In 2002, writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle developed the most
terrifying update to horror imaginable. In 28 Days Later, running
zombies were unleashed.
When is a zombie movie not a zombie movie? When it’s Danny Boyle’s
digitally shot post-apocalyptic nightmare featuring new horror monsters
The Infected. If, like me, you have a strong affection for the zombie
horror sub-genre, the thought of running zombies could go either way.
Some will cry it’s not necessary; that zombies are meant to shuffle and
the scares take a back seat to the social commentary. Others, me
included, saw Boyle’s sprinting Infected as the logical evolution of the
sub-genre and slapped our collective foreheads. Why had no one come up
with this before?
When I saw the trailer for 28 Days Later with its promise of
speedy zombie-style Infected people in over-run Britain, I leapt at the
chance of the thrills that would no doubt ensue. Not only is this a
zombie film set on my home turf, but these ‘zombies’ actually looked
bloody terrifying with the emphasis on the bloody...
‘Horror films now suggest that the horror is not among us, but rather part of us, caused by us…’ (Polan, 1984, p.202).
Night Of The Living Dead is the kind of film you may not have
gotten around to seeing if you were born in the 80s or later. You’ve
probably heard of it, but the black and white cinematography, the date
it was produced and the lack of stars may have put you off. I’d seen
enough modern zombie apocalypses on film to think that going back to
this one wouldn’t be necessary. Catching it by chance late one night
while channel surfing, I was instantly hooked.
The eerie score, the black actor in the lead role and the siege movie
set up all grabbed me and kept me hooked until the incredibly bleak
ending. It might be black and white and dated but this film still has
enough thrills and ideas to inspire horror filmmakers today. And if the
ending doesn’t make you gasp, you’re most likely a zombie...
WARNING: This trailer gives way too many plot details away for my liking. However my review below does not! So please read on.
The Sound of My Voice will keep you
guessing.
The Sound of My Voice will hypnotise you.
The Sound of My Voice will leave you wanting
more.
Indie sci-fi is all over the place at the
moment.Lars Von Trier’s Melancholia imagines the end of the
world.Another Earth features another
Earth.Even Terence Malick’s Tree of Life has big themes like a slightly
less trippy 2001: A Space Odyssey.
It’s no surprise then that the writer/star Brit
Marling conquered Sundance with not one but two science fiction flavoured low
budget success stories in 2011.On
screen, Marling is a blonde beauty with no shortage of acting ability.Behind the scenes, she is a producer and
writer taking smart ideas and coupling them with believable characters and
strained romances.
Sound of My Voice is about a cult.It quickly flips expectations by introducing
a character who fits the cult leader stereotype and then revealing him to be
second-in-command to Marling’s Maggie who claims to be from the future.The rituals, tests and routines of the cult
are seen from the perspective of newcomers Peter and Lorna as they are
initiated.
Beginning with the investigative journalist
couple gaining access to the cult, their relationship with each other is tested
as well as their belief and scepticism in the enigmatic Maggie.Is she or isn’t she from the future?Are her intentions good or evil?Will Peter (Christopher Denham) be able to
resist Maggie’s coercion tactics?
This is a slow-burn thriller minus many
real thrills.The tension does mount and
questions do arise to keep you guessing but unfortunately the film fails to
fully fulfil the potential of the intriguing setup.Towards the end, the introduction of a new
character and a suspenseful upping of the stakes threaten to take the film into
an action-packed climax.But alas the
climax is a little rushed, a little underwhelming.
The ending is simultaneously closed with no
real room for differing interpretations and also abrupt enough to leave the
audience gasping for more.At less than
90 minutes, the film certainly does not outstay its welcome and actually leaves
a feeling of being slightly underdeveloped.A fundamental question is answered convincingly but there are elements
that have been left tantalisingly unexplored.
However as an example of what can be
achieved with a low budget, interesting characters, very strong acting and a neat
narrative enigma, this is inspiring and entertaining independent filmmaking.
Definitely see this if you liked Another Earth.Or even the other recent cult-centric indie Martha Marcy May Marlene.And watch out for Brit Marling.Whether she’s a time traveller or not, this
lady has a bright, bright future.
7 out of 10
Released in the UK on 3rd August 2012
Seen it? What did you think? Anyone desperate to see this?
