The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
3.60 out of 4stars
“After humanity has developed nuclear weaponry, an alien lands in Washington D.C. and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.”
An excellent sci-fi drama with supreme wisdom and futuristic tactics. Far and away, this is a thinking viewer’s sci-fi film. The film constantly spreads its enlightenment on topics of mass destruction weaponry, fear, aggression, survival, logic vs emotions, prejudices/jealousies/convictions, war, peace, self-destruction, and technological/intellectual human advancement and prosperity. There are also cool implementations of non-violent defenses (preventative/counter methods, arguably not attacks although could definitely be implemented as first strikes). In a positive way, the whole film feels like a meditation on grand scale humanity and suggestions on where it should go if it wants to flourish and possibly even exist eternally in the future. Also, it feels like Klaatu is a Christ figure, but definitely not exact, moreso in a supernatural alien form vs deity based character. Ancient aliens should love that representation.
Eraserhead (1977)
3.20 out of 4stars
“In David Lynch’s first feature length film, Henry resides alone in a bleak apartment surrounded by industrial gloom. When he discovers that an earlier fling with Mary X left her pregnant, he marries the expectant mother and has her move in with him. Things take a decidedly strange turn afterward.”
A great surreal horror whose technical accomplishments are matched by its bleak otherworldly creativity. Abstractly bizarre and intriguing, contextually frightening. To me, the film is an expressive nightmare of how our protagonist sees the world, life, parenthood, and domestication. Altogether an industrial post-apocalyptic-esque world that is dismal at best, and intrusive or aggressive at its worst. It portrays the marriage/baby lifestyle as one full of sacrifice, arguments, and whimpering/wailing. It’s a life of stressful obligations instead of personal freedoms and ideals. And I won’t spoil anything, but the nightmare unwinds in a dark and hallucinatory disjointed fashion. The industrial soundtrack is a character in itself here too. The sound effects are a lingering nag, and “In Heaven” is a vague haunting call that can be seen as ominous, optimistic, or even a siren song to a likely darker alternative. The black and white filming works like a charm with its lighting choices and adds another layer of uneasy atmosphere to the story. Jack Nance as the protagonist is the many of many faces and some mannerisms, always displaying his feelings in an odd, almost darkly comic fashion. Speaking of, there are a few black comedy touches throughout that hit, especially Mary’s father and even Mary’s mom a bit. And of course I need mention of the “mutant” baby: memorable, and physically perturbing with it’s minimal actions and animalistic side eyed flat nosed perpendicularly egg-shaped head. It's quite the experience.
Inferno (1980)
3.10 out of 4stars
“An American college student in Rome and his sister in New York investigate a series of killings in both locations where their resident addresses are the domain of two covens of witches.”
A great supernatural horror whose prestige would be much higher regarded if it weren’t compared to the film it sequeled, Suspiria. Argento’s films at their best just hypnotize me, full of infinite style and allure, and this one fits that feeling to a tee. Most of the film plays out like a nightmare you just can’t escape from, with heavy eerie mood and great murders to go alongside endlessly colorful set pieces and macabre elements. I’d say the theme is the age old warning, “don’t play with matches or you’ll get burned”, or more appropriately here, beware of the horrors and dangers living in the world of darkness. And Keith Emerson just knocked the soundtrack out of the park, mixing his prog background perfectly into the story’s vibe. While definitely more an experience than coherence/explanation, it more than delivers on the former with the world one is brought into.
Dead Calm (1989)
2.75 out of 4stars
“After the tragic death of their son, John Ingram and his wife Rae are spending some time isolated at sea, when they come across a stranger who has abandoned a sinking ship.”
A great psychological thriller that layers on the suspense and tension while being led by a great Nicole Kidman performance. Kidman is constantly expressive and evolving throughout as she grows from a grieving defeated persona into a resourceful survivalist fighting for her life. Neil and Zane are good also, Zane’s take on his character is interesting though. I might argue Zane a bit over the top at times, but it honestly feels more manically on point. The situation and story is executed in a grounded and plausible way too(save arguably a moment or 2), generating a bit more kudos from me. And the twists and turns continually keep the film intriguing and heightened. Altogether a nice tight thriller.
Mark of the Vampire (1935)
2.50 out of 4stars
“Sir Karell Borotyn is found murdered in his house with two tiny pinpoint wounds on his neck. The attending doctor is convinced that he was killed by a vampire, but the Prague Police Inspector Neumann refuses to believe it.”
A good mystery horror film from Browning, Lugosi, Barrymore, and company that covers well worn vampire material for the most part. It’s still a short (60minutes) fun film, but a bit all over the place. Part campy/hammy/over-the-top, part serious/eerie, a very thin story, and features a couple of notably controversial twists which I liked. Well acted across the board with great set-pieces. Nothing memorable minus the ending, but definitely low-ball entertaining fun.
