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Heart of Stone (1985) from Tuna |
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SPOILERS: Heart of Stone (2001) is a serial killer/thriller film. There is a ritualistic murder of a co-ed during the opening credits, then we see Angie Everhart preparing a birthday party for her daughter, who is about to start college. After the party, Everhart tries to seduce her own husband, who is frequently away on business. At this point in the film, about 5 minutes in, based on the man's character and the way they introduced him, I figured he must be the killer. |
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From there, they do their level best to convince the audience that someone else is guilty. A younger man seduces Everhart, then tricks her into lying to give him an alibi for the time of a second ritual killing. He stalks her, we learn that he is a former mental patient, and eventually see him kill several people. Nearing the last five minutes of the film, Everhart's daughter has killed the young man, and I was still convinced that the husband was the serial killer. Sure enough, I was right. |
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The 1994 film Farinelli , directed by Gérard Corbiau, is a lush, Baroque-inspired biographical drama that explores the life of the legendary 18th-century castrato, Carlo Broschi. Originally released in French and Italian, the film’s English-subtitled version allows international audiences to dive into its complex themes of artistic sacrifice, sibling rivalry, and the search for identity.
: The fierce, dramatic rivalry with Handel is largely speculative, although their professional paths did cross in London.
: To recreate Farinelli's 3.5-octave range, the film electronically blended the voices of a countertenor and a soprano, creating an "androgynous and electrifying" sound. Farinelli subtitles English
At the heart of the film is the tragic sacrifice of Carlo’s manhood for his art. The movie portrays castration not just as a physical act but as a psychological trauma that defines his relationships, particularly with his brother, Riccardo.
While the film is "based on a true story," it takes significant creative liberties to heighten the drama. The 1994 film Farinelli , directed by Gérard
: Farinelli is depicted with the flamboyant status of a modern-day rock star, complete with an adoring fan base that was historically accurate for the era.
: The plot follows Farinelli's growth from a "freak attraction" performing vocal acrobatics to a mature artist seeking pure musical expression, often through the works of George Frideric Handel. Visual and Auditory Grandeur : To recreate Farinelli's 3
: Contrary to the film's explicit scenes, historical records suggest the real Farinelli was quite discreet about his private life. Review - Farinelli - Peer's Dance
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