February 26, 2013 | Theatre,

CHECK OUT THESE FILMS, BOOKS & MUSIC RELATED TO METAMORPHOSIS!

 

FILMS

The Fly (1986)

In this re-make of the 1950s classic sci-fi story, director David Cronenberg adds his distinct touch to the story of a nerdy scientist with an experiment that goes all wrong. Trying to woo a pretty journalist (Geena Davis), Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) shows off his latest scientific findings a bit too soon. Having successfully teleported a small animal, Brundle decides to test the machine on himself. A small fly, however, enters the chamber with him, and before it’s over the bookish scientist has been transformed into a fly-human hybrid, changing his life forever. This occasionally gory but visually stunning re-telling showcases Cronenberg’s work at its peak and is one of the most important films of the 1980s. Be sure to check it out at the Bright Family Screening Room March 1 @ 9PM and March 9 @ 6PM.

Mimic (1997)

A nasty roach-carried virus struck New York three years ago, taking the lives of many children. In an effort to combat this plague, scientists at the Center for Disease Control created an anti-virus that appeared to be working swimmingly, until now. When bizarre cockroaches are discovered crawling the subway tunnels under Manhattan streets, the pieces are put together to link it to the vaccine given out—one that unexpectedly turned the patients into the very monster they were combating. Now, the scientists must react in time to save the city from a rapidly spreading disease. Helmed by award-winning Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, this creepy, crawly, electric thriller features the acting talents of Mira Sorvino, F. Murray Abraham and Josh Brolin, among others. Don’t miss your chance to see it on the big screen in the Bright Family Screening Room March 2 @ 9PM and March 8 @ 6PM.

The Trial (1962)

Legendary director Orson Welles beautifully portrays Franz Kafka’s nightmarish classic novel The Trial with a polished noir touch. Josef K, an unassuming office worker, awakes one day to find the police in his bedroom. They arrest him and put him on trial for a crime that is never explicitly told to him. The suspected guilt of K but lack of knowing any details keeps audiences on edge as a series of startling events unfolds in this dystopian, hellish trial. Welles’ continued interest with the power of illusion continues in this uniquely filmic take on Kafka’s work, playing in the Bright Family Screening Room on March 3 & 9 @ 1PM.

BOOKS

The Metamorphosis Franz Kafka  (1915)

Read Kafka’s original short story of economic struggle, familial pressure and general confusion. Told in three parts, the story builds in escalating tension as the Samsa family struggles to decide on what they should do about their son who has turned into a large bug. Gregor becomes more at peace with his body but increasingly dissatisfied with his inability to help his family. Kafka’s rich description and unparalleled imagination helped make this the piece that has defined his career as one of the greatest fiction writers of the past century.

The Fall Albert Camus (1956)

Much like Gregor Samsa’s descent from respectable employee to degraded son, Jean-Baptiste Clamence falls from societal grace after he ceases to be a wealthy lawyer, and he confesses this personal scandal to a total stranger. An unknown laugh haunts him, and he succumbs to the suggestion that he might be a horrible person by publicly speaking ill of the homeless and the invalid. Set in Paris, Amsterdam, Africa and London, Clamence cannot escape his guilt or his destiny.

Bartleby, the Scrivener Herman Melville (1853)

As a man with the opposite work ethic and determination of Metamorphosis’ Samsa, Bartleby slowly shirks his duties as a copier of legal documents and eventually refuses to do anything at all, including leaving the building. After the business moves to a different location and Bartleby remains behind, the authorities have to forcibly remove him from the office and Bartleby fades into obscurity. Overwhelmed with the ennui of clerical work, Bartleby exemplifies the sometimes impossible task of finding meaning in living.

MUSIC

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (1996)

In their bestselling album to date, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds collaborate with musicians such as PJ Harvey, Shane MacGowan and Kylie Minogue for inspired lyrics about crimes of passion. With heavy airplay of “Where the Wild Roses Grow” on MTV, Cave slipped thoughts of morbidity and macabre into the public mind through his captivating form of storytelling. With playing styles subtly shifting between rock and jazz and country, this album exemplifies Cave’s talented musical range.

Push the Sky Away by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (2013)

Check out the latest album by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. In their fifteenth studio album, Cave and Warren Ellis join their long-time back-up band to explore the themes of “significant events, momentary fads and mystically-tinged absurdities” and learn how to recognize what’s really important in life. The Bad Seeds bring their naturalism and warmth to Cave’s established style to make for a unique listening experience.

The Proposition: Original Soundtrack by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis (2005)

To reflect the lawlessness of the Australian outback, The Proposition draws heavily from the film score’s slow tempos and drawn out ballads. Cave and Ellis strike a balanced collaboration with instrument-focused compositions from Cave, giving Ellis the chance to shine on violin. The album closes with uneasy vocals from Cave, to leave the listener with that haunting sense of foreboding, much like the movie itself. Enjoy one of the more obscure scores by Cave and Ellis– also responsible for the haunting music underscoring films such as The Road  and  The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.