Why So Blu?

Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Three New Indie Titles

A little less film fare dissection for me this week, but if you count the previous article on the works of four Steve Balderson flicks I’m way ahead of the movie review race this week.  In any case we’re going into more somber territory dealing with everything from revenge seeking fathers to loveless marriages all in the name of finding great film.  So check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of In Order of Disappearance, The Intervention and Blood In The Water below!

IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE
(Magnet Releasing)

Revenge films are a dime a dozen, but those that do stand out tend to be ones who dare to be different.  And while there’s nothing altogether unique about Stellan Skarsgard’s upstanding and hard working citizen turned revenge seeking killer, what is outstanding in this Norwegian import is the dark sense of humor that lies within.  Following Skarsgard’s newbie vigilante as he rubs out one-by-one drug dealing scum and Serbian gang members who were involved in the murder of his son, there’s a real of fun within the sullen story frame.  Using the characters cub killing skills as well as continuous tenebrous title cards that pop up after each deed is done announcing the newly departed, Director Hans Petter Moland (who has made numerous films with Skarsgard) uniquely lets the audience in on the comedic carnage and the result is serious elevation in a very familiar genre.  Proving that revenge isn’t always serious business, In Order of Disappearance does ‘getting even’ with a grin.

THE INTERVENTION
(Samuel Goldwyn Films)

With her feature directing debut called The Intervention (which she also wrote), actress turned filmmaker Clea DuVall pretty much walks the middle of the movie road.  Meaning her Big Chill inspired story of a gaggle of friends who get together for the weekend in the hopes of ending one couple’s turbulent marriage is safe cinema that is neither good nor bad.  DuVall fills her film with standard visuals (the house has to be picturesque!) and signature script bits (everyone involved has problems – go figure!) that makes for a mediocre movie.  But what does stand out here are the turns by her colorful cast – from Melanie Lynskey as the controlling Annie to a standout Cobie Smulders playing a disenchanted house wife, there is nevertheless some great work within.  So while The Intervention may not break any new ground, what’s everyday does entertain.

BLOOD IN THE WATER
(Level 33)

It’s daunting enough to pull off a flick that almost all takes place within a single location (even if the house is a mansion!), but mire it with a bad script and uninspired acting and the writing is on the wall.  Blood in the Water is an exercise in all of the above flaws, housing some of the worst dialogue (if I hear the non-visiting jail excuse ‘who wants to see you in a cage’ one more time I’m going to puke!), worst characters (Miguel Gomez’s stereotypical bad boy is neither threatening nor interesting!) and worst staging ever.  (The whole story told with time jumps to past and present grows tired – fast!)  The only reason this one gets a single dog is for some of the stylish visuals, but even then it’s a reminder of the cool that could have been.  Shoddy, sub-par and just plain slow, this one feels more like boring in the water.