THE CONJURING

12/2/2013

 

Vera Farmiga, 1970s, exorcism and a haunted house, (forget the BS Salem Witchcraft part of the story.) The setting, art direction, characters and performances will please horror movie lightweights, like me: yes.

GRAVITY

11/8/2013

 

In 3D: yes! It IS as good as you heard.

TRANCE

8/21/2013

 
Danny Boyle directed, violent, nasty dark, psychological thriller vehicle for Rosario Dawson, who is amazing; co-starring James McAvoy and my favorite badassmofo Vincent Cassel: yes.


 
Film Noir, adaptation of a Cornell Woolrich novel, 81 minutes tight, great drunken flashback montage: yes!

SOUND OF MY VOICE

11/2/2012

 
If you don't mind an ambiguous and crappy ending, then you might enjoy this low budget attempt at psycho / time-travel / cultdom infiltration. The end is first surprising, then infuriating. Like a selfish lover who teases you to the brink of a mild yet satisfying orgasm, and leaves you hanging to go listen to bad music... 
http://www.soundofmyvoicemovie.com/index2.html

HEADHUNTERS

9/20/2012

 
The novel was too wordy, couldn't get through it, but the movie is outstanding! Thrilling, dark, violent, Norwegian: yes! 
http://www.magpictures.com/headhunters/

IN THE CUT (2003)

5/26/2012

 
Remember Meg Ryan? Bet she thought she could resuscitate her career with Jane Campion's dreadfully flawed attempt at an erotic, thriller, which is neither. BTW in "the cut" means "vagina" and yes, one of the characters actually delivers the title in a line. Awful.

ANTHONY ZIMMER

5/9/2012

 
The original that The Tourist  was remade from. French thriller / romance: just okay.
 
Lots of Tom Cruise running: the best stride on screen. Brad Bird: you did it! Plus, it's funny. Yes!
http://www.missionimpossible.com/

SWITCHBACK (1997)

1/24/2012

 
Danny Glover, Jared Leto, Dennis Quaid, even Walt(on) Goggins are oh so young in this dated  yet entertaining, suspenseful saga about a rouge FBI agent's pursuit of a devious serial killer. Trains and Colorado locations used to maximum. R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) seems a bit cliche, but surrender and you'll love him by the end.