Thrills, Kills and Sunday Pills.

You know what kind of movies I really like?
I love those really disturbing, independantly-made films. And I don't mean horror or gore or anything, no thanks.
I mean those movies that are based on real life events, but they're the kind of life events that people would prefer to sweep under the rug.
The kind of movies that remind you of someone you once knew. Or remind you of the kind of person you'd never want to be. The movies that make you cringe and turn away from the screen. The movies that leave you with a spaced-out feeling even after the credits have finished rolling.
These are the kind of movies I like (when I'm in the mood to watch a really screwed up film, that is.)

Ken Park (2002):
Banned in Australia. Directed by Larry Clark. Intertwines the lives of kids and their parents. Has some scenes in it that you'd probably really rather not see, but thats kind of the point.

Kids (1995):
Directed by Larry Clark. Originally to warn teenagers about HIV/AIDS. Harsh reality of teenagers unleashed.

Another Day in Paradise (1998):
Directed by Larry Clark. Two junkie couples go on a robbing spree for drugs and money. Tests their courage, commitments, addictions, strengths and relationships. I always thought I would give this addition of Larry Clark's films a miss, because it didn't seem like my kind of film. I eventually gave in, and regret not watching it sooner.

Gummo (1997):
Directed by Haromine Korine. After-math of a horrific tornado that rips through a small town in Ohio. Some interesting characters, some incredible cinematography. Probably one of the most disturbing films I've ever seen. This one scared the shit out of me.

Mysterious Skin (2004):
Directed by Greg Araki. Two boys knew eachother when they were eight years old. One was sexually abused by his baseball coach, the other wakes up after a four hour blackout with a bleeding nose and no memory of what happened during those four hours. Ten years on, they both want answers. But first they have to find eachother.

My Own Private Idaho (1991):
Directed by Gus Van Sant. Strange friendship between two male hustlers. Life on the street, abandonment, love, addiction, abuse. I watch this movie at least once every three or four weeks.

State's Evidence (2006):
Directed by Benjamin Louis. I really hate this movie. I love it, but I really hate it. Suicide pact between six friends. Twist is, they decide that in the last 24 hours of their lives, they will do everything they had always wanted to do but never had the courage/got around to doing. No limits whatsoever. Some extremely horrific scenes, which actually gave me nightmares. I'm really not sure why this hasn't been banned yet.

2:37 (2006):
Directed by Murali K. Thalluri. Six teenagers. One un-wanted pregnancy. One pressured student. One eating disorder. One outcast. One confident football player. And one drug-addict. When the clock strikes 2:37 one tragedy will unfold and effect each and every one of them.




Anyway. That took me quite a while to write up the little blurbs about each movie, but I did rather enjoy doing it.

Maybe books next time, huh?