***Haunting and surreal Southern Gothic is nigh post-apocalyptic*** Two boys living with their father (Dermot Mulroney) in rural Georgia near Savannah (where the film was shot) try to eke out a living off the land. Chris (Jamie Bell) is about 16 and Tim around 10; both manifest their grief over their dead mother and the challenges of their destitute isolation in different ways: Chris gets in trouble with the law while Tim strangely seems preoccupied with consuming non-edible items. Their father's brother (Josh Lucas) comes to visit and seems affable enough, but there's a wild, sinister glint in his eyes. No wonder, he's inwardly frothing with hostility and greed. David Gordon Green's "Undertow" (2004) is a bit reminiscent of Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" (1978) in that both are realistic dramas focusing on youths in rural areas and both offer a dreamy viewing experience. Each tries hard to enchant with their movie magic. Unlike "Days," however, "Undertow" is rooted in Southern Gothic. Of the two, I favor "Undertow." After viewing the director’s awesome "Snow Angels" (2007), easily one of the greatest dramas ever filmed, I decided to give this one, his previous film, another chance. I'm glad I did because "Undertow" is the type of movie that improves on repeat viewings. But these types of arty flicks aren't for everyone. Those bred on modern blockbusters will likely find "Undertow" dull, meandering and pointless. I myself wasn't all that impressed the first time I watched it. I didn't hate it; I just didn't "get" it. I'm glad I gave it a second (and third) chance, however, because "Undertow" succeeded in pulling me in under its spell. You just have to be in the right mode for a film of this ilk. The "dreamy" quality noted above is facilitated by Philip Glass' mesmerizing score that plays during the opening and closing credits. It's simple and repetitive, but spellbinding. I've gone to the credits a few times just to enjoy this brilliant piece. Being a Southern Gothic drama/thriller, "Undertow" has a cool Southern ambiance with focus on the rural underbelly. Other films that are successful in this regard come to mind: "The General's Daughter," "Ode to Billy Joe," "I Walk the Line" (with Gregory Peck, 1970), "Mississippi Burning," "Squirm," "The Man in the Moon" and "The Skeleton Key." If you have a taste for these types of films, including the aforementioned "Days of Heaven," you'll likely appreciate "Undertow." The difference with “Undertow” is that it concentrates so exclusively on pastoral paucity that it cops a poetic post-apocalyptic ambiance. The film runs 1 hour, 48 minutes. Kristen Stewart has a small role in the first act. GRADE: B/B-
Two sisters and their male counterparts struggle with the negative influences of their youths over a 50-year period.
Movie Star Rating : 5.3 Read More
On a cross country road trip to rob his home town bank Prince Mccoy finds himself having to rely on the help of an ex convict hitchhiker named Carl Robbins. Along the way the people they meet and the friendships they build begin to heal the ghosts of their pasts. However, they both have one final crossroad to face in the small town of Apple Seed.
Movie Star Rating : 6 Read More
Humbert Humbert is a middle-aged British novelist who is both appalled by and attracted to the vulgarity of American culture. When he comes to stay at the boarding house run by Charlotte Haze, he soon becomes obsessed with Lolita, the woman's teenaged daughter.
Movie Star Rating : 7.1 Read More
Catherine is a woman in her late twenties who is strongly devoted to her father, Robert, a brilliant and well-known mathematician whose grip on reality is beginning to slip away. As Robert descends into madness, Catherine begins to wonder if she may have inherited her father's mental illness along with his mathematical genius.
Movie Star Rating : 6.3 Read More
In the midst of his crumbling relationship, a radio show host begins speaking to his biggest fan—a young boy—via the telephone. But when questions about the boy's identity come up, the host's life is thrown into chaos.
Movie Star Rating : 5.6 Read More
A troubled man talks to his suicidal sister's psychiatrist about their family history and falls in love with her in the process.
Movie Star Rating : 6.6 Read More
The Limey follows Wilson, a tough English ex-con who travels to Los Angeles to avenge his daughter's death. Upon arrival, Wilson goes to task battling Valentine and an army of L.A.'s toughest criminals, hoping to find clues and piece together what happened. After surviving a near-death beating, getting thrown from a building and being chased down a dangerous mountain road, the Englishman decides to dole out some bodily harm of his own.
Movie Star Rating : 6.6 Read More
Framed for the murder of her husband, Libby Parsons survives the long years in prison with two burning desires sustaining her - finding her son and solving the mystery that destroyed her once-happy life. Standing between her and her quest; however, is her parole officer, Travis Lehman. Libby poses a challenge to the cynical officer, one that forces him to face up to his own failings while pitting him against his superiors and law enforcement colleagues.
Movie Star Rating : 6.6 Read More
A group of armed robbers fleeing the police head for the New Jersey Tunnel and run right into trucks transporting toxic waste. The spectacular explosion that follows results in both ends of the tunnel collapsing and the handful of people who survived the explosion are now in peril. Kit Latura is the only man with the skill and knowledge to lead the band of survivors out of the tunnel before the structure collapses.
Movie Star Rating : 6.1 Read More
Following the arrest of her mother, Ramona, young Vanessa Lutz decides to go in search of her estranged grandmother. On the way, she is given a ride by school counselor Bob Wolverton. During the journey, Lutz begins to realize that Bob is the notorious I-5 Killer and manages to escape by shooting him several times. Wounded but still very much alive, Bob pursues Lutz across the state in this modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.
Movie Star Rating : 6.5 Read More
The Guardian of the Monarchs 2024 - Movies (May 18th)
Imaginary 2024 - Movies (May 18th)
One Life 2023 - Movies (May 18th)
Dont Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead 2024 - Movies (May 18th)
The Strangers Chapter 1 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
IF 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
Pandemonium 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
Nightwatch Demons Are Forever 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
Bad Romance The Vicky White Story 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
Faceless After Dark 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
The American Friend 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
You Cant Run Forever 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
End of the Rope 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
Thelma the Unicorn 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
Power 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
Mothers Instinct 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
Challengers 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
The Dead Dont Hurt 2023 - Movies (May 16th)
The Palace 2023 - Movies (May 16th)
Baghead 2023 - Movies (May 16th)
The Fall Guy 2024 - Movies (May 16th)
Later... with Jools Holland - (May 19th)
In For a Penny - (May 18th)
In With A Shout - (May 18th)
The 1% Club - (May 18th)
The Beat with Ari Melber - (May 18th)
Britains Got Talent - (May 18th)
Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker - (May 18th)
S.W.A.T. - (May 18th)
Fire Country - (May 18th)
The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper - (May 18th)
Lucky! - (May 18th)
Lets Make a Deal - (May 18th)
Tomorrows World Today - (May 18th)
RV There Yet? - (May 18th)
James Martins Saturday Morning - (May 18th)
WWE SmackDown - (May 18th)
Police 24/7 - (May 18th)
Pupstruction - (May 18th)
Hostage Rescue - (May 18th)
Late Night Lycett - (May 18th)