Five Films You Might Have Missed in the Theaters: July/August 2015 Edition

Hello all. Mark here.

Some movies get lost in the shuffle and slip through the theaters without you knowing. We humans are busy and can’t possibly watch all the vampire mockumentaries and absurdest westerns that are released in the theaters. In order to catch you up on some of the films you might have missed I’ve compiled five films that are totally worth your time.

These five movies differ greatly in subject matter but all bring something original to a cinematic world that relies on recycling. These beauties offer something for everyone and feature burgeoning talent, confident directorial debuts and sexy dancing.

What We Do in the Shadows (Redbox,VOD)

What We Do in the Shadows is a glorious comedy/horror mockumentary that centers around four vampires who live in New Zealand. The horror hybrid blends comedy with lots of gore and features some of funniest characters of the last several years. It is a creative blast of niceness and violence that will most certainly become a cult classic. The 85 minute film is so full of one-liners, sight gags and hilarious characters you need to watch it more than once.

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Ex-Machina (Redbox, VOD) Check out our Ex-Machina pod here.

Ex Machina is the rare “intelligent” film that is actually intelligent. It is a fantastic science fiction film that does wonders with a $15 million budget (AKA Avengers craft service budget). Director and writer Alex Garland (The Beach, Sunshine, 28 Days Later, Never Let Me Go, Dredd) continues his hot streak and proves he is one of the best in the business.

Ex Machina revolves around two humans, one very special AI creation and a whole lot of booze. It is a character heavy movie that feels like a chess match played by three people. You kinda need to watch this film.

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’71 (Redbox, VOD)

After Starred Up and Unbroken poor Jack O’Connell can’t seem to escape movies that put him through the wringer. 71 is no different. It tells the tale of a young British soldier cut off from his ranks and trapped behind enemy lines in Belfast. If you are familiar with the Catholic/Protestant battles of Irish history then you will be fully invested in this tense tale. I also recomend you watch the Paul Greengrass directed Bloody Sunday. I love the film and I think James Nesbitt pulls off a performance for the ages.

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It Follows (Redbox, VOD) Check out the MFF It Follows pod here. 

It Follows has a unique style that blends a lurking sense of dread with absolute urgency.  It isn’t afraid to mess with the genre while sticking to well-worn tropes.  If you combined  All the Real Girls withNightmare on Elm Street and threw in All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, Elephant and The Sixth Senseyou would have something sorta resembling the film. 

Director David Robert Mitchell (The Myth of the American Sleepover) takes my favorite aspects of horror (urgency, dread, patience) and combines them with a beautifully simple story about the dangers of sex. Mitchell lets the film breath and this allows the rabbit and hare story to unfold organically. The teens sleepless state creates a dreamy atmosphere that is captured nicely by the lingering camera and patient editing. The film moves at a methodically slow pace yet you have a hard time catching your breath.

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Slow West (Redbox, VOD)

Slow West is a beautifully shot, well-acted western that has its own distinct personality. It blasts off the screen with personality and lingers in your memory long after viewing (which is a good thing because I pretty much forget about movies after I’ve watched them). Michael Fassbender is always good. Rory McCann gets to do something other than play Game of Throne’s The Hound. Ben Mendelsohn wears a massive fur coat. Watch it.