MOVIE REVIEW: NOSFERATU

 

In the 1830s, estate agent Thomas Hutter travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok, a prospective client. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen, is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich and Anna Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that's far beyond her control.

Director: Robert Eggers

Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, Willem Dafoe

Release Date: December 25, 2024

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery

Rated R for bloody violent content, graphic nudity and some sexual content.

Runtime: 2h 12m

Review:

Robert Eggers' remake of 1922's Nosferatu doesn't add much to the general story but it's a visual marvel of the macabre that delivers a wonderfully opulent series of gothic imaginary that's sure to leave an impression.  Eggers's talents are perfectly suited for the subject matter and every shot reflects his deep affect and love of the material.  He manages to create an impressive sense of dread and foreboding even though the story doesn't offer up much in the way of surprises.  He and his cinematographer, Jarin Blaschke, meticulously frame shots with an incredible level of care which results in a steady stream of memorable shots with the blue toned monochromatic night shots being particularly effective.  The film moves at Eggers' usual pace but a series of well-placed shocks pepper the film with those moments injecting the screen with chaotic energy.  Lily-Rose Depp delivers stellar work in some of these moments with a physical performance that's filled with wild fits of manic gyrations that echo moments from The Exorcist more than anything else.  She maintains a detached, almost trance-like stare during the film's quieter portions with exasperated moments of lucidity allowing her to display a full range of emotions.  Depp's turn is fascinating from start to finish but it’s one of those aspects that you'd wish Eggers had expanded on since there's plenty of fertile ground to explore outside of the repressed sexuality of the original.  The supporting cast is made up on a solid group of performers but similarly the script doesn't ask a lot of them outside of looking terrified, like Hoult, while he's being cuckold or borderline crazed like Willem Dafoe which is about par for the course for him.  Aaron Taylor-Johnson looks the part but some of his lines come off as unintentionally comical partly due to his handle bar mustache.  Emma Corrin is wasted for the most part as she's given very little to do outside of stand around and ask how Depp's Ella is doing and reassure her she's not a burden.  Bill Skarsgård is tasked with portraying Count Orlok which he does with a heavy Eastern European accent in between wheezes.  His portrayal paired with the creature's makeup makes for a far more decrepit depiction of the monster with any sense of suave sexuality from other integrations stripped away to something more primal.  The character's full features are slowly revealed throughout before being shown in its full glory in the final act as we get the full scope of his massive, rotting corpse.  In the end, Nosferatu may prove to be one of Robert Eggers more accessible film for those looking for high end frights and fitting tribute to one of the original horror films.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FIRST OMEN

 

A woman starts to question her own faith when she uncovers a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of evil incarnate in Rome.

Director: Arkasha Stevenson

Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, Sônia Braga, Ralph Ineson, Bill Nighy, Maria Caballero, Nicole Sorace

Release Date: April 5, 2024 

Genre: Horror

Rated R for violent content, grisly/disturbing images, and brief graphic nudity.

Runtime: 2h 

Review:

The First Omen is a surprisingly well constructed religious horror throwback that delivers plenty in the way of atmosphere and shocks.  Arkasha Stevenson shows an impressive confidence behind the camera in her big screen debut as she delivers a series of wonderfully crafted visuals which leave an impression.  Additionally, she's able to capture the style and pace of 70s era horror films with an emphasis placed on characters faces during conversations which allows the actors to really shine.  Stevenson draws inspiration from a variety of places initially using Richard Donner's idyllic filter from the originally before leaning more into Polanski's more hallucinatory approach from Rosemary's Baby which fits the story well while also managing to include a sequence that's sure to make fans of 1981 Possession smile.  Of course, it’s all deadly serious from start to finish in this slow burn which thankfully avoids an over reliance on cheap jump scares while keeping the focus solely on the central character and story.  Its a methodical approach that's very similar to those old school horror films so those looking for something faster might be disappointed.  It’s a measured approach that lets its cast do the heavy lifting lead by a strong turn from Nell Tiger Free.  She brings a believable naivety to the role that slowly unravels as the mystery unfolds.  Free manages to keep it all ground even as the story takes some convoluted turns in order to get to its predetermined destination.  Her supporting cast boast some familiar faces Bill Nighy, Ralph Ineson, Sônia Braga and Charles Dance who all bring an air of gravitas to fairly one dimensional characters.  Maria Caballero and Nicole Sorace manage to leave an impression in limited roles as a fellow nun and orphan respectively with the latter begging for more screen time.  The First Omen proves to be one of the more pleasant surprises from a resurrected franchise showing that it's possible to deliver a quality product in the right hands.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE GREEN KNIGHT

 

King Arthur's headstrong nephew embarks on a daring quest to confront the Green Knight, a mysterious giant who appears at Camelot. Risking his head, he sets off on an epic adventure to prove himself before his family and court.

Director: David Lowery

Cast: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Ralph Ineson

Release Date: July 30, 2021

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Rated R for violence, some sexuality and graphic nudity

Runtime: 2 h 10 min

Review:

David Lowery’s deconstructed Arthurian tale is a methodical pensive take that’s moody and visually stunning.  Lowery’s film isn’t going to be for everyone since his pacing is deliberately slow as he lets visual and moments linger on screen for an extended amount of time.  Everything moves at a slow simmer allowing the thematic meaning to seep into your mind.  It’s the opposite of a blockbuster film since it asks you actively digest what’s being presented on screen. Dev Patel leads the film ably in a understated but thoughtful turn as Sir Gawain as he tackles destiny and life during his journey. Patel’s dialogue is sparse but he communicates a books worth of emotions via his eyes.  The supporting cast is equally effective with Alicia Vikander making the biggest impression in a duel role one of which leaves her nearly unrecognizable. David Lowery’s film fits nicely next to John Boorman’s classic Excalibur and much like that film it’s a visual feast that will leave you thinking about it long after the film is over.    

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE

 

To protect an 8-year-old girl, a dangerous assassin reunites with her mother and her lethal associates to take down a ruthless crime syndicate and its army of henchmen.

Director: Navot Papushado

Cast: Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, Chloe Coleman, Ralph Ineson, Adam Nagaitis, Michael Smiley, Paul Giamatti

Release Date: July 14, 2021

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout and language

Runtime: 1h 54min

Review:

Gunpowder Milkshake is a fizzy neon lit sugar rush of violence and faux female empowerment.  The latter is mainly due to a lazy script that waste an opportunity to deliver something more meaningful and fresh.  Director Navot Papushado does manage to keep the film engaging with some fun visuals and incredibly fun fight choreography.  Papushado manages the action sequences with a deft hand, delivering some inventive sequences which are as ridiculous as they are fun.  The smaller character moments though don't hit the way they should, so you never have any real emotional connection to the characters.  Its no fault of the cast which is all in from the opening frame.  Karen Gillian, using her Nebula voice, is intense killing machine who has abandonment issues.  She's not asked to do much with the character but she still manages to make her engaging. Lena Headey, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh and Carla Gugino are fun in supporting roles with each being able to shine during kinetic action sequences.  Sadly, the script doesn't take full advantage of the assembled talent outside of asking them to make quips while looking cool.  The barebones story is borrows heavily from the John Wick film's so there are few surprises in story on that end, it does leave the door open for a sequel as well.  Gunpowder Milkshake is a strangely engaging film that works in spite of itself.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WITCH

A devout Puritan family in 1630s New England are exiled from their village, and struggle to survive in their new home situated at the edge of a mysterious forest. The sinister, witching forces in the wilderness emerge silently to terrorize them, first by kidnapping the youngest of their five children. As their life-sustaining crops fail, the clan fall victim to paranoia and fear as they begin to turn on one another, eventually suspecting teenage daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) of witchcraft. With the vast majority of the dialogue culled from primary sources from the time period, Robert Eggers' debut feature The Witch is a terrifying glimpse into a family descending into madness. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Director: Robert Eggers

Release Date: Feb 19, 2016

Rated R For disturbing violent content and graphic nudity.

Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.

Genres: Horror

Cast: Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Julian Richings, Vivienne Moore

Review:

The Witch is a impressive moody period horror film that is expertly crafted from the top down.  Robert Eggers’ debut film is meticulously crafted exercise in subtly.  Eggers builds and maintains tension throughout the film by using the solitary setting for a maximum effect.  The film owes a cinematic debt Kubrick’s The Shining by playing up a lot of similar themes even though the build up more tempered and methodical.  Eggers is blessed with a fully committed cast who deliver excellent performances all around with Anya Tayor-Joy leaving a lasting impression.  Taylor-Joy, who looks like the world saddest Hummel figurine, conveys so much through her face and eyes, it’s a terribly impressive performance for such a young actress.  The Witch is the type of high quality horror film that that rarely comes around in a genre which is usually littered with garbage.

A