Harry Brown (2009)

3.5 / 5
Tagline:  One Man Will Stand Alone
Directed by:  Daniel Barber
Written by:  Gary Young
Actors include:  Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, David Bradley
Genre:  Action, Crime, Drama
Length:  103 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review: 

Every year must have a decent revenge flick, and for 2009 Harry Brown is where it's at.  Michael Caine plays the title character, a lonely man living in a dangerous neighborhood.  After his only friend and Wife are killed by the street toughs, he decides to take matters into his own hands (he's an ex-serviceman).  The Police of course are useless and they seem oblivious to Caine, but when it starts coming together they are willing to look the other way (lazy butts).  It's kinda missing the sentimentality that made Gran Torino so effective, and it's not quite as brutal or satisfying as the Death Wish.  Still it's highly entertaining and Caine does a good job, and the pacing is quite good despite the lack of originality.  I'm always a sucker for a good revenge film and this is a good one, just not in league with some of the classics!

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Hanna (2011)

4 / 5 May '11 
Tagline:  Young. Sweet. Innocent. Deadly
Directed by:  Joe Wright
Written by:  Seth Lochhead, David Farr
Actors include:  Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana
Genre:  Thriller, Action
Length:  111 minutes
Banned:  Nope

 Review:
I hadn't really heard about this film before going to see it, but I sure was glad that i did.  It does echo Leon (The Professional) in subject matter, but stylistically it's quite refreshing and unique.  The story is about a sixteen year old girl named Hanna (shocked aren't you?) who is raised out in the wilderness to be an elite assassin.  We watch her be tested physically, emotionally and intellectually daily in preparation for what is to follow.  It's fascinating as she was raised basically in isolation there are the challenges of modern day and other people to contend with as well as the struggle for survival.  The visuals are very crisp, much of it was filmed in desolate snowy Finland which is quite breathtaking.  It's rather well paced (though a little condensing wouldn't have hurt) as well as decently acted and I really thought it was quite entertaining, definitely recommended.

Availability:  In theatres still

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

Juggernaut (1974) aka Terror On The Britannic

3 / 5 Dec '09
Tagline: Only one man to save 1200 lives!
Directed by: Richard Lester
Written by: Alan Plater, Richard Alan Simmons
Actors include: Richard Harris, Omar Sharif, David Hemmings
Genre: Thriller, Action
Length: 109 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Okay so perhaps I'm being a little harsh on this one, it does have a few exciting moments but for the most part it's repetition and drama. Sure it's got an all star cast featuring folks like Richard Harris, Omar Sharif, Anthony Hopkins and so many others, yes they all do the best they can. Our disaster story is about 7 bombs set to go off on a passenger ship filled with 1200 passengers if the crook doesn't receive a wad of cash. While this sounds like a rather exciting plot (doesn't it) watching someone dismantle seven bombs really slowly seven times is just tedious. The "drama" onboard really wasn't very exciting either so there is a whole lot of dry dialogue and filler when instead they should have made the film shorter. It never does feel like the group are in any danger but it does have some action and some effort has been made I think. It's not a total loss but definitely not one of the best disaster movies by any stretch.

Availability:  On DVD

Capricorn One (1977)

4.5 / 5 Dec '09
Tagline: The mission was a sham. The murders were real.
Directed by: Peter Hyams
Written by: Peter Hyams
Actors include: Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Sam Waterston
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi
Length: 123 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This was one exciting thrill ride that I didn't expect at all! See it starts out getting to know three Men (James Brolin, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson and who are to go to Mars with the NASA space program. When they are pulled from their spaceship at the last moment before take-off many questions are left unanswered. The public believes they are onboard as the shuttle launches and our astronauts are left with a very unappealing option. Elliott Gould plays a reporter trying to crack the case and find out what's really going on though it puts him in some major peril. Seriously when this started I figured I was in for an Apollo 13 style film, but this is so much more and it goes through so many different exciting action sequences. I hate that I can't say anymore because there are so many wickedly awesome things that happen within this tale but you really should just watch it and find out for yourself. No wonder there are so many conspiracy theory people, they likely saw this movie!

Availability:  On DVD

The Shout (1978)

4 / 5 Jan '10
Tagline: A film of intense perversity - the madness of the mind.
Directed by: Jerzy Skolimowski
Written by: Robert Graves, Michael Austin
Actors include: Alan Bates, Susannah York, John Hurt
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Drama
Length: 86 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Imagine if Robert Altman directed What About Bob?, only instead of a pesty Bill Murray insert some sort of intense demon like fellow who practices Aborigine magic. Like an Altman film this has absolutely beautiful scenery amidst the unusual psychological sort of horror. The evil fellow shows up in the lives of married couple Anthony (William Hurt) and Rachel (Susannah York) Fielding. Anthony plays the organ for church services and is obsessed with recording sound effects. Rachel is the devoted wife who seems drawn to this evil guy (or rather possessed by). When this new evil pest offers to show him a sound effect he'll never forget things are never the same. It really kept me guessing and the whole mood of the film is very uneasy, which I did like and the style was quite something too. I guess I wish it had a touch more clarity as id did leave several questions in my head anyhow. Still one of the more creative and strange thrillers one is likely to come across, definitely interesting. Thanks to cosmicnoiree for recommending it to me!

Availability:  On DVD in PAL format only

And Soon The Darkness (1970)

4.5 / 5 Jan '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Robert Fuest
Written by: Brian Clemens, Terry Nation
Actors include: Pamela Franklin, Michele Dotrice, Sandor Eles
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Length: 99 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one film that actually gave me the creeps, it felt real and they did a perfect job of giving off that vibe of alienation and horror. The story is about two young British girls (Jane & Cathy) bicycling through the back areas of France neither of which are fluent in French. After the girls get in a squabble Jane takes off and leaves Cathy suntanning out in the woods. She decides to sit at a roadside cafe and wait until Cathy catches up. After waiting quite a while she decides to bike back to try to find her friend, but she isn't there. Only a few random items are left as a reminder that they were ever there. A ways back a Fellow was watching them, could he have taken Cathy? Jane will stop at nothing to find out, and it's one frightening ride to say the least. I've heard some complain that many of the characters speak in French (untranslated) but the thing is, that's how the girls would have felt. I can only pick out a word or two of French but it was enough to know that something was terribly wrong. I was surprised just how horrific this one actually was, though it is rather slow moving at first (but not in a bad way, it just builds into a doomy tense situation). Recommended highly, this was a real treasure, thanks to Infofreak for recommending this one to me, it's frightening!

Availability:  On DVD but OOP

Die! Die! My Darling! (1965) aka Fanatic

4 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: She's One Mean Mother-in-Law!
Directed by: Silvio Narizzano
Written by: Anne Blaisdell, Richard Matheson
Actors include: Stefanie Powers, Talullah Bankhead, Peter Vaughan
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
Although not the most original idea, it was a bucket of fun thanks to Tallulah Bankhead (in her final role) as a demented religious fanatic called Mrs. Trefoil...seriously awesomely evil performance. Stefanie Powers plays pretty and likeable Pat Carroll who was engaged to Mrs. Trefoil's son Stephen before he died. At Mrs. Trefoil's behest Pat comes to visit her at her house before planning to run off and marry a man named Allan. The only thing is, Pat isn't allowed to leave and it seems that Mrs. Trefoil is completely insane and seems to blame her for Allan's death! Also in this plot here we have Mrs. Trefoil's other son Harry whom she doesn't seem to like as much, and his wife Anna (Man About The House's Yootha Joyce) and also there is the handicapped Joseph (hilariously played by Donald Sutherland). It's not the most eventful film, but the performances make it more than worthwhile plus who doesn't love watching crazy people?
 
Availability:  On DVD

The Collector (1965)

5 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: A man kidnaps a woman and holds her hostage just for the pleasure of having her there.
Directed by: William Wyler
Written by: John Fowles, Stanley Mann
Actors include: Terence Stamp, Samantha Eggar, Mona Washbourne
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Length: 119 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
One heck of a thriller really, you won't find many like this and it was so influential with films that followed like 盲獣 [Blind Beast] and The Silence of the Lambs. The story is about a man called Freddie (Terence Stamp) who is obsessive about collecting butterflies, only as it turns out he's had a more sinister plan. He spies on and follows the beautiful and vivacious Miranda (Samantha Eggar) who is a free spirited artist. Eventually Freddie decides to chloroform her and drag her back to the gigantic house he's bought (with a separate hidden chamber for Miranda). I think the big shock is the amount of detail and planning this would have taken, and the fact that Freddie doesn't believe he's really done anything wrong. He only wants Miranda to love him and he figures this is the way...by holding her captive. It's demented, brilliantly acted, both Eggar & Stamp deserve Oscars for this...it's so engaging and so well written, this is an absolute must!

Availability:  On DVD

Blow-Up (1966)

 4.5 / 5 Feb '10

Tagline: Michelangelo Antonioni's first British film

Directed by: Michelangelo Antonioni

Written by: Michelangelo Antonioni, Julio Cortázar

Actors include: Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles, David Hemmings

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Length: 111 minutes

Banned: Nope

Review:

Pretty darned impressive and highly influential little chiller from Michelangelo Antonioni (it's his first English language film). The style is marvelous, absolutely perfect in getting across the vibes of the '60s in swinging London. The music from Herbie Hancock was superb in setting the mood, and there was even a surprise performance from the Yardbirds, how cool is that? The film is about an arrogant photographer who snaps a bunch of pictures of a couple innocently kissing in the park but ends up in the midst of a murder! See after he takes the shots the Woman in them (Vanessa Redgrave) begs for them back and even shows up at his apartment to seduce him for the negatives. Naturally he's curious why she's so desperate for them and starts to examine them closely and he starts to learn why! It's really very interesting as far as the plot goes plus the combination of the art world and models and strange goings ons make this pretty irresistible. I actually prefer Blow Out (which is directly influenced by this) by a bit because it's more satisfying, but this one is a definite must too, very groovy and fascinating in it's own way.

Availability:  On DVD

Seance On A Wet Afternoon (1964)

4.5 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Bryan Forbes
Written by: Bryan Forbes, Mark McShane
Actors include: Kim Stanley, Richard Attenborough, Judith Donner
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Length: 119 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one positively gripping thriller that doesn't rely on bells and whistles, only direct story telling and sheerly brilliant acting. Kim Stanley is amazing as Myra, a psychic who hasn't been all that successful so together with her weak willed husband Billy (Richard Attenborough) they device a scheme. They decide to kidnap (erm borrow) the daughter of a rich family and hold her hostage, then try to boost the claims of Myra's psychic powers by offering useful information. Billy's reluctance is really quite something, the dynamic between the couple is much like that of Hyacinth & Richard from the tv show Keeping Up Appearances only instead of just being irritating Myra is down right insane! Things of course go downhill from there and the whole scheme gets quite mixed up but it's the sort of thing one can't take their eyes off of. Very atmospheric, it may appear rather slow to some but it's all so purposeful I find it impossible to fault the film for that. Really one heck of a classic that I can't believe I've never heard mention of until recently, definitely you must see this!

Availability:  On DVD

Holocaust 2000 (1977) aka Rain Of Fire aka The Chosen aka The Hex Massacre

3.5 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: The world will be destroyed in a rain of fire. It is written.
Directed by: Alberto De Martino
Written by: Sergio Donati, Alberto De Martino
Actors include: Kirk Douglas, Simon Ward, Agostina Belli
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Length: 106 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Sure this isn't the movie for everyone, it's very cheesy implausible and over the top but I think that's why I liked it. At first I thought it was going to be a dull talky with Kirk Douglas in it...that is until they stabbed his wife in the groin violently! (p.s. I didn't know that could kill someone?) Turns out Mr. Douglas is in charge of building a Nuclear Power in the Middle East. Douglas' creepy ugly son Angel seems to have very definite plans of his own, and doesn't mind taking over either. When Douglas meets and impregnates a new girlfriend things get even worse...especially when he hears that "his seed is evil"! Let's just say he doesn't want her to have the baby because he thinks it will be evil, but what if it isn't? Really I guess you could say this is an Italian take on The Omen with touches of Rosemary's Baby only way more ridiculous and campy. This is a must for those who love bad film that is entertaining, but a pass for those who like films that make sense.

Availability:  On DVD

Horror Express (1972)

4 / 5 Apr '10
Tagline: Can it be stopped?
Directed by: Eugenio Martin
Written by: Arnaud d'Usseau, Julian Zimet
Actors include: Christopher Lee, Telly Savalis, Peter Cushing
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although I enjoyed the story and the actors and everything I think the cheapness with which this was made hindered the film unfortunately. That being said it's probably Eugenio Martín's most accomplished film but I've enjoyed most I've seen from him. Anyhow this one borrows heavily from The Thing From Another World [The Thing] along with several others but I thought it was quite fun anyhow. A Professor (Christopher Lee) finds some bones that he thinks may be the missing link, so he transports them on the Siberian Express. While on the train he meets his acquaintance Dr. Wells (Peter Cushing) who is very interested in the Professor's specimen. On the way the monster thaws out and starts attacking the passengers and it even takes on their memories! It's pretty thrilling in many ways actually and Lee & Cushing are a treat to watch as always. It's not the most original idea surely, but I thought it was a really entertaining film none the less, definitely worth giving a try to.

Availability:  On DVD

Fright (1971) aka I'm Alone And I'm Scared

2 / 5 Apr '10
Tagline: The scream you can hear is your own
Directed by: Peter Collinson
Written by: Tudor Gates
Actors include: Susan George, Honor Blackman, Ian Bannen
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Length: 87 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
I haven't really liked anything I've seen from director Peter Collinson but I thought the plot on this sounded like I should give him another try. I hated this movie, sure it's going to "sound" interesting but it's dreadfully dull and pointless. See it's one of the first babysitter alone with a maniac sort of films, it predates Halloween and When a Stranger Calls by several years which is what makes it of interest. Susan George plays an attractive young babysitter, however I've liked Susan in other roles but here it's painfully obvious that her acting skills are limited. Her performance was actually obnoxious and I was begging for the maniac to kill her through the entire film. The "maniac" isn't really very cool either, be prepared for an unbloody film, and the "psycho" punches someone a bunch of times and barely does anything else. Even when the story gives opportunity to be intense, frightening or even violently it takes the worst way out possible in each instance. I really can't state how disappointed I was with this enough, sitting through it was a struggle and by the end I truly felt like it was a waste of time.

Availability:  On DVD

Eye Of The Devil (1966)

3.5 / 5
Tagline: we've got your number!
Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
Written by: Robin Estridge, Dennis Murphy
Actors include: Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Donald Pleasence
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 96 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a rather elegant picture with beautiful black and white photography really quite well made. Sharon Tate actually makes her first appearance here even though I think they dubbed over her voice oddly enough. What it has also working in it's favor is that it's actually rather creepy...some of the imagery is impressive and eerie. It's sort of a precursor for The Wicker Man in some ways, it's about Philippe de Montfaucon who is summonzed back to his hometown castle leaving his wife and children behind. Of course they get lonely and show up at the castle, but something isn't quite right. Especially when his wife walks in on some sort of black magic rite with everyone in hoods. It's better than I had expected yet the lead character is so square that it's kind of annoying in some ways unfortunately. Still a stellar story and really they did do a good job making it unsettling which I liked. Recommended but maybe not something to rush out and try to see.

Availability:  Not currently on DVD
Eye of the Devil

Eastern Promises (2007)

3.5 / 5 Jun '10
Tagline: Every sin leaves a mark.
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Written by: Steven Knight
Actors include: Josef Altin, Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortenssen
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Length: 100 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This wasn't at all what I had expected as a David Cronenberg fan but then again I've only really watched his older sci-fi stuff. This is very Hollywood big budget and trying to pull at the 'ole heartstrings I think (that didn't really work on me). It's about a kindly Nurse named Anna (Naomi Watts) who delivers a baby from a mother who dies giving child birth. Anna finds the dead young girl's diary which is written in Russian which she doesn't speak. Fortunately for her she has Russian people in her family to translate. Before they can help her a kindly but pushy older Fellow clearly related to some sort of Mafia offers to trade her the diary for the dead girl's address of family so the child could be put in the right place. He grabs the diary and of course doesn't offer Anna any help, though at least one of his henchmen seem to be helpful. Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) seems to be the kind one in the crime syndicate but will they be able to get the answers they need? I actually thought that this was really easy to follow and a very obvious film really. It didn't offer anything unexpected (except a bit of graphic violence) and it seemed to be more of a drama more than anything. It wasn't intense, it wasn't thrilling, it wasn't even shocking or very creative. I really don't get what the big frickin' deal was about this film although I don't exactly think it's bad either.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Angel Heart (1987)

3 / 5 Jul '10
Tagline: It will scare you to your very soul.
Directed by: Alan Parker
Written by: William Hjortsberg, Alan Parker
Actors Include:  Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 113 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well I kinda thought this would be a really good film, heck nearly everyone seems to think so. I'm in the minority here as I didn't really see anything refreshing, shocking, horrific or even scary. Just naked [Artist440936] if that be your pleasure. Well okay there is a plot, Private Dick Harry Angel ([Artist84952]) is called upon by Louis Cypher (how original...in fact that was a bit too much of a clue for me). Angel's mission is to find a fella called Johnny Favorite who definitely doesn't want to be found. When people start turning up dead and he starts witnessing some strange things, the story gets thicker. It's got a fair bit in common with [Film5479] (which came out the same year) only I kind of liked the other film a bit better although neither wowed me to be honest. I will give this credit for being nicely filmed and relatively well acted I suppose and it creates a decent atmosphere. I just thought it needed more meat, more excitement and a bit more of a surprise, especially considering the hype that follows it around.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1971) aka Who Slew Auntie Roo?

4 / 5 July '10
Tagline: She's Taking A STAB At Motherhood!
Directed by: Curtis Harrington
Written by: Robert Blees, David D. Osborn
Actors include: Mark Lester, Shelley Winters, Chloe Franks
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Now this is rather like a Hammer telling of Hansel & Gretel, only of course it isn't really from the Hammer company. It's got a rather lavish production set in England in the '20s. Shelley Winters hams it up as Mrs. Forrest, a rather rich Woman who lives in a gingerbread house (not literally but it looks that way). She torments herself with visions of her daughter's freak accident that killed her because she loves children so. She loves them so much that every year she invites a group of orphans to her house to celebrate and extravagant Christmas. This year two orphans Christopher (Mark Lester...yes Oliver!) and Katy (Chloe Franks) sneak into the party, and when Mrs. Forrest sees how much Katy reminds her of her deceased daughter well trouble brews. It's kind of a slow start, but stick with it will more than pay off, it really does pick up steam. The actors are awesome and fun to watch, the story has a bit of humor in it plus it's a camp lovers dream!

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with What's The Matter With Helen?

Twisted Nerve (1968)

4.5 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: Cleaver. Cleaver. Chop. Chop. First the mom and then the pop. Then we'll get the pretty girl. We'll get her right between the curl.
Directed by: Roy Boulting
Written by: Roy Boulting, Leo Marks
Actors include: Hayley Mills, Hywel Bennett, Billie Whitelaw
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Length: 118 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one nifty psychological thriller that was instantly entertaining and loveable. Martin Durnley (Hywel Bennett) is a strange young man of 22. His Mother treats him like he's a little boy, and his Step-Father seems to hate his guts and desperately wants him out of the house. Martin's brother is a mongoloid in an institution, and well Martin seems to have an alter ego as a 6 year old named Georgie (which drove our cat Georgie insane). Martin meets a beautiful kindly young librarian named Susan (Hayley Mills) who he becomes obsessed with. When his Father forces him out of the house he goes to live in at the house of Susan under false pretenses. Things seem to get worse because Susan and the others only know Georgie...when Georgie doesn't get what he wants Martin is the one they'll have to deal with. Let's just say Martin isn't the type of person you want to say no to. It actually maintained a really good level of tension and the acting was really impressive too. Definitely one of the better little known thrillers from the '60s, very surprising and cool.

Availability:  On DVD region 2

Absolution (1978) aka Death By Confession

4 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Anthony Page
Written by: Anthony Shaffer
Actors include: Richard Burton, Dominic Guard, David Bradley
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Drama
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although this starts out like a rather stuffy drama at an English Catholic School, it works into one heck of a wicked mystery if you are patient. Richard Burton plays Father Goddard, a stodgy leader whom the boys seem to quite dislike. They devise a plan to trick the Priest using the rules of confession, see Priests cannot tell anyone what they hear during confession. A boy tells the Priest that he killed a hobo and where for him to find the body. It turns out that it's a scarecrow, but later in confession he claims he's actually killed the hobo this time for real and to look in the same place. This time of course there is a body. It's really rather intense and I love how our perceptions change as this goes on, or maybe that was just me. It is a bit dry but the story was more than enough to keep me hanging on, also Burton's portrayal is really impressive. Watch it if you like a good thriller but be prepared to be patient for the first while, it will pay off.

Availability:  Not on DVD