What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Honeymoon (2014)

A film ruined by cheap jump scares this is not. Honeymoon is a masterful blend of psychological horror and the creeping unknown. Featuring a cast of only four and with two of those barely having any screen time the film stands or falls by the talents of it's two leads and thankfully in Harry Treadaway and Rose Leslie the film has talent in abundance. Leslie in particular is magnificent as her performance slowly morphs from 'girl you'd love to be with' to a deeply unnerving individual with a presence of pure screen horror.

Much credit must go to director Leigh Janiak. Not only is there some wonderful outdoors photography, it's also the way Janiek slowly lets you into the life of this newly married couple going off on their honeymoon to a cottage in the woods by a lake. An idyllic scenario where Janiak almost makes the viewer feel like an intruder in the couples bliss. Janiek then, by the half way point brings tension to proceedings with a slow build up which climaxes in shocking circumstances.

It's difficult to discuss the plot because the whole film is so inconclusive. We aren't given any reasons or indeed explanations as events unfold, which for me really topped off the whole atmosphere of dread which envelops the film. There are the occasional clues in the dialogue or onscreen subtleties which may lead to answers yet it feels better not to know. For some i can imagine this being off putting but personally i loved the thought provoking aspect of it all.

Highly recommended.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Honeymoon (2014)

Fantastic review, Dem.

I've got this on my watch pile too so should be giving it s spin sometime over the coming week.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

Ex Machina (2015)

Excellent review Nos.

I'll really have to pick this up on dvd. I'm pleased Garland did a great job with it. The Beach, both novel and film, are two favourites of mine.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Excellent review Nos.

I'll really have to pick this up on dvd. I'm pleased Garland did a great job with it. The Beach, both novel and film, are two favourites of mine.

One aspect which is worth mentioning, and I somehow haven't, is how consistently good the screenplay is. Both 28 Days Later and Sunshine (and, to a lesser extent, The Beach) suffer from the third act not being as strong as the rest of the film, whereas with Ex Machina, the third act is arguably the best part of the film.

[sjconstable]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

One aspect which is worth mentioning, and I somehow haven't, is how consistently good the screenplay is. Both 28 Days Later and Sunshine (and, to a lesser extent, The Beach) suffer from the third act not being as strong as the rest of the film, whereas with Ex Machina, the third act is arguably the best part of the film.

Yeah, I was worried that it would fall apart in the third act, but I'll just blame Danny Boyle for that instead

[trebor8273]

Blade 8/10

Blade 2 8/10

Big hero 6 9/10

[Buboven]

Mill of The Stone Woman (1960)

6/10.

Pretty decent euro horror effort in the same vein of Eyes Without a Face, taking additional inspiration from House of Wax etc.

Would be very interesting to see how this looked on a restored Blu version.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Billy Wilder's classic noirish Hollywood satire sees Gloria Swanson give a depiction of madness in both style and look and as much a movie monster as anything created by Karloff or Lugosi. Coming across as a deranged bride of Frankenstein in a once seen never forgotten performance as a fading silent movie star discarded by the new generation of talkies and left alone to rot in her Sunset Boulevard mansion. William Holden plays the struggling screen writer ensnared in her exquisitely woven trap, valiantly trying to make a clean break from his unlocked prison.

Expertly directed, acted and written, this was a first time viewing for me.

Superb stuff.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

It is a magnificent film, and one which doesn't diminish over time and with repeated viewings. I love the voice-over, the cinematography, direction and even the little cameos, such as Buster Keaton who, like Gloria Swanson in 1950, was largely a faded silent movie star.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

It is a magnificent film, and one which doesn't diminish over time and with repeated viewings. I love the voice-over, the cinematography, direction and even the little cameos, such as Buster Keaton who, like Gloria Swanson in 1950, was largely a faded silent movie star.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks Nos.

I should perhaps have waited until tomorrow to write a slightly better review but i liked it so much i just wanted to say i'd seen it.