The Witch - A Folktale, BUT Not Really Horror

         

           I cannot claim to be an aficionado of horror films, though I do appreciate a good scare and have fond childhood memories of the old Hammer Films and Universal monster movies. For me, a good horror movie should at least unnerve you and stay with you beyond the end credits. Sadly, “The Witch”, a Sundance darling from up-and-coming auteur Robert Eggers, fails to really horrify or disturb though it does succeed magnificently in presenting a realistic window into an uneasy period of American history.

           From the first frame “The Witch” is told from the point of view of Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), the oldest daughter of a puritan family newly arrived in America from England in the early-1600’s. Thomasin’s father, William (Ralph Ineson), quits a secure pilgrim community in New England after a theological falling out with the town fathers and takes his family into the wilderness to found their own homestead and live by his own Christian convictions. The family is soon troubled by a witch that lives in the ominous forest bordering their little freehold. Slowly, frankly a little too slowly, the family unit unravels in fear and mistrust as sinister hardships befall them.

           It should come as no surprise watching this film that Egger’s experience behind the camera has been predominantly in the art department. The costumes, props and sets all represent the hand-hewn 1600’s that is the setting with a truth rarely seen on film. Deeply atmospheric and period authentic, this film tried very hard to be a thinking person’s horror story. Robert Egger spent four years researching his “New England Folk Tale” before production began and his efforts certainly paid off, this film may fail as a truly frightening film yet it is palpable period drama.

Additionally, outstanding performances by Kate Dickie as Katherine, William’s lady wife and Harvey Scrimshaw as Caleb the family’s adolescent oldest son, makes the genuine period dialogue work for a 21^st century audience. We may not always fully understand what is being said by this family, but the emotions are always conveyed and it is in no way difficult to bond with these people. Fear of hell, God’s mercy and witches were all a part of everyday life in 1630, and this is flawlessly shown in the writing and performing of “The Witch”.

          As I said, “The Witch” tried to be a thinking person’s horror film – even though it was not above the occasional jump cut/shock shot. The artwork, photography, evocative music by Mark Korven and Anya Taylor-Joy’s acting in particular were all well worth the price of admission. (Honestly, Miss Taylor-Joy’s talents all but carried this entire production from start to finish.) In the end, however, the obvious hard work here is undone by a too thoughtful pace a sheer lack of raw horror. The foreboding setting never truly pays off on a visceral level, even at the end when everyone’s worst fears are made delicious flesh. Walking out of the theatre I found the only reason I was still haunted by “The Witch” was I had to write this review.

The most bewitching thing about this film? Anya Taylor-Joy’s brown eyes.

     

“Deadpool” – You’ll Laugh, You’ll Cry, You’ll Laugh Some More Then Wish You Hadn’t Bought That Large Drink

The wait is over, Deadpool fans (sorry, we don’t have a cutsie name like Trekkies or Bronies) the long anticipated movie is here and it’s an absolute comic thrill ride with that friend at the wheel your parent’s probably wouldn’t want you hanging around with! Not as grand in scope or as self-important as other Marvel multi-verse productions, “Deadpool” undeniably provides all the fun and twice the blood of traditional superhero fare.

This film is a nonlinear tale, told by a smart ass, full of sound and fury and signifying high-spirited carnage for your viewing pleasure. The origin story flashbacks are engaging as we meet merc with a mouth and a heart of gold, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), just as he diagnosed with terminal cancer. This prognosis promises to cut short his blossoming romance with the recently discovered love of his life Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Brown Coats (fans of the TV series Firefly - Hm, Red Coats? Meh…) will almost certainly flock to this film to just to see the lovely and genuinely talented Morena Baccarin do a nude sex scene; granted it was brief and possibly a body double, but it is there. Back to the synopsis: Wade opts for a mutant cure that not only disfigures him horribly – well, not horribly I’ve seen worse done to people’s faces by acne and poor life choices – but grants him incredible healing powers. None of this will be news to Deadpool fans (Deadheads? Rats, taken.) of course, I’m just bringing other readers up to speed. After embracing his new found ability, Wade as Deadpool goes on a mission to find the man who made him a freak, Francis a.k.a. mutant villain Ajax (Ed Skrien). Along the way he brings in help from the two X-Men this film could afford: CGI strongman Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapicic) and strangely adorable emo-girl, Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand). Between intense action where people actually get hurt and bleed and die, and almost non-stop wisecracks, “Deadpool” as a film is about as much fun as is legally allowed in public.

The mean streets foul language of this adults-only comic book hero, and his penchant for graphic bloodshed, of course garnered this film an R-rating. Most likely Marvel’s superhero A-Listers stayed away due to this dreaded not-tweenager-friendly branding. Naturally, without that lucrative market, Fox hedged its bets and bestowed this project a relatively paltry $58M budget. No worries though, Wolverine, Tony Stark and Fox Board Members, after a record breaking opening weekend, this investment paid off in spades and the “R” rating was not the taboo kiss of death feared. As a fan I was VERY satisfied, and I’ll do more than forgive the absence of any other Marvel mutants or high-dollar avenging hero-types: I’ll applaud it! Giving Deadpool his own moment to shine did the character justice and his fans a treat. (Deadpoolers? Poolies? Nah…)

As always with Marvel films, there is a teaser scene after the credits... In full keeping with “Deadpool”’s retro pop culture references and soundtrack, this post-credits teaser is a throwback that might go over the heads of some of the younger folks, however a sequel hint is dropped. IMHO - I have little doubt that there will be more blood, more mirth and a Deadpool #2, maybe even a one-off Holiday Special! 

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" - The Valentine’s Day Treat For Zombie Lovers (AND Lovers of Zombies.)

     Let’s start by saying it’s really hard to take a film, or book, with this one’s title too seriously. Purists of Regency Era literature are probably crying that the venerable Jane Austin must be rolling in her grave over what has been made of her masterpiece. They’d be wrong, because not only does this film steadfastly refuse to take itself too seriously but I think Miss Austin had a sense of humor and no small amount of courage in breaking stodgy rules. After all, as a woman she was bound by the conventions of her day not to be a novelist, the first editions of “Pride & Prejudice” were published under a masculine pseudonym. So, ha! Bring on the undead, the Bennet girls can handle them!

     From the first frame of this picture my expectations were well and truly exceeded. Far from being a retread of the “old story” with a zombie apocalypse tossed in, this is a strong and original re-imagining of the English Lit. 101 syllabus standard. Apparently, years prior to the Bennet sisters’ search for suitable husbands, a zombie virus was imported into Britain from one of its colonies. The noble island kingdom has been at war with the undead ever since. London is isolated behind a wall, and a great moat. The children of the wealthy (like Messrs. Darcy and Bingley) study the Japanese martial arts, and of course they look down on the not-so-wealthy (the Bennett girls) who studied under the Chinese Shao-Lin. While gentile society keeps up appearances with whist parties and grand balls, it is not too uncommon to have a zombie bloodbath break out, if needs be. Almost surprisingly, this concept not only works, but works curiously well, becoming Jane Austin’s “The Walking Dead”.

     The cast is a respectable mix of promising newcomers as well as accomplished veterans. Relative unknowns Lily James and Sam Riley play Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. (Col.) Darcy with chemistry and agility. The reasonably esteemed Charles Dance appears as Mr. Bennet and the young but already consummate Jack Huston portrays the piece’s villain, the ne’re do well George Wickham. Even Matt Smith of Doctor Who fame – I like Doctor Who, Doctor Who is cool – shows up to add unfettered comic relief as a clownish Parson Collins.

Likewise, I have no complaints when it comes to this film’s production values. The costumes, photography and blood patterns are all of top quality befitting a classical piece with carnage. No $100M+ marvel, this film’s relatively meager budget of $28M aptly managed to deliver the goods.

I highly recommend “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” not only for its strange humor and overall quality, but also for this film’s incredible imagination. Admittedly a popcorn film, to be watched and enjoyed but not thought about too much, and that’s okay, cinema is entertainment. A quick confession should sum things up nicely: I resisted the whole zombie fad thing, until I became hooked on “The Walking Dead”. In recent months I wasn’t sure if the zombie genre had run its course after a few solid years in popular culture. Frankly, I half expected this film to be to zombies what “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” was to the Universal monster troupe, i.e. the last nail in the coffin. This film was not that, but very possibly a healthy infusion of new blood – the period zombie film. I hope they make more.

P.S. Don’t be too quick to get up out of your seat at the end, wait for it...