Closed Circuit: an attractive cast such as this won’t often be found in a film this ineptly made, top to bottom. It all starts with a badly conceived plot, that goes from bad to worse as it advances; also, as a thriller, the thrill-wattage is very low. The actors can’t do anything with the flat, unrealistic characters. Visually, the film is uninventive in the shot selection and editing.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: thriller

Duel: in spite of just a sliver of a story, this film is very rich in tension and mood, a very well crafted thriller. It’s a masterclass in editing and shot selection throughout most of the action; the tension is kept throughout most of the film with smart cuts. Character building and, to a lesser extent acting get the same attention that the story did; that’s not the point, however.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: thriller

Shallow Grave: The kinetic, smart, colorful visual style barely hides the fact that the story is common, almost tired. No big matter, as the combination of story and style makes this film an entertaining one; also, an original story does not automatically equate to a good one. Helping is the fact that the characters and their interactions are interesting and well played by the cast.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: thriller

Trance: a serpentine, multi-layered, smart script that resulted in a film which is a very fun ride. As usually is the case, the character gallery is not exactly what it looks like and the central cast (James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel and Rosario Dawson) bring them fully on to life. Danny Boyle’s visual style is a perfect fit for the story, with his free use of unusual angles, rapid cuts, different film stocks, great settings. This story could have been told in […]

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: thriller

Seven Days in May: tight, efficient and above all, realistic political thriller. A big part of the realism comes from the camera work; it’s not one thing all the time, it shifts as the needs require. At times, its nervous like a documentary; at times, long takes that let the actors breathe and work. It is quite a cast, and they are effective; most surprisingly, Burt Lancaster, not playing a charismatic rascal for a change. Very well-written, as well.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: thriller