Directed and sound designed by David Lynch and screenplay by Lynch and Robert Engels that is based on the TV series by Lynch and Mark Frost, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me revolves around the final days of Laura Palmer before her murder as well as the events before and after the events of the TV series. The film is a prequel/sequel of sorts to the series as it relates to the mysterious murders of a young woman and another young woman who would be connected to the murder as aspects of her life are unveiled. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee, Moira Kelly, Chris Isaak, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Wise, and Keifer Sutherland. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is a gripping yet mesmerizing film from David Lynch.
The film explores not just the final days of the life of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) who was a major subject in the TV series but also in the events that preceded her murder as it relates to the death of a young woman named Teresa Banks (Pamela Gidley). It’s a film that isn’t just about a young woman falling apart in her final days but also dealing with the revelations about the mysterious figure that had been stalking her as he would eventually become her killer. The film’s screenplay by David Lynch and Robert Engels does have an odd structure in terms of its narrative. Notably in its first act as it relates to Banks’ murder where Special Agent Chester Desmond (Chris Isaak) investigates with Sam Stanley (Kiefer Sutherland) as they find some things that relate to the murder and then something happens that stops the case that includes the sudden re-appearance and disappearance of the FBI agent Phillip Jeffries (David Bowie).
The film’s second and third act plays into Laura Palmer’s final days as she copes with being in a multitude of relationships with other men, a drug problem, and the mysterious appearance of a man named Bob (Frank Silva) who had been stalking her. Then there’s her father Leland (Ray Wise) whom she believes might actually be Bob as well where there are some revelations about his own past and such. Still, it raises questions about not just his relationship with Laura but also other things about him that definitely becomes puzzling. Even as there’s moments in Laura’s own world where she sees things as it relates to characters whom she had never met nor were part of the series in the beginning start to appear for some strange reasons. Those are among some of the flaws in the script as well as these surreal moments about this mysterious world that is the Black Lodge where Bob supposedly lives in.
Lynch’s direction is quite simple at times for the way he shoots the many locations in the Pacific Northwest while he would add things that are surreal such as Desmond and Stanley given a message from a mute woman in a red dress. It plays into this strange mix of Americana and European surrealism where Lynch does create some simple compositions and such in his close-ups, medium shots, and wide shots yet will find a way to play with these elements. The film’s first act which revolves around the Banks case where Special Agent Desmond is leading the investigation play into a world that is corrupt as Desmond and Stanley were forced to do things by themselves.
By the time the story moves to the second act at the small town of Twin Peaks, it plays into the town and what it was like during Laura Palmer’s final days. Still, there are odd moments as it relates to not just some of the characters from the TV show but also the ones who either were on the show but don’t appear in the film or those who come into the show very late into the series. The direction would feature these point-of-view shots as well as moments that add to the surrealism that includes key moments in the third act that plays into Laura’s final day including her death. Even as it relates to those involved and what could’ve been done to save her. Overall, Lynch creates an eerie yet intoxicating film about a young woman’s final days in a small town.
Cinematographer Ron Garcia does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography with its usage of lights including blue lights as well as some naturalistic images for some of the scenes set in the day. Editor Mary Sweeney does excellent work with the editing as it play into the drama and suspense while creating some cutting styles and montages that are bizarre which delve into the moments that are unexplained. Production/costume designer Patricia Norris and set decorator Leslie Morales do fantastic work with the set design including the Palmer home, the Roadhouse bar, and the mysterious red room where the Man from Another World is from while the costumes are quite stylish to play to what Laura wore in her bawdy moments as well as the suits of the FBI agents.
Sound editor Douglas Murray and sound designer David Lynch do amazing work with the sound to play into some of the sound effects that occur in the film as well as in the atmosphere in some of the events that go on including the scenes where Bob would be around lurking towards Laura. The film’s music by Angelo Badalamenti is incredible as it’s the highlight of the film with its mixture of orchestral, blues, dream-pop, and ambient music that features variations of themes from the TV show as well as some somber themes that play into the drama and tragedy of the film as the music includes contributions by Julee Cruise who appears as the singer at the Roadhouse bar.
The casting by Johanna Ray is wonderful as it features small appearances from TV cast recurring/regular characters like Catherine Coulson as the Log Lady, Al Strobel as the one-armed man Philip Gerard, Lenny von Dohlen as the agoraphobic Harold Smith who would hide Laura’s diary, Peggy Lipton as the diner owner Norma Jennings, Madchen Amick as the diner waitress Shelly Johnson, Heather Graham as Annie Blackburn, Grace Zabriskie as Laura’s mother Sarah, Miguel Ferrer as Agent Rosenfeld, David Lynch as FBI regional superior Gordon Cole, Gary Hershberger as Mike Nelson, Frances Bay as the mysterious Mrs. Tremond, Walter Olkewicz as the Roadhouse bartender Jacques Renault, Michael J. Anderson as the Man from Another Place, Jonathan J. Leppell as Mrs. Tremond’s grandson, Eric Da Rae as Leo Johnson, and Phoebe Augustine as Ronette Pulaski as the young woman who would walk out of the event traumatized and lost.
Other notable small roles include Kimberly Ann Cole as the mute woman in red, Rick Aiello as deputy Howard who tries to antagonize Special Agent Desmond, Gary Bullock as Sheriff Cable, Jurgen Prochnow as a mysterious woodsman at the Black Lodge, Pamela Gidley as Teresa Banks, and Harry Dean Stanton in a terrific performance as a trailer park landlord who is trying to make sense about what happened. David Bowie is superb in a small role as the FBI agent Phillip Jeffries who had disappeared two years earlier as he suddenly appears talking about the Black Lodge. Kiefer Sutherland is excellent as Agent Sam Stanley as a man who has quirks that allow him to see things where would make a chilling discovery as it relates to Teresa Banks’ body. Frank Silva is fantastic as Bob as the evil killer who may or may not be real as he stalks Laura as he might also be involved in Banks’ death. James Marshall and Dana Ashbrook are brilliant in their respective roles as James Hurley and Bobby Briggs as Laura’s two lovers with Marshall as the sensitive Hurley and Ashbrook as the more troublesome Briggs who both cope with Laura’s offbeat behavior.
Kyle MacLachlan is amazing as Special Agent Dale Cooper who deals with the chaos over the Banks case as he waits for what will happen next as he would later become a key figure in the Palmer case. Moira Kelly is pretty good as Donna Hayward as Laura’s best friend who tries to deal with Laura’s behavior as Kelly brings a more low-key approach to the character that is played by Lara Flynn Boyle in the TV show. Ray Wise is remarkable as Leland Palmer as Laura’s father who hides a dark secret as it relates to a lot in what is happening as it’s an ambiguous but underwritten role that loses some of its intrigue. Finally, there’s Sheryl Lee in an incredible performance as Laura Palmer as this troubled young woman who deals with a severe drug problem as well as juggling relationships and a stalker as Lee brings a lot of weight and anguish to the performance of a young woman who is living on the edge.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is an excellent though flawed film from David Lynch. While it does sort of deviate from elements of the TV series while focusing more on the events that related to Laura Palmer’s final days. As a standalone film, it is quite exhilarating and strange that manages to be out there but also riveting. For those who are fan of the TV series, the film serves as a fitting companion piece despite some of its flaws. In the end, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is a brilliant film from David Lynch.
David Lynch Films: Eraserhead - The Elephant Man - Dune - Blue Velvet - Wild at Heart - Lost Highway - The Straight Story - Mulholland Dr. - INLAND EMPIRE - The Short Films of David Lynch Pt. 1 - The Short Films of David Lynch Pt. 2 - The Music Videos of David Lynch
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 3 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 13 - Episode 14 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
(The Missing Pieces)
The Auteurs #50: David Lynch: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 - Pt. 4
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by David Lynch and written by Mark Frost, the fifteenth episode of Twin Peaks entitled Lonely Souls revolves around the break that Special Agent Cooper and Sheriff Truman have been looking for as it relates to who might’ve killed Laura Palmer. While Cooper and Truman take the possessed Philip Gerard to the hotel, it is clear that the suspect is definitely near as Benjamin Horne becomes the major suspect after being asked by Audrey about One-Eyed Jack’s and secrets he had about Laura. Deputy Hawk would go to Harold Smith’s apartment to retrieve Laura’s diary where a discovery is made about Smith and the diary where Cooper looks into its contents where he and Truman conclude that Benjamin Horne might have some involvement in Laura’s death.
It’s an episode where the long-awaited outcome of who might’ve killed Laura Palmer finally emerges but also leaves a lot of questions into what is going on. While Benjamin Horne is a definite suspect for the fact that he had Laura work in his store and got her involved at One-Eyed Jack’s. His confession to Audrey reveal that as bad as a man that he is, he didn’t kill Laura as credit should go to Richard Beymer for unveiling some of Horne’s vulnerability though the scene where’s arrested during a meeting with Tojamura reveal that he is a coward. It’s among some of the intriguing aspects of the episode as it would continue for its multi-layered climax where Cooper, Truman, and the Log Lady go to the Roadhouse where Cooper would have a vision.
Also at the Roadhouse are James Hurley and Donna Hayward as they both deal with some of the drawbacks over what happened at Smith’s home as they learn that Maddy Ferguson is going on home. Bobby Briggs meanwhile, makes a discovery in a boot that Leo Johnson owned in the hopes that it could get him and Shelly out of the financial dire straits they’re in. Especially as Shelly is forced to resign from her work as a waitress for the Double R Diner to take care of Leo full time. While it’s an episode that is quite dramatic and ends some storylines while opening new ones. There are elements of humor where Norma Jennings gets a first-hand look at the new Nadine Hurley who still think she’s in high school and has super-strength as Ed is still baffled. Another funny moments play into Leo Johnson’s outbursts in his comatose state that provide some scares for Bobby and Shelly but it is among these quirks that make it so irresistible to watch. Even as Tojamura makes an appearance to meet Pete Martell where he reveals his true identity.
Yet, it’s the climax where many of the characters converge at the Roadhouse where Julee Cruise performs two songs where a major event is revealed into not just the character BOB but also who is Laura’s killer as seen by Maddy Ferguson. The reveal is definitely an odd one as it only raises more questions than answers as well as some of the mysterious elements that relate to the contents in Laura’s diary with claims of molestation and abuse.
Lonely Souls is a phenomenal episode of Twin Peaks from David Lynch and writer Mark Frost. It’s an episode that closes some things but also opens to some newer questions about Laura Palmer’s death and the revelations to who killed her. Featuring some top-notch performances from Richard Beymer, Sheryl Lee, and Kyle MacLachlan, the episode isn’t just one of the show’s key episodes but also one that would mark some serious changes to the series. In the end, Lonely Souls is a remarkable episode of Twin Peaks from David Lynch.
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 3 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 13 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - (The Missing Pieces)
© thevoid99 2015
Based on the novel Vampire$ by John Steakley, Vampires is the story of a group of vampire hunters who are trying to protect a sacred cross from the very first vampire ever created. Directed and scored by John Carpenter and screenplay by Don Jakoby, the film is a mixture of horror and the western where it revolves around a group of Catholic-sanctioned vampire hunters who are trying to protect the world as they battle a very powerful vampire. Starring James Woods, Daniel Baldwin, Sheryl Lee, Maximilian Schell, and Thomas Ian Griffith. Vampires is a funny yet adventurous film from John Carpenter.
Under the order of the Vatican, a group of vampire hunters try to hunt vampires in the American Southwest as they look for a master vampire who is trying to find a sacred cross to finish up a ritual. At the same time, they try to protect a hooker who was bitten by the master as she has a psychic connection with the master just before she is to turn. It’s a film with a simple plot where there’s not a lot that goes on as it has this strange mix of horror, terror, and the western as it’s lead character Jack Crow (James Woods) is a man who hates vampires as he has no problems killing them for the Catholic church or for anyone. The script doesn’t go for anything that is serious while it does have some exposition about the cross and what the vampire Valek (Thomas Ian Griffith) wants. Yet, it does manage to help tell the story and play into the many motivations of Crow and his team where they also have to use Katrina (Sheryl Lee) to see what Valek is up to.
John Carpenter’s direction definitely pays tribute to the world of the western as it is shot on location in New Mexico where it doesn’t just play to a world where there are still rules of what to do. It also showcases that even though Crow and his gang will do things that not everyone will be pleased by, they get the job done and party afterwards as they know that people wouldn’t have to worry about vampires. Carpenter’s approach to the compositions are simple while he does create some unique wide shots and framing to play up the feel of the western. Even as he creates sequences that are gratuitous with lots of violence as he harkens back to something where it is wild and not to be taken seriously. Even in the way he approaches his music score as its mixture of rock and country play into that sense of unruliness that is the West. Even as its climax does play like a showdown between Crow and Valek for the sake of the world. Overall, Carpenter creates an exciting and off-the-wall film about vampire hunters.
Cinematographer Gary B. Kibbe does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography as it has this element of the West with its naturalistic look of the skylines as well as scenes in the desert while using some stylish lights for scenes set at night. Editor Edward. A. Warschilka does fantastic work with the editing with its approach to rhythmic cutting for some of the action scenes along with some stylish montages for a few moments that play into Crow‘s sense of duty as a vampire slayer. Production designer Thomas A. Walsh, with set decorator David Schlesinger and art director Kim Hix, does terrific work with the look of the hotel/motel rooms Crow and his friends stay at as well as some of the design of the churches that Valek goes to kill.
Costume designer Robin Michel Bush does nice work with the costumes as it is mostly casual with the exception of the all-black clothes that Valek wears. Special effects makeup designers Howard Berger, Robert Kurtzman, and Greg Nicotero do amazing work with the look of the vampires in their scary state as well as what happens to them when they‘re killed. The special effects work of Gene Grigg, Darrell Pritchett, and Corey Pritchett do superb work with the special effects for scenes where the vampires get burned by the sun. Sound editor John Dunn does wonderful work with the sound as it plays into some of the sound effects and sound textures for many of the film’s action scenes.
The casting by Reuben Cannon and Eddie Dunlop do brilliant work with the casting as it includes some notable small roles from Henry Kingi, David Rowden, Clarke Coleman, Thomas Rosales Jr., Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, and Mark Boone Junior as members of Crow’s crew as well as Gregory Sierra as Father Giovanni as another member of Crow’s screw who is their spiritual advisor. Tim Guinee is terrific as Father Guiteau as a young priest who joins Crow in finding Valek as he would also provide some information about the relic that Valek wants. Maximilian Schell is excellent as Cardinal Alba as the liaison for the Vatican who is also Crow’s superior as he warns Crow about going too far.
Thomas Ian Griffith is superb as Valek as one of the very first vampires ever created as he is searching for a cross as he also knows who Crow is and how determined as it’s a role filled with some charm despite the lack of dialogue he’s given. Sheryl Lee is fantastic as Katrina as a hooker who is bitten by Valek as she is one person that knows where Valek is through a psychic connection as she also copes with losing her humanity. Daniel Baldwin is brilliant as Anthony Montoya as Crow’s partner-in-crime who is tasked in watching over Katrina as he falls for her despite the fact that she’s becoming a vampire. Finally, there’s James Woods in an incredible performance as Jack Crow as a vampire slayer who doesn’t take shit from anyone though he knows he has a moral code to follow as he copes with trying to find and kill Valek where Woods brings in a lot of charm and wit that makes his performance so fun to watch.
Vampires is a stellar film from John Carpenter that features a great performance from James Woods. While it is flawed in some ways due to its lightweight script and lots of exposition, it does make up for it thanks in part to its cast as well as some cool action sequences. In the end, Vampires is a wonderful from John Carpenter.
John Carpenter Films: Dark Star - Assault on Precinct 13 - Halloween - Someone’s Watching Me! - Elvis - The Fog - Escape from New York - The Thing - Christine - Starman - Big Trouble in Little China - Prince of Darkness - They Live - Memoirs of an Invisible Man - Body Bags - In the Mouth of Madness - Village of the Damned - Escape from L.A. - Ghosts of Mars - The Ward
The Auteurs #60: John Carpenter Pt. 1 - Pt. 2
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by Harley Peyton and Robert Engels, the fourteenth episode of Twin Peaks entitled Demons revolves in the aftermath of Audrey Horne’s rescue Special Agent Cooper, Sheriff Truman, and Hawk where Cooper has a revelation about the rescue. Even as he informs Benjamin Horne that he’s rescued Audrey where there is some concern from Audrey about her father knowing about his involvement in One-Eyed Jack’s. It’s an episode where there’s some closure in some storylines but more intrigue emerges as a major break occurs as it relates to the mysterious character called BOB. The sense of drama and suspense that looms in the episode as well as the aftermath of Donna Hayward and Maddy Ferguson’s attempt to retrieve Laura Palmer’s secret diary from Harold Smith would also have some revelations for the young women as Maddy decides to return home.
For Donna, the attempt would have her talk to Sheriff Truman about the attempt as she was saved by James Hurley who had no involvement though he is still under Truman’s watch. Arriving into Twin Peaks is Cooper’s superior Gordon Cole (David Lynch) who arrives with some news about Cooper’s former partner where Cole’s appearance as a man that is highly-deaf and wearing earphones with a machine attached to adds to many of the quirky elements of the episode. Especially as he talks very loudly with whoever he talks to as that person where it creates a few awkward moments but also some chilling moments. Most notably the ending where Hawk had finally captured the one-armed man Gerard who would convey a message from the spiritual world as revealed a lot about BOB as well as some key clues to who could be Laura Palmer’s killer.
That sense of drama and suspense also plays into Josie Packard’s own storyline as she is leaving Twin Peaks to return to Hong Kong under the threat of Jonathan where she makes a deal with Benjamin Horne and says goodbye to Truman who professes his love for her. It adds to a lot of what is going on as Horne’s attempt to deal with Mr. Tojamura becomes difficult as Leland Palmer has returned to work full time where his eccentric behavior becomes a liability. It’s among these serious moments that occur in the episode which includes Leo Johnson return in his vegetative state where Shelly and Bobby learn about how much money they’re getting where the outcome is disappointing. It’s among the moments in the episode that are intense yet is balanced by its humor such as the Gordon Cole character and a small subplot where Ed Hurley copes with Nadine’s newfound super-strength.
Demons is a superb episode of Twin Peaks from Lesli Linka Glatter as it’s an episode that not only maintains its offbeat tone but also adds a lot of stakes into what is happening as it relates to Laura Palmer’s death. Even as some big things are emerging while those in the small town of Twin Peaks are either benefiting or suffering from the outcome of her death. In the end, Demons is an excellent episode of Twin Peaks from Lesli Linka Glatter.
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 3 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 14 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - (The Missing Pieces)
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Graeme Clifford and written by Barry Pullman, the fifth episode of the second season of Twin Peaks entitled The Orchid’s Curse revolves around Special Agent Cooper’s attempt to rescue Audrey Horne from the hands of Jean Renault as he makes a discovery about the note she wrote to him which he hadn’t received while he watches over Leland Palmer’s trial and the decision over the now comatose Leo Johnson as the latter is coming home with Shelly and Bobby Briggs watching over him. It’s an episode where different paths start to emerge for the central characters where Cooper makes a plan to save Audrey as well as a plot by Donna Hayward and Maddy Ferguson to retrieve Laura Palmer’s diary from Harold Smith.
In the latter, it’s Donna’s attempt to try and make-up with Maddy after their issues over Maddy’s feelings for James Hurley as Donna tries to woo Smith in order to get the diary which she thinks is key to the mystery of her death. Yet, things become very complicated as Donna learns the severity of Smith’s agoraphobia as well as how plans can go wrong. The plan for Audrey’s rescue would be less complicated though both Benjamin Horne and Jean Renault would have different ideas of how to handle things with Horne hiring Hank Jennings to take care of some things including the money. Renault meanwhile has plans of his own where it’s more about getting leverage on Horne’s finances as well as complete control of One-Eyed Jack’s.
While it is a largely serious episode, there are elements of humor as it relates to Shelly Johnson and Bobby Briggs getting ready for Leo’s homecoming as well as Nadine Hurley returning from the hospital as it is one of the funniest moments of the episode. With Andy filling for Lucy and learning about his own sperm count, it’s one of the finest episodes of the second season as there’s also some intriguing moments that goes on. Most notably the arrival of the Japanese businessman Mr. Tojamura (Fumio Yamaguchi) who has a big business proposition for Benjamin Horne with money that is quite funny. It’s an episode that has this unique balance of intrigue, drama, and humor where a lot of things are coming together as well as some elements of the story that is starting to have some closure.
The Orchid’s Curse is a sensational episode of Twin Peaks from Graeme Clifford and writer Barry Pullman. It’s an episode that manages to make some closure on a few subplots but also pave the way for other things to happen as the mystery over who killed Laura Palmer continues. Even as it has this nice mix of chaos, mystery, and drama that makes the show so exciting. In the end, The Orchid’s Curse is a phenomenal episode of Twin Peaks by Graeme Clifford.
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 3 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 13 - Episode 14 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - (The Missing Pieces)
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by Robert Engels, the third episode of the second season of Twin Peaks entitled The Man Behind Glass plays to not just Agent Cooper trying to find the whereabouts of Audrey Horne but also a clue that relates to a letter found underneath Ronette Pulaski’s fingernail. With the ongoing investigation continuing where Cooper and Sheriff Truman find some answers during a hypnosis session with Dr. Jacoby about who killed Jacques Renault. Emotions start to run very high in the small town of Twin Peaks as it relates to the various characters in the story.
With James Hurley and Maddy Ferguson getting closer, Donna Hayward starts to feel left out as her investigation on the Meals on Wheels program lead her to the reclusive Harold Smith (Lenny von Dohlen) who knew Laura Palmer through the program. Donna gets to know Harold as she starts to become frustrated with James’ feelings towards Maddy as it eventually starts to fall apart. Other notable small stories involve Nadine Hurley waking up from her coma thinking she is in high school much to Ed’s surprise while Lucy has a lunch-date with the very smug and pretentious Dick Tremayne (Ian Buchanan) where she reveals to him that he might be the father of her baby.
The episode would also play into the underworld of the town as it relate to One-Eyed Jack’s where Audrey remains captured as Jean Renault (Michael Parks) arrives with a plan to extort her father. At the same time, Renault wants revenge for his brothers as he is targeting Cooper while a mysterious Asian man is also watching over Cooper. The character of Phillip Michael Gerard would make an appearance over a shoe that Leo Johnson is wearing during an investigation over the mill arson as a glimpse into the mysterious picture of BOB would trigger something. Yet, it would become another break in the investigation about Laura’s death while Donna would make a discovery of her own at the end of the episode.
It’s not just the script that allows characters to be fleshed out more but also in the way everyone is starting to get emotional. Notably another confrontation between Truman and Agent Rosenfeld where the latter reveals what kind of man he is as it would baffle the former. Lesli Linka Glatter would maintain that sense of balance of offbeat and suspense to play into not just a town that is starting to become undone slowly. It’s also showcasing that things are changing where not everything will be great as alliances start to shatter and there are those that will try to create new alliances for darker reasons.
The Man Behind Glass is a superb episode of Twin Peaks by Lesli Linka Glatter and writer Robert Engels. With its cast once again on the top of its game and the story becoming more compelling, it is clear that more questions are being raised rather than answers being revealed. In the end, The Man Behind Glass is a fantastic episode of Twin Peaks.
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 3 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 13 - Episode 14 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - (The Missing Pieces)
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by Mark Frost, the fifth episode of Twin Peaks entitled Cooper’s Dream revolves around the discovery of Leo Johnson’s blood-stained shirt that Bobby Briggs put in the apartment home of Jacques Renault. Special Agent Cooper, Sheriff Truman, Deputy Hawk, and Dr. Hayward all check out what is in Renault’s apartment where they find some clues into the work that Renault and Johnson are up to. It’s an episode where it is not just about a series of investigations where Audrey Horne, James Hurley, and Donna Hayward trek into their own journeys to find out what is going on where Hurley and Hayward ask Laura’s cousin Maddy for help.
The episode does find a balance of quirky humor with some suspense and drama as there’s also some looming tension as it relates to Hank Jennings’ return to society as he promises Norma to do right though it is clear he might have a history with Josie Packard. Hank’s return would put Norma’s affair with Ed Hurley on hold while Benjamin Horne’s attempt to buy the Martell saw mill is getting closer with Catherine Martell wanting to ruin Packard. It’s an episode that plays into a lot of elements in the underworld as Mark Frost would write events and little subplots that play into not just how Laura Palmer’s death would unravel some of the things in the town but also how things become more complicated as it relates to her own activities.
One major subplot involves Bobby Briggs and his affair with Shelley Johnson as the latter reveals she had bought a gun as the two pretend to play with it while Briggs would finally unveil a more tormented side of himself during a session with Dr. Jacoby as it relates to Laura. It’s a moment where Dana Ashbrook’s performance definitely shows a lot of layers as someone who has some depth and makes Briggs a character who isn’t just some good-looking bad boy but one who is very troubled. Sherilyn Fenn’s performance as Audrey Horne is another standout not just due to the script but also in Audrey’s motivations as she would blackmail her father’s department store boss to get her a job where she would work to investigate what Laura and Ronette would do. Even as it showcased more of her attraction towards Agent Cooper.
Lesli Linka Glatter’s direction is very mesmerizing in the compositions as well as matching the elements of suspense and humor such as a scene where Cooper, Truman, Hawk, and Dr. Hayward meet with the log lady who would reveal some things that her log claims to have seen. It would be a key break into the story while the episode would also feature moments of humor as Cooper is annoyed by visiting Icelanders for a business convention held by Benjamin and Jerry Horne. A business meeting and later a party that would set the course for some of the elements of greed that looms over Benjamin but also a moment that shows Leland Palmer losing it. Yet, it’s one of the final scenes of the episode that involves the Johnsons that becomes a major turning point as their story ends in a cliffhanger.
Cooper’s Dream is a phenomenal episode of Twin Peaks thanks in large part to Mark Frost’s script and Lesli Linka Glatter’s direction. It’s an episode that ends on a high note into what will happen next while keeping this mysterious about what happened and what is going on. In the end, Cooper’s Dream is a dazzling and riveting episode from Lesli Linka Glatter.
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 3 - Episode 4 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 13 - Episode 14 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - (The Missing Pieces)
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Tina Rathbone and written by Harley Peyton, the fourth episode of Twin Peaks entitled Rest in Pain revolves around the day of Laura Palmer’s funeral services as emotions run high while Special Agent Cooper believes that he has a hunch on who killed her. While Cooper believes that there’s a lot more to the case, he also deals with the tension between Sheriff Truman and Agent Rosenfield as the latter found some clues during Laura’s autopsy that opens the door to an underworld in the town. All of which plays into things that is happening where Cooper and Truman confront Leo Johnson who denies anything despite Cooper’s reciting all of Johnson’s past criminal activities.
It’s an episode that does close a moment where everyone says goodbye including Laura’s look-a-like cousin Maddy (Sheryl Lee) who visits to attend the funeral to Leland Palmer’s comfort. Yet, it’s a moment where the town would unravel as Bobby Briggs would claim that Laura’s real killer is the whole town in saying that they didn’t do enough to help her. It’s an episode where it features some very intense and intentionally cheesy dramatic elements along with comical moments that prove to be very funny in the most unintentional ways. Thanks in part to Harley Peyton’s script which not only manages to balance the disparate tones of the story but also find ways to keep the focus about the mystery surrounding Palmer’s death.
Under Tina Rathbone’s direction, the element of humor, drama, and suspense is engaging as well as being offbeat as it also features little moments that do play into the story. Notably a scene involving Ed Hurley and his wife Nadine (Wendy Robie) as the latter thanks him for giving her the accidental solution for her silent drapes as it is among some of the weird moments of the episode. Yet, it’s the funeral where Rathbone’s direction has nearly all of the principle characters in the frame while building up something where things will explode. It’s a very comical moment while it is followed by Shelley Johnson working at the diner telling the customers exactly what happened.
Its final moments would play more into the underworld where Truman and Deputy Hawk (Michael Horse) would invite Cooper into a secret society that involves Ed Hurley as it relates to a secret drug smuggling ring that Truman and Hawk are trying to end. It’s the episode that would give a proper introduction to Jacques Renault (Walter Olkewicz) and his family who are in connection with Leo Johnson into transporting drugs. What would happen would unveil more about the dark elements of the town as well as more about Laura Palmer and her connection with the Renault family. With Miguel Ferrer being great as the asshole FBI Agent Rosenfield and Sheryl Lee providing a brief yet wonderful performance as Maddy Ferguson. It’s an episode that plays more into the tension between Josie Packard and Catherine Martell where the former tells Truman about what she wants to do as it is clear that Martell is trying to ruin Packard.
Rest in Pain is a fantastic episode from Tina Rathbone and Harley Peyton as they manage to find a balance between elements of humor and drama. It’s also an episode that isn’t afraid to find the line of unintentional humor as it plays into David Lynch’s idea of playing against the rules of conventional television mysteries. In the end, Rest in Pain is a thrilling and witty episode of Twin Peaks from Tina Rathbone.
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 13 - Episode 14 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - (The Missing Pieces)
© thevoid99 2015
Based on Daniel Woodrell’s novel, Winter’s Bone tells the story of a 17-year old girl living in poverty with her young siblings at the Ozarks Mountains. When the home she and her sibling live in is in danger as they face even worse poverty, the girl tries to find her father where she discovers a dark world of drugs as she turns to her uncle for help. Directed by Debra Granik with a script adapted by Granik and Anne Rosellini, the film is a haunting coming-of-age tale set into a world that is mystifying as rural as the Ozarks. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Garrett Dillahunt, Dale Dickey, Lauren Sweetser, Sheryl Lee, and John Hawkes. Winter’s Bone is a compelling yet harrowing drama from Debra Granik and company.
17-year old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) lives in a rural area in the Ozarks Mountains in Missouri with her two young siblings in Sonny (Isaiah Stone) and Ashlee (Ashlee Thompson). Also living with them is their mother Connie (Valerie Richards) , who is depressed and withdrawn as they scrape by with whatever they live with. Even as they get help from their neighbor Sonya (Shelley Waggener) who often takes care of their horse. When a sheriff (Garrett Dillahunt) arrives to reveal to Ree that her father Jeesup has skipped bail and used the house as collateral. Ree realizes that she needs to find him or else her family will be homeless.
Ree asks for help including her friend Gail (Lauren Sweetser), a friend of her dad’s name Little Arthur (Kevin Breznahan), and a woman named Victoria (Cinnamon Schultz). Victoria is the girlfriend of Ree’s uncle Teardrop (John Hawkes) who doesn’t know where his brother is as he suggests to not dwell on finding Jeesup. After a suggestion from Little Arthur’s girlfriend Megan (Casey MacLaren), Ree walks to meet with Thump Milton (Ronnie Hall) whom she fears. She goes to his place to meet Merab (Dale Dickey) who says that Thump is too busy and suggests to forget about what is happening. Yet, Sonya’s boyfriend Blond Milton (William White) would reveal news about what might’ve happened to Jeesup as Ree decides to continue the search.
With Gail’s help, she and Ree meet up with Jeesup’s old girlfriend April (Sheryl Lee) who saw Jeesup two months ago as she realized that he’s been acting stranger than usual. Realizing that her family home is in danger and a bails bondsman (Tate Taylor), she tries to have a meeting with Thump only to get herself in even greater danger. Teardrop comes by to settle things as he reveals what his brother was up to as he decides to help her. With days away from losing the house, Ree tries to find ways to get money while Teardrop investigates the whereabouts of his brother. What they find is more shocking as well as the motive for the dark underworld Jessup had been involved with.
The film is a coming-of-age tale of sorts since it’s about a 17-year old girl trying to save her family’s home where she would discover a dark underworld that her father had been involved in. Yet, it’s more about the journey where Ree is someone already forced to grow up and act like an adult as she lives quite poorly with two young siblings to raise. Yet, she has all of the things a 17-year old wants including a life at high school. Still, she is devoted to her family that needs her as she takes care of her mentally-ill mother and her two young siblings. When she’s faced of losing that family and sense of security, she has to go into this treacherous adventure.
While she would get help from various people, there are two people who would warn her about the world she’s about to enter. One is her uncle Teardrop, a meth-head who is hostile yet doesn’t want Ree to enter this treacherous world as he knows something that he doesn’t want her to know. The character of Teardrop is an anti-hero of sorts who doesn’t want to get into any trouble but is reluctant about helping out his niece since she’s the closest thing to family that he has. The other character Ree encounters is Merab, an enforcer who works for an underworld boss who is intimidating and fierce as she doesn’t want Ree to find out about anything.
The film’s screenplay succeeds in not just bringing life to the characters that Ree meets but also her surroundings in the Ozarks Mountains. Yet, it’s Debra Granik’s direction that really brings a haunting yet hypnotic quality to the film. Shot on locations in the Ozarks Mountains in Missouri, there is a very realistic quality to the film where there’s very little sunlight in the film as the weather is mostly gray. Yet, it works to bring a look that feels real as if someone is at those mountains. More importantly, Granik’s direction plays things very quietly while always having the camera on the characters in intimate and sparse moments.
For the film’s more intense, dramatic moments, Granik definitely aims for suspense by having the camera follow the action. Notably a scene where Ree tries to follow Thump Milton at a cattle ranch and call out his name. Even as it would lead to a violent scene where Ree would encounter Milton and his gang including the vicious Merab. Every scene including a meeting between Ree and an army recruiter (Russell Schalk) has something to do with the story. Overall, Granik’s direction is superb for her eerie compositions and gritty approach to storytelling.
Cinematographer Michael McDonough does a fabulous job with the film‘s cinematography with its realistic yet wonderful look for many of the film‘s exterior scenes. Even at night where the darkness feels real and adds suspense to the film including a chilling scene at the lake. Most of the interiors are very intimate in its lighting while the camera is mostly steady with a few hand-held shots as McDonough’s work is wonderful to watch.
Editor Affonso Goncalves does an excellent job with the film’s editing by presenting it in a straightforward manner while maintaining a leisured pace for the film. Even in creating fast-paced cuts and rhythms for the more suspenseful scenes of the film. Production designer Mark White and set decorator Rebecca Brown do fantastic work with the decayed, messy look of the home Ree and her family lives in along with the surroundings of the other characters filled with decayed trailer parks and broken down cars. Even as it adds a real sense of authenticity to what it really looks like in the world of the rural South. Costume designer Rebecca Hofherr does a very good job with the film’s costumes as it plays to the realistic tone with characters wearing flannel and other winter-like clothing.
Sound editor Damian Volpe does a superb job with the film‘s sound in capturing the eerie atmosphere of the Ozarks from the winds and lakes nearby to the interior places such as the cattle halls and bars that the characters interact in. The film’s score by Dickon Hinchliffe is definitely one of the film’s technical highlights as it plays to haunting tone of the film with sparse, ambient-like pieces driven by guitars and keyboards. Even as the rest of the film’s music is a mixture of folk and traditional music.
Casting by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee is phenomenal as many of the people in the film are non-actors which adds authenticity to the characters the people play. Among the notable small performances include Cody Brown as Gail’s husband Floyd, Russell Schalk as an army recruiter, Beth Domann and Charlotte Jeane Lucas as a couple of Merab’s acquaintances, Tate Taylor as a no-nonsense bails bondsman, Kevin Breznahan as a fellow meth-head named Little Arthur, Casey MacLaren as Little Arthur’s girlfriend as Megan, William White as Ree’s neighbor Blond Floyd, and Ronnie Hall as crime boss Thump Milton. Other notable small roles include Sheryl Lee as an ex-girlfriend of Ree’s father, Valerie Richards as Ree’s depressed, mute mother, Lauren Sweester as Ree’s friend Gail, Cinnamon Schultz as Teardrop’s girlfriend Victoria, and Shelley Waggener as sympathetic neighbor Sonya.
Garrett Dillahunt is very good as the local sheriff who reminds Ree of what she’s facing as he is also a man trying to do good though has issues with Teardrop during a showdown between the two. Isaiah Stone and Ashlee Thompson are excellent in their respective roles as Sonny and Ashlee, the two young siblings of Ree who are aware of what is going on as they help her out in hunting food and such. Dale Dickey is amazing as Merab, Thump Milton’s enforcer who is an intimidating presence in look and in performance. Dickey brings a chilling and forceful performance as a woman no one wants to mess with as she is also someone who doesn’t want a young girl like Ree to get into the dark underworld she surrounds herself with.
John Hawkes is superb as Teardrop, Ree’s meth-head uncle who is a hostile man not wanting to get Ree into the dark underworld of drugs. Yet, when he realizes that his brother is missing and Ree needs his help. He becomes an unlikely sympathetic figure despite his flaws as Hawkes plays the character with an uneasy yet quiet performance as a man haunted by his own demons as wants to know the truth about his brother’s disappearance. Finally, there’s Jennifer Lawrence in what is a definitely breakthrough role as Ree Dolly. Lawrence’s performance is truly outstanding in the way she plays a young girl beyond her years as she is also someone who acts like a mother to her young siblings while determined to find out what happened to her dad. It’s a very grounded role that has a young woman wanting to find out the truth, even if it puts her in danger as Lawrence steps up to the play by maintaining a calm approach to her character. It’s definitely one of the year’s best performances.
Winter’s Bone is a phenomenal film from Debra Granik that feature a great performance from Jennifer Lawrence. Along with wonderful supporting roles from John Hawkes and Dale Dickey, it’s a film that truly solidifies all that is good with no-holds-barred, raw, and compelling American indie cinema. Even as it gives a director like Debra Granik a chance to be profiled more as she is definitely a true visionary. Audiences wanting a thriller or suspense film with lots of realism will find it in a film like this as it doesn’t play to any rules while creating characters that are truly engaging. In the end, Winter’s Bone is an exhilarating and captivating film from Debra Granik and company.
Debra Granik Films: Down to the Bone - (Stray Dog (2014 film)) - Leave No Trace
© thevoid99 2011
