Session 9 is set in abandoned mental institution and follows an asbestos cleanup crew as members of the team descend in to madness.
This is one of the best sleeper films of the past decade. It really epitomized just how effective slow burn can be when its done right. The payoff at the end is epic. The atmosphere is creepy. The way that the tension mounts throughout the film is pitch perfect. The performances are well acted, even chronic over actor David Caruso (CSI: Miami) turned in a believable performance.
Its nearly impossible to find fault with this film which put director Brad Anderson (The Machinist) on the genre map.
A young woman who was badly tortured in her childhood finds herself the victim of a different kind of abuse 15 years later.
Wow. You are in for a ride with Martyrs.
One of the only films Ive seen, in recent years that really surprised me. It threw me for a major loop the first time I watched it. There is nothing about this film that is predictable. It is as surreal as they come. The ending kind of blew my mind. Director, Pascal Laugier (The Tall Man) has yet to top this film and really, doing so would be a tall order. Martyrs is one of the most delightfully bizarre films Ive seen. Ever.
Excision turned up on a number of “Best of 2012” lists and with good reason.
Richard Bates Jr.s film based on his short of the same name is surprisingly his feature film directorial debut. Pauline, a teenage outcast, comes to grips with her sexuality and dreams of a future in medicine, all whilst engaging in a series of sexual fantasies involving bloodshed and brutality. AnnaLynne McCord was phenomenal as Pauline. And, Traci Lords turned in one of the best performances of her career as Paulines mother, Phyllis.
In spite of winning accolades from the journalistic community and receiving several awards on the festival circuit, Excision remains overlooked by mainstream audiences. If you have yet to see it, you absolutely must. It is fantastic.
