Dune 2 and Love Lies Bleeding
Dune 2 is Dry As Dust
Nuff said
Love Lies Bleeding proves that the pursuit of love can get brutal
A slick trailer featuring Bronski Beat, Kristen Stewart and 80’s exercise gear: there was a lot to look forward to with Love Lies Bleeding even before the projector rolled. The story begins with a drifter/aspiring bodybuilder, Katy M. O’Brian, and a gym manager played by Kristen Stewart. The two meet, fall in love, kill and clean up. Yes, I’m overly simplifying this movie but the storyline is so out there that I don’t want to spoil it for you. What I can share is that Love Lies Bleeding is uninhibited, ultra violent and shocking.
Stewart gives another top-tier performance as Lou, a woman haunted by her past while struggling with her conscience. There are many closeups of Stewart in this movie with the darks circles under her eyes and her disheveled hair telling her story. Lou is lost, alone and struggling to connect with anyone. Jackie (O’Brian) on the other hand is the complete antithesis of Lou, she is feminine, showy and quick to anger. This movie is truly a testament to violence and how one act can snowball into another and another. No matter how Lou or Jackie try to justify their ferocity the cycle is bound to continue and we as the viewer are along for the ride. There are many moments in this movie that will cause you to jolt out of your seat but what I found most intriguing was the bodybuilding aspect. Jackie is obsessed with working out, so much so that she looks exactly like Marvel’s She-Hulk(see cover art for Marvel Graphic novel #18 1985 .) When Jackie loses control we see her body visibly transform. This brings an unearthly aspect to a story heightened in realism. Jackie remains an enigma throughout the film only to floor us during her final moments on screen. Lou on the other hand is seemingly manipulated by others only choosing to reveal herself during the end credits.
Love Lies Bleeding is unlike anything I have seen in a very long time. This movie is gritty and sharp with an unprecedented ending that will blow your mind.