One day loops forever in this inventive thriller. More Source Code than Groundhog Day, it’s elevated by Grillo, Watts and Gibson. Some endearing moments amongst the madness add heart, although the ending may leave some unsatisfied. Thumbs up.
Category: Insane
What Lies Below (2020, Dir. Braden R. Duemmler)
Back from summer camp, a girl finds her mother has a perfect new boyfriend, who is probably just a little too interested in the denizens of the lake by which they live. Creepy, atmospheric and a little bit squishy. Or fishy. Take your pick.
Want another take? Here’s Xussia’s review and here’s the trailer:
Color Out of Space (2019, dir. Richard Stanley)
A meteorite causes hallucinations and mutations to spread across a New England farm. Well-made adaptation of the HP Lovecraft short story. A slow burn that earns its weirdness well, accumulating details carefully, and playing properly with madness. Played commendably straight, though with many subtle genre nods for horror fans.
Monos (2019, dir. Alejandro Landes)
A group of Central American teenagers guard a kidnapped doctor. Part every jungle action flick ever, part Absurdist fable. Lord of the Flies meets The Emerald Forest with a seasoning of Predator, and more than a hint of Beckett. Hugely recommended, but not for everyone.
Suspiria (2018, dir. Luca Guadagnino)
A dancer joins a troupe that’s a front for a coven. Startling remake of the Argento original that while not having the bravura dream logic of the original is nevertheless an unsettling and well-sustained piece of work. Respectful enough to pay homage, but different enough to be its own beast.
Mandy (2018, dir. Panos Cosmatos)
A rural couple is kidnapped by cultists, triggering a revenge spree. Dazzling and trippy horror/road movie hybrid, set in a stylised 1983. A movie with its own rules that fully rewards going with it and its excesses, in both narrative and visuals. Recommended.
Terrifier (2017, dir. Damien Leone)
A psychotic murderer dressed as a clown stalks two students on Halloween. Gleefully gory and grimy 80s throwback slasher/torture porn hybrid. Ultimately wearying, there are some genuinely funny / jarring / startling moments nevertheless.
Apostle (2018, dir. Gareth Evans)
A kidnapped daughter leads her brother to infiltrate the cult responsible. That sets the scene for an escalating series of events that has more in common with Evans’ VHS2 segment and the game Resident Evil 4. Recommended, but be prepared for madness.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017, dir. S. Craig Zahler)
A mechanic turned drug mule has to battle the prison system to save his pregnant wife from the dealers he owes. Slow-paced but inexorable, this crime drama/horror mash-up isn’t for everyone, but is both brilliant and brutal if you can go with it.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996. dir. Renny Harlin)
Further proof of Black’s obsession with mismatched buddies and Christmas, this 90s actioner piles on the cliches and feels at times like a parody of what he started in Lethal Weapon. Fun nonetheless, Davis and Jackson clearly enjoyed every moment.
