chrismorrell Blog

Under discussion:

Tetsuo [Film Series]  Production Year

Iron Man  (2008)

I've seen 1 and 2 i think..the "Super Furry Animals" namecheck two on "Rings around the world"..With all the current talk of "Iron Man" and the undeniably crazed Robert Downey,i am reminded of  these crazy black and white fantasies ,with a manic inventive style ,a high camp and extremely dark humour... Cross "Eraserhead",with "Scrapheap Challenge" in Japan,and you've got a visual start point...uses good old Ray Harryhausen "stop frame" animation...  These may have been director Shinya Tsukamoto's  first films,they do seem like student /art school work (and there's nothing wrong with that)..if you're in the mood they are just hilarious..fixated with the good old "man as machine"/"man becoming machine" metaphor,alongside very direct sexual references,all served up in the most literal style imaginable... Tetsuo!!! Hai!!

Under discussion:

Blow-Up  (1966)

This is one of those films that just seems like part of my mind..I spent years looking for a pair of white trousers like David Hemmings..This is all about image and perception,visual perception that is,and what better concept for a movie..The "story/plot" doesnt really add up to anything much ,but we get iconic image after iconic image...a twitchily beautiful Vanessa Redgarve, a sublimely beautiful David Hemmings...that car that park,with the wind in the trees,the Ricky Tic club (aka The 100 club,)Janet Street Porter dancing to The Yardbirds with Jeff Beck ,an obvious comment about Art ,and photography as Art and or journalism,the "Beat" society"Swinging London" and all that with Herbie Hancock music to finish.A great piece of movie art.

Under discussion:

Day of the Dead  (1985)

This came on BBC 2 the other night,and i thought,lets give it a go..I pretty much loved it..and i'm not a "gore" fan or anything..I found it very upbeat and life-affirming. I liked the way,there was no exposition, i didnt need it,even though i have not seen the previous films. The flashbacks that the main character has, just "grabbed" me straight away.I cant remember seeing Lori Cardille in anything else,nor any of the others come to think of it,but this was pretty much perfectly cast...I loved the pure kitchness of the acting..the twitchy scientist,the ludicrous jamaacaan accent of the pilot,the oirish(?) drinker,the demure woman scientist in her best "peg leg" trousers,and ,stand back ,the biggest "monster",the Army commander with his Gene Vincent quiff ...The skies are blue,there are lots of good jokes laced through this highly moral tale,and ,best of all,the music is just great.Like a  toned down "Beverly Hills Cop",or  Cyndi Lauper's band warming up, the score is relentlessly upbeat and catchy..I am a total convert.