Made as iconic director/cinematographer Joe D’Amato was approaching the end of his prolific career (and yet, with another 97 adult-oriented films to go), Provocation / Provocazione is basically softcore adult masquerading as erotica, with long sex sequences lacking the graphic intercourse details D’Amato was well-experienced with in his hardcore efforts.
The countryside location – an old inn made of quarried stone – adds the right rustic atmosphere in this familiar tale of an innkeeper’s wife (Fabrizia Flanders) who fancies a visiting businessman (Lyle Lovett lookalike Antonio Ascani, aka “Tony Roberts”), while her husband Gianni Demartiis) goes after his cousin (Erika Savastani), set to live at the house after the recent death of her papa. An idiot nephew (Lindo Damiani) indulges in some masturbatory voyeurism by sneaking around the house without his shoes and peering through floor cracks at everyone else’s fun time.
The characters are flat, D’Amato’s directorial style can’t craft any sense of humour beyond exchanges of berating insults (most inflicted on the nephew), and the performances vary in quality; the older actors fare the best, whereas Ascani seems very uncomfortable (maybe it’s the ill-fitting, wrinkled up linen suit), and Savastani’s healthy figure can’t mask her complete lack of talent.
D’Amato also slaps on stock music, and repeats the same cheesy early eighties muzak over sex scenes, and the film isn’t particularly well lit – perhaps a sign that his years in porn made him lazy after filming some very stylish ‘scope productions (such as the blazingly colourful L’Anticristo).
D’Amato’s efforts to make something more upscale isn’t a failure – there’s more than enough nudity to keep fans happy – and one can argue he was still capable of making a slick commercial product after going bonkers with sex, blood, and animals in his most notorious efforts. The photography and editing have a basic classical style, but there’s no energy in the film, making Provocation a work best-suited for D’Amato fans and completists.
Mya’s DVD comes from a decent PAL-NTSC conversion, although there’s some flickering in the opening titles. The details are sharp, the colours stable, but there lighting is rather harsh, as though the transfer was made from a high contrast print. (The film’s titles, Italian at the beginning, and English at the end - “The story, all names, characters and incidentals portrayed in this production, are fictitius” - are also video-based, indicating Provocation was meant as product for video rental shelves.)
Besides English and Italian dub tracks, there are no extras, which is a shame, given something could’ve been written about the product and its cast, many of whom were pinched by D’Amato from prior Tinto Brass productions. Savastani had just appeared as a bit player in Brass’ The Voyeur / L'Uomo che guarda (1994), and would move on with co-star Demartiis to Fermo posta Tinto Brass / P.O. Box Tinto Brass (1995) and Senso ’45 / Black Angel (2002).
© 2009 Mark R. Hasan
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Coldplay - Midnight (official Lyrics) Access
The song's lyrics, which Chris Martin pours his heart and soul into, paint a vivid picture of a world bathed in the eerie glow of midnight. The opening lines, "Hey, up, up, it's getting high / You're getting close, you're getting close," set the tone for a song that's both a gentle warning and a desperate plea. As Martin navigates the complexities of relationships and the search for meaning, his words become a confessional, raw and unflinching.
With its haunting beauty and poignant lyrics, "Midnight" is a song that will linger long after the music fades, a reminder of the power of music to capture the human experience in all its complexity. Coldplay - Midnight (Official Lyrics)
The chorus, with its soaring melody and haunting refrain of "Can you show me again?," becomes a kind of existential cry, a yearning for connection and transcendence in a world that often seems cold and unforgiving. The lyrics are a masterclass in subtlety, conveying the nuances of human emotion through simple yet powerful imagery. The song's lyrics, which Chris Martin pours his
In "Midnight," Coldplay has created a song that's both a personal reflection and a universal anthem. It's a testament to the band's enduring ability to craft music that resonates with listeners on a deep, emotional level. As a standalone track, "Midnight" is a stunning achievement; as part of the larger album "Everyday Life," it's a pivotal moment that underscores the band's continued relevance and artistic vitality. With its haunting beauty and poignant lyrics, "Midnight"
At its core, "Midnight" is a song about the fragility of human connection and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Martin's lyrics touch on themes of love, loss, and longing, conjuring images of a world in disarray. The song can be seen as a reflection on the state of the world, a commentary on the disconnection and isolation that can come with modern life.
The line "It's getting high, it's getting close" can be interpreted as a reference to the pressures of modern life, the feeling of being overwhelmed by the demands of the world. The repeated refrain of "Can you show me again?" becomes a kind of prayer, a plea for connection and understanding in a world that often seems hostile and unforgiving.
In the vast expanse of Coldplay's discography, "Midnight" stands out as a poignant and introspective ballad that showcases the band's ability to craft emotionally resonant anthems. As part of their 2019 album "Everyday Life," "Midnight" is more than just a song – it's an experience that invites listeners to reflect on the fragility of human connection and the passage of time. |
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