While Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” is assuredly a film that will split audiences down the middle as to what its intent is, I’d dare say it’s a film for both fractions of audiences. While it is a movie somewhat based on spiritual themes, it’s also a perfectly fine film that the secular audience that is more fascinated in character themes and the inherent conflict faced by Sandra Bullock’s character Dr. Stone.
Tag Archives: Survival
Rudyard Kipling’s Mark of the Beast (2012)
It’s a testament to the talents of directors Jon Gorman and Thomas Edward Seymour that they can transplant a Rudyard Kipling horror tale in to contemporary America, and still derive a creep or two. Though “Mark of the Beast” seems like another cabin in the woods horror tale on the surface, deep down it strives to break any conventions, and brings about a unique disgusting monster among a small group of friends.
Gravity (2013)
Many audiences have compared Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity” to the indie horror film “Open Water.” And in many ways that comparison is perfectly apt. Much in the way the aforementioned film sought out to provide audiences with a feeling of aimlessness, sea sickness, and a futile fight for survival, “Gravity” strips away any feeling of equilibrium or safety from the very second it begins. The safety being, of course, gravity. The characters within the scope of the film are engaging in a space walk and have nothing but a tether to keep them tied to their ship. When that option is gone, there’s nothing we can do but submit to the void of space and let fate take hold.
Jungleground (1995)
I really enjoy Roddy Piper as an action star. The man had screen presence, charisma, an could turn any clunky role in to a bonafide winner. The 1995 cheapie “Jungle Ground” is a two pronged vehicle for Piper, acting as his own custom tailored “Escape from New York” and “Die Hard.” It’s Piper as an average cop stuck behind enemy lines in a lawless gang warzone who has to fight his way out and save his wife. He even gets to shoot down a criminal declaring “Hi Ho, Silver.” Too bad “Yippee Ki Yay, Motherfucker” was taken.
Raze (2014)
It’s gratifying that “Raze” blew me out of seat from the first blood drenched bone crunching five minutes. Because once it starts with a bashed in blood soaked face, it never stops being an electrifying series of vicious fight scenes. “Raze” embraces its grindhouse exploitation tropes so unabashedly, I can imagine if this were made in 1975, it’d star folks like Pam Grier, Uschi Digard, and Lina Romay, with Joe Estevez playing Doug Jones’ part. That said, “Raze” is a mind blowing action thriller all on its own, that is so simple yet so damn entertaining.
All Is Lost (2013)
If there was ever any doubt before of the acting ability of Robert Redford in his long career as a film star, then “All is Lost” may change many minds. “All is Lost” is very much a film I was not prepared for. I’d heard rumblings that it was basically “Castaway” meets “The Grey,” but that’s a complete misunderstanding of what “All is Lost” is striving for. “All is Lost” has two lines of dialogue, and only one character in it. Even “Castaway” about a man stuck on an island for many years couldn’t help stuffing the film with a slew of performers.
Mischief Night (2013) (DVD)
Director Richard Shenkman’s “Mischief Night” isn’t exactly the most original horror films ever made. It garners elements of “Ils Them” and “The Strangers” with a dash of “Scream.” And let’s face it, we’ve seen a ton of movies about blind women being tormented by someone in their house, the best of which was “Wait Until Dark.” But what the director does with the film is entertaining and often times very compelling, and that’s mostly thanks to the very powerful performance by actress Noell Coet who lends the film’s heroine strength, wit, and a fierce independence that becomes her saving grace.