BEYOND THE BLACK RAINBOW (2010)

Written & Directed By: Panos Cosmatos 
Cinematography By: Norm Li 
Editor: Nicholas T. Shepard 

Cast: Michael Rogers, Eva Bourne, Scott Heylands

Despite being under heavy sedation, Elena tries to make her way out of Arboria, a secluded, quasi-futuristic commune.

In this film nothing really seems to happen. the film finally gets interesting due to the female lead finally escaping the building where she is held captive. The victory is so short lived you can’t appreciate it as it all of a sudden seems to become a sci-fi slasher film.

Now don’t get me wrong the visuals are haunting, colorful and at times confusing. Making the film feel like it’s inspired by George Lucas’s THX-1138.but where as with that film their seemed to be a message conveyed. Here it seems like more time spent upon visuals then story. As the film goes on it get’s more dizzying and makes very little sense.

The director has talent I only wish he had a story to tell or at least a screenplay. then he might be a force to reckon with.

This film like the recent AMER just seems more about making an homage to films and filmmakers rather than an original work. Leaving both this and that film as huge disappointments. They both seem like they would work better as art installations rather than cinema.

It’s a great film to play with the sound off at a party. So that it is just in the background.

The film appears at times to be suggesting something more grand and deeper that never arrives.

Barry Nyle's pills are from Benway's Pharmacy. Dr. Benway is a recurring character in the works of William S. Burroughs. One of the first thing that struck me as I was watching this film. In the film for such a big and huge operation that is presented. They seem to only have a few employees, which seems ridiculous.

The score is haunting and I could appreciate it as a lot of times it was the only thing to follow and focus on. It seems to be set in the past around the 80’s only to explain it’s style, colors and lack of futuristic technology. Maybe an alternate universe?

Though the film could have been considered timeless if not for informing us with a title card and Ronald Regan making a speech on the television.

The film seems to aspire to be a cult film from the 70’s or 80’s with no explinations. Which is fine if it can make it work like the recent BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIOS which was strange and offered no answers but at least it engaged the audience and gave us something to follow and not baffle us in each scene then become slightly repetitive.

 GRADE: D+