a review of X

HOOPTOBER ONE NIGHT FIVE: Since this is the first weekend, I'm going to avoid spoilers, but I want everyone reading this to know that Ti West has made something that is definitely worthy of both discussion and dissection. I knew going in that this movie would be built around the parallelisms in the development of the modern horror aesthetic alongside that of pornography -- arguably the two genres that benefitted the most from the home video revolution, as well as from the ubiquity of streaming internet video -- but I feel like West has basically delivered a doctoral thesis in movie form on the subject. It's extremely well-shot and edited, albeit basically within the boundaries of mainstream independent film, as opposed to the gonzo productions West is paying tribute to. It's also incredibly funny and formally playful, while also making the most of West's slow-burn buildup. I'm really excited to see what people make of this movie, and hope it finds an audience that's willing to take the ride.