UK/USA
Directed by Jim Henson & Frank Oz
PG, 93 min.
Back before the age of PC or CG, the Jim Henson Company was at the forefront of fantasy and family entertainment. Known for their work with The Muppets and Sesame Street, Jim Henson and Frank Oz took a step into a darker direction with this feature length film. The Dark Crystal tells the tale of Jen; the last of the elf-like race called Gelflings. Jen has been taught the ways of life by his gentle master who reveals that Jen's destiny is to "heal" a Dark Crystal – formerly called the Crystal of Truth before it was shattered 1,000 years ago. As Jen begins his quest, he realizes he is not be the last one of his kind and there may be more of a connection between the gentle Mystics and the evil Skeksis then he could ever imagine.
Although this story speaks in volumes to fans all over the world, it’s the look of The Dark Crystal which the film will forever be remembered for. Based on designs by fantasy artist Brian Froud, all characters in the movie are elaborate puppets and each background has been carefully crafted to match Frounds original concept. At the time of the movie's release, it was billed as the first live-action film without any human beings on screen, and "a showcase for cutting-edge animatronics".
This film is an inspiration for a number of reasons. The cutting-edge technology for the time still looks amazing as you really get a sense this place exists. The story delves beyond that of the usual fantasy film and suggests a strong sense of existentialism. In order to save this world from extinction, the protagonist must reunite the shattered truth to show both evil & good cannot exist without each other. Pretty heavy for a puppet movie.
Random Trivia: Pre-production work revolved around Brian Froud's designs without a finished script. When Froud originally presented Jim Henson with concept drawings for the crystal, Henson seemed totally perplexed. When Froud asked why, Henson said he had no idea what the designs were for. As it turned out, Froud had misunderstood Henson during early production conversations - Henson intended the film to be called "The Dark Chrysalis," referring to the Skesis dominance over the world. Henson, however, loved the concept art and integrated the idea of the crystal into the storyline.
Memorable Scene: Jen finds the difference between Gelfling boys and girls.
Memorable Quote: "This won't hurt. We just want to drain your living essence."
France
Written & Directed by Gaspar Noé
NR, 161 min.
Gasper Noé made his triumphant return to cinema after a 7 year hiatus with this stunning film. Inspired by everything from death, existence and altered states, Noé pens this tale of a drug dealer who looses sight of what's most important. Oscar is a young man living in modern day Tokyo. He finally makes enough cash to make good on a broken promise, but a run in with local police cuts Oscar short of his goal. Shot entirely in a first person POV, Oscar relives memories over his own shoulder and watches the aftermath of his death. Based loosely on the Tibetan Book of the Dead, Noé creates a realm of life, love and death laced in hallucinogens and emptiness.
After 15 years of being sculpted by Noe and trying to find the proper funding, Enter the Void went through a few different releases. Originally showing at Cannes in 2009, the film lacked much of the finished films sound design and some visual effects were not fully in place. Since 2009 the film was finished and then re-edited from 163 min down to 143 min (137 min if shown at 25 frames per second as instructed by the director) for the US release. Aside from the production issues of the film, Enter the Void is a technological achievement as most of the film plays through as one long take into life after death.
Honestly, it’s hard to sum up this film since I’ve seen very few like it. Labeled as a “psychedelic melodrama” by writer/director Gasper Noé; this film tears down all the walls of traditional filmmaking. Many themes are explored and visually the film leaves you dizzy and a bit stoned. Understandably films like this aren’t for everyone, but if you are into films about substance abuse, existence and the hereafter; Enter the Void is for you.
Random Trivia: Most of the dialogue was improvised by the cast.
Memorable Scene: Due to the continuous nature of the film, the entire story is one to be remembered.
Memorable Quote: "Do you remember that pact we made?"
Well this concludes my list of “20 DVDs that inspire”. Although a lot of these films were released in the past 10 years, the DVDs listed here provide endless inspiration in design, storytelling and execution. Check out all the films I reviewed HERE.
