Disappearance at Lake Elrod – Film Review

Posted on October 31, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Lauren Fash

Writer: Lauren Fash and Susan Graham

Starring: Robyn Lively, Shanola Hampton, Michael Trucco, Bethany Anne Lind, Judith Ivey, Kerry Cahill, and Cece King

Rating: ★★★½

Disappearance at Lake Elrod is a mystery thriller. Charlie’s (Robyn Lively) daughter has been missing for a while, and she feels like the police have given up on her. When another young girl goes missing, Charlie is thrown under suspicion. She believes the police don’t really care about the truth, and the potential that the two missing children cases are linked, they just want to pin her for the crime. Taking matters into her own hands, with a journalist, Amy (Shanola Hampton), Charlie starts her own investigation into the missing children.

The film starts out like a typical thriller, but there is a twist later in the film that puts the whole thing into a new perspective. The best thing about the twist is that there are clues all the way through that point to it. When you’re first watching it, there are a few things that won’t sit right, then the twist is revealed, and those moments make so much more sense. It’s a great twist that you won’t see coming.

Other than the twist, this is a typical thriller. The main characters follow the clues and that leads them to the next clue while they narrow down the suspects. There’s nothing that out of the ordinary to be found here, until the twist happens. It’s still well made, with a decent mystery that keeps you invested. Charlie is an interesting character and Robyn Lively gives a good performance.

This is an engrossing film, even though you’ve probably seen things very similar to it beforehand, it still grabs your attention. The tension builds as you try to figure out who the killer is alongside the main characters. When the twist happens, even though the main mystery isn’t over, the film does feel like it hits a brick wall. It’s a good twist, but there’s still half an hour left, and the film really slows down. Thankfully, it picks up again for the final sequence which satisfyingly answers all questions you’ve had up to that point.

Disappearance at Lake Elrod, which is also known as Through the Glass Darkly in other countries, is a decent thriller. The mystery grabs your attention, and you really want to find out what happens. It falters a little with its unoriginality and pacing issues, but the characters and twist are compelling enough to make this a gripping story.

Disappearance at Lake Elrod will be released on Digital Download and on DVD in the UK & EIRE from Nov 1st. Pre-order now on Amazon and AppleTV

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Best Sellers – A Sombre and Warming Story About Grief and Writing – Film Review

Posted on October 31, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter
Best Sellers (2021) - IMDb

Director: Lina Roessler

Writer: Anthony Grieco

Starring: Michael Caine, Aubrey Plaza, Ellen Wong, Cary Elwes, and Scott Speedman

Rating: ★★★★

Amidst all the false rumours about Michael Caine retiring, his latest film, Best Sellers, has just had it’s UK premiere at Raindance Festival in London. He may have starred in almost one hundred and fifty films, with a fair few questionable titles in that list, but he’s still on top form in Best Sellers. The film is a black comedy with a lot of heart, and proof that Caine is still able to hold the lead role in a film.

Harris Shaw (Michael Caine) is a reclusive author who hasn’t released a book since the 1970s. He’s still been writing, but since the death of his wife hasn’t shared his work. When he receives a phone call, his first response is to tell them ‘he’s dead’ when answering and then hang up. His contract with his publishing agency, run by Lucy Stanbridge (Aubrey Plaza), means that he owes them a book. With the agency in trouble, Lucy requests the book, which includes Harris having to reluctantly go on a book tour.

The film is a sombre comedy that deals with a ging, grief, and living up to expectations. Harris’s previous novel is considered to be a modern classic, and critics of the new one are not as impressed. Lucy’s father who created the company has a legacy that Lucy is struggling to live up to. There are people trying to sell the company behind her back, and Harris is the last chance to stop that from happening.

Harris Shaw is an old, loud, and offensive character. Instead of reading from his book on the tour, he reads stories from Penthouse, or just shouts curse words at the audience, who find him funny rather than engaging. He’s worried that his book doesn’t live up to people’s expectations, at the same time he is struggling with the death of his wife, even though it’s been decades. He doesn’t see the value in himself if she’s not around. It’s a really touching character, who by the end of the film you really care for and feel his pain. Caine’s performance is simply stunning.

Aubrey Plaza, as always, is excellent as Lucy. The interplay between the two main characters is the heart of the film. The story beats are predictable with the tension between them as Lucy struggles to get people to buy the book, and Harris not really caring. They then learn about each other, and respect grows until they are friends. There are no surprises, but the characters feel so real that you’re invested, even with the often-recycled plotline. It has some moments that are genuinely heart breaking and will bring a tear to your eye.

While it’s not a laugh-out-loud comedy, there are still funny moments to be found. Harris shouting and swearing his way through the book tour, the hispster audience who would rather buy t-shirts than books. There’s jokes that land, but the overall tone is more sombre. If the characters weren’t as strong, this couldn’t be watched as a comedy alone. It would just fall apart.

Best Sellers is a really moving film. Its story may be familiar, but the way it’s told is filled with emotion.

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Army of Thieves – A Fun and Energetic Heist Film – Review

Posted on October 30, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter
Army of Thieves (2021) - IMDb

Director: Matthias Schweighöfer

Writer: Shay Hatten

Starring: Matthias Schweighöfer, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, Guz Khan, and Jonathan Cohen

Rating: ★★★★

It’s been just under six months since Army of the Dead arrived on Netflix, and we already have the next instalment. This time a prequel centred around the safe-cracker Ludwig Dieter, one of the better characters from Zack Snyder’s film. This time around Ludwig himself, Matthias Schweighöfer, is in the director’s chair, replacing Snyder who helped create the story and serves as a producer.

The zombie outbreak, that featured in Army of the Dead, is being reported on the news, and Ludwig, whose real name is Sebastian Schlencht-Wöhnert, is watching potentially the beginning of the end of the world. He’s fed up with his banking job, instead his real passion is safe cracking. His YouTube channel, centred around safes has barely any views, until one day he receives a comment inviting him to a challenge. He goes, not really knowing what to expect, and ends up winning the competition. The next day, Gwendoline Starr (Nathalie Emmanuel), approaches him in a coffee shop. The whole thing was a set up to see if he was up for a real challenge, which he hesitantly accepts. The adventure eventually leads him to the exact moment we meet Ludwig in Army of the Dead.

While both films are available on Netflix, it’s not essential to have seen Army of the Dead, before watching Thieves. This is a completely stand-alone story, and while there are a few references and nods towards the original film, you won’t be missing out on much if you haven’t already seen it. In fact, it’s almost a good idea to watch this one first, because it lets you get to know Ludwig before the Vegas heist begins.

This one is centred around three infamous safes around Europe, that no one should be able to crack. Ludwig has spent his entire life following his passion for cracking safes, and he’s the perfect man for the job. If you’ve seen the original, then you’ll be familiar with the character. He’s put into the centre of the story here and is really given time to shine. Matthias Schweighöfer gives a great performance as him, and he’s instantly likable from the opening scene. The newcomers are also great, the way they play off each other makes the film funny and engaging throughout it’s over two hour run time.

Schweighöfer does a great job at making the film feel fun. The way the film is presented and general tone is upbeat and bouncing, with a playful score from Hans Zimmer and Steve Mazzaro. It is essentially three heist movies, rolled up into one. There’s a lot of humour and it lands. The film is also very self-aware with many moments that reference itself as a heist or spy film. Despite its overlong length, the film is the best heist film in recent years. The film does drag a little as it reaches the third act, and could have done with being shortened in places.

Army of Thieves is a strange follow-up to the first film. There are barely any zombies, except in dreams and in the news. The fast paced frantic energy is stepped up and the whole thing is really entertaining. Unlike a lot of prequels, it does feel like it adds to the original, which is probably due to them both being in production at the same time. It does feel a little long, not as long as Army of the Dead though, but it’s still a great addition to the heist genre.

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Antlers – Film Review

Posted on October 30, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter
Antlers (2021) - IMDb

Director: Scott Cooper

Writers: C. Henry Chaisson, Nick Antosca, and Scott Cooper,

Starring: Kerri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. Thomas, Graham Greene, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane, and Amy Madigan

Rating: ★★★½

2021 is the year that just keeps on giving to horror fans. This weekend marks the release of not one, but two great horror films. Last Night in Soho may overshadow Antlers a little in the already packed line up of cinema showings, but Antlers should be sought out as it is a deeply interesting and truly unique horror film. Much like Let the Right One In, Antlers is so much more wrapped up in the clothing of a horror film. This is an exploration on environmentalism, abuse, family, and poverty.

Julie Meadows (Kerri Russell) has moved back to her hometown, currently living with her brother Paul (Jesse Plemons). One of her students, Lucas (Jeremy T. Thomas), worries her. He’s bullied by the other children, the story he creates is full of terrifying imagery and she’s chilled to find horrific drawings in his desk. She starts to suspect that he’s a victim of abuse at home and starts trying to investigate his situation, not knowing how bad things really are.

Antlers spends a lot of time building a sense of dread, with an unsettling atmosphere. The film is essentially a werewolf story, Lucas’s dad is attacked and is turning into a monster. The effects are gruesome and gory, the killings are violent. There’s a lot of stomach-churning corpses and one specific cannibalistic scene. Lucas’s house is falling apart and decaying around him. There’s a sense that things are only going to get worse right from the opening scene. Director Scott Cooper does a great job at creating a familiar and yet slightly unhinged world.

At the heart of the story is the characters and they are all incredibly well written. You really get invested in them and care about them. The performances are all great, especially Kerri Russel, who is stunning as Julie. Her character is the emotional heart of the film. Her childhood, which is hinted at, rather than explicitly told, has traumatised her. The whole cast of characters, Julie especially, feel like real people and you get engrossed in their lives so when the horror starts, it’s that much more effective.  

The opening of this film is dark, both in tone and visually. Lucas’s dad is brutally attacked in almost pure darkness. His screams carry out to the car that Lucas is sitting in. It’s not clear what is actually happening during the attack as everything is moving so fast and there is so much darkness. There are a few moments like this. You barely get to see he monster that Lucas’s dad is turning into, it’s always just out of focus, not at the centre of the shot or in the shadows.

The story is told with an economic downturn as a backdrop. Paul is the sheriff and one of his responsibilities is to evict people who can’t afford their rent. People are struggling all over and there’s news that the mines are going to be re-opened, despite the devastating effects on the environment. It’s strange that this takes such a backseat because by the time the film is over it’s not really relevant. It feels underbaked. There’s even a point where Julie follows Lucas home, only to see him stop at an ice-cream store, with a slow moving line out front. You think it’s going to be something like a soup-kitchen, but no it’s an ice-cream store. Julie buys him an ice cream and they have a conversation about doughnuts being a fruit. It feels strange that they build up this world of despair at the beginning only for it to never really be a part of the story.  

The film also touches on child abuse, with this being the main driving force of Julie’s character. She feels the need to protect Lucas because she can see herself in him. Lucas is suffering from neglect, in the flashbacks to his dad turning, you can see his father loves him. He puts locks on the door and tells his children to make sure he never comes out. In the end it leaves Lucas completely isolated from everyone. He’s forced to care for his dad, and it can be seen as a metaphor for when young children must care for sick and dying parents despite their young age. It’s a tragic story and brings a lot emotional weight to the story.

Antlers is an interesting and unique film. It’s full of originality and a great monster. The atmosphere is tense, and the characters are well-written. There are a few ideas that aren’t developed properly, but there is still enough horror to get your heart racing.

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Poltergeist (2015) – A decent remake that doesn’t capture the magic of the original – Film Review

Posted on October 29, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Gil Kenan

Writer: David Lindsay-Abaire

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jane Adams, Jared Harris, Saxon Sharbino, Kyle Catlett, and Kennedi Clements

Rating: ★★½

The original Poltergeist is one of the great horror films ever made. Next year it will be forty years old and has truly stood the test of time. It was inevitable that the classic would eventually get remade, and after many years of false starts, the remake was released in 2015, with a poor critical reception and a modest box office return. Since then, the remake has faded in memory, not being able to break out of the shadow of the original.

The story is almost identical to the original. A family move to a new house, after Eric (Sam Rockwell) recently lost his job. The house is run down, but it’s the best they can find within their budget. As they try to settle in, strange occurrences start happening. A box of clowns is found in the attic and the electrics are all messed up. When Eric and Amy (Rosemarie DeWitt) go out for a meal, the kids are left alone and that’s when the presence in the house makes itself known, taking the youngest child, Maddie (Kennedi Clements), into a different dimension. Eric and Amy, not knowing what to do, turn to a local university’s paranormal group to help them find their daughter.

Most of the memorable moments from the original are recreated here from the iconic ‘they’re here’ to the bodies coming out of the ground. They just don’t feel as special as they did in the original. The moments are there because they need to be. The static in the TV that Maddie speaks to is replaced with a strange and glitchy looking screen. It’s not as unnerving or creepy as it was in the original.

Despite not doing anything exceptionally well, there are still some good moments. The clown dolls are creepy, the hands coming out of the ground do work as a jump scare and the comic books rearranging themselves as a house of cards does make you want to curl up. It just can’t sustain it to make it a truly scary film.

The cast do their best, with some decent performances. But the writing is pretty poor. There are too many laughable moments of dialogue that really just shouldn’t be there. The expert that they bring in is a TV host, with a cheesy catchphrase and when he shows up, it’s just cringe inducing. There are a few funny moments, but they aren’t often.

Poltergeist is an okay horror film. It doesn’t have the same timeless feel of the original and is missing a lot of the heart that made the original so great. It passes the time, with some decent scares, but ultimately, it’s a pointless remake.  

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