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An Extremely Early Review Of Lars Von Trier's Horror Film, ANTICHRIST!

Happy New Year! by thebearovingian	Dec 31st, 2008 12:16:20 PM
2009 will suck! Celebrate life!
Satan rules by Kentucky Colonel	Dec 31st, 2008 12:17:44 PM
just sayin
I'm there. by Senzafine	Dec 31st, 2008 12:18:10 PM
Any original horror (especially coming from a director like von Trier) now a days is more than welcome by me. AND it has Willem Dafoe in it. Yeah, I can't wait.
The Best Bit Was About Lars Being a Household Name by chaplinatemyshoe	Dec 31st, 2008 12:21:23 PM
As if he's been putting off making that extremely lucrative artsy NC-17 existential horror film his entire career. Fates be damned! Lars now must accept his mantle as the next Spielberg!
everything on screen SCREAMED Von Trier. by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 31st, 2008 12:26:17 PM
I'M LARS VON TRIER MOTHERFUCKERS!!!!! YOU TALK DURING A BRAD PITT MOVIE I'LL BLAST YO ASS!! POP!! POP!!
He actually wrote the words, "In short" in that piece by I Dunno	Dec 31st, 2008 12:27:06 PM
Cut to the chase, Tolstoy! Anyway, sounds interesting. Willem Defoe's never been in a bad film. Who am I kidding, he's been in a shitload of bad films. But he's a great actor.
Antichrist Superstar Willem Dafoe by Conqueror Worm	Dec 31st, 2008 12:27:13 PM
This sounds like a winner to me. I'm adding this to my growing list of FILMS TO SEE 2009. It replaces the space that WATCHMEN has left.
So Vern Troyer's a filmmaker now? by I Dunno	Dec 31st, 2008 12:28:39 PM
You've come a long way, Mini Me.
Riget (The Kingdom) by TheNorthlander	Dec 31st, 2008 12:30:37 PM
Is awesome. Any horror fan should check that one out and forget about Stephen King's remake.
"I initially worried as the mom of a junkie" by tonagan	Dec 31st, 2008 12:31:32 PM

Blah Blah Blah Blah OMFG by landrvr1	Dec 31st, 2008 12:46:39 PM

The Kingdom by Shan	Dec 31st, 2008 12:47:06 PM
A shame it will never be finished.
Are there any reviewers who are NOT fucking in love with themsel by landrvr1	Dec 31st, 2008 12:47:30 PM
Honest to Christ.
Too Close to Von Trier? by Steve Young	Dec 31st, 2008 12:50:53 PM
I'd be interested to read a review by someone not so close to Von Trier's work. To say "it's just so VON TRIER!" is not going to encourage anyone to see this. Von Trier fell off my radar after his third "provocative matryr-film". A challenging director is one thing; a director who holds me contempt is something else.
First 4 paragraphs by Shoegeezer	Dec 31st, 2008 12:57:16 PM
any point to them at all?
ever reviewer is in love with themselves.... by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 31st, 2008 01:04:04 PM
....why else would someone find their personal opinion important enough to feel the need to share it with the masses?
This Sounds FUCKING AWESOME by LaserPants	Dec 31st, 2008 01:04:20 PM
Yay! I love Von Trier's stuff. He's brutal and he's brilliant.
Fuck Lars Von Trier by Admiral Nelson	Dec 31st, 2008 01:04:27 PM
The dipshit makes movies that bash America and its citizens, while admitting that not only does he know little about the country, but he's never visited it nor has any desire to -- he simply doesn't like it. Hmm, let's see -- why don't I make movies about how fucking worthless Denmark is, and what shitty people Danes are, while being completely ignorant of my subject? Lars, I don't give a shit if you want to criticize the U.S. (or any other country), but don't proudly proclaim that you're making "art" out of your fucking ignorance and preconceptions, twatwad. As for Dogme95, it's one of the most asinine sets of filmmaking "rules" ever conceived -- having an entire film be hand-held doesn't make it more "realistic" -- if anything, it's a distancing effect making the audience acutely aware of the camera and its operator every moment of the movie, and it's annoying as hell. But what do you expect from a Dane? I don't know anything about them as a people, or much about Denmark, but my gut feeling as a brilliant American artiste is that they're idiots and their country is stupid, so that's what I'm gonna run with in my movies. Hurray -- now I'm as astute as Lars Von Trier! [P.S. The preceding was sarcasm, for the humor-challenged here on AICN.]
He Criticized The US? by LaserPants	Dec 31st, 2008 01:07:26 PM
Because he used "Young Americans" in the ending credits of Dogville? Ooookay? Sensitive much?
Turn typing thing on "autotype" for 2 hours by Knobules	Dec 31st, 2008 01:15:47 PM
Then post at AICN. This reviewer goes on like my ex manic depressed girlfriend.
If I were to be sceptical... by Brendon	Dec 31st, 2008 01:19:43 PM
...I'd claim this person hasn't seen the film at all. An official synopsis was turned up in the last couple of days and almost all of the info here is to be found there. The only other piece of info at all is mention of the slow-motion opening. This could either be invented or found elsewhere online. Not found it elsewhere online yet... have any of you?
mixed feelings about von Trier by filmfanatic1	Dec 31st, 2008 01:21:42 PM
The guy has done terrific horror, like THE KINGDOM, and the most pretentious crap like MANDALAY and DOGVILLE. So, let's see what he does with this.
HOW TO READ A AICN REVIEW: by uberman	Dec 31st, 2008 01:25:33 PM
Read the last paragraph only. Works every time.
This is not by mr.brownstone	Dec 31st, 2008 01:41:49 PM
the Faber & Faber submission site.
Gory but not that scary? by Nice Marmot	Dec 31st, 2008 01:44:16 PM
No thanks.
Laserpants, ever read a Von Trier interview? by Admiral Nelson	Dec 31st, 2008 01:47:21 PM
Then you'll understand his anti-U.S. comments, which he's made repeatedly. Again, I don't care if he wants to criticize the U.S. -- God knows we've got a fuckload of issues that need to be fixed -- but Von Trier, don't attack something out of ignorance, 'cause you just come across as a tool. FYI, my wife and I have traveled all over the world (Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa), and we're always astonished at how many non-Americans literally believe that every Hollywood movie and TV show they see paints a completely accurate picture of the U.S. Say what you want about the ugly, ignorant American tourist (and we've seen plenty of them, believe me), but the picture that a lot of non-Americans have about the U.S. is astoundingly inaccurate, especially if they've never visited the U.S. To them, the entire country is filled with gang violence, where men in Miami Vice-wear (or cowboy gear) openly carry handguns in the streets and drive fast red sportscars, and women are blonde, bikini-clad, and walking on endless beaches. 15 years ago, some friends of ours from Belgium -- a young couple who've traveled all over the world, and are reasonably intelligent and informed -- visited us in San Francisco. We were driving them around the city, showing them the sights, when Jacques (the guy, of course), asked, "Will we see cars chasing each other up and down these streets, with people shooting at each other?" My wife and I laughed, and thought he was joking, and he got annoyed -- he was SERIOUS. I am NOT kidding you -- this well-traveled Belgian literally thought that he had a more-than-reasonable chance of seeing a car chase with gunfire in San Francisco, because he had seen it so often in the movies and on TV. Yep, Americans are derided as ignorant by a lot of people around the world, but don't try to tell me that Europeans or any other non-Americans are inherently well-informed about the U.S. unless they've spent a decent amount of time here.
Admiral Nelson by ugh	Dec 31st, 2008 01:49:43 PM
The fact that you felt forced to add a disclaimer makes me weep.
Let me guess by kuryakin	Dec 31st, 2008 01:54:19 PM
The woman ends up getting tortured. Lars Von Trier's attitude to women and depiction of them in his films is despicable. BReaking the Waves is so unbelievably offensive I can't believe that it wasn't intentional Apart from being a woman-hater, he's also a smart-arse and a know-it-all. That whole Dogme thing can fuck off. Man I can't think of another director who infuriates me so much!!
Dogville by Arkillo	Dec 31st, 2008 01:56:48 PM
Dogville is the most dull and pretentious movie I've ever seen. I had the misfortune of viewing it at the Toronto Internation Film Festival several years ago and it was by far the worst moviegoing experience I've ever had. If you've never seen the film it's segments are separated with chapter headings. After about Chapter Five every time a new heading appeared there was an audible groan from the audience as I believe we'd all hoped the previous chapter would be the last. The only glimmer of quality or hope, in my opinion, was when James Caan showed up to wipe out the miserable inhabitants of the most boring yet evil town in "America". Bauhaus does not belong on film. I think the only reason no one got up and outright left the film during the screening was because Nicole Kidman was in the audience and they didn't want to appear rude. An utter waste of time, suited only for overly "artistic" film school students and over-indulgent wannabe filmmakers. FUCKING DOGVILLE. ARGH.
Internation=International by Arkillo	Dec 31st, 2008 01:57:22 PM

Breaking the Waves and Dancer in the Dark were both good too. by future help	Dec 31st, 2008 02:11:03 PM
just saying...
I Haven't Read Any Of These Alleged Interviews by LaserPants	Dec 31st, 2008 02:13:47 PM
Do you have links to them? I'm just looking at his work, most of which has been brilliant (if long winded). Nothing in any of his films, at least the ones that I've seen, seem necessarily anti-American (more like anti-Everyone). He does seem anti-Hollywood though. But, again, so is everyone from the most elitist culture snob to knuckle-draggin' gun-totin' religious redneck dipshit. I don't think any of his alleged anti-American statements will make me change my mind about his movies.
a fucking Mysogonist by MPJedi2	Dec 31st, 2008 02:16:38 PM
Pure and simple, likes to TORTURE actresses...Just go look up how he simply fucked with Bjork because he got off on it. His films are simplistic garbage wrapped in a "arty" shell to cover up his hateful opinions. Ever notice how EVERY SINGLE ONE on Von Trier's films ends with a woman debasing herself in some way? That's the way he looks at the world, period...which is why he's happy to run a porn company on the side. As for his American Trilogy, and his opinion of my country, yes, there is a lot of fucked up shit that goes on here. However, if you're gonna be high and mighty, and look down your nose at us, ALL OF US, I suggest you turn off your torture porn, pull your fat ass away from your semen-stained sheets, and actually take the time to vist our country and see that Americans are just as human as anyone else. Fucking prick.
Coulda used 60% less use of the word "Von Trier" by Greggers	Dec 31st, 2008 02:21:56 PM
Not to knock the poor guy too hard for just trying to talk about a movie, but at one point it seemed like he was using the word "Von Trier" the way the Smurfs use the word "Smurf." "Although the style was very atypical of late von Trier and very atypical of early von Trier, it sort of mixed the two von Triers, and everything on screen SCREAMED von Trier." Wow. I wonder how much more awesome would that sentence be if instead of using "Von Trier" he instead used "Van Halen." Maybe this awesome: Although the style was very atypical of late Van Halen and very atypical of early Van Halen, it sort of mixed the two Van Halens, and everything on stage SCREAMED Van Halen. Rock on!
VT's anti-American feelings are well-documented by godric	Dec 31st, 2008 02:38:48 PM

David Lee "Cocaine" Roth & Sammy "Lame" Haggar TOGETHER?! by LaserPants	Dec 31st, 2008 02:39:36 PM
Who would even think to ask for such a thing?! What madman?! WHAT DEMON?!?!?!
Oops by godric	Dec 31st, 2008 02:43:26 PM
His anti-American feelings are well-documented, as is his refusal to visit here. What bugs me more is how ignorant his analysis of America seems to be. Dancer in the Dark, though it has brilliance and inspiration, is ultimately pretentious in my mind, and though it is set in Washington State, it doesn't feel like America at all. Nothing about any of his recent films appeals to me at all.
So, it's an Evil Dead Prequel by smallerdemon	Dec 31st, 2008 02:46:11 PM
Got it.
Do You Have Any Of This Documentation? by LaserPants	Dec 31st, 2008 02:46:16 PM
A link? One link? Just one where he is quoted as saying anything negative about America or Americans. Anyone? C'mon people back your statements up, don't just parrot whatever some paranoid right wing blog made up back before their movement imploded. Help me. I'm curious. I wouldn't be surprised, but I've seen no proof of these alleged statements.
Lars Von Trier's EVIL DEAD Prequel: The Movie by LaserPants	Dec 31st, 2008 02:47:24 PM
And its all done Dogme95 style!
I had chili for lunch. by Godovhellfire	Dec 31st, 2008 02:56:10 PM

So Von Trier's reviewing his own films now on AICN? by Mistahtibbs	Dec 31st, 2008 03:11:28 PM
Either that or the writer had a mouthful of LarsCock© when he wrote it. Jeebus. MT
I wanted to rip on this movie by johnnyangel	Dec 31st, 2008 03:24:14 PM
but damn, it sounds interesting.
Admiral Nelson nearly riffed Austin Power's by Guy Gaduois	Dec 31st, 2008 03:34:02 PM
Dad's 'anti-Dutch' sentiment. That said, I agree with him. Admiral Nelson needs more misspellings and the transposition of pronouns, but his ranting style polemic is worthy. I would take up arms in order to bludgeon his opposition to death. Would you consider a move to Commandant?
Von Trier's The Evil Dead by starmand	Dec 31st, 2008 03:43:02 PM
You know it in your heart to be true.
Hey, LaserPants... by dutchsouthern	Dec 31st, 2008 03:44:13 PM
...Enjoy http://tinyurl.com/a5vhna http://tinyurl.com/6t8emh http://tinyurl.com/8gjndh http://tinyurl.com/8negel http://tinyurl.com/8rzbs4 http://tinyurl.com/9lsjyz http://tinyurl.com/9h973j
Guess I should read talkbacks by starmand	Dec 31st, 2008 03:44:14 PM
Eh.
I LOVE MANDERLAY! by s0nicdeathmonkey	Dec 31st, 2008 03:57:12 PM
Great friggin movie. It layers an interesting story on top of 2 parallel metaphors that seem totally separate but end up tying together beautifully.
I'm pretty sure Lars Von Trier wrote this himself. by FlickaPoo	Dec 31st, 2008 03:58:42 PM

Agreed on the Von Trier writing that review by TroutMaskReplicant	Dec 31st, 2008 04:41:17 PM
I can so imagine him writing that as a joke and sending it in while off his face on vodka.
but is the titular character by noiretblanc	Dec 31st, 2008 04:46:29 PM
obama? anything else will not do
Kingdom good, everything else he's done is total SHIT by quantize	Dec 31st, 2008 05:26:05 PM
....
Dogville and Dancer in the Dark some of the worst films ever.. by quantize	Dec 31st, 2008 05:27:56 PM
laughably silly and pretentious wank.. Von Trier pretty much apologies for Dogville himself on the DVD extras.
This many TBs in, and no one called PLANT!!!!? by Lenny8	Dec 31st, 2008 05:28:44 PM
Planty McPlantyplant in full effect. You AICN Talkbackers are falling asleep on the job.
Breaking the Waves wasn't offensive by Larry of Arabia	Dec 31st, 2008 05:33:38 PM
It was a deeply moving look into religious psychosis. spoiler the chimes at the end signifying she was a Saint was brilliant, because she was.
Who are the ad wizards... by wampa 1	Dec 31st, 2008 05:55:33 PM
...that came up with this one?
Hail Satan!!! by Mr.LordBronco	Dec 31st, 2008 06:09:22 PM
Yous sometimes have to tke the Gut with der Evil!!! Happy New Year All!!!
I'm sad. by Darwyn	Dec 31st, 2008 06:10:54 PM
It makes me sad to hear the discourse on here framed completely in terms of "my country doesn't suck - YOURS DOES!" Whether Von Trier dislikes America or not, anyone interested in examining the pros and cons of human nature, regardless of what country it happens to take place in, would find plenty to chew on in Dogville and Dancer in the Dark. Whatever country it happens to be in, from a sociological or psychological standpoint, nothing in those movies is a stretch. People should try to learn more about their species. It's fascinating.
Amazing Charlotte by MilesGloriosus	Dec 31st, 2008 06:36:30 PM
Never heard of Trier, but I can't wait to see the amazing Charlotte Gainsbourg in this. I'd wade through a lake full of alligators for a date with her.
So Because He Made A Movie About Racism In The US... by LaserPants	Dec 31st, 2008 07:21:55 PM
he's anti-American? Oookay. Maybe he's anti-racist? Sorry to break it to you, but America has a rich, disturbing history with racism. Seems fair game to me. So does Europe, of course. Would it had been okay if he made a movie about, say, anti-semitism in Europe? Would that be anti-Europe or anti-Racist? Still think many of you are being a little sensitive around the patriot-hole. Later on some of the quotes about feeling that he's a part of some all-encompassing American media barrage leans towards being anti-American, but on that point I also kind've agree. I'm an American and I feel like I'm living in a non-stop media barrage of mediocrity and manufactured desires 24/7, so I can kinda relate. I don't know if thats an American export, though, as much as it is a function of a global capitalist system that all countries take part in.
I thought this film was about Tom Rothman... by Daytripper69	Dec 31st, 2008 07:22:03 PM
Hail Santa! (I'm dyslexic.)
yo dog, we heard you like von trier.... by dr sauch	Dec 31st, 2008 08:52:03 PM
so we put a von trier in your von trier so you can von trier while you von trier.
Know what France is rich in? by Sick Fixx	Dec 31st, 2008 09:56:31 PM
Pedophilia and coprophilia. I read Portrait of an Englishman in his Chateau and felt my innocence sapped away. I can't believe European countries harbor that kind of filth that seeks to offend on every level for the sake of 'art'. When did art become about being provocative only in degenerate ways?
Manderlay and Bryce Dallas Howard by snowpuff	Dec 31st, 2008 10:52:36 PM
"But Manderlay proved that Lars can make anybody act radiantly to a degree..." Howard's acting was awful in Manderlay.
Is this liken unto Gnostic teachings? by The Dum Guy	Dec 31st, 2008 10:55:38 PM
As in, the God that created our reality was an evil God? Or, with talk of effects work, will this be another Omen movie?
Fuck Yea, Admiral Nelson! by BobParr	Jan 1st, 2009 01:38:43 AM
It seems that a lot of people like Von Trier because it makes them seem "Deep" or "Intellectual". Everyone is so into his perspective. He's a documented bipolar shut-in!! He is a chemically imbalanced asshole that enjoys torturing his actresses. He's so deep yet he thorws a public tantrum at Cannes for not winning the grand prize. Give me a fucking break. This next movie could have a 10 minute scene of Willem Defoe taking a nasty shit and guys like this reviewer will praise it to the heavens.
uberman, I took your advice by GimpInMyPants	Jan 1st, 2009 02:28:22 AM
I read the last paragraph and, yeah, I think I got the full picture. Thanks.
So the movie's "poetic" then? by Bob Cryptonight	Jan 1st, 2009 03:08:24 AM
Sheesh!
Dancer in the Dark and Dogville are pretty fuckin brilliant. by Knuckleduster	Jan 1st, 2009 07:58:10 AM
Few films I know of have ever managed to have such a strong effect on an audience. Von Trier may be a prick, but he's a damn talented one. Also, why are people upset about a film about America not being shot in America? Hollywood does it all the time. Casablanca wasn't shot in Morocco, motherfuckers. (Was it?)
Extremely early AND long winded. by The McPoyle Clan	Jan 1st, 2009 08:48:04 AM
Jeezus, context is fine, but talk about the effing movie!
Star Wars wasn't shot on Tatooine? OMFG! by Alfie Boy	Jan 1st, 2009 09:51:01 AM

Hopefully it's less HOSTEL and more THE PIANO TEACHER! by Stollentroll	Jan 1st, 2009 09:58:11 AM
Too much HOSTEL meets anything out there already, in my opinion.
Sounds good to me... oh, and... by SadCadillac	Jan 1st, 2009 12:21:31 PM
ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR-FIVE-SIX-SE VEN-EIGHT...K-I-N-G-D-O-M!!!
Von Tier doesn't make watchable movies and they suck by Stormwatcher	Jan 1st, 2009 01:39:21 PM
Sorry if I am too purile for the Danes but damn me if his craptastic opus with the white mannequin Nicole Kidman wasn't a condescending oeuvre of shitism and his equally fecal fantastic film with Bryce 'I can act but I damn ugly' Howard didn't make me want to whack him in the head with a big black dildo. This sounds like crap and again a movie that few will watch, none will revisit except that shy guy in the corner who has about 5 scripts he wishes someone would make but consoles himself that no one in his lifetime gets his pain and glory. I remember this stupid Dogma95 crap back in the day and thought it was the utmost pretension then, that he is still around and still doing it is really sad, Von Trier make a movie about the sound of one hand clapping.
No, Laserpants... by Admiral Nelson	Jan 1st, 2009 04:10:16 PM
You're still not getting it, even after multiple people here have explained it to you. Von Trier has made movies (and repeated public statements) attacking a country, its people, and its culture while admitting that he's DELIBERATELY IGNORANT of what he's criticizing! That's not "art," that's not intelligence -- it's astounding arrogance and willful stupidity. If you'd bothered to read any or all of those interview links posted above, this fact would be obvious, because Von Trier actually admits it. I can't imagine the backlash that an American director would get if he made a series of films attacking, say, France, because he personally dislikes the country, yet admitting that he doesn't actually KNOW much about France or its people, has never visited, has no desire to visit -- yet still feels that he has to lambaste them, because they "upset him" all the time. Any director who made statements like that would be dismissed (correctly) as a fucking moron. It doesn't make any difference what the subject is -- anyone who persists in criticizing things they know nothing about, while admitting that they don't really WANT to educate themselves about the subject that obsesses and upsets them, is an ignorant bigot, period. Hope this is finally clear to you.
I dig Von Trier by TattooedBillionaire	Jan 1st, 2009 06:29:55 PM
Don't like all his films or his opinions, but anyone who can garner this much thought and attention (negative or positive) is making interesting art. I hope he keeps making films that most people consider "pretentious" because it's nice to have a filmmaker out there who wants to use the medium in ways that will go over most people's heads.
Hey Knuckleduster by Arkillo	Jan 1st, 2009 07:48:49 PM
That strong effect Von Trier's work brings out in an audience is boredom and an immense desire to pour a warm bath and open one's wrists. At least in the case of Dogville.
Kitties have Iron in their blood by NoDiggity	Jan 2nd, 2009 12:28:33 AM
But I'm not sure that that's what makes something magnetic ...
Arkillo by Knuckleduster	Jan 2nd, 2009 05:36:37 AM
So I gather you're not a fan then.
Admiral Nelson by Luscious.868	Jan 2nd, 2009 09:41:51 AM
Nice work.
The Last Temptation of Antichrist by Anakin Whoopass	Jan 2nd, 2009 10:26:22 PM
Willem Dafoe is my favorite fake Jesus.
Infomercial by Coma Baby	Jan 3rd, 2009 07:58:52 AM
This review is so weird. It's like a direct transcription of one of those hour-long "the making of ___" shows. Could've done without the long overenthusiastic overview of all his previous movies. Still, I'm curious about the prospect of a Von Trier horror movie, and this one sounds pretty cool. I disagree that he's a mysoginist - I think he over abuses women in his films, but it's not because he hates them. It's because it's one of the easiest ways for him to manipulate and access the audience's emotions. I think his uninformed anti-americanism is basically used for the same purpose - to push buttons, but, that he actually does hate American politics and culture. He's sort of hit and miss for me. I loved the Kingdom and The Idiots (in the idiots his compulsion to manipulate the audience works really well) but I hated Dogville and Europa. Dogville was so heavy handed and condescending, it was hard to take sericously. Dancer in the dark was just brutal, though - I knew I was being jerked around, but Bjork was so good, and real, it was just heartbreaking. Oh, yeah, and his short film about people talking during movies is hilarious and everyone should see it.
WHO'S LAUGHING NOW EH? by The Amazing G	Jan 4th, 2009 06:51:45 AM
AHAHAHA WHO'S LAUGHING NOW!?
this guy was not kidding by hippolyta	Sep 15th, 2009 10:31:05 AM
Easily the most disturbing film I have ever and will ever see.

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An Extremely Early Review Of Lars Von Trier's Horror Film, ANTICHRIST!

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