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The Neon Demon (2016)
Defies all conventions. Flawed, yet stunning
I can't lie, I initially rated The Neon Demon a 5/10. However, after seeing it opening day and being transfixed yet somewhat put-off the entire runtime, I couldn't get the film out of my head, and have now decided I absolutely love it.
Yes, the dialogue is a disaster, the performances are interesting at best (I was actually the most impressed by Abbey Lee and hope to see her play an out and out psycho soon), and all semblances of a conventional plot line are nonexistent, but the world and experience the movie gives the viewer is like nothing else. Films that would come close are 70s cult classics including Argento's infamous giallo Suspiria and the underrated Japanese horror/acid-fest Hausu, and I would be shocked if Winding Refn didn't at least take some inspiration from the former. I had thought films like that were all but lost in time, but The Neon Demon takes the technicolor-ed, fever dream slasher to a new level, even down to the haunting score. No one can deny it looks absolutely fantastic-- from the day-glo pinks and blues juxtaposed against black, the artful shots that looked like a cross between a Kubrick film and an underground rave, and the way LA was captured as almost a character in itself- a menacing, hollow one at that.
However, all this would be nothing more than an experimental, music video-esque piece of performance art if it wasn't for the thematic elements in which the movie draws from. And though it's hardly groundbreaking in touching on its deeper elements, the movie really does have a lot to say about conventional beauty standards and the levels with which we will go to achieve them. I found myself wishing I looked like the three female leads more than once during the movie, and while I'm sure this irony, if it can be called that, wasn't exactly intentional, it does make me think a lot about the way the modeling and film industries view beauty, and how rather than try to change society, we try and change ourselves. Both are easier said than done.
All in all, The Neon Demon was a visual feast with a deeper meaning. Many things are unexplained, but this just adds to the mystery. If you're up for in immersive, original experience that may leave you feeling a bit uncomfortable due to its content and the harsh reality of its themes, I would recommend it in a heartbeat.
Swiss Army Man (2016)
Unquestionably unique, introspective yet juvenile
Swiss Army Man is definitely polarizing. I saw it in a theater of about 18 people, and by the time the movie was over, only five were left, including myself. And while the 12 or so who walked out were clearly disgusted, the ones who remained had obviously enjoyed the experience tremendously.
As for myself, I'm still quite unsure of how I feel about the film. It was extremely original, with a premise that starts out as slow and a bit boring, and then out of nowhere turns to into one big sex joke. By the time we learned of Daniel Radcliffe's magical boner, most of the audience was already gone and I had also begun to feel very unsure. However, once the movie expanded upon its themes and we start realizing what exactly is going on with Paul Dano's character (or so we think), the story becomes very touching and makes you reevaluate life and all the reasons whether or not to live. Of course, the ending does a complete 180 on what you think you know and ends up confusing the viewer once again. I'm sure this was intentional, but it feels a little forced and ambiguous in an unsatisfying way.
Nevertheless, the performances were fantastic. I've seen Daniel in quite a bit besides Harry Potter, and he truly shines as the "corpse" and makes the character quite sweet. Paul Dano has proved himself as one of the greatest young character actors of this generation and does not disappoint. The cinematography is also breathtaking in its simplicity. The film also did provide for quite a few laughs if you can get past the juvenile, Sandler-esque humor of it all. It is definitely one to see if you're looking for a film to make you think about life, solitude, and what love truly is, even if it does slightly miss the mark in packing a big emotional punch.