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Drama

12 Feet Deep: The Makers Managed To Capture The Whole In A Brilliant Way

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Are you dense? Everyone’s left.
The pool’s closed for the holiday weekend.
We’re stuck in here. We’re gonna die in here.

I hope this isn’t going to be a new trend, otherwise more movies of this type will appear in the future. Like, “For a Few Degrees More.” with a blonde vamp trapped in a sauna complex with a malfunctioning thermostat and the possibility that her silicone implants might implode. Or “Once upon a time … a Hand in a Hole.” with a male couple at a mini-golf course where one of them gets stuck with his hand in a hole, while trying to recover his golf ball, right before closing. Let’s hope that’s not going to happen. “12 Feet deep” is about two sisters who, how on earth is it possible, get stuck under the fiberglass cover of a public swimming pool. And the culprit is a ring that got stuck in a metal grate. Who comes up with this? And I’m still wondering how they could see that little piece of jewelry from so far !!! ??

 

12 Feet Deep

 

Women and water.

Women and water. Apparently not a good combination. Just look at the films “The Shallows” and “47 Meters down“. In the first movie, Nancy ends up on a piece of rock together with a seagull while surfing. And of course, an immense shark is looking at her exposed skin with googly eyes. In “47 Meters down” the sisters Kate and Lisa are trapped in a shark cage while a lot of sharks already see them as a juicy lunch. In “12 Feet Deep” there are no sharks this time, but once again two sisters, Bree (Nora-Jane Noone) and Jonna (Alexandra Park). And now it doesn’t take place in an exotic ocean but in a standard public swimming pool. And that ‘s also the only location that you are going to see the entire film. Plus a lot of water.

 

12 Feet Deep

 

Is “12 Feet Deep” kind of a bore?

I myself am not exactly a fan of swimming pools. I, therefore, assumed that the makers of this film came up with something surprising so it would keep my attention. To be honest, I was already thinking it was going to be boring. On the one hand, it is. Certainly when you see one of the sisters floating around the pool for the umpteenth time looking for a way out. On the other hand, aspects were added that made it interesting anyway. First of all, there is a dispute between the two sisters because of a dark incident in their past that left scars. Both literally and figuratively. And then there’s a cleaning lady whose intentions aren’t exactly to help the two unlucky souls. These two factors ensure that the film, although minimal, became more intense.

 

12 Feet Deep

 

Does Jigsaw have anything to do with it?

Tobin Bell appearing in this film was a funny item. Here he was assigned the task of managing the swimming pool. A less sinister role as Jigsaw in the “Saw” franchise of course. But for a moment it seemed like he had this demonic expression on his face as he looked over the surface of the water. I wondered if the phrase “Hello, I want to play a game” crossed his mind before he hurried home. However, his contribution is limited. So there’s not only the limitation of the number of locations but also that of the number of protagonists who carry the entire film.

 

12 Feet Deep

 

Less horror, more drama.

Still, the makers managed to capture the whole in a brilliant way and to create a claustrophobic feeling. A camera that floats constantly between the water surface and the fiberglass cover. A limited breathing space where you see the two sisters staring helplessly at each other, realizing they have ended up in a very awkward, life-threatening situation. When it turns out that one of the two sisters is also a diabetic who urgently needs an injection of insulin, it becomes a fight for life and death. “12 Feet Deep” was given the label horror and thriller. But I don’t think it’s a horror per se. Or you’re terrified of water or confined spaces. And the movie didn’t really fascinate me either. Maybe swimming instructors or professional divers find this fascinating. If they had come up with an ending like in “Let the right one in“, it might have been an adrenaline-raising movie. I’m sure that for those who have actually experienced this (because apparently the film is based on true facts), it was intense and horrifying.

 

My rating 4/10
Links: IMDB

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Drama

The Zone Of Interest Is A Bleak Reminder of the Horrors of Holocaust

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Zone of Interest [credit: A24]

The Zone of Interest is Jonathan Glazer’s latest feature loosely based on Martin Amis’ novel of the same name. It stars Christian Friedel and Sandra Huller in the lead roles. The German-language feature was a major breakout from the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where it also won the Grand Prix award. It is based around one of the darkest chapters in human history and serves as an important reminder of how brutal and evil humans are capable of being.

Glazer is known for having carefully crafted frames with plenty of nuances which is the case here as well. He intricately designs each and every scene for maximum impact. Before we enter the first scene, the screen fades to black with a chilling score in the background that sets the viewer up for everything they are about to witness. Black is also the colour of evil which hints at what aspects of human nature this story will explore. The cinematography is also top-notch. The use of natural lighting works really well to complement the setting of a warm family atmosphere. Also, there are a few moments where the visual style changes and those scenes are thoughtfully captured as well.

Zone of Interest [credit: A24]

Christian Friedel and Sandra Huller are both fantastic in their roles. Friedel is absolutely convincing as Rudolph Hoss, the commander of the Auschwitz concentration camps, and Huller plays his wife Hedwig, who steals a lot of scenes with her emotional range. The editing is also careful and patient. Each scene gets time to breathe and settle properly resulting in a lot of extended scenes of the daily life of the family. The background music is minimal, but whenever it kicks in, it makes sure to elevate the scenes with creepy and ominous sounds.

The plot may seem basic and simple on the surface level, but we gradually see the layers unfold as the narrative moves forward. The story gets darker and darker with time and can be utterly shocking and horrifying at times, especially in the third act. It is no doubt a slow burn In terms of its pacing and takes its own time to set things up and we keep getting to see more sides of the characters in the second half of the movie. 

Zone of Interest [credit: A24]

 

It is utterly shocking how a family man who reads his children bedtime stories and loves his wife wholeheartedly can do the things that Rudolph Hoss does. But that level of brutality and faithfulness to reality is among its biggest strengths. The movie doesn’t have too many weak aspects, but it is slow and takes a while to get going. Also, it will turn out to be difficult to follow or comprehend for general audiences and it might be difficult to follow for some. It demands patience and attention.

The Zone of Interest is a kind of movie that subtly and slowly horrifies you with its brutal and harrowing storytelling. Jonathan Glazer is at the top of his game. The lead performances are top notch and the conclusion leaves a heavy impact on the viewer. It won’t work for everyone, but will certainly find the appreciation it deserves.

The Zone of Interest will release in cinemas on December 8.

 

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Drama

‘Past Lives’ Review: A Transcendent Cinematic Journey

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Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in a still from 'Past Lives' (A24)

Hollywood has a knack for producing extraordinary movies year after year, but there comes a time when the industry exceeds all expectations with a gem of a movie like ‘Past Lives.’ A mesmerizing film directed by the talented Celine Song takes audiences on an unparalleled journey of self-discovery and the exploration of our interconnectedness through time. This thought-provoking movie connects various lives, blurring the boundaries of reality and immersing viewers in a transcendental tale.

The romantic drama showcases Song’s remarkable storytelling ability, presenting a narrative that delicately balances emotion and intellect. ‘Past Lives’ starts with Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), Nora (Greta Lee), and Arthur (John Magaro) sitting at a bar. An unseen couple watches and tries to guess their relationship. We are taken back in time and get all the vital details about the relationship they have been sharing throughout various parts of their lives. One of the best aspects of the movie is how Son interconnects the lives of diverse characters across different periods and unveils the secrets that bind them together. The film’s nonlinear structure allows for a gripping exploration of multiple storylines, ensuring an engaging and enthralling experience.

Greta Lee in a still from ‘Past Lives’ (A24)

Visually, ‘Past Lives’ is an absolute feast for the eyes. The poignant visuals heighten the emotional resonance of the narrative, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer. Accompanying the stunning visuals and sound design is an enchanting score that perfectly complements the film’s ethereal quality. Beyond its visual and musical splendor, the movie invites viewers to contemplate profound themes and philosophical questions. The film raises thought-provoking inquiries about the nature of existence, the way people’s lives are connected, and the impact of our actions across time. The script forces the moviegoers to reflect on the concept of destiny, choices, and the ripple effects they create.

Furthermore, the performances in ‘Past Lives’ are nothing short of extraordinary. The ensemble cast, led by seasoned actors, delivers nuanced and heartfelt portrayals, breathing life into their respective characters. Greta Lee is enchanting as Nora and delivers a performance that is undoubtedly going to give her all the buzz during the awards season. Meanwhile, Teo Yoo is just as brilliant. The talent on display evokes genuine empathy, enhancing the overall experience.

A still from ‘Past Lives’ (A24)

Even though the awards season is far away from where we are, we have already got a strong contender for Best Picture and top acting categories in the form of ‘Past Lives.’ It is quite rare these days to see a romantic story that provides such an immersive experience and we are glad that Celine Song’s film has given us a movie that makes us wonder why such romantic movies are not made anymore.

‘Past Lives’ is a modern masterpiece.

 

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Comedy

A Kind of Kidnapping – Dark Comedy with Politics

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Written and directed by Dan Clark, this fairly star studded independent film follows a young couple who are stuck in a financial situation, and decide to kidnap a sleazy conservative politician in order to receive a ransom, that will allow them to escape their static lives.

Patrick Baladi (The Office) plays Hardy our creepy politician, Kelly Wenham (Double Date) plays Maggie, a complex woman who seemingly is always drawn to the “bad boy”, Jack Parry-Jones (The Crown) plays Brian our voice of reason within all of this, or is he?

A Kind of Kidnapping [2023]

The character development is well written and allows the space for character arcs, unlike a lot of small films, where there isn’t that room in the script. The three main leads feel very grounded and familiar, everyone knows someone like this in their life or perhaps public figures in the media.

The performances of the main three lead actors are great, if it wasn’t for them, I don’t think this film would work as well. Alongside the strong performances, the editing of the film helped to navigate this non-linear plot and allowed the film to peel aways the layers of backstory which all helped to create a stronger character driven piece.

A Kind of Kidnapping [2023]

As the film was nearing the final act,  it felt as though it was dragging a little. Dan Clark mentioned in the Q&A after the screening how this was a short film before and I can definitely see how it could work in a confined setting really well. Maybe there was a bit of padding in second to third act to reach that feautre length requirement that didn’t aid certain character moments.

If you want to hear my full thoughts, the best thing to do is check out my review over on YouTube and let me know your thoughts in the comments. 

When independent film is fighting for its life, A Kind of Kidnapping is the light in the dark. This is one of the better British produced indie films I’ve seen in a long time. 

A Kind of Kidnapping is out on digital on 24th July on iTunes, Amazon, Google and Sky.

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the [series/movie/etc] being covered here wouldn’t exist.

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