THE DANMAN CAN

Inherent Vice   (2014) is   The Big Lebowski  (1998) meets Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas   (1998). I tried my best to follow the plot and still got confused but I think that's the point. And I laughed a lot.

Whew. What a lofty film. And what a love/hate relationship I have with it after my first viewing. First let me get it out of the way that I think Christopher Nolan  is a "good" filmmaker. I happen to love Memento   (2000)   and  The Prestige  (2006)—both excellent films. I think  Insomnia  (2002)   and Inception  (2010) are "very good" films. In the case of Insomnia , the original film is better, but Nolan's version benefits from some great lead performances. I happen to think his Batman films are overrated and actually don't hold up all that well on repeat viewings. What I admire about Nolan is his willingness to take chances and craft interesting and beautiful-looking films that can equally entertain and frustrate. I'll always go see his films because he's definitely not a "boring" filmmaker. Now on to Interstellar   (2014)... *SPOILERS* Essentially it's a modern version of Armageddon  (1998). It even ...

Focus On Film   Episode 21  is up! Download the MP3  HERE . In this episode: December 2014  Criterion Collection   Titles Announcement Best/Worst Of The Month  – L'AVVENTURA  (1960),  BOYHOOD  (2014),  THE DROP   (2014),  EVILSPEAK  (1981),  LOCKE  (2013),  MOTEL HELL  (1980) "Criterion Most Wanted" "Focus On Film Theme"  & commercial music:  Daniel Sardella

"You gotta be fucking kidding..." "I dunno what the hell's in there, but it's weird and pissed off, whatever it is." " There's nothing more I can do, just wait... This is R.J. MacReady, helicopter pilot, US outpost # 31 ." "I  mean  it." "I know you gentlemen have been through a lot, but when you find the time, I'd rather not spend the rest of this winter TIED TO THIS FUCKING COUCH!"  "Yeah, fuck you too!"

What to say about a film like this? It's all just images and sound—some of the most gorgeous images and sounds you will ever see and hear, that is. How do you "rate" a movie such as this exactly? I find it perfect, as an experience. If you've seen Baraka  (1992) you know what you're in for. Samsara  (2011) is similar, but focuses more on human subjects and man-made (or destroyed) things. What's it about...? Everything and nothing. Screencaps courtesy of  Film Grab

Beyond The Black Rainbow (2010) is  2001  (1968) meets Eraserhead  (1977) meets The Man Who Fell To Earth  (1976) meets Amer  (2009) meets  THX 1138  (1971) meets Cronenberg meets Coscarelli meets Vangelis meets Tangerine Dream . I saw this as part of the Independent Film Festival Boston , in 35 mm, and it was phenomenal . I want the soundtrack so bad. I want a Blu-ray. I want to see this again.

Definitely a movie to see with an audience, as it straddles the line between "so bad it's good" and "so bad it's bad", mostly leaning toward the latter...