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“You become what you surround yourself with. Energies are contagious. Choose carefully. Your environment will become you.”

— Unknown

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“I keep that memory somewhere inside me—where it’s safe. I take it out and look at it when I need to. As if it were a photograph.”

— Benjamin Alire Sáenz, The Inexplicable Logic of My Life

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Joker: Folie à Deux -- A Misunderstood Movie About a Misunderstood Man

What is Folie à Deux?

Folie à Deux, also known as shared psychosis, is a disorder in which delusions are shared between people. The term is French for "madness of two" but can involve more than two people. In this movies case, the delusions are shared by Arthur and Lee.

This movie brought something new to the story, a musical. The Joker sees himself as a star and believes that he is a spectacle, kind of like he has Truman Syndrome. In this movie, I believe the musical aspects play a part in the shared delusion of the two characters.

Before I get into the music and its role in the delusions, I want to talk about when we first see Arthur at the start of the movie.

After the animated introduction, we see the asylum that plays as a main setting for the movie. When Arthur is walking around, his surroundings reminded me a lot of the 1967 documentary, Titicut Follies, which shows the treatment of patients in Bridgewater State Hospital. The patients running around naked or in their underwear, being taunted by the guards, and just the atmosphere feels very reminiscent of the footage in Titicut Follies.

(This may be a little off topic, but while I was researching Todd Phillips projects other than the Joker films, I discovered he also directed a documentary on GG Allin in 1993. Just thought it'd be cool to share.)

So, when the story begins, Arthur is very quiet. He doesn't talk and even the guards of the asylum point out his uncharacteristic behavior. I think it would be safe to assume his life behind bars was getting the best of him.

But when Arthur sees Lee for the first time, he's suddenly back in shape and willing to be his normal, everyday self again. When they meet officially at the singing group, that's when the musical portion of the movie starts. That's part of the reason why I believe the music represents their delusions, after they first talk, the delusions are passing through them both and then they begin to sing with each other. Arthur also seems hesitant to join her, which I'll get into my interpretation of the reason later.

I've seen all the poor reviews for this film, seemingly only because of the fact the movie is a musical. I think the musical theme fits well with the story, but maybe the fans just weren't ready for it. I think the people who disliked the movie for the musical aspects just think musicals are goofy or childish and don't fit in such a mature movie.

I found all the songs to fit perfectly with the scenes they were placed in, and it made the movie so much more interesting to me, it was a unique change from what you would usually see.

Whenever Lee and/or Arthur sing, it's always when they're with each other or when one of them is mentioned.

Toward the end of the movie, after Arthur tells the court that there is no Joker, he sees Lee again and when he tries to talk to her, she starts singing. He tells her to stop singing and just talk to him. This is another reason why I believe the music represents their delusions. After he breaks his delusions and comes back to reality, he doesn't want to sing anymore. He's not telling her to stop singing, he's telling her to stop believing the delusions.

When Arthur was committed, he finally began to stop believing in himself as the Joker, that's why he stopped making jokes and being all Joker-ish. But when he met Lee, she convinced him to enter that delusion once again because it's what she wanted of him. She didn't want Arthur, she wanted Joker. And when he stopped giving into it and told the world the Joker doesn't exist, she left him.

I think this movie is amazing and I enjoyed it despite my lack of knowledge on the DC universe. I hope whoever may read this can use my writing to find better understanding of the thought process behind the choice to make it a musical.

[eleventeeny]

Speak No Evil Evil, Speak No Evil Isn't as Bad as it Seems | Speak No Evil Review

I came into this movie with high anticipation. I absolutely love the original movie. But I was also a bit nervous about how it would play out. Movies from Blumhouse have been a bit disappointing to me these recent years, and I was questioning why they were going to remake a movie that's only 2 years old.

Some of my worries also stemmed from the original being a Danish movie and I've come to realize over the years that European movies tend to not shy away from gruesome visuals and stories, while American movies do.

In the original movie, the couples are Danish and Dutch, and I was confused on how this would work in the American version since it's, you know, American. They change the families' origins to American and British, which I think is a perfect change so that the culture connotations of the original still play just as important of a role in this movie.

The actors did such an amazing job in this movie, I was shocked this was Dan Hough's first ever movie role, playing Ant, having only a role in a TV show beforehand. Being a kid and having your first movie role, especially in a horror movie, is hard enough. But playing a character that can't even speak is even harder. But he did it beautifully, I found myself crying at certain moments because he was just that good. I have high expectations for this kid.

I also want to applaud James McAvoy as Paddy. He already has some experience playing a personality-shifting madman from playing the antagonist in Split, a character with so many names I couldn't list them all here. But in this movie, I really noticed his attention to detail with his acting. The way he manages to be so friendly but with undertones of malice that it feels like only the audience can see it.

In both Speak No Evil movies, I notice the relationships and dynamics between the characters, and I like the attention to detail with that. we follow the main couple, Lousie and Ben (Ben is named Bjørn originally) and it's clear they are both very passive and do whatever they can to appeal to the other couple because they want to be polite, but Lousie still has moments where she seems to know when to tell off someone when they're pissing her off.

Paddy and Ciara, on the other hand, both go out of their way to push the other couple's buttons and aren't afraid to insult them or make jokes at their expense. They don't care if they're uncomfortable because they don't feel they should try to make people comfortable.

The ending of the movie was so different from the original, but it was great. They really made the story their own when making this film and I appreciated that. it wasn't boring at times like other remakes are. Usually you have moments like "ugh, I've already seen this" but this movie didn't give me that feeling at all.

Everything was so different but so similar at the same time, this was a big step up from the poor releases of Blumhouse this year. I'm very pleased. I liked seeing a change-up for the ending, because the original left me wondering about other scenarios for the ending. The ending of the original was just so bleak, I knew they would change it for the American audiences, just like how The Descent changed the ending for its American release so it wasn't as upsetting.

Speak No Evil was a perfect movie for me, and it was a rollercoaster all the way through, just as it was intended. The hopelessness you feel watching these characters try so hard to appeal to this family that they know is strange and potentially dangerous is such a strange yet familiar thing to watch. You so badly want to tell them to just go, who cares if your friends' feelings are hurt, they're weird, but you know if it were you, you'd do the same as them. The movie, to me, feels like a call-out on society and culture that keeps you from doing what you know is right for you so as to not upset people around you.

[eleventeeny]

"Run" To Theaters, Alien Is Back | Alien: Romulus Review

In 1979, Ridley Scott surprised and shocked audiences with one of the most influential science fiction movies of all time, Alien, disturbing viewers so much that people even burned down promotional models outside theaters, believing it to be the work of Satan.

45 years later, sporting Scott's iconic creations with an all-new vision, Fede Alvarez continues the Alien legacy, stunning theatergoers with his beautifully gruesome visuals and genius direction.

Alien: Romulus takes place between the events of Alien and Aliens, the first two movies of the franchise. I had only ever seen the first movie, so I went into the showing with the thought that this could be a great way to decide if the rest of the franchise will be of interest to me. I loved the original, but you always want to be sure a series can hold itself before jumping into it.

The opening scene alone was so gorgeously crafted, a reference to the original movie. The score, Benjamin Wallfisch's The Chrysalis, pairs amazingly well with the visuals of the xenomorph.

David Jonsson as Andy was one of the highlights of the movie for me. I really sympathized with the synthetic throughout the movie. His acting truly brought out the emotion in Andy. His character drastically changes throughout the story, with a new voice to fit, showing David's versatility and Duality.

While touring the ship, we are introduced to a little inkling of the story Romulus and Remus, which is, in short, a tale that has spawned the many sculptures, statues, and paintings depicting two infant boys, Romulus and Remus, being suckled by a she-wolf. I thought this could be some type of foreshadowing for what we see toward the end of the movie with Kay.

I do feel like some of the characters, like Kay and Novarro, were a bit underdeveloped when it came to their personalities and character. Navarro just explained things like the plans for the trip and other people's backstories, and I feel like both her and Kay were only put into the movie to add interesting scenes later on.

I thought the movie was great and I anticipate the next time I can watch it, and I definitely plan on watching the rest of the series. I am greatly impressed with this addition to the series.

Fede Alvarez seems to love adding disturbing elements into his movies, and I love to watch them. With a filmography including Evil Dead (2013) and Don't Breathe, you can see a pattern of psychosexual themes throughout his work. He always knows exactly what to do to shock his audience and leave a certain image burned in their minds. I long for the next original work of his.

The movie really expands on the psychosexual elements from the first movie, probably even the whole series. Alien: Romulus brings the franchise back to its beautiful, stylistic, and intense roots. It reminds me of what I love about Alien and why it is one of the classics.

[eleventeeny]

You Wanted the Best: My In-Depth Experience at a KISS Show

October 27, 2023

For 50 years, KISS has been setting the standard for spectacles. With their kabuki makeup, wide and mind-boggling variety of merchandise, and insane on-stage performances, they have changed the culture of music.

Before the show at the Dickies Arena, I had never been to a concert alone nor had I ever bought my own ticket for a show. I went crazy the moment I got the money for a good seat. I went for a seat 12 rows from the stage and I got a soundcheck and Q&A pass.

After I was dropped off and walked up the steps to the venue, I met an older lady, seemingly in her 40's, and we became instant buddies. By a stroke of fate, we also had the same VIP package, so we got to stand in line together. She told me her stories of seeing KISS over the years as well as a story of her meeting Eric Carr in the 1980's, which I thought was really cool.

I got to take a look at the KISS cosplayers around the venue, I didn't get to see many fans since VIP and non-VIP concertgoers were on different sides of the arena, but there were many things to see. I also got to see fans decked out in official and unofficial merchandise; pants covered with the Love Gun album cover, hats with some of the more unflattering pictures of the members, etc.

As I was in line, I got to listen to KISS concert stories from other people in line and I got to conversate with other fans. During the time I was waiting, I checked my social media and saw an announcement that the show had officially sold out.

Inside the building, I was given a VIP pass and I got to check out the merchandise as we waited for soundcheck. It started kind of late, beginning 5-10 minutes after it was supposed to. We got to pick our seats, and when we walked down the stairs to the floor section, I got to admire the props and set for the show. There were huge statues, 2 on each side of the stage, displaying the members of the band, however I didn't get a picture. On the stage itself, there was the iconic light-up logo.

The woman I befriended sat with me in one of the rows closer to the stage. She tapped on my shoulder and pointed to Eric Singer sitting on the edge of the stage talking to some fans while passing out drumsticks.

One by one, the members walked out on stage. Paul announced that he was feeling ill, having just gotten a flu shot, this sickness later becoming the reason they had to cancel two shows in Canada and one in Knoxville, and told the audience he'd be leaving the singing to Gene, Tommy, and Eric so he could save his voice for later in the night.

They played 'Plaster Caster,' 'Shock Me,' and 'Christine Sixteen'. Everything went off great and as I was watching Tommy during Shock Me, Paul threw a guitar pick into a chair three seats away from me. Before I could process it, a few guys dove into the chair to get it.

After 'Christine Sixteen,' they started the Q&A bit, and a microphone was passed around amongst the fans. One fan asked if anyone in the band had used the KISS condoms from 2002, to which Paul cleverly, and probably truthfully, responded "They're too small". Gene also told the story of how he discovered the uniqueness of his tongue when he was a kid, which you can read about in his book Kiss and Make Up.

A few hours later, the openers came out to perform. The band, Amber Wild, was very interactive with the crowd and held themselves well on stage. The vocalist, Evan Stanley, is also the son of Paul Stanley. They had just released their first single 8 days before the show.

When KISS opened with Detroit Rock City, the massive black curtain sporting the KISS logo was pulled down and the members were brought down on individual platforms.

The pyrotechnics were insane throughout the show but were especially prevalent in the opening performance. With each blast of fire, I could feel the heat against my face.

Before God of Thunder, Gene did his legendary blood-spitting performance. I think it'd be cooler if, instead of wiping the blood off his face before singing, he would just perform with the blood still there. It adds to the show.

During the encore, they dropped these huge balloons, confetti, and streamers upon the crowd. As I was leaving, I saw two fans fighting over one of the balloons.

The arena was filled with 1970's kids who seemed less like fans and more casual, which makes complete sense. KISS was absolutely everywhere back then, so when people who were growing up in the 70's see KISS, they feel drawn to it because they're a symbol of that time.

The show was amazing and even as a younger fan, I felt really involved and included when I spoke with some of the older fans there. I had a great time. There's always something about KISS that someone will find intriguing.

Despite retiring in December of 2023, KISS has still been going strong with their dedicated and loyal fanbase. In July of this year, they surpassed one billion streams on Spotify for their hit song 'I Was Made for Lovin' You'.

[eleventeeny]

An Analysis on the New Manson Era

Marilyn Manson is holding his first headlining show since 2019 tonight. The past few days have been pure bliss for Manson fans everywhere. We've gotten a new single, new music video, first stage appearance in 5 years, and soon the first headlining performance in 5 years.

In this post, I want to analyze what we've seen so far. I spoke on the new single a bit in my previous post. I spoke on the new single in my previous post, please check that out if you're interested.

Starting with the MM x NB teaser from May 2024, the costume designer has apparently confirmed that this video is part of a full music video that will be released at a later date.

Within this video, we see a ton of symbolism. In the opening alone, he holds or presents a few items that could have a specific meaning.

He first holds a book, however I'm not sure what this could represent, and I don't know what the book he's holding is either.

After, he holds a key which represents knowledge, strength and contempt, as well as having control.

The throne shown represents authority and the sword in front of the throne represents justice, but in Greek mythology it can also be a sign of vengeance.

The apple he holds represents wisdom or the forbidden fruit.

I noticed a lot of symbolism relating to the human body as well, for example the glass oxygen mask he holds to his face, or the costume he wears that represents the veins in the body.

Throughout this whole era, we've seen a lot of imagery with flowers. When we see this full image of Manson, we can see calla lilies. These flowers are poisonous if eaten and represent resurrection and rebirth. Behind him, we see a structure covered with white flowers which could be these same flowers, roses, and yellow birds.

At the end of the teaser, we hear the outro to As Sick as the Secrets Within: "Keep sleeping, I'll make you dream of me"

In the lyrics for As Sick as the Secrets Within, we get a bit of a reflection of the past few years for Manson, which is why the cover is an image of his reflection in a piece of a broken mirror.

"I built this cage we've been trapped in together, can't remember where I hid the keys" -- This could be about Manson starting problems and dragging others into it and then struggling to get them out of the mess he created. He is realizing that his actions have negatively affected himself and those around him.

"A reason for me, for me to get by became a need, a need to get high" -- Manson first started using drugs, like he says, to get by, but it became a need, an addiction.

"Then into a life that was no life at all" -- In his addiction, he was alive he wasn't truly living.

The chorus, to me, is about how your trauma and hurt can only control you as much as you let it. You can become your full self when you stop letting your problems take over you. The beast he mentions can be a representation of misery or the struggle to break pattern, and it tries to pull us back in and control us.

"Keep sleeping, I'll make you dream of me" -- Manson saying that even if you ignore him or turn a blind eye, he'll make you notice and hear him. He's always said that he doesn't care what you think of him as long as you think of him.

In the music video for As Sick as the Secrets Within, we see a lot of imagery with tentacles. This could just be a reference to Evan Rachel Wood's documentary, Phoenix Rising, which depicts Manson as a creature that uses his tentacles to bring her down. But these images could also serve as a very literal metaphor, symbolizing a strong, threatening force. He is a force to be reckoned with.

I noticed in the first image we see with the tentacles, it appears as the white part is the body of a woman and the black tentacles are reaching around the legs to get inside.

We see a lot of black and white imagery in this video, similar to the Say10 music video. Black represents evil and dark, white represents the good and purity. This picture could be an image of evil infiltrating good.

We also see a lot of red poppies in the opening. These signify hope for the future, but also remembrance. We also see a car in a field of these same poppies. It looks similar to the car JFK was assassinated in.

We see a skin-like sack entrapping Manson through the music video. It's covered in purple and red lines that look like veins. This could be a nod to his "wormboy" image he's used throughout his career. His arms are folded over his chest and he breathes through his mouth in an apparent struggle. He lays on a metal-like table, like an experiment.

Maybe this is the "skin" he refers to when saying there's a trick to get out of your skin. He's telling you that you can only be reborn by letting go of your trauma and secrets.

There's an image of a cross in front of a cross in front of a symbol on the wall made up by different papers with writings of suspected lyrics for the new album and a sort of spiral drawing. The papers appear to make up the shape of the image we see in the stage of his recent performance as well as other promotions.

An image of a triangle with a horizontal line through it flashes on the screen with a foggy background. This sign is the symbol for air in alchemy.

Manson waves around a key while saying "you're only as sick as the secrets within", he'sa saying he is no longer controlled by his secrets, he now has the key to break free.

The cup he drinks from causes a shift in the video. As he drinks, blood pours into the background. This may represent the wrath he will bring onto those who have hurt him.

He then breaks out of the yolk sac containing him, the birth of a new version of himself.

These last few years have been hard on him, but he came out on top, and he wants to show us that with this video and with this song.

[eleventeeny]

As Sick as the Secrets Within and Why Marilyn Manson Is Still Important

Over the past few years, a lot has happened to Marilyn Manson. It seems he uses this track as a way of reflecting on the controversies he's gone through during the time he's been away.

The song is dark and heavy, similar to his recent albums but different all at the same time. His voice is much more emotional throughout the song.

With heartfelt and personal lyrics, he touches on the topic of addiction. Over his break, he's become sober and turned a new leaf in his life to create the best version of himself.

The bridge gives me the impression that he's saying even if you try to turn a blind eye to him, even if you keep sleeping, he'll make sure you pay attention to him, keep dreaming of him.

Marilyn Manson returns to the stage on the 2nd of August, tomorrow at the time I'm writing this. This will be his first show since 2019. Whatever may happen, this will be a brand-new era of the Antichrist.

It's important we pay close attention to him. Despite Manson no longer being in his peak year, he still has a lot to offer. He gives fans a voice, a choice to be as they please and not as society wants them to be. It's a crucial lesson everyone deserves to learn, to allow yourself to do what you want for yourself. Your wellbeing shouldn't be an afterthought, you shouldn't have to do whatever those around you want just to be liked by your friends and family. Love should be unconditional.

I believe this is nowhere near the end of Marilyn Manson. This song is just a footnote of a big chapter.

[eleventeeny]

The Return of The Antichrist

In the '90s, American television and the minds of American Christians have been plagued by one thing.

Marilyn Manson.

He was just about everywhere. With his grotesque, flashy shows making their way into the minds of impressionable children and angsty teenagers alike, Marilyn Manson gave us something to think about, something to detest.

Fearful parents and preachers alike began to protest the act, only bringing it more attention and publicity.

Because of Manson's look and stage behavior, the public began to call him the Antichrist, and he soon joined in and officiated himself as an "Antichrist Superstar".

He was inescapable. Every day, he would wreak more havoc on the world and society as we knew it. He questioned everything, which led his fans to doubt everything. No longer were people wanting to be what they were expected to be. People began to disobey and question authority. Why should we have to do what others tell us to do just because they're perceived to be above us?

Politicians, parents, Christians, and more battled Manson's words and arguments, deeming him an uneducated Satanist. But he knew what he was doing, having grown up in a religious home with a mostly religious education.

In 1999, Manson found himself in hot water again after being accused of inspiring the Columbine High School shooting. People everywhere wrongfully blamed him for the tragedy, despite the perpetrators never expressing their support or interest in Manson.

His likeness was attacked, with media outlets insulting him in headlines and claiming the shooters were wearing his merchandise as they attacked students and faculty. Politicians and fellow musicians threatened him.

Americans knew he wasn't at fault; they just wanted a scapegoat so they could take the blame off their society's issues. And who better to blame than the most hated man on TV?

Manson's career went steady up until 2018, when a heap of abuse allegations were thrown at him. Fans, friends, and the media turned on him seemingly overnight.

Marilyn Manson went on a 5-year break from performing after a few shows in 2019, keeping silent and out of the public eye for the most part, until a few months ago when he announced he'd return to touring, opening for Five Finger Death Punch and holding a few headlining shows, the first date being August 3rd, 2024.

Despite all the controversy and all the hate, the Antichrist remains strong and as loud and demanding of the world's attention as always, cursing our screens with his evil but delightful presence.

The time has come, it is quite clear Our Antichrist is almost here.

[eleventeeny]

The Rape of Jani Lane: Unsolved

In the entertainment industry, we always hear stories of women being taken advantage of by big names with the promise of success and stardom. But we rarely see male victims come forward.

When I heard this story a while back, I was shocked and disturbed at the fact that nobody ever talks about it, considering it seems that everyone in the 80s was rocking out to Cherry Pie by Warrant. I was lucky enough to have caught wind of it and I want to share it with the world.

Rape against men is a topic that has been swept under the rug for far too long, and it's time we bring it to light.

Bobbie Brown was married to Jani Lane of Warrant from 1991-1993. She co-wrote an autobiography in 2013 titled 'Dirty Rocker Boys' and wrote another autobiography titled 'Cherry on Top' in 2019.

In both books, she touched on the time Jani had told her about his experience being raped when he was just starting out in the music scene. According to Brown, Jani had been taken advantage of by a member of a famous band and his accomplice.

"He was nineteen when it happened. It was after a show. An older man, a major rockstar, had invited Jani to hang out with him and the big guys...

Later that night, along with an accomplice, that major rockstar put Jani through an ordeal he had been too ashamed to talk about until this moment. It was violent. It was ugly. It was exploitative." (Brown, Bobby, Dirty Rocker Boys)

This confession occurred just a few years before Lane passed away from alcohol poisoning. In her writing, Brown suggests that his alcohol problems had mostly stemmed from this traumatic assault.

She expanded on details in her second book, 'Cherry on Top', mentioning that the man was part of a famous heavy metal band, and the accomplice was the artist's manager.

The story of Jani being raped was proven true when a 2004 interview with Jani on the Hollywood's Monsters of Rock radio show on 92.1 The Wolf, where Lane said, "I've been divorced, married, raped- I don't care."

In Jani's biography tab for his personal website, he wrote that he had moved to Hollywood in Spring of 1985, which would make him 21 at the time of his rape, not 19 like Bobbie's book says. Perhaps this was a miscalculation on Brown or Lane's behalf.

People have always had their own suspicions on who could have been Jani's assailant, but the two bands I've seen mentioned the most are Kiss and Judas Priest. Both bands were in the area at the time, and both have had very sketchy managers during their run as bands.

In an interview with Earl Skakel, Bobbie mentioned her dislike of Judas Priest, saying she has a "specific disinterest". She also mentioned that she had a reason on why, and she said she would tell Earl later when the interview ended.

Unfortunately, that's really all the facts that I have for this case. I haven't seen any deep dives on this, but I would love to come back and look further into it when more information is found. I'm hoping that the readers who stumbled upon this post investigate further if they are interested.

Jani Lane deserves justice and I urge anyone who has information that could help lead us to solving this and get justice to reach out to me at my email with any tips or information you may have. I will not reveal any personal details unless permitted.

Thank you.

Reach me at lavenderace2911@gmail.com