What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Susan Foreman]

Originally Posted by nicholasrope

Wicked

...they forgot to put Part 1 on the posters and trailers

That's why I am holding back from seeing this

I would rather wait 18 months or so, and be in a position when I can watch the whole thing in one sitting, rather than having to wait months to see how it ends

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Lords of Chaos (2018)

An account of the start of the Norwegian black metal music scene through the perspective of Mayhem co-founder Euronymous.

Director Jonas Akerlund gave the film the tagline of 'About truth and lies' so the bulk of the film may be true other parts less so. None of the characters come across as particularly sympathetic and although it's all based on Euronymous' viewpoint he hardly comes across as the hero of the piece. Rival Varg Vikernes is just plain nasty. At one point he's asked by a journo interviewing him in his home how he can be a Satanist, a Pagan and a Nazi at the same time to which he has no answer but it sums him up perfectly. He also calls the likes of Morbid Angel and the Swedish death metal scene posers.

Whilst some of the film could be seen as a black metal version of Empire Records or Clerks for example other parts are truly horrific with very strong gore. The suicide of Dead is extremely graphic and i actually winced whilst watching it whilst a couple of murders are depicted in startling realism with the kills far more horrific than any slasher film.

The infamous church burnings are shown in all their fiery glory. In fact one of them is filmed in an almost poetic dreamlike way by Akerlund.

Unfortunately the film doesn't really depict the actual black metal scene in Norway at the time. It really is only Mayhem's influence that we see. It should be mentioned that there is a lot of black metal music played throughout the film - Mayhem, Tormentor, Bathory, there's also the likes of Accept, Dio, Sodom, Celtic Frost, Dead Can Dance, Cathedral, Carcass and Sigur Ros, who supply the beautiful soundtrack to the film. I was also fascinated by Euronymous' record store and often paused the Blu-ray so i could check out the record covers on display such as Motorhead, King Diamond, Metallica and weirdly Motley Crue.

Although the film is certainly of serious tone there's a wicked streak of black (metal) humour running throughout kind of summed up by a final narration from Euronymous following his death. As mellow music from Sigur Ros wafts through the speakers Euronymous finishes with a narration -

" No! F*ck, stop the sentimental shit! Stop! There's nothing sad about my death or my life. I'm Euronymous, founder of Mayhem, the most infamous Black Metal band in the world. I had my own record store. I had my own record label. I created a whole new musical genre: True Norwegian Black Metal! And I created Mayhem. What the f*ck have you done lately? Poser"

I don't think this film will be for all. Most will hate the music for a start and a fair few will be put off by the nastiness on show, some will also think it factually bollocks even if it was meticulously researched by Akerlund who was in the group Bathory at the time, but for anyone interested in the metal music scene this is required viewing.

Last night was my third time of watching and it's a film i really like.

[Justin101]

After recent conversations I also pulled this one out and plan to watch it tomorrow. I think it will be my 4th viewing!

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Justin101

After recent conversations I also pulled this one out and plan to watch it tomorrow. I think it will be my 4th viewing!

Death's arm cutting scene in the house still turns my stomach even on third watch.

[Justin101]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Death's arm cutting scene in the house still turns my stomach even on third watch.

I agree it?s very realistic, and the final stabbing is very brutal as well, very well acted by Culkin.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Justin101

I agree it?s very realistic, and the final stabbing is very brutal as well, very well acted by Culkin.

Some of the photography, especially the shots of the church burnings and the Nordic countryside are just gorgeous to look at. Like i said in the review, almost poetic beauty. Would look great on any Black Metal bands album cover.

[Nordicdusk]

I'm going to be watching this tomorrow a great review I like what I'm reading.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nordicdusk

I'm going to be watching this tomorrow a great review I like what I'm reading.

Can't wait to read your thoughts on it.

Hoping you don't unfriend Justin and I for liking it.

[Nordicdusk]

[Frankie Teardrop]

BODY SNATCHERS - No-one did seventies conspiracy angst like Phil Kaufman in his 1978 remake of 'Invasion Of The Body Snatchers'. Things had moved on by 1993, the year of the animatronic dinosaur, but Abel Ferrara's 'Body Snatchers' stands tall as an avatar of paranoia. It's set on a military base where echoes of The Gulf / Kuwait linger in the air; Ferrara's neo-noir palette of backlit blinds and long shadows pretties up the grim vibes, but then so does Meg Tilly, who takes centre stage when she transforms from goofy mum to sultry pod vixen.

NOT OF THIS EARTH - A remake of Corman's fifties B movie. You can tell it's the mid-nineties by the way people go on about the internet and the preponderance of goth-vamp-aliens in PVC coats. One day, badly outdated CGI will be cherished in the same way old H G Lewis-style butcher's window-type gore is now (ie not at all by some, but I kind of like it, and I love the awful computer generated Lovecraftian jellyfish near the end in this). Otherwise, 'Not Of This Earth' carries a vibe I always appreciate, that of a bad film played straight. I should mention, our man with the shades and the transfusion fixation is played by Peter York. Might not have been a good year for him.

RELIC - I always think that films about the horrors of old age are a bit patronising. 'Relic' doesn't necessarily take that line, but any movie exploring inter-generational trauma is going to touch on similar themes. Mother and daughter (who don't get along) go to gran's house to find out why she's been wandering in the night; is it the start of dementia, or something more otherworldly? 'Relic' is a sly observer of slippery dynamics, and there's enough in that to make for compelling viewing. The bigger draw for me is that it's basically also a film about sinister mould! It's all very well stylised and visually manicured in an A24 vein, an exercise in creeping tension that occasionally trips up when it forgoes subtle dread for moments of horror bluntness. A good film overall.