Apocalypse Now and Half-lit Faces
Coppola opens the film with a bang by dropping us right in the jungle. There are no opening credits; only darkness with the faint sound of helicopters approaching from the distance. The first image we see is that of a … Continue reading →
Apocalypse Now and Dostoyevsky
Apocalypse Now is a film that is steeped in references to other works of literary significance – it is directly inspired by Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, borrowing much of its subject matter and character names from it. However, I … Continue reading →
The Heart of Darkness…In Us
Between Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now, I find Heart of Darkness infinitely more disturbing than Apocalypse Now. The reason is simple. Apocalypse Now is a movie about war, or perhaps in the words of Coppola himself: “It is war.” … Continue reading →
Apocalypse now: an acid trip, a story about insanity, or both?
Apocalypse Now is probably one of my favourite movies of all time. Not only does it include countless moments where, even after watching it many times, I still am not sure about the intentions of the creators, but it also explores human boundaries and the limits of sanity and rationality. “Every man has a breaking point, […]
Fire Coming Out of the Monkey’s Head
Dennis Hopper, one of the American countercultural icons to have featured in Apocalypse Now, had a checkered career in some the best and the worst that Hollywood had to offer. From a generation-defining role in Easy Rider, to playing the inimitably psychotic Frank … Continue reading →