Kind of a busy day, so it's a good thing that nobody responded to day 7's question about whether a review or more thorough summary in these recommendations was desired... if it is, I'll begin to include one [or both], of course. For now, however, it's on with another slightly obscure flick that may very well be worth a watch. The hit man genre, if there even is such a thing, has recently gotten a shot in the arm thanks to the JOHN WICK films [tho' I still prefer THE PROFESSIONAL and GROSSE POINTE BLANK], but today's recommendation carves out its own spot in that niche. So, today's pick comes from our cousins across the pond - KILL LIST. If you're inclined, the trailer is below:
The plot is relatively basic on its face - paid killer gets an offer he can't refuse - but it's in the execution [pun most definitely intended] that this film earns a spot on the list. I suppose it isn't so much a horror film as a psychological thriller, but it does get horrific... on that note, I'll say only one thing and then no more: watch out for the hunchback.
Ben Wheatley directed this one, as well as the recent FREE FIRE, a film with an interesting premise, but which kinda misfired [yep, pun intended... again]. This one really doesn't.
A random aside: someone here posted a list of all the war films they'd seen [in a spreadsheet kind of format] and on that list was a flick for which Wheatley was an executive producer, titled TANK 432. Avoid that one... there are lots of films set in the crucible of combat that are effectively horrific either through the depiction of violence [i.e. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN], their telling of the story [i.e. COME AND SEE], or just straight up pursuing the horror angle [the very underrated DEATHWATCH comes to mind (the one with Jamie Bell and Andy Serkis (yes, Smeagol himself), not the one with Leonard Nimoy)]. If you happened to like TANK 432, however, allow me to recommend OUTPOST. Not a terrible flick, and it does a good enough job despite having such low production value. I wonder how many films would have been a good deal better with only a slightly more generous budget.
Anyway, enough random suggestions... if you're keen to see a film that has an ending that will stick with you for a while, then this one comes highly recommended. Enjoy!
The plot is relatively basic on its face - paid killer gets an offer he can't refuse - but it's in the execution [pun most definitely intended] that this film earns a spot on the list. I suppose it isn't so much a horror film as a psychological thriller, but it does get horrific... on that note, I'll say only one thing and then no more: watch out for the hunchback.
Ben Wheatley directed this one, as well as the recent FREE FIRE, a film with an interesting premise, but which kinda misfired [yep, pun intended... again]. This one really doesn't.
A random aside: someone here posted a list of all the war films they'd seen [in a spreadsheet kind of format] and on that list was a flick for which Wheatley was an executive producer, titled TANK 432. Avoid that one... there are lots of films set in the crucible of combat that are effectively horrific either through the depiction of violence [i.e. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN], their telling of the story [i.e. COME AND SEE], or just straight up pursuing the horror angle [the very underrated DEATHWATCH comes to mind (the one with Jamie Bell and Andy Serkis (yes, Smeagol himself), not the one with Leonard Nimoy)]. If you happened to like TANK 432, however, allow me to recommend OUTPOST. Not a terrible flick, and it does a good enough job despite having such low production value. I wonder how many films would have been a good deal better with only a slightly more generous budget.
Anyway, enough random suggestions... if you're keen to see a film that has an ending that will stick with you for a while, then this one comes highly recommended. Enjoy!
