Deeper Underground: Review of 10 Cloverfield Lane

10 Cloverfield Lane

Director: Dan Trachtenberg

By Alex Watson

Many had no idea that 10 Cloverfield Lane was even coming until a surprise trailer was revealed early in 2016. Many previously had expected another found footage picture with more people running from the monster. Well, this picture may have been a shock but doing it as a straight story bring us one of the tensest movies of the year. Refusing to just provide outright scares, debut director Dan Trachtenberg, and producer JJ Abrams make the unknown a far more frightening concept.

Fleeing from a relationship in New Orleans, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is involved in a horrific car accident. When she awakens she finds herself in a fallout bunker owned by Howard (John Goodman) who tells her that the world is under attack. Recuperating and also fearing for her life, Michelle becomes acquainted with the other male taking residence Emmett (John Gallagher Jr). Has the world gone to hell? Or is something far more sinister involved?

In spirit 10 Cloverfield Lane is a successor to its predecessor but it also succeeds by itself as a genuinely unnerving and smart thriller. A more up close and smaller effort than Cloverfield, the use of limited special effects is a wise one as they allow the story to be the selling point. Trachtenberg makes good use of silence as Michelle wordlessly leaves her relationship with her ex (voiced by a famous A-lister). Driving into the dark night, the moment her car crash occurs it has a big jump factor. Waking up in an empty room hooked up to a drip, Howard's introduction is a booming and ambiguous one as he bluntly informs her "No one out there is looking for you!" The opening act is all about Howard being elusive with information and it only when Michelle attempts an ill-advised escape it becomes apparent not all is right.

The ambiguity is that drives this picture, is Howard really telling the truth? Or is he just some conspiracy nut who has driven over the edge? At first, we assume that there is no physical danger and generally this guy wants to protect them. However, when certain red herring rear their head Trachtenberg fills the air with a wonderful unease. Seeing Michelle crawl through vents is surprisingly claustrophobic, particularly as it leads to revealing something that suggests she might not have been the first woman to share this bunker. Emmett is a reluctant participant in all this who goes from being thankful for shelter to finally agreeing there is something shady about Howard's past.

A third act hiccup is a forgivable mistake because it does lead to shocking yet expected outcome. This post is a spoiler free land so my advice is to learn as a little as possible and to make up your own mind. In the bunker things reach boiling point in a magnificent way as all suspicions and frustrations come to a head. Howard throughout has been a hulking and ticking time bomb and when he explodes it is quietly terrifying. Michelle is a well-written heroine and watching her use her brain in the third act gives her a strength we didn't think possible. There is no monster destroying towns in its wake and no Statue of Liberty head flying into sight. Keeping things low key gives Trachtenberg's picture a more cold and biting feel.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives a fine performance which the film builds itself around. Going through every emotion in the spectrum, Winstead is both mesmerizing at her most frightened and gutsy when called upon. Michelle is an example how female characters are beginning to anchor these types of films and we hope to see her back. John Goodman gives one of his most showy and cold-blooded turns as Howard. Those who are used to him in his cuddly family roles such as The Flintstones might be in for a shock. Fans of Barton Fink will know precisely how much can turn up the creepy factor on command!

10 Cloverfield Lane is a great surprise and firmly pushes most Trachtenberg and Winstead into the light. Sequels are already being discussed, for once I hope these two come back for seconds.

The Force Will Be With You Always: Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Director: JJ Abrams

By Alex Watson

You cannot express in words just how great it feels for Star Wars to be back on the big screen. JJ Abrams has brought the Lucas universe to life again in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Sporting the lightsaber battles and the powerful war between the force and the dark side, we have a reason to believe again. Giving us a good selection of our old and loved favourites mixed in with an interesting new batch of players, Abrams ensures there is a new lifeblood to carry things forward.

30 years after the collapse of the Empire, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hammill) has gone missing and has become like a myth spread among the planets. Finn (John Boyega) is a Stormtrooper in the newly assembled First Order who is having a conflict within himself. Rey (Daisy Ridley) is a scavenger on the desert planet Jaaku while Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) is the top pilot in the Resistance army led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher). Together each of these characters will come face to face with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and be witness to the uprising of the powerful First Order Jedi Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

From the first frame, Star Wars: The Force Awakens simmers into life and the ride from there on is the most fun we have had in ages. Beginning with the First Order forces arriving on Jaaku, we are given a potent introduction to the dark side's new favourite, Kylo Ren. A forceful and lurking threat, Ren is very much a disciple to Vader who has not only been seduced by the Dark Side but absolutely loves it. As a villain though he is possibly one of the most impressive ones that the franchise has produced. Sporting a cold-blooded malice without equal, we get the sense that this one conflicted kid has firmly buried his old past. The new recruits are not given as much depth as we may have liked, but there is room to work with. During Finn's first battle, his horror behind the mask is felt immediately as he reluctantly commits atrocities. Finn is the best-developed lead of the lot and having being groomed as FN-1287 by the Order since birth, he is keen to break free.

Rey comes off less well in this piece and despite being a tough and capable female (along with skillfully piloting the Falcon), there isn't enough depth for this installment. Dameron with limited screen time comes across with an effortless swagger that remind us of a young Han Solo with an X-Wing. The taste may feel undercooked, but give it another installment these three may just transpire into something special. Having Han and Chewie back together again is something very special indeed, "Chewie, we're home!" smiles Han as he reboards his beloved ship. In this episode, the old smuggler is a shadow of his old self and still clings to his old reputation. His wisdom, however, is unbeatable and he becomes almost a surrogate father to abandoned child Rey. Luke is more like a ghost figure than man in Force Awakens and there are Alec Guinness-like echoes all around. Leia thankfully has formed into the leader we always wanted. She is scarred from her constant warring both at home and the past (spoilers to be withheld).

Despite blips in storytelling, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is still a fine piece of work. Abrams never fully explains the intentions of the First Order. They are big and evil and appear to mean business but just what does Grand Master Snoke (Andy Serkis) want? We are given an interesting duel for power between Ren and the sneertastic General Hux (Domnhall Gleason). Both men are wanting different kinds of power which leads to a mini civil war. Their ruthless streak, though, makes them the perfect heir to the Empire. Seeing them destroy several planets in 'one swift stroke' is a chilling prospect. There are some finer things lead that need to be ironed out, such as nailing a great lightsaber finale but there is a new hope surrounding this franchise. Best of all, there is no Jar Jar in sight fans.

John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac all prove they belong in this universe with a trio of decent performances. Boyega in particular in able to summon the courage and charm that Attack The Block promised us. Harrison Ford is the real tour de force in this piece and you forget just how well Han Solo fits him. Sweeping in without missing a beat, it feels like the old pirate never left us. Top honours, however, go to Adam Driver. Firmly filling the void that Vader left us, Kylo Ren is the most intriguing the Jedi have had to deal with in some time. A gangly menace desperate to escape his one loving past, Ren is very much a product of the Dark Side. Driver is able to give us a bad guy who doesn't just frighten us, but makes the film sag whenever he is off screen. The groundwork has been laid, now the cast needs to do the rest.

Finally, we get the 21st century Star Wars we have always wanted. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is not only a throwback to the original trilogy, but it is the start of something special. Disney might be taking the reigns now, but the force still lives on.

Top 5 Benedict Cumberbatch Performances

After his movie, The Imitation Game won both mass critical acclaim and the Viewers Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival, it now appears that the career of Benedict Cumberbatch has gone big time. Winner of Closer to the Edge's 2013 Male Star of the Year, the path to fame hasn't been a straight forward one. After solid appearances in movie such as Starter for 10 and TV's Small Island, he was very much a supporting player. But after some careful choices, B.C has now stepped into the limelight and as a result we now have one of the hottest British talents for some time! Here's a reminder of the roles that pushed him towards success.

Sherlock 

For the last three seasons, we have been glued to our TV screen for this version of Sherlock Holmes. Impressively bordering between brilliance and utter insanity as the famed 'consulting detective', Cumberbatch gives a great portrayal of a man who among his constantly ticking mind is barely keeping a lid on a dark and convoluted persona. But its the suaveness that he brings to the role that makes him so memorable and with it he brings a sense of humor that is truly unique and in places, makes him seem human! This would pave the way to B.C's path to glory.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy 

In one of his more recent supporting roles, Cumberbatch shone brightly as Peter Guillam in Tomas Alfredsson's adaptation of John Le Carre's book. A less showy role than he is accustom to, but his impact was still felt greatly and Guillam proves to be key to operation. But its his secrecy about himself that provides some of the real tension and he comes across a man whose fear is ever increasing in the spy world, but he is willing to stand by his word to make the breakthrough needed.
 

Star Trek: Into Darkness 

As fallen Star Fleet officer John Harrison, Benedict was one of last years most memorable villains. Conjuring up a great sense of lurking menace, this man is a force to be reckoned with and one of the most slippery captives you ever wish to keep locked up! Constantly throughout JJ Abrams movie he foils Kirk and friends. But it was Cumberbatch's brilliant and emotionally powerful acting during the movies well known reveal that cemented his place among the rising elite.

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug 

Here is proof that Cumberbatch doesn't need to be presence for his force to be felt! His voice alone brings to life the mythical Smaug the Dragon. Through his rasping and deep tones, he creates a magnificent unease and this contributes to Smaug having a more rounded yet greedy personality that is seldom seen in Blockbusters and has been one of the highlights of Peter Jackson' return to Middle Earth.

Atonement 

In a earlier and smaller role, Cumberbatch demonstrated his potential ability as the charmingand creepy Chocolate entrepreneur Paul Marshall. Restricted to just one key scene, Cumberbatch takes the opportunity with both hands and delivers a charismatic yet ominous appearance that gives a key indicator of the role he will play in the life changing events later on.