existenz is an entertaining movie which deals with the nature of reality. This theme resembles very much Cronenberg`s earlier attempt "Videodrome" but while Videodrome has a disturbing, enigmatic plot, existenz offers a rather shallow ending and all in all tells a conventional science fiction story. I had a good time watching it, but I expected more.
Reviews
4 Reviews
The Kingdom
(1994–2022)
genre crossing comedy
14 April 2001
I first saw riget at a local theater. What was amazing was that after more than for hours every one in the audience wanted to see more (at least after a short cigarette break). However, this highly entertaining work which was, as far as I know, produced for TV is not a horror series. This is neither th X-files nor has it anything to do with friday the 13th. Sure, there are some gothic elements but it is rather a romantic ghost story. To me, it is more astonishing how easily von Trier and his great writers manage to combine several different genres. First of all this is a hospital series, different strands, none of which you would see in emergency room. The different stories meet perfectly at a hilarious finale. The main character is a swedish doctor whose scream of despair ("Dänischer Abschaum" in German, something like Danish scum) is a main event in every episode. The description of the freemason-like organization of the doctors is as brilliant as the parody of scientific ambition represented by a doctor who does some extraordinary things with his liver. Watch it, it`s great fun, but don`t expect a horror movie. In my opinion this is the best of von Triers works, because it`s the least ambitious.
The Brood
(1979)
essential
14 April 2001
the brood is essential, first rate horror with a philosophical background. As far as I know the plot was elaborated, while Cronenberg himself fought for the custody of his children and this personal approach is obvious throughout the movie, which has one of the most disturbing scenes I ever saw, when Samatha Egger gives birth to one member of her brood. The whole sequence is brilliantly conceived and shows Cronenberg at an early peak of his writing and directing abilities. The movie can be interpreted as Cronenberg`s comment on child abuse and is more intelligent in this respect than most films which explicitly deal with the topic, but most of all the film is very disturbing and scaring.
Behind the Green Door
(1972)
groundbreaking porn movie
14 April 2001
Unlike most of todays porn pictures, Behind the Green door is a well made film, pretty good camera work for a movie in this genre. It takes its time until it becomes explicit, but I did not feel inclined to push the fast forward button, since the film works pretty well as a movie and not only as a way to arouse the viewer erotically, though it still is an amazingly sexy piece of work.
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