Monday, February 16, 2009

Let the Right One In



Naomi Novik reading.







It's hard to imagine a vampire movie, a movie about children, a movie about Swedish angst or a movie about the societal ills that is more powerful than this one. The scariest parts are the ones where no vampires are at work. If it comes your way, or when it comes out on DVD, I can't recommend it highly enough. The two performances by children are knockouts. It is as bleak as Detroit in February. Oh wait, it's Sweden. See it.





What movie recently knocked you out?

9 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

I've never heard of this one. I watched Eagle Eye and the Mummy 3 lately. Neither knocked me out.

Linda McLaughlin said...

The "Bens" (Lyons and Mankeiwicz) both recommended this movie. I'll have to wait for the DVD though. My back just isn't up to sitting through a movie right now.

Sepiru Chris said...

Dancers in the Dark [Lars von Trier, 2000] knocked me out.

This is a profoundly sad movie; I cannot discuss it without giving away key points, and I consider it one of Lars von Trier's finest works. Have someone around to hold you, afterwards.

Lisa said...

I can't say it knocked me out, but Scott and I watched Che (which actually comes in two long parts) this weekend and it was pretty good. It was almost more documentary than movie, but an amazing story. And did I mention it was long?

pattinase (abbott) said...

BREAKING THE WAVES by von Triers got me.
I saw a review of CHE which said the first half was a masterpiece, the second less so. Maybe a good netflix pick in a few months. I don't have the stamina for that long a movie anymore.

Randy Johnson said...

The movie that knocked me out recently is an old one I hadn't seen in years. Last of The Dogmen starred Tom Berenger and came out in '95, the last time I'd seen it before I came across a DVD.
I don't get to the theaters anymore. My little town, Eden, no longer has any theaters since the complex abruptly closed last fall.

Juri said...

Recently saw BARTON FINK again and was amazed just how brilliant it is in every respect. The script, acting, editing, storytelling, photography, the sets, haircuts, dialogue (I love especially how the Coens capture the essence of the early fourties using clichés and common phrases of the time - we use our own clichés and phrases all the time and don't even know it, but they are all we'll be remembered for).

I hated BREAKING THE WAVES.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Barton Fink-loved it when I saw it. Need to see it again.
Oh, I liked BREAKING THE WAVES. Did you think it pretentious, Juri?

Juri said...

Pretentious, yes, but the most horrifying aspect in it for me was the reeking misogyny. The bells in the end - oh please!