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Lords of Chaos (2018)
If you are someone who knows little about the genre and these events, this movie is for you
About the movie:
Lords of Chaos, a movie based on a "true story" about the Norwegian black metal scene from 1987-1993, circling around bands such as Mayhem, Burzum and Emperor. The movie itself is based on a book by the same name written around 1998, with a gathered collection of stories or gossips so to speak, which indicate that the movie is sorely based on truth and lies, not necessarily how it actually happened. From the beginning, I knew nothing about the book nor the movie being in development, until I saw the music video for Metallica's song ManUnkind (also directed by Jonas Akerlund) showcasing Mayhem playing around 1990/1991. At first I was very hyped, because I thought that it would be interesting to see a live action movie about the notorious events of controversy, such as church burnings, murders, tension, dilemma and dispute between the members of the scene. But once I heard that the bands disliked the book, mainly because it was less authentic, more stereotypical, and that had me concerned. I didn't know what to expect from the movie, because if the the book was met with negative backlash, nothing could promise that the movie was going to be better and more true to the story, regardless of the fact that Mayhem, Darkthrone and Burzum were opposed to it's creation and denied that their songs be used in the film (even though Mayhem's songs were eventually used). After hearing various interviews with the cast and the director, I noticed that nobody had any awareness or knowledge about the genre, members or the events themselves (except for Jack Kilmer and Arion Csihar, Attila's son).
Plot Summary:
The story focuses mostly on Oystein "Euronymous" Aarseth, the guitarist and founder of Mayhem, and his attempt to start a movement which would later be known as Norwegian Black Metal, influenced by the first wave of black metal bands, Celtic Frost, Venom, Hellhammer, Blasphemy, Sarcofago, Bathory and Mercyful Fate. Mayhem have been struggling for years to get attention from various metal fans around Norway and Sweden, to become the truest metal genre that would shock the audience and cause public fear, with Euronymous being the leader of the cult. An unfortunate circumstance occurs when the band's singer Pelle "Dead" Ohlin commits suicide by stabbing himself multiple times and ending his life with a single rifle shot in the head. Oystein is at first shocked and confused, but he later takes this opportunity to take multiple pictures of his bloody corpse to draw public attention, with a goal to become the first band with a singer who blew his head off. Jorn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud, the bassist of Mayhem, is disgusted and insulted with his deranged behavior and he quits the band. Sometime later, Euronymous opens his record store "Helvete" (Norwegian for hell) with his father's approval and finances, to sell only true metal. At the first day, Kristian "Count Grischnack" Vikernes (later known as Varg Vikernes) visits his shop and joins the gang, asking Euronymous to release Burzum's self titled debut album for his record company Deathlike Silence. After listening to his tape demo, he immediately accepts his request but on the condition that Varg pays for the printing of copies, due to him not having enough money. Varg accepts this decision and he starts recording the album in the studio owned by the producer Pytten. Oystein once suggested to Varg that they should burn down churches all around Norway. Varg of course takes it seriously by burning down Fantoft stave church, which day later caused a huge uproar and surprised Euronymous that he actually did it. During one night, Faust, the drummer of Emperor, spends his evening at a bar, noticing an elderly man staring at him. He leaves the bar, with the man following him, not long before asking him to "go for a walk" while touching him. Faust takes this chance to stab him to death and leave him to die, while nobody else was watching. He admitted to Varg and Euronymous that he was the one who murdered him, which impressed both of them, encouraging them to burn down more churches together and draw further attention. Upon watching the news, Euronymous realized what he had done. He began panicking and was afraid to admit what he was responsible for. He gave Varg a necklace with a piece of Pelle's skull, telling him that it was a chicken's skull, as a welcome sign to appoint him as the bass player of Mayhem. Soon afterwards, Attila Csihar from Hungary joined them on their recording of the first studio album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. During a phone call, Varg suggests Euronymous that they blow up the cathedral that was on the album's cover, Nidaros Cathedral with dynamite, while also doing an interview with a journalist, with an attempt to take it to the next level. Euronymous is worried about the consequences and he tells Varg not to do it, fearing the outcome itself, but Varg declines it. His roommate Snorre, the guitarist of Mayhem, brings the journalist and his photographer at their home, During an interview, he admits that the events of church burnings and murder are tied to the local black metal scene and their Black Circle. The next day, Varg is arrested and spends three weeks in prison. Euronymous is angry at him, fearing that he had endangered him and he tells Faust that he wants to stun Varg with a taiser, put him in the back of the car, tie him up to a tree and torture him while filming it. Minutes before closing Helvete shop, he gets a phone call from Kerrang Magazine, requesting that he tells them what happened and the planned future for Mayhem. After Varg's release from prison, Euronymous gives him the latest issue of Kerrang magazine that contained Varg's picture with him holding a knife and a dagger (which was photographed by the journalist and the photographer), telling him that he feels betrayed for what he had done. Varg tells Euronymous that he betrayed "True Norwegian Black metal" by closing his shop and avoiding his involvements and responsibilities. Euronymous and his girlfriend Ann Marrit decided that he writes a letter, asking Varg that they no longer talk to each other, wishing that they stay friends and even sending him a contract for Burzum that would break the deal with Deathlike silence owning the rights to printing and selling the band's copies. Not long before signing the contract, Varg realizes his plans that Snorre heard from Faust, and without delay he decides to head over immediately to Oslo and end it. Before driving off, he took his knife and put it in the rear pocket of his trousers. Euronymous asks Ann Marrit that she gives him a haircut, and she agrees. Varh tells Snorre that if anyone asks him what they were doing that night, he said that they just pretend that they watched Die Hard 2. Few minutes after she left his house, they arrive later in the evening. Varg opens up to Euronymous about why he came, telling him that he knows what he had told the other metalheads, but Euronymous denies it and acts as if he never meant it. Upon giving him the contract, Varg stabs Euronymous multiple times and finished him off with a single blow in the head, therefore disclosing their conflict. When the police interviewed Snorre, he told them what Varg said, but due to him being nervous they suspected what he had told them, and later Faust and Varg are arrested. The film ends with a memorial altar containing candles and Oystein's pictures.
Thoughts:
While I do respect Jonas Akerlund's visual talents as a director, mainly the background and the outfits, I do not like how he handled the story itself. Most of those certain details are misinterpreted and falsified, because as I mentioned earlier, the script was not written by information from various commentaries and documentaries from the musicians involved. A lot of things in the movie are exaggerated, leaving a very stereotypical impression, especially to those that know nothing about the scene, the genre itself or what actually happened. Neither do we as viewers know the true story, but many documentaries such as Pure F*cking Mayhem, Until the Light takes us, Once upon a time in Norway and various ThuleanPerspective videos suggest what happened, because they all have a very logical connection. I'm not going to write what the true story is, instead I would suggest that you watch these aforementioned documentaries rather than this movie based on truth and lies, because it would take me a whole eternity to write about it and you'd be better of to hear from the members themselves what they have to say. So what do I think of this movie? Should you watch it? Overall I find the movie itself very bland and cringy, but like I previously mentioned, I do find the visuals, the locations, the outfits and the various metal songs I've listened to before very interesting. I suggest that you watch this movie with low expectations, especially if you're eager to see what it looks like or to see what the movie got wrong, but I would recommend that you watch the documentaries first, they're a lot better.
Note: Next time you decide to direct a metal movie, be sure that Deathlike Silence by Sodom isn't actually Persecution Mania.
Wiedzmin 3: Dziki Gon (2015)
Brilliant...Simply brilliant! ,,Return of The King" of video game history
Ever since the Lord of The Rings trilogy, I've said to myself that I will never see anything so epic that will be remembered for generations to come. It's a rare thing these days that something can leave such a strong impression on it's fans and usually shape their emotions from time to time. Fortunately, I was wrong. Witcher 3 is a not only a great video game when it comes to story and gameplay, it simply stands as it's own type of masterpiece which words cannot describe how good it is.
With the first Witcher being a solid start for the franchise to introduce the newcomers to the witcher universe and Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings being a great sequel which fixed the mistakes of the first game and adding more debt to the story and plot progression, Witcher 3 The Wild Hunt is an epic conclusion to an epic saga (much like Return of The King) which started out from a lesser known book series in Poland to a mainstream video game franchise known by many fans worldwide.
Just like the previous games, you are the Butcher of Blaviken, the White Wolf, the Witcher and none other than Geralt of Rivia. You start your journey as you and Vesemir search the White Orchard looking for Yennefer, asking around the townsfolk, while the war between Nilfgaard and Redania wages on. You get a contract by the Nilfgaardians to find and kill a Royal Griffin in order to get informations about Yennefer's whereabouts. Once you complete the task you will encounter the Bandits of Velen who work under the leadership of the Bloody Baron Philip Strenger, thus deciding whether to fight them or stay calm during their offensive babble. After you've finished your time with the Baron's henchmen, the Nilfgaardians will await you under the guidance of Yennefer, who had heard of a Witcher who came to White Orchard. In the meantime, you will be escorted to Vizima while being pursued by the Wild Hunt's Red Riders. Once you arrive, you will learn from Emhyr Var Emreis that his daughter Cirilla has returned, and that she is being chased by the Wild Hunt. It is up to you to search the leads of Velen, Novigrad and eventually Skellige to find Ciri and save her from the wretched Wraiths/Elves of Aen Seidhe, while ecountering other interesting quests along the road, taking you to a much highter level as you progress.
This is enough informations you need to be aware of what's going on, so I'll be generous not to spoil some parts of story and spit it all out, because it's up to you to begin the adventure and tell it your own way as you make decisions throughout the game.
The best thing about this game, is that it never fails to amaze and keep you motivated as you progress, learning plenty of things along the way, and maybe playing a round of Gwent to take a break from ,,Killing monsters"...
I'm glad that Geralt of Rivia has survived many difficult situations and managed to come out alive in the end, and I am proud of CD Projekt Red for finally putting his fighting days to rest and ended his story on a high note.
I hope this review has helped a bit and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.