CB - Movies successfully built on mood are an astonishing high-wire act, requiring not just a remarkable consistency in every scene, but for the audience to immerse themselves in that mood as well. Sean Durkin's Martha Marcy May Marlene, his first film, accomplishes this so well that it's easy to overlook its more underdeveloped areas, which emerge as the film sinks deeper into a story with no intention of resolving in a conventional way. But even in a film that isn't quite as full as it needs to be, Durkin and especially his star Elizabeth Olsen make an indelible impression, plunging the audience into a world of their creation that's as well-crafted as it is impossible to forget.
Chris of Laser Lemming Writes "Halloween is this Thursday, and many television stations will air lame specials while cable stations try to jam silly schlock down your throats. Spend your Halloween wisely by watching these excellent films. We are not loading for the most scary, but we are aiming to add really great films to your Halloween ammunition. This list will consist of modern films made over the last decade. Let’s begin"
Trendy Gamers: It’s an indie flick, so of course it’s got a weird name. The last review I did for a highly lauded independent film left me cynical and bitter, with a certain resistance towards diving back into another low-budget, atmosphere-heavy, psychological thriller. However, this time I came away fascinated and validated. First time writer/director Sean Durkin’s dark and fascinating meditation on the damaged psyche of an escaped cult member plays out with intricate nuance and deep gravitas, that warrants it a second viewing and a rightful spot in my Blu-ray collection when it hits retail outlets.
The Movie Pool tries to join the cultish fanbase of Martha Marcy May Marlene—to mixed results.
