A winter's scale

The meaning of madness, and the Shyamalan scale

Well, let's call this month's update fashionably late, shall we? But enough gabbing. Here's what's new at thehaughtyculturist.com. As always, the focus is on film, fiction ... and the meaning of things.

The big four

Original takes on stories you already know or need to discover

1. Hereditary and the meaning of madness
How not to lose your head in Ari Aster’s horror feature debut

2. Decoding Shutter Island
Hidden identity and true selves. This film - and commentary - is a great precursor to Fight Club (coming soon)

3. The Pale Blue Eye | Review
Netflix’s latest Poe-faced thriller moves at a glacial pace

4. Columbo | Negative Reaction
Our regular visit to the Columbo corner unpacks the case of a murderous photographer (Dick Van Dyke!)

The Shyamalan Scale

With Knock at the Cabin landing in cinemas (review here), now's a good time for a rummage in the M. Night Shyamalan archives

1. Signs (2002)
A family hunkers down for the end of the world (yep - also the starting point of Knock at the Cabin)

2. Unbreakable (2000)
Are heroes born, made or found?

3. Why The Happening never explains its killer virus
Because it's about a mood ring, people!

4. Split (2016)
Visions of beastliness in part II of the Glass trilogy

PS: while it's not on the site yet, my favourite Shyalaman is The Village. The Visit is neither on the site nor my favourite's list. There are some things even I don't have the nerves for :-|

Keepin' it unreal or some such,

The HC

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Pic credit: thank you cmonphotography via Pexels

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