In a Violent Nature

If Terrence Malick made a “Friday the 13th” movie, I suspect it would look an awful lot like “In a Violent Nature.” If you are unfamiliar with Malick’s work, he makes slow and arty films; some might say, cerebral films. They are for contemplation. This Canadian horror film gives you plenty of time to think about what horrific act is coming next. It begins with teenagers (of course teenagers!) bringing our monster, Johnny (instead of Jason) to life by nabbing a gold locket his mamma gave him - he's a momma's boy, like  Voorhees. He is also a child who suffered a cruel death and thus, as horror movie mythology goes, has grown into a monster which kills indiscriminately. Once he crawls out of the swampy ground and into the light of the forest, Johnny's bodily state of decay lies around "Friday the 13th VI - Jason Lives:" his clothes are tattered and wounds and sores scar his hulking frame and grotesque head. He slow-motions his way about the forest like the Terminator, killing everyone in his path. Often ridiculous but then again, often riveting, disturbing, and rather gross. I loved it all. I found myself captivated by the last ten minutes. In theatres now.   

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Welcome to the best action movie you will see this year. If you are already a fan of George Miller's Mad Max universe, I'm sure you will be delighted (I am and I was). This is the story of Furiosa, a child stolen from her mother and idyllic post apocalyptic community and raised by overlords Dr. Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) and then Immortan Joe. This is a long, stretched-out (2.5 hours) revenge film and it's packed with modified supercharged eighteen-wheelers, Roman chariot motorcycles, skull-helmet wearing bike riders, who engage in epic warfare all while charging down the Fury Road at top speed. It's a dust, gasoline, and bullet ballet of nonstop action and violence and I enjoyed every minute of it. It's ludicrous and at times outright laughable but this is the mad world Miller has created for us and I'm still in love with it ever since hockey-masked Lord Humungus breathed into his 1981 microphone, "Just walk away," ("The Road Warrior.") Anya Taylor-Joy plays grownup Furiosa and Miss Taylor-Joy is a delight: She proverbially kicks ass. Catch "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" on the biggest, loudest screen possible - in theatres now. 

The Movie Man

This is a documentary about Keith Stata, a man who built his own multiplex theatre in the bush of Northern Ontario, one theatre at a time. He currently has five screens and something like forty plus cats he houses and looks after. Keith Stata is a man who loves movies, so it wasn't hard for me to relate to him, understand his passion and feel a deep sense of melancholy as he has time-travelled from 1975 to now. The documentary focuses on Keith's movie palace, The Highlands Cinema, located in Kinmount, Ontario. There is not a lot left in Kinmount - even the gas station has dried up. When movie theatres have been closing their doors for the last few decades, Highlands has kept going. Then the pandemic hit. "The Movie Man" largely focuses on its two year closer and its triumphant resurgence. Keith Stata is a workaholic and he is The Highlands Cinema. At 75 years of age, time is catching up to Keith. Maintaining a five theatre multiplex, 45 cats, a dog, a museum, staff, etc. - it's almost incomprehensible how he manages it all. And at 75! I plan on making a pilgrimage next month to see The Highlands Cinema in person. Catch this fascinating documentary in theatres now.  

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Well maybe I need to talk about, "We Need to Talk About Kevin." I have just got around to watching this film from 2011. I knew the subject matter was disturbing. Perhaps this is why I avoided it for so long? I can't really say. Some things just keep going to the bottom of the pile. Perhaps I was too busy raising my own kids to stop and watch a film which is about the struggles of Eva (Tilda Swinton - who gives a knockout performance). Eva is dealing with a child, Kevin, who is a sociopath. Kevin as a baby won't stop crying. There is a scene where Eva, with her baby stroller, stands beside a man with a jackhammer who is chipping away at the concrete road. The deafening noise drowns out Kevin's cries and for a moment, Eva has some peace - it rang true and heartbreaking. As Kevin grows into the monster played by Ezra Miller, we feel Eva's pain and frustration in every frame, especially when her goofy husband (the brilliant John C. Reilly) seems rather oblivious to Kevin's cruel nature. The film is a portrait of a monster who starts as a monster and the powerlessness of a mother unable to change the course of evil. I found it gripping, harrowing, and sad. It's an excellent film. Catch it on streaming services or go rent it from your local video store. In Ottawa, that would be Movies 'N' Stuff. 

Le Trou (The Hole)

Recommend by Peter Thompson from Movies 'N' Stuff, Ottawa's #1 video store! This was his first Criterion closet pick (His Video here). I confess, I had never watched it until just recently based on his recommendation - when Peter says a movie is good, you should listen! So, what's it all about? It's a French film from 1960 and four men are planning an escape and a fifth man joins their crowded cell. "The Great Escape" is one of my favourite films of all time. I'm a sucker for prison escape films. "The Shawshank Redemption," and "Escape from Alcatraz" float high in my film list. Stallone's "Lock Up" is far underrated if you ask me. As is Ray Liotta's "No Escape." Like I said, I love these films. Add "Le Trou" to the pile. It holds your attention because you get to witness the gritty details of digging, like you were there with these men - it feels real. Considering this came out in 1960, the realism depicted feels like it was ahead of it's time and still feels fresh 54 years later. Catch of one the best prison escape films streaming on the Criterion channel or go rent it from Movie 'N' Stuff here in Ottawa.  

Movies "N" Stuff Criterion Closet Video - Peter’s Picks

 

Movies "N" Stuff Criterion Closet Video - Christian McPherson's picks