Classics: A Review of The Crow By Lauren Ennis

"People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest"; so begins the 1994 thriller The Crow. The film relates a classic tale of revenge and redemption with a 90's gothic edge that inspired a generation. Blending action, romance, and a rocking aesthetic The Crow continues to fly high thirty years after its release.

The story begins in Detroit on October 30, 1993 with police responding to a brutal double homicide. It is soon revealed that the victims were Shelley Webster and Eric Draven, a young couple preparing for their wedding the following day. After Shelley spoke out against their landlord a gang of thugs was sent to scare the couple into silence in an attack that went fatally awry. Eric was shot and thrown from one of their apartment's window while Shelley was viciously beaten and gang-raped. On the one year anniversary of the attack Eric is resurrected from the dead for one purpose; to avenge his and Shelley's murders. The film then follows Eric on a bloody quest for justice. But will one restless soul be enough to take on an entire criminal enterprise? And even if Eric does avenge his and Shelley's deaths will his thirst for revenge ever be fully quenched?

Adapted from James O'Barr's acclaimed graphic novel The Crow relates a tale of revenge and redemption that is at once utterly unique and universally relatable. Like vigilante classic Death Wish before it the film utilizes the anarchic backdrop of an urban America overrun with crime. In this way, the film appealed to contemporary viewers and continues to resonate with modern audiences who are all too familiar with the dangers that await just outside of their front door. The film additionally endears itself to viewers by presenting Eric and Shelley as average people caught up in the senseless violence surrounding them. Through this depiction of its central couple the script ensures that viewers will empathize with them and therefore root for Eric's success regardless of how bloody his quest for vengeance becomes. Even as it relates a classic revenge story the film infuses its tale of love, loss, and bloodlust with a gothic edge that many films have imitated but few have replicated. The setting uses an expressionist aesthetic that transforms 1990's Detroit into a nightmarish hellscape straight out of a Weimar-era horror film. The soundtrack perfectly captures the tone of the script and infuses the proceedings with a melancholic spirit that reminds viewers of the torment that is driving its hero. While the on-set death of Brandon Lee gained the film notoriety it is its sincere depiction of love, grief, and the ways in which they motivate us all that has earned the film is iconic status. Forget the sequels and remakes and satisfy your need for revenge-fueled viewing with The Crow. 

The film brings the world of the original comic book to visceral life thanks to the brilliant work of its cast. Sofia Shinas conveys warmth and girl next door charm in her brief appearance as Shelley. Bai Ling is equal parts seductive and sadistic as criminal mastermind Top-Dollar's half-sister turned mistress, Myca. David Patrick Kelly, Michael Massee, and Laurence Mason capture the brutality of Top-Dollar's henchmen, T-Bird, Fun Boy, and Tin-Tin. Anna Thompson aptly portrays the desperation of Eric and Shelley's drug-addicted neighbor and Fun Boy's girlfriend, Darla. John Polito personifies sleazy as local pawnbroker Gideon. Rochelle Davis turns in a haunting performance that is beyond her young years as Darla's street-wise daughter, Sarah. Ernie Hudson personifies decency as honest cop and Eric's unlikely ally Sergeant Albrecht. Michael Wincott makes for a worthy adversary as the equal parts cruel and charismatic Top-Dollar. Even in the midst of apt supporting performances the film belongs to the late Brandon Lee. IN Lee's hands, Eric is more than a wronged man and is instead the living personification of grief in all of its fury and desperation. Lee's performance combines stunning martial arts skills, raw emotion, and cool charisma in a performance that has yet to be topped thirty years later.

While it does not reinvent the revenge story The Crow offers a tale of revenge and redemption that still packs a gut-punch three decades after its release. The script blends action, emotion, and aesthetic to impressive effect, creating an iconic viewing experience. The performances bring O'Barr's characters to vivid life and transports viewers to the cruel city streets that they inhabit. For a bloody good time hit the streets with Eric and The Crow.

Classics: A Review of The Others By Lauren Ennis

 As long as humanity has grappled with death it has shared ghost stories. For millennia we have used the specter of ghosts to cope with our eternal questions of what has become of those we have loved and lost and what awaits us upon our own inevitable deaths. These tales have taken on a variety of forms from the chilling to the melancholic, but rarely has any ghost story been so original and haunting as 2001's The Others. Over twenty years after its release The Others continues to grip audiences with its wrenching tale of grief, guilt, and acceptance. For a hunting like no other pay a visit to the British isles with The Others.

The story begins in 1945 on the Channel Island of Jersey after the end of Nazi occupation of the island during World War II. Three servants arrive at the country manor of Grace Stewart and her two young children. The children, Nicholas and Anne suffer from severe photosensitivity and become ill when exposed to sunlight. In an effort to ensure their health Grace shrouds the home in darkness, much to the servants' discomfort. Soon after the servants' arrival, eerie things begin happening which defy explanation. Devoutly religious Grace dismisses her children's stories of ghostly imaginary friends as childhood fantasy at best and sacrilegious pranks at worst. When she has otherworldly encounters of her own, however, her skepticism and faith are put to the ultimate test. 

The film showcases all of the thrills, chills, and eerie atmosphere of a classic ghost story while still offering a unique take on the genre. The film sets itself apart from the majority of ghost stories by exploring not only supernatural hauntings but also the memories and regret that haunt us all. In this way, the film acts equally as well as either a meditation upon grief, regret, and letting go or a supernatural thriller. The film also stands out from its contemporaries by limiting its use of special effects and trusting viewers to use their own imaginations to devise even greater scares than any that CGI could conjure. In this way, the film avoids both dating itself and talking down to its audience. The film's final twist is nothing short of devastating and is certain to haunt viewers long after the final credits fade. This Halloween, take an island vacation to die for with The Others.

The film casts an unnerving spell thanks to the spirited work of its cast. Christopher Eccleston perfectly captures the torment of Grace's traumatized husband, Charles. Fiornula Flanagan conveys warmth and understanding as Mrs. Mills. Elaine Cassidy is nothing short of haunting in her silent, but powerful, turn as mute servant Lydia. James Bentley captures Nicholas' innocence without becoming saccharine. Alakina Main shows surprising maturity in her compelling turn as Grace's willful daughter, Anne. Nicole Kidman turns in one of the most mesmerizing performances of her career in her depiction of Grace's downward spiral into madness.

A classic ghost story with a modern edge, The Others is essential Halloween viewing. The equal parts uncanny and intelligent script is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The stellar performances of the cast bring the story to haunting life. This Halloween get in touch with your spiritual side with The Others.

Classics: A Review of A Hunting Accident By Lauren Ennis

 Can innocence survive in a corrupted society? Can love remain pure in a tainted world? These are the questions that lie that the heart of the 1978 Soviet drama A Hunting Accident. Set against the backdrop of Imperial Russia the film captures the twilight of the czarist empire in all of its splendor and decay. Adapted from Anton Chekov's only full length novel this deceptively simple tale of love, lust, and ambition makes for both a compelling tragedy and a cautionary that continues to resonate today. Experience the passion, tragedy, and triumph of Russian drama in A Hunting Accident.

It's like rain on your wedding day...

The story begins in late 19th century Russia. Investigator Kamyshev retreats to the countryside to visit his friend, amiable but debauched Count Karneev. During their visit Kamyshev meets Karneev's neighbor, honest but humorless landowner Urbenin. Karneev reveals that he ahs been diagnosed with a terminal case of cirrhosis and told that he has mere months left to live. Rather than prepare for the inevitable, Karneev uses his illness as an excuse to treat Kamyshev to a series of parties, each more decadent than the last. In the midst of their revelry the trio come upon Olga, the daughter of Karneev's groundskeeper. Kamyshev is immediately struck by what he perceives as her innocence. To his dismay, he later learns that Olga is engaged to Urbenin. When he confronts her she admits that her impending marriage is one of convenience which she hopes will lift her out of poverty. Despite his warnings she goes through with the wedding as planned only to realize that her affections lie elsewhere. So begins a tumultuous love triangle that will set all three on a date with both destiny and disaster.

The film defies the stereotypes of Soviet cinema to relate a tale of love, loss, and desperation that transcends cultures. The love quadrangle between Olga and her suitors offers a timeless portrayal of the lengths to which we will go to pursue personal happiness regardless of the cost. The foibles of each character are all too human and remain startlingly relatable today. The film makes pointed critiques against the decadence and inequality of the czarist regime through its depiction of Karneev and Kamyshev's hedonism and Olga's increasingly desperate efforts to escape poverty. Even as it makes these critiques, however, the film never veers into propaganda. As a result, the story remains one that can be enjoyed around the world. The cinematography utilizes real life locations in rural Russia to breathtaking effect. The soundtrack transports viewers to a lost era, and its signature waltz by Eugen Doga more than earns its international acclaim. Together, the score and cinematography create a dream like atmosphere that leaves viewers with the sense that they are witnessing a modern fairy tale. Let yourself be swept off of your feet and fall under the tragic spell of A Hunting Accident.

So many suitors and so little time

The film transports viewers to Imperial Russia thanks to the brilliant work of its cast. Leonid Markov infuses the thankless role of Urbenin with surprising humanity. Kirill Lavrov is delightfully debauched in his irreverent turn as Karneev. Oleg Yankovsky perfectly captures the downward spiral of Kamyshev from upstanding gentleman to ruthless criminal. Even in the midst of an outstanding cast Galina Belyayeva dominates the film in her dynamic turn as Olga in which she blends the innocence of Audrey Hepburn with the reckless abandon of Louise Brooks. Her performance is guaranteed to leave viewers every bit as beguiled, frustrated, and captivated as Olga's three suitors.

At once a scathing indictment of Czarist Russia and a universal tale of doomed love, A Hunting Accident continues to resonate across cultures and decades. The script brings Chekov's novel to vivid life as it takes viewers on a journey through the Russian countryside into the the darkest corners of the human heart. The stellar cast bring each of the characters to vibrant life in all of their complexity and contradictions. Lose yourself in the dance of love, loss, and tragedy that is A Hunting Accident.

The stuff that foreshadowing is made of