Those somewhat invested in AMC’s Low Winter Sun might find it deflating that the creators have set this new series to cruise control so early in the season. In episode 4 Frank has traveled to Windsor, Ontario in hopes of finding Katia (Mickey Summer) while Joe makes sure home fires continue to burn and keeps IA at bay with the resulting smokescreen. When Frank comes home with nothing but a goose egg for his troubles it appears that he is losing his grip on things.His quest for Katia has him so focused that he’s actually starting to lose clarity of other things, or just lose it in general. When he makes a statement…
-
-
G-S-T Review…Drafthouse Films’ I Declare War
Nearly a century ago J.M. Barrie wrote “Nothing that happens after we are twelve matters very much”. Further, Peter Pan was the literary embodiment of the idea that we all want to stay young. And why wouldn’t we? Being a kid allowed us to do things and live lives free of the pressures, strains, and dangers of the real world. All we had to do was be ourselves…yet the ironic thing was that being ourselves had us imagining what it would be like to be doing grown up things. How naive we were. But what Barrie really hit on was that our imaginations could be our greatest strength – a…
-
G-S-T TV: Low Winter Sun (S1, Ep 3: No Rounds)
In the third episode of AMC’s Low Winter Sun, Frank (Mark Strong) and Joe (Lennie James) continue their attempts to cover up the evidence in McCann’s murder. Elsewhere in the city Damon and his crew do everything they can to prepare for the opening of The Blind Pig – a seedy strip club and cover for gang related under-the-table dealings. This episode put a little more focus on Joe to show more of who he is. Over the course of the show, while at work mostly, Joe appears to be above having a conscience. Yet in scenes with his mother and especially the great opening segment, we find he’s not as…
-
G-S-T Review…Sparrows Dance
Sparrow’s Dance is an unexpected love story about an agoraphobic and former stage actress (Marin Ireland) who hasn’t left her apartment in over a year – nor has she had face-to-face contact with anyone from the outside world – and spends her days eating, sleeping and alternating between riding her exercise bike and watching television, until she is finally forced to face her fears when her toilet overflows. Ireland’s unnamed female protagonist first tries to acquire a plumber’s advice over the phone, but to no avail. When a plumber named Wes (Paul Sparks, “Boardwalk Empire”) does show up at her door, he’s a surprisingly handsome, endearing sort of guy, who…
-
G-S-T Review…Ain’t Them Bodies Saints
Writer/director David Lowery’s Ain’t Them Bodies Saints is a simple enough story that speaks volumes. Further, it carries a lot of weight even if nothing particularly dramatic seems to be going on. And that’s the point. It’s part art piece, part love story, and though Lowery’s narrative is understated, it is simply stunning. From the cast, to the story, to the gorgeously simplistic visuals, nothing about this down home picture doesn’t just sing. You may not know the name David Lowery outside the Texas film community, but 2013 has been a big year for both him and his wonderfully crafted throwback film. From Dallas, to Sundance, to Cannes, Saints has made…
-
G-S-T Review…You're Next
There’s a pivotal moment in Adam Wingard’s You’re Next where the film upends viewer expectations entirely, not with witty meta twists (though those are valuable), but with the simple plunge of a kitchen knife. Normally, we flock to horror films to observe the wanton butchering of the cast by a brutal, unidentifiable psychopath; in nearly any other movie , the blade would be in the murderer’s hands. Here, though, it’s actually swung by Erin (Sharni Vinson), You’re Next‘s final girl, which comes as almost as much of a surprise to us as to her would-be attacker. Apparently, home invasion victims aren’t as helpless as they used to be. Truthfully, people designated as…
-
G-S-T Review…The World’s End
There are buddy movies, and then there are Edgar Wright’s buddy movies. Full stop. Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright are household names. But if they somehow don’t ring any bells, then you best stop reading now, get to know a brilliant little British show called Spaced, and get back to us. We’ll wait. The above mentioned trio of premier elbow ticklers have been making us laugh, heartily and repeatedly, for more than a decade…and it has all been leating up to this. The team that gave us Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (and Spaced!) reunite to finish off their “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy”, and they do so…
-
G-S-T Review…The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
The next fantasy themed young adult adventure series coming down the pike is based on Cassandra Clare’s best selling series The Mortal Instruments. When New York City teenager Clary Fray (Lily Collins) learns that she descends from a line of warriors who protect our world from demons her world is changed forever. All too soon she gets swept up in a grand quest without even getting a chance to catch her breath as she begins running for her life. Quickly coming to grips with her family’s history, Clary learns she is a “Shadowhunter” – a line of guardians who have the blood of Angels. Their job is to safeguard the mortal…
-
G-S-T TV: Low Winter Sun (S1, Ep 2: The Goat Rodeo)
Episode 2 of AMC’s Low Winter Sun continues with the dark storyline and things are looking good for this new series. Following an unauthorized search of Mc Cann’s house by the DPD, Frank finds evidence that could have an immeasurable impact on the dynamic of his world. Elsewhere Maya and Damon find themselves rethinking their previously established plans. It takes a little time to get invested in these characters but there is no denying the charisma and acting power of Mark Strong and Lennie James who are very much carrying the show. Lennie James, as if speaking both for and to the audience, as Joe cuts to the chase and has…
-
G-S-T Review…Kick-Ass 2
On the heels of Matthew Vaughn‘s unexpectedly well-received 2010 film (we thought it was OK) comes Jeff Wadlow’s equally zany but lack-lustre sequel. From the get go, Kick-Ass 2 feels like an imitation as opposed to a follow up and the film’s unevenness only calls more attention to the absence of Vaughn. Now that’s not entirely a bad thing as Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz and their band of colorfully righteous bad-asses do keep things breezy and entertaining. But it feels stiff and phoned in as things don’t click like they should or take the story anywhere worthwhile. You can’t blame Wadlow or the crew too much – this is a property called Kick-Ass after all, it’s not Shakespeare. This sequel doesn’t…
