The Belko Experiment (2017) #470

 

"The Belko Experiment" is an ultra violent, gore filled film written by James Gunn ("Slither" and "Guardians of the Galaxy), and directed by Greg McLean ("Wolf Creek"). The star studded cast includes John Gallagher Jr ("Hush" and "Cloverfield Lane"), Michael Rooker ("Slither"), John C. McGinley, and Sean Gunn. It had received mix reviews when it was first released but remains a favorite among genre enthusiasts. 

The film opens with everyone heading into work at the Bogota, Columbia branch of the Belko Industries. The office building is secluded from the rest of the city and is surrounded by fences and armed guards. This is all for the protection of the mostly American staff. All staff members receive a small tracking device that is planted near the base of the skull in case they fall victim to kidnapping or demand of ransom. For some odd reason, all of the guards are new and no one knows where the previous ones are. Once everyone has reported to work and their day begins, an unknown voice comes over the intercom speakers and announces that two employees must be killed or else there will be serious consequences. Panic ensues, people try to escape but they find themselves trapped in the building. When the time elapses and no one has been killed, four random employees die killed when their "trackers" detonate. Further instructions are given to kill or be killed, and the building fall into utter chaos.

The film explores the morality of what people would do in a situation like this, and how those who consider themselves in power prey on those without. In this case it's the management team and those who see their lives as more important that others who try to control the situation and decide who gets to live and who gets to die. It's a gut wrenching scenario to watch as the employees who are old, single, or who do not have kids are lined up to be executed. But not everything goes to plane because not everyone agrees with what the few have decided...

What makes this film interesting is watching those who don't want to follow the orders to kill. They try to find ways to escape, to cope and manage their stress, and try to fight back. Mike, played by John Gallagher Jr, tries to protect his girlfriend/coworker Leandra, ensure that no breaks into the gun locker, and tries to flag down help from the outside world. The people who are trying to do the right thing are the ones whose deaths come most shocking as the experiment comes to it's epic conclusion.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) #435

"10 Cloverfield Lane" is a taunt thriller that may or may not take place in the same realm as "Cloverfield". It's a detail that's not too important because this film could have had been given any title, but if the two films are related, then the mysteries about the two films continue to grow and adding great potential for future stories in the franchise. The main difference between the two films in how they were filmed; "Cloverfield" was shot in the first perspective, POV, style while "10 Cloverfield Lane" is filmed in the traditional style, making this fim easier to watch for those who don't like the shakey-cam technique.

The movie, at the surface, is about three individuals who are locked in an underground bomb shelter after some questionable events happen in the nearby area. The story is carried by the talents of the minimal cast, showcasing John Goodman ("C.H.U.D") in a wonderfully creepy role as Howard, Mary Elizabeth Winstead ("Final Destination 3") as Michelle, and John Gallagher Jr ("Hush") as Emmett. The chemistry between these three actors is intense and perfect, striking a chord when Howard's paranoia gets worked up or when Michelle tries to escape.

The movie pacing could be considered a slow burn, at times moving along at a pace that makes you want to scream at the screen to hurry up and get to the point. When the point is made, the tension leading up to it makes perfect sense. There are enough twists and suspenseful moments in the film to make up for the lack of direct action that takes place in its predesessor. 

Like many others, "10 Cloverfield Lane" wasn't what I expecting but I really enjoyed it and I'm excited to see what comes next in this creative franchise.

Hush (2016) #430

Writer and director Mike Flanagan has delivered another fan favorite, word of mouth sensation called "Hush". A home invasion thriller, "Hush" pits a deaf/mute writer against a mysterious killer in a thrilling game of cat and mouse. Unlike his previous film "Oculus", "Hush" has a straight forward, simple narrative. With a budget of only $70,000, Flanagan and his cast and crew create an awesome little film. It's encouraging to see that solid horror films can still be made on the cheap and still have a polished and professional look to them; I would never have known that this film was made on such a tight budget without reading about that fact.

The situations presented in the film are intense and feel realistic and that might be where the film could have some editing; I personally feel that they had too many failed escape attempts before finally moving on to a different course of action. Another minor downfall to the film is that it is incredibly dark, as in unlit, through a good portion of the movie. These are petty complaints for an otherwise engaging and fun thriller that finishes on an adrenaline fueled high note. Flanagan avoids simple "jump scare" tactics and really uses the lack of silence beautifully at various points of the movie.


"Hush" stars Kate Siegel, who co-wrote the film with her husband Flanagan, and gives an amazing performance as Maddie, the deaf reclusive writer. Giving an equally solid performance is John Gallagher Jr as the masked killer her joyfully plays with his prey. Samantha Sloyan and Michael Trucco round out the other prominent cast members as Maddie's neighbors who become involved with the horror in their own way.

 "Oculus"