I am 1000% sure Wes Anderson was really into their work. They were doing Wes Anderson type shots in their documentaries in the 70s. They’re even dressed like Steve Zissou half the time. Loved it
A passage goes thus:
“Finally the cataclysm began – the monstrous headache, the enfeebling exhaustion, the severe nausea, the raging fever, the unbearable muscle ache, followed in another forty-eight hours by the paralysis.”
Once infected, the virus invades the nervous system and begins to destroy nerve cells which control the muscles, especially in the legs. If someone is paralysed by polio, there is a 10 percent chance they will die when the disease reaches their respiratory system. There is no cure.
“He was there for three weeks before he no longer needed catheterisation and enemas, and they moved him upstairs and began treatment with steamed woollen hot packs wrapped around his arms and legs, all of which were initially stricken.”
“He underwent four torturous sessions of the hot packs a day, together lasting as long as four to six hours. Fortunately his respiratory muscles hadn’t been affected, so he never had to be moved inside an iron lung to assist with his breathing, a prospect that he dreaded more than any other.”
The huge ventilator, which left only the head visible, kept polio victims alive for a number of weeks while they recovered from the illness – but those left permanently paralysed could spend their whole lives encased in one.
In 1952, Jonas Salk, one of the most influential people from the last century, developed an injectable polio vaccine. After that, cases in the US fell from 35,000 in 1953 to 5,300 in 1957.
The success of mass polio vaccination in the developed world led doctors and Rotary International to consider its potential elsewhere.
John Sever, head of the infectious disease branch at the US National Institutes of Health and a Rotary member, in 1979 proposed the idea to the group’s president, who wanted to develop a new project for Rotary that would involve the entire organisation.
Soon afterward, the legislative body that represents all Rotarians voted immunisation for the eradication of polio as their number one priority throughout the world.
Soon, through Rotary’s immunization efforts, the virus had been eradicated across the Americas – a remarkable feat that in 1988 led Rotary International and the World Health Organization to announce the goal of worldwide polio eradication.
Earlier this decade, the disease was only endemic in three countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. It looked like we were close to the year that the world would see the last case of polio with the disease fading into history.
We were close, but this year has had its setbacks. In fact, NY recently declared a state of emergency for a polio outbreak.
However, we are still close. The hope generated by this possibility is summed up in Roth’s novel when the protagonist listens to his grandmother reminisce about diseases of the past.
“His grandmother was remembering when whooping cough victims were required to wear armbands and how, before a vaccine was developed, the most dreaded disease in the city was diphtheria.”
“She remembered getting one of the first smallpox vaccinations. The site of the injection had become seriously infected, and she had a large, uneven circle of scarred flesh on her upper right arm as a result. She pushed up the halfsleeve of her housedress and extended her arm to show it to everyone.”
She shows that scar with pride.
I never had to worry about any of these horrors thanks to vaccinations. Specifically for polio, I have Rotary, Sever, and Saulk, to thank for that.
Didn’t like the cat attack scene. Giving little baby kitties a bad name.
In typical Argento/giallo fashion, when I think the movie is wrapping it up, I check the time remaining and there’s still a half hour left. Gotta save room for the 17 twists you tack on to the end, I guess.
There is a guy in this movie that has the most insane unibrow of anyone I’ve ever seen (yet still somehow doesn’t run away with the most absurd eyebrows in the movie award). He makes Anthony Davis look like one of us normals. He has more hair between his eyes so that he does on his head. Plus he is a cat killer. So yeah pretty much hate this movie.
Gist of this science fiction body horror film by David Cronenberg is that a performance artist couple performs surgery for audiences. Evolution apparently accelerates for people in the future and mutations come in the form of growths.
Gist is a mask causes a zombie outbreak at a movie premiere. Love a movie within a movie. The mask is completely unexplained, which is interesting. I like movies that just throw you in it like this. Anyway, the mask is featured in the movie and causes a zombie outbreak. If you know that, you know, maybe don’t bring it to the premier people to touch and what not.
When shit goes down in the theater people don’t really notice because the screaming on the screen drowns out the real screams. Once a zombie/demon (these terms are interchangeable here) busts through the screen, it is too late. Obviously inspired the opening scene from Scream 2.
Zombie kills are nuts. OG zombie vs. samurai sword movie. Plus some cool zombie vs. helicopter blade action.
Love the scene where a guy screams “smash everything“ repeatedly before smashing everything. He seems to be a pimp, maybe. He’s the only one who knows how to deal with the situation. Gives some orders and when people don’t follow them, he tells them they aren’t worth a shit. I identify, bra. These people get him killed. A real shame.
Overall, super solid and at times legit terrifying with a lot of Cronenberg-esque body horror. If you’re looking for a disgusting, fast 90-minute movie with a killer punk/hair metal soundtrack, and lots of twists and turns, this has you covered.
★★★★★ - Wow. Brilliant movie. A contemporary queer giallo-inspired movie. Follows this group making gay pornography in 1979 Paris. They are lead by this director chick, played by one Vanessa Paradis, who is the star of the movie. This masked killer shows up and starts killing them one by one.
I'm not exactly the target audience, but I have seen more giallo than anyone I've ever met. This is contemporary, subversive giallo.
Several great scenes. One is where all the actors have a wrap party picnic when it starts storming. One person gets caught out in the woods. As she (a trans actor) yells for her mates, the camera pans in fast circles giving the viewer a sense of being lost. A few times around we see the killer in the distance. Every time it goes around after that, the killer gets closer and closer, before you know.
I thought it was a great, beautiful, captivating flick with a killer score by M83. However… let’s say this is not a family film. Not one you’re gonna wanna watch for your kids. You’ll know pretty quick what you’re in for when you fire it up.
My favorite thing about the movie is that the porn director gets questioned by the police about an actor in her stable who is murdered by getting repeatedly stabbed in his rectum. She immediately turns the experience into gay porn. I am crazy about films within films. This is an interesting, unique take on that. There is also a sacrilege porn, which was indeed something.
The premiere for this movie based on the killings of the actors looked fun despite everything. JK, it was depressing and crazy as shit. Then after it is over you hear all the dudes in there buckling their pants. A lovely touch. Then there is more murder.
This might sound sort of funny, but it ends up being a pretty moving scene where the fluffer cries and talks about how fucked up it is that they are filming a scene based on this dude's extremely violent and disturbing death. But then, with tears in his eyes, he's called in for duty. A professional, this guy. Turns out he's not even getting paid. Yeesh.
I like that about the flick, that they make the porn star lifestyle way less glamorous than say Boogie Nights. I'm not against it or anything, but it seems like a pretty sad grind, and this is definitely of that mentality, with all the stars on heroin or traumatized or what have you.
One of my favorite things about the movie is that when the Killer is revealed and dealt with, they give him a really sweet and touching sendoff by showing a story and having this pretty profound voice over that tells a really powerful story. We see he is a victim too. The backstory of a slasher like Jason Voorhees for example it’s probably super sad and fucked up. Makes you think about me that. Then again, the deaths are so fucked up that maybe that lessens the impact a bit.
This is the second of a trilogy. Takes place during WWI. The origin story of the psycho biddy from the first film, who was played by Goth as well who had dual roles in the flick. Get to see her Hollywood dreams and the seeds of craziness growing into violent psychopathy. Nice.
In addition to Goth, film stars David Corenswet, Emma Jenkins-Purro, Matthew Sunderland, and Tandi Wright, none of whom I recognized.
Super captivating and memorable. Liked the style and music. Love the final scene too. That was uncomfortable and awesome. You could hear people in the theater being like WTF. Love those kinds of communal view experiences. Excited AF for that third installment, which goes to the 1980s.
Gist is the main dude (sort of a combo of James Spaider and Tony Goldwyn) sees a young woman (the lovely Asia Argento) about to kill herself on the ledge of a bridge. He talks her out of it and she eventually lives with him. This girl is like 16 and in some clinic for mentally troubled kids. It's called the Faraday Clinic--basically a decapitation-based sex cult. Turns out she is bulimic which is more or less what the movie is about with some crazy murders thrown in there for fun.
I like when the dude finds out the girl is bulimic, his friend at the TV studio he works at tells him all about her "anorexia" with such authority. "How do you know some much about it?" "I watch Oprah and Donahue." So a real expert. Not sure how we are supposed to take this, but however we are, it is hilarious. This guy is actually supposed to provide some insight and he got it from watching a few episodes of a talk show. Or, he is supposed to be an idiot with no idea what he is talking about but the main guy takes him seriously. Either way, dude takes this complete nonsense to heart.
She is staying with him and is obviously infatuated. Should obviously know this, maybe does, but still brings this random coworker of his home to fuck with his door open. He seems to be a groomer type guy--yeah, a pretty unlikeable protagonist--trying to fuck with her mind while white knighting her. Obviously, this is a contemporary interpretation. He does end up having sex with her, by the by. Yeah.
There is a kid in this movie, this little dork, that I hate so much it is alarming. He almost kills himself when he wraps the complicated murdering tool--this like drill with a wire loop on it that decapitates people--around his neck. When he is interrupted from self-annihilation, he kills this little lizard by squeezing it to death. Fuck this fucking turd. I can't even look at him. Absolutely no need for him in this movie. Also, Argento loves a slow decapitation.
Finding these movies have these complicated, impossible-to-follow MacGuffiny subplots that speed the action along. Like the movie I watched last night had a bunch of nonsense about chromosomes indicating a propensity for violence and this being world-changing, this in the 1970s, long before DNA testing. This movie is similar with this whole Faraday Clinic/anorexia/main dude saving this young girl business. Clinic just keeps picking her up, she keeps getting broken out, people keep coming for them. This repeats throughout the movie multiple times. I assume this is all metaphorical.
At some point Brad Dourif shows up. You are instantly like, oh, yeah, he's probably the killer. I won't say if he is or not, but you know it based on reputation. He doesn't disappoint and dials it up a time or two.
Oh, and by the way, the "trauma" the movie refers to would indeed be the most traumatic thing to ever happen to anyone if it were real. In this bananas flick, the sheer impossibility of it it is so goddamned hilarious. Sorry if you watch it and whatever happens happened to you, lol.
The trial shit that is the focus of the movie is the most absurd waste of time for everyone I’ve ever seen. There’s basically no evidence and the prosecutor has this crazy story about how she could have killed some guy. If true, this level of planning that went into this murder would pretty much mean she was a real danger to society, just saying.
Also, I thought I was going to see basically like a Gillian Flynn story with sinister murder happening in the bayou. Ended up being way more like The Notebook
A moment I audibly said “Jesus.” They make Mrs. Wardh go to the station and get questioned in front of her rapist for some reason. Not exactly sure how the justice system works in whatever country this is filmed in but this seems cruel and unusual. I assume it’s Italy. But they end up in Spain at some point.
Hottest take territory stuff: If you go to more than two countries, your movie is bullshit. No one has ever said, “oh cool look they’re in Morocco now or wherever the fuck.” Fuck off with that shit.
Great in this movie though. I think that goes for mostly American movies. The scenery is crazy opulent. The cinematography is insanely beautiful. So are the clothes and just beauty in general. It’s all out of place for such an insane movie. Love the main girl’s style in the rare instances she’s clothed. She’s got it going on.
Overall, dug it… but, it was way inconsistent. Soundtrack is the cheesiest shit I’ve ever heard. Movie gave me the heebs in so many ways. Weaving in and out of traffic on a motorcycle with a passenger and no helmets. The casual joking about being rapey while people are getting raped and murdered.
Too much going on in this movie. It’s hard to keep up. The last 20 minutes are completely bananas. Has to have an all time record for twists… still hesitantly recommend.
The very basic gist is a of diverse American tourists do what American tourists do, stopping along with the others in the tour bus to go about and act like typical Americans abroad. Eventually though a maniac wearing a red coat starts killing them off and gouging out their eyes. A real bummer for them, I'm sure.
The dubbing is hilariously bad. The whole movie is almost a spoof. The ladies are all unbelievably attractive. The character Mark starts the movie with the most disgusting mullet of the early 70s but is normal the rest of the movie. Lot of hair continuity issues come to think of it.
There is a scene that establishes that all of the characters are terrible where someone does something problematic and the camera does a zoom in on their face and they look into the camera like “I could be the killer.” Really let’s you see how poorly everyone’s eyebrows and facial hair is groomed.
Once the murderer is revealed, this person becomes completely deranged. Dialed it the fuck up. An insane performance.
This movie has everything. A killer fixated with eyeballs. Gratuitous nudity. Natural queer representation. A person of color. Crazy 70s clothing. A woman eaten by pigs.
Soooo, I loved it! A foreign movie with American stereotypes (including people wearing American flag clothing) bumming around together in Spain, getting picked off one by one. Yes, please.
Aaron and Adam Nee
2022
Fun, dumb, formulaic romantic-action-comedy. This is what movies have become it seems. I feel like most of the movies this summer were slick, glossy trash just like this.
Overall, I liked it, but it wasn't memorable or super great. I'll go see anything with Brad Pitt. Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum are pretty close to being there, but not quite. All three of them were a real treat in this flick.
Charlie Russell
2022
From watching this documentary, which is entertaining, you never know that McAfee was a piece of shit rapist. The whole murderer he’s accused of is also painted in a very sympathetic light. If somebody poisoned my dog, I’d probably fucking kill that dude too, but the gist of this movie is he probably didn’t do it, if he did he was justified, and in the end who cares.
Every other documentary I’ve seen about this guy, the famous Gringo one from 2016 and several others on YouTube, leads me to think this guy was a huge piece of shit. I’ve long been on the fuck that guy train. That this movie is pro McAfee is pretty problematic and likely non-factual.
Spoiler. At the end of the movie McAfee’s ex girlfriend, Samantha Herrera, says that she got a call from him a couple weeks after he was found dead and that he wanted her to run away with him. Since then, she has said in interviews, “What I said was I got a call from Texas from someone saying it was John, who said he was still alive in Spain. I told the film’s makers that I didn’t know if it was him or someone posing as him. I said that on film, but it wasn’t used.”
Silver Streak - Four Stars
Arthur Hiller
1976
A great train movie. Maybe my favorite of the sub genre. Nice little bit of action with some who done it thrown in there. Also one of the most un-PC things from any movie, but it’s not gratuitous and is so shocking it’s pretty funny.
In addition to Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor we also get some Scatman Crothers, Jill Clayburgh, Patrick McGoohan, Ned Beatty, Ray Walston, and Richard Kiel. Music by the legendary Henry Mancini.
There’s a pretty insane stunt when Wilder and Pryor jump from the moving train that is on a bridge into the river below. No faking that back then and it looked dangerous as hell.
Speaking of cool/dangerous shit, the final scene is insane. Like Bullet Train with a real train going literally off the rails.
