Whoa
Saw The Wicker Man today, the American remake. (Apparently, at least from what Wikipedia tells me, there was an older, British version.) Still, the climax of the American film haunts me. I am so terrified of that scene. I started crying... I just couldn't get over the inhumanity. A really excellent plot-twist. (But I hear that the British conclusion purportedly is much more terrifying because the villagers sing an old Celtic song instead of chanting "Kill the drone.")
An excellent storyteller was at work here; the ending completely defied my expectations. I thought the police officer was going to be the hero and save Rowan. I was cheering for him as he was running through the woods, following her. Imagine my shock and repulsion when Rowan leads him back to the townsfolk to be sacrified himself. Total plot-twist. And then how the camera went up the wicker man--and then you understand what the scheme was all about. The climax was horrifying: hearing Nicolas Cage moan and scream as the flames creep up the wicker man while the women smile and chant "Kill the drone."
Still, the 2006 film's setting in Washington is gorgeous! So verdant and lush! I would love to live there, sans the cult. So many rich greens in the trees, grass, and shrubs among other varicolored flowers. I loved the tall and wide trees! And a wonderful coastline, with moderating cooling gulf streams so I could wear as many sweaters as I wish. I would so bicycle everywhere there--that place is too beautiful to mar with vehicles and smog. That's it, I know which national parks I'm vying for SCA this summer! Washington seems like an amazing place for mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking--a few of my favorite things. I can enjoy those activities even more because the weather will be cooler! (Gah, I hate Houston! I hate this fucking humidity and heat and general grayness!)
Why the hell am I preparing to work for some corporation and have a managerial position! That's not what I want in life at all! What I would love would be to live in a place such as Washington and manage my own orchard/farm. And how I would ride my bicycle and knit interesting sweaters to wear and sell on Ebay!
Whoa, from what I've read Wikipedia, I've got to see the 1973 British film! It seems so much better than the new American version! First off, the fact that's there some neo-Celtic/pagan group on a Scottish isle is more feasible than one in Washington. (Buh?! In the American one, how does one get to Washington from Massachusetts in the 17th century? And why would a pagan group that wanted to be free to practice their religion go with the Puritans?) Also, the British version seems to place more emphasis on how the pagan group rejected Christianity and the detective is a pious, conservative Christian. (Eh? A little commentary on Christianity and neo-Paganism? Oh la la.)
Really the film's conclusion, either version, is harrowing and haunting.
"Sergeant Neil Howie (Woodward), of the fictitious West Highlands Constabulary, is sent an anonymous letter recommending that he investigate the disappearance of a young girl, Rowan Morrison, on the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle. He flies out to the island and during his investigations discovers that the entire population follow a neo-pagan religion under the island's owner Lord Summerisle (Lee), believing in re-incarnation, worshipping the sun and engaging in other rituals.
Howie, an extremely devout and conservative Christian, is increasingly shocked by the islanders' behaviour; yet, he is attracted and repulsed by the alluring and sexual Willow (Ekland), the landlord's daughter. He receives no assistance in his search from the islanders, who initially deny Morrison exists and then say that she recently died. Howie persists and uncovers evidence suggesting the girl was a victim, or perhaps is soon to be a victim, of human sacrifice. Delving deeper into the island's culture, he disguises himself as Punch, a principal character of the May Day festival, to uncover the details of the ceremony. The islanders are not fooled and at the end of the festival it is revealed that the girl is alive and unhurt; the letter was part of a ploy to bring Howie to the island for him to be the sacrifice, which they believe will restore the fertility of their fields.
As Howie is seized by the islanders, Lord Summerisle drolly notes that the sacrifice will be especially effective since the engaged Howie, like Punch, is a virgin, is simultaneously wise and a fool, comes as a King (a representative of Her Majesty's government), and comes to the place of sacrifice of his own free will. Howie admonishes Lord Summerisle that if his sacrifice does not work, the next year, the islanders will have no choice but to sacrifice their king - Lord Summerisle. Summerisle appears certain that sacrificing Howie will work. Howie is forced into the belly of a large hollow wicker statue of a man, which is set on fire. In the final shot of the film, the islanders surround the burning wicker man and sing the Middle English folk-song "Sumer Is Icumen In" while the terrified Howie shouts out Psalm 23 and implores divine vengeance on the island and its inhabitants."
In other news, I went to the Galleria for the first time in seven years! It's so large and there are so many people! And too many people walk slowly.
An excellent storyteller was at work here; the ending completely defied my expectations. I thought the police officer was going to be the hero and save Rowan. I was cheering for him as he was running through the woods, following her. Imagine my shock and repulsion when Rowan leads him back to the townsfolk to be sacrified himself. Total plot-twist. And then how the camera went up the wicker man--and then you understand what the scheme was all about. The climax was horrifying: hearing Nicolas Cage moan and scream as the flames creep up the wicker man while the women smile and chant "Kill the drone."
Still, the 2006 film's setting in Washington is gorgeous! So verdant and lush! I would love to live there, sans the cult. So many rich greens in the trees, grass, and shrubs among other varicolored flowers. I loved the tall and wide trees! And a wonderful coastline, with moderating cooling gulf streams so I could wear as many sweaters as I wish. I would so bicycle everywhere there--that place is too beautiful to mar with vehicles and smog. That's it, I know which national parks I'm vying for SCA this summer! Washington seems like an amazing place for mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking--a few of my favorite things. I can enjoy those activities even more because the weather will be cooler! (Gah, I hate Houston! I hate this fucking humidity and heat and general grayness!)
Why the hell am I preparing to work for some corporation and have a managerial position! That's not what I want in life at all! What I would love would be to live in a place such as Washington and manage my own orchard/farm. And how I would ride my bicycle and knit interesting sweaters to wear and sell on Ebay!
Whoa, from what I've read Wikipedia, I've got to see the 1973 British film! It seems so much better than the new American version! First off, the fact that's there some neo-Celtic/pagan group on a Scottish isle is more feasible than one in Washington. (Buh?! In the American one, how does one get to Washington from Massachusetts in the 17th century? And why would a pagan group that wanted to be free to practice their religion go with the Puritans?) Also, the British version seems to place more emphasis on how the pagan group rejected Christianity and the detective is a pious, conservative Christian. (Eh? A little commentary on Christianity and neo-Paganism? Oh la la.)
Really the film's conclusion, either version, is harrowing and haunting.
"Sergeant Neil Howie (Woodward), of the fictitious West Highlands Constabulary, is sent an anonymous letter recommending that he investigate the disappearance of a young girl, Rowan Morrison, on the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle. He flies out to the island and during his investigations discovers that the entire population follow a neo-pagan religion under the island's owner Lord Summerisle (Lee), believing in re-incarnation, worshipping the sun and engaging in other rituals.
Howie, an extremely devout and conservative Christian, is increasingly shocked by the islanders' behaviour; yet, he is attracted and repulsed by the alluring and sexual Willow (Ekland), the landlord's daughter. He receives no assistance in his search from the islanders, who initially deny Morrison exists and then say that she recently died. Howie persists and uncovers evidence suggesting the girl was a victim, or perhaps is soon to be a victim, of human sacrifice. Delving deeper into the island's culture, he disguises himself as Punch, a principal character of the May Day festival, to uncover the details of the ceremony. The islanders are not fooled and at the end of the festival it is revealed that the girl is alive and unhurt; the letter was part of a ploy to bring Howie to the island for him to be the sacrifice, which they believe will restore the fertility of their fields.
As Howie is seized by the islanders, Lord Summerisle drolly notes that the sacrifice will be especially effective since the engaged Howie, like Punch, is a virgin, is simultaneously wise and a fool, comes as a King (a representative of Her Majesty's government), and comes to the place of sacrifice of his own free will. Howie admonishes Lord Summerisle that if his sacrifice does not work, the next year, the islanders will have no choice but to sacrifice their king - Lord Summerisle. Summerisle appears certain that sacrificing Howie will work. Howie is forced into the belly of a large hollow wicker statue of a man, which is set on fire. In the final shot of the film, the islanders surround the burning wicker man and sing the Middle English folk-song "Sumer Is Icumen In" while the terrified Howie shouts out Psalm 23 and implores divine vengeance on the island and its inhabitants."
In other news, I went to the Galleria for the first time in seven years! It's so large and there are so many people! And too many people walk slowly.