Comments on: It’s Only A Movie… Right?

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:01:41 +0000

How about Cronenberg's film about the insane twin doctors? What were those gynocologic instruments they invented? Boy, that creeped me out.

By: ouRBryan

ouRBryan — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:58:33 +0000

"Seedy" = sex + shock for the sake of the narrative's intent to depict true evil/depravity while invoking an extremely visceral repugnance in the viewer? OK. I'm interested. I've had the same response to most films on your list and most of the added suggestions in the posted replies. Here are some more suggestions, but be careful and do your homework before you dare to view: Scorsese's remake of CAPE FEAR is not the most schocking but just try and sit still while DeNiro fingers Lewis' mouth. Jennifer Jason Leigh is pretty much a poster-child for seedy scenes, but don't discount her 'jacking in' and tweaking the nipple of her game-pod in Cronenberg's eXistenZe. If games and puzzles turn your crank, then HELLRAISER is sure to make you queazy. Akin's HEAD-ON, Figgis' LEAVING LAS VEGAS, Burke's THE MUDGE BOY, and Greenaway's THE BABY OF MaCON will mar your brain like, IRREVERSIBLE-y, dude. Christian Alvart's ANTIBODIES, Tommy Lee Jones' THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA, and Cronenberg's A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE will put some distance between husbands and wives. (We might as well admit that all of Cronenberg's efforts could be included in this list.) But, Bello will definitively end that argument in Renck's DOWNLOADING NANCY. As for Lynch, how long does it take to forget WILD AT HEART . . . with a dentally-prosthetic-Dafoe whispering in Dern's face!?! Try not flinching in the bloody fight between sexy Arquette and a demonic Gandolfini at the end of Scott's TRUE ROMANCE! Or get your 'group-on' with Ferrera's THE ADDICTION and Tykwer's PERFUME climax! Yeah. That's messed up.

By: Bonnie McGrough

Bonnie McGrough — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:37:22 +0000

Mark Wahlberg as David McCall in 'Fear' (1996) was one of the creepiest, most disturbing performances in the past two decades. He ramped up the psychotic factor with his twisted, possessive passion for Reese Witherspoon's Nicole character by terrorizing her friends and family to achieve his own ends. I can't watch this film anymore - he's just unbridled evil wreaking mega-mayhem for his own selfish interests.

By: John George

John George — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:31:58 +0000

What about the segment dealing with 'lust' in "SEVEN", one of the most disturbing films ever made? You may not see the actual act, but you do see the instrument that was used, and the man's hysterical confession/account of what he was made to do with it, makes you want to climb the walls!

By: Marsham

Marsham — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:15:44 +0000

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions in this genre. I'm still squeamish about viewing Irreversible but I have read so much about it I think I'm ready to take the plunge (no pun, honest). However, I WOULD like to hear what a female critic has to say about Irreversible before I view it and will search out a so-authored review. I've never heard of The Mist but will trust the informed commenters here and view it as soon as possible. I second the motion for "Goodbar" and "Bad Lieutenant" (!) and "Bully" but was never comfortable with "Blue Velvet" which makes me think I might not be a good candidate for Irreversible?

By: BDavisFan

BDavisFan — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:37:06 +0000

Diane Keaton's performance in "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" was well done, of course, but heart-wrenchingly depraved, misguided, and sad.

By: Stan

Stan — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:16:34 +0000

Fast times? Really?????? That one doesn't fit here. I would replace that one with "The Grifters" for seedier drama movies.

By: bob

bob — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:14:19 +0000

What about "Blue Velvet"? Very well done, certainly disturbing, and a dark seedy movie. This movie was also known as "The Hardy Boys Go To Hell".

By: Gary Vidmar

Gary Vidmar — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:03:37 +0000

This week you can see IN A GLASS CAGE (TRAS EL CRISTAL) on blu-ray, Augustin Villaronga's creepy and discomforting arthouse shocker from 1986.
It makes a great double-feature with the recent blu-ray release of A SERBIAN FILM (SRPSKI FILM), the latest international excursion into the most disturbing of sociopathologies.
Middle-class moralist should steer clear of both these nightmare visions.

By: Nora

Nora — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:52:57 +0000

I would add the films Boys Don't Cry, The Crying Game and M. Butterfly. All amazing, all with very impacting scenes not only for the viewer but for the actors themselves.