MOVIE RECOMMENDATION - Carrie

It goes without saying that the art of making movies is held by a structure of departments that need a previous and careful organization. This preparation will prevent it from falling apart when something unexpected occurs during the production. All these departments play a significant role and depend on each other to some degree, but not all of them carry the same weight or have an equal responsibility on the result. I used to believe that the directing department was undoubtedly the most important, like the glue that holds the pieces together, but what good is it to hold these pieces if they are not made of a beautiful material in the first place? Before making the decisions that will partake in the whole movie-making process, you need to have an idea, and I've come to learn that a movie with a good story, that may not count on a big budget but has well-construed characters, is easier to watch and follow than one with an impeccable cinematography, because the spectator will relate to it and get that cathartic reflection immediately, which is the point of it all. 

This is the case of Carrie. I started reading the Stephen King's novel a few months ago but I haven't finished it yet. Not because it's bad, but due to the fact that I'm reading it in English and it gets quite difficult for me to understand the meaning of a lot of words in certain contexts, which is proof of how skilled King is as a writer, using such an extensive variety of vocabulary being this his first novel. I must admit that another reason why I haven't finished the novel yet is that I don't have the habit of reading in general, which is something I'd really like to change and work on in the future, for it's a healthy and stimulating practice for the mind. I have seen the movie adaptations, though. Not the 2002 tv film, but the original directed by Brian De Palma and the 2013 remake, and I think that each one has its pros and cons, but the first one is a classic and I just love it. 

 

The most distinctive and remarkable aspect about De Palma's film is clearly the performances given by the two main actresses, Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie. They're both magnetic and terrifying at the same time. No wonder they got nominated for the Oscars in its respective year. Regarding other technical aspects, the director opts for an interesting shot planification in some scenes, like the prom one, where he makes use of the split screen recourse. It is noticeable that the movie did not count on a big budget, so creative decisions had to be made in that regard, sacrificing probably some parts of the novel. But then again, the main pillar that supports the whole structure here is the script. This story contains elements and themes that are universal, such as religion, obsession, revenge and abuse. As a person who was bullied in high school, I simply cannot stop repeating and saying out loud how important it is to continue telling stories about it, in order to eradicate it. Back in the 70's, Carrie was probably perceived as the villain, while in the 2013 remake, that narrative had changed a little bit, as it was shown in the ending, where Sue's character pays her respects to Carrie by visiting her grave. So, we must have advanced and gained a little more consciousness on that matter.  

Ultimately and to sum it all up, Carrie's story continues being relevant nowadays for its forcefulness and raw intensity but also for its morals and needs to be revisited every now and then to remind us about the importance of choosing empathy over hate towards people who are bullied for being differently gifted. The 1976 movie is a classic that can be considered a cult film; the 2013 remake is not as good, but it enhances some aspects of the novel; and any adaptation will probably be interesting since the story behind is solid and powerful enough. I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for Mike Flannagan's adaptation coming next year. 

ALBUM RECOMMENDATION (Garbage - Beautiful Garbage)

 There are singers and bands that captivate you from the very first moment that you listen to them, while some others take more time for you to truly appreciate their musicality. I remember that what happened with Garbage to me was a combination of both factors. The first song I ever heard of them was a snippet of Sleep Together in the Cherry Falls movie trailer, and I instantly loved it, but it wasn't until later, after spending years listening to their entire discography during different phases and periods of my life, that I knew that they would become one of my top bands, if not my favorite. I really love their dark and haunting electronic sound, but I also like the fact that the lyrics are usually about people being vulnerable or fragile. As a person who has endured long periods of hopelessness due to my mental illness, I can relate deeply to such themes, for they are told from a compassionate point of view, but also with the awareness of someone who demands justice in a world full of inequality.   

My favorite album of them is Version 2.0, in which they acquired their best songwriting and sound to the date, but their following album, Beautiful Garbage, is also a great one and it was unfairly unappreciated back in the day, probably due to the fact that it wasn't as rocker and dark as the previous ones. Besides, the album was released in 2001, around 9/11, so Shirley Manson stated recently that she felt that their career was cursed because of this. However, the album remains as one of their best works ever, in my opinion. I also prefer the darker Garbage, but I don't dislike listening to this slightly different sound at all. In fact, I love the production here. The futuristic guitar arrangements are very modern and original. Shirley's voice sounds clearly more powerful than it did in the debut album and more present than in Version 2.0. The songwriting is on point as well. I believe that the melodies are better than the lyrics, and yet they manage to talk about relevant matters, such as the hypocrisy in the music industry or some themes related to transsexuality and the LGBTQ+ community, which were clearly ahead of its time. On top of that, this album contains one of my favorite songs of all time, Cup of Coffee, which has clearly shaped my musical taste and even inspired my works as a musician myself. The theremin and the strings in this song are simply amazing. I've read on the Internet that it's not a very popular song within the Garbage fan community, but I must go proudly against the current in this case. One of the best heartbreak songs ever written. Those who have experienced such pain will surely agree. 

  

Favorite songs: Shut Your Mouth, Androgyny, Cup of Coffee, Silence is Golden, Cherry Lips and Untouchable.