“It seems people aren’t dying fast enough these days.”
In the analysis of anything lastingly great, we’d all love to know what repeatable formula might yield the same results. Hollywood strives for that formula time & again. Here was such an example; re-mined for more gold with a new version in 2002. It could never possibly have succeeded as well though. It could not repeat what this 1960 movie had. Foremost, there was everything truly original & inspirational in H.G. Wells’ 1895…
“Bad luck isn't brought by broken mirrors, but by broken minds.”
Dario Argento’s previous movie ‘Profondo rosso’ translates to ‘Deep Red’. Anyone who’s a fan or seen ‘Suspiria’ knows where I’m going with this already. Never have I seen a film so vibrantly concerned with its colour palette as this. And oh boy is Red the colour of choice. It’s in colour filters from the off at Munich Airport. Ladies dresses. Car brake lights. The walls & wallpaper of the Tanz…
“Another critical miscalculation on you part. I am well. It is you who are dead.”
The few minutes Opening Credits to this film is an utter delight. Silent era Shakespearian set-pieces are reconstructed in black & white, accompanied by a gorgeous, melancholy theme by Michael J. Lewis, picked out by guitar, then arranged sumptuously for strings & orchestra. The entire character of Edward Kendal Sheridan Lionheart - as he sees himself – is perfectly depicted by this piece, as we watch this…
“You're not daydreaming. You're sleepwalking.”
My Big Screen Worthing Film Club screening of this tragi-wonderful film came with merciful air conditioning. Yet I could feel the heat emanating from the screen. The narrow streets & matchbox apartments surround a thrumming Hong Kong marketplace in which everyone seems to be gasping for air. At the Midnight Express fast food takeaway, a counter-top Fan is worked to death. Residents loiter around cold drink refrigerators, while sweating is as natural as breathing.
The film…
The Case:
General Audiences vs. “Beau is Afraid”
Complaint: What does any of it mean?
Defence: It is promoted as a surrealist comedy horror by Ari Aster.
Complaint: It's 3 hours long.
Defence: It is promoted as a surrealist comedy horror by Ari Aster.
Complaint: What the hell was in the attic?
Defence: It is promoted as a surrealist comedy horror by Ari Aster.
Complaint: Was there some Jewish nightmare idea beyond anything Woody Allen ever broached about mothers & sons?…
"We were almost ready to try voodoo."
Well – I get some small self back pat by referencing the Gary Numan score in a Post earlier in the week. What a shame the film did not work with or deserve it. I’m pretty sure there was no traditional stage of director/ composer interaction leading to the end result. Exhibit A: someone is shown committing seppuku, while whimsical synth plink-plonks bounce around. Exhibit B: I can clearly hear the cues that…
