Valhalla Rising [2009]

Valhalla

Strange and beautiful art flick from Denmark by Nicolas Winding Refn. More raw emotion and visual poetry than ‘movie’, this is a film that gives you nothing until you give to it. Its cruelly slow pacing fully negates any notions about adrenaline rush battle-fests and comedic one-liners. Despite some extremely brutal action, this film does nothing to demand your attention. You must choose to be involved in what is going on.

While there is a ‘plot’ that advances the story somewhat, a linear narrative seems more for the convenience of the viewer than than to drive home a point. Everything that transpires is liquid, hallucinogenic, and open to interpretation. Sparse dialogue nudges you into various mind sets while your eyes and ears are bathed in dark existential ambiance. Religious iconography and mythological thematics spur you toward vague sensations but ultimately where you end the journey is entirely up to you.

Those willing to brood and ruminate over the nature of violence, the purpose of humanity, and mankind’s quest for a higher power will be able to extract the most from this ambiguous 93 minute trek, but even after dissecting this film, you probably won’t be satisfied. However, that might actually be part of its appeal. It begs to be watched multiple times.

All in all, this thing plays out like the visual equivalent of a Neurosis, Hyatari, or Sunn O))) album. Grim, mostly slow, yet strangely compelling and beautiful in its writhing despair.

For fans of Solaris, Anti-Christ, and Dogme 95 films.

Watch the trailer below.

The Art of Nathaniel Spearing

Nathaniel Spearing is a Maine native graphic artist. He works with a variety of mediums including pencil, acrylics, water color, charcoal, and more. Inspired by Cthulhu, forces of nature, tattoo and graffiti, and the Illuminati. View the Gallery or Contact N. Spearing on Facebook Follow

The Arrival [1978]

Not to be confused with the 1996 Charlie Sheen movie of the same name, The Arrival is an ‘educational’ film by the Unarius Academy of Science. Unarius is a religious organization [cult?] formed in 1954 by Ruth and Ernest Norman. Here is the synopsis as presented on the Unarius website: … Continue reading

Azsacra Zarathustra

Azsacra Zarathustra is a Russian nihilist esoteric philosopher, photographer, poet, video director, and general all-around madman. Who know what maniacal game this Emperor of Suicide plays at? Too strange to express in words, see for yourself. AZsacra’s Website or partake in AZsacra’s Game of Death! Follow