Dooby Reviews

John Webster, The Devil's Law Case

Joseph Lanza on Ken Russell (director: Women in Love, The Devils) in the biography Phallic Frenzy.

I just wanted to share some of the stunning pictures from the book:

Holla is all I can say.

From Grapefruit 1964

MS MR hit that perfect balance between sexy, repulsive and just plain weird with their video for 'Hurricane'.

This film had a real welcome noir aspect of it, and really decided to mess with the mechanics of the genre. By the end the character arcs ended up reading as a real 'fuck you' to film noir's glorification of a violent, morally-questionable male anti-heroes and demonisation of sexually confident and intelligent women. In that respect I really loved this, especially considering the actors all really delivered in their roles - and I have found each of them rather spotty in their recent filmographies. The cinematography and soundscape also beautfully add to the duplicitous, sexually charged and violent atmosphere that felt both 'noir' and modern. Sadly the plot is the real let down here. The script goes to some real convoluted lengths to untie itself from its knotty (yet admirably ambitious) attempt to make us constantly second guess the characters. It just gets a bit too much. Though in retrospect, it was probably because of this that Dawson impressed me so much. She was able craft such a zen, controlled, confident character, that she convinced me to buy into the absurdities the script makes her spill to further the narrative. Still, this is highly enjoyable, if you can manage to keep your eyes from rolling at the continuous double crossing. B/B+

(Though I have been guilty of this...)

A rapey image from the Angels & Aristocrats exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery. Great series of pictures check it out if you can - free entry.

The video is rather genius too.

Woah.