fabian-16 Reviews

Ballet mécanique (1924)

Genius - one of the greatest short films ever made.

[16 April 2001]

I was lucky enough to see 'Ballet Mécanique' some eight months ago at a screening of Dadaist films which included work by the likes of Hans Richter and Oskar Fischinger, and this stood out as being the highlight of the programme.

Certainly now one of my favourite films, Léger's vision came about as close to the ideal of synaesthesia as anyone has ever achieved - the visuals are so synchronised with the soundtrack that the filmic experience takes on an entirely new dimension, completely mesmerising the viewer.

Such is 'Ballet Mécanique' that words can do it little justice - the title alone perhaps best describes it. If you get the chance to view this rather obscure masterpiece, make sure you do.

From the Drain (1967)

The earliest example of Cronenberg's genius

[18 January 2001]

Yes, I've seen 'From The Drain'! Do I get a certificate or something? Am I the most dedicated Cronenfan ever? Surely one of them (or at least I'd like to think I was, as do all obsessives). Until recently, 'Stereo' and 'Crimes of the Future' were the ultimate target for obscurity, but here is a new one.

Anyway, this black and white short (roughly 13 mins) is simply brilliant, in my humble opinion. Shot in a darkened bathroom, it concerns a surreal dialogue between two very strange men sitting in a bath (that probably counts as a spoiler for this film). One man is camp and talkative, while the other is a nervous nutter, concerned that a bathplug be placed in the 'drain end of the tub' to stop 'tendrils' from 'coming up from the drain'. I won't go into too much detail, because the dialogue is the basis of the film.

This snapshot of a film actually has a sense of warmth and humanity not necessarily present in Cronenberg's later work, partly achieved by the charming soundtrack, and it is also more avant-garde in style, but the sinister, strange, and slightly detached qualities that went on to become his trademark are equally present, as the title suggests.

I cannot praise 'From The Drain' highly enough, and it is possibly now my favourite short of all time (up there with 'Un Chien Andalou'). If you get a chance to see it, make sure you do.

Shivers (1975)

A genuinely unique horror classic

[30 August 2000]

Many people dislike this film, saying that it dated badly and was poorly done, and those who don't are often only interested in it for its demonstration of Cronenberg's embryonic style. I find this puzzling, for, in my opinion, it was a stroke of genius. It has hardly dated at all, and lacks the comic element of its contemporaries (see Night of the Living Dead, and all 70s Zombie-genre films). From the brilliantly sinister intro to the open-ended ending, I promise that this will leave a long-lasting mark on your memory. It would be unfair to compare it to Cronenberg's more recent work, owing to the fact that he gradually departed from this sort of horror as he developed, but taken as a stand-alone or as the feature debut of the man whom I believe to be contemporary cinema's greatest mind (I have to correct the last post which stated that it was not his first feature - sorry, but 'feature' means full-length, and 'Stereo'/'Crimes of the Future' which you mentioned were technically shorts), this film is a must-see, although the sometimes extreme gore and bizarre subject matter might prove too extreme for certain viewers.

Clubbed to Death (Lola) (1996)

Delightful

[25 July 2000]

This film is one of my personal favourites, although I doubt many people would call it a classic. It has a very luscious, stylish feel to it that isn't particularly common. There is something very French about it - while depressing in one sense, it is very warm and satisfying in another. The story is a fairly empty one about a young girl turned neophyte clubber on the outskirts of Paris, but it isn't really trying to convey a story so much as a feeling. The main characters - the pretty, upbeat, confused little girl and the faintly hopeless, depressed, drug-dependent boxer have very unique qualities that counteract each other in a compelling way, and the film ultimately deals with such issues as the pointlessness of life. What really elevates this film, though, is the soundtrack. Each track was carefully handpicked, and the dream-like club scenes are a sheer joy to watch. As the director Yolande Zauberman said (I think), the soundtrack is one of the main actors in this film. Although Rob D's 'Clubbed To Death' is the central pinnacle, there are many other exquisite offerings such as the more commercial 'Leave Home' by the Chemical Brothers, or Gavin Bryars' short orchestral 'Farewell To Philosophy Bar'. Certain tracks such as 'Rollin' & Scratchin' by the pop-status Daft Punk were in the film but failed to make it to the disc. It is also worth noting that all of the tracks used in this film were pretty obscure at the time - Daft Punk didn't make their breakthrough until about a year later.

Bad Boy Bubby (1993)

Unforgettable

[25 July 2000]

This is an impossibly dark, twistedly humorous and deliciously disturbing picture, occupying a definite space in my Top 10. It is one of the most compelling films I have ever seen by far. While certain elements swerve slightly towards the unpleasant side, it's suitably charming enough taken as a whole that the viewer can never take his/her eyes off the screen. I think everyone can relate to this film, in different ways. The central character is extraordinarily powerful, but every face on display is its own bold, occasionally familiar canvas - perhaps as we are presented with life in an childlike way, the individual people in 'our surroundings' are highlighted, or emphasized. The scenes of Bubby 'singing' in a band are probably some of the most memorable moments in cinema. In short, a modern classic, and essential viewing for all and sundry.

The Dead Zone (1983)

The Most Subtle Horror Film Ever

[25 July 2000]

This is probably the most subtle horror film that I have ever seen - one of Cronenberg's marked best and probably the most intelligent Stephen King adaptation. Note that I use the term 'horror', for while on the surface this might be referred to, like many Stephen King adaptations, as a 'thriller', there is a deeply sinister undercurrent present throughout. Relying only on a minimum of shocks and visual surprises, the film focuses instead on the excellent plot and the faultless performance from Walken. There is also quite a 'moral' feel relevant to the time, highlighting the gap between early 80s film-making and modern day. And the ending? Well, all I can say is that it is probably one of the most ingenious climaxes ever used in a film, and it'll leave a lasting picture in your memory.

The Fly (1986)

A masterpiece aided by special effects

[9/10 · 22 July 2000]

I think that this is a grossly underrated film - a noteworthy landmark in modern horror. I would expect nothing less than excellent from my favourite director Cronenberg, and this doesn't disappoint. Goldblum's performance is particularly good as the nervy scientist Brundle, but I think the main reason for the film's achievement is its structure - very subtle, very well made. Most of the action takes place in the last third of the picture, but there is a great suspense building up to that point. And the special effects are jaw-dropping - Brundle's hideous transformation is reminiscent of Lynch's 'The Elephant Man'. This film has a reputation for being unnecessarily gory, which is actually not at all true. It is a very intelligent picture, about love and other issues as much as horror, and a must-see for anyone.