Towering castles where secrets lurk; fragile souls ripe for corruption; beasts made men, and men made beasts. These elements have populated our collective imaginations for centuries, across continents and generations. And for so many of these years, the stories remained the same. They served as warnings, cautionary tales against losing innocence and purity—morally-centered escapism. Only in the last fifty years, it seems, have we begun to deconstruct these stories. Some have watered them down for happier digestion; others amplify their sexuality and luridness. Few have been able to accomplish what Angela Carter did with her collection, The Bloody Chamber.
Focusing mainly on the tales of Charles Perrault, Carter began a trend that we have seen many times since—she brought classic stories into a modern context. A surface read shows obvious themes of feminism and sexuality. Traditional tales were meant to warn against sex (and sin, going hand in hand) and encourage wholesome unions,...
Focusing mainly on the tales of Charles Perrault, Carter began a trend that we have seen many times since—she brought classic stories into a modern context. A surface read shows obvious themes of feminism and sexuality. Traditional tales were meant to warn against sex (and sin, going hand in hand) and encourage wholesome unions,...
- 11/1/2016
- by Ben Larned
- DailyDead
Chicago – Although “The Handmaiden” is based in deceit, fetishes, thievery and subservience, director Park Chan-Wook (“Stoker”) keeps it light by the addition of some subversive humor, and weaves a mystery with a pitch that is like the “The Sting” meets “In the Realm of the Senses.”
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Yes, there is eroticism in the film, but it is presented as a plot motivator, and is also used as a great punch line. Mostly the step-by-step story, told by emphasizing different elements of the same situation, seeks comeuppance for the evil that lurks within, even though all the players seem to have some level of larceny in their souls. That edge is the fun, as some characters end up bumbling in their own hubris, while others stay one step ahead of what could be their downfall. The dark mystery/comedy of Hitchcock, the cross cutting of Kurosawa and even the wackiness of...
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Yes, there is eroticism in the film, but it is presented as a plot motivator, and is also used as a great punch line. Mostly the step-by-step story, told by emphasizing different elements of the same situation, seeks comeuppance for the evil that lurks within, even though all the players seem to have some level of larceny in their souls. That edge is the fun, as some characters end up bumbling in their own hubris, while others stay one step ahead of what could be their downfall. The dark mystery/comedy of Hitchcock, the cross cutting of Kurosawa and even the wackiness of...
- 11/1/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
After watching last week’s ‘Game of Thrones’ episode — “The Broken Man” — fans were less concerned with the politics of the Seven Kingdoms and more concerned with getting more Lyanna Mormont, Stat. But who is this tiny yet ferocious child who stole our hearts? She is the Lady of Bear Island and a descendant of some of the most badass women in all of Westeros. Take the hardiness of the Iron Born and the viciousness of the Dornish and you get the Mormonts. Image Credit: HBO Way back in Season 1, Game of Thrones introduced the audience to House Mormont on three fronts. Jeor Mormont as the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, Jorah Mormont as the disappointing son, and Maege Mormont (the She-Bear to you) as the Lady of Bear Island and one of Robb Stark’s sworn swords. A casualty of plot condensing, Lady Maege and her daughters Dacey,...
- 6/8/2016
- by Donna Dickens
- Hitfix
There were no punches pulled on "this week's episode" of Downton Abbey. In the last 20 minutes especially, every hit landed right where it was aimed and could very easily lead to one heck of a follow up next week.
A man named Patrick Gordon
Here's a mystery that may never be solved. The story kind of reminded me of the other great mystery of the time, that of Princess Anastasia Nikolaevna and her possible return to the Russian family. Patrick, burned beyond recognition and speaking with a Canadian accent, claimed to be Mary's Patrick, who died in the waters after the Titanic sunk.
While it would have made a lovely story, I didn't believe it. Poor Edith was the sister who was in love with the original Patrick, and she easily allowed herself to believe Patrick Gordon's story of amnesia and unrequited love. Before the full story could be uncovered,...
A man named Patrick Gordon
Here's a mystery that may never be solved. The story kind of reminded me of the other great mystery of the time, that of Princess Anastasia Nikolaevna and her possible return to the Russian family. Patrick, burned beyond recognition and speaking with a Canadian accent, claimed to be Mary's Patrick, who died in the waters after the Titanic sunk.
While it would have made a lovely story, I didn't believe it. Poor Edith was the sister who was in love with the original Patrick, and she easily allowed herself to believe Patrick Gordon's story of amnesia and unrequited love. Before the full story could be uncovered,...
- 2/6/2012
- by carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica)
- TVfanatic
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