Great photo!

DVD Review: Martyrs

Last year, the horror community was treated to an unexpected surprise with the taut, gory thriller Inside. The movie confirmed the French as the new masters of current horror. Personally, the film scarred me senseless and I have seen it three times since. This year's so called "Inside" is Martyrs, another uber-violent French horror flick. However, the comparison should end at the origin of the film's creators. The films couldn't be more different in intention. While Inside delights in scares and thrills, Martyrs is out to sear itself into your psyche. To call it a psychological horror film doesn't surmise it enough.

The film centers around two women, one has escaped from some torture scenario only to be haunted by viscous hallucinations. The other is madly in love with the first one and is trying to help her carry out revenge on her captures. The first half features a mix of scares and intrigue, however once the revenge is carried out at the mid-way mark, the film veers into territory few other horror films have. The comparisons will be likely to Hostel or Saw but make no mistake, Martyrs is working on a different plain. The extreme torture and violence that comes past the 40min mark all has a purpose. It is not played at all for thrills or chills but to leave you battered and numb. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I admire it. The film tries hard to make the violence not be in the vain of pleasure and excitement but of purpose. Oddly the film could be said to have a happy ending even.

I cannot begin to ever recommend this film, but if you do see it then we should talk cause I imagine you must have a lot to say about it. I know I do.

Bat For Lashes

Bat For Lashes came out with a highly praised album a couple of years ago. I dismissed it as a Bjork wannabe and didn't give it nearly enough of a chance. The new album just dropped and "Daniel" the first single is on repeat on my iPod. I really dig her performance on Letterman(see below). I think she has a Siouxsie thing going on. Check it out.

Too Funny!

April Showers Mix

New Mix Out!!!!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/v3p1w2

Now We Can See- The Thermals- Now We Can See
Track 03- Mazes- Mazes 1
Poem Party- The Strange Boys And Girls Club
Maint Title Blow Up(1)- Herbie Hancock- Blow Up Soundtrack
Motown Bizarre- WhoMadeWho- The Plot
Ballskin- DOOM- Born Like This
Cher Chez La Ghost- Ghostface Killah- Supreme Clientele
Hang You from the Heavens- The Dead Weather- The Dead Weather - Single
Lay it Down- Peter Bjorn and John- Living Thing
Vacationing People- Foreign Born- Person to Person
Bayonets- Amazing Baby
Perfect Fit- Apostle Of Hustle- Eats Darkness
Blue Tears- Cryptacize- Mythomania
Red Light- The Vibrarians Red Light b/w Modern Walker & Woods
Gun In The Sun- WAVVES- WAVVVES
Compulsion- Doves- Kingdom Of Rust
Tea Leaf Dancers- Flying Lotus- Reset EP

After Thoughts on "I Love You, Man"

For me I usually form two opinions about a movie I see. There is the immediate reaction walking out of the theater. This is usually a gut reaction that can be convoluted with expectations I had going in or the need to pee. Days or weeks later my opinion of the film usually changes and becomes well thought out. This opinion factors in all my knowledge of film and storytelling.

When I walked out of "I Love You, Man" I was entertained by it, if not a bit underwhelmed having hoped for a new comedy classic being a big fan of both stars. However over the last few days many of the moments in the film I found a bit formulaic have revealed themselves as something unique. I started to appreciate the films themes of having a good male friend in your life. There is a special quality to how the film avoids machismo and stereotypes of male bonding. Instead it chooses to champion the rarity of a great friend you love and made me thankful for my great friend Kevin.

What the...? Sean "Larry" Penn

Casting is finally being announced for the Farrelly Brothers‘ The Three Stooges. Jim Carrey is in talks to play Curly. Carrey is planning to gain 40 pounds for the role so that he can more closely match the physical look of Jerome “Curly” Howard. Sean Penn is set to play Larry, and Benicio Del Toro is currently in talks to play Moe. This is the exact opposite of a movie that makes me go ga ga over it. This sounds troubled and could be disastrous, and not in that good bad way I love. Sean Penn as a Stooge. It just seems to odd of a thought for me to handle. On the bright side, I usually enjoy the Farrelly Brother's movies to some degree so maybe it will just sort of suck.