Saturday, April 30, 2011
PSYCHED OUT
Today's film was
I know. It is an old movie. But I didn't see it. I was afraid to watch it when it came out.
But, the other day, I read an "appreciation" of the film by someone that I used to respect and ordered it.
It is interesting that I had trouble putting this DVD into my machine. It kept popping out. I figured, shit, I have a malfunctioning player. I even tried it in John's machine and it worked in there. I tried another disc on my computer but that one worked fine.
What's up?
I tried it one more time and it took. The film began.
Wheeeew. What a mistake to watch this. It is some really bad, over the top violence porn parading as art. I stayed until Christian Bale kills his first victim. A homeless guy in an alley. Black. With a dog that looks like Booker. I knew. I knew. Fuck. He kills the guy and then stomps the dog. I couldn't get out of their fast enough. I am still shaking.
Then I thought that I was being overly sensitive and went back and, believe it or not, the disc stayed in the machine but just at that scene, it found scratches and I got a "damaged section" signal and it skipped everything until the chainsaw scene. If you haven't seen the film, I won't tell you.
You can use the phrase "sophisticated satire" all you want and it will not cover the pollution of this film.
It, of course, is showing evil people. The killing is a simple of extension of hostile male behavior that is tolerated every day. Bale's character just acts out a bit more vividly. It has been described as a feminist movie. But there is no relief.
Well, there is. Christian Bale naked is always a nice diversion. But not enough, here.
I am wondering about the universal hand that was trying to keep me from seeing this. The failed DVD insertion, the damaged area, the personal feeling I didn't want to see it, the revulsion at the people's behavior even before the killing started.
This was made in 2000. Just before the bubble broke. Wall Street greed way beyond Gordon Gecko. Then the bust.
It is also pre-9-11. A pause here to think through who got hit and why.
It has been an interesting experience. I am sure the way I am feeling now is worse than if I had stayed the course. I would have gotten sated, and calloused and been able to take it and all that.
I am glad that I didn't. I feel soiled but not as soiled as I would be if I let this shit pass as art without saying it is not.
Yes. It can be seen as an uptown horror movie. But somehow that doesn't work for me. It is at a too high production standard, a message movie kind of thing. Distinguished by stars and all.
I am running down now. The adrenaline is waning.
It has had its effect and I am paying the price. I got the effect after only a few "chapters". Economy of scale.
What about its Netflix rating?
I didn't like it. I couldn't see all of it and wouldn't if it allowed me too.
That is a 1 out of Netflix5.
Or, a zero. But they don't let you do that.
Labels: films
