Since TJ brought up American Psycho...

It's one of my favorite movies, and one of my favorite books. I like how TJ mentioned that Mary Harron didn't intend for it to be a horror film. It was, very much, a satire on the higher class and the materialism of young adults in America. Personally I find psychological thrillers to be extremely interesting especially when they portray mental illness so raw like American Psycho does, so this movie appeals to me. It also has a very strong social commentary. Bret Easton Ellis, the author of the book the movie is based on, writes in a way that almost makes the reader feel like they themselves are losing their minds. Ellis was also very involved with Harron during the filmmaking process, so a lot of his motifs are still visible in the film. One of the majore aspects Ellis wanted to keep was the feeling of the viewer themselves losing their mind.

I was just really excited that TJ showed 3 clips from American Psycho, all of which were clips depicting some of the best moments in the film. It really is a very good movie, but it is very disturbing and Rated R for very good reasons. TJ mentioned that Harron didn't get positive feedback because she directed a movie that at some points portrays women as sex objects and nothing more. (which is sexist in and of itself because if a man had directed AP, he would have gotten significantly less grief). It wasn't just the feminist movement though, many people within the industry were appalled by Harron, a woman, directing such an obscene film. She was blacklisted for quite some time until just recently when the film has become more of a cult classic.

I really do recommend this to anyone who finds this genre really interesting and intriguing. I think the worst mistake you could make is to pre judge this film as a slasher/gore film. It isn't just mindless killing and mindless sex. If you want an idea of what American Psycho is like, it reminds me of Fight Club (another excellent book/movie combo) and A Clockwork Orange (yet ANOTHER excellent book/movie combo). All of these films are dark, heavy, and graphic in different ways, but they are extremely interesting and thought provoking. Each one offers an insight into the human condition and how reality isn't always what it seems.

- R.