Archive for the ‘Film’ Category
Good People Go to Hell, Saved People Go to Heaven – Holly Hardman’s documentary about Hurricane Katrina and the End Times
Holly Hardman begins her important film, Good People Go to Hell Saved People Go to Heaven, with words in white lettering against a black background—words in a basic, analytical form, first the word “rapture” followed by a series of common synonyms—euphoria, elation, bliss, etc.—then a dictionary definition of the expression, “the Rapture,” Theology; aspect of Apocalyptic Millennialism. In Evangelical and fundamentalist Christian belief, the act of being lifted by Jesus into heavenly skies upon the Second Coming, either before, during, or after the Tribulation (a time of great suffering for those left behind on earth).” Before any moving image appears, we hear a strange, incoherent hissing sound, which becomes clearer as we observe a strapping man in early middle age. The man, who wears biblical robes and flowing hair and beard, is muttering the name of Jesus, as he carries a large cross along a highway. Then he half-chants, “Jesus have mercy, Lawd.” The cross has a small wheel or caster at its base to facilitate the bearing of it. This practical touch hints that the man is not carrying out some fanatical penance, but working.
Looking Forward into the Rear View Mirror: Taxi Driver Turns 35
For a man of the 1970s, Travis Bickle spends a lot of time looking at and through screens. His world is nearly always framed, either by a movie screen, an old TV, a windshield, a shop window or a rear view mirror. As Travis would know, at the movies everything is bigger than on TV. [...]
Malick qua Kubrick: 2011, A Life Odyssey – The Tree of Life
Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life (Read Huntley Dent’s review of The Tree of Life in the Berkshire Review, an International Journal for the Arts.) Cast: Mr. O’Brien, Brad Pitt Mrs. O’Brien, Jessica Chastain Young Jack O’Brien, Hunter McCracken Adult Jack O’Brien, Sean Penn R. L. (Middle Son), Laramie Eppler Steve (Youngest Son), Tye Sheridan [...]
