Tags
Bronson, Drive, Fear X, Only God Forgives, Pusher, Pusher 3, Pusher II, The Neon Demon, Valhalla Rising
* * * * (Out of * * * *)
1. The Neon Demon (2016)
2. Only God Forgives (2013)
3. Drive (2011)
4. Pusher II (2004)
5. Pusher (1996)
6. Pusher 3 (2005)
7. Bronson (2008)
8. Valhalla Rising (2009)
9. Fear X (2003)
P.S. I have not seen Bleeder (1999) yet because it has not been released on Blu-Ray/DVD here in the United States.
Advertisements
By coincidence, I have just recorded ‘Only God Forgives’ from a TV showing, and have yet to watch it. I have ‘Valhalla Rising’ on DVD, and think it’s a wonderful film.
I have also seen the ‘Pusher’ trilogy, a good Danish crime thriller.
Best wishes, Pete.
Winding Refn is a master stylist. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
You know how I feel about Drive. I absolutely love that film. I think it is visionary, near perfect. That said, I didn’t care for Only God Forgives. To me it’s a choreographed bloodbath and little else. I haven’t seen any other Refn films.
Don’t get aggravated at me John. I know you are a big admirer of Refn. He’s very stylistic. His style is original, you can see his prints all over his films and I admire that. But story and acting, for me, is paramount–and to me, Refn fell short on these elements in Only God Forgives. I may give it another look. I respect your opinion.
I am not aggravated at you at all 🙂 I understand where you come from 🙂 I think what really drives (no pun intended :)) towards his films is not so much his visual style (though that is part of it) as it is his affection towards the type of film he is making (though I am sure you can say that about plenty of directors). Nevertheless, like Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright, he makes the types of films that he would love to watch If he was a member of the audience. Anyway, thanks for dropping by and keep those comments coming 🙂
Yes, I think your right. He remains true to his vision. He’s like De Palma. When you see a Refn or De Palma film, you know it immediately. I want to like his films because I like Drive so much. He’s a bold filmmaker, that’s for sure. I admire that. That’s why I like Peckinpah–even when I don’t like him–he’s bold.
You are not off at all in your comparison of Refn to De Palma, but I will add that unlike Refn, the social themes of De Palma’s films seem richer by comparison though. Visually speaking, Refn’s films are equal (albeit different) to De Palma’s. Whereas De Palma’s influences are wide ranging, Refn seems more influenced by grindhouse type films and gritty crime thrillers (though that should not be mistaken as an insult). I also think it is possible to admire a filmmaker for being bold even If you do not adore him/her. Anyway, thanks for dropping by and keep those comments coming 🙂