8 Year Old Me: What is this? What. Is. This? I couldn't even finish this thing. The beginning scene with the creepy elephants and the lady screaming and.... ugh, it was just too weird. I thought this David Lynch guy had a doomed career, but then I saw Dune. Now that was an awesome movie. 22 Year Old Me: Incredible, that's the best way to describe this. I've talked before about how fantastic the makeup in this movie is, but there's still so much more to it than that. First, the whole look of the movie is amazing with a very gritty Victorian look. Also amazing, of course, is the story it tells... It follows John Merrick - a real historical figure who was born with one of the worst physical deformities ever witnessed in a human being - and the mercy shown him by a surgeon named Frederick Treves. Considering who was involved with getting this film off the ground (Mel Brooks and David Lynch), it's a surprisingly beautiful and emotional slice of filmmaking. But special praise must surely be reserved for John Hurt for his great acting job. Take a look at the picture above. How many people could pull off acting with that much makeup on their face? Let alone get nominated for a Best Actor award at the Oscars the following year?
Armed with a laptop, a Pepsi, and a swivel chair, J.D. sets out to uncover the deepest secrets of the film world.
Or, ya know, just write random movie-related lists. Either way....
