This essay is brilliant and totally free of bullshit. I think I am in a unique position to judge this, because I’m eating crepes at a cafe on the Upper West Side right now, which makes me smarter and classier than most people. I think you are correct that both these works put the “occult” in cult film. As you pointed out, both feature a psychopomp who conveys the hero through the underworld to their final reward, a reward that is not entirely of their own making, but one that is paid for by sacrifice and loss. The Gods have smiled on them. So, yeah, I think your thesis holds up.
I'm extremely glad you think the piece holds water, and I hope you enjoyed your crepes. And I haven't heard "psychopomp" in a while, so I'm holding onto that one to drop in an upcoming post...
Psychopomp is one of those words that doesn’t sound anything like what it means, like flocculant or avuncular. Psychopomp sounds like an over-the-top ceremony or a flamboyant performer in the style of Liberace, David Bowie or Sir Elton John. Psychopomp, qu’est ça c’est?
The crepes were almost as sophisticated and tasty as your writing.
Excellent analysis of these films, Jeff! When I first read the subject title I got excited to imagine a Piper McKenzie style mash-up. I like both films for various reasons and you have me seeing them in new ways.
Dear Jeff,
This essay is brilliant and totally free of bullshit. I think I am in a unique position to judge this, because I’m eating crepes at a cafe on the Upper West Side right now, which makes me smarter and classier than most people. I think you are correct that both these works put the “occult” in cult film. As you pointed out, both feature a psychopomp who conveys the hero through the underworld to their final reward, a reward that is not entirely of their own making, but one that is paid for by sacrifice and loss. The Gods have smiled on them. So, yeah, I think your thesis holds up.
I'm extremely glad you think the piece holds water, and I hope you enjoyed your crepes. And I haven't heard "psychopomp" in a while, so I'm holding onto that one to drop in an upcoming post...
Psychopomp is one of those words that doesn’t sound anything like what it means, like flocculant or avuncular. Psychopomp sounds like an over-the-top ceremony or a flamboyant performer in the style of Liberace, David Bowie or Sir Elton John. Psychopomp, qu’est ça c’est?
The crepes were almost as sophisticated and tasty as your writing.
Excellent analysis of these films, Jeff! When I first read the subject title I got excited to imagine a Piper McKenzie style mash-up. I like both films for various reasons and you have me seeing them in new ways.