Phantasmaphile

The Mindscape of Alan Moore DVD

As you probably know by now, Alan Moore is one of my living heroes.  The genius/magus responsible for such masterpieces as Promethea, Watchmen , and V for Vendetta can now wax lyrical for you right in your living room via the very fine double disc DVD entitled The Mindscape of Alan Moore - finally available in the US.  In it, Moore discusses his views on creativity, culture, and magic, and is, like the best tricksters, a human divining rod for mystic truths and ballbusting, alternately.  The second disc includes interviews with collaborators and cohorts of Moore's including artistic luminary Melinda Gebbie (one of my favorite interviews of all time, I wish I could make everyone on earth watch it) and Dave Gibbons.  As an added bonus the spectacular DVD designwork is all done by the brilliant John Coulthart, and is a perfect envelope for the cranial carnival contained therein. 

Miracula in Motion

Still from Vox Humana

I've encountered quite a few phantasmaphilic films of late which I feel compelled to share:

Vox Humana is a short film put out by fashion house Rodarte, and it is one of the most sumptuous, magical things I have ever seen.  It stars Jenny Lewis, was directed by Griffin, and has a cameo by one of my favorite avant-occult filmmakers, Kenneth Anger.  Someday one of my music videos will feel like this, you can mark my words.

The Holy Mountain is a film from 1973 by the mystical and beautifully bizarre Alejandro Jodorowsky.  It is an absurdist, opulent tale about a thief who becomes initiated by an alchemist into a secret society.  His path to enlightenment is surreal and strange and cram-packed with arcane symbols and social satire.  Unsurprisingly, it has become an automatic favorite of mine.

Lastly, I read that the MoMA will soon be hosting a large-scale installation by the hyperimaginative video artist, Pipilotti Rist.  Her piece, "Pour Your Body Out" is said to "playfully and provocatively merge fantasy and reality," and will be on view from November 19th through February 2nd.

Hellboy II

I realize at this moment in time, most people are preoccupied with the cinematic behemoth that is The Dark Knight.  And rightly so, as it is an astoundingly great film.  But please do yourself a favor, and make sure you don't miss the visual masterpiece that is Hellboy II: The Golden Army.  Made by Guillermo del Toro (the genius behind Pan's Labyrinth), this movie is an utterly gorgeous, thoroughly enjoyable unlikely hero story, chock full of some of the most imaginative, fantastical creatures and environments I have ever seen on screen.  You don't have to have seen the first Hellboy to understand what's going on (though that's a pretty good film in itself), and you will be treated to an exciting and at times quite funny ocular feast.  Go now.

Picnic at Hanging Rock

I just watched Picnic at Hanging Rock, and found it to be completely captivating.  The premise is simple enough:  A group of Victorian boarding school girls go on a class trip to visit the strange Hanging Rock land form, and 3 of them (plus one of their teachers) mysteriously vanish.  That is pretty much the plot in its entirety, yet the mood and texture of the film just cling to the psyche.  I don't know if it's the quasi-supernatural vibe, the breathtaking costumes, the solarized hazy light, or the underlying cautionary moral about sexual repression that made the biggest impression on me.  But, like Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, this is a film that is opiate in its energy yet still packs a powerful emotional punch.

Alice Remixed

Georges Méliès

I just watched Méliès the Magician, a collection of 15 short films by cinematic wunderkind, Georges Méliès.  Whimsical and brilliantly inventive, his films were light years ahead of their time in terms of special effects and optical tricks.  Disembodied heads float, drawings come to life, devils, aliens, and goddesses shimmer in black and white.  It is astounding what he was able to accomplish on a limited budget at the turn of the century.  His most famous film is "Voyage dans la Lune," which was the basis for the miraculous Smashing Pumpkins video, "Tonight, Tonight."  Compare and contrast:

Run Wrake

Run Wrake  still from "Rabbit"

Most of you have probably already encountered Run Wrake's wondrous animated short film, Rabbit, during your interweb wanderings.  (If not, you must watch it immediately.)  Glory be, he just released another short called The Control Master which he crafted for Veer using their catalog of retro illustrations - be sure to have a look.  It is a bizarre banquet of visual mayhem from a true creative phenom.

(Thanks, Joe!)

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders

The very dear Craig Conley introduced me recently to the spectacular 1970s Czech film by Jaromil Jires, called Valerie and Her Week of Wonders.  It is a bizarre coming-of-age reverie, consisting of a young girl who lives with her mysterious grandmother, lusty old vampires, magical earrings, burgeoning sexuality, ripe romance, hundreds of dripping candles, lacey dresses, oppressive religious figures, sick chickens, sun-dappled fields, dusty piles of books, and the list goes on.  The actual plot is tricky to suss out as the story follows its own surreal dream logic, but it's the sumptuous art direction and hazy mood that makes the film so special.  You can watch the film in pieces on YouTube, or you can try and be lucky enough to catch a showing of the Valerie Project, a touring version wherein live musicians play an alternative soundtrack against the rolling footage.

History of Women in Art

OK, so this is awesome:

Via

Billy Collins animated poetry

Some of Billy Collins' poems have been animated, resulting in small marvels of linguistics and line.

Via

Oh, Japan!

Japan, how do you consistently produce such amazing looking films?!  I love you, that's all there is to it.

I'm seeing The Taste of Tea this weekend:

And Paprika comes out in May:

Swoooooooon!

(Paprika tip-off via)

Trailer Park Unicorn

This site has a collection of exceptionally good title sequences.  I love the sequence for Trailer Park Unicorn.  The whole film sounds incredible, but I can't seem to find much information about it.

Via

Le Vampire de Tokyo

Do yourself a favor and watch this awesome flash animation:  Le Vampire de Tokyo.  It was created by Stephane, and it is based on the work of the outrageous Japanese pulp-surrealist, Suehiro Maruo.  Bravo!

Charlie White

Charlie White  Still from the short film "Pink"  2006

You simply must watch this short film by Charlie White  - and make sure the volume is on, because the music is lovely as well.  (If you have trouble viewing it, it just means you need to download the lastest version of Quicktime.)  It's part of the glorious new Adicolor campaign.

In the Realms of the Unreal

Henry Darger "At Jennie Richee, Frustrate Enemy Second Time"

Last night, I finally got around to watching In the Realms of the Unreal - The Mystery of Henry Darger, a film which explores the work and (to an inevitably limited degree) life of the reclusive artist Henry Darger.  Darger was a janitor by day, but spent his free time creating elaborate illustrated stories, collages, and paintings.  Though he had virtually no friends or family, he had a rich and complicated interior life, populated by characters he created, such as the Vivian Girls and other participants in a great war between innocence and evil.  His paintings were further brought to life in the film via animation, a gimmicky but effective enhancement.  When it was over, I was left feeling sad and awestruck.  Darger was a tormented soul who never saw his work shared or appreciated.  And yet I wonder if he would have even cared, as he wasn't painting for an audience.  It is rare to be privy to work which was created only for the creator.  It feels voyeuristic in a way.  But I feel grateful to have glimpsed into a world so replete with fantasy and infused with such passion.