The House That Jack Built | Lars Von Trier

[Blitzkrieg]

Boundary-pushing cinematic visionary Lars von Trier returns with one of his most daring, masterfully provocative works yet. In five audacious episodes, failed architect and arch-sociopath Jack recounts the elaborately orchestrated murders—each, as he views them, a towering work of art—that define his “career” as a serial killer. Mixing pitch black humor, transcendent surrealism, and renegade musings on everything from history to architecture to cinema, von Trier fashions a radical, blazingly personal inquiry into violence, art, and the twin acts of creation and destruction.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

@Black Narcissus Re-posting your review

Lounge of Justice - Part 83

Jesus Christ.

My reaction through out most of the film:

I have seen some real messed up things when it comes to foreign films and real obscure stuff. I have no problem with most violence on film, it doesn't need to have any meaning behind it either. I have seen ALL of Lars Von Trier films, but they still don't make you prepared for this. I don't think this film will be available for wide release here anytime soon, but there is a crisp bootleg out there, if you know where to look, that is how I watched this. I know to always sit through a Lars Von Trier film on an empty stomach, and this was not the exception. There is brutal violence done on children and animals, he makes you watch like you're there, it feels real. Also, spoiler alert, the title of the film ain't a goddamn metaphor. I have not looked away at violent scenes in what feels like forever till I watched this. I legit had to close my eyes during a scene, I just didn't want to look. Having said all that, the first hour of this movie is the best hour of any film i've seen this year so far, which makes the next hour and a half so goddamn frustrating to watch. The last part is just Lars bathing in his own ego and HE KNOWS YOU THE AUDIENCE are going to hate him for making you watch the brutality and nonesense monologues that follow. This kinda felt like you was watching the director jerk himself off, and he is making eye contact with you all through out, but you can't look away because he won't let you. Matt Dillion deserves an oscar nomination for the first hour alone tho, but it will never happen. I DO NOT recommend this film for the Lars Von Trier uninitiated, and even then, it is a tough sit. Still, I can't give it a bad review based on the first hour alone. 7/10

 

[Guts]

That scene where Jack talks about evil being shown in art while scenes from Lars Von Trier's previous movies are shown felt like the director was patting himself on the back a bit too hard.

 

[Closerframe]

Overall, I enjoyed it for what it was but people calling this too violent need to peep into other foreign films that have pushed the envelope further. The difference of the violence depicted here is the intent behind it. However, what makes the film truly disturbing is Von Trier comparing himself to the title character which can be interpreted from the artistic point-of-view of a failing artist or perhaps something more sinister. The biggest issue I had was the sequence featuring several genocidal dictators and Jack being envious of their “accomplishments”. I don’t understand the purpose of this sequence nor do I understand why he included scenes from Nyphomaniac, Melancholia, and Antichrist.

 

[KaijuDude1992]

This is easily one of the most interesting films I have seen all year. I'll admit that I'm not much of a Lars Von Tier fan, but after seeing this I do want to check out more of his films. It's way too long IMO, but I'd be lying if I said I was ever bored because I wasn't. Matt Dillon is truly fantastic in this, and for the most part this movie is definitely a dark comedy and it absolutely works. There is so much going on in this film that I almost want to watch it again one day to catch everything I might have missed and who knows maybe I will, but for now all I can say is I very interested to see what this director does next.

8/10

 

[scarlet-witch]

This kinda felt like you was watching the director jerk himself off, and he is making eye contact with you all through out, but you can't look away because he won't let you.

Oh God.

 

[Guts]

This is easily one of the most interesting films I have seen all year. I'll admit that I'm not much of a Lars Von Tier fan, but after seeing this I do want to check out more of his films. It's way too long IMO, but I'd be lying if I said I was ever bored because I wasn't. Matt Dillon is truly fantastic in this, and for the most part this movie is definitely a dark comedy and it absolutely works. There is so much going on in this film that I almost want to watch it again one day to catch everything I might have missed and who knows maybe I will, but for now all I can say is I very interested to see what this director does next.

8/10

Dancer in The Dark is definitely his most depressing movie.