Thursday Movie Picks: The Dark/Night
1) Maniac
Elijah Wood plays a mannequin owner who moonlights as a serial killer. I know this is a remake of an 80's film, but this one was so gory and out there that I couldn't help but love it.
2) I Saw The Devil
When a serial killer murders his fiance one night, a man decides to take justice into his own hands. Only instead of murdering the killer himself, he tracks him and continuously beats him down, lets him live, then waits for him to try to kill again so he can rinse and repeat. It's a commentary on who's becoming a monster. It's hard to watch but fascinating.
3) 30 Days of Night
When a town in Alaska enters their yearly month with no sunlight, a group of vampires take the opportunity to wreak havoc on them. I read the graphic novel as well and I enjoyed this film. It's beautifully shot and you can never go wrong with Ben Foster.
I've seen none of these. I like Ben Foster but seriously doubt I'll ever watch any of these. Gore just is not my thing in any way.
ReplyDeleteWith that said this week presented a bit of a challenge. I knew it was supposed to be suggestive of horror but I went for film that simply were set after the sun went down with no horror elements attached.
Night on Earth (1991)-Quintet of narrative tales set in cities around the world as a taxi driver in each city picks up a fare at the exact same moment and we share their lives and stories during the rides. A fable directed by Jim Jarmusch populated with quite a cast including Winona Ryder, Gena Rowlands, Rosie Perez and Armin Mueller-Stahl.
The Night Before (1988)-Nerdy high school senior Winston Connelly (Keanu Reeves) regains consciousness late at night in an alley dressed in a tux. Problem is he has no idea how he ended up there, where exactly in L.A. he is nor where his car, wallet or more importantly his date (Lori Loughlin) are either! As he stumbles around he recalls getting sidetracked on the way to the prom and that now Tito the pimp is trying to kill him. It sounds like a drama but is played for comedy, goofy but harmless.
After Hours (1985)-Oddity of poor snook Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), a button down computer processor who through a series of crossed wires and misunderstanding spends one surreal night in downtown Manhattan in a seemingly futile attempt to get back uptown. Dunne is perfect in the lead surrounded by a bunch of zany characters enacted by among others Teri Garr, Rosanna Arquette, Linda Fiorentino, Catherine O’Hara and Cheech & Chong. Nominated for the Palm d’Or with Martin Scorsese winning the Cannes director prize.
I know horror isn't your thing. :) I haven't seen any of your picks this week either.A saw a different movie called The Night Before lol
DeleteI haven't seen any of these but I really want to see 30 Days of Night.
ReplyDeleteThey're all great films. That one is beautifully shot.
DeleteI've seen 30 Days of Night which I thought was alright. I haven't seen your other picks but they definitely fit in with the theme.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like the other picks as well.
DeleteWe match on 30 Days. Great pick. Your best pick, though, is I Saw the Devil. I wouldn't have thought of it for this theme, but yeah I can see that. Even if it didn't fit at all, it just a fantastic and brutal movie. I need to see your first pick.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd dig Maniac.
Delete30 Days of Night had such a great look! Also I really like Melissa George, she should be getting better roles
ReplyDeleteI like her too!
DeleteI have not seen any of these and I don’t think I will but I always thought, why don’t vampires go way up north when there is no sun...they would have a field day.
ReplyDeleteThese ones do. lol
DeleteDon't think I'll see your first two, but I really like 30 Days of Night and would like to read the graphic novel as well.
ReplyDeleteI read all three graphic novels, they're good!
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