Avast, landlubbers, today’s movie selection deals with the rarely-seen topic of sea monsters! But before you lay out your harpoons and start double-tracking the vocals on your sea-shanties, this is a Spanish art-film about sea-monsters on the Mubi channel, so don’t expect 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea shenanigans. Lois Patiño’s film feels like what would happen if Russian poetic auteur Andrei Tarkovsky made a Godzilla movie, and if that sounds odd, it’s a fair reflection on what’s served up here.
In a synopsis that can’t help but sound a lot more dynamic than what we actually see, a sea-monster is haunting the inhabitants of a Galician coastal town. A boat has gone missing, and with it Rubio (Rubio de Camelle), a local hero, a mariner of some repute, and the town’s best hope of dealing with the sea beast. Rubio’s mom has a witchcraft hotline set up, and calls on three witches who wear white sheets like ghosties and run surveillance on the town’s hydro-electric dam. Rubio returns from the dead to do the bidding of the witches, but it’s up to the audience to work out where they stand on a battle between the supernatural and nature itself.
What is happening in Red Moon Tide? Don’t look for characters, plot or audience-pleasing fun; instead we have a series of austere images that just about tell a story if you use your imagination. At times, this is more like looking through some holiday snaps than watching a film, although the overall effect is cinematic. The debt to Tarkovsky is evident, but Red Moon Tide also harks back to the pastoral mysticism of Battle in Heaven or even El Topo. ‘The monster is the sea, and we are the monster’s dream’ runs one of the rare lines of dialogue, and that’s about all you need to know in terms of plot resolution; otherwise, it’s best just to let the surreal imagery wash over you.
Those looking for a blast of Post Tenabras Lux weirdness will have come to the right place with Red Moon Tide, which won’t be for mainstream audiences, but will please those looking for contemplative, meditative, dream-like film-making. So many horror movies are lowest common denominator affairs; it’s good to see the art-house crowd put the sense of dread back into the sea monster genre. So watch out, there Be Monsters ahead, or at least, there might be something in the final shot that looks like one, although it might have been my cat’s reflection on the television, it was both dark and late when the sighting occured.
Thanks to Mubi for providing advanced access to this title, out now in the UK.
https://mubi.com/films/red-moon-tide
Your comment sections are going to break the internet!
You must feel you’ve seen Red Moon Tide after this meaty discussion.
What was this post about again?…
Sea monsters.
Ah, sorry. I thought it was about walking sticks 😃
We cover a bit of ground.
Touche.
I go to work for a mere 9hrs and look what happens! If I was in charge around here I’d be charteuse carding left and right for a googleplex years…
It jumped up a notch
Yeah, over 150 comments. That’s usually weekend level of comments 🙂
The ‘library off’ came out of nowhere.
Well, way to roll with it 🙂
this sounds amazing! I’m on it!
I got a kick out of it!
Quite a comment thread.
As near as I can tell from everything that’s been said: Dix’s local library is a shipping container with a single computer, which he uses to search the Internet for “garbage humping” porn (an addiction Otsy has warned him about). He does this because there aren’t any rubber dinosaurs for him to play with. Instead of baking the scones he promised, he saves his ear wax in a Tupperware container, perhaps hoping to one day make a dinosaur out of it. Or a Golem to unleash on his enemies. He has also been caught trying to bribe some of the staffers at Alex Inc. to give him the answers to the next movie quiz in exchange for invites to swank parties, which is poor sportsmanship!
I don’t know what to say in the face of such an onslaught of malfeasance and degeneracy. Too late for an intervention. I can only look on in horror.
That’s about the gist of it; so, no denial from you, then? Case closes. We can work out the details when we join the Can’t Lose Super-Duper Mega League…
I think in the comment section of Dix’s review of Red Moon Tide, we’ve come on leaps and bounds on the awareness of “garbage humping”. It’s an important issue, and I’m glad we were able to accept and finds ways to help those in need, simply skipping the first four steps of grief to the last one, which is quite incredible. All in all, a great day, for us all.
Totally. And Alex will think twice the next time the sweet smell of bin juice assails him.
I’m an olfactory kind of guy. Smell is as important to sex as it is to a good meal. You have so much to learn.
Did we choose names yet for the SDML? Are you going to make your ear-wax Golem the B-field mascot?
I hadn’t thought of that, I thought I names should be the same to preserve the sanctity of our brands. The Film Authority, Fraggle, Captain Bookstodge and Baldy? We’re like the banana splits, right, any child could identify us. And OTSY can be the person who sits at hone and wishes he was us. It’s pretty much watertight.
Got it. Line-up is Alex, Fraggle, Bookstodge and the Blanefield Bunnies. The last named have to play in woolen jumpers. And Osty I hear is going to be a ref so you’d better start buttering him up.
The WP4. The internet isn’t going to save itself.
We’re going to save the Internet now too?
That’s why we go to the Super League. We’re doing society a favour.
Well then, might as well get at it. Sounds a bit like emptying bins though.
You have a one track mind, and that track is thick with bin juice.
We need wine. And possibly food.
What time does Londis open?
Sorry, need a plot, characters, audience pleasing fun and sea monsters in my films.
Well, one out of four ain’t bad, as Jim Steinman nearly wrote.
Sigh. What did I tell you about pop culture references? Which one did it get out of four?
Can’t reveal until Alex has his shot. Otherwise you could just copy his answers, right?
Feel this is a snide reference towards Alex’s weekly quiz, which happen to be part of pop culture! What’s wrong with you?
Everything is wrong with it.
Everything is wrong with what? Alex’s quizzes? Pop culture? Or you?
Nothing wrong with me, pal. Alex is threading to broadcast his breakfast obscenities. That is very wrong indeed.
If oatmeal scones are involved, I may give it a watch…
He’s got no baked good organized. Best avoided.
No baked goods organized! That doesn’t sound like Alex. Well, you’ve certainly turned me off this one. The first of many viewers lost, I’d imagine.
Can’t be lost if we never tuned into his show in the first place.
Good one. One viewer not gained.
Exactly.
Oh, come on. You can’t have a monster picture without monsters. Arties get enough critical approval as it is without moving into sacred monster territory and breaking the golden rule of monster pictures i.e. show a monster.
Well, there is something at the end, a big shape. Might be my cat’s reflection, maybe a shark, maybe a sea monster. Maybe the best part of a monster movie is anticipation, and there’s bags of anticipation here. Not much monstering.
If I want anticipation I’ll go back to Last Year in Marienbad. I bet even the shape shifted.
Sounds like a heap of arty farty claptrap to me.
It’s certainly that as well, although nice if you’re in the mood for something contemplative.
I read books for that.
About sea monsters?
Nope, though I did read Moby Dick.
Ok, well, that’s a big book.
Did you see the mess Alex’s library is in? Rubber monsters all over the carpet….
I’ll bet Fraggle’s local library has stuff for the kids as well. She may even post links to some pictures.
You didn’t have any rubber dinosaurs to play with when you were a kid, did you? Is that the problem?
Sigh. My point is that your library seem to have gas-lit you into thinking that Charlie Chan in Paris is the cutting edge in modern film-making. Dinosaurs are nothing to do with it.
I would be prepared to take a couple of plastic dinosausr if they were a bit melted and no-one else wanted them. I’ve got a few mangy Pink Panther bendytoys to swap if you don’t mind teeth-marks in their legs.
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x487e70a777e9c2a9%3A0xa3ae95e0941bc8e9!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPAKf7Z3q3av2_tDytTLYx64LutRPjMhXs4F1JX%3Dw260-h175-n-k-no!5snearest%20library%20to%20me%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipPhDe1YZj7gAcoKBfNGDXdOP5wN7qbA89_5tJ99&hl=en
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x487e70a777e9c2a9%3A0xa3ae95e0941bc8e9!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPLlVF13WCd570hgprqBJhcXAMuvpQiZVEb0m_I%3Dw239-h160-k-no!5sgateshead%20library%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipPLlVF13WCd570hgprqBJhcXAMuvpQiZVEb0m_I&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjkw_7GzpHwAhVESRUIHWHZAx0QoiowEnoECCAQAw
I’ll check it out.
He’s speculating wildly about what your library looks like, so you might want to shut this down PRONTO.
Done.
my comment is awaiting moderation 🙄
Not for long! Talk about library pictures, these are crackers, no wonder Alex has had to step away from his Mac Classic.
He’ll be back when he’s done the bins.
I look forward to seeing pictures! Have to go see my mom now and empty the bins. For some reason, looking at pics of Bunny’s library reminded me of that . . .
Haha I posted the pics but they’re in Dix’s spam/ moderating file 🙄
I do get deluged with pictures of Gatehead library most mornings, and for obvious reasons, they have to be scrutinised before sharing with the wider public. But for a trusted contributer like Fraggle, I’ll throw caution to the wind and publish these links…
That’s good of you. I’m sure Gateshead library appreciates your magnanimity. Never been in there meself.
Not I. But the pics are enticing.
You’re other comment says you’re off to the library, the tissue of lies is falling apart….
Is Alex off to the library, the bins, or his mom’s? Hard to tell given all the contradictory statements….anyway, thanks for sharing these dynamic images of Gateshead library.
You’re welcome.
What a lovely library! And look at those green plastic horseys! I’ll bet Dix would go crazy on those. We’ll have to take him for Story Time.
BTW, to fill you in on my itinerary, I went to mom’s and I’m going to the library later this morning.
When are you putting the bins out? What colored bibs is it this week? Who do we have to wait for these dribbles of intel?
Yes I’m sure they have a Listen with Mother hour he’d love. Have fun in yours and say hi to your mom from me.
He’s back from his mom’s and threatening to breakfast some kind of obscenity.
He’s eating obscenities for breakfast?? I don’t believe it!
I’m not sure what he’s threatening, but I’m not sure I want to know.
The bins have been put out. It was grey bins. No green horseys were hurt.
It shouldn’t have to be like pulling teeth to find out which bins you’re emptying. The world is watching.
Phew!
It’s all being livestreamed on my camshow.
Do I want to ask what’s included in your camshow?
You have to become a member to find out.
That is not enough info to entice me to subscribe. What are the tariffs? What do I get for my money?
No teasers. I don’t need to do them, It’s enough to know that people get to see me taking bins out, going to the library, etc.
Sigh. So how much will this set me back?
Alas, it’s only available locally. They won’t allow me to stream in Scotland. Some sort of obscenity regulations. But I’m still looking into it.
The obscenity is presumably at your end, then?
Ah you meant broadcast not breakfast! Had me worried there!
It could be either. I’m not subscribing to Alex Good’s Breakfast of Obscenities for a number of reasons, but don’t let me stop you.
That sounds like it should be a TV series, I’d watch it.
Yes, many would, but Alex seems unable to secure broadcast rights to the UK, so we won’t be seeing his breakfast obscenity any time soon.
I’m devastated.
It’s very upsetting, but has to be stopped.
Look dude, I’m not the guy what’s got a Tupperware bowl of earwax in his fridge. Just sayin’.
Look, dude, we can’t even see your breakfast obscenities anyway, so why bother flogging them? Give them away on YouTube! Stop this tease!
‘Twasn’t flogging anything. Just trying to answer your inquiries in a polite and responsible manner.
Anyway, Otsy and I have already been over the breakfast routine. Plus you never brought over the scones.
Sigh. So, can you remember to send over the answers for tomorrow’s quiz? Thanks.
And what a breakfast routine it is! Where are the scones, Dix? Where are the scones?
Whoever Alex has roped into catering…
Just finished that now. I’m sure you don’t need any help though. Will be expecting a minimum of 20 out of 25 from you. Anything less will be considered an epic fail.
20 is about my average…
He just teases us with oatmeal scones. I don’t think he can make hash browns and sausages.
I’m not catering your pity party, Bunty! Hop it!
20 misses? Yeah, that’s about right.
Haha, undisputed champion for as long as records have been kept. You keep setting them up, I’ll keep knocking them down…
The champion’s reign ended last week. And will never begin again.
Haha, in a parallel universe where I hadn’t ripped you a new one? Hahah !
The first stage of grief is denial.
Ok, let me know when you get to stage 2.
Ha ha ha. The next stage is anger, which it appears you are slowly slipping into…
I’m slowly slipping into something more comfortable, keep your anger to yourself…
I’m afraid your blog is the designated place for venting. For example:
What in the fresh hell is French about? Why’s it so difficult?
You’d need to ask designated Frenchman Alex…
Alex! Hopefully he’ll read this thread and get back to me. Alex!
My guess is that he’ll be adjusting his bins again, so you may be in for a lengthy wait.
That’s annoying. We do all take pride in our bins, though…
Wouldn’t suggest otherwise, but Alex seems to have passed beyond that point, vanishes for days at a time with ‘the bins’ his only words of excuse.
Cripes. That’s concerning. Has he looked for help? I’ve done some research, and it turns out there is a trash bag fetish…
I guess that’s what his Alex Good’s Breakfast Obscenity programme was about…trash-humping, I think is the proper name for it. Not something I’d be tuning in for, but probably the height of sophistication where he comes from…
Jesus Christ. Trash humping? And this show is going to be on in the morning?
I guess so, but I won’t be watching. Alex must think it’s the big thing we’ve all been waiting for, but I don’t fancy it myself.
Neither do I. I think he’s appealing to a very slim target audience. Someone should say before this gets out of hand! We wouldn’t want him to embarrass himself… right?
Probably best not to say too much about it for now. Maybe you should say something, but I’m not sure he can take criticism from the rest of us, he tends to fly off the handle when cornered or confronted.
Just a warning, I’m not very tactful or insightful or charming or anything like that, so this could be a very poor plan. But what must be done, must be done.
Give him both barrels, then! Terrible that the rest of us are expected to pay to watch his perversions. And the lighting is terrible!
Ok. Let me prepare. Tomorrow will be the day. I tell him. And then… who knows? I’m very nervous.
Good luck! We’re all right behind you.
I most certainly am not.
You support his trash-humping channel?
Someone has to!
I admire your loyalty, misplaced as it may be.
I always support The Frenchies.
Wait, why does someone have to support a trash-humping breakfast show of obscenities?
I have no doubt that fraggle’s responses reflect her actual honest position on Alex’s crimes.
Well dear boy, Alex is a member of the WP4 and is therefore entitled to the support of at least one other member when under attack from belligerent Johnny-come-latelys. He gets enough of that from Dix.
I’m taking this opportunity to announce that the WP4 will be leaving this forum to compete in the Internet Super League, a big money competition which will pitch us against similarly inspiring figures from the international market. No further questions at this time.
There you go again with your unilateral decisions, unless Cap’n Booky is driving the ship this will not be happening.
I’m doing this to save the internet!
Okidoki, the WP4 collective sails again!
Ahoy! Sea monsters beware!
Just anyone beware really.
You think Booky will calm this scene down? Really?
Well not exactly calm it down I suppose, but he’s in charge of the ship/boat thingy and will need to get his ducks in a row.
Uno momento. I’m a “belligerent Johnny-come-lately” now? I was trying to save Alex for making a career shattering decision! It was for the best! While others wouldn’t step up, I was forced to!
You’ve done a man’s job. Alas, too late to stop Alex from incriminating himself. And we’ve all been Johnny Come Lately at some point, don’t give in to cyber-bullies! The WP4 brand will be protected as we prepare for the Mega-Ultra League!
“Just a warning, I’m not very tactful or insightful or charming or anything like that” sounds beligerent to me, you are hoisted by your own petard sirrah!
Tact and insight rare commodities around these parts…
Pfft! I’m the epitome of tact and insight.
That score sounds amazing. I would actually watch this but can we get it in the U.K.?
Yes. Click that Mubi link above the trailer, and you can get a free 7 day trial. A few other goodies on there too.
Thank you
If you like the vibe of the trailer, it’s worth seeking out. Just have to keep the thrill-seekers away…
Is the music haunting and slow? If so, I bet I could at least listen to this. It can’t be worse than some of the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels.
I liked it better that the Pirates sequels. This film has possible ambient uses, like to read by.
If this is a spanish arthouse movie, is it subtitled? Listening to a foreign language can be just like listening to music sometimes.
There are subtitled, but no-one speaks other than to say ‘We are the daydreams of the monsters’ and fall asleep again….
Oh, so you were being literal with that part of your review. I thought it was “artistic license”. I guess the music had better be good.
It’s not The Dooleys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ObqanR5p9w
Well, I’m not sure I want to listen to it now. I figured an Arthouse production would include the good stuff.
Just tell me they don’t have bootleg dooley’s, the duulee’s, to keep costs down.
No Dooleys included in this film, you have to make your own. I play the Dooleys over the top of the images to get the proper effect.
This looks like something I would love and hate. But maybe love a little more. Long shot for the library though.
I’m trying to get through to Scottsdale library directly, who deals with the stock aquisitions?
Think you’ll have to talk to Main Branch. The smaller branches don’t carry much. You just go there to pick stuff up. Guy you want to talk to is Michael Scott. Or Dwight. Dwight is assistant manager. Or assistant to the manager.
Can I mention your name?
https://canada247.info/explore/ontario/wellington_county/guelph/hanlon_creek/guelph-public-library-scottsdale-519-829-4402.html
Why are they so proud of their plastic dinosaurs? They could have picked them up before taking the pics?
That branch is known for its kid-friendly atmosphere, especially around story time. But active minds need something to play with to stay occupied.
Meanwhile, back in Blanefield:
https://stirling.gov.uk/learning-education/libraries-and-archives/libraries-general-information/list-of-libraries/strathblane-library
50 minute drive from here, nothing to do with me.
I don’t think you’ll like Red Moon Tide. I mean, you wanted to see the Care Bears too, but then you spilled orange juice over your shorts and cried all the way through it, so maybe no Red Moon Tide for you. Sorry.
50 minute drive and it’s the only library you have. No wonder you’re so interested in other people’s libraries.
Hope you took note of all those 5 star reviews for Scottsdale. Pretty much a must-see destination next time you come visiting.
That’s NOT MY LIBRARY Bunty! There’s a library in Blanefield, and Balfron, no need to go to Stirling.
I hope they pick up the dinosaurs before I come over. A state visit, perhaps? Maybe I could sign the internet and give it away?
Nope. No Blanefield library. Balfron doesn’t look as kid friendly. In fact it looks a bit like a converted prison.
https://www.stirling.gov.uk/libraries-archives/your-local-library-catalogue-search/balfron-library/
Dinosaurs only get picked up and put in a basket at the end of the day at Scottsdale. And they count them so don’t think you’re going to walk out with any.
Suck it, mutants!
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/residents-given-say-new-once-21822310
So the current library in Strathblane is a dilapidated trailer and the Council has no plans to replace it but they do have plans for building a new one. Sometime. If I give them more money (I thought donating 500K would do the trick, but I guess you have to pay off the Scottish unions).
Hence . . . you don’t have a library!
It’s a building and there are books in it, so just because it’s not got rubber toys like yours, doesn’t mean it’s not a library.
How much money have you got to donate? To the Alex Good Memorial Rubber Dinosaur library?
*sigh* As we’ve established by the evidence compiled here, my local library is a 5-star tourist destination with lots of fun for the kids. And yours is a shipping container that may or may not have any books in it. Sad!
I’m not here to engage in some kind of library-off with you, I’m sure your is lovely and stuffed with modern Charlie Chan/Critters/Leprechaun movies that keep you SO up to date with the outside world.
You’ve never been to my library, so have no idea what goes on in there. There’s books, and a computer. There’s a toilet too, although you have to be prepared for everyone in the building to know exactly what you’re doing….
I’m actually off to my library this morning. And I’ll be sure to tell them about all the nasty things you’ve been saying about them. Which means you’re about to get shushed big time!