Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

GazerRise Fantastic!

Numerootno A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Woodyanders Invisible aliens who are searching for heroin to get high off of arrive in New York City and land on the roof of an apartment where both frustrated aspiring model Margaret (a striking performance by funky androgynous beauty Anne Carlisle) and her snarky lesbian drug dealer lover Adrian (well played to the deliciously bitchy hilt by Paula Sheppard). Said aliens begin vaporizing anyone who does the deed with Margaret after discovering that human orgasms release endorphins that are similar to the chemicals found in smack. Director Slava Tsukerman, who also co-wrote the biting script with Carlisle and Nina V. Kerova, relates the fascinatingly oddball story at a hypnotically gradual pace and adroitly crafts an arrestingly tripped-out druggy surreal atmosphere. Moreover, Tsukerman not only pokes wickedly caustic and amusing fun at the shallow posturing artsy-fartsy poseurs who made up the pretentious early 80's New Wave underground scene, but also offers a trenchant commentary on the blurring of gender roles and the various ways that both men and women alike use and abuse each other. Carlisle demonstrates tremendous range with her spot-on spiky portrayals of the bitter Margaret and selfish strung-out junkie Jimmy, Otto von Wernherr contributes an engaging turn as loopy obsessive German scientist Johann, and Susan Doukas radiates a sweet daffy charm as horny and lonely landlady Sylvia. Yuri Neyman's vibrant color cinematography provides a stunning neon gaudy'n'glittery look. The wonky synthesizer score by Tsukerman, Clive Smith, and Brenda I. Hutchinson hits the right-on spacy spot. Worthy of its cult status.

Michael_Elliott Liquid Sky (1982) ** (out of 4)A small spaceship lands on an apartment roof in New York and before long the invisible aliens are in need of heroin. Inside the apartment building is a fashion model, a heroin dealer and a bisexual woman and soon the aliens begin playing games.LIQUID SKY comes from director Slava Tsukerman and it was (I'm told) a huge hit at the midnight circuit back in the day. I somewhat find that hard to believe but at the same time I can see how this film would be a cult favorite to certain groups of people. With that said, I must admit that the look of the film was quite impressive as were the colors but at the same time dragging this film out to nearly two-hours was just murder.The visual style of the film is certainly the highlight of the picture with its new wave colors that really leap off the screen. Watching this movie on a large screen would certainly enhance your appreciation of how the film looked and there's no question that this here keeps it mildly interesting. The bizarre story is also quite unique in its own way and when viewing the film today it seems even more brave just because of the pre-AIDS attitude.The performances are good for the most part and technically speaking the film is fine. For me, however, the biggest problem is the fact that the movie just kept going and going and for no good reason. I really did feel as if the film ran twenty or thirty-minutes too long. The characters were unique and weird but I wouldn't say any of them were interesting enough to spend two hours with.

peefyn I can see what the fuzz is about, but this movie did nothing for me. Reasons for this might be that I was not born yet when this movie was made, I am not a part of any underground/subculture and I have never been to New York.What I did like was the looks of it, at times. They have played around with fashion and punk styles and made something that is at times very iconic. The soundtrack was interesting, and I appreciate it for being ahead of its time. I also liked some of the progressive opinions that Other than what is previously mentioned: this seems to me as a badly made movie. The actors are giving very poor performances, for one. You can say that it was intentional - but that does not make the performances any less forced or annoying. The acting makes this feel like a cheap porn. The plot is probably not to be taken seriously at face value, and while I can appreciate it being used to make a statement on certain lifestyles - it just doesn't work. And it's told in a way that is almost demonstrably unengaging.

rafael105 I saw this movie in New York in 1982, when it came out. I was only 18, then, a nerdy teen trying to act blasé. Pretentious art-house antics, I scoffed. But, the picture stayed with me, over the years. Every once in a while, I would think of it. Gradually, all but the most basic plot line evaporated from memory. I just saw it again now, for old time's sake, and have to say it really impressed me. Despite its many faults (bad acting, lame scripting, among them), this is an outstanding piece of work. Not only is Anne Carlisle an amazing figure - straight out of Nan Goldin's 'Ballad of sexual dependency' - some of her dialogues are profound and prescient. So much of this movie was ahead of its time: the music, the visuals, the attitude, even the discussion of endorphins, which were then so little understood that they don't even use the word in the screenplay. This is one of the great pieces of independent film-making from the 1980s. Two more concepts that were little understood at the time this film was made and which it helped to shape: the 80s and the idea of 'indie'.