1 more month to 2017 and yeah, time sure flies! For your viewing pleasure this month, we have a story of revenge and forgiveness, a fantasy tale of a life-saving corpse, a video game style movie, a blend of aliens and the occult and finally a tragic story of a power struggle in feudal Japan.
Enjoy the movies and happy weekends!
1. Hardcore Henry (2015)
A POV (Point of View) take on the action-thriller genre that plays out like a first person shooter, we watch as Henry wakes up in a laboratory on an airship. Brought back to life as a half human, half robot hybrid, Henry has no memory of his past life but before he can make sense of his situation, a psychic psychopath and his army suddenly attack the airship. Escaping, Henry must save his wife and figure out a way to stop the madman from taking over the world.
2. 5 Minutes of Heaven (2009)
In the 70s, the UVF (Irish Republican Army) seek revenge on Catholics that they believe are militant republicans on Northern Ireland. An 8-year-old Joe Griffin watches as his older brother is shot dead by 17-year-old Alistair Little, who happens to be the leader of a UVF cell. 30 years later, it’s peaceful in Ireland and Joe is invited to meet his brother’s killer live on television. But will his desire for revenge win or will he be able to forgive Alistair?
3. Swiss Army Man (2016)
Hank finds himself stranded on an island, which leaves bored and lonely. Feeling there isn’t much hope left, he attempts to end his life but before he does so, he spots a corpse on the beach. Discovering that the corpse, which Hank names Manny, has a lot of gas in it, Hank uses the body to get to the mainland but is lost once again. Finding his way back home, Hank drags Manny on a once in a lifetime adventure.
4. The Whisperer in Darkness (2011)
This horror/science fiction film is made to look like it came from the 1930s and is based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story of the same name. Albert, an instructor of literature, gets involved in a controversy that involves strange sightings of flying objects. A skeptic, Albert dismisses it as nothing more than delusional ramblings until he receives a letter from Henry, who claims to have met extraterrestrial creatures. Albert reluctantly accepts his invitation to Henry’s farmhouse, unaware of the horror that awaits him…
5. Ran (1985)
An epic film of revenge, greed and war, Ran begins with the Great Lord Hidetora at the age of 70 deciding to divide his empire among his three sons; Taro, Jiro and Saburo, the youngest. When Saburo is mistaken to be disobedient to his father’s wished, Saburo is banished along with Tango, his faithful servant. This event begins a power struggle within the family from forces within and outside that plays out very much like a Shakespearean tale.
