Theatrical Limitations
Over the years I’ve seen too many movies for my own good. I started movie going at the ripe age of 3 or 4. My Mothers first job after my prents divorce was at the local theater in Moultrie. She was blessed with the ability to take me to work with her, place me in a seat in the back of the theater, and leave me be (coming in often to check on me of course!). Over the years, the “Moultrie Twin,” as it was called, became a second home to me. I watched virtually every movie that came through there (many multiple times) until I went off to college. Even now, I enjoy spending a lazy day doing nothing but watching movies. Netflix has been the bane of my productivity!
Anyways, the point of this is……I’ve seen a lot of movies! Through watching so many movies, I’ve become quite desensitized to violence, vulgarity, and outright debauchery. From rude and lude comedies, gory and gruesome horror flicks, and over the top violent action films, I’ve seen it all. I found myself in the last 4-5 years honing in on a specific niche of films that would make most folks vomit! I used the general terminology, “Fucked Up!” to describe such films. Most fall into the genre of Psychological Thrillers, but many also wiggle themselves into movies that cover other genres, sometimes feigning the appearance of a “NORMAL” movie! I’m not some ethically vacant, demoralized, sadistic, psychotic, heathen (I know that’s what you were thinking!), I enjoy these movies for one main reason. I believe the cinema of today has sold out.
Too many studios, directors, producers, etc. are trying to make movies that reach every audience form the cradle to the grave. The wider the audience, the more money can be made! Like most forms of art, when the all mighty dollar takes over, the true creativity ceases to exist. I tend to really appreciate the filmmakers that don’t care if anyone watches their movie, let alone actually enjoys it, but rather makes the movie because they want to. The people who don’t chisel away and rewrite to please “The Man” and his “little dog fluffy”! Very few of these people exist, and even fewer in America. These movies tend to affect the viewer more than a mainstream film, some even beyond the normal emotions of happiness or tears. Many of the movies I watch propose outlandish situations and inspire a realm of thought that most mortals will hopefully never have to experience. These movies penetrate one’s emotional core, their sense of being, and provoke the viewer to become completely enthralled within the surreal. Those movies that keep you up at night and inspire thoughts of the “Boogie Man!”
One filmmaker whom I’ve come to appreciate is Rob Zombie. He really pushes the limits on humanity. I really enjoy “The Devil’s Rejects.” Here’s a brief list of movies that I think fit into this category (off the top of my head, not meant to be my favorites, or anything like that):
That’s a few to start your voyage into the truly “Fucked Up” cinema. Now, just when I thought there wasn’t a movie that could really get under my skin, I took the liberty of proving myself wrong today. I decided to come home from work and watch a movie I had recently added to my Netflix Instant Watch Queue. The name of said movie: The Girl Next Door. When I came across this film, I had the idea of a twisted Cinderella tale. Then I saw it was set in the 1950’s. This movie is far from “Leave it to Beaver!” I can honestly say, that for some reason, it was extremely hard for me to make it through this movie. Many of my friends have said the same about films they’ve sat in with me on, but they never fazed me one bit. I’m not sure exactly what it was that made me cringe. Maybe it was the fact that it’s based on true events, or the fact that it was children, or maybe even just the fact that people stood by and watched it as if it were a game. Anyway, I will watch this movie one more time, only with a few others (I’d love to see how you may react!). If you’ve seen this movie already, I welcome your thoughts and comments, as well as any you may have for any other movies you would add to the “Fucked Up” list.
-Phenix
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The Girl Next Door really disturbed me after watching. I sat around for weeks after thinking about every bit of that movie and how totally fucked up it was. To this day I am not sure why I finished watch the movie and did not turn it off. I would rate this movie Most Fucked-up of All Time, if i am able too.