Call me negative, but it’s time for a depressing post…

March 27, 2008 · No Comments

Ah, depression.

How long have we known each other? I feel like by highlighting my favorite depressing art, that I could move that much further away from you.

Ok, enough personification let’s get down to business. There is a certain kind of depression that I can accept, more than likely this is due to the fact that there is a huge sense of closure that comes with this depression; to elaborate, I’m left with nothing, and I want nothing to comfort me.

A nearly perfect embodiment of this kind of depression is…

my god… the horror.

First off, being that this movie is teamed with an unbelievably depressing string accompaniment by The Kronos Quartet, shout-outs are in order… woot!

Aside from that though, the movie is a gripping, and necessary view of addiction in a lot of its forms and the downfalls that come from that. Aronofsky, perfects this distance you feel with all the characters by utilizing many of the technical tricks he has up his sleeves like the uber quick jump cuts, used to dehumanize the characters, and his wonderful work with split-screen to show that all though Harry and Marion, appear physically entwined, there is clearly something between them. Check out my favorite review of this movie from Ain’t it cool news here.

Like I said, although the Kronos Quarter is AMAZING with this soundtrack, it is not my favorite, ” left with nothing wanting nothing to comfort me” music goes to…

Devics.

Hands down one of the most depressing cds goes to My beautiful Sinking Ship.

This is easily one of the most cinematic bands I have heard. This entire, cd is so delicate and fragile, that if it were handled by the wrong person, could easily be lead to suicidal tendencies.

“Five seconds to hold you”, sounds like a melodramatic montage that goes on for just the right amount of time. It keeps you focused on interested, and clinging on to their every chord, hoping for a way out of this misery, (again in the good way).

” Lost at Sea” feels like a sinking ship. It takes you down and plunges you into the deep, it paints a picture of a dying moment beautifully.

“Behind the Sun” sounds like the end of The Bicycle Thief, it leaves you wanting the resolution that you never quite get.

….and the “left with nothing wanting nothing to comfort” for lit goes to The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair.

Tells the anti-American dream, or what Sincalir saw as the American reality, thanks to capitalism. The heart-ripping-out-of-your-chest-and-stomping-on-the-ground story of a family and their attempts at the American life during post the huge European diaspora of the early 20th century. You think it will get better but every chapter will KICK YOUR ASS. As a reader you develop some hope for the family every chapter, but ultimately as you flip the pages, you realize that’s it’s pretty much a never-ending curb stomp. It’s rough.

So readers, I urge you to every now and again go out and necessarily get depressed. Do this because you want too, not because you have to.

Also, I’d love to see what you all think is total “leave you with nothing, and wanting nothing to comfort” movies, books, and songs, - as long as they are not Mr. Big’s “To Be With You.”

Depressingly yours,

Jordan

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