The Mu-Meson Archives

Tony Richardson’s The Loved One (1965)

The Mu-Meson Archives play host to another month of “psychotronic, cinema, film, music, culture, OVNI, UFO, conspiracy, [and] exploitation”.

Anybody going by the monikers Jay Katz and Miss Death are either going to be the coolest people you ever come across or the biggest asses you’ll ever wish ill upon.

The Mu-Meson guys definitely fall into the former. Check out their current program here: http://www.mumeson.org/

Timid souls might give The Loved One screening a go. With an early, evening kick-off and a $10 charge that covers supper, the May 21st screening is a good way to dip your toes into the glorious Mu-Meson pool.

While the whole May program is choc-full of too-cool goodness, who can go past a title like Flesh Eating Mothers? Can you think of a better way to celebrate that hallowed of holidays: Mother’s Day?

Get thee on down to Annandale.

Down in the Valley

“Where are you going?”
“Nowhere.”
“Can I come?”

These are the first words the audience hears. That’s the film – a picture of loneliness and longing. Tobe Sommers (Evan Rachel Wood) and her little brother Lonnie (Rory Culkin) exist in the world without living. Each longs for something better, but behind their expressive eyes, and everyday motions, there’s a resignation. For them, this is… life. Watching the Sommers go about their daily lives is like watching a sort of slow death. We know where they’re heading – or not. Tobe’s feisty nature doesn’t open doors of optimism but rather offers glimpses of the loss about to follow. Like the opening lines of the movie, the characters are going nowhere, and their every action to rebel against this moves them closer towards tragedy.

The Five Obstructions

No matter how haughty your cinematic tastes may be, this 90-minute effort from director Lars von Trier will not fail to infuriate.

In 1967, Danish documentary film-maker Jorgen Leth made The Perfect Human, a 12-minute short detailing the daily activities of a man and woman. Celebrated film-maker Lars von Trier once proclaimed Leth’s effort as perfect, and now takes an opportunity to imprint his own stamp on cinematic history.

Lord, Please Don’t Kill Me

Weird cab experience:

Cab driver: Where you from. You’re tourists right? Not Sydney-siders, no way.
Me: Sure.
Cabbie: Perth, is it Perth?
Me: Yah. We’re from Perth.
Cabbie: Naaaaw, you’re joking yes? Melbourne. YOU’RE FROM MELBOURNE.
Me: Um, you got us.
Cabbie: Whatcha here for hmm? (raining pretty hard outside)
Me: The weather.
Cabbie: MmmHmmm. You play an instrument? You should play, you young people. I really love the violin.
Me: Oh, you play?
Cabbie: No.

Another 5 minutes before the journey ends.

Across the Universe

A musical set in the 60s and using the classic music of The Beatles as a backdrop to explore themes of love, war, and peace. Sounds awesome right? Across the Universe is anything but.

Winter Passing

We hear her voice before we see her. As cameras pan across the cold streets of New York City Reese Holdin’s (Zooey Deschanel) voice interrupts the urban blare with a fragile description of “her” apartment. Except, it’s not her apartment. Reese Holdin is an actress. She’s auditioning for a part. We’re fooled for a split second. And yet, when the truth is revealed, something of the illusion remains. Reese, like the part that she hopes to land, is damaged.

Sex and Death 101

Smart, below the belt, and oh-so black.

Much has been made of Ryder’s reunion with Heathers writer Daniel Waters, but in truth, she barely has 30 minutes of screen time here – if that.
The film’s focus is actually that of charming playboy Roderick Blank (Simon Baker). With impending nuptials looming, Roderick receives a mysterious email listing the names of “all the women he’s ever slept with, and ever would sleep with”.

Where is Gaby Hoffman

Whatever happened to Gaby Hoffman? This girl:

 

 

 

  

 

 

She was hot property in the 90s, appearing in everything from Everyone Says I Love You to Freaky Friday. Where is she now? She’s basically taken the tried-and-tested route that actors in decline choose: theatre. A quick search on google could probably yield you a wealth of information on her whereabouts if you were so inclined. I, however, find this recent photo of her most interesting:

In the Beginning…

This is indeed my first post… on WordPress.