Reading diary.

- Land of the lustrous (aka Houseki no kuni), vol. 1. Haruko Ichikawa. In a world inhabited by sentient gemstones, natural contrarian Phosphophyllite, or Phos, is searching for a new occupation. Having tried all sorts of odd jobs except for combat, Phos is deputized... as an historian. With a brittle body that could shatter into dust, Phos is just no match for the lustrous' natural enemies, the lunarians. Phos may not be ready for battle --but this new job might provide a good chance to explore new wonders of the world. New dangers, too... 

A rather unique blend of gritty action and whimsical fantasy --with a generous helping of body horror and stunning illustrations, too! The story has drawn more than a little comparisons with the cartoon "Steven Universe". While it's likely a coincidence, it's actually pretty interesting comparing the two, their similarities and differences in approach. 

Beyond those comparisons, this is a fascinating comic in itself --it's even different from the recent anime adaptation (which itself is worth a look for the gorgeous animation). Recommended for genre fans looking for something original. 

Film diary.

- Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. (US / Canada, 2010. Dir. Eli Craig). A group of college students head out to the woods for a little R&R. If only they weren’t surrounded by creepy hillbillies, the kind who are surely deranged killers waiting to dismember them, just like they say it happened about twenty years ago! At the hands of rednecks like Tucker and Dale, lifelong friends who are heading to the woods for a little R&R. If only they weren’t surrounded by those hysterical college kids, who look like they are planning a mass suicide in the woods! 

Sometimes, misunderstandings can be murder, of the most bloody hilarious kind. 

Horror movies starring evil rednecks (Deliverance; Wrong Turn; Calvaire; Just before dawn; etc. etc.) are a sub-genre as venerable as it’s full of certain, shall we say, problematic subtext. Specifically the recurrent notion of impoverished communities as savage monsters menacing upper- to middle- class citizens (preferably white, with maybe a couple token friends of color, of course!). This movie, then, spoofs those particular genre conventions by inverting the sympathies: A benevolent pair of mountain-folks pitted against a high-strung group of college kids led by a disturbed, proto-Incel-type ringleader. And in the middle, a sympathetic psychology student attempting to negotiate peace (and very much not up to the task, what with her being so injury-prone both groups are seriously concerned for her physical integrity). 

There are certain notes of social critique regarding established genre clichés, especially concerning classism and related social prejudices. Even so, this movie is ultimately not so much concerned with social commentary as it is with gleeful mayhem —it’s a very gory romp populated by some of the most jaw-dropping, astoundingly cartoonish cast I’ve seen since “Scream Queens” (and to be honest, that goes for both groups here). But it’s that anarchic spirit, the refusal to take anything too seriously, that lets this movie accomplish the most over-the-top visuals (case in point: What can be described as the ultimate “smoking kills” advertisement —as a character manages to blow herself up along with three other people just to get one final cigarette lit!). 

In short, a recommended romp for fans of genre movies with a sense of humor. 

Film diary.

- The voices. (2014. Dir. Marjane Satrapi). Optimistic Jerry is making the most out of his factory job. He still has to see a court-appointed psychiatrist; still, things are good. He has a cushy apartment on top of a bowling alley, has two loving pets who regularly talk with him and he’s just met a co-worker he’s sweet on. Maybe he should be taking his medications; but, what for? They only make the world less lovely, not to mention bring back bad memories. Now, if only he hadn’t accidentally hit that deer, and if only it hadn’t begged “Kill me!” to Jerry…

A dark (very dark) comedy / horror / tragedy that successfully accomplishes a very difficult feat: That of crafting an horror tale centered on a mentally ill character, but that instead of feeling exploitative (“Split”, anyone?) is genuinely thought-provoking. Director Satrapi (incidentally the author of the infamous “Persepolis”, as well as other notable comics) displays a very clever use of colors and compositions to draw us into Jerry’s world —his charming hallucinations being less a scare tactic than a character trait. The candy-colored fantasies are Jerry’s attempts at copping with the very real horror in his past and present. And the titular voices are not the perhaps-supernatural entities so many movies would be tempted to make them (again, “Split”) —it soon becomes evident that they are further attempts from Jerry himself to make sense of what is going on. All of which makes the inevitable story turns more than a little impacting. 

Very recommended, for genre fans and those looking for an off-beat tale. 

Film diary.

- The ritual. (UK, 2017. Dir. David Bruckner). Four long-time friends take a hiking trip through King’s Trail in Sweden to honor the memory of a recently murdered fifth. Seeking a shortcut, they wander into a forest off the trail. Big mistake. This seemingly endless ocean of trees has quite a few surprises in store for them —like the mysterious symbols carved on a few trunks, the eviscerated animals hanging from high branches, the effigies that bring eerily prophetic nightmares… and a certain supernatural entity…

SPOILERS AHEAD! 

Terrific chiller based on a novel by Adam Nevill. Drawing inspiration from assorted tales of pagan horror a la Arthur Machen or Algernon Blackwood (and indeed the novel opens with a quote from Blackwood), this movie is also a nicely downbeat tale of guilt and betrayal. Luke, who organized the trip, is wrestling with his guilt over his friend’s Rob death —he was killed in a robbery gone bad, while Luke hid, too afraid to act in time. And as he comes to discover, at least two of his friends blame him as well. 

Then, the creature that is hunting them down, apparently a Jötunn, can grant certain privileges upon people in exchange for being worshipped. At one point the men come upon the remains of camping site, including a photo of the family vacationing back in the 70’s. Later, the woman in the photo is revealed to still be alive and to be one of the creature’s worshippers —apparently she traded her family for functional immortality. 

By the end of the movie Luke is once again the sole survivor, now with so many more deaths hanging on his shoulders and the knowledge that he was only spared because he actually did bow down to the monster in a moment of sheer terror. 

All in all, very recommended for horror fans. 

Reading diary.

- Insufficient direction. Moyoco Anno. Semi-biographical comic about the Anno marriage —manga author Moyoco and anime director Hideaki, respectively represented by the avatars of Rompers and Director-kun. More than the usual trials of marriage, their main challenge will be finding a way to balance out their respective geekiness… or combine it to become something of a power couple! 

Wonderful comedy that tears down quite a few preconceived notions about artists (or confirms them, depending which ones you had). Both are regarded as ‘serious’ artists (being a lead author of Josei manga and the creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion, respectively), but if anything their characters are endearingly dorky. And then there is the real heart of the story, which is simply the way in which two oft obsessive people can learn to work together —perhaps even improve each other’s lives in subtle ways. 

The story is filled with a ton of genre in-jokes and references, to the degree that the annotations are nearly as long as the story itself. Said jokes aren’t essential to following each chapter, however. 

In general, recommended, particularly for fans of either or both artists.