Displaying items by tag: Lily Taylor

THE ADDICTION

US, 1995, 82 minutes, Black-and-white.

Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Annabella Sciorra, Edie Falco, Paul Calderon, Katherine Erbe, Michael Imperioli, Robert W. Castle.

Directed by Abel Ferrara.

The Addiction is a significant film in the career of Abel Ferrara. In independent filmmaker, eccentric, Catholic background and frequent Catholic themes, an addict himself.

After small budget violent films, he was recognised in the 1980s as a significant film maker. And, especially during the 90s, with such well-received films, Bad Lt, The Funeral as well as The Addiction, he was able to make some studio films as well is to continue on his own way.

He also drew on several actors in many films including Christopher Walken and Harvey Keitel.

This short feature, filmed in black and white, goes to the New York streets, to the University, to hospitals. It focuses on a young woman played by Lili Taylor, studying philosophy, an encounter with a vampire, played by Anna biller surer, and transformed into a dark vampire, then praying and transforming others, erratic behaviour, sexual, stealing, preying on people in the streets.

She encounters reforming vampire, played by Christopher Walken, who takes her in, tries to help her, getting her to read William Burroughs’ The Naked Lunch, helping her to get her PhD.

However, in the celebratory party, with many guests, she lets loose, transforming the party into a kind of vampire blood orgy. But then, she wanders the streets, goes to a hospital, a visit by a priest for the last sacraments and The attic.

Finally, she visits her own grave, and the question whether she has been redeemed or continue to be part of the living dead.

1. The title, expectations? Abel Ferrara and his own addictions? His life, memories, possibilities for change and redemption?
2. The effect of black-and-white photography, New York City, the University, the streets, the dark world, academia, the party, the hospital? The musical score?
3. Vampire films, the traditions? Transferred to the United States? The LOI ready, blood, the living dead, biting and killing? Possibilities for overcoming the condition? The range of characters that arise here?
4. The religious themes, Ferrara and his Catholic background, evil, sin, repentance, redemption? And the priest visiting Kathleen in hospital?
5. Kathleen, her age, studies, her thesis, the encounter with Casanova, her being transformed? In the dark, needing blind, HIV fears in the 1990s, the hospital, her anaemia?
6. Her changing character, the sexual approach to her Prof, stealing his wallet, Jean noticing, her attack on Jean, the attack on the young woman and her weeping, Kathleen asserting her indifference? The encounter with Black, the blood? Gene talking to her about guilt?
7. The encounter with Pena, his history as a vampire, trying to overcome his condition? Taking care of Kathleen, her reading William Burroughs The Naked Lunch?
8. Defending her thesis, the award, the party afterwards, the guests, the transformations into vampires, and all G of blood?
9. Kathleen, regrets, walking the streets, in hospital, life and death, the priest visiting her with Communion?
10. Her visiting her grave, the meaning of her life – and the quotation: self-revelation is annihilation of self?

FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN

US, 2025, 90 minutes, Colour.

India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazzi, Katherine Waterston, Lily Taylor, Chris Klein, Ariana Greenblatt, David Iacono, Darren Baker, Ella Rubin.

Directed by Matt Palmer.

A further instalment in the Fear Street franchise, based on the many Young Adult novels by prolific author R.L.Stein (even more Goosebumps novels). It follows three Fear Street features which range from the 17^th century to the 20^th century.

This is a very straightforward film. The focus is on a school, having something of a disreputable reputation but aiming higher. It is final year and the preparation for the 1988 Prom, six students vying to become Prom Queen. It highlights each of the characters, their friends, especially boyfriends, the principal of the school who is dominated by the vice principal played by Lily Taylor.

There are class sequences, some mocking of the teacher, and even further mocking of one of the students, Lori Granger, played by India Fowler. She is at the centre of the film. She has been the object of ridicule because of the death of her father and the explanation of his being murdered by her mother who was found not guilty. Gossip and shame remain.

Lori has a good friend, fond of horror, does some recreational drugs, some mocking touches, especially towards the click vying for prom Queen.

Audience sympathy is for Lori, the sympathetic character, tensions with her mother, but her wanting to become Prom Queen to make some amends, even vengeance, for her mother who lost Prom Queen because of the death of Lori’s father.

As expected, there is a dominating character, very much pushed on by her mother and father, with the jock boyfriend – but whose eyes often roam towards Lori, some pleasant gestures towards her, especially in the diner where she works.

One of the contestants is murdered by a masked and hooded character. Then, on the night of the prom, a whole lot of background of the film given to the choosing of dresses for the prom, the star, Tiffany, helping her girlfriend whom she dominates, Melissa, and mocking and threatening Lori. Four of the girls before a Stars & Stripes dance number, edging Lori off the stage.

Then, four others of the girls and their boyfriends are killed in grim and gruesome manner, some gory touches for horror fans.

Ultimately, there is a threat to Lori and her best friend, pursuits, the masked character entering into the hall after Lori is named and crowned Prom Queen. The character attacks, threatening Lori’s friend, Lori attacking him in the face with her crown.

For this reviewer, the masked character was not on the list of suspects! Police arrive, complications, Lori escorting her rival, Tiffany, home to keep guard for her.

Then, some more, perhaps unexpected, mayhem, explanations of the murder of Lori’s father, some more gruesome killings – and a Young Adult version of Stine’s story, very much geared towards teenagers, especially girls identifying with the characters, and comparisons being made by Prom Night aficionados for the film of that name.