Diary entries foreXistenZ
eXistenZ
Again, just how old guard filmmakers portray video gamin' is always a spin-the-wheel treat. Tired of all that Netscape Navigating, here is the probing promise of VR fulfilled in a newflesh/newmind interconnection with our precious sex-toy-pet-terminal-surrogate devices, slipping away with all of our 1999-era dollars and also the barrier between realms. Thankfully not quite the bonanza of a "John Romero will make you his bitch", but still has a charming dab of "Cronenberg will rip you a new one"
eXistenZ
Hooptober 9 (https://boxd.it/iw0h4) #12 of 33 • 3 of 5 films from David Cronenberg (https://letterboxd.com/director/david-cronenberg/), Ti West (https://letterboxd.com/director/ti-west/), Bill Rebane (https://letterboxd.com/director/bill-rebane-1/), Charles B. Pierce (https://letterboxd.com/director/charles-b-pierce/), William Grefe (https://letterboxd.com/director/william-grefe/) and/or Joy N. Houck Jr. (https://letterboxd.com/director/joy-n-houck-jr/) I have so many thoughts after watching this but I’m going to jot down a couple notes. It feels like a mix of Inception (https://boxd.it/1skk) and Ready Player One (https://boxd.it/aZes). The ending was pretty good, but disappointingly falls into the category of “it was a dream all along!” except replace “dream” with “video game”. Very interesting concept, but not as well-executed as I would’ve hoped. My only other exposure to Cronenberg before this was when I watched Videodrome (https://boxd.it/29uC), but that was years ago and I barely remember it. This is just a bizarre movie. We spent more time laughing at the weirdly sensual fleshy foreplay than actually paying attention to the movie. I can appreciate the metaphors and allegories that are present throughout as they unfortunately still apply to our society even today; if you’ve seen it already then you probably know what I’m talking about. I’m thinking that it will take a couple more watches to fully appreciate this weirdly erotic and figurative film. Also, wtf this isn’t even a horror movie. Waste of a Hooptober pick.
eXistenZ
A fun and twisty body horror thriller. Love JJL.
eXistenZ
Written and directed by David Cronenberg, eXistenZ is a gross, sleazy, stomach-churning, psychosexual thriller that touches on the future of media consumption, as well as some predictions about augmented reality spaces. eXistenZ tries to say many different things, but struggles to remain coherent under the sheer weight of its bloody, body-morphing ambition. This was actually my second attempt at watching the film in its entirety, my first attempt getting as far as Willem Dafoe’s small appearance, and the main issues I had with my initial viewing are very much still prevalent through the rest of the film. The messaging gets lost in an incomprehensible story and some pretty stilted acting from almost everyone involved, which is surprising as I’m usually fond of Jude Law. David Cronenberg also tries to convey the feeling of being in a video game, but very obviously has never played one in his entire life—it comes off as a very misguided understanding of what exactly one gets out of playing one of them. At the very least, the practical effects are simply wonderful, which should come as no surprise from a David Cronenberg flick, especially the several instances of grimy body horror. I just wish I had more positive things to say about eXistenZ, but I think it really falls short compared to his previous works. ⏵ SPOOKTOBER 2023 (https://boxd.it/pxRFI)
eXistenZ
My brain had some issues following up everything but I had a blast watching it
eXistenZ
"Free will is obviously not a big factor in this little world of ours." "It's like real life. There's just enough to make it interesting." This movie is weird at times, and ranges from so-so, okay to good. I liked the ending - the focus group thing was partly a bit predictable because they mentioned it a lot in the film but the added components to it were cool. Overall it was fun and Jude Law looked really cute so I had a real nice time.
eXistenZ
"DEATH TO REALITY!!!" This hardly felt like its running time. Sucked into worlds of worlds of worlds, incredibly hard to discern between reality and virtuality. Then, it doesn't matter much because you're enjoying the game yourself. A hodge-podge of the transexual, of purpose and dedication, of what fulfills you and how you fill yourself. The risks, the options, the blood, and how you ultimately leave reality to live it. Probably my favorite Cronenberg so far. Shout out to the latexy, rubbery props that gave me literal goosebumps and ludged my half-eaten dinner to the roof of my mouth.
