Who wants to eat the girl? & Other Stuff

With October rapidly approaching I thought I'd recommend a recent horror film I watched the other day.

"Mother of Tears" (released in it's native Italy as "La Terza Madre") is the third film in a trilogy that director Dario Argento began back in the late 70s & early 80s with "Susperia" and "Inferno" respectively. Now please don't be scared off by the fact that it's an Italian film and a sequel to two films you likely have not seen. The film is dubbed into English (as Italian films often are) and no prior knowledge is required in order to "get" the story. All that you as a viewer will need is a strong stomach and the ability to appreciate genre filmmaking of a high order.

Though some of the effects appear to be rather lo-fi they make up for it in brutality. Argento's camera never turns away and always goes in for a closer look. Some of the images in this film cannot be unseen - and that's a good thing. While many films depict a hero fighting against "unspeakable evil" the menace that villain is often not made palpable. By showing all the gory details of what these bad people do, the stakes are raised. We know what is at risk if the hero fails. There is no doubt that it will be bad. But there are also great moments of levity.

Don't feel guilty if you find yourself laughing at parts. This movie is not a one trick pony. Argento is a skilled filmmaker, capable of pushing all your right buttons. This movie features an evil monkey for fuck's sake. Have fun with it. This is by no means the real world. It's a movie and takes place very much in a movie world.

Fuck the "Saw" films. There's nothing fun in those films. And more importantly, you don't give a fuck who dies. Nothing hurts. I want a film that hurts. It let's me know I'm still human.

In other news...

As you've likely already heard, Paul Newman died today at the age of 83. Over his long career he brought so many memorable characters to life. I have yet to see a film where I didn't like him in it and I doubt I ever will. We have lost one of the greats.

With all respect to Mr. Newman and his loved ones, let's end this blog on a lighter note.

Here is a picture of Sacha Baron Cohen crashing a runway show during Milan Fashion Week as his flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista character Brüno!

Too bad he didn't do this at New York Fashion Week. Oh to see him interacting with Tim Gunn and the Project Runway Gang! One can only dream.

Aww fuck it. Let's end this on a somber note. Paul's worth it.