A headstrong young man joins a CIS black ops team to get revenge on the terrorists who killed his fiance. Straightforward basic training and first mission movie (adapted from the Vince Flynn novels) which escalates awkwardly from fisticuffs to stolen nukes and an iffily CG-ed armada. Patchy.
Month: March 2018
It Comes At Night (2017, dir. Trey Edward Schults)
A family hides in the woods after a disease outbreak. Sombre and effective post-apocalyptic horror, more focused on survivors’ paranoia than on raging zombies and the like.
Ravenous [AKA Les Affames] (2017, dir. Robin Autert)
![Ravenous [AKA Les Affames] (2017, dir. Robin Autert)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/les-affames-2017-movie-robin-aubert-6.jpg?w=550)
A small band of humans try to survive a zombie outbreak in Quebec. Stylish and at times absurdist zombie flick, borrowing from Cell and from Beckett in equal measure. Character-focused throughout, with something for gore fans and indie drama lovers. Recommended.
Eat Locals (2017, dir. Jason Flemyng)
A vampire gathering is interrupted by an army/cleric hit squad. Slightly ramshackle low budget comedy-horror with a clear debt to Dog Soldiers, this just about gets by on its game cast of familiar faces, plus plenty of ideas, not all of which get a fair shake.
Going In Style (2017, dir. Zach Braff)
When their former employer reneges on their pension deals, three old men decide to rob the bank involved. Easy-going remake of a 1970s caper comedy. No surprises, but it coasts by on twinkly-eyed performances and some nice moments.
Jeepers Creepers 3 (2017, dir. Victor Salva)
The Creeper continues his assault on a rural town. Inserted into the narrative space between parts 1 and 2, this belated – and perhaps unwanted – third instalment has some effective moments, though struggles to realise its patchy script with iffy CG. For completists only.
Another perspective? Here’s Xussia’s take.
The Open House (2018, dir. Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote)
A mother agrees to live in her sister’s house while it sells following the death of her husband. However, during one of the open house visits, someone doesn’t leave… Which is what you’ll want to do when watching this. A bad and pointless film. Avoid.
The Ritual (2017, dir. David Bruckner)
After a brutal opening, four thirty-something friends go hiking in the wilds of Sweden, only to run afoul of something in the Scandinavian woods. Excellent British horror that has echoes of Blair Witch, but has an identity all its own. Worth your time.
Forgotten (2017, dir. Jang Hang-jun)
Interesting Korean thriller that weaves a twisting story, constantly wrong footing the viewer throughout. What starts out as odd melodrama soon becomes something else entirely, and whilst not 100% successful, it’s certainly oddly entertaining. Worth a go.
Veronica (2017. dir. Paco Plaza)
Supposedly based on real life events, this is an okay Spanish horror from the creator of the far superior [Rec]. Despite some effective moments with some good scares, this doesn’t live up to the opening few minutes and leaves one faintly dissatisfied. 😐
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