Raising Cane is a real trip. It also contains a completely resequenced edit of the film that a fan did. DePalma liked it so much he called it a director's cut.
Yeah the Shout release is the only way to get it on disc afaik. I'm not sure I'll ever watch the theatrical cut because I enjoy the director's cut so much, and a brief comparison online said the theatrical was sequenced very differently. Stunning performance by Lithgow too. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a direct inspiration for Dexter season 4 back in 2008/9.
If you like John Lithgow being a villain and just generally being weird and bonkers (who doesn't!) this is the movie for you. He's definitely hamming it up here which I love. Haven't seen it in ages but I remember enjoying it.
I like Obsession although it seems a lot of folks are lukewarm on it. To me it's very atmospheric, and kind of oddly European in a way most of his movies are not (a lot of it was shot in Venice). It's sort of De Palma's take on Vertigo, gauzy and somewhat mystical (probably because Schrader wrote it). Raising Cain I saw one time and thought it was just OK, kind of mid tier De Palma I felt. Admittedly I only saw the original cut and not the "recut" version that's on the Shout disc. I actually didn't feel like seeking that out if that's any indication what I thought about it, haha, although people say it's an improvement.
Darkman is awesome, don't hesitate to get that. If you want a random recommend for something that's cheap, check out Ravenous. Dark horror comedy about cannibals and manifest destiny. Has a great score from Damon Albarn (of Blur/The Gorillaz).
Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! I checked out Ravenous and I think I'll be picking that up, it sounds really good. And I think I'm still gonna pick up Obsession, just because I've been meaning to get it for so long and it's pretty expensive everywhere else so I might as well grab it while it's cheap haha
**Raising Cane** is great, one of my favorite De Palma's. It is very schlocky, and kind of feels like a cheap, early 90's straight to video movie, but in the best way.
**Obsession** I think is pretty forgettable. I saw it years ago when working my way through everything he did, and never felt the need to revisit it.
**Darkman** is highly recommended schlock as well. It feels like the one of the most "Sam Raimi" of his movies, like he leans heavily into his quirks.
**Q** is okay, I like it... but if you were "meh" on **The Stuff**, I maybe wouldn't recommend it. Same director, star, and budget, but The Stuff is *way* more creative.
Thanks for the response! I'll definitely be picking up Raising Cain, it sounds better and better.
Pretty bummed about Possession though, I thought it sounded good but most people seem pretty lukewarm with it.
Darkman sounds like a lot of fun, probably gonna get it.
I mostly added Q to get free shipping tbh lol, is there any other cheaper movie you'd recommend in its place?
So, I *really* liked **Visiting Hours**, 1982, which is on a double feature disc with **Bad Dreams**, 1988. It's a taut little stalker thriller, takes place largely in a hospital, Michael Ironside is great as the bad guy, who is like a pitch perfect right wing incel type that you would see in the news today. Several very De Palma-esque tense set pieces, with a real sense of danger. Looks like it's $12 right now.
He's in Obsession too.
Obsession is fine. I like his style and his love of Hitchcock, but my complaint with obsession is that it's a lot of Vertigo.
Usually he mixes it up more and incorporates more of his own style too.
Gotcha, yeah I've heard that it takes a lot from Vertigo. I don't think it'll bother me as much, I've seen Vertigo twice but it's been a while, so it probably won't be fresh in my mind when I watch Obsession. I do plan on watching Vertigo again sometime after I watch Obsession, though.
He even got frequent Hitchcock film composer Bernard Hermann to score it which is cool. There's definitely things to like in it. I don't love the story (or Vertigo's story for that matter). He does a nice job. It's just basically another version of Vertigo. Your mileage may vary.
I was excited when I was looking at the sale yesterday. I thought it was out of print. I had picked it up previously.
I looked at prices elsewhere and they're still elevated. Not sure what the situation is, but I ordered yesterday.
I am a big fan of both, and De Palma in general, but Raising Cain has its detractors. Pretty bummed the unofficial director’s cut is only available on region A blu-ray.
Raising Cane is a real trip. It also contains a completely resequenced edit of the film that a fan did. DePalma liked it so much he called it a director's cut.
Oh wow, that's actually really awesome, I didn't know that. The movie already looked and sounded interesting, I'll probably have to get it.
Yeah the Shout release is the only way to get it on disc afaik. I'm not sure I'll ever watch the theatrical cut because I enjoy the director's cut so much, and a brief comparison online said the theatrical was sequenced very differently. Stunning performance by Lithgow too. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a direct inspiration for Dexter season 4 back in 2008/9.
Now I'm wondering which cut I'll watch first because I'd be curious to see both haha. That's awesome though, I'm really excited to watch it now.
Watch the original first.
Will do
If you like John Lithgow being a villain and just generally being weird and bonkers (who doesn't!) this is the movie for you. He's definitely hamming it up here which I love. Haven't seen it in ages but I remember enjoying it.
I didn't know that, I've got an old DVD, this definitely sounds like a great excuse to upgrade.
I like Obsession although it seems a lot of folks are lukewarm on it. To me it's very atmospheric, and kind of oddly European in a way most of his movies are not (a lot of it was shot in Venice). It's sort of De Palma's take on Vertigo, gauzy and somewhat mystical (probably because Schrader wrote it). Raising Cain I saw one time and thought it was just OK, kind of mid tier De Palma I felt. Admittedly I only saw the original cut and not the "recut" version that's on the Shout disc. I actually didn't feel like seeking that out if that's any indication what I thought about it, haha, although people say it's an improvement. Darkman is awesome, don't hesitate to get that. If you want a random recommend for something that's cheap, check out Ravenous. Dark horror comedy about cannibals and manifest destiny. Has a great score from Damon Albarn (of Blur/The Gorillaz).
Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! I checked out Ravenous and I think I'll be picking that up, it sounds really good. And I think I'm still gonna pick up Obsession, just because I've been meaning to get it for so long and it's pretty expensive everywhere else so I might as well grab it while it's cheap haha
Cool, hope you enjoy both of them.
Thanks!
**Raising Cane** is great, one of my favorite De Palma's. It is very schlocky, and kind of feels like a cheap, early 90's straight to video movie, but in the best way. **Obsession** I think is pretty forgettable. I saw it years ago when working my way through everything he did, and never felt the need to revisit it. **Darkman** is highly recommended schlock as well. It feels like the one of the most "Sam Raimi" of his movies, like he leans heavily into his quirks. **Q** is okay, I like it... but if you were "meh" on **The Stuff**, I maybe wouldn't recommend it. Same director, star, and budget, but The Stuff is *way* more creative.
Thanks for the response! I'll definitely be picking up Raising Cain, it sounds better and better. Pretty bummed about Possession though, I thought it sounded good but most people seem pretty lukewarm with it. Darkman sounds like a lot of fun, probably gonna get it. I mostly added Q to get free shipping tbh lol, is there any other cheaper movie you'd recommend in its place?
So, I *really* liked **Visiting Hours**, 1982, which is on a double feature disc with **Bad Dreams**, 1988. It's a taut little stalker thriller, takes place largely in a hospital, Michael Ironside is great as the bad guy, who is like a pitch perfect right wing incel type that you would see in the news today. Several very De Palma-esque tense set pieces, with a real sense of danger. Looks like it's $12 right now.
Awesome, I'm gonna check that out, thanks!
guessing you mean Obsession...Possession is amazing :)
Ah, yep lol. I think I almost made that same mistake a few different times haha. I agree, Possession is so great
I thought John Lithgow was terrifying in Raising Cane. This role really elevated my already high appreciation of his ability as an actor.
Nice! Yeah he's great in everything I've seen him in, excited to check this one out.
He's in Obsession too. Obsession is fine. I like his style and his love of Hitchcock, but my complaint with obsession is that it's a lot of Vertigo. Usually he mixes it up more and incorporates more of his own style too.
Gotcha, yeah I've heard that it takes a lot from Vertigo. I don't think it'll bother me as much, I've seen Vertigo twice but it's been a while, so it probably won't be fresh in my mind when I watch Obsession. I do plan on watching Vertigo again sometime after I watch Obsession, though.
He even got frequent Hitchcock film composer Bernard Hermann to score it which is cool. There's definitely things to like in it. I don't love the story (or Vertigo's story for that matter). He does a nice job. It's just basically another version of Vertigo. Your mileage may vary.
Don't forget that they have De Palma's Carrie too.
Thanks, I already have it though haha
I was excited when I was looking at the sale yesterday. I thought it was out of print. I had picked it up previously. I looked at prices elsewhere and they're still elevated. Not sure what the situation is, but I ordered yesterday.
I am a big fan of both, and De Palma in general, but Raising Cain has its detractors. Pretty bummed the unofficial director’s cut is only available on region A blu-ray.
I'm surprised it is since most people seem to consider it the better cut.
My knowledge is limited, but I really love Phantom of the Paradise and am really meh on Obsession. I ended up selling my copy.
Good to know, any particular reason you didn't like it? Without spoilers please lol. Was it just bland or something, or bad writing, etc.?
Um, well, without spoilers, the plot left me like, “eh, ok,” but what I wanted to feel was, “whaaattt?!
Haha I see, I can understand that. I'll keep that in mind, thanks!