Rob Christopher's Blog, page 2

3 things about Robert Benton’s STILL OF THE NIGHT

Still of the Night [1982]

1. A green box in his pocket.
2. Chinese take-out with Jessica Tandy.
3. Bloody knife through the slats in the door.

Yes, it’s a Hitchcock pastiche, but it’s done with style and care. Loses something in the last third. Still, some great set-pieces. Love Roy, as always.

3 things about Martin Campbell’s CASINO ROYALE

Casino Royale [2006]

1. Opens with a flashback within a flashback and yet it isn’t confusing, because two different styles of black & white are used: one “smooth” and one “grainy.”
2. Grains of sand stuck to his back and shoulders.
3. A moment where he just crosses his arms and admires the splendor of the scenery, and then his phone rings.

3 other things.

3 things about Jirí Barta’s THE PIED PIPER

The Pied Piper [1986]

1. Bolts of luxury fabrics swarming with rats.
2. Siphoning away the sugar.
3. He gathers the infant in his arms and abandons the emptied town.

3 things about John Carpenter’s THEY LIVE

They Live [1988]

1. Bilingual wayfinding.
2. TV programming that literally induces headaches.
3. Random administrative assistant walking around with a coffee urn.

3 things about John Carpenter’s IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS

In the Mouth of Madness [1994]

1. For those who don’t read books: the movie.
2. A black crayon.
3. Chained to her leg.

3 things about Christian Nyby’s THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD

The Thing from Another World [1951]

1. Deadly electric blanket.
2. She’s always ready with the coffeepot.
3. Abundant overlapping dialog, prefiguring Robert Altman by nearly 20 years.

3 other things.

3 things about Jean Rollin’s THE LIVING DEAD GIRL

The Living Dead Girl [1982]

1. Axe to the head for Greg.
2. “My life and my death are here.”
3. Perpetual torches in the crypt?

If this is Rollin’s best, no thank you very much.

3 things about David Cronenberg’s COSMOPOLIS

Cosmopolis [2012]

1. A slow elevator, soundtracked with Satie.
2. The way Juliette Binoche simply vanishes.
3. Eggplant leftovers for the chauffeur.

3 other things.

3 things about William Peter Blatty’s THE NINTH CONFIGURATION

The Ninth Configuration [1980]

1. Alka-seltzer and scotch.
2. Moses Gunn as Superman.
3. “I guess he doesn’t like Coors.”

3 things about Mel Brooks’ DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT

Dracula: Dead and Loving It [1995]

1. He tells him to keep the handkerchief.
2. “The creatures of the night. What a mess they make.”
3. Cricket leg.