tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post5667252049945291890..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: Halloween Horror Marathon: Top 10 Scariest Non-Horror FilmsAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-29695557243908065932020-04-02T13:58:49.689-04:002020-04-02T13:58:49.689-04:00Must. Watch. A.S.A.P.Must. Watch. A.S.A.P.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-41079900544641879672020-03-15T08:29:02.727-04:002020-03-15T08:29:02.727-04:00Wake.
In.
Fright.Wake.<br />In.<br />Fright.Mark Woollonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05072777957640381767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-77971236078760282842015-08-11T12:41:08.348-04:002015-08-11T12:41:08.348-04:00SO good. More people need to see it. That's a ...SO good. More people need to see it. That's a film that perfectly understands madness.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-81952711453394404802015-08-09T08:28:09.340-04:002015-08-09T08:28:09.340-04:00That cut to the digging in the vanishing and the d...That cut to the digging in the vanishing and the drowning wave of realization that comes with it is simply fucking terrifying. Glad you highlighted the film again here, I love it :D Superb movie.Mark Woollonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05072777957640381767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-56407817444611539052015-04-27T18:18:30.136-04:002015-04-27T18:18:30.136-04:00Yep, great call.Yep, great call.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60951718608205370122015-04-25T08:53:20.109-04:002015-04-25T08:53:20.109-04:00The Hunt, a little lie and then your life is destr...The Hunt, a little lie and then your life is destroyed forever.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-40596198585258582942014-06-27T11:22:46.919-04:002014-06-27T11:22:46.919-04:00Definitely refreshing, that's a perfect word f...Definitely refreshing, that's a perfect word for it. I love that we can talk about art without trying to change each other's minds. Production and refreshing, indeed.<br /><br />Yeah that Trainspotting scene is crazy. Very, very disturbing shit.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-73191014662575819162014-06-26T21:44:45.499-04:002014-06-26T21:44:45.499-04:00Yeah man, couldn't agree more with you. Trust ...Yeah man, couldn't agree more with you. Trust me, there's not "right" or "wrong" anyway. We share our opinions on a film and they just happen to be different, that's all. You have your opinion, I have mine, it's all good. I find it extremely sad that people don't know how to disagree anymore. We don't have to agree on everything. To me, that would be terribly boring. Personally, I don't want everyone to agree with me just for the sake of agreeing. I've always welcomed diversity of opinion. Besides, it feels absurd not to and talk about art at the same time, you know what I mean? Art is supposed to broaden our critical understanding of the world and having a different opinion, let alone expressing it in such a well-intentioned way, as you've said, is something that's not only totally welcome but also extremely productive. And quite refreshing in this day and age.<br /><br />Glad you dig my picks and so happy to hear that you shared a similar experience as a kid with that part of "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure". Man, that was scary as hell for a kid to watch. I was probably 8 or something when I watched it! And dude, "Trainspotting" had plently of scary moments, don't you think? I watched it at 17 with my girlfriend at the time and she literally grabbed my arm while watching Renton's hallucination scene with the dead baby crawling on the ceiling! So damn creepy.Stergiosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-58982966591181019022014-06-26T19:21:48.380-04:002014-06-26T19:21:48.380-04:00Wow man, that’s some vehement opposition there. Bu...Wow man, that’s some vehement opposition there. But while we disagree about that film, I so appreciate that we are able to share our opinions on films (both positive and negative) in such a well-intentioned way. It can be difficult to come off as balanced and articulate when offering such strong criticism online, but you managed to do it here, for which I am thankful. <br /><br />And honestly, there are few things that bore me more than arguing about who is “right” and who is “wrong” in regards to liking/disliking a film. Best to just acknowledge that we have differing opinions of Irreversible and move along. You know?<br /><br />I am really glad you dig the list, and I think A Clockwork Orange and Blue Velvet are GREAT picks. And dude, that segment from Pee-scared the shit out of me when I was a kid too! So funny.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-8567831497027779752014-06-26T13:30:01.237-04:002014-06-26T13:30:01.237-04:00That's a brilliant idea for a list and a great...That's a brilliant idea for a list and a great post as well, Alex. I'm genuinely impressed when I find myself scared while watching a film that doesn't belong to the horror genre. I find it extremely interesting actually the way that plenty of movies, such as those you mention in your fantastic post, manage to incorporate moments of terror and scariness, sometimes even better than a full-fledged horror movie. Besides, there's not a hint of doubt that the most frightening moments, not only on screen but in real life as well, can come out of nowhere, in the midst of a place we may think they shouldn’t belong, surprising you when you’re vulnerable and don't expect at all to be scared or disturbed by something. I think that every one of your picks fits perfectly to that list and I also love every movie of your list, with the exception of "Irreversible".<br /><br />I've never had a problem with rough and violent stuff on screen. I admit I've seen far more brutal and disturbing things on cinema (I've seen films like "A Serbian Film", for Christ's sake!) As you can see, my problem with Gaspar Noe's film isn't how repulsive many of its images are. My problem with "Irreversible" is, as much as I hate saying this about any film, that I think that it's a really bad film (I'd rate it with an "F" or a 0/10). It's easily among the worst things I've seen in a movie theater in my entire life. To me, it's a pointless, exploitative and extremely hollow film. To me, it's so obvious that Noe wants to traumatize and brainstorm his audience, trick them to think that what they're watching is "art cinema", when actually it's an offensively cheap, relentlessly nihilistic and shamelessly vacuous movie garbage. Of course, that's just my opinion, but yes, I strongly believe that this is is movie garbage, torture porn dressed up as an arthouse movie experience. From the attention seeking, but literally unwatchable camera work to the ridiculously bad-written screenplay, from the wooden characters to the extremely pretentious plot structure, everything in this film is a straight-up insult to the art of cinema. I rarely get to say this for a film, but I really hate "Irreversible". I'm so fine with shock cinema and provocative cinema, I'm just not fine at all with bad cinema. The tagline of this film is "Time destroys everything", so instead of confirming something like that spending 97 minutes of his life watching this painfully awful film, I'd recommend to everyone out there searching for controversial and provocative work to prefer the work done by Stanley Kubrick or Michael Haneke instead. <br /><br />However, as I've said, any of your picks fit perfectly to this list, "Irreversible" included as well, even if, to me, the latter ends up terrifying for the wrong reasons. I frankly dig every choice of yours here and I can think of countless scenes in films such as "A Clockwork Orange" and "Blue Velvet" that could fit there as well. I can now laugh at that, but Large Marge’s Tale from "Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure" scared the hell out of me, when I was a child. That's the beauty of filmmaking, though, surprising and scaring the viewers, when they don't see it coming at all. Again, man, a truly great list and a fantastic bunch of films (well, with the exception of "Irreversible", of course).Stergiosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-40034570241937307392012-11-05T14:09:40.452-05:002012-11-05T14:09:40.452-05:00I agree, a hard film to recommend for sure, but a ...I agree, a hard film to recommend for sure, but a worthy one in my book. Hope you enjoy the other flicks I mentioned here. Be really curious to read your thoughts!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-77478166167415750092012-11-03T22:55:56.476-04:002012-11-03T22:55:56.476-04:00Alright man, now you've got me wanting to see ...Alright man, now you've got me wanting to see most of these! I have only seen two -- Irreversible and Deliverance -- but both are amazing films well worthy of your inclusion here. It's so hard to recommend Irreversible to others, but damn if it isn't an impressive piece of filmmaking.Erichttp://twscritic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60475151850036555122012-11-02T09:59:10.267-04:002012-11-02T09:59:10.267-04:00I've heard that a lot of people can't/didn...I've heard that a lot of people can't/didn't finish Irreversible, but honestly, I know it's a tough watch, but the ending to that film brings everything into perspective. It's one of the best movie endings I've ever seen.<br /><br />Oohh Into the Abyss is a great choice. That remorseless bastard was cringe worthy indeed.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-52179718675784023842012-11-02T09:55:58.527-04:002012-11-02T09:55:58.527-04:00Cruelty is a notion that scares me as well, but no...Cruelty is a notion that scares me as well, but not torture porn cruelty, more subtle things. <br /><br />You know, had I thought of it, Compliance definitely would've made this list. That movie was scary as shit, for exactly the reasons you mentioned.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37568170446477596642012-11-02T07:48:27.423-04:002012-11-02T07:48:27.423-04:00Great idea for a list, you are right that Blood of...Great idea for a list, you are right that Blood of the Beasts is a scary watch, mostly because it's real life! I didn't finish Irreversible, because I found it so disturbing!!! The Cove didn't freak me out nearly as much, don't know why, should have done, because it's brutal what is revealed. <br /><br />The creepy guy in jail in Werner Herzog's Into the Abyss, just thinking of his face makes me cringe ( :Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395044055566348346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-62252406801676235612012-11-01T19:46:13.451-04:002012-11-01T19:46:13.451-04:00I saw Blood of the beasts and it was truly sickeni...I saw Blood of the beasts and it was truly sickening, I definetly agree about it being scary - cruelty is one of the scariest things in the world. Irreversible would definetly be on my list too. <br /><br />What always frightens me is stupidty, though, as stupid people don't comprehend consequences therefore they will do what they want, without caring. Compliance is scary in this way.s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-9541580757934607152012-11-01T11:01:25.491-04:002012-11-01T11:01:25.491-04:00Good stuff all around. Favorite Fiennes performanc...Good stuff all around. Favorite Fiennes performance? I have to go Goeth.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-8721924998858858762012-11-01T11:00:34.582-04:002012-11-01T11:00:34.582-04:00That's right, never say never!That's right, never say never!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-30727398392878388482012-10-31T20:57:33.395-04:002012-10-31T20:57:33.395-04:00A good life lesson indeed. :-)
I haven't read...A good life lesson indeed. :-)<br /><br />I haven't read the novel, but Deliverance is a great film. <br /><br />I agree that films like The Cove absolutely need to be made, and I admire the courage of people who create and watch movies like that. I just can't do it.<br /><br />And I really like The Constant Gardener. Of course, Ralph Fiennes can really do no wrong in my eyes. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-36916253812007472792012-10-31T20:54:33.369-04:002012-10-31T20:54:33.369-04:00Interesting ... I'd never heard that. :-) In a...Interesting ... I'd never heard that. :-) In any case, I doubt I'd be able to stomach either one. But if I change my mind, I'll go with Irreversible. 10 years ago, I swore I'd never watch Pulp Fiction, and now it's one of my favorite movies. So I rarely say "never." Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-39239336340140594682012-10-31T20:38:09.854-04:002012-10-31T20:38:09.854-04:00Yeah, I'll check those two out. I Spit on Your...Yeah, I'll check those two out. I Spit on Your Grave isn't on my watchlist, but that's not to say I won't ever watch it. ;)Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-77224280480485116782012-10-31T19:45:50.608-04:002012-10-31T19:45:50.608-04:00Ha, poppa knows best. Good life lesson, right ther...Ha, poppa knows best. Good life lesson, right there.<br /><br />I've heard that about Dickey's novel as well, and either way, he wrote an incredible novel, which was adapted into an incredible film. <br /><br />The Cove is rough. Rough. But essential, I think.<br /><br />Ohh The Constant Gardener is a great choice. Really scary stuff there.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-67141454332914797802012-10-31T17:01:56.588-04:002012-10-31T17:01:56.588-04:00Oh I will tell you right now that I Spit on Your G...Oh I will tell you right now that I Spit on Your Grave is infinitely worse than Irreversible. I Spit is pointless, exploitative torture porn. Irreversible is a horrific morality tale with a gold heart.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-75599899906496602142012-10-31T16:51:50.431-04:002012-10-31T16:51:50.431-04:00You guys are brave to watch Irreversible. I won...You guys are brave to watch Irreversible. I won't even watch I Spit on Your Grave, let alone Irreversible. Too damn disturbing for me. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-26259801172259025052012-10-31T16:50:41.717-04:002012-10-31T16:50:41.717-04:00While reading your commentary on Oz, I thought, &q...While reading your commentary on Oz, I thought, "Damn! Alex's dad is hard-core!" :-) He was right, of course. The prospect of getting your ass kicked by the police and being arrested is one good reason not to commit crimes.<br /><br />On your list, I've only seen Deliverance. I've read that James Dickey (I think that's his name), the author of the novel that is the source of this movie, intended this story as a sort of parable, not a literal representation of any part of the South or of Appalachia. Though frankly there are some areas in this part of Virginia that are pretty damn close.<br /><br />I will never, ever be able to bring myself to watch The Cove. Cruelty to animals is just too soul-crushing to me.<br /><br />The Constant Gardener was frightening to me because some of the events in the story, dealing with unethical experimentation on people in "third world" countries, were based on actual events, albeit loosely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com