MOTM January 2011 Jacob's Ladder

[HNT]

Well, this one's a favorite of mine. I say it's a horror film, some of you may disagree. Anyway, it's my choice, so discuss, y'all

[GL]

Unfortunately, I have little to say on this one. I'm in the "Not-a-horror-film" camp, and it wasn't a good film to boot. Too overlong, too political and I don't find the concept to have the endurance to last as long as the movie did, it seems much more appropriate for a much, much shorter film.

[Jen]

Good choice, I love this movie. Can definitely be considered horror, though it works on several levels. Thought provoking and psychologically unsettling. I will be taking the time to revisit this one over the weekend.

[HNT]

Cool, looking forward to some cool discussion on this one. I think it lends itself to some serious evaluation of its themes.

As for the rest of you folks (in the US at least) this one is avaiable for free on demand this month from most cable providers and Vios, so many of you you should be able to see it without spending a lot even if you don't already have it.

[GP]

Bit late to this party but here goes...

Saw this at the cinema when it came out, loved it but my buddy blew the ending for me to a degree when he nudged me at the point when we first see Jacob take the bayonet in the stomach and told me that it was a US pattern bayonet. F'in goon!

It could be described as a horror film for me, just an unconventional one. That said I think the argument is pretty spurious, there is no reason why horror films shouldn't have political over or undertones and a central mystery to unravel, similarly why shouldn't thrillers utilise horror tropes. The key point is whether one gets anything out of it.

The beauty of Jacob's Ladder is that it is unusual and unlike any other film I can think of thanks to the combination of themes and the refreshing take on the veteran experience. The descent into hell imagery is terrifying and well executed and the cast performances are great. On watching it again recently it is slightly marred by the syrupy look on Tim Robbins' face whenever he looks at a picture of McCauley Culkin and particularly when he 'ascends the stairs' but on the whole I think it still stands up very well after 20 odd years and really benefits from having been made prior to the arrival of CGI (ptuh).