This is a 5 hour documentary made by the same great folks that brought us the three part In Search of Darkness documentaries. It shifts the focus from horror to 80s sci-fi. LOOOOOOVED it. Phenomenal gathering of fans and participants from a wide array of flicks. I realllly wish (read: hope) they can make more as theres so many more flicks id like to hear about. These documentaries are so much fun because you get to check back in on favorite flicks and always come away with a list of new movies to check out!
(PS: FYI, if you didnt know, Patrick and Heather Wixson have written a coffee table book to go along with the horror series..its called In Search of Darkness The Book. Pre-orders are happening now!)
I didn't watch a lot of movies this week, i was sick as a dog, so i just binged Ted Lasso.
But today i was better, so i watched a few movies with friends
Heroic Times (1983): an absolute gorgeous Hungarian animated feature that tell the story of a knight with inhuman strength. This is so beautiful to look at, you could freeze at aby time and just frame it. It looks like an animated oil painting. The blu-ray comes from Deaf Crocodile, sold though Vinegar Syndrome store and it's full of interesting extras, including 3 animated shorts from the director. really worth the price.
Excalibur (1981): after Heroic Times, i was in the mood for medieval stuff, so we watch Excalibur. I didn't always love this movie, but at some point, a few years ago, it clicked and it stayed on my mind since then. I try to rewatch it regularly and i wish they'd release a proper Special Edition with a few of the making of that i saw mentioned on the IMDB page.
Aguirre The Wrath of God (1972): what else can i say about this masterpiece. If you never saw this and are a lover of movies, you owe it to yourself to watch it.
I forgot Argylle (2024) that i watched before my friends arrived. It's not good, and that's coming from a guy who liked (often loved) previous Matthew Vaughn's movies. Go read Rob's review if you want more details
Though a man who could be horrible to work with, Klaus Kinski was capable of great performances. He had a screen presence that was completely unique. I guess that is why he was given so many opportunities despite his reputation.
It was another light week of movie watching. Even if the experience was not always satisfying, I was glad to have the opportunity to get to a few.
SIBYL (2019, dir. Justine Triet) on MUBI – A film that loses its way. Sibyl, portrayed be Virginie Efira (the lead of Benedetta), is a psychologist trying to get back to being a writer. A troubled young actress enters her life and becomes the inspiration for a novel, leading to many ethical issues and unexpected experiences. Efira and the rest of the cast are excellent in the material they are given, but the messy storytelling proved to be distracting. The biggest issue for me was the shift to an absurd subplot of making of a film.
THAT MOST IMPORTANT THING: LOVE (1975, dir. Andrej Zulawski) on MUBI – Watching this mish-mash of story elements, I was reminded of the problems with Sibyl, but Zulawski brings the energetic style that makes his 1981 film Possession so memorable. While it is far from the level of Possession, LOVE is still a very intense experience. Romy Schneider is an actress making a living in soft-core films when a photographer (Fabio Testi) stumbles onto the set to take some pictures. A very twisty and strange story emerges involving a Shakespearean theatrical production, gangsters, dirty pictures, and tortured relationships. The mad acting genius of Klaus Kinski may be the highlight of the film. He plays a crazy German actor beautifully.
REBECCA (1940, dir. Alfred Hitchcock) – The Best Picture OSCAR winner of 1940, Rebecca is one that I have long intended to watch. Based on a popular novel, this a story of a young woman of humble origin who is wooed by a wealthy British aristocrat. Taken to his palatial home on the sea, she has to deal with doubts about herself and the lingering presence of his first wife, Rebecca. Joan Fontaine is excellent in the lead role, gradually losing her innocence as the plot unfolds. I liked the build up of the mystery more than the revelations that come at the end, but it is overall a well-made film. The gothic-tinge sections were my favorite ones.
A notable event this week was the shipping of my Mondo Macabro order from the sale last November. It was held up by one of the new releases, an Indonesian action film called Special Silencers. It is my first red case edition and a definite watch for June. The Fan and Who Can Kill A Child? are among other acquisitions.
DRAGONSLAYER (1981) Great movie! Still holds up. But... it's interesting to see how different it is in its pacing. The first act is very small and quiet. There's no attention-getting opening set piece. Instead, the movie mostly holds back on the action and effects until the last 30 minutes. Worth the wait, though.
MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN (2016) There’s some cool stuff here, but overall it’s a missed opportunity. The book is famous for the creepy vintage photos it comes with, so why doesn’t movie look like the photos?!? Shouldn’t that be obvious?
FROM BEYOND (1986) Stuart Gordon goodness!
THE WINTER’S TALE (1999) A filmed performance of Shakespeare’s play, put on by the Heritage Theater. More of an old-fashioned, traditional staging, not really leaning into the unusual history as to how and why the play was created. Good for hardcore Shakespeare fans, but maybe not for newbies.
Fun one! I like hearing the favorites.
ReplyDeleteIn Search of Tomorrow (2022 digital purchase)
ReplyDeleteThis is a 5 hour documentary made by the same great folks that brought us the three part In Search of Darkness documentaries. It shifts the focus from horror to 80s sci-fi. LOOOOOOVED it. Phenomenal gathering of fans and participants from a wide array of flicks. I realllly wish (read: hope) they can make more as theres so many more flicks id like to hear about. These documentaries are so much fun because you get to check back in on favorite flicks and always come away with a list of new movies to check out!
(PS: FYI, if you didnt know, Patrick and Heather Wixson have written a coffee table book to go along with the horror series..its called In Search of Darkness The Book. Pre-orders are happening now!)
I didn't watch a lot of movies this week, i was sick as a dog, so i just binged Ted Lasso.
ReplyDeleteBut today i was better, so i watched a few movies with friends
Heroic Times (1983): an absolute gorgeous Hungarian animated feature that tell the story of a knight with inhuman strength. This is so beautiful to look at, you could freeze at aby time and just frame it. It looks like an animated oil painting. The blu-ray comes from Deaf Crocodile, sold though Vinegar Syndrome store and it's full of interesting extras, including 3 animated shorts from the director. really worth the price.
Excalibur (1981): after Heroic Times, i was in the mood for medieval stuff, so we watch Excalibur. I didn't always love this movie, but at some point, a few years ago, it clicked and it stayed on my mind since then. I try to rewatch it regularly and i wish they'd release a proper Special Edition with a few of the making of that i saw mentioned on the IMDB page.
Aguirre The Wrath of God (1972): what else can i say about this masterpiece. If you never saw this and are a lover of movies, you owe it to yourself to watch it.
I forgot Argylle (2024) that i watched before my friends arrived. It's not good, and that's coming from a guy who liked (often loved) previous Matthew Vaughn's movies. Go read Rob's review if you want more details
DeleteThough a man who could be horrible to work with, Klaus Kinski was capable of great performances. He had a screen presence that was completely unique. I guess that is why he was given so many opportunities despite his reputation.
Deletebummin news about Argylle! i had soooo much fun with the two Kingsman flicks. (but really didnt connnect with the king's man).
DeleteIt was another light week of movie watching. Even if the experience was not always satisfying, I was glad to have the opportunity to get to a few.
ReplyDeleteSIBYL (2019, dir. Justine Triet) on MUBI – A film that loses its way. Sibyl, portrayed be Virginie Efira (the lead of Benedetta), is a psychologist trying to get back to being a writer. A troubled young actress enters her life and becomes the inspiration for a novel, leading to many ethical issues and unexpected experiences. Efira and the rest of the cast are excellent in the material they are given, but the messy storytelling proved to be distracting. The biggest issue for me was the shift to an absurd subplot of making of a film.
THAT MOST IMPORTANT THING: LOVE (1975, dir. Andrej Zulawski) on MUBI – Watching this mish-mash of story elements, I was reminded of the problems with Sibyl, but Zulawski brings the energetic style that makes his 1981 film Possession so memorable. While it is far from the level of Possession, LOVE is still a very intense experience. Romy Schneider is an actress making a living in soft-core films when a photographer (Fabio Testi) stumbles onto the set to take some pictures. A very twisty and strange story emerges involving a Shakespearean theatrical production, gangsters, dirty pictures, and tortured relationships. The mad acting genius of Klaus Kinski may be the highlight of the film. He plays a crazy German actor beautifully.
REBECCA (1940, dir. Alfred Hitchcock) – The Best Picture OSCAR winner of 1940, Rebecca is one that I have long intended to watch. Based on a popular novel, this a story of a young woman of humble origin who is wooed by a wealthy British aristocrat. Taken to his palatial home on the sea, she has to deal with doubts about herself and the lingering presence of his first wife, Rebecca. Joan Fontaine is excellent in the lead role, gradually losing her innocence as the plot unfolds. I liked the build up of the mystery more than the revelations that come at the end, but it is overall a well-made film. The gothic-tinge sections were my favorite ones.
A notable event this week was the shipping of my Mondo Macabro order from the sale last November. It was held up by one of the new releases, an Indonesian action film called Special Silencers. It is my first red case edition and a definite watch for June. The Fan and Who Can Kill A Child? are among other acquisitions.
DRAGONSLAYER (1981) Great movie! Still holds up. But... it's interesting to see how different it is in its pacing. The first act is very small and quiet. There's no attention-getting opening set piece. Instead, the movie mostly holds back on the action and effects until the last 30 minutes. Worth the wait, though.
ReplyDeleteMISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN (2016) There’s some cool stuff here, but overall it’s a missed opportunity. The book is famous for the creepy vintage photos it comes with, so why doesn’t movie look like the photos?!? Shouldn’t that be obvious?
FROM BEYOND (1986) Stuart Gordon goodness!
THE WINTER’S TALE (1999) A filmed performance of Shakespeare’s play, put on by the Heritage Theater. More of an old-fashioned, traditional staging, not really leaning into the unusual history as to how and why the play was created. Good for hardcore Shakespeare fans, but maybe not for newbies.