The Films of Claire Denis: Chocolat (1988)

The camera gives us, the audience,  a view of  the Atlantic Ocean. This scene is not particularly peaceful. The waters here don’t look beautiful. The ocean roils into muddy bubbles. An African-American father and son though play unconcerned in these not particularly calm waters. The camera then turns to a white woman named France, watching... Continue Reading →

Hooptober 2022 #29: The Hidden (1987)

There’s always been something… off about actor Kyle MacLachlan. On the surface, MacLachlan is a traditionally handsome actor. In his performances, he can exude deep empathy or be a total prick. However, he always comes across as one step removed from society, an otherworldly presence. One of the great missed opportunities is he never got... Continue Reading →

Hooptober 2022 #26: The Bride (1985)

Something that rarely works is the “prestige” horror film. Before elevated horror was a thing, studios occasionally tried to legitimize horror films by casting with A-list stars instead of genre stalwarts, getting well known directors, and making the films variations on classic stories. The idea being they would make the “good” horror film. These films... Continue Reading →

Hooptober 9.0 – Lifeforce (1985)

Being Film #23 for Hooptober 2022 Of course, every Hooptober must contain a review of a Tobe Hooper film, and Dan has maybe forced me to re-assess my negative experience with Eaten Alive based on his review. And I may still do that, but for this year's entry I needed to return to something else,... Continue Reading →

Hooptober 2022 #22: Shocking Dark (1989)

In the fine tradition of Italian knockoffs such as Starcrash and Contamination, comes Bruno Mattei’s Shocking Dark. Knockoff is generous though. An acquaintance described this film as one clearly written by a 12 year old which isn’t far off. Only if it was an ambitious 12 year old that only watched James Cameron’s pre-Abyss films.... Continue Reading →

Hooptober 9.0 – The Hidden (1987)

Being Film #19 for Hooptober 2022 Called an audible last night since I needed something fun and fast to watch between school pickups, dinners, and other Dad-related duties, so I pulled The Hidden out from the Criterion Channel's recent spotlight on 80s horror. Man, if ever a movie felt like all of the 80s rolled... Continue Reading →

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