ARCTIC VOID
(FANTASY/PSYCHOLGICAL HORROR)
SYNOPSIS: When the power mysteriously fails, and almost everyone vanishes from a small tourist vessel in the Arctic, fear becomes the master for the three who remain. Forced ashore, the men deteriorate in body and mind until a dark truth emerges that compels them to ally or perish.
CO-WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DARREN MANN
ALSO WRITTEN BY MICHAEL WEAVER & WILLIAM PAUL JONES
STARRING MICHAEL WEAVER, TIM GRIFFIN, RUNE TEMTE AND JUSTIN HUEN
WHAT THIS MOVIE DOES WELL: The set up and structure are really impressively sound here. Mann's command of our POV and what we see and how we see it really allows us to get absorbed and sucked into this movie pretty quickly. The shots are gorgeous and tension is very palatable throughout. Rune Temte has to be mentioned even though for the majority of the film Michael Weaver, Tim Griffin, and Justin Huen are all we have to guide us to the end and do a lot of great things to keep us around, especially Griffin who has the best of the arcs. It's funny for as little as you will see him, (psuedo spoiler alert there) Temte's turn as the ship's captain does so many things for the plot and for our engagement. Not to mention as character's go this guy was one of the most colorful and entertaining. This is overall an interesting take on the "one location" concept, even though there is some movement beyond the ship itself, the moments there on ship and the choice for the camera to move with the actors often really almost feeds a nice claustrophobic and franticness which you can come to appreciate as the movie slows into the 3rd act and moves where it is intending to move. As someone who doesn't mind a slow burn this film has some really solid punches and those are very well done when they land.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHAMPION THIS MOVIE: This movie is going to be polarizing for its ending, some of you will really appreciate how it begins and how it sets you up to get to the end. Some will be struck by its interesting pacing toward the conclusion. Some will outright not like the ending. However if you are someone who likes suspense, likes a little ambiguity, mixed with some good old fashioned tension, and a sprinkling of humor (mostly at the beginning) this is the kind of old school film that might be appealing. Especially if you want something that doesn't riddle you with blood and guts.
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS MOVIE IF YOU LIKE: Twilight Zone, The Arrival, and The Leftovers
YOU CAN SEE THE MOVIE HERE
WHAT THIS MOVIE DOES WELL: The set up and structure are really impressively sound here. Mann's command of our POV and what we see and how we see it really allows us to get absorbed and sucked into this movie pretty quickly. The shots are gorgeous and tension is very palatable throughout. Rune Temte has to be mentioned even though for the majority of the film Michael Weaver, Tim Griffin, and Justin Huen are all we have to guide us to the end and do a lot of great things to keep us around, especially Griffin who has the best of the arcs. It's funny for as little as you will see him, (psuedo spoiler alert there) Temte's turn as the ship's captain does so many things for the plot and for our engagement. Not to mention as character's go this guy was one of the most colorful and entertaining. This is overall an interesting take on the "one location" concept, even though there is some movement beyond the ship itself, the moments there on ship and the choice for the camera to move with the actors often really almost feeds a nice claustrophobic and franticness which you can come to appreciate as the movie slows into the 3rd act and moves where it is intending to move. As someone who doesn't mind a slow burn this film has some really solid punches and those are very well done when they land.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHAMPION THIS MOVIE: This movie is going to be polarizing for its ending, some of you will really appreciate how it begins and how it sets you up to get to the end. Some will be struck by its interesting pacing toward the conclusion. Some will outright not like the ending. However if you are someone who likes suspense, likes a little ambiguity, mixed with some good old fashioned tension, and a sprinkling of humor (mostly at the beginning) this is the kind of old school film that might be appealing. Especially if you want something that doesn't riddle you with blood and guts.
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS MOVIE IF YOU LIKE: Twilight Zone, The Arrival, and The Leftovers
YOU CAN SEE THE MOVIE HERE
Comments
Post a Comment