I'm starting a little behind, but I am determined to watch 31 horror films in the month of October culminating in a huge celebration at the end of the month in honor of the Vanilla Ice's birthday. So I started things off right with the new spectacle from Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier who previously divided audiences with films like Dancer in the Dark, Dogville, and Manderlay. His latest, Antichrist, is indeed his most divisive film to date. Centering around She and He whose son falls to his death while they're busy having some full on slow-motion penetration sex in glorious black and white, no less. He is a psychiatrist and she's crazy from the tragedy, so he takes her to their cabin in the Eden Woods where he psychologically terrorizes her amidst biblical symbolism which seems to suggest that Satan created the world, not God. I've read much about this film being mysogynistic and depressing, but to accuse the film of these things is an understatement and not necessarily a criticism. This film delves into the darkest, most violent instincts of human nature. It's not a fun journey and not one I would recommend to many, but it is a very well-made film and one whose images will not vacate my brain.
    There are some horrifying images, and some of the most cringe-inducing on-screen violence I can remember. All I will say is that unless you're prepared to witness some very graphic genital mutilation, I would steer clear of this one. It's a horror movie that only von Trier could deliver. That having been said, I'm still not ready to give it a thumbs up or down. I was completely intrigued, and it has been a long time since my jaw came that close to the floor, but I'm still trying to get over its shocking imagery and get to the heart of the film. That alone may be its greatest downfall. That and the thought that I may have seen Willem Defoe's erect penis penetrating Charlotte Gainsbourg's scrawny vagina.