Monday, October 16, 2006

TALES FROM NETFLIX - 3 picks

Tales From Netflix are DVD picks from titles you may have never heard of... This time we've got a handful of titles; a demented foreign film, an indy oddity, and an 80's cult classic!
First up, released last week, and all the way from France/Belgium is one truly twisted psychological horror gem, CALVAIRE (The Ordeal).

Many liken this film to the original Texas Chainsaw massacre, and I'll agree in terms of spirit. Like TCM, Calvaire features a roadside trip to the insane, but instead of in your face horror, things spiral into levels of bizarre terror. Centering on a young singer who's equipment van breaks down mid journey in fog filled countryside parts unknown, and an all but abandoned inn that offers him respite. As time goes on, the inn and it's keeper, and the surroundings are anything but.

Calvaire is in French with subtitles, but features strong acting and directing. Several scenes burn deep into your brain, either with clever craft, or for the subtly disturbing imagery. Then of course there are some downright inspired bizarro moments, and some brutally dark ones as well.

If you like taking trips into the darker side of the human condition, or films that challenge the scope of what's possible in film, Calvaire is a must see. It's not for the faint of heart, but it is a haunting and expertly crafted offering.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


Next up is an indy thriller that's creatively inspired, PARANOIA 1.0

Paranoia stars Jeremy Sisto, whom you'd recognize possibly from the recently cancelled NBC show Kidnapped, or any number of film credits, in a near future drama that slowly builds an interesting and stylish mystery. Similar to the original Matrix, but replacing the green tinged dingy inner city cinematography for a sienna tone, and sans the bullet laden action, Paranoia is a future tech head trip with some fun side effects. It doesn't quite grasp the next level, but it's a great journey, and a nicely built work.
RECOMMENDED

And finally, we go all the way back to 1988 for the cult favorite, THEY LIVE

John Carpenter of Halloween fame directs this yuppie bashing sci-fi social commentary featuring Rowdy Roddy Piper. If you haven't seen this one, I'm not going to outline the plot, because it's a fun setup that really propels the whole thing. They Live is a great slice of 80's sci-fi that's part Romero zombie flick part Arnold action feature, blending many genre elements together to great result. Plus it's got one of the best fist fight scenes ever, a classic line, and an awesome twist.

If you're like me and never saw this one, CHECK IT OUT NOW!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


Check out previous Tales From Netflix:
Sars Wars
House of 9
2001 Maniacs

7 comments:

Javier Hernandez said...

Zoinks! Great reviews there (as always!).

I was really digging the review for CALVAIRE. Sounds like a very interesting film that I may not have heard of otherwise. I'll certainly put in 'on my queue', as they say!

Then I scrolled down and saw THEY LIVE! Man, that film is indeed a nice piece of 80s pop! I just bought me a copy on DVD a month or so ago. I originally saw it cause I'm a big Roddy Piper fan, but it's indeed one of Carpenter's best. I love the classic line, too!

I tell ya Jas, someone outta give you yer own DVD Review show!

Jason Martin said...

Jav Man!

As always, thanks for the words!
Glad you dig the DVD picks.

And too funny, you just bought They Live, I actually saw it about a month ago... must'a picked up your vibes!!
An, I'd seen a bit of it a while back and been meaning to watch the whole thing... glad I did!

joeldanford said...

WOW!! You just now saw that? That's practically required watching for the biz we're in. ;)

Jason Martin said...

Yeah Joel, I was a little embarrassed admitting I'd never fully seen it, but figured I had to come clean.
Not sure how I missed it all this time!

Anonymous said...

They Live is the greatest movie made by man or beast...Put on the glasses!

joeldanford said...

I don't know if the greatest.. but it's certainly up there. And now that you've seen it, Jason.. you need to go back and watch the South Park episode: Cripple Fight. They spoof that alleyway fight shot for shot.

Jason Martin said...

Joel, if HC says it's so, it must be!
But yeah, it's a great one!

And, I've seen that ep of South Park, and knew it was a shot for shot of something, but didn't know it was They Live... Ha ha!
That's a must see!

South Park is so cool. Even if I don't watch it for years, it's always there, and it's always funny when I do!