Creep (2004)

3.5 / 5 May '11
Tagline: Your journey terminates here.
Directed by: Christopher Smith
Written by: Christopher Smith
Actors include: Franka Potente, Sean Harris, Vas Blackwood
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 85 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I had no idea going into this film that it was basically a remake of Death Line [Raw Meat] complete with shots of Franka Potente running (ala Lola rennt [Run Lola Run]). Even so it was pretty amusing, especially the way they set the situation up. Kate (Franka Potente) is on her way home from a party when she falls asleep in the subway waiting for a train. She wakes up only to find herself locked in and under attack by a creepy co-worker and of course she seems to make the wrong choice with every turn. While trying to find a place to escape she ends up in the underground with the Homeless people. However in her attempt to escape she finds something far more sinister down below. So it does have some carnage in it, though it's mainly one of those building tension escape type scenarios which is just fine with me. It is relatively well made and the cast make it a little more appealing then it could have been with unknowns. Thanks to horror fiends Axemaster and Happywax for this recommend, definitely a fun little horror flick for most.

Availability:  On DVD

El Maquinista (2004) aka The Machinist

4 / 5 Feb '11
Tagline: Trevor Reznick is four letters away from the truth.
Directed by: Brad Anderson
Written by: Scott Kosar
Actors include: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
Genre: Thriller
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
The ultimate work safety video...or is it. It's one heck of a dark and fascinating character study, and Christian Bale really earned some respect from me here. He looks like a concentration camp victim he's so skinny, but that is sort of the point here. Bale plays Trevor Reznik, an insomniac who works as a machinist in a factory. He looks terrible and barely functions, and things go from bad to worse when he inadvertently causes an accident to happen at work. The story flips back and forth through time so it's a bit tough to follow at first, but it's not too difficult and well worth the effort. It's gloomy, somewhat disturbing and rather gripping as well. Quite the psychological thriller that I didn't even know existed until Kronz mentioned it to me. I certainly think numerous other films took influence from this one after and I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a dark film.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray