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Nicolas Winding Refn is one of the few directors that just by releasing a new film I am automatically interested in seeing it. Drive was the first film of his that I watched and while every film hasn't been as straight forward and Hollywood like, his films are always different and fantastic visually. The Neon Demon is no exception to that. Unlike his previous films I do feel like this film was a tad bit mis-marketed. You are lead to believe that this was going to be a horror/thriller only to really find out that this is just a dark comedy. In many ways this is the best parody film I've seen in quite some time, that doesn't just spoof the popular movies that year.

In the film we follow Jesse (played by Elle Fanning) who is trying to make it as a model in Los Angeles. Right away you get the feeling that this movie doesn't take place in the real world. Everything acts weird, the conversations and dialogue are slow and strange and things only continue to get weirder as Jesse gets more involved in the fashion industry. Its really when she gets in where we begin to see the type of movies this is going to be. Everyone who already works in the industry in the film feel like super exaggerated versions of what people would think these type of people would act.

Again, this is really made clear until much later in the film but as we start off you don't really know what the film is trying to do. Early on you notice that everyone that comes into contact with Jesse is memorized to the point of obsession. The is shown in the few interview scenes as well as photo shoot scenes Jesse partakes in where most of the other models are put to the side as everyone becomes obsessed with Jesse's beauty. The obsession only continues the grow as other models become threatened by this and the concept of natural beauty is explored a bit through the exaggeration of these characters.

You really have to accept this world that that things that wouldn't pass here are not only pushed aside but are welcome as this world in the film clearly flipped. I find it weird criticizing this movie because I think a lot of the complaints I have is what the film was trying to do on purpose as everything relates to the fashion industry and really the imagination people have of it. What do I mean by this?

Well one example is that the film is gorgeous, every shot every new scene is lit and colorized in the way that I don't think I've seen in any film. But the movie looks so good all the film to the point that if feels empty. I don't know how else to describe it really, the films looks good but I don't really remember any singular shot as they all kind of blend together. As for the parody side, I feel like not everyone will be able to get what Refn is parodying if they have no context as to how LA feels or really what the fashion industry is like. It doesn't have a wide appeal, which again isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The one thing I can always say about a Refn film is that is unlike any movie I will see that year. The Neon Demon is one of those films, I can also see this film gaining a cult following as years pass as this films seems to be very decisive already. Maybe its because I am tired of seeing the same old Hollywood movie or that this was a much smarter film that people are giving it credit for. Again, not for everyone but if you are interesting in seeing a different film this is one for you.

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Spectre is the latest James Bond flick and now just releasing in Blu-Ray.

I was surprised at how much I missed the first time watching this film, and how much I noticed the second time. There are so many dumb things that happen through out each event that takes place. From the opening set piece to just about every chase scene. I always feel that one of the worst things you can do in any sequel is flash back or remind the audience of one of the previous films, especially if that film is a lot better than the one you are presenting. This one does that quite a lot to the point where I was thinking, why don't I just watch that one.

Some people can let that go, but when you have a movie like this that mentions those characters and say they are connected to basically everything that happened in the series, it makes all their actions and motivations less impact full. This movie is just doing to many things at once and it feels like there isn't any drive behind the creative team of the movie. It tries to tie up everything, have its own story, and close the story to this James Bond character.

Even to the end of the film they pull the typical lets not kill the super main villain because... I don't know pick an answer?

On Blu-Ray, the visuals look great. If I were honest though, the overall look of the films isn't as good as Skyfall. They go with a much more orange tint through out the film that gives it sort of a generic look to it. Some moments especially the dark ones that help the tint look good but mostly the day time shots just look boring. The audio is great and has a 7.1 master track which will sound good if you have that kind of system. One thing that really lacks is the special features, there isn't much to talk about in them. Just behind the scenes stuff and a few trailers for the film. I really would've hoped to have seen more but I guess there really wasn't much to show.

Spectre ultimately has little replay value and the package you get with the film doesn't help it. You are best to just wait for a collection like the Bond 50, that contains some of the better Bond films. At least with that you can get the much better James Bond films so you have an option to switch movies while watching this one.

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