Bergman...

I actually am not sure what I think about de Palma. I've only seen two of his movies. Scanners made me physically ill. History of Violence I found much easier to watch, and quite interesting as a result. But I still had to look away during certain scenes.

For me, at least, this raises an interesting issue. I'm certainly open to the possibility that de Palma is an amazing genius, but it's difficult for me to sit through enough of a film to really objectively judge. Yes, I appreciate that a certain physicality in film is already an accomplishment, but it's not so interesting by itself. But even supposing it were true that here is great art using the language of violence -- is it important to watch? What does one learn here (about art, about life) that is irreducible to a subtler aesthetic? Is it necessary for one's aesthetic education to explore the intricacies of distaste?

Again, I'm not someone who is categorically opposed to disgusting movies, and I would even admit that there are many interesting questions around the issue of disgust. But I'm not convinced that de Palma is unmissable.  Do others feel otherwise? I would be interested in hearing why.