A trip back to the 'Badlands'

Yesterday I saw Malick's Badlands for the first time in many years. It was interesting to revisit the first Malick film I ever saw after having seen all his other films, most recently the spectacular Days of Heaven. Badlands was the first of Malick's three landmark films, along with Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line, and is still by far one of his very strongest. I feel it is just below Days of Heaven for me but arguing the better seems counter-intuitive. They are both strong works of beauty in their own rights. I feel the moment that sums up Badlands for me is when Holly's house is burning down and the destruction is juxtaposed with a beautiful, haunting German hymn-like song that creates the visual metaphor, and what I feel is the primary theme of the film, the destruction of beauty and innocence.

A little word on 'Wings of Desire'

Wings of Desire is my favourite film and the most inspirational film I have seen. It is a film that combines a lyrical poetry and stunning cinematography like no other. It also deals with issues of humanity, love and philosophy in and honest and musing way that never becomes pretentious. This film is possibly the greatest example I could present for the medium of film being an all encompassing and uniquely expansive artistic format.

Double Bill: '73 Horror special

This weekend I composed a strong double bill of classic horror as my Dad had never seen either. It consisted of 'The Wicker Man' director's cut to begin and was followed by a tasty helping of 'The Exorcist' director's cut. It was heaven if you love director's cuts of 1973's best Horror films - I can tell you that for free.

'Days of Heaven' - Images of rediculous beauty

I have just seen Malick's 'Days of Heaven' for the first time and was struck, as I knew I would be, by the startling cinematography which glows with mellow hues and an unburdened sense of beauty. I have always enjoyed Malick's films though I understand that many dislike his ponderous and enigmatic pacing and narratives. I found 'Days of Heaven' came with none of the overbearing sense of self-indulgence that 'The Thin Red Line' or 'The Tree of Life' did. Over all I found it to be a very pure film and, as I always feel of Malick's films, an honest expression of its creator.