Hardcore

Rating:
Summary: Descent into a dark realm.....
Review: ... As I had a pre-existing interest in the darker aspect of human sexuality, I was intrigued by the content of this film. George C. Scott's character gradually descends into a realm of the human experience which he finds disturbing & shocking. It's a realm where sexual deviancy exists. It's a realm which is diametrically opposed to his conservative religious beliefs. One scene which remains imprinted upon my mind involves Scott's character entering a sadomasochistic establishment to track down one of the pornographers who knows the whereabouts of his lost daughter. During this sequence of scenes, Scott's character is enraged as he rampages through various chambers within the establishment; each chamber contains different bondage paraphernalia and is bathed in a different colored light. This is an eerie but surreal sequence of scenes. It's quite effective; it conveys the twisted & warped atmosphere of the dark region of the human experience Scott's character has finally infiltrated in a desperate attempt to locate his missing daughter.
One of the most frightening aspects of the film is the allusion to snuff pornography. ...

Rating:
Summary: a bit dated but still has that Schrader touch of discomfort.
Review: Excellent concept. This is truly every parent's worst nightmare. Paul Schrader goes straight for the throat here. Some of the acting is a little wooden (though George C. Scott's is nothing less than incredible) and dated, but the overall picture is very good and worth seeing. If you are a fan of Taxi-Driver, 8mm, anything by Schrader, or Andrew Kevin Walker you should enjoy this. Honestly, I'd really like to see this remade.

Rating:
Summary: T-U-L-I-P
Review: There are so many inside-joke demons being exorcised here. Schrader himself is a product of the christian reformed dutch immigrant tradition, with the apex of that life being in Grand Rapids, MI. Schrader attended Calvin College in GR, trying desperately to get thrown out. Having graduated from there myself, i perfectly understand why. ...this film is the most autobiographical religious story I have ever seen. WOnderfully, painfully honest. If only it would come out on DVD.