House

I just saw one of the trippiest, most fun movies of all time: Obayashi's House.  It's a Japanese horror flick from 1977 with some of the nuttiest, kitschiest, and yet most delightfully inventive visuals I've seen.  It's hard to even describe what it's about, but it consists of a group of 7 teenagers who spend a summer evening at the country home of the spinster aunt of one of the girls.  And wouldn't you know it, bewitchings and troubling goings-on ensue (with the help of a mysterious cat named Blanche).

The story is beside the point.  This is the kind of film one could watch with the sound off, and still get immense pleasure from, thanks to the color-drenched sunsetty lighting, madcap moments, and hilariously imaginative design.  I don't want to say too much else, cause the joy of watching it is in its surprises.  But those in the NYC area can see it now on the big screen at the IFC Center.  Elsewhere, it shouldn't be too long before it's released on DVD by Criterion (later this year - so sayeth the internet rumor mill).