Four Flies on Gray Velvet (B+)

"Four Flies on Gray Velvet" was directed by Dario Argento and released in 1972. Argento , the Italian master of horror, should be more well known than he is. This is one of the most visually striking "horror" movies I have ever seen.

"Four Flies" actually uses elements from many different film genres. (It is aesthetically anachronistic to look at it this way since the movie was filmed before these genres had become so entrenched in the film industry, but it is a useful perspective for the modern movie-watcher.) It is part mystery, part detective flick, and part horror. The plot makes it a mystery, but Argento's distinct style certainly belongs in the horror genre.

A prominent musician is set-up to commit a murder and psychologically tortured by a mysterious yet intimately acquainted and obviously deranged mastermind. As people begin to die the stakes are continually raised. The mystery unfolds obliquely through seemingly unconnected images and narration. The protagonist enlists the help of of a private detective who uncovers the truth, but the viewer only hears part of the story. The course of the movie strays a bit at times and the viewer could feel a little bit TOO lost. Some of this convolusion is justified by the end of the movie, but only some, in my estimation. The end is also accompanied by the seemingly ubiquitous killers monologue, allowing help to arrive. This is more than compensated for by a final shot which is simply breathtaking.

Argento kills a character like no one else. The scenes of obvious suspense are torturously (amelioratively) drawn out and the coup de grace is never disappointing in their graphic boldness. Argento also makes wonderful use of silence. That being said "Four Flies" has a wonderful soundtrack by Ennio Morricone. Argento also injects some humor into the script in the form of the flamboyantly gay private detective, with mixed results.

The screenplay is certainly not Argento's best, but visually this movie is unbelievable. It probably won't blow your mind taken on the whole (although the last shot is sure to) but it is definitely worth a viewing.

"Fake Palindromes" by Andrew Bird

my dewy-eyed disney bride, what has tried
swapping your blood with formaldehyde?
monsters?
whiskey-plied voices cried fratricide!
jesus don't you know that you could've died
(you should've died)
with the monsters that talk, monsters that walk the earth

and she's got red lipstick and a bright pair of shoes
and she's got knee high socks, what to cover a bruise
she's got an old death kit she's been meaning to use
she's got blood in her eyes, in her eyes for you
she's got blood in her eyes for you

certain fads, stripes and plaids, singles ads
they run you hot and cold like a rheostat, i mean a thermostat
so you bite on a towel
hope it won't hurt too bad

my dewy-eyed disney bride, what has tried
swapping your blood with formaldehyde?
what monsters that talk, monsters that walk the earth

and she says i like long walks and sci-fi movies
if you're six foot tall and east coast bred
some lonely night we can get together
and i'm gonna tie your wrists with leather
and drill a tiny hole into your head

-- Andrew Bird


This is my current favorite song. Andrew Bird falls into a category of music I would call Indie Folk (even though I hate the term "indie" for describing popular movies and music). I would group Bird in with the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Iron & Wine, both of whom are good as well.

"Fake Palindromes" really stands out on the album "The Mysterious Production of Eggs." It is accented by swirling string refrain that reminds me of Eastern music. A driving bass drum and crooning vocal style combine with the lovingly melancholy lyrics making a song that is both pulse pounding and profoundly sad. I am not a big fan of critiquing music by their lyrics. I think these lyrics stand on their own, however. It has a beautiful poetic quality. I recommend this song very highly, and the album itself is pretty good too, if you're into that kind of thing.

-- DJ Railsplitter