Dark Deeds, Despicable Doingsby Robin Simmons
July 15, 2010 
FAUST
"Gotta serve somebody" -- Bob Dylan
What does it mean to sell your soul to the Devil? Do we even have souls? Is the Devil real? Do moral choices, if they actually exist, really impact our lives? Are we here by chance or design? Does life have meaning and purpose?
You will consider some of these timeless questions when you watch F. W. Murnau's 1926 film in a sharp, restored digital t
ransfer that does justice to this special effects extravaganza of the supernatural.
Fresh from the triumphant success of Nosferatu, Murnau was given carte blanche to direct this epic fable of good and evil. Adapted from the play by German lawyer and poet Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832) with samplings from English spy and play-write Christopher Marlowe (1564-1693), the screenplay by Hans Kyser provided Murnau with a multitude of opportunities to pull out all the stops that begin with Faust and Mephisto flying over a medieval town on the Devil's cape. (The remarkably detailed town was actually a 110-foot by 60-foot miniature set.) For the next two hours, a succession of vivid dream images -- set in darkness but always sliced by light -- make real the struggle of evil incarnate for the soul of one man -- and the destiny of all humanity.
German expressionism, dark mysticism, medieval folk saga and the highest level of cinematic arts then available make this an unforgettable experience. Don't miss Faust's struggle for redemption after he makes a pact with the Devil in the form of Emil Janning's Mephisto. This is a true classic of world cinema. From Kino. (1926, Black & White, Full Frame, Stereo, 116 minutes)
SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE
This clever riff on F.W. Murnau's 1922 Nosferatu operates on the premise that the German actor Max Schreck, who so hauntingly embodied the vampire lead, was in fact an actual vampire. John Malkovich, always ready to explode, is the obsessed director Murnau and Willem Dafoe totally disappears into Schreck as real vampire, who has agreed to play "himself" so he can drink the blood of the lead actress -- who has unknowingly been sacrificed by a crazed Murnau who will do anything to make his movie!
For those who have seen Image Entertainment's DVD of Murnau's original Nosferatu, this disc is a special treat. Not only are scenes and stills from Murnau's film utilized, but the perfect incarnation of Schreck via Dafoe dances across time and shimmers again before us.
Bonus material includes interviews with producer Nicolas Cage and Dafoe. There's a scholarly, richly-layered commentary by director Elias Merhige. Shocking and funny. Almost a great movie. From Universal, 2000. R, Color/B&W, Widescreen, 93 minutes, R, 2000)
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM: Director's Cut
Darren Aronofsky follows his stunning debut film Pi with this brilliant, electrified look at addiction. What will be long remembered, is the stupendous, raw, brilliant, performance of Ellen Burstyn as a lonely, plump, widowed mother hooked on diet pills and TV. Jared Leto is her son and Jennifer Connelly is his beautiful girlfriend. Marlon Wayans is Jared's best friend.
Based on the acclaimed novel by Hubert Selby, this deeply disturbing film adaptation burns itself into your heart and mind as these four individuals become possessed by something beyond themselves where their dreams become nightmares of dark desire.
The disc is a very crisp transfer with a multitude of special features that include two commentary tracks, one by director Aronofsky and another by cinematographer Matthew Libatique. In addition, Ellen Burstyn interviews author Selby, there's a making-of documentary, deleted scenes with commentary, anatomy of a scene, production notes and more. Highly recommended. From Aretisan, 2000. (Not Rated, Color, Widescreen, 102 Minutes)
NIGHTWATCH
Martin's a happy go lucky kid with a cute girlfriend and fun-loving friends. But when he takes a part-time job as night watchman in a hospital morgue, he suddenly finds himself beset with creepy visions and twisted desires. And to make things worse, someone is brutally murdering local prostitutes and Martin is the prime suspect. Although this film was remade (1998) in English with Nick Nolte and Patricia Arquette, "Nattevagten" is the real deal. A huge hit in Denmark and Europe. This is a classy, stylish and sinister exercise in horror. Bonus material includes a self-deprecating, somewhat mordant commentary from writer-director Ole Bornedal. In Danish with optional English subtitles. From Anchor Bay, 1994. (Not Rated, Color, Widescreen, 107 Minutes)
TWILIGHT OF THE DARK MASTER
Saki Okuse's manga (graphic novel) is the basis of this short (50 minute) feature anime. It's a strange, unsettling mix of vaguely Biblical and pagan mythology as filtered through Japanese pop and religious culture. The story begins with Eiji, a pharmaceutical researcher, celebrating his engagement who suddenly turns into a monster, runs amok and generates havoc until he's captured by Huang and Chen, a creepy brother and sister team who take him to a sex club and feed him prostitutes. Still with me? Okay, it seems that Eiji has unknowingly been part of an experiment by a guy named Takamiya, who happens to be a master demon. In the yin and yang of things, there's Guardian and fire master Tsunami who takes on evil Takamiya. It seems that eons ago, grotesque Demons and glorious Guardians battled over earth -- a gift from the Mother of all life. When humans appeared, they were enslaved by the Demons. But humans have forgotten their past and now, in 2089 only one Demon and Guardian remain in battle for the fate of humankind. Akiyuki Shimbo directs mostly striking but static images with elaborate audio action. Nudity, violence against women, implications of rape, and incest. From Urban Vision, 1997. (Not Rated, Color, 50 minutes)
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