I love just how many films are rip offs of Perfect Blue. But also, Perfect Blue was a sorta rip-off of some older horror flick I watched recently, can't recall... probably wrote about it here somewhere.
Anyways, I loved Black Swan, I thought there was a lot more depth to it than Perfect Blue. Lots of commentary on the way we view females in society.
I need to write up some reviews before I forget too... watched A Rainy Day in New York, Phantasm, Out of Afrika, a few others this past week... but all hazy as I've been getting mega stoned throughout lol.
If you can remember the name, lemme know! Always down for movies with that Dostoevsky "
The Double" type edge to them. Especially with a horror twist.
As far as depth,
Black Swan had a different type than
Perfect Blue. The latter explored more self-identity, voyeurism, and celebrity idol themes. Both very 'psychological' films, for lack of a better word. I wouldn't say one had way more depth than the other tho.
Alright, before I forget for equally-green reasons:
Alone in the Wilderness (2004)
On that
Walden tip! This was such a beautiful film in so many ways. The scenery, obviously, but the isolation, the harmonious relationship with nature. Living like that would be amazing, but would it mean giving up music and film in exchange? Hm. Speaking of music, one day I will watch this on mute with Boards of Canada playing in the background and I bet it will fit perfectly. Forget the 'Dark Side of Oz'! 4/5
Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)
First off, I love the cop names: "Gravedigger Jones and Coffin 'Ed' Johnson". Holy fuck. This was an okay blaxploitation flick. Always nice to see a Redd Foxx cameo and the two aforementioned leads were solid. The plot was a bit convoluted and plenty of cheese. I mainly enjoy these type of films for their preservation of 1970s NYC anyway. Oh and the Galt McDermott did the soundtrack so yeah. (
This song is cooler than you ever will be.) 2.5/5
Supersoul Brother (1979)
Holy fuck this one is amazing. A blaxploitation heist film that revolves around two gangsters turning a wino into an indestructible superhuman. Disclaimer: there isn't much of a heist and there isn't much of a plot, either. But what it does have is several unintentionally hilarious "what in the ever living fuck am I watching" moments. The visual film scratches and missing frames add to the overall feel and aesthetic. As a result, its so bad its good. For me at least, I can definitely see this film's humor being very offensive and off-putting for some. Just refer to the film's original title!! That being said, if you take it with a grain of salt and laugh along at the pure absurdity of it all: 3.75/5
Stone Cold Killer (1973)
"You know what we got here? Motherfucking Charlie Bronson!" - Drexl Spivey. Love that quote. And this is indeed a motherfucking Charlie Bronson film. Tough cop, knocking on doors and kicking in teeth. Aaaand that's pretty much all it is. Some neat car chase scenes throughout. I found it hard to follow exactly what was going on outside Charles Bronson being Charles Bronson. Italian mobsters? Vietnam vets? Okay? Another one of those films that is a good preservation and look into 1970s NYC. Doesn't offer much more than that and Bronson being a complete badass as usual. Although I almost shit my pants when the MF DOOM/King Gheedorah sample hit OMG. 2.5/5
The Great McGinty (1940)
Always a sucker for a Preston Sturges film. The dialogue is always so sharp, quick, and witty. The two lead roles were solid. The buildup was great but I felt the ending was way rushed, or at least wasn't really satisfying given the ascent. I want to describe this as "if the Three Stooges tried to make a drama" because of all the physical roughhousing between the mobster and McGinty. But there isn't as much slapstick humor as that comparison would imply. 2.75/5