Quick Check-In:
- I’m seeing the Animated Shorts collection tonight at the Enzian. Shorts are ALWAYS a wonderful grab bag, ranging from ‘meh’ to ‘GOOD LORD’ so I am really looking forward to that.
- Last night I watched a real treat- Hush. It’s by the same writer/director as Oculus, which I reviewed in a bit a few months ago and while that had some nice things going on for it, ultimately I didn’t care for it. Hush is a completely different animal – this might be my new favorite horror movie! I want to do a whole review on it but I’ll just let you know the premise: a deaf female horror writer has moved to an isolated cabin. Her idyllic routine is upset when a sadist appears and begins a sick game of cat-and-mouse. The tension is so thick and tight that it had me in knots! Well-acted, brilliant use of space, lighting, and pacing, and a lead actress who is intensely charismatic while never saying a word. It could have been incredibly stupid and exploitative but instead it’s just masterful. If you’re a fan of horror thrillers YOU WILL BE PLEASED.
- The Doctor Strange trailer has dropped and it’s SO THRILLING!
I really, really can’t wait. I love the Marvel films in general but this one looks ESPECIALLY up my alley! I love occult stuff. I’m aware of the controversy of the film containing a lot of Asian mysticism while being mysteriously bereft of Asian people and that makes me sad, but I feel like that is a bigger conversation for another day*. Still, it looks AWESOME. I love Doctor Orpheus from the Venture Bros., who acts as a parody of Doctor Strange, but I can’t wait to see the real thing in action. Also Benedict Cumberbatch’s fruity magic bathrobe is magnificent and I can’t wait to see him waving his hands around shouting things. His costume is beautiful and I want one. Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, huge galactic imagery, cities turned upside down – they need to stop reading my diary.
That’s all I’ve got for today. I’m taking notes on everything I see through the Florida Film Festival and will publish a big post about it next week.
Have a great day!
*If you are interested in this controversy, the Nerds of Color have posted about it. The comments going on below the post are VERY helpful for understanding.
I, too, could go for a magic wardrobe!
The Strange trailer was pretty awesome, and I loved the look of Strange in his Astral form. I look forward to your post about asian mysticism without asians.
Indeed! If you’re going to have a character with such an emphasis on hands, you go with an actor whose hands have their own following. I’m not making that up, it’s fascinating!
Heh, I am looking forward to that too, although I’ll have to do some research. And I’m sure the Nerds of Color can unpack that discussion WAY better than I could!
Success! The Nerds of Color have posted about this – the post itself doesn’t unpack much but the comments are SUPER informative.
https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2016/04/13/tilda-swinton-teaches-doctor-strange-the-mystical-asian-stuff/
Awesome, thanks!