Daredevil: Marvel’s Man on Fire
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Wind blows the hardest the closer you get to the mountaintop.
Daredevil tells the story of heroes and villains striving to make life more difficult for themselves. They chose to climb the mountain and because of that things will get real dark and dangerous. Basically, winter is coming and they are moving closer to it.
What I loved about Daredevil is that it checks off all the boxes for a successful show. It features an intriguing bad guy, lots of grey area and finally dealt with superhero related property damage. It doesn’t sidestep the idea of faith and never shies away from a bit of ultra violence. The choices made in Daredevil wear on the characters and it succeeds in building a suitably damaged cast of characters who are simply doing their best (or worst). Most importantly, it tells the origin story of a blind man who went from dressing like the Dread Pirate Roberts to dressing like a true superhero.
Daredevil has its faults but they are overshadowed by its virtues. This is an ambitious creation that feels steadily guided and thought out. For every Foggy/Murdock argument (or unnecessary guffaw) you get a moment of actual character building. I can go along with the flow as long as I like or understand the characters. I don’t think the underrated/overrated reaction is applicable because Daredevil shouldn’t be put under the microscope because Marvel fans think it is the greatest thing ever. On its own Daredevil is a fantastic introduction to Marvel’s darker world.
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The journey to being a red garbed badass is almost believable (for a comic book TV adaptation). Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox) was the son of a human punching bag and was trained by the grumpiest blind Sensei ever. The chemicals that destroyed his vision left his other senses ultra sensitive and he can see a world on fire. He doesn’t have a mythical hammer so he gets the living sh*t kicked out of him more often than not. If Matt Murdock had a motto it would be “you should see the other guy.” The fight scenes are pretty incredible as episode two delivered a one take brawl that felt like The Raid met Oldboy and spawned a Bourne movie. When punches land they seem like they hurt and I love how one punch knockouts are rare and ramifications of not killing people continuously haunt Murdock.
What I found most unexpected is how bleak the Daredevil world is. Everybody is some form of damaged and things just get worse. The Marvel cinematic and televised universe has been full of gloss, false deaths and straying away from damaging subplots. Robert Downey Jr. never became an alcoholic in Iron Man and the contract killing back story of Black Widow was only briefly mentioned. Daredevil operates on a level of depression rarely seen. Established characters get wiped out and it gets to the point where you want something to go right for the heroes. The trio of Matt, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) survive death threats, breakups, kidnappings, murders and self medication via lots of whiskey. It is always darkest before the storm and the storm is seemingly miles off.
I usually dislike flashbacks that explain how a villain became a villain. However, I loved the back story of Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) because it is handled so well. creator Drew Goodard and crew weren’t simply attempting to shoe horn in a back story. They gave the guy an origin worthy of a superhero. Basically, they give you a glimpse of his early life (parent issues), left a gap then introduced the man who would become Kingpin. What I love is that any time he is on-screen you don’t feel safe. Fisk is a powder keg inside a china shop that is inside a nuclear bomb. It isn’t a matter of how he will explode it is a matter of when. Watching his character through heartbreak, madness and omelette making is a thing of glory.
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Daredevil also gives personalities to the side characters and clearly differentiates the Yakuza, Triads, Wall Street tycoons, art dealers, sidekicks, minions, priests and bullet proof suit makers. Days after watching the show I can still clearly see and remember the folks whom Murdoch punched in the face. For instance, the body armor creator Melvin Potter (Matt Gerald) who was known as “The Gladiator” in the comics is impressively memorable in his three appearances on-screen. In about five minutes of screen time he comes across as conflicted, nice, badass, smart and dumb at the same time. It is an impressive feat for such a small character.
The actual NYC locations aid the show greatly. There is an authenticity to the proceedings that is much appreciated. If you are making a show about a superhero fighting in Hell’s Kitchen you better make an effort to film it in Hell’s Kitchen. The grime of NYC is captured and becomes its own character. I also love how the shows deals with bottle episodes. Bottle episodes are key to shows like Daredevil because the majority of the budget is spent on NYC shooting, action scenes and moments involving hundreds of extras. So, occasionally you need to hurt the main character to force him into one location to save money. These scenes allow important information to be exchanged and the little character moments needed to form the characters.
I kept finding myself amazed at all the call backs to prior episodes. When Foggy talks about missing bagels at his old law firm you better believe he will be eating a bagel in a flashback. The constant call backs prove that this is a meticulously planned out show. However, it doesn’t feel like things are being checked off a list. The story has an organic vibe that puts other Marvel properties to shame.
Daredevil is a fantastic first step for Marvel and Netflix. I can’t wait to watch further exploits and hopefully come awards time Vincent D’Onofrio will be remembered.
Watch Daredevil. Eat bagels. Drink scotch. Prepare to be bummed out (in a good way).
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Hello all. Mark here!
The MFF podcast is back and we are examining the 1995 cinematic landscape. We talk about the subpar horror films of 1995 and examine the jerkiness of all the cinematic jerks. No stoned is left unturned as we talk about Empire Records, Species, Demon Night, Tommy Boy and Candy Man’s bees.
Yuck. Dude was a massive jerk.
We also discuss Kurt Russell, rumors that aren’t rumors and somebody says “Keyser Soze was a three-toed sloth.” We also answer three fantastic listener questions.
1. What would be the most evenly matched female superhero vs. female super villain battle?
2. What is your favorite cinematic meal?
3. Why do people like Donnie Darko?
You can download the pod on Itunes or you can stream it on the Shark Dropper website.
If you get a chance please rate, review and share the pod! If you have any random cinematic questions please ask and we shall answer!
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Planes, Trains and Chris Evans: Analyzing the similarities of Snowpiercer, Sunshine and Captain America
Hello all. Mark here.
It all started with the Chris Evans fire and ice films. Snowpiercer and Sunshine are two fantastic movies that feature something irregular. In Sunshine he helps reignite the sun but he freezes to death. In Snowpiercer he is living in a cold post-apocalyptic world yet he burns up in an explosion. These two deaths got me thinking about his other films affected by fire and ice.
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I started to look at his superhero/comic book/science fiction history and I started noticing more similarities. I compiled them together and churned out this cheeky post. I understand that some of these similarities stretch further than Reed Richards. However, they are worth noting and will make you sound more pretentious whilst talking about films (or prove you have lots of free time).
If you join Chris Evans on a train attack you will die
Chris Evans has lead two successful train attacks. In Captain America: The First Avenger he captured Dr. Arnin Zola but lost his best friend Bucky. In Snowpiercer he did better than imagined and got everybody killed. What do the train attacks have in common? They both take place in cold weather and his best friends die. Basically, the other people are red shirts waiting to get wiped out.
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There are also long term consequences of the attacks. In Captain America Bucky survives the mile long fall and becomes the Winter Soldier. Also, Zola gets captured and ends up integrating Hydra into the world. Many people die because of his train attacks.
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When Chris Evans saves the day he becomes an ice cube or freezes to death
In Captain America and Sunshine his heroics save millions but he finds himself entombed in an ice cube or freezing while close to the sun. He knowingly risks his life for the greater good and ends up really cold.
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He has some pretty sweet shields
In Push he can create shields at the molecular level in order to deflect bullets and bad dialogue. His shield in Captain America is made of the impenetrable material Vibranium and can be used as a boomerang or sled if he is bored. The spaceship’s shield in Sunshine is so incredible it can block the sun’s rays and solar winds. These three shields are pretty amazing and totally not possible.
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Something bad always happens aboard an aircraft
Fantastic Four – People go into space. People get bombed by gamma rays.
Sunshine – Only on a Chris Evans mission will you be attacked by a sun burnt Colonel Kurtz type villain.
Avengers – I could watch Captain America and Iron Man bicker all day (You are selfish! You are old!). They are polar opposites who team up to beat up a greater evil. However, flying destruction was used as a plot device to bring the two characters together. The two had to fix a helicarrier engine in order to prevent death from above. How many poor folks were smooshed because team work had to be established?
Captain America: Captain America crashes an aircraft and becomes an ice cube.
Captain America 2: Winter Soldier: That dang train mission proved to be a pain in the butt.
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The final boss is a red-faced/burnt man
In Captain America and Sunshine the main foes were Red Skull and a human third degree burn named Pinbacker. They are completely different but you get the point.
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Incredible pieces of machinery get destroyed
The train in Snowpiercer was an incredible work of art. It was a 24/7 perpetual moving machine that stayed on the tracks no matter what. It got destroyed. The spacecraft in Sunshine was capable of transporting a crew to the sun while carrying a massive explosive payload. It blew up. The aircraft in Captain America was so advanced in 1945 it would be advanced today. It crashed into a snowy abyss.
He is really good at fighting goons in close quarters
If you’ve watched Captain America 2 and Snowpiercer you know that Evans can kick butt in tiny spots. Whether he is brawling in a train car or in an elevator he always manages to eek out a victory.
He overperforms against all odds
He did the impossible when he rallied the train folk to take out the goons and gun toting crew of the Snowpiercer. Also, in Captain America he was a tiny little fella who became a super soldier because he could outsmart and out heart anybody in the field. The dude is so inventive he makes the impossible possible.
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He will use his body to save lives
He was willing to jump on a grenade to save troops in Captain America. In Snowpiercer he wrapped his arms around Yona in order for her to survive (and maybe be eaten by a polar bear). Dude is totally selfless and will hurt himself to save others.
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His films almost always involve some kind gamma, vita, ultraviolet rays.
The dude has experienced a lot of rays in Captain America, Fantastic Four and Sunshine.
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There you have it! If there are any similarities I missed let me know!
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Wolfcop: An Alcoholic Werewolf in Canada
We gotta lay low because there is a guy running around without a face. like literally, you ripped off his face
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Wolfcop tells the age-old tale of an alcoholic police officer turned vigilante werewolf cop. This soon to be Canadian cult classic is a simple little thing that knows what it is and gives people what they want. What do people want? They want a cop to turn into a werewolf and battle shape shifting small town inhabitants. Wolfcop never takes itself seriously and even as faces are being ripped off the likability is evident. It is 75 minutes of blood, beer and boobs. It isn’t a grimy Hobo With a Shotgun style shocker and it is far more enjoyable than the Machete films.
What is the plot? Basically, occult people choose the local town idiot and turn him into a werewolf via a blood ritual. They plan on using his blood during an eclipse but they messed with the wrong furry mother f***er. Tides are turned and a whole lot of squishy practical effects break out. Did I mention the wolf loves beer?
Werewolf purists might be furious that this Canadian film messes with every werewolf convention. However, if you went into Wolfcop looking for werewolf purism this is not the movie for you. Director Lowell Dean makes the proceedings so likable you can’t help but smile as the incredibly silly movie unfolds. Where else will you see a sidekick apologize for the werewolf blowing up a meth lab?
Wolfcop is a cheeky little thing that wears its niceness on it shoulders. I’m not saying this is a G-rated romp about a kindly werwolf cop. The film earns its R-rating and if you love gore you will love how the first transformation happens. Faces are ripped off, heads are decapitated and meth labs explode. There is a Cinemax style wolf/woman sex scene and you learn alien shapeshifters enjoy poking out eyeballs. If you are looking for a fun midnight movie this will not disappoint. There is just enough plot to make it work and the film is a brisk 78 minutes of Canadian goodness.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a bloody good time.
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Inherent Vice can be appreciated as a breezy experience or studied as a work of art. The book adaptation lives and breathes on the screen in a way only Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master, Punch Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood) can create. I love that Anderson is the first person to adapt a Thomas Pynchon novel and you can see he is having fun with the material. IV plays like Big Lebowski met Chinatown and spawned a hybrid variation that is still very much Anderson.
Inherent Vice starts like any other noir/crime story. A beautiful woman named Shasta (Katherine Waterson) comes back into the life of our detective hero and he is sent into the shady underground of 1970s Los Angeles. From there it twists and turns like other crime stories but stands out because of Anderson’s direction and Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as Larry “Doc” Sportello. I love that our hero is an incredibly stoned yet capable man. He navigates the seedy world as the straight man and he is put through the wringer. He is shaggy, doped up and has sideburns a guy nicknamed “sideburns” would be jealous of. His laid back demeanor actually works for him because who would ever think a little stoned hippy would be any trouble?
As he works his way through corrupt cops, dirty dentists, drug addicts, angry children and weird cults it all becomes wonderfully muddled. I know a lot of people were confused by the film but I rolled with it. I loved watching Doc react to the world around him. When a massively side burned Joaquin Phoenix is the straight man in your film you know you are doing something right. Phoenix’s laid back charm allows Josh Brolin, Jena Malone and Benecio Del Toro to thrive. They are my favorite supporting characters amongst the many supporting characters. As always Anderson finds a way to makes characters three-dimensional in one scene. The initial description of Josh Brolin’s character Christian F. “Bigfoot” Bjornsen tells you everything you need to know about the guy.
Well Mornin’ Sam, like a bad luck planet in today’s horoscope, here’s the old hippie-hating mad dog himself in the flesh: Lieutenant Detective Christian F. “Bigfoot” Bjornsen. SAG member, John Wayne walk, flat top of Flintstone proportions and that evil, little shit-twinkle in his eye that says Civil Rights Violations.
Inherent Vice feels alive and that is rare nowadays. Anderson lets the train roll off the tracks and films the aftermath. Many of today’s films feel managed (think Marvel) or familiar (Sequels, prequels, remakes). I know Anderson is adopting a book but he is adapting a bonkers book. I watch so many films that instantly leave my brain when the final credits roll. Today, I found myself thinking about IV and laughing as I ran through the crazy moments. The performances are so strong and the world is so vivid I can still see most of the frames in my head. I want to watch it again in order to catch-all the sight gags I missed.
Inherent Vice is a fantastic film that will live long in my memory. If you watch it remember to sit back, relax and embrace the absurdity and humor.
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The MFF Podcast #8: An exploration of 50 Shades of Grey and when saving the day goes wrong
Hello all. Mark here.
Episode 8 of the “new and noteworthy” (thank you Itunes) and Audible sponsored podcast is here!
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In this episode we answer listener questions like “who wins in a fight? The Rock in Walking Tall or The Rock in The Rundown?” While answering the questions our wonderful host Lasavath accidentally comes up with a beautiful poem entitled “The Rock is hot for Sean William Scott.” From there we talk about 50 Shades of Grey and when saving the day goes wrong. It is a spirited discussion that showcases what MFF does best. We appreciate all aspects of cinema and explore the randomness that it has to offer.
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You can download the podcast on Itunes or you can stream it on the Sharkdropper website. If you have an Android phone check out the app called Onecast. It makes listening to pods even easier!
If you get a chance please rate, review and share the podcast! We appreciate your listenership and want to continue to build upon the randomness.
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10 Questions about the Summer Blockbusters
Hello all. Mark here.
The summer season is upon us and I have many questions. It seems no matter how much money or talent is behind the camera there are always plot holes, reshoots and unanswered questions. I continue to watch the big budget summer fare because there is nothing better than experiencing a home run like Fast Five on the big screen. When a director and crew can balance mainstream appeal with lofty ideas it is a thing of magic. Last year Edge of Tomorrow and Interstellar knocked my socks off and proved to be amazing theatrical experiences.
The 2015 summer blockbuster trailers raised a lot of questions. The following post dares to ask the random questions so you don’t have to.
1. Is it just me or does the new Avengers movie have WAY too many characters?
I trust Joss and I think he can juggle the characters. However, it seems like Marvel is throwing up 50 balls and expecting him to keep them all in the air. The original kept it relatively simple with one villain, several heroes and weird flying tremors. The sequel has Ultron, Vision, Scarlett Witch, Quicksilver, Falcon, Rhodey, Baron Strucker Ulysses Claw, Avengers, Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Loki and Heimdall. Good luck!
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2. Who wins? The earthquake or The Rock
I know normal denizens will be wiped off the earth but you have to wonder how The Rock will do. I almost feel bad for the earthquake. The earthquake was being an earthquake and will most likely catch a Rock Bottom for its troubles.
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3. What happens if the Jurassic World dinosaur leaps a little to the right?
I still can’t shake how poorly executed this sea beast enclosure is. What if the dinosaur leaps into the stands? How deep is the tank? Where are the ponchos? Why isn’t The Rock riding it? They will need much more than one shark to feed that thing. They can create dinosaurs from mosquito remains yet risk billions in lawsuits because of potential “Sea beast crushing.”
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4. Will Ant-Man’s small-scale property destruction be the next big thing?
Ant-Man looks like a mess but I love the toy train destruction. Finally, something small gets wiped out. I’m hoping that Rudd and crew are able to pull this film off because I love the idea of something different in the Marvel universe.
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5. How do you become a Fury Road post-apocalyptic guitar player?
I get that music is great for intimidation. However, did this guy try out for the job? Was there a Whiplash or Drumline style tryout period? What song is he playing?
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6. Is it just me or is the new Terminator poster trying to take your attention away from the word Genisys?
The new Terminator films looks like a hot mess. It hasn’t been aided by the title Genisys. I love the cast but it all looks so stock and unnecessary. Also, with the latest poster I feel like they are trying to hide the word “Genisys.”
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7. Is Tom Cruise human?
The answer is “No.” He might be a Highlander. The dude hangs out on the side of a taking off plane and looks totally comfortable. What if a bird hit him? I can’t wait for the next Mission Impossible.
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8. Will Fantastic Four be clobbered before it gets released?
Does the studio hate it? Was Josh Trank in over his head? Why all the reshoots? Can you really mess up a cool story inhabited with fantastic young actors? I loved Chronicle and I hope this film takes off so we don’t get the inevitable reboot.
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How will Pitch Perfect make the change from sleeper hit to expected blockbuster?
It all started as a word of mouth sensation that blew up in theaters and exploded on DVD. How will the sequel hold up under the big time microscope? Will it adhere to the bigger is better sequel tropes? Will Fat Amy be less of a character and more of a force of nature? I really hope the sequel is good because I love the original.
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Will Spy be more Bridesmaid/Get Smart than Tammy/The Heat?
I love Get Smart and Bridesmaids. The Heat and Tammy were soul crushing. I love Melissa McCarthy when she plays a three-dimensional character and not a loud version of herself (AKA Tammy).
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MY CALL: Definitely not for everyone. This film is sweet and funny, but it has its Texas Chainsaw moments, too. It’s a cute little murderous movie. MOVIES LIKE The Voices: Maybe American Psycho (2000), which is much smarter and more serious.
Ryan Reynolds (RIPD, Safe House, Green Lantern) seems to be supportive of indie and experimental films. The Captive and Buried presented him with new challenges, and I suppose The Nines and Finder’s Fee presented some different styles to try to round him out as an actor. His latest non-mainstream endeavor is The Voices, in which he plays the voices of his Scottish-accented cat Mr. Whiskers, his dog Bosco, a weird Bunny Monkey sock puppet, and a dying deer his character hits with a car. It’s like a slasher-Psycho version of Eddie Murphy’s The Nutty Professor.
The cat is menacing; the dog, warm-hearted. Like having a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, Bosco is everything good in Jerry whereas Mr. Whiskers exudes the evil from the darkest corners of Jerry’s psyche.
If that sounds a bit odd to you, your suspicions are correct. This film is odd. Were it not for my being a Ryan Reynolds fan, I’d probably have spent the first 20 minutes of this movie wondering if renting it was a mistake. That said, the story does find its legs and gains some traction. It doesn’t end up anywhere great, but it certainly turned out to be something interesting. At the very least, it’s a story you have not seen told before (not like this anyway).
Meet Jerry…sitting alone talking to a goldfish bowl in a Chinese restaurant. Story of his life.
Jerry (Ryan Reynolds) is a sweet, likable factory worker with schizophrenia. He tries to fit in and live a normal life, but his actions highlight his eccentricities, alerting everyone around him that something about him is weird. As a product of not taking his medication, he comes home to a friendly talking dog and his cat, who verbally abuses him with a Scottish accent.
Jerry has a crush on Fiona (Gemma Arterton; Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Byzantium, Clash of the Titans) that turns from something pathetic into something awkward and then develops into something tragic…but the whole time we feel for Jerry. Things gets worse when Lisa (Anna Kendrick; Pitch Perfect) goes out on a date with him. Completely incompetent and thus facilitating his madness is Jerry’s psychiatrist (Jackie Weaver; Haunt, Stoker), who never takes appropriate action regarding Jerry’s treatment and medication. Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick and Jackie Weaver all contribute decent performances.
Oops.
The most interesting and eye-opening scene by far is when Jerry actually takes his medication and, to his horror, sees his sickly abject home and muted pets as they truly are. The scene brings the story together and solidifies Jerry’s ensuing actions and our forgiveness for those actions.
Yup. That’s Gemma Arterton’s head. And here he is feeding it cereal. Her head keeps him company and asks if she can have a “friend” to keep her company.
This movie is nothing spectacular, but Reynolds does a fantastic job of presenting his murderous character through a sympathetic lens, begging reasonable forgiveness for even his most heinous acts. He’s the killer you feel sorry for…you even want to see him happy even though you know it won’t happen, making this a very endearing psycho-killer film. LOL
Also, I’m not sure if this was just an authored scenario or a sleight of social commentary about our health care system, but it is only because the health care system (especially his psychiatrist) fail Jerry that he causes anyone harm.
The film closes with a weirdly funny musical number at the end featuring Reynoolds and the major cast during the credits. Nice touch to wrap up the mania of this cute little murderous movie. Definitely not for everyone. This film is sweet and funny, but it has its Texas Chainsaw moments.
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Hello all. Mark here.
The summer movie season is upon us and soon we will be inundated with sequels, prequels, reboots, remakes and The Rock battling an earthquake. There will be blockbusters, surprise hits and potentially the first Marvel dud (Ant-man). I’m surprisingly indifferent to a lot of the blockbusters this year. Age of Ultron looks to be more of the same and I still can’t shake how poorly built the sea beast structure is in Jurassic World.
What happens if it dives slightly to the right? Why isn’t The Rock riding it?
I’ve compiled the ten films I am most excited to watch. It is an eclectic list that features great actors (Ben Mendelsohn), directors (Joe Wright) and yellow squishy minions.
Mad Max: Fury Road – May 15– Sometimes in life you need to watch people drive fast and blow up spectacularly. I have a feeling that Fury Road is going to deliver the boom with aplomb. It looks absolutely bonkers, incredibly expensive and full of practical effects. I love the cast of Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult and the guy who plays guitar whilst strapped to the back of a vehicle. How did this guy get the job of post-apocalyptic guitar player?
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Slow West May 15– Who needs The Avengers when you have Ben Mendelsohn in this fur coat? I am all in for a western starring Michael Fassbender, Rory McCann (GOT’s The Hound!) and Mr. Mendelsohn. If you haven’t experienced a Mendelsohn performance you need to watch Killing Them Softly, Animal Kingdom, Starred Up and The Place Beyond the Pines.
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Pitch Perfect 2 – May 15 – I have some reservations about the sequel and I hope it isn’t simply “bigger and fatter.” However, I think it will avoid the sophomore slump and turn every track into gold. I love the cast, I love the music and I can’t wait for more fat Amy. If it can achieve 67% of the originals likability I will love 100% of it.
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San Andreas – May 29 – The Rock fights an earthquake and most likely wins. The Rock is my favorite action star and I can’t wait to watch him rescue his family for 120 minutes. The film looks like 2012 met Volcano and somehow became 100 times better. The Rock makes everything likable and I could watch The Rundown, Fast Five, The Other Guys and Fast Six on a continuous loop. I look at San Andreas the same way I look at Hercules. It may be a bunch of hooey but it works because The Rock is the most “electrifying man in sports entertainment.”
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Entourage – June 5 – I know this film takes place in “white collar bro city” but I can’t resist the crew. I watched every episode and no matter how ridiculous it got I stuck with it. Will Turtle find love? Will E get a new Maserati? Will Drama continue his self destructive ways? I’ve invested this much time in Entourage might as well watch the movie.
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Insidious: Chapter 3 – June 5 – Elise Rainer (Lin Shaye), Tucker and Specs are back for a third film! They are my favorite part of the Insidious series because they put themselves in terrible situations for the better good and provide the comedic relief. I loved the first two films and they were a big part of why they were so successful. They didn’t have to battle the jerky demons but they hunkered down and went to war with them. Who does that nowadays?
Sidenote: I still hate the red demon from Insidious. He hurt my soul. However, Elise, Tucker and Specs never backed down and never surrendered.
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Me and Earl and the Dying Girl – June 12 – The word out of Sundance is that Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is fantastic. I am 100% down to support an independent film during the summer months. The world needs something to break up all the property destruction. This could be the Fault in Our Stars of 2015.
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Minions – July 10 – Banana! I love the minions and I can’t wait for 90 minutes of minion prequel action. I know this goes against my annoyance of prequels but I love the whole idea of 42 B.G. (Before Gru). Also, Villain Con sounds amazing!
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Pan – July 24 Joe Wright (Hanna, Atonement) is awesome. Pan has a great cast comprised of Hugh Jackman, Rooney Mara, Garrett Hedlund and Amanda Seyfried. It looks like a visual delight that will appease the senses and allow Mara to actually have some fun on film. I am hoping for the trademark six minute continuous shot that is Wright’s specialty.
Dope – June 19 – Take me back to the 90s! I was a product of the hammer pants era and I hope Dope plays like Dazed and Confused met Better Luck Tomorrow and spawned House Party. Can’t wait!
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What summer movies do you want to see?
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MY CALL: This minimalist, quietly scary adult fable melds the Billy Goats Gruff with a hauntingly melancholy atmosphere. The budget is low, but the film does not rely on effects as characters and eeriness drive this movie. I was very pleased with it, but it’s not for those looking for something exciting, gory or shocking. It is slow-paced and tense. MOVIES LIKE Absentia: Want other truly creepy films instead of “loud scare” horror? Try It Follows (2015), Session 9 (2001) and Oculus (2014).
I must say, this film surprised me in more ways than one–neat story, good characters, very creepy, nice camera work. I skipped this film for years following its release labeling it “just another straight-to-DVD horror” that I’d “get around to” when I had time. I kept delaying. After all, if you look at the DVD cover art you wouldn’t think there was anything original behind that woman being dragged into the darkness. In the last couple years, however, I’ve been noticing mounting positive reviews of the film. So I finally caved in and decided to give it a shot when I saw it on Netflix.
At its start I feared my original concerns would come true. I recognized none of the actors and I could tell it had a low budget (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). I just figured this would turn out to be some haunting story brought upon by some past misdeed of the main character, a pregnant woman whose husband has been missing for 7 years. But this was nothing of the sort. The story begins very simply: Callie moves in with her sister Tricia when Tricia is forced to sign papers declaring her husband (who has been missing for 7 years) “dead in absentia.” However, instead of finding closure, Tricia’s inner conflict continues as she is apparently haunted by her husband’s tormented spirit.
The scares and imagery are rattling and the atmosphere is powerfully off-putting. But rather than being “loud” and scary, it’s quiet and eerie—think Session 9 (2001) and you’ll know what I mean. Not so surprising, I guess, after learning this was written and directed by Mike Flanagan, who later went on to helm Oculus (2014; which cameos the actors of this film).
Creepy shots, creepy sounds, none of it loud. Just pure creepiness.
Character-driven and nightmarish, our story advances as Callie begins to link several recent disappearances spanning 100 years (and that of Tricia’s husband) to a nearby tunnel. The film includes scenes with the book “Three Billy Goats Gruff” and serves as an adult version of the fable. That said, this isn’t a monster movie, or a haunting story…yet it feels like both.
Doug Jones makes a cameo.
And like a terrifying fable, we find no solid reason behind the disappearances at the end, only evidence of a cause, making this feel satisfyingly mysterious yet many will feel at least partially annoyed by the lack of explanation. But isn’t that where most horror falls apart? When things are explained, or over-explained, or we try to rationalize a supernatural story with rules…? Maybe it’s for the better that it ends this way. Not all horror is meant to be explained. Sometimes, just sometimes, that’s what makes it scary.
Movies, Films & Flix 
