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Possessor (2020)

February 12, 2021February 25, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

A trained assassin can take over any person, and use their body to do the killing. This beautifully lensed film starts with a bang and does not let up. Lead actress Andrea Riseborough is spot on, and Christopher Abbott (from the very good Catch 22 mini-series) is a perfect choice too. This film features innovative looking dark psychedelic interludes, which up the game on SpectreVision (who produced Mandy also starring Riseborough). Possessor also features pretty graphic sex, and very graphic violence with some excellent gore FX. There’s even a pseudo J&B bottle nod to Italian horror films of yesteryear. Jim Williams (Kill List, Sightseers) provided a top-notch dark ambient electronic score that sounded killer in headphones. Yes, yes… this was written and directed by David Cronenberg’s son, so there are nods to Videodrome and Existenz (which also starred Jennifer Jason Leigh), but they are handled in a really smart and next-level way. You will have no idea where the movie will end up, and it’s wonderful. Pitch black but wonderful.

Available on UHD / Blu-ray from Well-Go USA.

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My Best Fiend (1999)

February 5, 2021December 30, 2023 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is one of my all-time favorite documentaries. Werner Herzog does an in-depth study of his relationship with Klaus Kinski, and the actor’s life beyond when they worked together. The man was insane, but also supremely talented. If you want to see what Kinski was capable of when he was actually enthusiastic about the project he was working on, check out Andrzej Żuławski’s L’important c’est d’aimer (click here for JustWatch streaming info, also available to rent). Klaus was almost never enthusiastic, yet even in his many borderline-cameo appearances in low-budget cult films he stole the show. The man had some special kind of magic going on. At the end of My Best Fiend there’s an outtake with a butterfly that may be the single best thing I’ve ever seen captured on celluloid. This is MUST SEE Anomalous Cinema.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Tickled (2016)

January 29, 2021December 30, 2023 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

David Farrier (host of the very good Netflix series Dark Tourist) investigates online endurance tickling competitions, and things take a creepy turn. I avoided watching this for ages because… tickling? Don’t make my mistake, check Tickled out. It’s quite a ride. There is also a follow-up short film called The Tickle King available on YouTube here (don’t even peek at this until you’ve watched the full movie – spoiler city).

Not available on Blu-ray.

Bad Day for the Cut (2017)

January 22, 2021December 30, 2023 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is simply a very good, deliberately paced, revenge drama. The artwork might make you think Bad Day… is a violent shoot-em-up. No, but that’s really ok. The performances by Nigel O’Neill and Susan Lynch alone make it well worth a watch.

Available on Blu-ray from Well Go.

The Act of Killing (2012)

January 15, 2021January 8, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

So there’s this documentary where real-life Indonesian death squad members re-stage their crimes for the camera, including lavish song and dance numbers. No really, this exists, and is probably the most Anomalously Cinematic doc made in the last 15 years. I try to avoid Oscar nominated films here, but this is just too perfect to not share. I caught myself with my mouth hanging open several times while trying to absorb the multiple levels of crazy on display. I give The Act of Killing my strongest possible recommendation. Also check out director Joshua Oppenheimer’s follow up The Look of Silence, which is not as over-the-top, but well worth watching.

Available on Blu-ray from Drafthouse F i lms.

Bully (2001)

January 9, 2021January 7, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Larry Clark got his start by taking photos of fellow juvenile delinquents, which made up his fantastic book Tulsa. After years as an acclaimed art photographer, he directed the agonizing, but highly regarded film Kids, about the same topic, set in ‘90s New York City. Later he made Bully, which is based on a real life murder perpetrated by, you guessed it, juvenile delinquents. This is Clark’s best film by far. It pushes almost EVERY button, so sensitive folks should flat out avoid it. Bully is so shocking that I am honestly impressed that it has been made available on streaming services in our current “trigger warning” times. In spite of its controversial content, this film managed to receive a lot of critical acclaim at the time of its release. Unfortunately Larry Clark did not continue making films of the same quality. He’s following his obsessions with smaller movies, which I admire, but Bully shows all elements falling into place to make a near-perfect film.

RIP Brad Renfro. I wish we could have seen what movies you’d go on to make.

Not available on Blu-ray.

Hardcore Henry (2015)

January 1, 2021January 8, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This movie will not make you smarter, but it’s a very entertaining action flick. The basic premise of a violent, first-person, sci-fi adventure, that happens to be well-executed, qualifies it as Anomalous Cinema alone. The cherry on top is that Hardcore Henry manages to ramp up the insane action as it goes along. Oh yeah, and Sharlto Copley is excellent in this. He even does a literal song and dance routine. That’s some sprinkles with your cherry. The whole thing could be dismissed as just plain stupid. I say it’s damned fun, and confirmed that on a second viewing last night. So turn off your logic circuits, and enjoy with your favorite psychoactive substance for the proper experience.

Available on Blu-ray from Universal Studios.

McQueen (2018)

December 25, 2020January 8, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Nearly ten years ago my partner Suzie dragged me to see Alexander McQueen’s exhibition at The Met in New York. I was not psyched to wait in line for something I wasn’t particularly interested in. Once we got into the show, my feelings quickly changed. I loved what I was seeing, especially the dark influences like Jack the Ripper and Joel-Peter Witkin. I walked out of museum an official Alexander McQueen fan. Suzie and I watched this documentary as soon as it cane out and absolutely loved it. This is obviously a must-see for fashion enthusiasts, and I would recommend this film to anyone interested in art as well. Before I saw that exhibition I didn’t understand the two worlds had such compelling areas of crossover.

Available on Blu-ray from Lion’s Gate.

The Video Dead (1987)

December 18, 2020January 8, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I am a bit biased about this film, as my first experience was in at a revival screening just a few years ago. Seeing a previously missed, good older movie, on celluloid is one of favorite things in life. That means that I like this silly horror movie a little more than I should. I found it to be very amusing from start to finish. I laughed out loud multiple times, and not at unintentionally funny scenes. The Video Dead also has some effective makeup FX and low-budget set pieces. Give it a try, but keep your expectations low.

Available on Blu-ray from Shout Factory (bundled with Terror Vision – which is also a lot of fun).

Rebecca (2020)

December 11, 2020December 3, 2022 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This recommendation is specifically for fans of director Ben Wheatley. I have seen the majority of his film output, and have enjoyed everything. The critical response to Rebecca has been unfavorable as Alfred Hitchcock made a very highly regarded adaptation of the book in 1940. I am a fan of Hitchcock but not enough to watch a mystery / romance (the latter being a genre I avoid). That was not the case with Wheatley’s film, which actually happens to be more faithful to the book. I took this 2020 adaptation for what it is, and I enjoyed it. I’m not going to watch it multiple times like High-Rise, but it’s a damn good film that I absolutely suggest Wheatley fans check out. If you like it, take a look at this article for an added layer. Thank you David Graham for nudging me into giving Rebecca a shot.

PS – Yep, since posting this I’ve learned that star Armie Hammer is a scumbag. I gotta separate the art from the artist in this case, but I’d add that House of Hammer is definitely worth watching (it’s on Discovery+).

Not available on Blu-ray.

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