KANSAS CITY, Mo —
1) SNOWPIERCER (R)
Radius-TWC
Perhaps the best movie that nobody saw this year is “Snowpiercer,” a wildly imaginative sci-fi adventure that somehow failed to break through the box office ice. Chris “Captain America” Evans stars in this dark and disturbing dystopian thriller about a future where an experiment to halt global warming goes awry and the world becomes a frozen wasteland. The only survivors live on an enclosed perpetual motion bullet train that’s divided into the ‘haves’ in the front cars and ‘have-nots’ in the back. Naturally, the ‘have-nots’ start an on-board revolution. The socio-political analogies are obvious.
South Korean director Bong Joon Ho employs a bizarre mix of violent action and comic exaggeration that works better than you might think. Evans is solid and Tilda Swinton, in an odd supporting role, is priceless. “Snowpiercer” is an ambitious, artful and sometimes goofy sociological satire masquerading as an action flick.
Shawn says, “It’s one of the best movies of the year. Brilliantly executed and completely engaging.”
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
2) DELIVER US FROM EVIL (R)
Sony Pictures
“Deliver Us from Evil” is yet another of those horror films that claim to be inspired by actual events. While the idea did indeed come from a non-fiction book, the filmmakers completely fictionalized it. Eric Bana plays a New York City cop who winds up confronting the devil. In spite of my repeated efforts, I couldn’t get the DVD to play on my machine. Must’ve been haunted. Luckily, Shawn saw this one.
Shawn says: “Effective horror. Scary and suspenseful.”
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
3) BEGIN AGAIN (R)
The Weinstein Company
Can music bring people together? That’s the simple question behind “Begin Again,” a musical comic drama from John Carney, the director of the Irish hit, “Once.” Kiera Knightley and Mark Ruffalo star in this story of a singer-songwriter and a down-and-out record executive who collaborate and make beautiful music together.
Shawn calls it, “Quirky and fun.”
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
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