Strange Circus (Dir. Sion Sono) –
Mitsuko’s 12 year old existence is obliterated by a hell of incest & physical abuse. Her only escape is a fantasy carnival world. The climax of this film reveals the transformative power of pain.
The director’s use of colour & surreal imagery is masterful. On par (but different from) the works of Alejandro Jodorowsky. Left me feeling disoriented & stunned. A must watch.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUBTVug4SP8
Surveillance (Dir. Jennifer Lynch) –
Proxy (Dir. Zack Parker, 2013) –
Esther is pregnant. After losing the baby she joins a support group for bereaved parents. There she meets Melanie who lost her son.
That’s the surface story. Most of these characters are liars.
This is a sick, challenging & complicated movie. Repeated viewings will leave viewers unsure what is real & what is in the minds of the people involved. If art is meant to provoke, disturb & disorient (slightly) then Zack Parker has done his job.
Extreme graphic violence, lots of blood & psychopaths. Enjoy.
This is an old review but it's scary given current events in the US - The Purge: Election Year --
Watching this sends chills down my spine. The idea that the US government would try to save money by killing the poor seems on point given current events.
If you haven't seen the first two films, part 2 is definitely superior. It fleshes out the ideas in the first movie. The purge is the one night a year when any crime is allowed without legal consequences. Only the rich can afford to fortify their houses to ensure survival.
Riots, shootings, rape, destruction & mayhem are unleashed along with the inner beasts of the purgers.
This installment begins with a woman Senator running for President. She wants the purge outlawed. The men in power can't allow this to happen. This film starts hard by showing the remnants of a torture session.
Fiction or prophesy. Brrr.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpRpMc3icvQ
Truth or Dare (2013, Dir. Jessica Cameron) -- An internet show gets updating by a crazed fan. No more staging fake outcomes to Russian roulette or other dangerous games. He's in control of the rules now. Contains squirm inducing violence, you were warned.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8J7qVONFmE&fbclid=IwAR3gBImG84DG5oJ3uLB9yDcSds0QhKD2B7COLC4I594FDGCi_uSD4pTwTk8
The Young Poisoners Handbook -- A young man poisons family members & people at work. He takes sadistic glee in recording their symptoms & progression of illness until death.
I saw it in a movie theater & felt physically sick during & afterwards. Part of the problem is that I wasn't prepared for how rough it was as it was marketed as dark comedy. There's nothing funny about this movie. Based on a true story.
I watched it a second time for review purposes & I don't want to see it again.
Full movie link below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpEU8Ed1JP8&t=1273s
Scrapbook (2000, Dir. Eric Stanze) -- Clara is captured, raped & brutalized by a psychopath. I am surprised this film comes up rarely on lists of disturbing cinema.
The rape scenes are over the top including use of a bottle. What really stuck with me though was when Clara has milk poured over her & is sealed into a garbage can in the boiling sun.
The dvd extras made me feel worse. The actress playing Clara was never told what would happen in advance of appearing on the set each day. The director always demanded more ''realism''. I think she allowed herself to be raped & abused to make this movie.
I felt dirty after watching it & desperately wanted a bath.
The Bunny Game is a similar film but less effective.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2Vnh_i6FU8&fbclid=IwAR33gVdMcdJf2AkWkGcz7mIYz4-yPbCoDT2DO2Tkuc3JiQTcgO6qLfKqyQo
