Weekly Round-Up (5/5/13 - 5/12/13)

We Need to Talk About Kevin (Lynne Ramsay) ***1/2 - I'm surprised how much I love this film. Well, I guess I shouldn't since Lynne Ramsay is one of the most interesting, compelling filmmakers working today. The subject matter of the film, about the mother of a teenaged boy who go on a mass killing spree in his school, kept me away from it in a long while. The film, beautifully shot by Seamus McGarvey, is far less sensationalistic than its apparente subject matter suggests. It's introspective, haunting and lyrical but also filled with tension and horror(thanks to the non-linear structure). Great performances by Tilda Swinton and Ezra Miller (one of the best young actors out there today).

Charulata (Satyajit Ray) ***1/2 - A lonely housewife whose husband is a busy newspaper publisher finds love and inspiration with her husband's cousin. Though not my favorite of Satyajit Ray's films, this film still has many earmarks of his greatness. Not the least of which are the great performances of the cast that gives fresh life into the love triangle/adultery story. The ending, in particular, is beautiful and haunting.

Evil Dead (Fede Alvarez) ***- I'll say it off the top: I consider myself an Evil Dead fan. I love the original trilogy. So I was extremely suspicious and skeptical of a remake. That being said, I have to say that I really enjoyed this remake. Sure, it offers very little surprises. Sure, the bigger budget allows for a more slicker special effects and gore but part of the charm (the horror movie definition of "charm") of the original was its low-budget aesthetic. But goshdarnit, I'd be lying if I didn't say I didn't have a good time. Fede Alvarez very wisely did not try to be the original and instead simply paid tribute to it taking advantage of the bigger budget and contemporary sensibilities. It offers up an enjoyable old-fashioned horror splatter film that's gruesomely entertaining. It's also also an impeccably crafted film. Someone give Alvarez money to do something original, stat.