Month: December 2022

Speak No Evil (2022, Dir. Christian Tafdrup)

A Danish family meets a Dutch family on holiday who are not all they seem. Truly uncomfortable and challenging to watch at times, this is one of the all time shout at the screen films. Awkward and unflinching – you will feel the tension and atmosphere – recommended.

Death Race 2000 (1975, dir. Paul Bartel)

A near-future fascistic USA is focused on an annual cross-continent murderous road race. Scattershot but sprightly, this exploitation effort (a Rollerball mockbuster) juggles media satire, cartoony splatter, 1984 riff, and car-chase comedy. Full of ideas, though, and hugely influential. A remake – spawning several DTV sequels – followed.

Here’s the trailer.

The House That Dripped Blood (1971, dir. Peter Duffell)

A detective investigates a missing film star, leading him to enquire into a house’s tragic history. Brisk Amicus anthology horror based on Robert Bloch short stories (with one standout yarn) – four twisty tales plus a wraparound story – delivering value for money and some genre-friendly faces.

Here’s the trailer.

The Outfit (2022, dir. Graham Moore)

An unassuming tailor finds himself caught in a war between rival mobsters. Deliberately stagey crime drama seemingly based on the pun in the title, with the kinds of twists one might expect: anchored by an immaculate Mark Rylance performance. Not especially filmic, but enjoyable on its own terms.

Here’s the trailer.