A 1982 Video Essay, and it still works

Koyaanisqatsi is a video essay. It doesn't have a plot. It just bombards you with images and an underlying soundtrack that evoke ideas an emotions by appealing to the senses.

Here's a good definition for the title:
koy.aa.nis.qat.si (Hopi) [n] 1. crazy life 2. life out of balance 3. life disintegrating 4. life in turmoil 5. a way of life that calls for another way of living.

The film is aptly subtitled "Life Out of Balance." It is part of a trilogy (I've not seen the other films yet), and makes a powerful statement, with a strong environmentalist theme.



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Mulholland Drive

I couple of weeks ago I saw the film Mulholland Drive, the first David Lynch film I've seen. I know... I am so behind the times.

The film was, to me, rather staggering. It captured my mind, and has pretty much taken up permanent residence there. I found the ideas captivating. I have probably never seen a segment of film more moving to me than the portion set inside the Silencio. The show there, the ideas it portrayed so beautifully, was just so powerfully done. The perfect tying together of the notions of illusion and performance was absolutely astounding. And, as if the the singing of "Crying" was not moving enough, the collapse of the singer brings home the point about the disconnect between reality and illusion in brilliant fashion.

From there, the movie begins to break down... I don't mean that it falls apart, exactly. Instead, it breaks down the illusions its been building up for us. We see how Betty has bought into the illusion, and sucked us into it with her. (But honestly, didn't we feel there was something fishy about her all along? A little too perky? Too good to be true? It had to be an illusion, a construct, didn't it?)

I won't pretend I get Mulholland Drive in all its nuances yet. That's probably why it has settled into its new home so nicely -- my mind that has been so utterly captivated by it. It's weird. It's not for everyone, I suspect. But it sure will make you think.



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Bug Movie Preview

I've been reading about Lionsgate Films' new bug movie coming out. The film will star Ashley Judd and Harry Connick Jr.

Check out these great movie posters and see if it doesn't get you ready to go and watch the movie too:



This one gives me a feeling that reminds me of how I used to feel when I would see posters for Silence of the Lambs back when it came out. It is eerie, creepy, and sort of gives you chills to look at. I think this film will have a lot of that same feel. The trailer calls it "disturbing," and that is just how it strikes me too.



That poster is just gross, isn't it? It is exactly the sort of thing that will attract all horror flick fans to go in and sit down and get themselves scared half to death. It looks to me like Bugs is going to be the horror film of the summer. Any fan of scary movies won't want to give this one a miss.

I think the duo of Judd and Connick will be a fun one to watch. Wasn't it Copycat, back in 1995, where Harry Connick Jr. played the bad guy? I think that is the one I am thinking of -- anyway, he makes a good bad guy, and I think he is going to feel right at home in this horror movie. I don't think he is the thing we're supposed to fear in the film, from the preview, but I do think he's going to fit in well to add to the eerie atmosphere.

As for Judd, I think she's going to be a nice match for Connick. I liked her in Double Jeopardy, which I think was her best role to date. Bugs looks to me like it might top that one. I think this one is set to be a big hit this summer.

If you aren't into being scared half to death by a movie, then I'd advise you to stay home from this one. If, on the other hand, fear is a form of thrill for you, then it looks like you'll have a fun summer ahead.

What do you think? Are you up for it?



You can view a preview of the film at You Tube. I think once you do, it will whet your appetite for more!

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