Thursday, November 1, 2012


¡QUÉ HORROR! 2012
The Wrap-Up II!

Now, before I get into The Wrap-Up II! I just need to say, this is such an awesome Halloween present: V/H/S 2 is apparently coming together, with Eduardo Sánchez (collaborating with Jamie Nash and producing partner Gregg Hale) on one segment, Adam Wingard back for another go-round, Simon Barrett giving us his directorial debut, plus two other segments helmed by Jason Eisener (Hobo with a Shotgun) and the tag-team of Gareth Huw Evans (The Raid) and Timo Tjahjanto (Macabre).

Boo-yah!

Okay, honestly, these should have been mentioned in the first Wrap-Up, but somewhere along the way, I’d somehow overlooked the fact that I’d meant to give them an Iguana mention last year, but hadn’t.
Again, apologies.
These were 3 excellent titles, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention them as among the best films I managed to catch in the past 12 months.


GOOD NEIGHBOURS
(September 2010)

Written and directed by Jacob Tierney, adapted from Chrystine Brouillet’s novel, Chère Voisine, Good Neighbours is a darkly excellent thriller of appearances and manners, which sees Jay Baruchel’s Victor having just moved into a new apartment, where he begins to strike up tentative friendships with his neighbours Louise (Emily Hampshire) and Spencer (Scott Speedman). Things go wonky from that point on…
Please try and steer clear of the trailer for this one, which rudely features a pivotal reveal that happens at nearly the halfway mark of the film’s running time.


TAKE SHELTER
(January 2011)

A brilliantly-executed and -acted apocalypse cinema title by writer/director Jeff Nichols, Take Shelter sees Zod-to-be Michael Shannon having disturbing visions that seem to portend the end of the world.
Are they for real, or is he just losing his marbles?
Aside from Shannon’s excellent work here, we’ve also got Jessica Chastain, Shea Whigham, and Kathy Baker in supporting roles.


MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
(January 2011)

Elizabeth Olsen (yes, the other Olsen--non-twin--sister) plays a woman who breaks off from the cult she’s inadvertently become a part of.
The non-linear narrative brought to us by writer/director Sean Durkin (in his feature debut), results in a mesmerizing cinematic experience that is permeated by a distinct sense of unease and disquiet, anchored by an astounding performance by Olsen.

(Good Neighbours, Take Shelter, and Martha Marcy May Marlene OS’ courtesy of impawards.com.)

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