Cargo (2017)

Written by Jennifer Manriquez, Editor-In-Chief, Paddy Jack Press

I watched this film on a whim, only because I love Martin Freeman and I'll watch almost anything with zombies in it. I didn't expect much. I hadn't heard of it. With a shrug and sigh I started it up and, by the end of the thing, I was crying my eyes out, completely emotionally devastated, and yet somehow weirdly comforted - totally drained of energy, but in a strangely good mood. I don't know how to explain it. Very few films can do this to me. This one is a rare gem in a valley of celluloid boulders.

Cargo is still new, so I'm not going to talk about the story at all. I want you to unpack and experience it for yourself. I'm only going to tell you that the acting is phenomenal, the scenery both breathtaking and frightening, the story simple yet superb, and the practical effects impressive.  

I referred to Cargo on Twitter as a "zombie-ish" movie, because while there are zombies and the plague that has swept Australia is what drives the plot forward, the zombies are really just backdrops to a much more personal story. I don't think it's correct to refer to this simply as a zombie film. It's much more emotionally driven, with characters you get to know fairly intimately as human beings, and that you can't help but to care about. Because they could be you. They are real, not superhuman, not bad ass zombie killers, not heroes. Just ordinary people. And that's what makes Cargo stand out. Nobody in it is particularly special. Everyone is either trying to survive, or they're tired and they're giving up. And that's it. 

Cargo is based on a short film by the same title and from the same writers. The short film is equally impressive. I do not, however, recommend that you watch the short before you see the feature-length film. I know it came first, but trust me on this. If you watch the short first, it might spoil the feature for you. Watch it after. You'll be glad you went into the feature film knowing nothing. 

So, when you're ready, here's the short...

In conclusion, I was so moved by this film that I'm still thinking about it days after watching it. It's a testament to human bravery, steadfastness, survival, hope, and love. I highly recommend it to everyone. Don't forget the hankies! You're definitely going to need them.

A Cure For Wellness (2016)

Written by Jennifer Manriquez, Editor-In-Chief, Paddy Jack Press

Guys, I liked it. I know a lot of people didn't. And I generally H-A-T-E body horror, but this body horror was tolerable, the setting was kind of Giallo-gothic, and I'm a Dane DeHaan fan. So, what's not to like? Let's get into it, shall we?

Dane DeHaan plays lead character, Lockhart, who is sent to a sanatorium in the Swiss Alps on a quest to retrieve a colleague who has inexplicably decided to spend the rest of his life there. They are stock brokers or financiers or some-such that I can't even force myself to care about. During all the shop talk I kept thinking, "just get to the guts of the story already!" Douchebags discussing douchery does not interest me - in fact, it makes me feel dirty, like maybe I need to douche. Luckily, the douchbaggery bit doesn't last too long and our hero is soon on his way to the land of Swiss cheese and Swiss chocolate! (Great, now I'm hungry...)

I won't recount all of the minor details here, but I will say that it doesn't take our boy Lockhart long to figure out that something's amiss at the sanitorium.

Speaking of the sanatorium, the whole Swiss vibe reminded me of Dario Argento's Phenomena. There are a few shots of a train crackling through the wilderness and some beautiful frames on the Alps. Gorgeous! And, yet somehow haunting. It's wide open, yet serves to make the viewer feel claustrophobic and alone, which hearkens to how Argento so masterfully accomplished it. Wellness is missing the Goblin soundtrack and the tourist yelling for help, but you get the idea. The setting puts you in the middle of a beautiful nowhere and there is nobody around for miles to help you. Enjoy the view!





And, just for fun, here's the opening scene of Argento's Phenomena, for your reference files and viewing pleasure. (P.S. Fun fact! The girl in this scene is Dario Argento's daughter, Fiore Argento.)



Beautiful and haunting setting aside, the story moves along at a decent pace, with the introduction of villains, allies, and worms at the right times. It's all very mysterious and I never found myself wanting to stop the movie and just see what happens on the internet. I felt compelled to let it unfold.

There's a girl, there's a boy, there's some weirdness going on. I don't need to get into every detail, but I liked the story, even if it did become a hair predictable at times, and I thought the acting and the effects were great. Like I said before, I am not a fan of body horror and there are some teeth things in this movie, along with some mouth and throat things, maybe some eyeball stuff, maybe not. I don't want to spoil! So, two of those things is true and one isn't. I'll let you find out for yourself.

There's a very claustrophobic water tank scene that had me holding my breath as well!



The whole scene in the tank was very involved and took ten days to shoot. The experience sounds utterly terrifying to me, so hats off to DeHaan for going through with it. I hope his paycheck reflects his fortitude. You can read about the making of this scene and a couple of others from the film here: http://www.vulture.com/2017/02/how-a-cure-for-wellness-pulled-off-its-creepiest-scenes.html

It's difficult not to go into spoiler territory, because there are some specific scenes near the end of the film that I really need to discuss with fellow horror fans over coffee, but alas the movie isn't old enough that I feel like I can go whole hog with the ending. Let me just say that it's weird and gross, but also not exactly what I was expecting and therefore provided a pleasant, albeit cringe-worthy, surprise.

In conclusion, I enjoyed it. I think you will too. Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you think!

Oh, before I go, on July 13th, legendary horror host Joe Bob Briggs will be treating Shudder viewers to a 24-hour movie marathon, complete with Joe Bob's cuts chock full of info and commentary. There's no way I'll be able to watch the entire 24 hour run, but I'm sure gonna try! My sincere hope is that Shudder will make a Joe Bob Briggs channel and allow us to watch the films at a later date with his cuts inserted. Please do this for me, Shudder. No, not for me. For US!!! Here's the ad that's been making it's way around the Twitters.