What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Gojirosan]

Alice Sweet Alice

Having always been put off by the continued cut status of this film in the UK I never got around to watching it, but I thought it was time, so I tracked down an uncut copy and finally sat through it after many curious years!

Well, it was worth the wait: a well crafted low budget thriller which makes the most of a slight story. There are some striking shots and the photography in general belies the humble origins of this film. It maintains a nicely unsettling tone throughout with the strict Catholic world of New Jersey surburbia rendered effectively as an insular and slightly mysterious community.

The reason the film is cut in the UK is an odd one. Sure, we know the BBFC are harsh on animal cruelty, but I think they may have been too extreme here and have fallen for perceived animal cruelty depicted by skilled film-making. A kitten is grabbed by the scruff and swung then apparently throttled. However, this is accentuated by sound effects and clever editing. Anyone who has ever owned a kitten would see that nothing untoward actually occurs and the "throttling" is suggested by a rapid cut to a kitten clearly (on re-examination) being held lightly and supported (the main bulk of the kitten is not in shot but the way the cat's skin sits with the visible hand shows it is supported by other means). I can only assume that the BBFC did not remove this for depicting cruelty, but for convincingly faking cruelty that could be emulated. Well, that is the only reason I can think of for censoring an innocuous film that - I would have thought - is otherwise safe 15 certificate material. With the kitten sequence removed, I have absolutely no idea why the film is an 18 in this country.

[nekromantik]

Just seen Summer's Blood aka Summer's Moon.
Its a low budget 2009 film. sorta like your typical torture porn set ups but without the actual torture.
Plot is basic, a gal is lookin for a farther and she meets a guy who she sleeps with and then he keeps her locked up in his basement for his garden. Werid yes but then in the last part there is a twist and it goes downhill. It was alright up till the twist but then when the twist came I ddint really care much, its like "oh really....ok" ha ha.
Acting was good but there was not much gore, add a bit of incest (one or two scenes) in the mix and there you have it.

[vincenzo]

Originally Posted by Gojirosan

[U]A kitten is grabbed by the scruff and swung then apparently throttled. However, this is accentuated by sound effects and clever editing. I can only assume that the BBFC did not remove this for depicting cruelty, but for convincingly faking cruelty that could be emulated.

The BBFC wouldn't have removed the scene if they had evidence from the director or producer that the scene was simulated or faked. As it is the scene has now been cut twice from both video and DVD releases (bar the dubious 23rd Century release), so any assurance or proof hasn't been offered. Personally I find the scene hideous and completely unnecessary to the movie.

There's a similar debate about the cruelty in this scene on the IMDB.

[Gojirosan]

It's certainly a jolt when it happens, but makes sense in terms of Alice's character and what was happening to her at the time.

The film could definitely have survived without it with a bit of re-writing.

It really didn't look excessive in any way to me, though. It's interesting, however, that the film-makers have not spoken out about it.

[nekromantik]

Last movie at cinema for me was Avatar in 3D also. Was a good experience.

Next movie will be Shutter Island. Cant wait!!

[vincenzo]

As bad as it is the raccoon scene in Prophecy is a million times worse.

[Gojirosan]

I've never seen Prophecy. I did try once, but fell asleep almost as soon as it started!

However, I do remember someone telling me about a horrible raccoon incident therein.

[nekromantik]

I not seen many animal cruelty in movies thankfully.
Cannibal Holocaust was enough for me plus dont help that I am a animal lover ha ha

[Gojirosan]

It was the casual use of a flamethrower on live rats in Rats: Night Of Terror that got my back up. Very unpleasant.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Gojirosan

It was the casual use of a flamethrower on live rats in Rats: Night Of Terror that got my back up. Very unpleasant.

Franco Prosperi's Wild Beasts has some of that.

The tripping of horses annoys me the most

Just watched Bruno Mattei's The True Story of the Nun of Monza and was impressed. It had good narrative, decent acting, looked very nice and Zora Kerova dressed as a nun More proof that Mattei can make a good film.