Christopher Brown (cacutshaw)

It's official, if Ti West makes it, I will see it. Who would have guessed that one of the most exciting directors in horror today would be a filmmaker who shows restraint. Sure, I'm certain lots of audience members will say his films are slow, but when did slow become something negative? Isn't slowing down a story and creating characters, atmosphere, story, etc part of good storytelling? I can understand becoming disappointed if a monster truck show becomes slow, but movies should slow down at some point (only a few directors have managed to keep the "never slows down" film still good). I always here people say, "The film got slow at such and such a point" and I always wonder, "Is that bad?". All films aren't spectacles or carnival rides, some actually try and tell a good story. Hrumph!
Back to the matter at hand, West's fantastic House of the Devil. The film is all about anticipation, the way West builds his story slowly towards the inevitable horrific climax. The main character and her situation grows on you gradually as you feel stuck in the tedium, then horror of the situation too. As an aside, my wife who generally hates horror films really loved this until the 50 minute point where the tension just go too unbearable for her and she had to leave. West has complete control of his characters and the pace and is truly becoming an auteur who I will follow in whatever genre he decides to delve into, though I think his particular style fits perfectly into horror. Highly recommended for those who aren't just looking for a roller coaster ride.

The story of Job with a twist of Schrodinger's Cat and some dark, dark comedy make up the latest Coen brother's masterpiece. Kind of like a companion piece to their good friend Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell, this smart and funny tale tells the story of a good man put to the test. I also love how it's main characters are all Jewish and the Coen's use of many Jewish tenets in their morality tale. A great, great film.
Also, the conversation Larry has with Columbia records is probably one of my favourite symbolic moments in Coen history. But I didn't do anything!

So good I wanna cry.

So good I wanna puke.