NEW BLOOD (NETFLIX): THE VEIL

THE VEIL
Blumhouse/Universal
2016 color
97 Mins.
Horror/Thriller
Jessica Alba, Thomas Jane and Lily Rabe star.
Written by Robert Ben Garant
Directed by Phil Joanou
Rated R for language, violence and gore.

Dumped unfairly to Netflix and VOD release, this intriguing little horror thriller isn't perfect by any means but offers enough to merit a recommendation. The film centers around the survivor of a mass cult suicide who returns to the camp thirty years later with a documentary film crew in tow. Upon getting there strange things start to happen which leads them to believe that the spirits of the dead may still be there and are not happy. What ensues are some truly creepy moments gorgeous cinematography and a nice thick dread induced atmosphere. There are things that happen that feel nonsensical but overall the film is impressively stylish in the way it approaches the material. Director Phil Joanou makes a few questionable choices that merit unintentionally funny results but he gets strong performances from his cast especially Alba who hasn't been this good in a very long time. Unfortunately the film builds to a slightly convoluted finale but the journey getting there has enough of the creepy good to make for an intriguing watch. It's sad that something like this didn't make it to theaters but something as generic as the forest did. ***/5

NEW BLOOD (NETFLIX): STARRY EYES

STARRY EYES
Dark Sky
2014 color
98 Mins.
Horror/Thriller
Alex Essoe, Amanda Fuller and Noah Segan stars.
Written and Directed by Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer
Rated R for language, violence gore, drug use, sexuality and nudity.

This twisted little horror thriller centers around an ambitious young actress who discovers the dark secrets of  the hollywood elite, and the disturbing sacrifices she will have to make to join the club. It takes the audience along for her journey through some questionable creepy auditions and than her ultimate realization as the tension and frustration slowly build towards its startling climax. The movie works on so many levels and is not for the faint of heart. It can at times be throughly brutal and grotesque showing the darkest depths of ambition as well as human nature. But there's so much subtext flowing through out the film as well as a biting social commentary about the seduction of fame. In the end the culmination of events is quite weird almost Lynchesque. The film is without a doubt the mark of some impressive film makers who have something interesting to say. I also have to praise Alex Essoe as Sarah , her wilingness to go to some very dark places without flinching. It's her conviction in her performance as well as the film makers that make the proceedings so effective. In a time when remakes, sequels and teen movies are over running the genre it's nice to see something with the courage to be so different and the confidence to pull it off.
****.25/5

NEW BLOOD: THE 5TH WAVE

THE 5TH WAVE
Columbia 2016 Color
112 Mins.
Sci/Fi
Chloe Moretz Grace, Live Schreiber, Nick Robinson, Ron Livingston, Maria Bello, Maika Monroe, Alex Roe star.
Written by Susannah Grant, Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner
Directed by J Blakeson
Rated PG-13 for language and violence


Usually novels go through cinematic castration on their way to the screen. They end up changing the story and cutting parts out to save time. Sometimes they yield positive results like the original Maze Runner, Hunger Games and even the Twilight films and some times they don't fare as well such as The Mortal Instruments and countless others this one unfortunately falls into that category. It seems as though they've kept most of the base storyline and even changed some things to make more sense. But most of the liberties they've taken are dreadful and even if you haven't read the book the movie is pretty awful. Centering on a young girl in search of her brother during an alien invasion. The novel was promising and had subtext about individual identities and what it means to be human. All of that is gone here. This film is a crass, sloppy, amateur looking dud. Nothing connects on any level. All of the realizations are delivered with the subtly of a sledgehammer thus taking away any effect they could have had. The performances are pretty mediocre across the board, Moretz aside.  But it's hard to blame the actors with the directionless direction and the insepid screenplay on display. It truly had me laughing out loud at points. There is no chemistry in the forced love triangle between Moretz, Robinson and Roe and Maika Monroe so good in It follows is an awful bad ass caricature of a real person as is the wasted Maria Bello as Reznik.Only Moretz seems to rise slightly above the material but even her "Cassie" feels limited and confusing. Add to that the fact that the effects are awful and seem right out of a SYFY channel movie and the film's cinematography is ugly most of the time and so dense and murky it's hard to see at others. Even the hair and makeup feels out of place more resembling a noxema commercial or a seventeen magazine photo shoot than the end of the world. This wanna be franchise starter/killer never gets off the ground and after a disappointing opening weekend it looks like we will thankfully not be getting any more sequels. It's a shame though because the concept merited a better execution. *.5/5

RETRO REVIEWS: URBAN LEGEND TRILOGY

I don't think anyone remembers the Urban Legend franchise. For some odd reason I decided to revisit these films and my results were expectedly mixed. Below is my reaction to each individual film. 

URBAN LEGEND

Columbia 1998 Color 99 Mins. Horror/Thriller Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Rebecca Gayheart, Michael Rosenbaum, Loretta Devine, Joshua Jackson, Tara Reid, Robert Englund, Danielle Harris, Natasha Gregson Wagner and Brad Dourif star. Written by Silvio Horta Directed by Jamie Blanks Rated R for language, violence, gore and sexuality.

Urban Legend arrived in theaters on September 25, 1998 on the heels of much better slasher fare such as Scream and I Know what you did last summer. It was met with negative reception pretty much across the board with only 20 percent positive reviews. I remember going to see it opening night with my boyfriend at the time and complaining pretty much the whole time about every aspect of it. Now seventeen years later I've revisited it and it's easy to see why the movie sucks so bad. From the opening moments when a severely over acting Natasha Gregson Wagner is attacked from her backseat while driving on a stormy night after being warned by a wasted Brad Dourif as a creepy gas station attendant. We than are introduced to an impressive cast of annoying characters whom act accordingly. The movie is never suspenseful and always thinks it's way more clever than it actually is. The death scenes are pretty goreless and pretty much every one involved delivers the worst performances of their careers Devine (knowingly campy), Leto, Englund and surprisingly Reid aside. Especially Alicia Witt who over acts at every turn delivering unintentionally funny reactions to the generically unscary turns. Joining her in the turkey performance hall of fame is jailbird Rebecca Gayheart so craptastic as the killer delivering her lines with an atrocious but entertaining pizzazz. There are moments of such stupidity such as Tara Reid's radio host running downstairs from the killer and than going back up in the elevator besides going out the front door or someone wandering into the swimming pool area in the killer's trademark winter coat and than stripping it off at the last minute exposing a swimsuit. The movie is without a doubt awful but rewatching it so many years later it's hard not too appreciate the over abundance of so bad it's good moments. In the end it's pretty tragic but offers a fare amount of silly fun none the less. **/5

Budget: $14,000,000

Opening Weekend Gross: $10, 515, 444

Total Domestic Gross: $34, 455, 177

Worldwide Gross: $72, 527, 595

URBAN LEGENDS: FINAL CUT

Columbia 2000 Color 97 Mins. Horror/Thriller Jennifer Morrison, Loretta Devine, Matthew Davis, Hart Bochner, Joey Lawrence, Anson Mount, Eva Mendes, Jessica Caufiel and Anthony Anderson star. Written by Paul Harris Boardman and Scott Derrickson DSirected by John Ottman Rated R for language, violence, gore and sexuality.

Unfairly met with only 8% positive reviews Urban Legends Final Cut is so, so much better than it's predecessor. the film centers on a new group of victims at a film school who decide to shoot a horror movie based on a serial killer who uses Urban Legends. it's no doubt that the film is overly dumb in places. But where the original fail it's sequel prevails. The story is more interesting and more ambitious. John Ottman directs the film stylishly and creates interesting more developed characters this time around. Although the film culminates to the trademark scooby doo ending of the self referential cinematic time period. The killing scenes are way more brutal with some moments that will actually make you wince away. All around this is a much better film. Sure it has some cliched goofy spots but the majority of the film is way more promising than any sequel to the disastrous original should've been. Also the performances from Jennifer Morrison, sexy Matthew Davis and a feisty Eva Mendes are memorable. ***.5/5

BUDGET: $14,000,000

OPENING WEEKEND: $8,505,513

TOTAL DOMESTIC GROSS: $21, 468, 807

WORLDWIDE GROSS: $ 38 574, 362

URBAN LEGENDS: BLOODY MARY
Columbia 2005 color 93 Mins. Kate Mara, Robert Vito Tina Lifford and Michael Coe stars.Written by Michael Dougherty Directed by Mary Lambert. Rated R for language, violence and gore.

I can't even begin to think about the ridiculous absurdity that this movie is. This in name only sequel is more like a cheap remake of Hello Mary Lou Prom Night 2 without the conviction or cool factor. Any complaints I had about the franchise before this I take back because this is what a terrible movie looks like. Replacing the whole serial killer angle with a angry spirit of a girl from the 50's come to take vengeance upon her bullies after her name Mary add the bloody is recited a few times during a sleepover. The nonsensical plotting moves forward from there as we are introduced to a mind numbing array of annoying one note characters doing their best to act like cardboard cut outs of actual people. If you've seen any movie about a vengeful spirit you can guess how it ends up. But the execution for this film feels like if Disney channel got together with Syfy and tried to make a crossover flick. Even while goretastic things are happening the film has an overbearing amateur goofiness about it. I wondered if they set out to make a comedy. The characters that populate this film and the performances aren't just terrible and stereotypical but they don't resemble actual people at all. From the girl who awakes from a nights sleep in a nightie and than gets off her bed puts on heels and strips down to her undies and the guy that gets baked to death while tanning (one of the worst death scenes I've ever seen). Whats most puzzling about all this is how much talent is attached to it. Kate Mara so wooden here has made a name for herself with solid turns in AHS. The writer Michael Dougherty has made two of the strongest genre films this decade with Trick or Treat and Krampus and Mary Lambert directed freaking Pet Semetary. I'm sure they all wanna forget they had anything to do with this cinematic atrocity as I will try and forget I've seen it. The only pro about the whole experience is that gnarly spider scene besides that the movie is a forgettable and overly stupid franchise killer. */5

In Conclusion the Urban Legend trilogy isn't the best. The only actual good movie is the second and the first has it's campy moments and the third doesn't even exist. There are much better films to revisit but sometimes you just have to remind yourself why movies suck.

NEW BLOOD: THE BOY

THE BOY
STX
2016 Color
97 Mins.
Horror/Thriller
Lauren Cohan and Rupert Evans star.
Written by Stacey Menear
Directed by William Brent Bell
Rated PG-13 for language and violence.

William Brent Bell doesn't have the best track record. Having been responsible for the cinematic atrocities The Devil Inside and Stay Alive. January also isn't known for quality fare having recently spawned the lackluster The Forest. So it comes as no surprise that The Boy is a little bit of a let down. That being said it is without a doubt the best and most ambitious film of Bell's career and is also much better than the months precious offering. The film centers on an american nanny named Greta played by The Walking Dead's Lauren Cohan who after a life altering event takes up a job in the English countryside. Working with an older couple who have lost their son and have replaced him with a doll replica. Soon after they leave strange things begin to happen that lead Greta to believe Brahms the doll may be alive. The movie is a slow burn and Bell has trouble establishing an atmosphere that works. The proceedings are never as scary or suspenseful as they should be although there are a few jump scares. The performances all heir on the mediocre side Evans making the best of his limited role. The big reveal at the end is intriguing but stolen from better films which if I should name would give away all the goods. The Boy isn't a bad movie by any means it has intriguing themes running through it. There are side notes concerning Greta's past and how it links to the story as well as a few twists that make the proceedings way more involved than they appear in the trailers or TV Spots. The big problem with the film is that it refuses to have any fun with it's concept and instead takes it all way too seriously. Also because the execution is off the events never end up connecting in a meaningful or effective way instead culminating in a dry, forgettable conclusion that never has the punch you wait the whole movie for. **.5/5

13 HORROR MOVIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2016

13. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES: Screen Gems 108 Mins. Horror Lily James, Lena Headey, Douglas Booth, Charles Dance, Jack Huston, Sam Riley and Matt Smith star. Based on the Book by Seth Grahame-Smith Screenplay and Direction by Burr Steers Rated PG-13 for violence and gore.

The Setup: Jane Austen's classic novel gets the undead treatment in this reinvention of the timeless love story. Instead of raising daughters for marriage they raise them for battle as a zombie virus sweeps the land. Independent Elizabeth Bennett leads her sisters into warfare all while juggling two handsome suitors.

PROS: The source material is awesome. The trailers look kick ass. Sexy Matt Smith is in it and Douglas Booth and Sam Riley aren't too bad either.

CONS: Screen Gems isn't too reliable for quality films. And that PG-13 rating is a bummer especially in a zombie movie.

CONCLUSION: The genre mash up is inspired but it could go either way. But if it's anything as fun as the trailers and marketing we are in for a one hell of a unique time.

SEXY MATT SMITH!!!!

RELEASE DATE: FEB 5TH

12. AMITYILLE THE AWAKENING: Dimension/Weinstein/Blumhouse Horror/Thriller Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bella Thorne and Cameron Monoghan star. Written by Tyler Hassard and Franck Khalfoun Directed by Franck Khalfoun Rated R for language violence and gore.

The Setup: A single mother moves her 3 kids into the infamous house.

PROS: Mainly the cast. Jennifer Jason Leigh is a great actress and Bella Thorne and Cameron Monoghan are hot upcoming stars. The trailer looks terrifying. The writer/ director is the man responsible for the underrated P2. Pus the R rating is a major plus in a sea of PG-13s.

CONS: There has been a long delayed released hopefully due only to Weinstein going belly up. There really hasn't been a great Amityille since the original film.

CONCLUSION: I'd be lying if I said it couldn't go either way but if the the movie is half as scary as the trailers we are in for a disturbing treat more along the lines of classic horror films> Plus it's hard not too line up for a shirtless Monoghan.

SEXY BELLA THORNE AND CAMERON MONOGHAN

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 1

11. JEEPERS CREEPERS 3: American Zoetrope Horror Johnathan Breck (most likely) will star. Written and Directed by Victor Salva N/R

The Setup: A mother teams up with other survivors of the Creeper's onslaught to stop it once and for all.

PROS: Even though Jeepers Creepers wasn't great it was till a lot of homoerotic fun. Both movies have killer effects and boast an original story featuring one of the coolest franchise monsters in cinematic history. Plus Writer/Director Victor Salva is returning.

CONS: This has been in development for years and although it was recently green lit, it still hasn't begun filming even though it's slated for release this year.

IN CONCLUSION: It's the Creeper. Is there anymore reason? And after a long hiatus Salva may be ready to give this once promising franchise one hell of a reboot. Here's hoping.

RELEASE DATE: TBD 2016

10. LEATHERFACE: Lionsgate Horror/Thriller Lili Taylor, Stephen Dorff and Sam Strike star. Written by Seth M. Sherwood Directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury N/R





The Setup: The origin story of Leatherface is revealed.







THE PROS: The amazing Lili Taylor. Sexy Stephen Dorff. From the Directors of the remarkable Inside making their American debut.







THE CONS: The last Chainsaw film left a lot too be desired. I'm not completely sold conceptually.






CONCLUSION: My hopes are high Bustilo and Maureen's striking previous features possess some of the most darkly beautiful visuals ever seen in the genre. And with The wonderful Lili Taylor signing on for one of the main roles. We may be in for one of the best genre outings this year.

-

RELEASE DATE: TBD 2016

9. LIGHTS OUT: Screen Gems Horror/Thriller Teresa Palmer stars. Written by Eric Heisserer Directed by David F. Sandberg N/R



The Setup: A woman is haunted by a creature that only appears when the lights go out.



THE PROS: If you haven't seen the terrifying short Lights out, rush on over to you tube and check it out. James Wan is producing. Teresa Palmer may have finally found her memorable lead role after a lot of impressive supporting roles.


THE CONS: Will the short film translate well to the bring screen. And are they only making this to cash in on the cult popularity of the source material.

The Gorgeous Teresa Palmer!

RELEASE DATE: JULY 22

8. PATIENT ZERO: Screen Gems Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer and Stanley Tucci star. Written by Mike Le Directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky N/R






The Setup: After a world pandemic has turned most of the population into bloodthirsty infected. A man gifted with the ability to speak to the infected leads the last survivors on a hunt for patient zero and a cure. Think World War Z meets 28 Days later.








THE PROS: Sexy Matt Smith stars. It's form the director of one of my favorite horror films ANATOMY. And hello Stanley Tucci stars as well.






THE CONS: The setup seems a little too familiar for it's own good and Natalie Dormer hasn't been the most dependable actress as of late.






IN CONCLUSION: Another world pandemic zombie movie is always welcome especially with a budget, a great cast and a solid director. So count me in I can't wait to see what they'll do.

RELEASE DATE: SEPT 2








7.THE PURGE 3: Universal/Blumhouse Action/Horror Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell and Mykleti Williamson star. Written and Directed by James Monaco N/R






The Setup: Another year, another Purge.






THE PROS: Sexy as Hell Frank grillo is coming back in the most bad ass role ever! Unlike most people I enjoyed the first Purge and enjoyed the second even better let's hope the quality continues to climb.






THE CONS: At some point the concept will reach it's end. Here's hoping they don't focus on the hokey aspects of the last installment like the corny rebel leader.






IN CONCLUSION: The last Purge was one of the best theater experiences I've ever had. Monaco's movies are intense and overly entertaining. I'm sure this entry will be no different. Plus they got Grillo to come back that's worth the price of admission alone.

RELEASE DATE: JULY 1

 6. RINGS: Dreamworks Horror/Thriller Johnny Galecki, Aimee Teegarden, Laura Teegarden, Alex Roe and Zach Roerig star. Written by Jacob Aaron Estes, Akiva Goldsman and David Loucka Directed by F. Javier Gutierrez N/R





The Setup: Samara is back with the infamous tape.





THE PROS: I like both Ring films although I admit the first was the only really great movie. The studly Zach Roerig is starring of Vampire Diaries.





THE CONS: The list of various writers may be problematic. It's been a while since the last Ring movie. No Naomi Watts.





CONCLUSION: Whether it's good or bad it's something to get excited for. I'm sure they are gonna bring back the series big time and I'm hoping that it's as terrifying as I want it to be.

Super Hunky Zach Roerig

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 1

5. 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE: Bad Robot/Paramount Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr. Star. Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken and Damien Chazelle star. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg N/R






The Setup: The monster invasion has happened and a small group of survivors begin to turn on each other as the world outside becomes more infested with the nightmarish creatures from the original.






THE PROS: The secret trailer dropped last week and it is amazing. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman star! J.J. Abrhams produces. It abandons the dreaded found footage angle. Damien Chazelle of the award winning whiplash is scripting.






THE CONS: the original Cloverfield isn't great and it's been a long time since it was released. Why so long? The film seems to be completely different in tone than the original.








IN CONCLUSION: I believe approaching a sequel from this standpoint is very smart and feels refreshing. the Trailer is amazing and the looks to be very intense. My guess is this is gonna kick ass!

RELEASE DATE: MARCH 11






4. STRANGERS 2 Universal Written by Bryan Bertino Directed by Marcel Langenegger N/R


The Setup: A family of four recently evicted form their home due to the economy is targeted by the mysterious 3 assailants while living in a trailer park.






THE PROS: The Strangers is one of the most terrifying films ever made and we've been waiting desperately for this sequel. plus Bryan bertino is writing the script with a concept that seems intense and claustrophobic.






THE CONS: it's been a while since the original. Why take so long? Plus this film has been in and out of development several times.






IN CONCLUSION: Universal has nailed down a release date of next December so I'm excited they are finally getting the ball rolling. I'm not sure how the film will be but if it's anything as creepy as the original we are in for a huge treat!

RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 2












3. THE WITCH: A24 Anya Taylor Joy and Ralph Ineson star. Written and Directed by Robert Eggers Rated R for Violence, nudity and gore.




The Setup: A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by witchcraft, black magic and possession


THE PROS: Out of 33 reviews the film has 88% positive on rotten tomatoes which is really impressive by genre standards. The film premiered to huge buzz at festivals and all those trailers are disturbing and nightmarish.




THE CONS: Usually when a genre film gets high reviews it tends not to be a good sign. As critics usually hate the majority of genre features. However the Conjuring got great reviews and it was spectacular but so did Goodnight Mommy and that was pretty unbearable.  Also the slow burn, artsy execution may not connect with most.




IN CONCLUSION: The film is definitely worth a look. It's got an intriguing, nightmarish look and the advance buzz says its one of the scariest movies ever made!

RELEASE DATE: FEB 19






2. 31: Bow and Arrow/Palm Star/Protagonist Sheri Moon Zombie, Meg Foster, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Malcolm McDoweel, Elizabeth daily, Daniel Roebuck, Richard Brake and Jane Carr star. Written and Directed by Rob Zombie rated R for language, violence, nudity, sexuality, gore and drug use.




The Setup: think The Running man meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre as a group of carnies find them selves in a hellish terror maze. They have to survive 12 hours against a group of psychos to make it out alive.




THE PROS: The movie premiered last night at Sundance to rave reviews. People are saying it's a huge treat for hardcore horror fans. This is the movie Zombie crowd funded so it's completely his twisted vision. The Hard R rating is a major plus for many of us fans suffering from PG-13 fatigue. The cast is amazing with genre vets from the always solid Sheri Moon Zombie to Malcolm Mcdowell, Meg Foster, Lew temple and more.




THE CONS: Because it's completely Zombie's vision could it just be a bit too much to take. Plus Lords of Salem was one of his least compelling piece of art could this follow in that line?




IN CONCLUSION: You know if you like Zombie films and I definitely do. This is without a doubt one of my most anticipated films of the year. Once I heard that crazy ass concept I was on board and the disturbing imagery that's hit the webs only gets me more excited. I can't wait!

RELEASE DATE: TBD 2016






1. CONJURING 2: Warner Bros. Horror/Thriller Vera Farminga, Franka Potente, Frances O Connor and Patrick Wilson star. Written by Carey Hayes and Chad Hayes Directed by James Wan rated N/R




The Setup: The Warrens tackle one of the most terrifying incidents of all time, The Enfield Haunting.


THE PROS: Everyone is back the stars, the writer, the director. Everyone responsible for making the first one the scariest film I've ever seen! The Trailer is ridiculously scary and even made me cry a little. Like the originals release date  the prime summer release means they have faith in the product.




THE CONS: Hopefully they will be able to repeat the success that thy had with the first unlike what Wan did with Insidious 2.




IN CONCLUSION: I can't wait to see what this team conjures up this time around. the original is not just the scariest film I've ever seen but one of the best! I'm counting the days!

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 10

HORRORESQUE: 13 HOURS-THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI

13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI
Paramount
2016 Color
144 Mins.
Action/Thriller
John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, Pablo Schreiber, David Denman, Dominic Fumusa and Max Martini star.
Written by Chuck Hogan
Directed by Michael Bay
Rated R for language, violence and gore.


I know this isn't technically a horror film by any means but it does have horrific elements to it. And being that it's based on true events I feel bad even saying it's horroresque. But all that aside I must say this is one hell of a movie. Based on the true events of 2012 when an American Ambassador was murdered in Benghazi. The film focuses on the six men who took it upon themselves too try and make sense out of the chaos. There's no doubt that the men involved were heroes trying to do the right thing. The film may be a bit political at some points as it highlights the lack of communication from our government and allies during the situation. However it doesn't overly do it. Michael Bay usually a hot but entertaining mess as a director feels more focused here. Gone are the jokes in films like Transformers instead replaced by some intensely emotional scenes. Like most Michael Bay movies the films cinematography is stunning. even more so here with it's rich colors and zooming lens keeping the proceedings raw and immersive. This is no doubt Bay's best film. The performances are strong across the board even though they have to deliver hammy dialogue at times.  And there are only a small collection of slow motion American flag shots which is a plus. Bay's symbolism has never been subtle but in this instance it seems fitting. And the results are electrifying. Krasinski sheds his usually impressive comedic performing here and succeeds with his dramatic lead role accompanied by a toned physique and an impressive six pack. Dale and Schreiber of Orange is the new black fame are impressive here as well sporting tight physiques and impressive acting chops. 13 Hours is without a doubt one of the best movie's I've seen recently it's thought provoking, inspirational and poignant and it's also fantastically entertaining! You will be on the edge of your seat for it's entire 144 min. running time which seems to go by in a flash.  Just a fare warning the movie doesn't shy away from the grisly gore of battle, neither does it shy away from the intensity or an examination of the causalities on both sides. ****.5/5