Movie reviews – Page 42 – The Queens of Geekdom

Tomb Raider – 12A

Release Date- 16.3.2018
Run Time- 118 minutes

Trailer

About
Lara Croft is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished years earlier. Hoping to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance, Croft embarks on a perilous journey to his last-known destination — a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Lara must rely on her sharp mind, blind faith and stubborn spirit to venture into the unknown.

The Good
Alicia Vikander is the perfect fit for the rebooted game. Not only for a modern audience wanting a hint of realism to their movies, but in terms of being the perfect incarnation of the 2013 game reboot that the movie is based upon.
It’s unfair to compare Vikander to Angelina Jolie, but you will be forgiven for doing so. Making her younger and removing the inheritance was a brilliant move. Showing her strength and friendships also make her more sympathetic.

The Bad
The plot was frustrating for me. I can’t put my finger on it, but it felt a little choppy. The game-play sequences certainly were the best parts, but the plot was almost shoe horned around it. The lack of friends joining her on the mission to find her father is also a misstep. To spend all that time setting up her current lifestyle and social circle, to drop it completely for the second act makes me feel like it was time wasted.

The Ugly
So, I have many problems with this film. It ranges from the tone of the movie to the characterisations.

So, it’s in keeping with the rebooted games; darker with hint of realism. Unfortunately, the tone makes it take itself a little too seriously. It makes some of the outlandish and mystical elements clash with the overall film.
Walter Goggins’ badguy, Mathius.
1. Twice he mentions how he’s alone on the island and has been for 7 years. Okay, so the henchmen and slaves don’t count?!
1. What is his motivation? The final act has him telling the Crofts that they are wrong in what they believe is buried. However, if he’s so sceptical, why is he there? I get that it’s to make money for the company, but I’d like to have seen what he was actually looking for.
1. When you first meet Mathius, he makes it clear he has no hesitation to kill people. Yet from that scene onwards, he struggles to kill other people.
1. There’s no development of the character to make me believe that he was someone the company would send to the island.
It was very much an origins movie through and through; the final 20 minutes was a blatant set up for film number 2.

I, Tonya – 15

Release date: 16 February 2018
Running Time: 118m

About
In 1991, talented figure skater Tonya Harding becomes the first American woman to complete a triple axel during a competition. In 1994, her world comes crashing down when her ex-husband conspires to injure Nancy Kerrigan, a fellow Olympic hopeful, in a poorly conceived attack that forces the young woman to withdraw from the national championship. Harding’s life and legacy instantly become tarnished as she’s forever associated with one of the most infamous scandals in sports history.

Trailer

Oscars
Allison Janney won Best Female support

The Good
It’s a good movie that keeps its pace and takes on an almost meta quality. It doesn’t claim to be telling the truth, but many interpretations of the truth. There’s a lot more humor to it than the trailer gives credit.
The nostalgia for the 90s is very real in this movie and gives the whole tone a gritty edge that I hope to see in more. I just wish this was part of the ’88 Winter Olympics; you’d then have a trilogy of films to watch.

We can’t leave the good without talking about the amazing Allison Janney. West Wing alumni deserved every single win during awards season. She is brilliant in everything she does and I, Tonya is no exception. She’s on point with her characterisation of Mrs Harding and the depiction of what I believe is COPD.

The Bad
I obvioiusly don’t know Tonya Harding personally, but the end of the movie shows, as many biopics do, clips of the real life counter parts. Based upon the clips seen, Margot Robbie plays Tonya a little too hard. In the clips and from other footage I’ve seen, there was a softer side to her. I would have liked to have seen that represented.

The Ugly
That ‘tache! Poor Sebastian Stan did not make that facial fuzz look good.

As always with biopics of this nature, they are uncomfortable to watch. The violence, the anger and the damage makes for an entertaining movie. However, it does pull you out when you remember it is someone’s life unfolding before you.

Mom and Dad (18) #MomAndDad

Trailer

Synopsis

A teenage girl and her little brother try to survive a wild 24 hours during which a mass hysteria of unknown origins causes parents to turn violently on their own children.

The Good

Selma Blair is incredible as the titled ‘Mom’. Her character evolves in so many ways, and it is through artful subtleties that her character is able to catch you off guard and provide an anchor for Nicolas Cages’ ‘Dad’.

The entire cast is game in this wacky and near the knuckle blood fest. From the opening scene to the final blood splattered words, you will be on the edge of your seat in awe-inspiring disbelief.

The music in the film is also stunning. It is reminiscent of the 70s and 80s movie that Stranger Things has brought into the homes of every hipster. Only with Mom and Dad, it’s not ‘cool’ and ‘hip’, it’s chilling and atmospheric.

The Mad

Nicolas Cage. Damn, no one else could have fitted the role of ‘Dad’ better. This is the Nic Cage we have all been waiting for, even if we didn’t know we needed it. If there’s a line between caged animal and insanity, Nic flirts with it, buys it dinner and mounts it like he’s on heat. It’s a glorious sight; Nic Cage in full feral mode screaming ‘mother fucker’ as if he’s invented the word.

The plot that develops around his character is charmingly deep and rooted in adult fears. It’s easy to carve Nic’s performance out as a wacky comedic nut job trying to end the lives of his beloved children, but behind all the anger that exists before the epidemic starts is the heartbreaking truth behind the human condition; what happens when our dreams don’t come true?! Then of course he sings the Hokey Cokey…

The Ugly

This movie does not pull any punches with its gore. Think of all the things that Walking Dead and and Game of Thrones have backed down on (yep! Judith, I’m looking at you kid) and this film goes there.

In a role reversal almost- homage of the magnificent 1976 Spanish horror movie ‘Who Can Kill a Child?’, Mom and Dad retains all of the gore, all of the shock and all of the diabolical deaths.

The Greatest Showman (PG)

The Greatest Showman (PG)
DVD release date: 14 May 2018
Run Time: 105 minutes

The Greatest Showman is a bold and original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come to life. Inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman tells the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerising spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

The Good

From the opening cheers of ‘The Greatest Show’ to the encore of ‘Million Dreams’ this film hooks you in and invites you on a beautiful journey of love, inspiration, ambition and joy. It’s a perfect fairy tale with a brilliant, happy ending.

The cast is amazing, each wonderful choice works well on their own. However, the true beauty is in the way in which the cast work together. Hugh Jackman is proving that men do indeed age like a fine wine; his voice and presence are the perfect fit for the real life figure P T Barnum. He holds his own and reveals a motivation behind his fantastic visions. He is a true joy to watch. However, put him on the screen with Zac Effron and the audience are shown something so extraordinary that you’ll be wishing that they had more songs together.

The Bad

Some of the graphics look a little ropey and take you out of the film. It’s something that is not exclusive to this film and is becoming a regular occurrence.

I found some of the themes in which PT became almost ashamed of his Circus crew a little out of character, but it did add to the dramatic pull of the move and brought about the wonderful, and award winning, ‘This is Me’.

The Ugly

I didn’t half ugly cry. It wasn’t necessarily that it was sad, in fact it was the exact opposite. It was such an overwhelming uplifting movie that I couldn’t cope.

The Shape of Water

The Good

What a wonderful gothic fairytale. It’s really hard to not feel for these characters. At a time when people were separated because of the colour of their skin, it’s not hard to see how their love would be forbidden.

Weaving in the space race and an unknown creature that the villain would rather subdue than understand and you have a perfect cinematic treat.

The colours, tone and acting all scream sincerity and pull the audience into a world of awe and wonder.

David Hewitt, Michael Stuhlbarg and Michael Sheen are welcome additions to this beautiful homage to the Creature of the Black Lagoon.

It is, however, Doug Jones as the Asset who steals the show, and the lovely Sally Hawkins’ heart. The frequent Del Torro collaborator has such a distinctive form and elegance that he can emote so much without saying a word.

The Bad

There’s a gruesome edge to the film that I just couldn’t quite get on board with. It left me queasy and pulled me out of the softness the romance was conveying.

The Ugly

I found some parts unnecessarily crude. Perhaps I’m a prude, but it just took away a little bit of its charm.

Black Panther

The Good

What. A. Cast. Not only do Marvel have a phenomenal cast of colour, led by Creed director Ryan Coogler, they have pulled together amazing women and British talent. It’s release couldn’t be timed better. It’s award season and people of colour and women are thrown the PC bone. It can be argued that there is a lack of a body of work to gain the nominations.

Well, here’s a film showing what can be done if money allows for it and mainstream Hollywood takes the archaic rod out of its arse and fucks off the Weinstein’s of the world.

The plot doesn’t take itself too seriously, but also wraps itself in wonderful African culture and tradition. It stands out from all other Marvel films, and that’s its charm.

From veteran actors Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker to up and coming Michael B Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o you cannot fault the acting. It is Letitia Wright, playing the Panther’s sister who steals the show. Part Q, part royal pain, she is the lightness any action film needs and I look forward to seeing her reprise her role.

The Bad

As with many Marvel movies, it’s the villain that often has the film faulted. The problem this time is not the motive, but the execution of the primary villain. He’s revealed a little too late and at the expense of another. It’s a shame as it came across a little convoluted.

The Ugly

I’ve never been a fan of origin stories, the feel full of baggage. It’s not that I don’t need to know it, it’s that they either cram too much in or set the sights on the sequel.

Now, Black Panther tries to avoid both of these, but just can’t quite remove itself from the origin territory simply because it’s not only setting up a character, but a new world in which he lives.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Star Wars: the Last Jedi 12a
Release date: 14.12.2017

Trailer:

The Good
The world building is as good as ever. The creatures, bar one, are masterful and awe inspiring. Adam Driver is as wonderful as before with his portrayal of Kylo. It’s interesting to see his development and conflict. In a mirroring, I enjoyed Rey’s struggling between the light and dark.
New character, Rose is a delight… if not a little far from what we’d expect to see within Star Wars. She appears a little bright and twee; someone who wouldn’t be out of place in Gilmore Girls.

The Bad
Hux! What did they do to my General? He was a panto villain of the highest order. From the initial holding call to his slapdown inside an At-At, Hux was the focus of the films more slapstick humour. And he wasn’t the only one who appeared to have a character change that irked me. Poe was not the same character I met in Force Awakens and there was nothing to explain away this change. He was too ‘hot headed’ and worst of all it had no impact upon the plot.

The Ugly
The plot, the reveals, the humour. I’m not going to lie, I *enjoyed* the film while there, part of an audience and constantly reminding myself by the credit roll, it would be worth it.
However, I enjoyed it as a film, not as a the part of a well established franchise. As a Star Wars film, it was appalling and an insult to fans. It pulled apart anything JJ put in place in the first installment and it will be hard to see it flow through to the third outing.
Two of my most hated scenes involved the Skywalker siblings; you’ll know what they are when you see them. They happen early enough within the film and are both completely out of character.
The whole film (jar) jars with the franchise. The tone is wrong, the treatment of the characters is far from what I would consider canonical and quite simply, I’m feeling a little at odds with the Force right now.

Hannah Challenge for 2018

I want to get back into watching films but I want to do it in a bit of a different way. I want a focus; almost a study.

Have you ever noticed in films, that when they show the moon it’s always full? A gorgeous pearlescent orb, hanging in the air.

So, in 2018 I’m going on a Moon watch.

However, I need your help. I need you to nominate films for me to watch outside of my cinema viewing. As random as you like, the only exclusion are werewolf centred films; for obvious reasons.

Head here https://goo.gl/forms/871pJA323rKCsPtO2 and suggest a film for me to watch and review.

Paddington 2- PG

Paddington 2

Release date: 10.11.2017

Trailer

Description: Settled in with the Brown family, Paddington the bear is a popular member of the community who spreads joy and marmalade wherever he goes. One fine day, he spots a pop-up book in an antique shop — the perfect present for his beloved aunt’s 100th birthday. When a thief steals the prized book, Paddington embarks on an epic quest to unmask the culprit before Aunt Lucy’s big celebration.

The good

Paddington and the Brown family are back, and they’re as charming as ever. This is the perfect antidote to the current climate and stresses of every day life.

From the opening narrated letter to Aunt Lucy to the films resolution you will be uplifted to the point of tears.

There’s a whose who of British talent who happily take on the number of flamboyant cameos. Some will go over the heads of international viewers, but there are enough Potter alumni to keep everyone happy.

The bad

A good chunk of the film takes place within Portobello prison. Here we get one of my favourite additions to the whole film; Brendan Gleason as chef inmate “knuckles”. Full disclosure, I have a soft spot for all the Gleason men but I’ll challenge anyone to hate the gruff cook who’s heart melts at Paddington’s influence. The one thing that enables an audience feel fulfilled is the progression and development; and you get it with Knuckles in all its Han Solo-esque glory.

The way in which the prison is ran is very fanciful and I LOVE that. It reminds me of a book I don’t remember the title of in which the parents of the protagonist purposely get themselves thrown into prison so they don’t have to cook for themselves. It’s clear that the film isn’t glamourising or even commenting upon the prison system; it’s simply just having harmless fun.

The ugly

I ugly cried. This film has found a winning formula and has worked out that tears are better when formed because of positive and bittersweet motivations. In a tone similar to It’s a Wonderful Life, it will render anyone with an open heart a blubbering mess. Thankfully, the film offers you some mid-credit sequences so you can sort yourself out before leaving the cinema.

Thor: Ragnarok (12a)

Length: 2hr10
Released: 27.10.2017
Watch Date: 28.10.2017
Description: Imprisoned, the mighty Thor finds himself in a lethal gladiatorial contest against the Hulk, his former ally. Thor must fight for survival and race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home and the Asgardian civilization.
Trailer

The Good
The tone and humour of Ragnarok is spot on. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re a fan of Flight of the Concord and chuckled at the Team Thor short; you are going to be right at home with this instalment by What We Do in the Shadows (2014) writer/ actor/ director Taika Waititi.

There’s a few actor cameos for you to geek over; a little blink and you miss it, but the pay off when you spot them more than makes up for. However, I will say this, yes, it’s him, no he’s not credited, yes, I am certain its him. So don’t bother checking IMDB mid movie like the naughty man in front of me./
The music is stunning and so very different to anything we’ve really had before. There is some evolution of style from Guardians of the Galaxy in terms of the decade in which it draws its inspiration from, and Led Zeplin’s Immigrant Song is a prominent feature, but that is very much where the comparisons end. Soundtrack Geek argues, in his review, that the 80s synth is rarely used. However, I would like to perhaps suggest that it certainly is a defining and welcome feature of the film’s suite. It brings together the visual style to allow the audience to accept this change of direction in the MCU.

The Mad (not bad)
The middle section can only be described as MCU’s expression of an acid trip. From the psycadelic worldscape Thor arrives in, to the delightfully eccentric Grandmaster it is pure unadulterated mind fuckery.

MV5BOTBmYThlN2UtOTBkZC00NTFjLWJjYjQtNTFhOTlhNTUzZTc5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDQxNjcxNQ@@._V1_SX1777_CR0,0,1777,999_AL_

MV5BYmJiYTg2NWItNzMxYS00NWFmLTljZTEtZmIxYTI0YTc2ZmY5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDQxNjcxNQ@@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,1502,1000_AL_

Jeff Goldblum is pitch perfect as Grandmaster, leader of the planet which enslaves anyone and everyone to perform in gladiator battles for the society’s pleasure. Goldblum is always a pleasure to have on the screen, never more so than here, when it is very clear that he’s having so much fun.

Thor’s entrance into the presence of the Grandmaster is a welcome nod to the journey down the chocolate river in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). The music fades in subtlety and develops to a wonderful crescendo.

(the bad)

I can’t not have at least one criticism of the film. In it’s defence, it’s not so much about the film, but the promotion of the film. There appeared to be this big thing about the disclosure of the Grandmaster’s undefeated challenger within the film. I could see the pay off, however the multiple trailers had pulled that rug MONTHS ago. Yep, the film was trying to hide the Hulk when the audience already knew Mark Ruffalo had a major role. I’m gutted I didn’t get that nerdgasm of Hulk’s reveal and Thor’s retort “I know him, we’re friends.” (Oh, and if you’d like to know the story behind that line, head here )

The Loki

Be still my heart, Tom Hiddleston is back and much funny than ever. Dark World gave him that wonderful ‘Ta-Da’ moment and Ragnarok builds upon that to show more of a trickster than an angst-ridden man that would have felt out of place in this high-spirited adventure.
That said, Anthony Hopkins does a mighty turn as the God of Mischief too. Right before that Dark World cliffhanger is resolved and the story starts proper, we see Hopkins-as-Loki-as-Odin living a wonderful life, honouring his not-so-fallen self in the process. It’s joyful and I only wish we’d gotten a little more.
However, there is more to this placement than a witty pun on my usual review format. While Loki is undoubtedly my favourite part he is also my weakest part of this outing. How many times will MCU allow Loki to be used as a trope. He’s now way too predictable and no longer holds any authenticity as a character with depth. It’s quite sad really, because not only can he not be considered a villain, I am struggling to see beyond the self-parody to accept him as an anti-hero.

While I’m on the topic of villains, it would be hard to leave the review without mentioning our main antagonist of Ragnarok. Cate Blanchett arrives as Hela; our cookie cutter villain with a half-baked and, in this case, senseless motivation and strategy for dominance.

Robin Hood Men in Tights (15)

Robin Hood Men in Tights (15)
Release date: 17^th December 1993 (UK)
Rewatch date: 7.10.2017

From IMDB: A spoof of Robin Hood in general and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) in particular.

Robin of Locksley, known as the most skilled archer of the land, has just returned to England after fighting in the Holy Crusades, where King Richard the Lionhearted is also fighting. Robin finds that much of what he knew of England has gone to ruin, including his longtime family home having been taken away, all at the hands of the evil Prince John, Richard’s brother who has assumed the throne in Richard’s absence. Neurotic John is basically being controlled by the equally evil Sheriff of Rottingham, everything they doing to fatten their own coffers at the expense of the commoners and peasants. As such, Robin recruits a band of merry men to help him battle Prince John and the Sheriff, they who include: Blinkin, his blind longtime servant; Ahchoo, the misguided son of Asneeze, the man who helped him escape from prison while fighting in the Crusades; Little John, who seems to think that being called Little is only coincidental to the fact of he being a hulking man; and Little John’s friend, Will Scarlet O’Hara, a master with daggers. In going to the palace, Robin falls in love at first sight with Marian of Bagelle, a maid of the court. Marian is looking for the man who has the figurative and literal key to unlock her heart (and more private parts). The Sheriff has his own eyes on Marian, he who in turn is the object of desire of Latrine, a powerful hag of a sorceress of the court. Robin and the Sheriff in particular have a fight to the death mentality to achieve their end goals, which for both are protection of the throne for their trusted royal, and the heart and cherry of Maid Marian.

MV5BNzkzODA3ODY4Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMzA1NjUwMjI@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,666,1000_AL_

MV5BM2NmNjMyM2YtOWQ2Ni00MWFlLThmZjYtNGFjODc5OTEyM2VlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzc5NjM0NA@@._V1_SX1777_CR0,0,1777,999_AL_

The Good
Let’s start strong; Cary Elwes. The dreamy, beautiful and charming Dread Pirate Roberts of the Princess Bride (1987) doesn’t seem to have aged a day in this Robin Hood send up.
He’s the perfect leading man and this film is no exception. He hits the comic notes perfectly and brings the Britishness to the spoof.
I will always love this man, and while this may never be my go-to movie of his, but I will think of it fondly.

MV5BODM0ZTU3YWUtNTZhYS00YzJjLWI3ZGUtMTZlYTBlMGY3Y2M0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzUwNTQ4MTU@._V1_

MV5BZmZiYzJkZTItOTZlZS00YWJkLTkwMzAtODc0ZjViZGNlODRlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzc5NjM0NA@@._V1_

The film has Mel Brooks’ signature jokes throughout the movie, they’re solid jokes that are comparative to Monty Python. The tone of the religious based jokes are light hearted and tactful. Something that films today could learn from.

Now, the most important thing about this film is that it’s a spoof before Scary Movie killed the genre; Men in Tights has a plot and can be followed.

The Bad
Some of the jokes are rather outdated, it’s the nature of spoofs. The jokes that pack the most punch are the relevant ones. However, it does mean that they date, fast.

It’s nowhere near as good as Brooks’ previous spoof Spaceballs (1987). It might be that I’m much more of a Sci-fi girl than a fantasy one, but it doesn’t flow as easily; feeling a lot longer as a result.

The Ugly
Some of the jokes miss the mark completely; mainly to do with age and growth of society. Some of the jokes delve into the sleazy uncle territory and at some points it takes itself a little too seriously.

MV5BMjA5ODEzMTg1MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODczOTIwMjE@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,1241,1000_AL_

MV5BMTQyMzEyNTc0OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwOTczOTIwMjE@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,1244,1000_AL_

MV5BMTQ2MDM0NzM3MV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjczOTIwMjE@._V1_SX1246_CR0,0,1246,999_AL_

Final Thoughts
It’s a good watch for when you’re not in the mood for Monty Python or Princess Bride. It’s not as smooth as it would have come across in 1993, but there’s enough jokes to chuckle at to forget the eyebrow raising misses.

Sleepy Hollow – 15

Sleepy Hollow – 15
Release date 22^nd Novemeber 1999
Trailer
Rewatch date: 1.10.2017
From IMDB:
The curse of the headless horseman is the legacy of the small town of Sleepy Hollow. Spearheaded by the eager Constable Ichabod Crane and his new world ways into the quagmire of secrets and murder, secrets once laid to rest, best forgotten and now reawakened, and he too, holding a dark secret of a past once gone.

images (10)

Sigh. Back when I still enjoyed watching Johnny Depp. I remember seeing the posters declaring ‘heads will roll’ during the summer of 1999. I so desperately wanted to see it. It wasn’t until the following summer that I saw it and fell completely in love with the whole production. To the point that it became the focus of one of my Textile projects in Year 11.

For me, it’s my favourite Tim Burton film; replacing my love of Beetlejuice in a heartbeat. While there are elements within the film that identify it as a Burton, it also stands apart from the others for many reasons.

Their heads weren’t found severed. Their heads were not found at all.

Casting

Long before I got bored of the Burton/Depp bromance, this was the epitome of their partnership. Depp is the beautiful and charming, if not wimp like, Ichabod Crane. It’s on the cusp of being cartoonish, but the darkness of the plot keeps it at bay and allows the role to provide the heavy film with a little humour.

Christina Ricci is a far better fit for this than Burton’s two other leading ladies from his past and future; Winona Ryder and Helena Bonham Carter. Ricci plays the bewitching Catrina quite perfectly.

Keen eyes will spot Burton regular Jeffery Jones as the Reverend, but it’s the bulk of the remaining cast that makes this a winner for me. It’s a British feast of acting chops; Miranda Richardson, Ian McDiarmid, Richard Griffiths and Michael Gambon. Well done if you recognised three of those names from Harry Potter. Yet to be a thing when I watched it the first time, Gambon was not a regular face to me, but clearly someone of calibre. It was upon a later rewatch I cooed ‘Dumbledore’, and of course Miranda Richardson will forever be ‘Queenie’ to me.

images (8)

The millennium is almost upon us. In a few months, we will be living in the nineteenth century. But our courts continue to rely on medieval devices of torture.

Style
This was one of the first films that really grabbed me for its stylisation; the tone, the use of camera lenses to add depth and almost a lack of colour to the film and the flashbacks for exposition.
That tree! The tree of the dead; such a wonderful and gruesome focal point for a lot of the film’s second half. It still fascinates me to this day.
The soundtack is one of Danny Elfman’s best work and I long for the day the Royal Albert Hall announce that they will be showing this film with a live orchestra.
There’s something odd and compelling about the use and representation of blood in the film. Going back to consider the filters used on the cameras I did a bit of research and it appears that the liquid used was actually bright orange in order to appear red in the finished film. Again, the physicality to the process can only add to the movie’s brilliance. Especially when you consider how most films would fix this now post-shoot.

images (9)

Kill it! No, no! Stun it!

Christopher Walken
I know he wasn’t the Horseman; there was a stand in/ stunt guy for those headless scenes. However, he is so convincing when on screen; I chose to believe it actually is the legend himself.
He’s a brilliant, yet scary man and perfect casting to round out this amazing movie.

No, you must believe me. It was a horseman, a dead one. Headless.