Category Archives: Suspense

2010, British, Bullying, Crime, Gangs, Grim, Love Story, Revenge, Sadism, Suspense, Violent

London Boulevard (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell (In Bruges) stars in this gritty crime drama as Mitchell, a recently paroled ex-con whose attempt at straight life includes taking a job as a handyman for a reclusive young starlet (Keira Knightley). Based on author Ken Bruen’s critically acclaimed novel, this adaptation marks the directorial debut of Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed).

For me this film represents Colin Farrell’s best acting yet. As a strong character who will not be bullied, even by the sociopath Gant (played by Ray Winstone). In fact the best scenes are when Gant in several attempts tries to force Colin Farrell (recently released from prison for GBH) into a life of crime and you get to watch Farrell’s facial reactions that change from something like an indifferent stare into an angry, unflinching defiance.

Keira Knightley plays a fragile actress beseiged by paparrazi. Eventually Farrell falls for her in some very tender scenes.

More than anything, Farrell protects and avenges his friends. It is this fidelity that is somewhat his undoing. Expect a surprise ending.

Violent but compelling.

2011, Drama, Drugs, Grim, Not Recommended, Nudity, Psychological Drama, Suspense, Violent, Vulgar

I Melt With You (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Old college buddies Richard (Thomas Jane), Ron (Jeremy Piven), Tim (Christian McKay) and Jonathan (Rob Lowe) get together one weekend to reminisce about their glory days. As they leave their adult responsibilities behind, they lose control, lured into a getaway of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Picking up the pieces, the men begin to question the wisdom of the choices they’ve made. Carla Gugino co-stars.

What follows is a list of the reasons why you should NOT see this really depressing film:

  • Watching 4 adult men act like drug-crazed teenagers is not a positive experience.
  • Listening to their sometimes crude talk is similarly unattractive.
  • Self-destruction is never fun to watch.
  • Finally, the secret premise underlying the story is too unrealistic to believe.

So why watch the film at all ?

  • All 4 actors do a good job. Each portrays his own personal failures quite well (and what a desperate scene it is).
  • Once the first character reaches his sad end you begin to suspect a pattern and can easily become hooked on seeing each story play out.

Do you really want to watch a depressing film ?

2010, Based on true facts, Could Be Hard To Watch, Cynical, Disturbing Image, Grim, Nudity, Police Story, Rape, Suspense, Violent

The Whistleblower (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Sent to Bosnia to train cops in the aftermath of that country’s brutal civil war, American policewoman Kathryn Bolkovac (Rachel Weisz) uncovers evidence that U.N. peacekeepers are complicit in a flourishing sex-trafficking trade. But when she brings her allegations to light, she discovers that her foes are more powerful than the law. Based on a true story, this thriller from director Larysa Kondracki co-stars Monica Bellucci and David Strathairn.

Probably one of the harshest films I have watched recently, I was tempted to stop watching several times. But the cynical engagement in sex trafficking sponsored by UN peace keepers was so unnerving that I had to see some resolution at least in the case of Kathryn Bolkovac. Although Bolkovac got some satisfaction for her heroic efforts, no one would ever hire her again and the practice of sex trafficking still flourishes (and probably always will).

Be prepared for some brutal treatment by the peacekeepers of these women (rape, murder, etc).

As an artistic endeavor the film is so-so. But the events are riveting.

2011, Car Chase, Crime, Grim, Love Story, Occasional gore, Revenge, Suspense, Violent

Drive (2011)

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From NetFlix:

A Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver is lured from his isolated life by a lovely neighbor and her young son. His newfound peace is shattered, however, when her violent husband is released from prison.

Perhaps they should rename this film to “Ryan Gosling Drives” because the entire film really belongs to Gosling. Sometimes I criticize actors who capitalize on the silent type. How much acting talent does it take to just say nothing? In this case it works, Gosling mostly stares and it fits his character. Unfortunately his character is also one of those omnipotent tough guys who wins every physical fight and easily shoots his way out of every jam. Just suspend disbelief and watch the violence, because the violence is constant, extreme, and graphic.

Somehow I cannot buy the last scene where our “hero” survives (or does he?). You might want to read the Wikipedia article which praises the film but still does not make the ending any more believable.

Carey Mulligan, who played Kathy in “Never Let Me Go”, is just plain cute. This is one film in which oddly enough the two sad star crossed lovers never really get together because our “hero” is an omnipotent (albeit crooked and violent) man of honor.

Forget the cynical remarks because, in fact, I was glued to my seat throughout.

2011, Clever Plot, Crime, Detective, Love Story, Mystery Film, Plot Twist, Psychological Thriller, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suspense

Faces in the Crowd (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Milla Jovovich stars in this thriller about a woman who suffers from “face-blindness,” the inability to remember people’s faces. With the serial killer who caused her condition still on the loose, the woman lives in fear of his return.

While not exactly A-material, I don’t remember ever having seen a suspense whodunnit with this particular very original theme of “face-blindness”. Acting is not bad. There are unexpected surprises in addition to discovering the serial killer. Keep in mind that she cannot recognize people by their faces including the killer.

Somewhat hokey was the psychiatrist who hypnotizes her. That old movie solution seems by now a bit worn out.

Coincidentally while watching this film whose “gimmick” is facial recognition I kept staring at the police detective thinking I had seen him before. Sure enough, Sam Kerrest is played by Julian McMahon who was one of the plastic surgeons in “Nip/Tuck”. In those days he was a mere 35 years old (his partner was Dylan Walsh who is currently playing in the TV series “Unforgettable”). So I am seeing a heavy-set man with a paunch and a heavy mustache and it eventually hits me that here is Julian McMahon now age 43. My but what 8 years can do to a person. Perhaps I better get to the gym.

Not to titillate, but there are sex scenes including a succession in which her partner hovering over her has a different face each time she looks.

Not at all a waste of time!

2010, DO NOT MISS, Suspense, Violent

The Debt (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Rachel Singer (Helen Mirren) is a former Mossad intelligence agent forced to relive her 1965 pursuit of a notorious Nazi war criminal when the bold and dangerous fugitive is thought to have reemerged 30 years later in the Ukraine. Director John Madden’s redo of Assaf Bernstein’s 2007 Israeli suspense piece also features Jessica Chastain as the young Rachel Singer, along with Sam Worthington, Tom Wilkinson and Ciarán Hinds.

For this well-made thriller I have the highest praise. All the acting is wonderful.

At first the beginning scenes may not make sense. But later on in the film those same scenes are replayed (at one point with a huge surprise) and make perfect sense.

Sam Worthington was the lead character Jake Sully in Avatar (2009). He is also Perseus in “Clash of the Titans”.

Both Jessica Chastain and Sam Worthington star together in the 2011 “Texas Killing Fields”.

DO NOT MISS “THE DEBT”!

2009, British Mystery Series, Could Be Hard To Watch, Dark, Detective, Disturbing Image, Drama, Grim, Gritty, Made For TV, Occasional gore, Police Story, Sadism, Serial Killer, Suspense

Whitechapel (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Historic horror meets modern investigative methods in this atmospheric crime series set in 2008. When a killer mimics the murders of Jack the Ripper, a team of detectives and a tour guide join forces to bring the copycat to justice.

UPDATE IN DEC 2014:

You may now stream all three seasons (3 episodes per season) from Amazon provided you purchased Amazon Prime (which has many benefits). Each season solves one crime. Each season is gory and you should read the following which is an old review just to be fully warned.

OLD REVIEW:

As an ardent fan of MI-5 (having watched 38 episodes), I first saw Rupert Penry-Jones as the character Adam. Using IMDB I found that he also appeared in a British TV series “Whitechapel” of which only one season is available from NetFlix.

Be forewarned that this excellent series (all on one disc) is gory, as in “Jack the Ripper” because the search is on for a serial killer trying to exactly duplicate the crimes of the original Ripper.

Penry-Jones plays DI Joseph Chandler who is an upper-class Brit who has been groomed to quickly climb the police hierarchy. But first he must prove himself by catching the maniac before more deaths occur. He is resented by the rank and file under his command, especially DS Miles played by Philip Davis. Philip Davis is one of those secondary actors whom you have probably seen many times. Most notable for me is his role as the husband of “Vera Drake”, another worthwhile British film. This conflict among the policemen is actually the most important theme in the series and its resolution is very satisfying.

Wonderful acting, but not for the squeamish.

2011, Corny, Drugs, Mayhem, Occasional gore, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Trains, Violent

Super 8 (2011)

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From NetFlix:

With a nod toward producer Steven Spielberg’s landmark sci-fi films of the 1970s and ’80s, writer-director J.J. Abrams crafts a supernatural tale about six kids who witness something incredible while shooting a movie with their Super 8 camera.

After watching for awhile, I was sure this was a Steven Spielberg film because it had all the hallmarks: simplistic, bit maudlin, and a final shot of a space ship leaving earth. In fact it was produced by Steven Spielberg.

Intertwined with the alien thread are family problems in two tragically related families whose kids become friends as the film develops. Abrams gets the funny middle school dialogs and quips just right (like raving about the food at a wake).

Oddly enough the villain in the film is the actor Noah Emmerich who played Dr. Edwin Jenner in the “Walking Dead” TV series which was recently reviewed.

Warning: the film could frighten a small child. There is much mayhem, destruction, and the scary alien eats people.

This kids’ yarn might just hold your attention.

2010, Acceptable Trash, Bullying, Dark, Disturbing Image, Drama, Grim, Horror, Made For TV, Occasional gore, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Zombies

The Walking Dead (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes awakens from a coma to discover the world plagued by zombies and small bands of human survivors forced into small, fiercely protective groups. Falling back on his old job, Rick sets out to lead mankind out of darkness.

While giving blood samples (coincidence ?) at my yearly physical I got to talking with the medical assistant about TV series. We both liked “True Blood” and “Six Feet Under” and “Dexter” which prompted her to suggest “The Walking Dead”. Zombies? You have to be kidding!

Believe it or not, despite the proliferation of zombies, the writing and acting and plot line are all well done. Expect a lot of suspense and, of course, gore. But it is the human interaction that makes the series worth watching. Who’d a thunk it!

2005, Grim, Mayhem, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Violent

War of the Worlds (2005)

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From NetFlix:

In this loose adaptation of H.G. Wells’s novel about alien invasion, Tom Cruise stars as Ray, a divorced dockworker whose children (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) are staying with him for the weekend when a fleet of spaceships carrying tripod creatures appears in his neighborhood. Forced to become the protective father he’s never been, Ray scrambles to usher his kids to safety, as the invasion escalates around them. Steven Spielberg directs.

As far as I can tell, the only reason to watch this remake of the 1953 film version is for the visual effects. Spielberg spent $132 million dollars to make this film. If the cost of films interests you, have a look at Movie Budgets. At least the industry provides jobs.

How the film ends is a foregone conclusion because we have all probably seen the 1953 version. Personal details have been updated: neglectful father gets to redeem himself. But I found it difficult to swallow the fact that the son makes it back to seemingly unscathed Boston on his own. And why do all these alien creatures seem to look alike from film to film?

Dakota Fanning was 11 years old during the filming. How long can she continue to be a child star?

Nonetheless, I was glued to my seat and somewhat of a wreck when the film ended. Are you ready?