What to watch this weekend at Carthage

Not only does Hedberg Library have a variety of DVDs for checkout, it also has online video resources. Each week, a Carthage student, professor, or staff member will share a list of suggested films. This week’s list is from Olivia Hanley ’19 and Katie Stack ’19. All films are located in the Hedberg Library collection, available for checkout on DVD, Bluray, or watchable online through one of our online video services.

Tokyo Story (1953)

Tokyo Story follows the story of an aging couple’s journey to visit their children and grandchildren in postwar Tokyo, only to find that that their children have very little time for them. It analyzes the relationship between the couple and their family, and the strained relationships they have. Their children treat their visit more like a filial obligation rather than welcoming their elderly parents into their own and - apart from one respectful child - tend to ignore that their parents’ existence. This film explores the idea of familial bonds and what strengthens or weakens them. The use of steady, fixed shots, and very little music puts stress on the characters and their dialogue draws the audience into the story that is unraveling onscreen. In using low or waist high camera angles throughout much of the film, the director created tension by showing some of the younger children and grandchildren standing above their elders who sat on the floor for the majority of the film. The familiar themes of family dynamics and rediscovering bonds lends to an easy connection between audience and character, and while the ending is unexpected, it is refreshing and much needed.

OZ (1976)

OZ is a rebellious twist on the classic Wizard of Oz. The film OZ follows Dorothy, a typical groupie for a local band ends up in Oz after a van crash knocks her unconscious. In Oz, she meets Glin, the good fairy and flamboyant shop owner. He thinks she should be owed a great debt of gratitude and gifts her with glittering red pumps for killing the town thug. While in Glin’s shop, she becomes mesmerized by a poster of a superstar called The Wizard and decides she has to catch his farewell show in the city. Along her journey, she comes across a vapid surfer, a cowardly biker, and a heartless mechanic. Chaos ensues as they try to get to the city in time, all while being pursued by a vengeful and brutish trucker, the brother of the thug she killed when she landed in Oz. The film’s extensive walking scenes and odd characters are a nice throwback to the original film, while the infusion of 70’s rock and reinvented plot cement it in it’s own time. The incorporation of odd characters with surreal and brightly colored costuming escalates the insanity that is Oz. While the settings are very drab and realistic - such as a country road or a large city - the characters, costuming, and camera angles are what truly bring this film to life. Specifically throughout The Wizard’s concert scene, the low camera angles and close-ups combined with the constant motion of the crowd as well as the performers creates a truly frenetic and electric feeling that accompanies a concert.

Young Bodies Heal Quickly (2015)

Young Bodies Heal Quickly tells the story of Older, who escapes incarceration and seeks out his little brother, Younger. The two blow off some steam by smashing a car and shooting a BB-gun, but things quickly go south after Younger accidentally kills a girl. The boys run away, with secret help from their mother, who helps them plan their escape. With nothing but a car and some money, the boys go on a road trip to their father’s compound. The gritty realism of this film is intensified by the shaky and often handheld camerawork, drawing the audience in close to the characters and giving them a sense that they are part of the action. There is little dialogue or music in this film — instead it relies on body language to convey the thoughts and emotions of the characters, the lack of any background music whatsoever is disconcerting but interesting. The relative silence throughout this film allows audiences to experience this story as if it were almost a home movie at points - especially during some of the more tender and universal moments with their mother, like shaving their heads or being softly comforted.