I enjoyed this film very much, the slow pace, the disturbing
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uutuus — 19 years ago(April 10, 2006 04:18 AM)
It warms my heart to see that this thread (that I started two years ago) lives on, with serious recommendations and a good discussion.
Thank you all!!!
Of the latest recommendations
Vigil, Tideland (Gilliam), Northfolk, Wicker Man, Parents, Secret Rapture and Lolo
are all films I haven't seen.
Tideland and Secret Rapture are the only ones I had heard of before, and thanks to you lot I have now heard of the rest and have something to look for, or will recognize if I stumble upon a mentioned title in the video store or on tv.
It's nice that some of these films and others earlier mentioned take a grip on the comic side of childhood and other miserable subjects. I could see more of good films that bring up the (necessary?) tension between seriousness and humour.
Some good films that could suit on this thread are (with very few opportunities for laughter, though):
The Return (Vozvrashcheniye)
http://www.imdb.com/board/10376968/
One of those films that creates an almost meditative concentration with the viewer. The film has a very good story.
The Quiet Room
http://www.imdb.com/board/10117422/
By Rolf de Heer who also made the wonderful Alexandra's Project (and eh, Bad Boy Bubby)
Lilja 4-ever
http://www.imdb.com/board/10300140/
An uncompromising film filled with rage and sadness, one of the most important films I have ever seen. -
smoke0 — 19 years ago(August 23, 2006 10:35 PM)
These two films use more claustrophobic settings that mirror the children's somewhat distorted perspectives: (I don't see that anyone has mentioned these, so forgive the redundancy if I missed a post that included them) "Afraid of the Dark", and "Careful, He Might Hear You".
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AmandaByNight — 19 years ago(September 11, 2006 04:28 PM)
I love Afraid of the Dark! In fact, I love a lot of the movies mentioned and am now going to look for a few of the others.
I haven't seen the Reflecting Skin in over 10 years, but the first movie that came to mind was Jack Be Nimble with Alexis Arquette. Amazing film. So worth checking out. Not sure if it's on DVD though.
Amanda By Night -
raphael0033 — 19 years ago(September 13, 2006 01:55 PM)
You should try "Fists in the pocket" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059619
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NateManD — 19 years ago(October 10, 2006 10:57 AM)
The Devil's Backbone (2001) Guillermo Del Toro
(I'm surprised no one has mentioned this film yet. Very creepy and beatiful)
Badlands (1973) Terrence Malick
(Highly underrated crime drama similar to Bonnie & Clyde and Natural Born Killers. Not bizarre, but has atmospheric dreamlike cinematography. The scenery reminded me of "The Reflecting Skin".
Valerie and her Week of Wonders (1970) Jaromil Jires
(Awesome Dark Czech Fairy Tale)
Kytice (2000) (aka. wild flowers)
(Another extremly dark Czech folk lore movie)
(available at www.superhappyfun.com)
Swallowtail Butterfly (1996)
(Awesome Japanese coming of age drama. Like City of God meets Kids)
(also available at www.superhappyfun.com)
Was "City of God" mentioned yet? -
IDinProgress — 19 years ago(March 01, 2007 04:04 PM)
Olivier Olivier didn't really remind me of The Reflecting Skin, not in plot anyway. When the brother and sister are playing the trick on the neighbor in the beginning, yeah, that kind of made me think of The Reflecting Skin. And the fact that both involved child rape and murder.
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YesYesNo — 18 years ago(May 24, 2007 04:12 PM)
Spanish film called
Spirit of the Beehive
is kinda like this, but much more subtle and brooding rather than blaring, obvious and parodic.
Bad Boy Bubby
is a total hoot, no less perverse and removed from the world we know than Reflecting Skin, but quite a bit more restrained and honest as well.
In a Glass Cage
is another Spanish film. Dark, sadistic, brimming with horror and wickedness, but too misanthropic for my taste.
Joshua
is a new film that premiered at Sundance about a very twisted boy. It teeters giddily on the edge of uncomfortable, comical weirdness but has a more typical 'slasher' denouement. -
Kennethstruck — 18 years ago(August 23, 2007 05:42 AM)
Boy, you've received so many responses, but I've two other films not mentioned - CLEAN SHAVEN & BUTTERFLY KISS, the themes are different but the disturbing tone is similar. Both stay with you long after viewing.
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dave-1632 — 18 years ago(November 26, 2007 08:56 PM)
For some reason Dead Man's Shoes come to mind.
Not exactly as much a focus on the landscape but it has a quiet intensity and takes place in a small country village.
http://imdb.com/board/10419677/ -
Eric-1226 — 17 years ago(October 15, 2008 11:37 AM)
"Around the Bend" - Michael Caine and Christopher Walken, you feel the New Mexico landscape
http://us.imdb.com/board/10384810/
"Erndira" - Mexican film, great and disturbing story set in strange Mexican landscape
http://us.imdb.com/board/10085501/
"A little old lady got mutilated late last night Werewolves of London again." -
doviine — 17 years ago(December 04, 2008 01:26 PM)
http://www.imdb.com/board/10454792/
"Bubble"
In the same spirit.. originality.
I love this movie the same as "The Reflecting Skin" and "Gummo." (The way good parents love each of their children)
The "cast" was basically pulled off the "street" in the town of Ohio where it
was filmed. Mostly hand-held, digital filming with natural light only - it is visually stunning.
(The bonus material for me was essential - I sort of wished I'd viewed it before the film - don't skip it) -
sues57 — 15 years ago(July 17, 2010 08:50 PM)
Well, recently there was The White Ribbon, I know The Devil's Backbone was mentioned, which I thought of right away, along with The Other (very creepy). The Gift (2000) reminds me of Reflecting Skin a bit, Wise Blood was another great suggestion. Definately check out The Ratcatcher (1999), one of the most disturbing (and truthful) films about childhood. You'll never forget "Snowball went to the Moon."
