Elge's Movie Recommendations

The Game (1997)
Rated R for language, and for some violence and sexuality.


"Players Wanted"

The Plot
The Game is an intricately-woven tale by famed Se7en-director David Fincher about a man, Nicholas Van Orton, subjected to a real-life "game" given to him by his brother, Conrad, as a gift for his 48th birthday. The game encompasses everything in Nicholas' life; it manipulates his business, his home, and his closest friends. Soon, the very world around Nicholas seems to fall to pieces as the fabrication unravels into something much more sinister.

Starring
Michael Douglas
Sean Penn
Armin Mueller-Stahl
Deborah Kara Unger
James Rebhorn
Peter Donat

Why You Should See This Movie
If you enjoy the movies of David Lynch or David Cronenberg, but find the overly-stylized and highly-esoteric presentations off putting, then The Game may be for you. This is a raw, visceral story of paranoia, desperation, and hopelessness. With a superb performance by Michael Douglass as the victimized Nicholas, the movie flows seamlessly from beginning to end without a moment of aimlessness.

Fun Fact: David Fincher claimed in an interview in UK film magazine Empire, that there is a can of haggis in every scene of the movie. This was done as a joke, because "Haggis" is the nickname of cinematographer Harris Savides.

Score
8.5/10

The Machinist (2004)
Rated R for violence and disturbing images, sexuality and language.


"How do you wake up from a nightmare, when you're not asleep?"

The Plot
Paranoid insomniac Trevor Reznik finds himself tormented by his own sanity when he stats to question the validity of things in his every day life. Haunted by fleeting, distant memories of the past, and beginning to hallucinate a co-worker that leads him further down the rabbit hole, the only thing keeping Trevor in touch with reality are vague post-it notes left on his refrigerator, scribbled with a game of hang man and six blank spaces.

Starring
Christian Bale
Jennifer Jason Leigh
John Sharian
Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
Michael Ironside

Why You Should See This Movie
Before Christian Bale donned the Bat-suit, he played the guilt-ridden and sickeningly thin Trevor Reznik in this cleverly written tale about a man on the edge. Perhaps one of his lesser known roles, the film saw a limited theater release in the US in the fall of 2004, but is often regarded as one of his most prominent features, among the likes of American Psycho.

Fun Fact: Christian Bale starved himself for over four months prior to filming, as his character needed to look drastically thin. Allegedly his eating consisted of one cup of coffee and an apple (or a can of tuna) each day (approximately 275 calories). According to the DVD commentary, he lost 62 pounds (28 kg), reducing his body weight to 120 pounds (54.4 kg). Bale wanted to go down to 100 pounds (45.3 kg) but the filmmakers would not let him due to health concerns. He later regained the weight, plus an additional 40 pounds (18 kg) due to weightlifting, and proper eating, in preparation for his role in Batman Begins.

Score
8.0/10

REC (2007)
Rated R for bloody violence and language.


"Whatever you do...never stop recording."

The Plot
Spanish late-night television host Angela Vidal is on location at the local Barcelona Fire Department taping a segment for her program, "While You're Asleep," when the station receives a call regarding a woman trapped in her apartment. As Angela and her cameraman, Pablo, arrive on the scene with the Firemen, the domestic disturbance quickly escalates into a panic as the police force barricades the building, preventing anyone from getting in, and everyone from getting out.

Starring
Manuela Velasco
Javier Botet
Manuel Bronchud
Martha Carbonell
Claudia Font
Vicente Gil

Why You Should See This Movie
REC is a spanish film that was recently remade by Hollywood entitled "Quarantine;" the remake was quite literally a shot-for-shot translation of the original, but lacked the chemistry that REC-lead actress Manuela Velasco, playing the brilliant Angela, and her cameraman Pablo, conveniently played by Pablo Rosso, had throughout the film. The movie is shot entirely in the first-person shaky cam perspective a la Blair Bitch Project, putting the viewer directly at the forefront of the terror that condemns this building.

Fun Fact: Made and shot in real locations. No sets were built to make this movie.

Score
9.5/10

Videodrome (1983)
Rated R: See list for full content guide

"Long live the new flesh."

The Plot
Max Renn, president of the sleazy Toronto-based CIVIC-TV station - a network that specializes in sensationalistic programming - is growing jaded with his current tame, mundane lineup of softcore pornogrophy and longs to deliver a product that will shock audiences on a new level. When he discovers a late-night program known as "Videodrome," his dreams seem to finally be realized, as the network broadcasts violent and barbaric torture that appear all too real. When Max's girlfriend, Nicki Brand, auditions for a part in the show, Max's world is suddenly overwhelmed by something that delves deeper than a mere television program.

Starring
James Woods
Debbie Harry
Sonja Smits
Peter Dvorsky
Leslie Carlson
Jack Creley

Why You Should See This Movie
I believe any person who calls themselves a fan of film must at least see one David Cronenberg movie, and one David Lynch movie. Both men have a fine repertoire of absurdest, highly-dramatized, and surreal films to their credit, but I chose this one for Cronenberg because it sits on a whole new, uncharted level of abnormal. The very concept of such a television program as "Videodrome" is not so far-fetched, but it's the conspiracy that follows and the madness that engulfs Max Renn's life, played by James Woods, that makes this film such a strangely attractive hour and a half of eerie entertainment.

Fun Fact: Andy Warhol called the movie the "A Clockwork Orange of the 1980s".

Score
9.0/10

Dead Again (1991)
Rated R: See list for full content guide.


"How many times can you die for love?"

The Plot
Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in this psychological thriller/neo-noir about Los Angeles Private Detective, Mike Church, who takes interest in the case of a mysterious woman known as Grace. Suffering from amnesia, and with no memories to call her own, Grace is plagued by constant nightmares of the heinous murder of famous pianist Margaret Strauss by her husband Roman, a crime that took place nearly 50 years ago. When Detective Church decides to bring Grace to see a hypnotist, the memories of her past begin to unwind the mystery surrounding the murder.

Starring
Kenneth Branagh
Andy Garcia
Emma Thompson
Lois Hall
Richard Easton
Jo Anderson
Derek Jacobi
Robin Williams

Why You Should See This Movie
Kenneth Branagh is widely known for his adaptations of Shakespeare plays, including Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, Henry V, and Twelfth Night. This film is one of Branagh's earliest directorial achievements, but shines just as bright as his Shakespearean work. Dead Again is a taught, well-acted thriller about love, destiny, and reincarnation. Don't let Robin Williams' role in this film fool you - it is not a comedy.

Fun Fact: The 1999 album by progressive metal band Dream Theater entitled Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory is loosely based on the plot of this movie, revolving around the relationship of Detective Church and Grace and the parallels between Roman and Margaret Strauss.

Score
8.0/10

Dog Soldiers (2002)
Rated Rated R for strong violence/gore and language.


"Six soldiers. Full moon. No chance."

The Plot
Before writer/director Neil Marshall gave us the heart-pounding claustrophobic thriller The Descent in 2005, he was tapping in to the mythology of Scottish folklore. Six soldiers are dropped into the Scottish wilderness for a routine exorcise when they discover the ravaged and bloodied remains of a Special Ops group on the same mission. Soon, the soldiers must put their combat skills to the test against a band of savage and ruthless warriors that once only existed in fairy tales.

Starring
Sean Pertwee
Kevin McKidd
Liam Cunningham

Why You Should See This Movie
Dog Soldiers is an excellent example of how to use the rich mythology of Werewolves to provide an exciting and thrilling movie. Combined with superb performances all around and the suspense and anticipation of the unknown, this movie is a wonderful addition to the horror genre.

Fun Fact: There is very little CGI used in the movie because the people involved in the filming believed that CGI was being over-used at the time and that it would take viewers out of the movie because they would be focused on how the special effects looked rather than the story, thus the werewolves are animatronics and body suits with stilts.



Funny Games US (2007)
Rated R for terror, violence and some language.


"Shall we begin?"

The Plot
Husband and Wife George and Ann, and their son Georgie, have returned to their lake house for the summer. When Ann receives two visitors at her doorstep, claiming themselves to be friends of their neighbor, Ann invites them in and obliges their request to borrow some eggs. A simple act of courtesy begins the perpetual torment of this family as the two men conduct cruel and unusual punishment while placing a bet that the family will not be alive by 9AM the following morning.

Starring
Naomi Watts
Tim Roth
Michael Pitt
Brady Corbet
Devon Gearhart

Why You Should See This Movie
Funny Games US is a shot-for-shot remake of the original Austrian film, both directed by Michael Haneke. This is not a movie for the weak at heart, and while that's not to say it is a terribly bloody or gruesome movie, there are moments of great violence. It is an art film in every sense; there are very few cuts within scenes, and often the camera will not move at all as the two sociopathic boys banter back and forth while the family, tied and gagged, are forced to listen. Likewise, almost all of the most intense violence occurs off screen, and all we are forced to endure are the screams.

Fun Fact: The production crew used the blueprints from the 1997 original. The set of the house in the 2007 American remake has the same proportions as that of the 1997 set.

Score
8.0/10

Eden Lake (2008)
Rated R: See list for full content guide


"An unforgettable weekend."

The Plot
Planning for a romantic weekend, Jenny and Steve travel north to a quiet wooded area, settling down at a remote, calm lakeside. Steve's intent to propose is disrupted as the couple is soon intruded upon by a group of local teenagers. Persistent to have a peaceful weekend, Steve attempts to reason with the kids, but is met only with violence and torment, leaving Jenny terrified and now on the run.

Starring
Kelly Reilly
Michael Fassbender
Jack O'Connell

Why You Should See This Movie
Eden Lake is an interesting British horror film for one primary reason; it is filled with its fair share of horror movie clichès, but it manages to manipulate those oft frowned-upon practices by creating a tense, frantic atmosphere. The movie stays on the genuine side of horror without resorting to the reliance on dead-horse gimmicks, and will most assuredly wrench on your heart.

Score
9.0/10

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)
Rated R for strong gruesome violence, strong sexuality, language and drug use.


"Revenge was never this sweet."

The Plot
In the city of Seoul, deaf factory-worker Ryu struggles through his life by devoting his entire existence to the care of his ailing sister who requires a kidney transplant. Recently laid off and lacking the funds to pay for the transplant, Ryu and his sister devise a plan to kidnap Mr. Park's, his ex-boss's, daughter. When the plan goes disasterously wrong, Park's emotionally devastated state of mind propels him on a hunt for the ones who took her while Ryu begins his own personal vendetta against the black market frauds who earlier robbed him of his last bit of wealth.

Starring
Song Kang-ho
Shin Ha-kyun
Bae Doona

Why You Should See This Movie
Arguably the best in the entire trilogy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is an emotional and thrilling ride. At times you don't know whether to feel sorrow and remorse, or to cheer in excitement as justice is served. It is slow to get moving, as the first half is almost entirely expository material; but as that second hour rolls around, both Park and Ryu will be playing the role of street vigilante.

Fun Fact: The script was finished in 20 hours of non-stop work.

Score
9.5/10

Oldboy (2003)
Rated R for strong violence including scenes of torture, sexuality and pervasive language.


"15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance."

The Plot
Oh-Dae Su is taken prisoner and kept in a holding cell no bigger than a walk-in closet for 15 years, with no explanation of why, and with no idea by whom. On the day of his release, he is given a cellphone, some money, and a new set of clothes, and is thrust back into reality to fend for himself. With nothing left in his life to live for, Dae Su begins a five-day quest for vengeance on the one who made his life a monotonous hell - but first he needs to find out who it was.

Starring
Choi Min-sik
Yu Ji-tae
Kang Hye-jeong

Why You Should See This Movie
Oldboy is the most critically acclaimed and well-known film of the trilogy, thanks in part to the Japanese manga of the same name on which the movie was loosely based. Where as Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance provided the heart and emotion of this saga, Oldboy is perhaps a blend of all three; raw, visceral excitement and an exuberant, surreal visual presentation. Oldboy also contains one of the most brilliantly executed and unique fight sequences in all of cinema.

Fun Fact: Four live octopodes were eaten for the scene with Dae-su in the sushi bar, a scene which provoked some controversy abroad. Eating live octopus in Korea is commonplace although it is usually sliced first. When the film won the Grand Prix at Cannes, the director thanked the octopodes along with the cast and crew.

Score
9.0/10

Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (2005)
Rated R for strong violent content - some involving children, and some sexuality.


"All she wanted was a peaceful life...they didn't give it."

The Plot
After 13 years in prison for the alleged kidnap and murder of a little boy, Geum-ja Lee is released and begins on a path of redemption. As she goes in search of those she met while behind bars whom have also been released, she concocts a plan to track down and kill the man who framed her and took 13 years of her life away. Lee becomes the harbinger of justice and offers peace for all those who have lost children and loved ones at the hands of Mr. Baek.

Starring
Lee Young Ae
Choi Min-sik

Why You Should See This Movie
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance is a beautiful cinematic achievement; the presentation is top notch and the surreal mysticism of many of the scenes adds to the sheer fantastic nature of the premise. Lady Vengeance moves at the most steady pace, and ultimately doesn't reach its climax until the final moments of the film; but it is in these moments that the anxiety, the tension, and the excitement built up over the last hour and a half release in a deep, awe-inspiring sigh.

Fun Fact: The snow at the ending is not real. They brought two trucks of salt, scattered it all over the street and finally adjusted the scene using computer graphics.

Score
8.5/10

12 Monkeys (1995)
Rated R for violence and language


"The future is history."

The Plot
The year is 2035. The population has been nearly wiped out by a viral pandemic, leaving a mere 1% of humanity on a devastated planet. A convict serving a life sentence reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to 1996, just prior to the spread of the virus, to find a means of preventing the extinction of mankind. Cole soon traces the origin of the virus to a conspiratorial terrorist group known as the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. In exchange for his services, he is promised a total pardon. But as Cole returns from his first mission, he soon realizes that perhaps he was never destined to be free.

Starring
Bruce Willis
Madeleine Stowe
Brad Pitt
Christopher Plummer

Why You Should See This Movie
Few movies manage the time travel device so well, and this ranks amongst the best of them. Stellar performances across the board - and what I believe to be one of Brad Pitt's finest roles - 12 Monkeys provides a thrilling and engaging experience that will have you asking yourself, "Can you change the past?"

Fun Fact: The final cut didn't do too well in the test screenings and so those involved discussed making major changes to the movie, but Terry Gilliam eventually decided to keep it as it was. When released it went on to make over five times its budget.

Score
9.0/10

Session 9 (2001)
Rated R for language and brief strong violence.


"Fear is a place."

The Plot
Tensions rise between the members of an asbestos removal company on the job at a once-functioning Asylum currently in renovation. The discovery of a set of tapes reveals some of the history of the hospital and one of its most talked-about inmates, a little girl with a set of multiple personalities. It isn't until the ninth taping session that the mysterious personality of "Simon" is heard, bringing with it the lingering terror that slept within that building.

Starring
David Caruso,
Stephen Gevedon,
Paul Guilfoyle,
Josh Lucas,
Peter Mullan.
Brendan Sexton III

Why You Should See This Movie
Few horror movies rely on natural fears in order to strike terror in an audience; most modern films today that label themselves as horror do so only because of their intense blood and/or gore. Session 9 is unique in that it relies heavily on the viewer's imagination and fears of the unknown. Some say the ultimate "twist" in the movie is predictable, but what makes it still entertaining nonetheless is not what the twist is, but why.

Fun Fact: Actor David Caruso reports in the official Production Notes that he saw "something pass my window" when shooting inside the Bonner Medical Building of Danvers State Hospital. "I didn't want to tell anybody, because people would start looking at me strangely..."

Score
8.0/10

Last Night (1998)
Rated R for sexuality, language and brief violence.


"It's not the end of the world...there's still six hours left."


The Plot
The world is going to end in 6 hours. As the clock strikes midnight, all life on this planet will cease to exist. The question is: where will you be when it happens? The lives of many different individuals intertwine in the final moments of humanity as the mysterious threat looms just six hours away, then five, then four, then...

Starring
Don McKellar
Sandra Oh
Callum Keith Rennie
Sarah Polley
David Cronenberg

Why You Should See This Movie
Last Night is a chilling "what if" situation that plays on the fears pre-Y2K. The movie hinges on the concept of the end of the world at the turn of the century, and the performances turned in by the cast reflects that dark, dystopian, haunting setting. In the end, you're left asking yourself which one of these characters would you be in the final moments: the man trying to fulfill all of his sexual fantasies; the woman trying to get home to her husband so they can commit a double suicide; the mother holding a Christmas dinner so her family can have something to hold on to; or the jogger running through the streets counting down to extinction.

Fun Fact: This film was a result of director Don McKellar's invitation to participate in a challenge to make a movie about the imminent Millennium. Instead of making a movie that he felt might date itself too quickly, he opted to make it about the end of the world rather than just the end of the Millennium.

Score
8.0/10

The Descent (2005)
Rated R for strong violence/gore and language.


"Scream your last breath."

The Plot
One year after the tragic loss of both her husband and her young daughter, Sarah seeks to reclaim her once-adventurous life by going on a weekend-long getaway deep into the Appalachian Mountains, a trip inspired by her best friend, Juno. The two of them, along with four other women, descend into the heart of the mountains for a caving expedition. Before long, the unsettling caverns collapse the entrance, trapping the girls inside. Claustrophobia sets in, sending the girls into a panic just before their real problem arrives.

Starring
Shauna Macdonald
Natalie Mendoza
Alex Reid
Saskia Mulder
MyAnna Buring
Nora-Jane Noone

Why You Should See This Movie
The Descent is a grade-A lesson in intense horror and dramatic tension. There isn't a single moment in the film following the accident in the caves that isn't a fight for survival. Sporting a nearly all-female cast, save for the one male actor playing Sarah's husband at the onset of the film, The Descent marks a return to genuine terror and a female heroine that does more than just run and scream. A sequel is also in its post-production stages and is scheduled for release this fall.

Fun Fact: As stated in cast commentary on the Special Edition DVD, Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, and Alex Reid did the entire white water rafting sequence on their own without any stunt doubles or special effects.

Score
10/10

#5: The Game

"Players Wanted"

The Game is more than just a movie - it's an experience. From the moment the film begins, it has you questioning what's real and what's not. You will sympathize with Nicholas, a man who was once on top of the world, and in the end you will come to appreciate the smaller things in your own life, things you may have once taken for granted.


#4: Eden Lake

"An unforgettable weekend."

There is something to be said about a horror movie that can truly leave you disgusted. But I don't mean in the visual sense; not like Hostel, not like Saw, which have come to rely on excessive amounts of blood and gore to call themselves "horror." No, Eden Lake is in a league of its own when it comes to heart-wrenching terror. There is a particular scene involving fire, a little boy, and a shrill scream that could crack glass that will stay with you for a long, long time after the film has ended.


#3: Oldboy

"15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance."

Although Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance is my preferred film of the trilogy, it is Oldboy that gets this number 3 recommendation. The film is a remarkable achievement in action cinema, including a fantastic hallway fight scene shot entirely in one take, and poses interesting mysteries until the end. The plight of Oh Dae-Su becomes more than just a personal vendetta against the one who imprisoned him, but also a journey of redemption for his past.


#2: REC

"Whatever you do...never stop recording."

REC is short and sweet. It's a taught, suspenseful horror/thriller clocking in at just over one hour. The first-person perspective puts you right into the shoes of cameraman Pablo as you watch the terror of the night unfold. You discover the mystery of the quarantined building just as the characters do, and you feel their pain.


#1: The Descent

"Scream your last breath."

If you read my movie recommendation last night, then number 1 should have been obvious. There are not enough words in the English vocabulary to describe my love of this movie. It preys on natural fears; claustrophobia, isolation, fear of the dark, loss. It is a darkly atmospheric, highly intense thriller that pushes all the right buttons. The Descent features a superb cast of females that genuinely seem to bond, giving the audience a real sense of friendship and camaraderie. This is a rare feature to achieve in a horror movie which usually boasts shallow characters that you cannot relate to. Instead, you are giving six leading women all with unique and individual personalities that mesh perfectly with each other who are thrust into a situation that threatens their survival, and the result is a truly gripping tale.

À l'intérieur (Inside) (2007)
Rated R for strong bloody violence, gruesome and disturbing content, and language.


"Open your door…so I can open your womb."

The Plot
Following the death of her husband four months ago, the nine-month pregnant Sarah is spending Christmas Eve alone. When a visitor comes to her door asking to use the phone, Sarah politely refuses. The woman, persistent, claims to know Sarah and attempts to force her way inside. What unfolds through the night is Sarah's struggle to survive, not just for her sake, but for the safety of her unborn child.

Starring
Alysson Paradis
Béatrice Dalle

Why You Should See This Movie
Part of the unofficially-dubbed "New French Extremity," a wave of French horror films that push the boundaries of what can be shown on screen, Inside is a brutally savage and heart-breaking tale of desperation and terror. Perhaps one of the most influential films of that wave, this is not a movie that will be easily forgotten. I strongly urge any female readers who may be expecting, or may know someone who is, to stay away from Inside. No good thoughts will come from it.

Fun Fact: In the scene where the three policemen come check on Sarah, you can see to the left end of the screen the house number, it's 666.

Let The Right One In (2008)
Rated R for some bloody violence including disturbing images, brief nudity and language.


Eli is 12 years old. She's been 12 for over 200 years, and she just moved in next door.

The Plot
Oskar, a shy and bullied 12-year-old, discovers an unlikely friendship in his new neighbor, the private and serious Eli, who encourages Oskar to stand up for himself. When various brutal murders around the town coincide with Eli's arrival, Oskar begins to speculate who - or what - his new friend is.

Starring
Kåre Hedebrant
Lina Leandersson
Per Ragnar

Why You Should See This Movie
Based on the Swedish book of the same name, Let The Right One In is a Vampire love story the way it should be. No one sparkles in the sunlight, there is no vampire baseball - this is real vampire mythology done right. The chemistry between both child actors who play Oskar and Eli is on a level that not many adult actors can achieve, and the character of Eli herself is one of the most sympathetic adolescent figures in recent years.

Fun Fact: The title of the film (as well as the novel upon which it was based) refers to the Morrissey song "Let the Right One Slip In". In addition, it also refers to the fact that, according to vampire myths, vampires must be invited in before they can enter someone's home (this is shown in the film when Eli asks Oskar to invite her into his apartment).

The Orphanage (2007)
Rated R for some disturbing content.


"A tale of love. A story of horror."

The Plot
After returning to the now-abandoned orphanage where she grew up, Laura and her husband Carlos decide to renovate and reopen the place. Their adopted son, Simon, is HIV positive, and keeps himself entertained by playing with his six invisible friends. When Laura begins to question her son's imagination, the appearance of a masked boy one day frightens her - but the disappearance of Simon sends her into despair.

Starring
Geraldine Chaplin
Belén Rueda
Fernando Cayo
Roger Príncep
Mabel Rivera

Why You Should See This Movie
The Orphanage is a traditional ghost story full of its fair share of twists and mysteries, but it handles them with a tender, caring hand. The agony of Laura's desperate search for her missing son drives the bulk of the film, and it's not until the clues left to her by Simon's "imaginary friends" that she begins to unravel the secrecy surrounding her son's disappearance. And the terrifying truth that comes with it. Full of atmosphere and with the movie largely driven by a solo performance from Belén Rueda, The Orphanage is a top-notch ghost story.

Fun Fact: One of the orphaned children Laura identifies in the photo she is shown she calls "Guillermo", an obvious nod to the Producer of the film. You also see his name during the scene where the window behind Laura smashes and she reveals the names of the old orphans and the dolls.