Night of the Hunter

I have a confession. I love to buy movies. A simple declaration; something that those that know me well are acutely aware of. But, unfortunately, I've been unable to catch up with my purchases and have an amazing collection of films I haven't seen yet. One of these, a dvd I got for Christmas, is Charles Loughton's The Night of the Hunter. A dark movie about a preacher/serial killer (Robert Mitchum) who learns from his cell mate about a heist he pulled previous to being incarcerated. Harry Powell (Mitchum) is released from prison and proceeds to meet the wife of the other prisoner, marries her, and continues his quest for the cash. Willa Harper (Shelley Winters) has two children who are keeping the secret of the hidden money and Powell will do anything in order to recover it.

A suspenseful, dark, hybrid noir, Night of the Hunter combines the dark cinematography (this is what really stands out. Maybe the best I've seen from an American director.) of traditioinal noir with a religious vernacular and certain themes pertaining to it. There is no femme fatale here. Rather, the man inverts the traditional paradigm and leads the woman to her doom.

Final Verdict: An amazing film that combines spectacular cinematography and brilliant performances with horror and suspense to create a one-of-kind noir. I highly recommend this to anyone who might read this entry.

Random Thoughts

1. Just finished a course entitled "Disaster and Discourse in Latin America" where we got to read various texts about the representations of droughts, volcanoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. The professor who taught it is a "mexicanista" so I was able to read several Mexican authors that I've never read before including: Carlos Monsivais, Humberto Musacchio, Jose Emilio Pacheco and Marco Antonio Campos. It was a good time.

2. As a result of my class being over, I teach for the next month without taking any courses. I plan on taking a big chunk out of the reading list and taking full advantage of our netflix membership.

3. I've been looking for some new graphic novels to read and here are a couple of the ones I think have promise.

DMZ

Read about it here.

Fables. Read about it here.

4. The Copa America has been dissapointing so far. Argentina has looked pretty bad. Many blame Messi, but the blame should go to Batista. He needs to replace Banega and Cambiasso with Di Maria and Pastore and Lavezzi with Higuain. Plus, the fact that he is trying to play like Barcelona is an insult. Play like Argentina!

5. The Barnes and Noble criterion sale starts this coming week. I'm usually really excited but this time around I can't think of anything to get right away. Maybe The Thin Red Line (blu-ray) or Charade.

6. Beckie is hosting a Harry Potter party tonight celebrating the release of the last film. She's prepared all types of decorations and activities. I kid with her about how nerdy it is but truthfully I think it will be fun. It's cool to see how creative she can get.

7. Little H* has changed quite a bit in the last couple of months. He finally has more than just two teeth and is visibly growing. He won't sit in a shopping cart anymore and instead insists on helping push it. He also loves the Nursery which we are happy about.