I watched waaay too much yesterday. But it was fun.
I started off with the Japanese horror,
Blind Beast. I don't think I'm in to sadomasochism, but I couldn't take my eyes off this film. It climaxes at the characters going blind, thus increasing their sensitivity to sexual stimuli. But they can't get enough as they become desensitised to each new experience, so end up physically harming each other for pleasure. I'd like to say more, but, you know.. family friendly. I was left with a restless yearning for the visceral, how the film describes touch is quite beautiful. It doesn't penetrate the psyche as Japanese horror is famous for, but the philosophical implications of hedonism, artistic obsession, sexual power plays, Oedipal relationships etc. are fascinating.
Secondly, the big cheese,
2001: A Space Odyssey. I would have liked this a lot more in my mid-teens, but the themes are highly relevant to me, as for the last few days I've been thinking about the potential of man within the frame of mental capacity and the existing ecology. Sadly, it didn't have the meditative impact I craved, but made for fine contemplation.
Thirdly, a little French rarity titled,
Le Chignon d'Olga. It's a reasonably functional family drama (at a push) with the title character -- a young INFP male (who is far too pretty for his own good) -- interacting with those around him. His younger sister is a little insecure, but endearing; his father is a writer of childrens' stories; the younger brother watches Chaplin's, The Circus all day (which the father wisely encourages); and his best friend is a tap dancer. So it does have that continental utopia about it, but it's more realistic than say a blind, kidnapping sadomasochist, or monolith studded planets.
The production is refreshingly competent, with soft jazz at parties, a consciously artistic eye for colour and framing, as well as characters you actually care about as they are so well written and portrayed. I love these little, easy-going romance/dramas. I really do. And I love how all the characters are all so confident; it gives them charisma, whether introverted or not. (Perhaps it's a French thing) - They defy convention, but are mature, polite, and respectful.