Shallow Grave

Directed by Danny Boyle and written by John Lodge, Shallow Grave is the story of three flat mates who take in a mysterious lodger who dies of an overdose and has a suitcase full of money as things get out of control due to money. The film is a dark comedy that play into three roommates from Edinburgh who deal with this suitcase full of money as well as succumb to the ideas of greed. Starring Christopher Eccleston, Kerry Fox, Ewan McGregor, Ken Stott, Keith Allen, and Peter Mullan. Shallow Grave is a witty yet eerie film from Danny Boyle.

Three flat mates in Edinburgh are looking for a fourth person to live with them as they accept a mysterious man who is later found dead of a drug overdose and a suitcase full of money leading to all sorts of trouble. It’s a film with a simple premise as it play into people who find this suitcase full of money and figure out what to do with it but also with the body of their dead flat mate as it would lead to trouble. John Lodge’s screenplay takes the simple premise of these three different people in the accountant David Stephens (Christopher Eccleston), the physician Juliet Miller (Kerry Fox), and a low-level journalist in Alex Law (Ewan McGregor) as they live together in this flat in Edinburgh as they’re looking for a fourth flat mate to share the rent as a mysterious man named Hugo (Keith Allen) is interviewed by Juliet and gets the room. When they find him dead and his suitcase of money, Alex and Juliet are eager to use that money but David is reluctant knowing that it has to be from somewhere.

Lodge’s script has a great structure that play into the evolution of these three characters who aren’t likeable people but at least do have some value with David becoming troubled by the idea of where the money came from as he becomes more introverted to the point that he would stay in the attic which adds to his increasing paranoia. Alex and Juliet are oblivious as they spend time having fun until reality appears in the form of two mysterious men where the tone of the film changes as it play into this sense of morality, guilt, and greed. Especially in the third act when a couple of detectives start to ask questions with Alex staring to get worried, Juliet becoming secretive, and David starting to take control of the situation as it would lead to this combustible climax.

Danny Boyle’s direction does have elements of style in the film’s opening sequence but also in the atmosphere he creates for much of the film. Shot on location in Glasgow as Edinburgh, the film uses its location as a character including the nearby forest and areas that would play into the secrecy of Alex, Juliet, and David once they get rid of Hugo’s body as it would also add to the film’s dark tone as well as this growing sense of dread that would emerge. Boyle would create some unique wide and medium shots to get a look into the apartment flat the trio share including the attic where David would stay as it would this eerie atmosphere that would match David’s increasingly paranoid mood with shots from above that add to the suspense. Notably as he watches both Alex and Juliet from the attic due to the holes he drilled as it adds to the sense of unsettlement in his behavior. Boyle’s direction also has some unique close-ups in the way he captures some of the humor and some of the dramatic moments in the film. Even as it play into Alex and Juliet’s growing attraction towards one another but also the fear they endure following an encounter with two mysterious men.

Boyle would also create these amazing tracking shots that add to the film’s unique tone that includes a speedy point-of-view shot driving through Edinburgh as well as moments that play into a character at work as they’re driven by an event they went through. Boyle also adds to the air of suspense in its third act as it play into David’s paranoia, Alex’s own frustration and growing fear, and Juliet becoming secretive and silent. Even to the point that they no longer trust each other as its climax is all about this suitcase full of money and three people who started off asking questions and making fun of potential tenants where they enjoy each other suddenly start to not like each other. Overall, Boyle crafts an intoxicating yet visceral film about three flat mates who succumbs to greed after finding a suitcase full of money from their newly-dead tenant.

Cinematographer Brian Tufano does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography as its usage of lighting schemes and shadows for the scenes in the attic as well as some of the stylish moods and colors he creates for scenes at night gives the film one of its major highlights. Editor Masahiro Hirakubo does excellent work with the editing as it has some nice usage of jump-cuts and rhythmic cuts to play into the film’s dark humor and suspense. Production designer Kave Quinn, with set decorator Karen Wakefield and art director Zoe MacLeod, does amazing work with the look of the flat Alex, David, and Juliet stay in as well as the attic and the bedrooms they sleep in.

Costume designer Kate Carin does fantastic work with the costumes as it help flesh out the personalities with Alex having a looser and modern look, David wearing suits and more straight-casual, and Juliet wearing a bit of both. Sound editor Nigel Galt does superb work with the sound as it help play into the suspense and in some of the film’s dark humor to play into the paranoia and chaos that would occur. The film’s music by Simon Boswell is incredible for its eerie yet somber piano-based orchestral score that help play into the drama as well as the suspenseful moments in the film while music supervisor Gemma Dempsey creates a soundtrack that a wide array of music from electronic pieces by Leftfield and a couple of songs from Nina Simone and Andy Williams.

The film’s casting by Sarah Trevis is wonderful as it feature some notable small roles from screenwriter John Lodge as Detective Constable Mitchell who often writes notes, Victoria Nairn and Gary Lewis as a couple of potential flat mates, Jean Marie Coffey as a Goth potential flat mate, and Colin McCredie as a potential flat mate that is interviewed as a source of humiliation by Alex whom he would see again at a party. Leonard O’Malley and Peter Mullan are terrific in their small roles as a couple of thugs who are looking for Hugo and the suitcase full of money as they use brutal tactics to get answers. Keith Allen is superb in his brief role as the mysterious Hugo who becomes a new flat mate while carrying a suitcase and is then found dead from a drug overdose. Ken Stott is fantastic as Detective Inspector McCall as key figure in the film’s third act as he investigates various disappearances where he also begins to believe that something isn’t right with Alex, David, and Juliet in their stories.

Ewan McGregor is excellent as Alex Law as a low-level journalist who spends much of his time not doing much and goofing around as he enjoys the idea of spending lots of money until some violent encounters forces him to see the reality of what is going on as he tries to get out of the situation. Christopher Eccleston is brilliant as David Stephens as an introverted accountant who is the most reluctant to want any involvement with the suitcase of money as he becomes unhinged and paranoid to the point that he would become violent as well take control of the situation. Finally, there’s Kerry Fox in an amazing performance as Juliet Miller as a physician who is often caught in the middle as she is excited by the prospects of spending lots of money but is also filled with dread following a violent encounter where she becomes more secretive and starts to think about herself.

Shallow Grave is a phenomenal film from Danny Boyle that features great performances from Christopher Eccleston, Kerry Fox, and Ewan McGregor. Along with Simon Boswell’s haunting score, Brian Tufano’s gorgeous photography, its study of greed and temptation, and inventive mixture of humor, suspense, and drama. The film is definitely an engaging yet witty dark-comedy that explore the idea of greed and how it changes people to the point that they will lose sight of what is important. In the end, Shallow Grave is a sensational film from Danny Boyle.

Danny Boyle Films: Trainspotting - A Life Less Ordinary - The Beach - 28 Days Later - Millions - Sunshine - Slumdog Millionaire - 127 Hours - Trance - Steve Jobs (2015 film) - T2 Trainspotting - (Yesterday (2019 film))

© thevoid99 2020

Legend (2015 film)

Based on the novel The Profession of Violence by John Pearson, Legend is the story of twin brothers who become infamous criminals in the 1950s/1960s as they would rise big and later fall. Written for the screen and directed by Brian Helgeland, the film is a look into the rise and fall of the twin brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray who were infamous for their exploits in the world of crime as they’re both portrayed by Tom Hardy. Also starring Emily Browning, David Thewlis, Christopher Eccleston, Taron Egerton, Duffy, Paul Bettany, Colin Morgan, Tara Fitzgerald, and Chazz Palminteri. Legend is a gripping yet stylish film from Brian Helgeland.

Set mainly in 1960s London, the film is the simple story of the rise and fall of the twin brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray who were the most dangerous and richest gangsters in all of London as they ran casinos and clubs to great heights. Yet, it is told by someone who knew the Krays in their rise as she would eventually become Reggie’s wife in Frances Shea (Emily Browning) where she would also see their fall in the late 1960s. Brian Helgeland’s screenplay is quite straightforward though it is largely told from Frances’ perspective in her voiceover narration yet it play into the Krays who may look alike and have violent tendencies but they’re both very different. Reggie is more organized as he also craves for a simpler and more straight life driven by his love for Frances while Ronnie is the more unstable of the two as he is mentally-ill and unpredictable as well as be openly-gay.

The script also play into the conflict where Frances often find herself in the middle as she represents the one person that can give Reggie a life away from crime which is something Ronnie doesn’t want. Ronnie wants to be a full-time criminal and stick to anyone that goes against them yet Reggie wants to maintain some control and make some money. Once their rise progresses, Reggie would eventually realize that Ronnie is a liability as he struggles to be a husband to Frances but also to watch over his brother. Still, Reggie wouldn’t expect how far Ronnie would play into their downfall.

Helgeland’s direction is simple at times but also quite stylish in some respects as it definitely captures the world of 1960s London where it is shot on location in the city as well as part of the East End area of the city. Much of Helgeland’s compositions in the wide and medium shots are simple to establish the locations yet he doesn’t shy away from how brutal some of the violence was back then. Helgeland would also create some element of style such as a sequence where Reggie has his first date with Frances where he would create this long tracking shot sequence in one take where Reggie would go to the back of a club to deal with business and then return to Frances. It is an inventive moment while there are elements of style that play into the world of 1960s club world where the people of power, wealth, and celebrity would hang out with gangsters as there is a sense of cool in that. When the film reaches its third act where it begins with a chilling moment of violence, it does play into this fall where it’s not just about a lack of control for Reggie but also Ronnie becoming more unruly as the film becomes more grim with the inevitable finally coming into play. Overall, Helgeland creates a mesmerizing and stylish film about the rise and fall of the Kray brothers.

Cinematographer Dick Pope does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography from the way some of the daytime exteriors look as well as the lighting for many of the interior scenes set in the day at the pubs or at night for the clubs. Editor Peter McNulty does nice work with the editing as it is stylish with its rhythmic cuts to play into some of the action and violence while providing moments that doesn‘t stray into conventional fast-cutting. Production designer Tom Conroy, with set decorator Crispian Sallis and supervising art director Patrick Rolfe, does fantastic work with the design of the sets from the look of the clubs as well as the pubs and the homes that the characters live in. Costume designer Caroline Harris does excellent work with the costumes from the clothes of the men to the stylish dresses that Frances wears.

Hair/makeup designer Christine Blundell does terrific work with the hairstyles that the men had at the time as well as the array of hairstyles that Frances had. Visual effects supervisor Adam Rowland does some fine work with the visual effects which is mainly bits of set dressing and a few moments in the violence. Sound editor Dominic Gibbs and sound designer Ben Meecham do superb work with the sound from the way some of the violence is presented as well as the atmosphere of the clubs and social places the characters go to. The film’s music by Carter Burwell is wonderful for its mixture of lush orchestral music with some 60s style pop and rock music while music supervisors Liz Gallacher and Kirsten Lane create a fun soundtrack that feature a lot of the music of the times from Booker T. and the M.G.s, the Meters, Herbie Hancock, the Rockin’ Berries, Herman’s Hermits, Billy Preston, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Burt Bacharach, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, and Duffy.

The casting by Lucinda Syson is incredible as it feature some notable small roles from John Sessions as a British lord that Ronnie would befriend, Aneurin Barnard as the famed photographer David Bailey, Sam Spruell as the incompetent associate of the brothers in Jack McVitie, Adam Fogerty as the Krays’ muscle Big Pat, Kevin McNally as the then-British prime minister Harold Wilson who has a problem with the Krays, Jane Wood and Jon McKenna as the parents of the Krays, Paul Anderson as Reggie’s lieutenant Albert, and Tara Fitzgerald in a wonderful small roles as Frances and Frank’s mother who doesn’t like the Krays. Colin Morgan is terrific as Frances’ brother Frank who is also a driver for the Krays while Paul Bettany is superb in a small role as a rival gang leader from South London in Charlie Richardson.

Chazz Palminteri is excellent as American mob figure Angelo Bruno who makes a deal with the Krays while giving Reggie some advice about laying low as well as what to do when family becomes a liability. Taron Egerton is fantastic as Ronnie’s right-hand man Mad Teddy who could possibly be Ronnie’s lover as he is quite psychotic but also prove to be loyal to the Krays. Christopher Eccleston is brilliant as Leonard “Nipper” Read as a detective hell-bent on nabbing the Krays any way he can while he would also deal with humility and the need for redemption. David Thewlis is amazing as Leslie Payne as the Krays’ business manager who tries to assure them what they can do and can’t do while making Ronnie paranoid.

Emily Browning is remarkable as Frances Shea as a woman who meets and falls for Reggie Kray as she understands what he does but still loves him know he can do good but becomes overwhelmed by his focus on the business and Ronnie’s behavior. Finally, there’s Tom Hardy in a phenomenal dual performance as the twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray where Hardy provides some distinctive ideas for the characters. In Reggie, Hardy is more restrained and charming but also can be quite brutal at times where Hardy plays it cool. As Ronnie, Hardy puts on a more warped physicality to his performance as well as wear glasses and have more of an accent than Reggie as he is very dangerous but also quite comical as it’s really a tour-de-force performance for Hardy.

Legend is a sensational film from Brian Helgeland that features an incredible performance from Tom Hardy as Reggie and Ronnie Kray. Along with a fantastic supporting cast, cool music soundtrack, and a fascinating premise, it’s a film that explores the world of the British gangsters in the 1960s and the struggle between two brothers in their own different ambitions. In the end, Legend is a marvelous film from Brian Helgeland.

Brian Helgeland Films: (Payback) - A Knight's Tale - (The Order) - (42)

© thevoid99 2017

28 Days Later

Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, 28 Days Later is the story of a young man waking from the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse as he and other survivors try to find a way to survive and evade other zombies. The film is a zombie movie that is set in Britain where survivors of an apocalypse try to comprehend what had just happened as they deal with a new yet unruly world. Starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Megan Burns, and Christopher Eccleston. 28 Days Later is a harrowing yet rapturous film from Danny Boyle.

A young man wakes up after being comatose for 28 days where he wakes up having missed a zombie apocalypse that has wreaked havoc all over Britain where he would meet a few survivors as they try to find civilization and evade the zombies. That is pretty much what the film is about as it revolves around those who survived an apocalypse caused by a bunch of idiotic animal activists who tried to release monkeys who were infected with rage as it leads to an outbreak that lasted nearly a month leaving Britain in a state of chaos with very little hope. Alex Garland’s screenplay begins with this incident caused by activists and then has the narrative shift to 28 days later where a young man wakes up in a hospital unaware of what had happened until he meets a few survivors. He would also get a glimpse of what is happening as there are some zombies still roaming around London as he and some survivors try to find a place where they can be protected. Yet, they would also have to deal with some dark aspects of humanity as well as revelations about the outbreak and what is going on outside of Britain.

It’s not just in the narrative and the severity of what is at stake that makes Garland’s script so interesting. It’s also in the characters as the protagonist Jim (Cillian Murphy) is someone that is taken aback by this new reality he’s encountered as well as what he has to do to survive. Upon meeting Selena (Naomie Harris) who saved him during an attack, he would be forced to accept this reality as Selena is someone who has been hardened by the zombie apocalypse. Yet, she isn’t sure if there is any kind of hope while isn’t eager to cling on to some kind of humanity until she and Jim meet Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and his teenage daughter Hannah (Megan Burns) where they’re both able to find a void that had been lost since the apocalypse. Once they find shelter in the form of a military blockade led by Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston), the survivors would only see the dark aspects of humanity prompting Jim to do whatever to save himself and his new friends.

Danny Boyle’s direction is definitely stylish as it’s got a look that is very de-saturated in its digital-video photography as well as something that looks surreal. Shot on location in London as well as other parts of Britain as it play into a world that has collapsed where Britain is now abandoned with very little hope. The film’s opening sequence is quite chilling as it shows a chimpanzee watching images of violence and terror where a group of activists break in to try and free these chimps only for a scientist pleading for them to not as all hell breaks loose. Then the film goes into its main narrative following a montage over the zombie apocalypse as it play into Jim discovering this new world of abandonment and loss. Boyle’s usage of wide and medium shots play into the location as well as that sense of uncertainty where many of its locations are in ruins or abandoned while the rural settings seem more calm. Boyle’s usage of handheld cameras play into the close-ups as well as the immediacy of the action as the zombies are fast-moving and more vicious in their presentation.

While Boyle would put in some light-hearted moments as well as scenes that are funny such as a supermarket sequence where Jim, Selena, Hannah, and Frank go on a shopping spree inside an abandoned supermarket. It is still a suspense-horror film of sorts where the third act is very unsettling where the characters not only have to deal with Major West and his crew but what they want to do to ensure their future. It’s a part of humanity that Jim doesn’t like as well as some harsh truths about what has happened where it is clear that there are those who are trying to rebuild society on their own terms. For Jim, what he would do isn’t just providing some sense of hope but also do something about it in dealing with the fact that not all of humanity are just as bad as the zombies. Overall, Boyle creates a thrilling and evocative film about human survivors dealing with the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.

Cinematographer Anthony Dodd Mantle does incredible work with the film‘s de-saturated digital video photography as it has this grimy look in the way many of the colors look and feel like as well as in the way some of the interiors and exteriors scenes at night look. Editor Chris Gill does brilliant work with the editing with its usage of jump-cuts as well as some of the playful rhythms to play into light-hearted moments and the scenes of horror. Production designer Mark Tildesley, with set decorator Fanny Taylor and supervising art director Mark Digby, does excellent work with the look of London in its ruined state as well as the mansion that Major West and his men live in. Costume designer Rachel Fleming does nice work with the costumes as it is mostly casual with the exception of the uniforms the soldiers wear.

Makeup designer Sallie Jaye does amazing work with the makeup design in the way the zombies look in their decayed state as it captures every bit of detail into how deadly they look. Sound designer Glenn Freemantle does fantastic work with the sound editing/design in creating some unique sound effects as well as the layered sounds of chaos and terror that play into some of the frenetic moments of the film. The film’s music by John Murphy is superb for its electronic-based score that feature some beat-driven pieces as well as some ambient cuts while the soundtrack features music from Brian Eno, Grandaddy, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Blue States as it plays to the mixture of serenity and terror.

The casting by Gail Stevens is wonderful as it feature some notable small roles from David Schneider as the scientist in the film’s opening sequence, Noah Huntley as a survivor named Mark that Jim meets early in the film, Stuart McQuarrie as the soldier Sgt. Farrell who is the most sensible soldier of the platoon, and Ricci Hartnett as Cpl. Mitchell who sees Hannah and Selena as objects he can impregnate for the future. Christopher Eccleston is superb as Major Henry West as a military leader who is trying to maintain some order for his troops and survivors while having his own ideas about what to do for the future. Brendan Gleeson is excellent as Frank as a cab driver who is kind of this fraternal figure of sorts as he has his own daughter to care for while being a source of comfort for both Jim and Selena who both lost their own families.

Megan Burns is fantastic as Hannah as Frank’s teenage daughter who is trying to cope with the situation as well as be someone that is able to get things done while becoming scared once she learns what the soldiers want from her. Naomie Harris is brilliant as Selena as a survivor who starts off as a cynical woman trying to survive for herself thinking there is no hope only to regain some compassion upon meeting Jim, Frank, and Hannah where she becomes a big sister of sorts for Hannah. Finally, there’s Cillian Murphy in a phenomenal performance as Jim as a bicycle courier who wakes up from a 28-day coma as he discovers what happened to the world where he copes with loss as well as try to hold on to some hope as it is a real breakthrough for Murphy.

28 Days Later is a spectacular film from Danny Boyle that features great performances from Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, and Brendan Gleeson. It’s a zombie film that isn’t just exhilarating and scary but also a film manages to showcase how humanity copes with the aftermath of an apocalypse and survive while trying to do some good. In the end, 28 Days Later is a tremendous film from Danny Boyle.

Danny Boyle Films: Shallow Grave - Trainspotting - A Life Less Ordinary - The Beach - Millions - Sunshine - Slumdog Millionare - 127 Hours - Trance - Steve Jobs - T2 Trainspotting - (Yesterday (2019 film))

© thevoid99 2016

The Others

Written, scored, and directed by Alejandro Amenabar, The Others is the story of a woman who lives in a remote home with her two children as they deal a series of odd events as it relates to the people coming into their home. The film is an unconventional haunted house film which relates to a woman and her children, who are sensitive to sunlight, as they ponder what is happening around them as well as those who had died in their home. Starring Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Eccleston, Elaine Cassidy, Eric Sykes, Alakina Mann, and James Bentley. The Others is a spellbinding yet eerie film from Alejandro Amenabar.

Set in the aftermath of World War II at a remote country estate in Jersey in Britain, the film revolves a devout Catholic woman who lives with her two photosensitive children as they hired a new staff at the home where they all deal with some strange things that are happening in the house. It’s a haunted house film that plays into a woman not just dealing with these strange events but doing whatever it takes to protect her children from sunlight. Still, it is no match for these strange events that are happening as the children claim that there’s ghosts in the house. Alejandro Amenabar’s screenplay not only explores the attempt by Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) to shield her children from the light as well as questions about the outside world. She also hopes to instill Roman Catholic faith into them so they can be protected from evil but it’s not enough to deal with the ghosts.

While Grace’s new maid Mrs. Bertha Mills (Fionnula Flanagan) knows something is up, she tries assure Grace that nothing serious is happening. Once the story progresses, it is clear that Mills along with the gardener Edmund Tuttle (Eric Sykes) and a young mute named Lydia (Elaine Cassidy) know something that Grace doesn’t know. Even as it alludes to why Grace’s husband Charles (Christopher Eccleston) hasn’t returned from the war. Amenabar’s script also play into the ideas of life after death where Grace’s children Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley) wonder about their father as well as the surroundings around them. While Anne is convinced that something is haunting them, Grace doesn’t believe it at first until a key moment as it play to who are the people inhabiting the house.

Amenabar’s direction doesn’t play to a lot of the conventions that is often expected in horror or in suspense-dramas. Yet, it does maintain an atmosphere of what is going on in the way Amenabar builds up the suspense while creating something that is dramatic with bits of humor. Amenabar’s direction would infuse some gorgeous imagery into his compositions from his usage close-ups and medium shots to play up the intimacy of the home as well as some unique tracking shots and camera angles to play into the home itself. The way Amenabar would move the camera for certain scenes such as the sounds of children crying and other things which helps play into Grace’s own suspicions and need to tend to her children. Though much of the film is set in Britain, some of the exteriors is shot in Northern Spain as it help plays into the world of the unknown in a sequence where Grace tries to walk to the church miles away.

The direction would also have some eerie moments that blur the lines between what is real and what is not where adding to that air of suspense is Amenabar’s score. While it is largely an orchestral score with string arrangements and a few piano pieces, it help plays into the drama while knowing how to build up the suspense and sense of terror. By the time the film reaches its third act, the terror does reach its apex as well as an astonishing reveal that does add a new tone to the film. Especially as it relate to not just the theme of death but also the concept of the afterlife and eternity. Overall, Amenabar creates a mesmerizing yet intoxicating film about a woman trying to protect her children from ghosts in her home.

Cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography for its usage of natural lighting as well as low-key lighting for many of the interior scenes to help play up the lack of sunlight as well as scenes with sunlight as it is one of the film‘s major highlights. Editor Nacho Ruiz Capillas does excellent work with the editing as a lot of it is straightforward with some stylish cuts to play up the drama as well as the suspenseful moments. Production designer Benjamin Fernandez, with set decorators Emilio Ardura and Elli Griff, do amazing work with the look of the sets from the hallways as well as the rooms in the house to play up something that feels like a world that is old as well as out of step with the times.

Costume designer Sonia Grande does fantastic work with the costumes as many of the clothes the characters wear don’t showcase much color as it plays to the look of the film. Visual effects supervisor Felix Berges does nice work with some of the film‘s minimal visual effects as it relates to some key moments in the film‘s third act. Sound designer Isabel Diaz Cassou does superb work with the sound to help create an atmosphere for what goes on at the house where it helps play into the suspense as well as some scenes that heighten up that sense of terror.

The casting by Shaheen Baig and Jina Jay is incredible as it features some notable small roles from Keith Allen, Michelle Fairley, Renee Asherson, and Alexander Vince as a group of people who could be the ghosts that are haunting the house. Elaine Cassidy is wonderful as the mute young maid Lydia who is always suspected of doing something while Grace wonders what made her mute in the first place. Eric Sykes is terrific as the gardener Edmund Tuttle as a man who always work outside while also helping Mills do some cover-up into what is really going on. Christopher Eccleston is excellent as Grace’s husband Charles who is missing from the family as he only appears briefly to serve as the one thing Grace is hoping for in her sheltered existence.

James Bentley and Alakina Mann are fantastic in their respective roles as Nicholas and Anne as the two children who deal with ghosts with Bentley as the younger of the two who is more scared over what is happening while Mann provides a showier role as someone who knows what is going on but is also just as scared. Fionnula Flanagan is amazing as Mrs. Bertha Mills as the new head maid of the house who knows a lot about the house as she also knows its secrets which she conceals from Grace. Finally, there’s Nicole Kidman in a remarkable performance as Grace Stewart as this very religious woman who is trying to protect her children at any cost as well as ponder the fate of her husband as it’s a performance of power but also terror where Kidman brings a lot of anguish into the performance which is one of her best.

The Others is a phenomenal film from Alejandro Amenabar that features a great performance from Nicole Kidman. Along with a brilliant ensemble cast as well as an engaging story, a fantastic score, and beautiful visuals. The film isn’t just a riveting haunted house film but also a fascinating study on the concepts of death and faith. In the end, The Others is a spectacular film from Alejandro Amenabar.

Alejandro Amenabar Films: Thesis - Open Your Eyes - The Sea Inside - Agora - Regression - The Auteurs #51: Alejandro Amenabar

© thevoid99 2015

Thor: The Dark World

Based on the comics by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Larry Lieber, Thor: The Dark World is the story about Thor facing an ancient enemy who threatens to destroy his home planet of Asgard following a chilling discovery from Jane Foster that would threaten everything. Directed by Alan Taylor and screenplay by Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeeley from a screen story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat. The film is a sequel to 2011’s Thor where the titular character deals with new enemies and the responsibility of taking over the throne of Asgard from his father Odin as Chris Hemsworth reprises the role of Thor. Also starring Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard, Rene Russo, Idris Elba, Jaimie Alexander, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Chris O’Dowd, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin. Thor: The Dark World is a sensational yet entertaining film from Alan Taylor.

The film is about an ancient enemy known as Dark Elves who suddenly find themselves returning after Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) discovered some portals that led her to a world where a dark mystical power was seeped into her. When Thor learns about what Jane discovered, he takes her back to Asgard so that his father King Odin can see if he can help only to realize that the Dark Elves led by Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) is only keen on destroying the universe after being nearly wiped away by Odin’s father Bor (Tony Curran). What the film does is have Thor take risks in not just saving his planet and Jane but also the universe where he realizes that he has to do things that his father wouldn’t do that would include getting the help from his estranged adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

The film’s screenplay does take its time to showcase Thor’s growth into this warrior who definitely seems more grounded in the previous film as he becomes a much more mature individual who is also quite witty but still longs for Jane. When Heimdall (Idris Elba) tells Thor that he couldn’t see Jane, it has Thor trying to figure what is happening to her while there’s something far more sinister that is happening just as all nine realms are to line up for this event known as the Convergence where all portals from the nine realms are to open. With Malekith re-awaken, he decides to use this moment as well as Jane’s discovery of the dark power known as Aether to rebuild the world of the Dark Elves and regain darkness back to the universe. While the script does have a lot of exposition that occurs in order to make sense of the film’s plot. The script does manage to showcase a lot of the other characters such as Thor’s mother Frigga (Rene Russo) who is an important link to Thor’s relationship with Loki.

There’s also some comical moments that occur that includes Jane’s mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) going crazy as he’s still recovering from the events that occurred in The Avengers prompting Jane’s intern Darcy (Kat Dennings) and Darcy’s intern Ian (Jonathan Howard) to get Selvig who makes a discovery about the Convergence. It would lead to some very intense moments that mixes action and humor where there’s a showdown between Thor and Malekith in London that also involves the Dark Elves and portals. Notably as it’s Thor trying to do whatever he can to just save the world and realizes the kind of attributes that he needs to succeed his father as King of Asgard.

Alan Taylor’s direction is definitely sprawling in terms of the set pieces that is created as it is a film that is big but also some intimate moments. Notably as Taylor makes sure that many of the visual effects and large set pieces don’t overwhelm the story. Even as Taylor does create some intimate moments that takes place in London where Jane tries to deal with her feelings for Thor as well as the scientific discovery that she and Darcy make that would lead to Jane being teleported into another world that has her discovering the Aether. The scenes in London are very simple with Taylor going for something straightforward but also add some comedy into the mix.

The scenes set in the Dark Elves’ planet as well as other places outside of Asgard is shot in Iceland where it has this very desolate world that is a total representation that Malekith wants. Especially that is sharp contrast to the more sprawling and regal world that is Asgard that Thor wants to protect as he isn’t just concerned for its people that he cares for but also everything his father and grandfather had fought for. Even as he has to get Loki to help him in the hopes as Thor can re-forge the bond that he had with the man whom he had called brother. Most notably as it leads to this massive climax where Taylor knows how to mix humor and action into the mix. Overall, Taylor creates a very extravagant yet exciting film about a hero taking more risks in what to do to save the world.

Cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography from the straightforward look for the scenes in London to some of the more eerie lighting schemes for the scenes set at the Dark Elves‘ old home planet. Editors Dan Lebental and Wyatt Smith do terrific work with the editing by using some fast, rhythmic cuts for some of the film‘s action and humor while slowing down for the dramatic moments. Production designer Charles Wood, with supervising art director Ray Chan and set decorators Gueni Lindal Benediktsson and John Bush, does fantastic work with the set pieces from the look of Asgard as well as the design of the Dark Elves ship that would bring terror to Earth and Asgard.

Costume designer Wendy Partridge does amazing work with a lot of the costumes for the scenes set in Asgard as it has this mixture of old medieval look that Thor and his people wear. Makeup designer Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou does brilliant work with some of the makeup including the look of Malekith. Visual effects supervisor Mark Breakspear does nice work with the visual effects for some of scenes set in space as well as some of the exteriors of Asgard. Sound designer Will Files and Shannon Mills do superb work with the sound to create some unique sound effects as well as play into some of the chaos that goes in the fight scenes. The film’s music by Brian Tyler is wonderful for its orchestral bombast to play into some of the film’s action and suspense as well in some of the more somber pieces for the dramatic moments.

The casting by Sarah Finn does marvelous work with the casting as it includes some notable small roles from Tony Curran in a prologue scene as Odin’s father Bor, Alice Krige as an Asgardian physician, Chris O’Dowd as a man Jane meets early in the film for a lunch date, Jonathan Howard as Darcy’s intern Ian, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Malekith’s lieutenant Algrim who causes havoc in Asgard. The casting also features some pretty funny cameos such as Stan Lee as a mental ward patient and Chris Evans as Loki pretending to be Captain America. As the members of the Warrior Three, Ray Winstone, Tadanobu Asano, and Zachary Levi are all terrific in their respective roles as Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral with Winstone and Levi providing some humor. Jaimie Alexander is wonderful as Thor’s friend Sif who aids Thor while dealing with the presence of Jane Foster as she also has feelings for Thor.

Rene Russo is fantastic as Frigga as Thor’s mother who ensures that Loki stays alive following his actions in The Avengers as she becomes a key crucial point in the film for Thor and Loki as she also proves to be a total badass. Stellan Skarsgard is excellent as Dr. Erik Selvig who is still trying to deal with the post-traumatic stress of the events in The Avengers where he makes a big discovery while doing some funny things that involve him not wearing pants. Kat Dennings is hilarious as Jane’s intern Darcy as she not only has some of the film’s funny one-liners but also does things to help ensure that Thor’s plan to stop Malekith would work in some funny results. Idris Elba is incredible as Heimdall as the watcher of the Nine Realms who realizes the magnitude of the situation as he helps Thor out in defeating the Dark Elves. Christopher Eccleston is amazing as Malekith as this very dark individual who seeks revenge for what happened to him and his people as he does whatever it takes to take Thor down.

Anthony Hopkins is great as Odin where he’s still a bit of a cantankerous old man but also tones it down a bit as he still struggles to balance his role as king and father while aware of what Thor is trying to do. Tom Hiddleston is awesome as Loki as Thor’s adopted brother as a man who is slimy but fun as he helps Thor out in dealing with Malekith as well as trying to find something that he can gain. Natalie Portman is superb as Jane Foster as she does more than in the previous film as young woman who makes a chilling discovery while trying to deal with all of the chaos as well as finding ways to help save the world. Finally, there’s Chris Hemsworth in a remarkable performance as Thor as Hemsworth brings some humor to the role that is quite low-key but also a humility as a man who still questions his worth to become a king as it helps make Thor more engaging proving that Hemsworth is right for the part.

Thor: The Dark World is an excellent film from Alan Taylor that features brilliant performances from Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston. The film isn’t just a much looser and more entertaining film than its predecessor but allows the audience to be engaged by its protagonist as well as find ways that makes him relatable. In the end, Thor: The Dark World is a extraordinarily broad yet stellar film from Alan Taylor.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One Films: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers

Marvel Phase Two Films: Iron Man 3 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man

Marvel Phase Three Films: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home

Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World

© thevoid99 2013

Elizabeth (1998 film)

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 7/16/07 w/ Additional Edits & Revisions.

Directed by Shekhar Kapur and written by Michael Hirst, Elizabeth tells the story of Elizabeth's early life before she became Queen until she was accused of making murder attempts towards her half-sister Mary. When Elizabeth becomes Queen, she is surrounded by advisors, suitors, and everyone wanting her until she takes control. The film is an exploration as well as a dramatization of Queen Elizabeth's early life before she would assume the persona of being the Virgin Queen as she is played by Cate Blanchett. Also starring Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Christopher Eccleston, Richard Attenborough, Fanny Ardant, Emily Mortimer, Kelly MacDonald, Eric Cantona, Daniel Craig, Vincent Cassel, and in his final film role, Sir John Gielgud. Elizabeth is a powerful, mesmerizing bio-pic.

With England in a state of chaos over religious arguments between Catholics and Protestants, Queen Mary (Kathy Burke) falls ill while giving birth to a child that unfortunately dies as her husband also dies.  With Mary's half-sister Elizabeth set to replace her, Norfolk (Christopher Eccleston) is keen to arrest Elizabeth in his belief that she's part of the Protestant revolt whom she has no part of as she lives a quaint life with her love her Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes) and two ladies-in-waiting in Kat (Emily Mortimer) and Isabel (Kelly MacDonald).  After taken to prison with her ladies-in-waiting, Elizabeth is eventually freed when she is summoned to meet her dying sister where Elizabeth is to become the new Queen of England.  With Sir William Cecil (Richard Attenborough) aiding Elizabeth in the deal once Queen Mary dies in 1558, Elizabeth takes the throne as she gets the exiled Francis Walsingham as her advisor.

Still, the state of England is in chaos as they're facing the threat of the Scotland, that is run by Mary of Guise (Fanny Ardant) from France while many try to have the Queen get married to a king for political reasons as she continues to have her time with Dudley.  After a battle against the Scots that goes wrong, Elizabeth has to deal with other lords where she offers them a plan that guarantees her loyalty.  Still, Elizabeth faces assassination attempts as French ambassador Monsieur de Foix (Eric Cantona) suggests that Elizabeth should marry the comical Duke of Anjou (Vincent Cassel).  Instead, the meeting becomes a disaster though Cecil tries to ensure that the Queen must marry to ensure England's security.  After another failed assassination attempt, things get worse when the Pope (John Gielgud) gets involved as he hires the priest John Ballard (Daniel Craig) to assassinate the Queen.

With her relationship with Dudley strained following the assassination attempt as he turns to Spanish ambassador Alvaro de la Quadra (James Frain) for help.  The Queen turns to Walsingham for advice as he would make moves to help ensure England's safety after learning about another assassination attempt involving Ballard, Norfolk, Quadra, Earl of Sussex (Jamie Foreman), and Dudley.  After Walsingham informs Elizabeth, she would make plans that would set the wave for her powerful reign.

While the film is mostly accurate on some parts including the assassination attempts by Norfolk and Mary of Guise. Like many bio-pics before and since, they tend to have serious flaws in terms of dramatic interpretations. Some characters are created fictionally in order to serve as a drama. Yet, screenwriter Michael Hirst does make a fine effort in being true to history as well as basing things on legends. Though some parts tend to be overdramatized including the relationship between Elizabeth and Dudley. Still, the film's direction by Shekhar Kapur is wonderfully observant to show what was going on in England as well as the stories behind the throne.

Notably the scenes of Elizabeth in the aftermath of everything as she becomes the Virgin Queen. The film has a great ending where it was intended to just end with her taking on in this role. Even in a scenario that was similar to the ending of The Godfather. In many ways, this film is more about Elizabeth in an early stage of her life as she becomes Queen. The stuff about her reign however, is another story.

Cinematographer Remi Adefarasin who creates some wonderful lighting schemes from some of the dark, lighting set-ups in the film's earlier sequences to more colorful, spacious sequences in the film's party sequences. Editor Jill Bilcock does some excellent work in the film's editing, notably a scene of Elizabeth rehearsing on what she has to say with the use of jump-cuts to create a bit of humor. Production designer John Myhre and art director Lucy Richardson create wonderfully elaborate set designs for the film's party settings as well as the wonderful use of locations for the castles inside. Costume designer Alexandra Byrne does amazing work with the dresses and suits that looks wonderfully lavish to the period the film is set in. Sound editor Mark Auguste creates tense moments of the film's sound to convey the terror that is coming.

Music composer David Hirschfelder creates an exotic film score ranging from dramatic, orchestral pieces to convey the film's suspense. The film also includes period music ranging from folk music ranging from the use of mandolins, flutes, and such to revel in the period. It's an excellent score that plays to the film's drama.

The cast is wonderfully remarkable with some small parts in roles like Amanda Ryan as Norfolk's lover, Terence Rigby as the treacherous Bishop Gardiner, Edward Hardwicke as the sympathetic Earl of Arundel in an early scene of her arrest, Jamie Foreman as the Earl of Sussex, future British pop singer Lily Allen as a young lady-in-waiting, and two small yet memorable performances from current British favorites Emily Mortimer and Kelly MacDonald as two of Elizabeth's loyal ladies-in-waiting. Daniel Craig is great in an early role as a brutal assassin. James Frain is also good as the corruptive ambassador Quadra who tries to win over the mind of Dudley. Eric Cantona is good as the French ambassador Monsieur de Foix while Kathy Burke is excellent as the hateful Queen Mary I.

In his final film role, Sir John Gielgud is brilliant as a hateful Pope who sees the Queen as a threat. Vincent Cassel is very funny and over-the-top as the Duke of Anjou with his knack to be comical and wear dresses. Fanny Ardant is great as Mary of Guise who tries to take control of Elizabeth while having some charm and wit in her role as she meets Walsingham. Christopher Eccleston is great as the conniving, secretive Norfolk who tries to get rid of the Queen in an attempt to become ruler. Joseph Fiennes is excellent as Robert Dudley, the Queen's lover who tries to deal with the new changes of her life that would ultimately led to his own downfall.

Richard Attenborough is great as Sir Cecil, an old advisor who tries to do what is best for the Queen as only sees his failure despite the Queen's gratitude. The film's best supporting performance easily goes to Geoffrey Rush as the mysterious Walsingham who becomes the Queen's right-hand man as he plans assassinations and such. Rush is just great in playing a dark character who can display charm while being cold at the same time.

Finally, there's Cate Blanchett in what has to be one of her greatest performances. Blanchett brings a wonderfully complex performance as a young, carefree, innocent woman who is aware of her possible role. Displaying the kind of insecurities and flaws that is to come from any woman who is about to rule, Blanchett brings those flaws with a grace that isn't seen much in acting. When she becomes Queen, we see a sense of anger and later, coldness as she develops into a strong woman who is trying to help a country in chaos become strong again. It is indeed a majestic performance from the actress.

Elizabeth is an extraordinary period film from Shekhar Kapur that features a towering performance from Cate Blanchett. Along with great production value and a superb ensemble cast that includes Joseph Fiennes, John Gielgud, Fanny Ardant, Christopher Eccleston, and Geoffrey Rush. It's a film that plays up the grandeur of who Queen Elizabeth was in her early years as well as the people who try to bring her down. In the end, Elizabeth is a marvelous film from Shekhar Kapur.

(C) thevoid99 2012

eXistenZ

Written and directed by David Cronenberg, eXistenZ is about a video game designer whose new virtual reality game is the talk of the video game world only to be targeted by assassins. With a security guard to help her, the two go on the run while trying to save the game that she creates. The film is among of Cronenberg’s themes with new technology and its implications that recalls such earlier films as Videodrome. Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jude Law, Ian Holm, Don McKellar, Sarah Polley, Callum Keith Rennie, Christopher Eccleston, and Willem Dafoe. eXistenZ is a mind-bending yet thrilling film from David Cronenberg.

Allegra Gellar (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is a revered though reclusive game designer who is at a focus group to premiere her new virtual reality game. With help from a seminar leader (Christopher Eccleston) and a security guard named Ted Pikul (Jude Law) watching, things seem to go well until an assassin (Kris Lemche) tries to kill Allegra. With Ted saving her and taking her away from the place, the two go on the run as Allegra is worried about her game pod that she’s been working on for five years. Needing Ted to be in the game so she can check its status, she realizes that he doesn’t have a bio-port on his back. Turning to a black-market bio-port installer named Gas (Willem Dafoe) for help, Gas puts a bio-port hole in Ted’s back where things don’t work out.

Hiding out at the home of her mentor Kiri Vinokur (Ian Holm), Kiri fixes Allegra’s pod as she and Ted begin to play the game. With Ted realizing he is in a very different world, he learns that in order to play the game. He had to abide by their rules and talk in cheesy dialogue to advance the story as he and Allegra get close. Meeting such characters like the strange Yevgeny Nourish (Don McKellar) and a resistance leader (Callum Keith Rennie), things get blurred as Ted wants to stop playing. Instead, things become more complicated and violent as Allegra believes something is up about her pod. In the game world, she encounters another pod which turns out to be very bad as it’s up to Ted to get her back only to realize they’re in the middle of a battle between anti-reality game groups and pro-realist groups that wants Allegra dead.

The film can be described as a strange, multi-layered film about a game designer whose life is in danger because of the work she’s created that further blurs the line between reality and fiction. During this journey, she goes on the run with a man that is sworn to protect her as he steps into a world that he doesn’t know about at all. In turn, they take on roles and say awful dialogue in order to play a game where only the designer knows what to do and there’s a guy who has never played a game before.

David Cronenberg creates a film where it’s about reality vs. fiction and technology being part of something organic where it can be connected to a body. The pod and other objects such as guns have a strange, organic look that acts less like a machine rather than something very real. Throughout the film, Cronenberg creates a lot of exposition in order for the Ted Pikul character to figure out what is going on. Exposition is fine though it does overwhelm the plot a bit as complex as a film like this due to its reality vs. fiction narrative. The script is truly fascinating for its development of characters as well as motives over why Allegra is being targeted. At the same time, Cronenberg understands the world of video games as he does create cheesy dialogue that is intended to help move the story.

Cronenberg’s direction definitely plays up to what is expected of him in terms of creating a world that is surreal but also fascinating. Though he sets it at a not-so-distant future, many of the objects that are made has this organic look and feel to them where the guns shoot out teeth as bullets while the pod looks like a body organ. Still, Cronenberg makes the real world and the video game world seem almost realistic as he often keeps the film straight in terms of camera work and compositions. It’s Cronenberg keeping a controlled approach to the filmmaking while using his odd, surreal ideas to help add a quirky element to the film. Cronenberg also likes to play with the idea of reality and fiction that becomes much more complex with a strange twist in the last 10 minutes of the film. While it’s not a perfect film due to the overuse of exposition at times, it is still one of Cronenberg’s enjoyable films.

Cinematographer Peter Suschitzky does a wonderful job with the cinematography from the grimy yet colorful lighting schemes in many of the film‘s interiors to the naturalistic camera work for some of the exterior scenes. Editor Ronald Sanders does an excellent job with the editing as he creates a mostly straightforward style to the film while maintaining a leisured pace for the film. Production designer Carol Spier, along with set decorator Elinor Rose Galbraith and art director Tamara Deverell, does some fine work with the set pieces such as Vinokur‘s home and the factory that Ted and Allegra work at in the game world.

Costume designer Denise Cronenberg does a very good job with the costumes such as the colorless yet stylish clothing of Allegra to the more casual look of Ted as it’s mostly very low key. Visual effects supervisor James Issac does an amazing job with the visual effects such as the mutant amphibians Allegra comes across to some of the creatures that is made in the world outside of the factory. The sound work of Ryan Shore and Glen Gauthier is pretty stellar for the atmosphere that is created from the suspenseful scenes to the intimate moments when the pod is making strange sounds. The film’s score by Howard Shore is superb for its sweeping orchestral arrangements to play up the film’s suspense as well as some low-key yet heavy scores to help underplay the drama.

The casting by Deirdre Bowen is brilliant for the appearances and people she put into the film such as Vik Sahay as Vinokur’s assistant, Kris Lemche as the assassin, Oscar Hsu as a waiter at a Chinese restaurant, Robert A. Silverman as a game character Allegra and Ted interacts with, Christopher Eccleston as seminar leader, and Sarah Polley in cameo as a mysterious woman towards the end of the film. Other notable appearances include Don McKellar as a mysterious pro-game leader named Yevgeny Nourish, Callum Keith Rennie as a resistance leader, Ian Holm as Allegra’s eccentric mentor, and Willem Dafoe as a creepy gas station owner/black market salesman.

Finally, there’s the duo of Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh who each give superb performances for the film. Law brings a wonderful sense of energy and naiveté as a security guard new to the world of virtual reality games. Law also brings a determination and drive to his character as it’s definitely one of his most overlooked performances. Leigh gives a gritty yet troubled performance as a gifted game designer who is desperate to save her game while showing Law’s character the ropes of playing and living the game. It is also one of Leigh’s darker performances as she also add a bit of sexiness to a strange character as she and Law have amazing chemistry together.

eXistenZ is a remarkable yet provocative film from David Cronenberg featuring terrific performances from Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law. While it’s a film that doesn’t live up to some of Cronenberg’s great films, it is still a pretty original yet daring film that plays to his themes about the dangers of technology. Particularly as some of the ideas in the film about reality and fiction would have audiences thinking about Christopher Nolan’s 2010 film Inception. In the end, eXistenZ is an excellent yet suspenseful film from David Cronenberg.

David Cronenberg Films: Stereo - Crimes of the Future - Shivers - Rabid - Fast Company - The Brood - Scanners - Videodrome - The Dead Zone - The Fly (1986 film) - Dead Ringers - Naked Lunch - M. Butterfly - Crash - Spider - A History of Violence - Eastern Promises - A Dangerous Method - Cosmopolis - Maps to the Stars - Crimes of the Future (2022 film)

The Auteurs #26: David Cronenberg Pt. 1 - Pt. 2

© thevoid99 2011