Page 2 June 23, 2016 Film Review Beauty is, Literally, in the Eye of the Beholder in Stylish, Hypnotic “The Neon Demon” Elle Fanning in “The Neon Demon.” Courtesy of Broad Green Pictures. By Morgan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com After the credits roll and the lights come up, the older man sitting next to me says “So what’s for dinner?” and had we not just seen “The Neon Demon,” I may have said something like spaghetti and meatballs, but all I can muster up now is a slight chuckle while trying not be sick. Days later, I find that I’m still trying to ‘digest’ the visual rollercoaster that is “The Neon Demon.” Elle Fanning plays Jesse, a small town girl with big dreams of making it as a top model in Los Angeles. Her doe-eyed innocence and all around aura seem that of “As the title suggests, neon hues are present in almost every scene, often a moving gradient like the screensaver of a 95 Macintosh computer.” a porcelain doll, and at 16, she is quickly becoming the industry’s next “It Girl.” Her sudden rise to fame doesn’t come without dangerous consequences. Jesse befriends the well-intentioned makeup artist Ruby (Jena Malone) but is met with thinly veiled jealousy by the other genetically gifted blonde beauties, Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Abbey Lee). Playing into the cattiness of the fashion world and its unattainable ideal of beauty, the girls’ relationship with Jesse is a mix between “Heathers” meets “Mean Girls,” but far darker. We’re talking necrophilia, physical torture, and other bizarre abstractions. At one point, Jesse is pressured by the famed yet creepy photographer Jack (Desmond Harrington) to strip naked while he rubs gold paint over her body in the name of “art.” Sure it is evocative, but also quite disturbing. Not only is she underage, but instructed by her agent Jan – played by Christina Hendricks – to tell everyone she is 19 “because 18 is too on the nose.” She is fragile, literally a blank canvas slowly being stained by the industry and everything it stands for before our very eyes. It is at this point that we see Jesse’s transformation. Humility turns into confidence, that turns into entitlement, and the light that once illuminated her, fades. Director Nicolas Winding Refn’s latest cinematic experience (just saying ‘film’ seems to downplay his work) is more twisted and bizarre than others in his repertoire. He does again, however, manage to capture in his characters that unique feeling of emptiness within chaos, which made “Drive” and “Only God Forgives” memorable, for better or for worse. The performances from everyone involved, including Keanu Reeves as a sketchy motel owner and Alessandro Nivola as a major fashion designer, play well against Refn’s aesthetically ambitious vision. As the title suggests, neon hues are present in almost every scene, often a moving gradient like the screensaver of a 95 Macintosh computer. I also feel obligated to mention that there are also multiple scenes with bright, unrelenting flashing lights that may cause seizures (now you’ve been warned!). And for as much as fashion and beauty are eroticized by the actions of the characters, Natasha Braier’s artfully realistic cinematography adds sophistication and unpredictability to the film. While visually inspiring, there is not much of a narrative to follow, so those looking for a story in the traditional sense may find this film as vapid as the fashion industry it sartorially mocks. Any attempt to fully critique or even make sense of what is going on in the narrative can cause even more confusion. The result is that the audience just needs to go along for the ride in order to enjoy it. Perhaps this is a case of style over substance? But you’ve got to hand it to Refn, he is certainly far more than a typical “director,” he is a creator of cinematic worlds. Although I’m not speaking from experience, one could safely assume that “The Neon Demon” may best be enjoyed on an empty stomach and with some type of hallucinogenic? ‘The Neon Demon’ is rated R for disturbing violent content, bloody images, graphic nudity, a scene of aberrant sexuality, and language. In theaters Friday, June 24. • Classifieds The deadline for Classified Ad submission and payment is Noon on Tuesday to appear in Thursday’s paper. Advertisements must be submitted in writing by mail, fax or email. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card (Visa or M/C over the phone). Errors: Please check your advertisements immediately. Any corrections and/or changes in an ad must be requested prior to the following Tuesday deadline in order to receive a credit. A credit will be issued for only the first time the error appears. Multiple runs will only be credited for the first time the error appears. No credit will be issued for an amount greater than the cost of the advertisement. Beware: Employment offers that suggest guaranteed out-of-state or overseas positions may be deceptive or unethical in nature. If you have any doubts about the nature of a company, contact the local office of the Better Business Bureau, (213) 251-9696. Herald Publications does not guarantee that the advertiser’s claims are true nor does it take responsibility for those claims. Follow Us on Twitter @heraldpub To appear in next week’s paper, submit your Classifed Ad by Noon on Tuesday. each. Buy both or buy one. Contact 310-227-6848 Help Wanted COMPUTER Velocify, Inc. has an oppty in El Segundo, CA for a Config Mgmt Analyst. Exp must incl exp using Orca for MSI transforms. Mail resume to Attn: HR, 222 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 1800, El Segundo, CA 90245, Ref #ESFVA. Must be legally auth to work in the U.S. w/out sponsorship. EOE Help Wanted Software Eng., Sr. (Big Data Infrastructure). Coord. team for design/building of Big Data solutions for content-native advertising. Algorithms, architecture for 1 billion+ daily events, billing/rating system, ad response analytics. Java, J2EE, Scala, Python, Spark, Hadoop, Aws, SQL & other tools. Req. Bachelor’s in Comp Sci or closely related + 5 yrs. progressive exp. in job offered, OR Master’s + 2 yrs. exp. Submit resume at 200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., #850, El Segundo, CA 90245 or careers@nativo.net. Nativo, Inc. Attn: HR. House for Rent Fr o n t H o u s e Fo r R e n t 2BR 1BA Hardwood floors , cove Employment Phone Sales: Work from home. Perfect for retirees or stay-at-home parent. Sales experience a plus. $20.00 hour, plus 10% commission. Approximately eight hours a week. Interested parties send resume to management@heraldpublications.com. Employment Outside sales: Looking for an outside sales representative to sell display ads. Sales experience a plus. Territories include El Segundo and Torrance. Work from home, but must call on customers and attend events. Flexible hours, approximately 20 hours a week. $15/hr, plus 10% commission to start, 20% of sales after probation. Interested parties send resume to management@ heraldpublications.com. Employment OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS! REAL ESTATE SALESPEOPLE WANTED! MUST BE LICENSED. N E W L I C E N S E E S A N D PA R T T I M E W E LC O M E CALL MARIE 310-214-3211 For Sale Inglewood Park Cemetery 2 Double Plots, side-by-side on East Montcrest Vista Side $9500.00 cealings, laundry room w/ hookups small patio and 2 car garage centrally located one block to main st and library $2600 310-322-3151 House for Rent 3 bed 1 ba house, w/d hkups, large backyard, garage, NO PETS $2400 310-880-1460 Townhome for Rent All new large deluxe townhouse 3 bedroom 2 bath + office, washer & dyer 2 gated parkings, $3,300.00/month 949-878-1678 310-387-0684 Office Space for Lease Class A creative office 2 enclosed offices, open space, in-suite kitchen and bathroom, 2 parking spaces. 800 FS/ $2,400 El Segundo 126 Lomita st. Call Isabella 424 367-9670 for appoint. Yard Sale Huge Sale! 418 E. Grand Sat. 8-12 No early birds. Clothes, Books, Tools, Toys, Kitchen, Furniture & more! CLASSIFIEDS ADS The deadline for classified copy and payment is NOON on Tuesday. We reserve the right to reject, edit, and determine proper classification of classified ads. Email ad copy to: class@heraldpublications.com. 1x 2x 3x 4x 3 Lines $40 $50 $60 $70 4 Lines $45 $55 $65 $75 Need more lines? Additional line charge of $5 per line CERTIFIED BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL (B&P) ADS Six Months – $450 • One Year – $800 We will create your B&P ad for you, at no additional cost. Interested parties Email: marketing@heraldpublications.com All Ads Go In All Our Papers! We take Visa and MasterCard, checks and cash. Always include a phone number with your submission. Payment must be received, before ad is published. K E E P I N G I T L O C A L !
Lawndale_FB_062316_FNL_lorez
To see the actual publication please follow the link above