Nosferatu!

Last night I watched Nosferatu on Netflix.  I enjoyed the movie and did a little research on it after it was over.  One thing I found out was that this is where our idea of vampires dying due to sunlight touching them was born.  Prior to this movie, that concept hadn't been shown up before (regardless of the ancient Egyptin history Anne Rice created in her books - haha).

I was also tickled to learn that F.W. Murnau felt Max Schrek was already so naturally ugly in real life that the  only changes he made to Schrek's face was pointy ears and fangs, aside of course, from the typical makeup needed for black and white filming.

       Max Schrek                      Schrek as Count Orlock

I don't think I would have called Mr. Schrek ugly.  He has some strong features.  He may not have been the most handsome man - but Mr. Murnau, you "ain't all that and a bag of chips, either"!

F.W. Murnau

One of my favorite things about the movie is how they used shadows to create fear and anxiety for the viewers.  I imagine back in "the day" people in the theaters were stricken with horror as they watched.  I think this trick really added greatness to the movie and showed the ingenuity of its creator.  I loved this scene:

The elongated outstretched arm reaching - reaching...and then the arm slithering up the nightgown of our poor heroine until the hand finally clenches her heart.  Good stuff!

This scene also reminded me of this (starting at 0:34 seconds):

Well it did!  I think because of the shadow work and slinkyness of the witch turned vampire turned bat.  

After all, Bugs Bunny only imitated the great works, and imitation is the biggest form of flattery.

But getting back to Nosferatu!  I thought the music was wonderful.  Yes, it is a modern score, but I thought it complimented the movie nicely.  I also noticed that there were several scenes where as they ended the frame would narrow into a circle and continue to shrink until fade out.  It was noticeable mostly during the cut of the "spooky" scenes as it transitioned to the next scene.  For me, it just seemed to add a little "umph" to what the director was trying to convey.  

Nosferatu is a good movie.  I will watch it again sometime.  I wish Hollywood would put out more movies like this where it draws upon our own imaginations and lets the viewer create in their mind as they move along with the movie.  The horror crap that comes out now is all blood and gore and leaves nothing to the imagination.  In fact, with today's horror coming out of Hollywood no script is needed!  Just buckets of fake blood and hand weapons out to the actors and let the slashing/torture/shooting begin!  The movies no longer involve the viewer to interpret.  There is no capturing story line, we just allow ourselves to be exposed to violence.   We sit there in the audience and we are just fed violence and stupidity!  And shame on those who go and buy tickets for that!  

Let The Right One In

 This horror, tragic movie is based on a lonely 12-year-old boy named Oskar who is bullied by his stronger classmates. In the courtyard where Oskar lives he meets Eli. Oskar’s new friend only comes out at dark. Murders and disappearance of people started when Eli and her father arrived in town. Oskar and Eli become more that just friends. When Oskar realizes that Eli is a vampire, he becomes more intrigued and cannot leave her alone. Eli knows that the only way she can continue living she must leave town. One night Oskar must face his darkest hour, Eli returns to only rescue him in the only way she knows how.

Once you get past the gruesome and bloody scenes it is truly a remarkable movie.

The Last Circus

I thought this movie was terrible.  It was a bizarre and grotesque nightmare of a film.

Let the Right One In

Let the Right One In was a beautiful love story about a girl and a boy, with a twist.  The girl, Eli, was forever twelve years old, stuck in time because she was a vampire.  Her "father" was really her boy-friend since she became a vampire some forty years prior.  He eventually gave his life for hers.  Oskar, the main character, falls in love with Eli, as did the other man.  Oskar learns to stand up for himself and fights back against a pack of bullies.  In the end, when Oskar is defenseless, Eli saves his life.  He then devotes his life her her.

Pan's Labyrinth

Pan's Labrynth was released in the UK in 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival.  Ofelia, the main character, created a fantesty world where she imagined strange and magical creatures. She went on a wild journey through the labrynth gardens. 

Rare Exports

Rare Exports was a bizarre twist on Christmas and Santa Clause.  It was drama meets Finish science fiction.  I am not sure why the "elves" were naked or why their lack of clothing added anything to the storyline. Other than a factor of a slim budget, the nakeness was simply odd. 

Rare Exports

This movie gave me a whole new out look to Santa Claus. I was telling my friends about this movie and they wanted to know where they could get a copy so they could watch it. This movie was not what I was expecting to view when Professor said it had something to do with Christmas.