Unbelievable Evil and Chaotic Emptiness

my most Recently seen movies

Quadrant Drama # 90






ENTER THE VOID

by Gaspar Noé
France /Canada 2009

takes place in TOKYO



most charming character : LINDA THE SISTER (Paz de la Huerta)

most crazy character : ALEX THE BROTHEL MANAGER (Cyril Roy)

most provoking character : BRUNO THE BIG DRUG DEALER (Ed Spear)

most honourable character : MARIO THE COMPANION (Masato Tanno)

most mystic character : OSCAR HIMSELF (Nathaniel Brown)


1 Characters
7 Scenery
7 Camerawork

4 Thrill
4 Conflict
0 Humour

2 Psychology
2 Philosophy
1 Fantasy

6 Composition
7 Music
5 Concept

= 46









THE FUTURE

by Miranda July
USA 2011



most charming character : MARSHALL (David Warshofsky)

most crazy character : SOPHIE including VOICE OF PAW-PAW (Miranda July)

most provoking character : DANCE STUDIO RECEPTIONIST (Angela Trimbur)

most honourable character : JASON (Hamish Linklater)

most mystic character : JOE including VOICE OF MOON (Joe Putterlik)



4 Characters
2 Scenery
2 Camerawork

2 Thrill
4 Conflict
5 Humour

4 Psychology
5 Philosophy
6 Fantasy

5 Composition
3 Music
3 Concept

= 45









WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

by Lynne Ramsay
UK /USA 2011



most charming character : SISTER CELIA (Ashley Gerasimovich)

most crazy character : KEVIN AS TEENAGER (Ezra Miller)

most provoking character : KEVIN AS LITTLE BOY (Jasper Newell)

most honourable character : CO-WORKER COLIN (Alex Manette)

most mystic character : MOTHER EVA KHATCHADOURIAN (Tilda Swinton)


2 Characters
1 Scenery
2 Camerawork

4 Thrill
6 Conflict
2 Humour

5 Psychology
1 Philosophy
4 Fantasy

5 Composition
4 Music
3 Concept

= 39









A PROPHET

by Jacques Audiard
France /Italy 2009



most charming character : JORDI (Reda Kateb)

most crazy character : EVERYONE (in the whole prison)

most provoking character : CÉSAR LUCIANI (Niels Arestrup)

most honourable character : NO ONE (not even outside the prison)

most mystic character : MALIK EL DJEBENA HIMSELF (Tahar Rahim)



4 Characters
2 Scenery
2 Camerawork

6 Thrill
7 Conflict
1 Humour

5 Psychology
2 Philosophy
0 Fantasy

3 Composition
1 Music
3 Concept

= 36





I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)





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when Harold Lloyd was Hangin' not only in the Clock Tower

SnowBlack Movie # 1311


Watched this incredible classic over four years ago. Repeating it now (with Maltin's commentary track) I'm more than astonished how all these magical comic scenes can actually be put in the same movie!


SAFETY LAST!
with Harold Lloyd


directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor
USA 1923



4 Characters
6 Scenery
7 Camerawork

7 Thrill
3 Conflict
7 Humour

4 Psychology
2 Philosophy
7 Fantasy

7 Composition
3 Music
6 Concept

= 63


I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)





Instead of role characters, in this movie I pick SCENES. Spoiler warning!

Almost everyone, even the hazardous scenes, is funny in some way or another.

Harold and "the boy" is reffered to as same person.



Explosive scene:
The boy trying to catch the tram, on which dozens of potential passengers are hangin' outside. When he finally also founds a grip, the boy is confronted by a car including the man he happened to tear down...

Exhausted scene:
As Harold has climbed almost the whole building, dingled from the clock and a loose roop too, just to have to face a mouse showing up (as if the hungry birds wasn't enough).

Wise scene:
Even though he was well in time for work, the boy by mistake gets caught in a delivery car, and now becomes late for work.


Shy scene:
Hiding under their hangin' coats, hissing their feet up, as someone search for them in the office...

Crazy scene:
Harold hiding first as a dressed dummy and then as a jumping frog behind an incoming package. As the delivery man turns another way, Harold continues to jump through the store in full open.

Grumpy scene:
An old lady has demanded to take a closer look to every cloth in the whole boutique shelf, but then just wants a small sample of the choosen pattern.

Happy scene: 
The girl friend visiting the boy's working place, and being so impressed by him acting the boss position, never knowing he pretends. The boy is far more successful in creating this live theatre than advance in his actual work.


Beautiful scene:
As Harold needs to get a glimpse of his own reflection, and uses a bald man's head as mirror. Or otherwise the whole modern city behind the building Harold is crawling upon...








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ARRIETTY + PONYO = Miyazaki and more

TriangleDrama # 81
See separate post for "The Moving Castle"








THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY
[KARI-GURASHI NO ARIETTI]

another animated movie from Studio Ghibli
Japan 2010
seen with japanese voices of course


directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki

based on Mary Norton's novel THE BORROWERS





most charming character : SMALL GIRL ARRIETTY

most crazy character : BIG HOUSE MAID HARU

most provoking character : SMALL MOTHER SADAKO

most honourable character : BIG BOY SHÔ

most mystic characters : BIG GRASS HOPPERS (or some other animals)


4 Characters
7 Scenery
7 Camerawork

5 Thrill
3 Conflict
2 Humour

2 Psychology
2 Philosophy
5 Fantasy

4 Composition
6 Music
6 Concept

= 53












PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEA
[GAKE NO UE NO PONYO]

another animated movie from Studio Ghibli
Japan 2008
seen with japanese voices of course


directed by Hayao Miyazaki

loosely based on H.C. Anderson's THE LITTLE MERMAID
and on Wagner's THE VALKYRIE





most charming character : MAIN "MERMAID" BRUNHILDE = PONYO

most crazy character : TOKI and/or YOSHIE

most provoking character : SEA SORCERER FUJIMOTO (FATHER of every "mermaid" and master of the waves)

most honourable character : THE HUMAN BOY SÔSUKE

most mystic character : MOTHER OF THE SEA GRANMAMARE


4 Characters
6 Scenery
7 Camerawork

3 Thrill
2 Conflict
3 Humour

3 Psychology
4 Philosophy
5 Fantasy

4 Composition
5 Music
6 Concept

= 52



I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)

Watson and the not at all Wallflowers

SnowBlack Movie # 1309




THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

directed by Stephen Chbosky
written by Stephen Chbosky

USA 2012



Happy role: PATRICK (Ezra Miller)

Grumpy role: MR. CALLAHAN (Tom Savini)

Crazy role: AUNT HELEN (Melanie Lynskey)

Shy role: ALICE (Erin Wilhelmi)


Explosive role: MARY ELIZABETH (Mae Whitman)

Exhausted role: CHARLIE (Logan Lerman)

Wise role: MR. ANDERSON (Paul Rudd)


Beautiful role: SAM (Emma Watson)



6 Characters
2 Scenery
3 Camerawork

6 Thrill
5 Conflict
4 Humour

7 Psychology
3 Philosophy
2 Fantasy

4 Composition
7 Music
5 Concept

= 54


I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)





Even though the story is set to early 90's (same time as I went to high school) the choice of music is much from 70's glam and 80's postpunk.

I remember also discovering many older superhits by that time, in the fresh 90's as MIX TAPES were given each other like never before (even though I've mixed times and looked back during my whole life).

Best Soundtrack: C'MON EILEEN with Dexy's Midnight Runners, made -82 but never heard it until -90, and then couldn't forget it.








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The Chronicles of Marnia

with Marnie Stern
Released now

Artists I feel has a Similar Sound : Siouxsie & The Banshees, Sparks, Arcade Fire, Kate Bush, Björk, Yoko Ono


And I don't think she sounds crazy, not even unique - just energetic.



most Amusing song: YEAR OF THE GLAD

most Beautiful song: PROOF OF LIFE

most Sexy song: EAST SIDE GLORY

most Smart song: THE CHRONICLES OF MARNIA

most Strange song: YOU DON'T TURN DOWN

most growing Strong song: NOTHING IS EASY



Overall Album

6 sound

1 melodies

5 accompaniment

4 rythms

5 singin' feeling

5 playin' dynamics

6 concept

2 variation

4 lyrics

4 titles

2 order of tracks

3 cover picture

4 historical importance

= 51


I now give 1 to 7 in thirteen cathegories
where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 13 = 91 never exist(?)






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SteamPunk Exhibition on GothCon

Around the Corners of Gothcon, a Gothenburg event for non-digital Games in Fantasy styles

Miyazaki's Moving Castle

SnowBlack Movie # 1305



HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

[HAURU NO UGOKU SHIRO]
by Hayao Miyazaki


an animation made in Japan 2004

watched it with japanese voices
and swedish subtitels [DET LEVANDE SLOTTET]





Happy role:  THE SCARECROW

Grumpy role: MADAME SULIMAN

Crazy role: THE MOVING CASTLE ITSELF

Shy role: SOPHIE AS GRANDMA


Explosive role: CALCIFER THE FIRE DEMON

Exhausted role: WITCH OF THE WASTE

Wise role: HOWL [= HAURU]


Beautiful role: SOPHIE AS GIRL



5 Characters
7 Scenery
6 Camerawork

4 Thrill
3 Conflict
2 Humour

2 Psychology
5 Philosophy
6 Fantasy

6 Composition
4 Music
7 Concept

= 57


I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)




now # 189 on imdb Top 250





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Aimee Mann who made Bachelor No. 2 or The Last Remains of The Dodo

Since season 2 episode 7 of GIRLS included the soundtrack of her fucking cool "How Am I Different", I just had to bring out Aimee Mann again, to hear how she really sounded.

Bachelor shall be her best album, also the only I've ever come across = some years after it was made 2000. Aimee must have inspired more than one female songmaker, leading to the fields of Feist and Fiona Apple. And especially I hear "her style" in swedish pop sirens like Marit Bergman and Sophie Zelmani.

But her music sounds like it was made in The Bangles' period, on the border from 80's into 90's, when beatlesque productions really glistened here and there. Still it feels clear Aimee is grounded in the soil of american folk countryish songwriters, like Carly Simon and many more.




most Amusing song: NOTHING IS GOOD ENOUGH (FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU)

most Beautiful song: IT TAKES ALL KINDS

most Sexy song: HOW AM I DIFFERENT
[co-composed with Jon Brion]

most Smart song: GHOST WORLD

most Strange song: THE FALL OF THE WORLD'S OWN OPTIMIST
[co-composed with Elvis Costello]

most growing Strong song: (CIGARETTES AND) RED VINES

most Loving song: SUSAN



Overall Album

7 sound

6 melodies

6 accompaniment

3 rythms

6 singin' feeling

5 playin' dynamics

4 concept

2 variation

4 lyrics

2 titles

3 order of tracks

2 cover picture

6 historical importance

= 56


I now give 1 to 7 in thirteen cathegories
where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 13 = 91 never exist(?)





And so an extremely good live version of DEATHLY :  Deathly Live







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The Next Day with David Bowie

Finally Released!




most Amusing song: THE NEXT DAY
(They can work with Satan while they dress like the saints
They know God exists for the Devil told them so)

most Beautiful song: WHERE ARE WE NOW? (Berlin)

most Sexy song: IF YOU CAN SEE ME (I can see you)

most Smart song: LOVE IS LOST
(Your house and even your eyes are new, but your fear is as old as the world)

most Strange song: SO SHE [Deluxe Bonus Track]
(first thought he sang "...ever been the Only One Who's Not Alone")

most growing Strong song: I'D RATHER BE HIGH (I'd Rather Be Dead Than...)

most Loving song: (Girl Like You Would Become The) BOSS OF ME




Overall Album

3 sound

5 melodies

4 accompaniment

6 rythms

4 singin' feeling

5 playin' dynamics

4 concept

6 variation

6 lyrics

2 titles

3 order of tracks

4 cover picture

7 historical importance

= 59


I now give 1 to 7 in thirteen cathegories
where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 13 = 91 never exist(?)






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from my Recent Club Rounds

Thirteen East Asian Movies Spiritually Thrilling

I'm no expert at all on films from outside of Europe. Anyway, alot among the few movies from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea a.s.o. I've seen - they really has given rich experience with their psychological mystique...

Here's the ones I've watched more than one time, and will never forget my impressions of some supergreat scenes in:




1

PAPRIKA

by Satoshi Kon
Japan 2006


2

A TALE OF TWO SISTERS

by Jee-woon Kim
South Korea 2003


3

SPIRITED AWAY

by Hayao Miyazaki
Japan 2001


4

R-POINT

by Su-chang Kong
South Korea 2004


5

CUT [a segment from THREE EXTREMES]

by Chan-wook Park
South Korea 2004


6

SEVEN SAMURAI

by Akira Kurosawa
Japan 1954


7

SHI GAN
[= TIME]

by Ki-duk Kim
South Korea 2006


8

RINGU + RINGU II

by Hideo Nakata
Japan 1998-99


9

CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST

by Jin-ho Hur
South Korea 1998


10

SANSHÔ DAYÛ

by Kenji Mizoguchi
Japan 1954


11

RESURRECTION OF THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL

by Sun-woo Jang
South Korea 2002


12

HIJOSHI ZUKAN [consists of six short film segments]

by Keisuke Toyoshima [DRAWFORTUNES!] and five more
Japan 2009


13

AUDITION

by Takashi Miike
Japan 1999








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Hugo The Clockmaker Kid

SnowBlack Movie # 1304




HUGO
in a french milieu of the 1930's

but with mostly british actors

USA 2011
directed by Martin Scorsese
produced by Johnny Depp


based on book by Brian Selznick :
"The Invention of Hugo Cabret : a Novel in Words and Pictures"




Happy role:  ISABELLE THE GIRL (Chloë Grace Moretz)

Grumpy role: STATION INSPECTOR (Sacha Baron Cohen)

Crazy role: MONSIEUR LABISSE THE BOOK KEEPER (Christopher Lee)

Shy role: RENÉ TABARD THE MOVIE AUTHOR (Michael Stuhlbarg)


Extreme role: MADAME EMILIE (Frances de la Tour) OR HER DOG

Exhausted role: GEORGES MÉLIÈS (Ben Kingsley)

Wise role: HUGO CABRET THE BOY (Asa Butterfield) AND HUGO'S DADDY (Jude Law)


Beautiful role: THE ROBOT WITH A CLOCK HEART



6 Characters
7 Scenery
6 Camerawork

4 Thrill
3 Conflict
3 Humour

2 Psychology
6 Philosophy
7 Fantasy

4 Composition
2 Music
7 Concept

= 57


I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)







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