You know, the things that unsettle me the most are the surreal and dream-like films that put me in a world that actually makes me forget this reality exists. I’m giving away my secret recommendation of three of the most surreal and nightmarish films for you to view this season—if you dare. They’re bleak, their apocalyptic, they’re musically and artistically brilliant. One is fairly well heard of, one is very obscure, and the last one is mainstream; a little something for all.
Eraserhead: This 1977 David Lynch film is so disturbing, I literally cannot watch it without several strange dreams. I’ve never seen anything even remotely like it. It’s visually stunning and bleak at the same time with a use of lighting that is pure artistry. The use of industrial sound throughout the movie and very little dialogue is moody and unsettling. The imagery and storyline are a nightmare come to life. There are cult followers of this film who have many interpretations of its meaning. I simply enjoyed what appeared to be a film hooked up to a man who is afraid of intimacy with women while he’s in the REM state.
Brothers Quay: Stephen and Timothy Quay are, I believe, two of the most brilliant animators of all time. Forget “Shrek” or any of that other pulp in the theater. This is what it should be about—a true world you can dive into and forget reality. If you’re scared of dolls, these films will absolutely unsettle you. The first time I watched them, I was in the dark alone. I actually had to turn on the light. I’m not a person who ever gets scared but I got so lost in the film that I felt like this world existed. That’s true artistry. This will fascinate you for hours!
Silent Hill: This 2006 film was based on a video game. It’s a popular trend but one I’m watching because, even though I’m a skeptic, it seems they’re spitting out good films based on games (like one of my favorite directors, James Wan doing “Castlevania” – the same guy who did “Dead Silence” and “Saw.”) This movie is about a woman and her child. They go out seeking the adopted girl’s history only to lose the daughter in an alternate dimension in an abandoned mining town. It’s grim, beautiful, horrifying with its creatures, and very nightmarish. This is so beautiful to watch, you shouldn’t multitask during it, and it's very frightening.
Eraserhead: This 1977 David Lynch film is so disturbing, I literally cannot watch it without several strange dreams. I’ve never seen anything even remotely like it. It’s visually stunning and bleak at the same time with a use of lighting that is pure artistry. The use of industrial sound throughout the movie and very little dialogue is moody and unsettling. The imagery and storyline are a nightmare come to life. There are cult followers of this film who have many interpretations of its meaning. I simply enjoyed what appeared to be a film hooked up to a man who is afraid of intimacy with women while he’s in the REM state.
Brothers Quay: Stephen and Timothy Quay are, I believe, two of the most brilliant animators of all time. Forget “Shrek” or any of that other pulp in the theater. This is what it should be about—a true world you can dive into and forget reality. If you’re scared of dolls, these films will absolutely unsettle you. The first time I watched them, I was in the dark alone. I actually had to turn on the light. I’m not a person who ever gets scared but I got so lost in the film that I felt like this world existed. That’s true artistry. This will fascinate you for hours!
Silent Hill: This 2006 film was based on a video game. It’s a popular trend but one I’m watching because, even though I’m a skeptic, it seems they’re spitting out good films based on games (like one of my favorite directors, James Wan doing “Castlevania” – the same guy who did “Dead Silence” and “Saw.”) This movie is about a woman and her child. They go out seeking the adopted girl’s history only to lose the daughter in an alternate dimension in an abandoned mining town. It’s grim, beautiful, horrifying with its creatures, and very nightmarish. This is so beautiful to watch, you shouldn’t multitask during it, and it's very frightening.
Holy Hanna - those dolls are creepy!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah of course are dolls a creepy...when I was a little I was afriaf of dark and plus I hate dolls...why?? Cause I feel uneasy when there dolls...feel like the dolls is watching my every move
DeleteHeather;
ReplyDeleteYeah, their movies take you into these creepy abandoned looking worlds with lots of doll parts and mechanical things and strange music...I just adore them!
i definitely have to see silent hill! and the creepy dolls? all i could think about was how awesome it would look if you have time & made some of those to just scatter around here & there at the party. you know, like in the house, on the lawn, in the pool...
ReplyDeleteLibby;
ReplyDeleteWe always think alike! Yeah, I was watching that clip again and thought the same thing. What if I cut the tops off some Saver's store dolls and take their eyes out. Line them up and then shine a light from behind them that will make it glow through their eyes? Very very creepy! I'm setting up a huge white sheet against the side of the shed in the yard and during the night having a projector project images of black and white scenes of bombed cities, mushroom clouds, and abandoned buildings to suit the theme of the part, but originally I wanted to use Brothers Quay films showing nonstop. I'm thinking I might mix it up for a creepy effect with starting out with stills then leading into the films. You'll love Silent Hill. I'm going to be doing some give-aways soon so stay posted. You might win yourself some movies. :-)
Halloween has been my youngest sons favorite holiday...forever.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone has something in their yard or on the porch that isn't supposed to move..then does..I always jump and embarrass myself.
@eloh;
ReplyDeleteThen you'd probably have trouble making it to my door on Halloween. :-)
Silent Hill was very distribing in parts but I couldn't keep my eyes off it! I haven't seen the others I'll have to keep an eye open for them.
ReplyDeletei love the story of your house! have you ever posted a picture of iit?
ReplyDeleteJoyce;
ReplyDeleteYeah, there's a picture on my main page of my blog (1860s) but now that you mention it, I might add some more really cool pic's of it.
Speaking of nightmare-inducing films, Autumn? Another Lynch, Mulholland Drive, left me feeling on edge for weeks after I'd seen it, all on the recommendation of an art school bud (thanxz a LOT, Robaire! LOL) as well as the original British 1963 treatment of Lord of the Flies. Gods! Satanist Kenneth Anger, world renowned for Lucifer Rising (see it HERE in its entirety, had said, "Mankind's darkest hour was the day they invented the cinema!"
ReplyDeleteThank you for raising the Bros Quay, too. Soundtracks in several were done by recovered schizo-affective musicians, His Name Is Alive, thus adding even more between-worlds atmosphere.
So wanting to makes movies,
Anadæ Effro (•8-)}
Wow! We just bought Mulholland because Alex (my son) is crazy for David Lynch. He's focusing on cinema shorts now. As soon as his next one is up on YouTube, I'll let you know. I haven't seen Mulholland yet, but I can't wait. What was that one...Lost Highway??? That was terribly creepy. Amazing talent. I will definitely check out Lucifer Rising. I'm always trying to find new quirky things that suit my creepy mind. :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry I forgot to men-shun, cute, not creepy, animated film shorts filmmaker, Katy Towell, has a delightful site here from which anyone can access all her skewed storylines, Emmaline, The Little Girl Who Was Forgotten By Absolutely Everyone (Even the postman), being one of my all-time favourites.
ReplyDeleteWanting to MAKE (i meant) movies,
Anadæ Effro (•8-)}
PS Autumn, yes, yes, & yes! Silent Hill was beyond scary, but Darkness Falls is another brilliant scare fest, one esp. intended to worry the godfearing, one that you'll be sure to find compelling, Autumn. Sweet dreams, kiddies! ~ (•8-0}
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDamn, sleep deprivation, Autumn, DOUBLE sorry. I meant the 2002 film "DARKNESS" starring former indie phenom directrix Lina Wertmüller's most utilised & best favoured alumnus, Giancarlo Giannini as the little Spanish mountain village's secret Satanist hellbent on opening the Gates of Hell to take over the world. Spooky ooky! And all the best of luck to your son, Alex, in all his cinematic endeavours.
ReplyDeleteI saw "Darkness." It was definitely spooky--interesting idea.
ReplyDelete