What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Buboven

Id say Black Christmas is 100 times a better film than Halloween myself.

I wouldn't say 100 times, but I also prefer it to Halloween. In fact, Black Christmas is probably my favourite slasher film.

[trebor8273]

Watched my first wes Anderson film last night, the grand Budapest hotel. Really enjoyed it's quirky and bizarre humour. Really looking forward to viewing more of his work.

[Frankie Teardrop]

THE PIT AKA JUGFACE - A strange indie film which ducks horror cliché whilst dallying with it a little, 'Jugface' was right up my alley for the most part. It follows the tribulations of a teenage bride-to-be in a backwoods community which is removed enough from civilisation that its members are OK with being forcibly married off by their elders, but are probably slightly less OK about being occasionally sacrificed to The Pit, a locus of undefined supernatural agency and bloodletting. A savant-like figure summons the anointed by rendering their likeness in the form of a jug (!) which is thus presented to the aghast township (cue fairly savage ritual throat slitting). I kind of dug this never explained but possibly biblical element as I've always had a thing about Toby Jugs - they've freaked me out from a young age. Anyway, the film forgoes the standard genre route in many ways, and concentrates less on an obvious narrative and more on Lauren Ashley Carter and the slow-burn unfolding of her horrible life, keeping the more outlandishly irreal stuff to one side but laying it on when and where it counts (to good and bad effect). Lauren has the kind of face which is destined for movie stardom by the way, and is a really magnetic presence throughout. Sean Young's in there too, doing herself justice with a good and sometimes rather intense turn which finds her sharing quite a few uncomfortable scenes with Carter (particularly one hymen-testing moment which had me doubting the BBFC '15' rating for a second). In trying to do something subtle, the film inevitably throws its coarser horror elements into sharp relief when they're called upon - this can result in a little clunk (particularly the CGI bits). Nevertheless, 'Jugface' felt quite bold and original to me, and I always applaud an attempt to do something different. Fans of something like 'Absentia' might quite dig this.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

A Good Woman (2004)

A charming, witty and beautifully acted piece set on Italy's majestic Amalfi coast. Based on Oscar Wilde's story Lady Windermere's Fan and starring Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson, Stephen Campbell Moore and Tom Wilkinson. The film tells a tangled web of intrigue, high society gossip, and dark family secrets all wrapped up with a Jeeves and Wooster style comedic sparkle.

Hunt clearly has a ball playing a devilish vamp of ill repute, manipulating all and sundry who fall for her many charms, of which i was one, and would heartily recommend this delightful film....Except this is Cult Labs and we don't really do delightful films do we?

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Originally Posted by Frankie Teardrop

THE PIT AKA JUGFACE - A strange indie film which ducks horror cliché whilst dallying with it a little, 'Jugface' was right up my alley for the most part. It follows the tribulations of a teenage bride-to-be in a backwoods community which is removed enough from civilisation that its members are OK with being forcibly married off by their elders, but are probably slightly less OK about being occasionally sacrificed to The Pit, a locus of undefined supernatural agency and bloodletting. A savant-like figure summons the anointed by rendering their likeness in the form of a jug (!) which is thus presented to the aghast township (cue fairly savage ritual throat slitting). I kind of dug this never explained but possibly biblical element as I've always had a thing about Toby Jugs - they've freaked me out from a young age. Anyway, the film forgoes the standard genre route in many ways, and concentrates less on an obvious narrative and more on Lauren Ashley Carter and the slow-burn unfolding of her horrible life, keeping the more outlandishly irreal stuff to one side but laying it on when and where it counts (to good and bad effect). Lauren has the kind of face which is destined for movie stardom by the way, and is a really magnetic presence throughout. Sean Young's in there too, doing herself justice with a good and sometimes rather intense turn which finds her sharing quite a few uncomfortable scenes with Carter (particularly one hymen-testing moment which had me doubting the BBFC '15' rating for a second). In trying to do something subtle, the film inevitably throws its coarser horror elements into sharp relief when they're called upon - this can result in a little clunk (particularly the CGI bits). Nevertheless, 'Jugface' felt quite bold and original to me, and I always applaud an attempt to do something different. Fans of something like 'Absentia' might quite dig this.

Great review as always Frankie...but I'm more intrigued about the Toby Jug phobia...

[Make Them Die Slowly]

CLASH OF THE TITANS(remake). Wonderfully dumb remake that skips any real attempt to tell a story or focus on character when it is much easier to film sweeping aerial shots of people walking over hills like LOTR. That said, I enjoyed it greatly, it has Gemma and a flying horse in it, what more could you want from a film?

THE COLONY. Snow bound post apocalypse flick that switches mid point into a poor 30 DAYS OF NIGHT rip off but without vampires. Neither good or bad.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

A Good Woman (2004)

I remember seeing this at the cinema and quite enjoying it, but had completely forgotten some of the aspects you mentioned, including Scarlett Johansson being amongst the cast! Adding it to my Lovefilm rental queue sounds like a good idea.

[Nordicdusk]

I'm heading to see guardians of the galaxy later today has anyone seen it.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by nordicdusk

I'm heading to see guardians of the galaxy later today has anyone seen it.

I've seen it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. Stick around during the credits because there is a pretty funny scene after them.

[Nordicdusk]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

I've seen it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. Stick around during the credits because there is a pretty funny scene after them.

Cheers Nos looks like a lot of fun.