Preston Barta // Editor
Do you remember those days where you’d invite friends over, stay up past your bedtime and watch a classic monster movie?
Whether alien or beast, monsters are the things nightmares are made of. It’s the reason our children wake us up in the middle of the night, it’s the reason we keep our lights on, and it’s the reason we ran when we could have walked.
There aren’t too many effective creature features around anymore because horror films are evolving and the things that scared us years ago don’t necessarily scare us today.
10 CLOVERFIELD LANE | 104 min | PG-13
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr.
The spiritual sequel to 2008’s CLOVERFIELD is a slow burn movie that follows in the footsteps of classic monster films, while giving it a cool modern spin.
In the same vein of Jaws, 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE keeps its focus on the humans and makes us constantly fear what’s going on outside the storm shelter base, where the majority of the movie takes place.
The premise is simple: A woman (a terrific Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up after an accident to find herself living underground. She’s being held against her will because the world above has supposedly gone to hell — or has it?
This question alone was the reason that sent many to the theater to find out, and it should be the reason why you pick it up at the store this week to watch at home.
What’s really going on here? Should this woman leave? Is her kidnapper (John Goodman in top form) telling the truth? Is the outside world really more terrifying than living in the bunker?
So many questions that are worth seeking out, and the results are completely satisfying.
Extras: Audio commentary with director Dan Trachtenberg and producer J.J. Abrams, and over 30 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage.
HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS | 95 min | R
Director: Michael Showalter
Cast: Sally Field, Max Greenfield and Tyne Daly
Oh, Sally Field, where have you been?
Directed by WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER co-writer Michael Showalter, who wrote the screenplay with Laura Terruso (upcoming FITS AND STARTS), HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS is a sweet gem of a movie that sees its title character (Field) completely smitten with a coworker (Max Greenfield) who’s significantly younger than herself.
Pushing 70, Field has still got it. She gives an adorable and heartfelt performance that goes beyond merely putting on some spectacles and sporting a giant bow. She understands comedy and human drama, and it’s exemplified here really well.
- Sally Field talks coming-of-a-certain-age in HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS
- SXSW Recap: HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS
Extras: An alternate opening, deleted scenes and filmmaker commentary.
EDDIE THE EAGLE | 106 min | PG-13
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken and Jo Hartley
Like most biopics, especially ones with a comedic bent, there will be some stretching of the truth to fit the narrative. This is very much the case with EDDIE THE EAGLE.
It’s an underdog story about Eddie Edwards (Taron Egerton), a tenacious British ski jumper who captured the hearts around the world when he competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics.
While the story is heartwarming and enjoyable, there’s nothing too revolutionary about the film. It’s your standard, run-of-the-mill biopic that’s been done countless times before, and much better. However, the performances and upbeat tone keep you smiling throughout.
- Courtney Howard’s Movie Review: EDDIE THE EAGLE takes flight, lift spirits
- What you need to know about the man who inspired EDDIE THE EAGLE
Extras: Three documentary features and a still gallery.
Also available on DVD and streaming: 45 YEARS (our review), BALLERS: SEASON 1, DARK MATTER, GET A JOB, GRIDLOCKED, HERE COMES MR. JORDAN (1941): Criterion Collection, LA CHIENNE (1931): Criterion Collection, LONDON HAS FALLEN (our review), POWER: SEASON 2, QUACKERZ 3D, The X-FILES: EVENT SERIES, and THE YOUNG MESSIAH.
