Month: October 2017

Bear Island (1979, dir. Don Sharp)

An Arctic scientific expedition is used as cover for different factions searching for old U-boat pens and Nazi gold. Great location work and impressive sets, plus a strong cast, enliven this otherwise-talky thriller adapted from an Alastair MacLean novel.

Rings (2017, dir. F. Javier Gutiérrez)

A VHS tape yields an odd film; an investigation reveals that it comes with a curse. Belated third film in the US Ringu retelling, this time with a different backstory from The Ring Two. Lots of ideas, none of them very good. A mess.

Don’t want to take my word for it? Here’s Lemonsquirtle’s opinion.

I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House (2016, dir. Osgood Perkins)

A nurse tending to a frail writer comes to believe the house they share is haunted. Minimalist horror flick which is impressive in its sustaining of atmosphere, but is so slow to develop that you might expire yourself from boredom before the eventual reveal comes along.

Crack In The World (1965, dir. Andrew Marton)

Boffins attempting to harness the power of the earth’s molten core trigger a disaster. Unusual early disaster/SF crossover pic, hampered by now-quaint effects, variable acting, and a love triangle plot taking up much of the running time. Fun, nevertheless.

I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore (2017, dir. Macon Blair)

A timid nursing assistant teams up with a neighbour to retrieve stolen goods; matters soon get out of control. Splendid black-comedy thriller with whiffs of early Coens and some genuine surprises as matters ratchet up. Recommended.

Also, here’s xussia’s opinion.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016, dir. Taika Waititi)

A wayward teen and his foster parent end up on the run. Sparkling comedy-drama which hits all the right story beats, and which is written, directed, and acted throughout with both verve and affection for the story. Recommended.