A US Civil War-era plantation is not as it first appears. Clumsy attempt to mash together the likes of Westworld and The Village. Unfortunately, any good intentions are masked by a fetishised approach to depicting slavery, and by not thinking through either the premise or its implications. A shame, as Janelle Monae and – especially – Gabourey Sidibe are good here.
Here’s the trailer.
One harsh winter’s night, a sacked librarian supports a protest occupation of a city-centre library by homeless patrons. Perhaps-simplistic but heartfelt and well-meaning social issues drama with black comic touches. It’s not subtle in its execution, but you’d have to be a hard-hearted son-of-a-bitch not to enjoy the effort.
Vacationing students journey to a ruined Mayan temple to find missing friends. Modest but effective horror flick, handled with some care and attention. Makes the most of what’s essentially a single setting, and doesn’t try to over-explain, or overstay its welcome
In late-Victorian London, a young mother is troubled by what might be a poltergeist. Handsome but odd cod-Freudian drama which flirts with fantasy, Jekyll & Hyde-isms, and unlocked sexuality in all kinds of ways.
255 Review 