Sicario

Sicario

A Modern Western

When we think of Westerns, we usually think of the Old West; Nineteenth Century Cowboys-and-Indians and sixgun toting outlaws. But the American West is a living culture, and in some ways just as wild as ever. Sicario taps into that.

Sicario tells the story of FBI agent Kate Macer, who receives a secret assignment. Working with secret government operatives they unofficially take the War on Drugs across the border in raids into Mexico. The film parallels not only classic Westerns, but also war films, in particular Vietnam films, with Mexico standing in for Cambodia.

The film features an outstanding performance by Emily Blunt as Kate Macer, excellent action sequences, and an unflinching look at the contradictions and double-binds of law enforcement in the War on Drugs. Sicario deserves a place on the short list of best films of 2015.

Crimson Peak

Crimson Peak

Old fashioned Gothic ghost story with contemporary visual effects

Let's get this out of the way first: Crimson Peak is not for everyone. In fact, while a broad audience might like the film, it's really going to be a pretty niche audience that's going to really enjoy the film. To begin with this is a very Gothic-y movie. It's drenched in Gothic atmosphere, not just the wardrobe and period sets, but also the lighting and old fashioned cinema techniques. With such an emphasis on atmosphere over thrills, it's appeal is likely to be limited among true horror movie buffs. On the other hand, it's without a doubt a horror movie, filled with all the explicit gore one might expect from such a feature - which likely limits it's appeal among the "Downton Abbey" crowd and Brontë purists.

The film tells the story of a privileged New York heiress who falls for a strange English baronet and, following the demise of her disapproving father, is soon wedded and whisked off to is deteriorating mansion nicknamed by the locals "Crimson Peak". Strange occurrences and eerie apparitions begin appearing to her almost immediately. 

Guillermo del Toro has emerged in recent years as a solid director in the dark fantasy / horror genre with a unique vision and a penchant for period pieces. So, it was probably only a matter of time before he took on a Victorian ghost story. While the film only garnered mediocre audience response (probably for the exact reasons above), it might just be cinematic gold for those who appreciate Tim Burton's films, but really wish he'd just make an out-and-out horror film for once.

The visual effects are well done, but the real show stealer is Tom Hiddleston as Sir Thomas, the baronet. Recommended to fans of films like The Shining, Sleepy Hollow, and The Others.

The Beach Girls and the Monster

The Beach Girls and the Monster

This is one a one groovy bad flick!

The Beach Girls and the Monster, also known as Monster From the Surf is everything you want it to be. In what must have passed for high concept to the Poverty Row B movie studios of the 60s, a film that combines the 60s beach blanket trend with the monster movie trend.

Yes it has a silly simple plot - and a corny looking rubber suit monster (although in its defense, there is a good reason for the monster looking fake), as well as terrible dialogue. But it also has all the best tropes from it's cross-genre parentage: mid Century"Modern" set design, groovy music by Frank Sinatra Jr., including surf guitars and bongos, dancers (from the Whiskey a Go Go) dancing on the beach in bikinis, campfire sing-a-longs, an extended gratuitous surf sequence - you name it.

For lovers of camp, this must be seen - it is to surf subculture what A Bucket of Blood was to beatnik subculture.