you like sick and twisted films that make you look away from the screen or atmospheric horror with no gore at all, we have got something for you. 
Gravity is visually spectacular, a great concept, and a complete failure at being anything other than a mindless popcorn flick. It’s a space movie produced by lifetime and directed by Michael Bay.
Part documentary and part narrative, Nights with Theodore is an exploration of Buttes-Chaumont Park in Paris, France. To be more specific, the film delves into the mystical history of the park and then quite effectively builds a fantasy narrative around it. We follow a couple, who, after spending the night in the park, are drawn back to it every night by an almost supernatural force, and while they enjoy their time in the park it is not without consequences.
Stoker ends up feeling like M. Night Shyamalan and Wes Anderson got together in the bathroom and forged a massive turd then charged admission to go see it. How Chan-wook Park managed to channel the worse parts of two sometimes competent directors eludes me, but in Stoker he has done just that. I guess I should explain…
It is as if David Lynch directed a film about an introverted British man getting hired as Dario Argento‘s sound editor circa 1977. While every film geek in the world is now running to get tickets, the rest of you might need some more convincing. This brilliant movie explores the relationship of sound in film, art in life, and what happens when all of those things get thrown together in a nightmare blender full of rotten produce. To put it simply, Berberian Sound Studio is a must see film. 
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