Nymphomaniac Part I & II

Nymphomaniac Part I & II 
(2014)
Director: Lars von Trier [IMDB]

Everyone likes sex right? At least most people do. So why is there this weird stigma involved with it? Especially with people who bang too much. From the looks of it, Nymphomaniac promised to focus on this issue and knowing Lars von Trier's prior work, I had a feeling it would get pretty uncomfortable, pretty quickly for most people... but not me, cause I'm a freak (just kidding mom.)

Synopsis: A sex addict named Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) recounts her past adventures with a new found friend (Stellan Skarsgard.)

Nymphomaniac was about what I thought it'd be. I don't know if that's good or bad. The first half is absolutely the strongest and going into part two I was hoping that momentum would continue. But it slows a little and the ending was kind of weak. My wife said the ending ruined it for her, but who cares, this is my review. I don't think I would go as far as to say it ruins it, but I do think it didn't need to be there. I found that Joe's story began to lose me after she starts her new job. I don't want to spoil anything, but Joe ends up getting an apprentice and I found all of that storyline to be a tad boring.

One thing that really annoyed me was the constant shifting of aspect ratio throughout the film. It was random and pointless. Outside of that one criticism, I thought the overall construction of the film (editing, cinematography and score) was great.

This is a film that you wouldn't want to watch with your parents, but it's fine for what it is. However out of all the Lars von Trier films I've seen, I think it's my least favorite.




ALSO: Here's the rest of his filmography that I've seen, ranked!

1. Europa
2. Dogville
3. Manderlay
4. Anti-Christ
5. Dancer in the Dark
6. Melancholia
7. Nyphomaniac


Obviously, I haven't seen them all, if you think there's a film I should pop on, lemme know!

Maniac

Maniac
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Frank Khalfoun (IMDB)

Not too long ago I did a review for the original Maniac, you can read it HERE. I really enjoy William Lustig's version and consider it one of the greater slasher films out there. When I saw the trailer for this remake, I must admit, I was kind of excited… it actually looked pretty good. But trailers can be deceitful, so I figured I'd give it a run through and let you know if it's worth your hard earned time. 

Synopsis: Frodo is a psycho killer who goes around hacking off the scalps of young women.

Maniac is a solid slasher flick... and while paying homage to the original, still manages to feel like its own film. Elijah Woods, who feels completely different than Joe Spinell (the original maniac), still manages to come across as a creepy ass dude and is successful in making the character work. One thing that did bother me about his performance, while not his fault, is that it's all in the first person point of view. It started to really grade on me about 20 mins in and I think I would have liked this film a lot more if it was shot normally. 

Something that should definitely be addressed when comparing Maniacs is the setting. New York in the late 70's was gnarly and a very scary place. The original did just about as good as a job as you could ask for encapsulating that aesthetic. This remake takes place in LA in modern times and it just doesn't even come close to being as effective in my opinion.

If you're a fan of gore, there's lots to make you happy here. There were plenty of cringe worthy moments and if you have a weak stomach, I'd skip out on this. The ending is pretty dark and depressing, the way it should be. In life, there are no happy endings… get used to it people.

If you like horror, especially the slasher genre, I'd take a chance on this. I think you'd enjoy it.

Spring Breakers

Spring Breakers
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Harmony Korine [IMDB]

In a Williams Film Review first, I am bringing you not only a review of Harmony Korine's newest film Spring Breakers, but I am also providing you with some original artwork. Yes... that beautiful poster over there on the left was designed by yours truly... me... Curtis Williams.

Synopsis: 4 misguided teens set off to Florida for spring break and get into some shit.

I was highly anticipating the release of Spring Breakers. Harmony Korine's films are highly polarizing... I remember watching Gummo for the first time and thinking it was awful... but I also kind of liked it.

Spring Breakers is a bloated look at the fucked up society we live in. These are strange times and they call for an even stranger movie. I think Harmony likes to push your buttons and with this film he takes it over the top, but in an accessible way... as opposed to Trash Humpers. The characters are empty and shallow... I couldn't relate to anyone, but that worked for me. I think that's part of the message. I mean honestly... to think you're going to go to spring break in Florida and have a life changing experience is a joke in itself. Korine takes something nauseating (spring break in Florida) and plays with it in an artful way which I absolutely enjoyed.

Spring Breakers has a few really surprising moments, some funny, some raunchy.... mostly involving James Franco (who plays a very convincing shitbag.) It revisits some of the themes seen in Kids, but also had a quasi True Romance vibe to it. If you're familier with Harmony Korine's work, you'll probably dig it, but if you're easily offended I'd skip it.... but then... you should get over yourself and live a little... I'm just saying.

Thriller: A Cruel Picture (AKA They Call Her One Eye)

Thriller: A Cruel Picture (AKA They Call Her One Eye)
(1974) [Full Movie]
Director: Bo Arne Vibenius [IMDB]

Synopsis: A young girl turns mute after being raped, then later in life she's abducted, drugged and forced into prostitution... and you thought your life was hard. She then decides to turn the tide and get revenge on the people who have wronged her.

This was supposedly a big influence on Tarantino when he was making Kill Bill and after watching it, I can see why. This movie is pretty fucked up and includes violence, drugs and nudity... I'm actually surprised it's on youtube (it's down below if you wanna watch it... hurry I'm sure it won't be up there long.) Thriller feels a little more elevated than your normal exploitation film, it has a lot of cool camera work and the score is pretty weird... in an interesting way. There are a lot of plot holes, so you'll have to suspend disbelief a little, but overall it's a pretty cool film. Check it.

The Exorcist

The Exorcist
(1970) [The Greatest Trailer Ever Made!]
Director: William Friedkin (IMDB)

Synopsis: William Friedkin deals one hell of a hand with this thriller about a girl who becomes possessed by the devil.

First... let me start by saying that this is one of the greatest horror movies of all time in my book. It has everything that makes a horror film work... religion, creepy kids, hallucinations, and murder. If you haven't seen this, you're not living life man!

I know I've been on a bit of a Friedkin kick, but I didn't pick this out, my life partner did. We scooped up a new home theater system and this was her selection to test it out. It was a great pick. The Exorcist's sound design deserves a true 5.1 dolby surround sound treatment and the new addition delivered the goods, making this movie experience even scarier. The Exorcist still creeps me out and I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been seeing it back in the 70's... oh yeah that's right... I don't have to imagine. I will leave you with one horrifying image... my old bandmates and I on The Exorcist steps in Georgetown.

William Friedkin Double Feature - "The French Connection" and "Cruising"

William Friedkin has slowly been creeping his way into my favorite directors list for awhile now. With my stance that The Exorcist is one of the greatest horror films ever made and my recent love affair with To Live and Die in LA and Killer Joe, this man is proving to me that he can do no wrong. I decided to sit down with two of his classics and check them out.

The French Connection
(1971) [Trailer]
Director: William Friedkin (IMDB)

Synopsis: Two cops, Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, track down a drug ring.

This film is extremely straight to the point. I think that's why I enjoyed it so much. It's a police procedural and that's it. There's no real deep character development, no sub plot, and not much exposition. These guys are cops, they found a possible drug ring, they're gonna fuck the criminals up and that's it. It goes right for the jugular. The film is realistic and gritty, New York in the early 70's looked brutal, way more tough than by today's standards.

I'm just gonna talk about one thing real quick then I'm done here. There's a chase scene involving a subway train and Hackman driving a car. It's awesome. It, as well as the chase scene from To Live and Die in LA, are singlehandedly the two best chase scenes filmed in modern cinema. If there is a book to be written called "How to Film a Chase Scene", William Friedkin should be the author.

Cruising
(1980) [Trailer]
Director: William Friedkin (IMDB)

Synopsis: Al Pacino goes deep undercover to infiltrate the gay S&M night club scene in order to find a killer who's been hacking up his dates.

Growing up and watching stuff like THIS painted my perception of gay bars in a certain light... they looked scary. Now that I'm older and not a retard anymore, I realize gay bars are just normal bars. However, I think in the 80's it was a bit different. You probably had your regular gay bars and then you had your S&M subculture hang outs (no pun intended), like the places pictured in Cruising. These clubs, I would imagine, would be shocking to both straight and gays alike. I'm sure sites like these still exist, but I don't think they are as common anymore. I love this film because it shows you a side of New York, in a certain time, that couldn't really be recreated the same way ever again. Everything in this film is so raw, unsettling, and rough.... Central Park has never looked so ominous. Al Pacino is great in his role... some stand out moments for me would be: the dance scene and the end scene where he's staring at himself in the mirror. This film is highly recommend by me, especially if you're in the mood for something shocking.

Killer Joe

Killer Joe
(2012) [Trailer]
Director: William Friedkin (IMDB)

William Friedkin (The Exorcist and To Live and Die in LA) has been in the game for a long time, he's like that aging quarterback that many think should have retired, but hasn't. I for one am glad he hasn't because we wouldn't have this review for you to read and for me to write.

Synopsis: A young man in debt hatches a plan to kill his mother and collect on the insurance, too bad the guy he hired to do the job is a psychopath.

This movie is fucked. There's no other way to put it. DO NOT bring your parents to see this movie. In fact, in it's honor I'm starting a new label titled just that "Do Not Bring Your Parents to See This Movie". I loved this film, absolutely loved it. When I left the theater I had that great feeling of being completely happy, fulfilled, and entertained. This movie is the reason I go to movies. It's submersive and kept me locked into it's crazy tale throughout the whole experience. Matthew McConaughey again, pulls out a killer (no pun intended) performance, but so did everyone else. Gina Gershon and Thomas Haden Church were really funny, Emile Hirsch plays an excellent screw up, and Juno Temple is nude a lot. Killer Joe is the classic tale of greed and how it leads to one's demise, it reminded me a lot of Fargo and Burn After Reading. It's a real fun time, but not for the faint of heart. One thing is for sure... you'll never look at a fried chicken drum stick the same again.

Shame

Shame
(2011) [Trailer]
Director: Steve McQueen (IMDB)

If you're thinking of seeing this movie with your parents, you're gonna have a bad time.

Synopsis: If you're Michael Fassbender and you're addicted to boning, chances are it's not gonna be hard (no pun intended) finding people to hook up with. This film showcases that fact.

This movie is more of a character study than anything and Fassbender is brilliant as that character. I wouldn't say that this film is void of any plot, it's just not the main focus in my opinion. It's beautifully shot and there are a few really impressive scenes, including Carey Mulligan's singing scene and the jogging scene. There's lots of fucking... there I said it... so get used to it. Actually it's not as graphic as I thought it would be. I really enjoyed this film and I'm looking forward to checking out the director's other film Hunger soon.