Nato: Excision – The End
There’s a lot to talk about when referencing Excision, between AnnaLynne McCord’s jaw dropping transformation into the character Pauline and the bodily horror Richard Bates Jr. creates, but nothing trumps how Bates chose to end his film. It’s an event he hints at the whole time, building Pauline’s background obsession with becoming a surgeon slowly with the intention of saving her sick younger sister. Obviously her skills only exist in her head and she’s more just an unstable hormonal girl mistreated by neglectful and controlling parents (or is she?), but I didn’t think Bates would actually go where he did right before the credits rolled. Even though I’m recapping and shouldn’t hold back details because you’ve all had a chance to see the film, I’m still going to because I didn’t know how to react the first time I saw Bates’ ending. All I can say is the exchange between Pauline and her mother Phyllis (Traci Lords) sent chills up my spine and was left echoing in my thoughts well after the film had ended, striking an emotional level I didn’t think possible.
Remy: Beyond the Black Rainbow – Pupil Scene
If you follow me on Twitter you know how much of a fan I am of Panos Cosmatos, who directed the stunning Beyond the Black Rainbow which was one of my favorite films of the year. I completely understand why some people do not “get” this movie. Simple fact is, it’s not for everyone. This is a drugged out, highly visual ride that is unlike anything that has ever been released in the horror genre, with some exceptions being the great films that helped inspire it (look to the 1978 mindf@ck of a film, Blue Lightning, to get an inkling of his muse). He has visuals that are lush and stunning (Tron cum horror) and it is a movie experience unlike any I have ever had.
No scene summed up my adoration for his style quite like the pupil scene in Beyond the Black Rainbow. Simply put, the floor is white, and a single, circular pool in the middle of the floor is solid black, like liquid ink. It looks like an eye because it is shot from above. But then we see the pupil moving a bit and realize it is not a pupil at all, but a pool that someone is emerging from. Visuals like that really drive the idea home that this is one visually stunning and utterly enthralling movie that deserves some more attention. Having said all that, I am “beyond” elated to see what this directorial visionary has in mind for us next.
