Win Tickets To Closing Film At LondonMexfest Daniel and Ana (Daniel y Ana)

The inaugural London MexFest takes place this coming weekend, running from Friday, August 17th to Sunday, August 19th at Rich Mix, East London as part of the Shoreditch Fringe Festival. The festival closes with a screening of Daniel and Ana (Daniel y Ana), which follows the kidnapping of a brother and sister and is the first feature from acclaimed director Michel Franco (his second feature, After Lucia, won this year?s Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes).

We would love you to experience the festival and The People's Movies & Cinehouse have joined forces with London Mexfest to give away 2 pairs of tickets for that closing film Daniel and Ana.

Daniel and Ana, brother and sister, are experiencing important moments in their lives. Ana is about to be married; Daniel is discovering his personal and sexual identity. Yet this harmony is instantly shattered when they are kidnapped. Something shocking happens which forces them to confront their own desires and fears. Suddenly their old lives are a distant memory. Now, nothing they have known will ever be the same again.

The screening will take place Sunday 19th August around 8.15pm, so this will be a short competition and we're not going to ask you to answer a question. To enter All you have to do is like us at Facebook page spread the word of the comp over facebook/twitter. At the same send us a quick email (win@thepeoplesmovies.com) with your contact details including your facebook name. Deadline for this comp is Friday 17th August 12 Noon.

For More information on London Mexfest please head over to the official site
Terms and Conditions

• This prize is non-transferable.
• No cash alternatives apply.
• UK & Irish entries only
  The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse and London Mexfest have the right to alter, delay or cancel this competition without any notice
• The competition is not opened to employees, family, friends of The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse,London Mexfest
• This competition is promoted on behalf of London Mexfest
• If this prize becomes unavailable we have the right to offer an alternative prize instead.
• The Prize is to win one of  2 pairs of tickets for Daniel and Ana screening August 19th 2012
• No travel or accommodation included must be able to get to from London in your own accord. 
• To enter this competition you must send in your answer, name, address only, DeadlineAugust 17, 2012 (1200hrs)
• Will only accept entries sent to the correct email (win [at] thepeoplesmovies [dot] com), any other entry via any other email will be void.
• If the above form fails please email answer, name address postcode only plus any other instructions to win [at] thepeoplesmovies [dot] com
• automated entries are not allowed and will be disqualified, which could result you been banned.
• The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse takes no responsibility for delayed, lost, stolen prizes, The length of time a prize may take is out of our control as it varies per company, if we know we'll tell you.
• The competition is opened to Aged 18  and over 
• Unless Stated Please  Do Not Include Telephone Numbers, we don’t need them
• The winning entries will be picked at random and contacted by email
• This competition is bound by the rules of Scotland,England & Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland.
• By sending your entry for this competition you are confirming you have read and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

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Meet Hammer Girl Berandal's New Character aka The Raid 2

It was the highlight of the Glasgow Film Festival this year or Glasgow Film4 Frightfest to be more exact, Gareth Evans The Raid. It's the only film I've witnessed which had the whole audience giving the film a standing ovation with Evans and the star of the film Iwo Ikais in attendance for what was UK premier of the film. Back then we already knew there was going to be a sequel (even a dreaded Hollywood remake) in the works but now Berandal the name of the sequel which is in pre-production Evans has decided via his Twitter account to reveal one of the new characters we can expect to meet, Alicia aka The Hammer Girl.

We don't know much about Hammer Girl especially if she'll be on Rama's side or against him, but if you've seen the Raid and that's the type of world she' lived in we can assume she knows how to use that Hammer quiet well! Production for the film will start next month for a 2013 release date at the moment the film will still be called Berandal here in UK with USA changing the film name to The Raid :Retaliation.

 

If you missed The Raid (or The Raid:Redemption as it's called in USA) The film will be available on DVD, Blu-Ray from September 24th.

Creature DVD Review

★★☆☆☆

Fred Andrew’s new schlocker Creature (2011) features Mehad Brooks, Serinda Swan, Dillon Casey, Lauren Schneider, Aaron Hill and Amanda Fuller, as six young people out for a weekend of fun in the Louisiana swamps.  Unfortunately they have chosen the wrong place to vacation and after Chopper (Sid Haig) a local gas station owner tells them the legend of a crocodile man who feeds on unwary travelers, the kids decide to search out the creature for themselves with predictably gruesome results.

There was something innocent about the age of video nasties - those sleazy frightfests which normally featured nubile teenagers taking part in illicit sex at some lakeside retreat of their parent’s empty house and coming to a sticky and usually unnecessarily gory end as a result.  Generally, though not always, the reason behind the grisly retribution meted out on the unfortunate victims was because the perpetrator had been unjustly wronged and as a result their killing spree could at least be semi-understood.  Scream (1996), that pastiche of all things Jason and Freddy soon put an end to any of these films having justification behind the atrocities around which they built their premises.  Now all the killers were out for was a good time.

Which unfortunately brings us slap up to date with films like Creature, today’s equivalent of those teenage slasher films from the 1980’s.  I won’t give too much away behind what limited plot line there is but lets just say that though the monster - who looks like a cross between Creature from the Black Lagoon’s (1954) namesake and the sharp toothed monster from Alligator (1980) - has, to an extent, an excuse for his actions, those who are behind encouraging him in his bloody exploits are just good old, inbred sickos in the best deep south American fashion.

Is there anything in the film’s favor?  Well, it starts reasonably well - and I don’t mean the pre-credit Jaws (1975) ‘rip-off‘ (pardon the pun) - with the gorgeous looking all-American twenty somethings in their 4x4 heading off for their dirty weekend.  However any hope there might have been soon dies like most of the cast once they stop at the first sign of civilisation (and that word is used loosely) so the girls can “go pee”!  Even if you’d never seen House 1000 Corpses (2003), one look at its star Sid Haig who appears here as the redneck proprietor of the gas station where the friends stop to stretch their legs, and you would get off this highway to hell and head straight back to civilisation.  Of course there wouldn’t be a story if these kids did anything half so sensible, so they walk straight into every kind of horror film cliche you can think of from searching out old deserted log cabins and camping in the woods to sex in a forest clearing - err, didn’t they ever see The Evil Dead (1981) or Cabin in the Woods (2011)?  Throw in some obligatory torture porn and a smattering of girl on girl action and this unfortunate film has something for everyone.

Anyway enough already.  Despite a couple or reasonable twists, by the closing credits the film and what’s left of its characters have got lost in a swamp of farfetchedness from which none escape with any degree of dignity.

Cleaver Patterson

Rating: 18 (UK)
DVD Release Date: 13th August 2012
Directed By: Fred Andrews
Cast: Mehcad Brooks, Serinda Swan , Daniel Bernhardt, Sid Haig

Jo Nesbo's Headhunters Blu-Ray Review

★★★★1/2

A friend said to me recently "the bubble is going to burst" maybe but for now myself and millions of cinephiles worldwide will continue to enjoy the current wave of Scandinavian cinema (&television)that's sweeping us off our feet. The latest invader is Jo Nesbo's Headhunters (Hodejegerne), the first from an author who has refused to climb onboard the trend of book adaptation but has now thankfully gave into temptation with the end result that's nothing but fantastic.

Roger Brown (Askel Hennie) seems to have it all, a beautiful wife (Synnove Macody Lund), luxurious home, a successful business  career. He may not be tall in stature but Roger seems to keep his wife happy despite the fact he can't keep up with the mortage payments. Been that successful corporate headhunter Roger crosses paths with many similar successful people , mostly potential candidates for the the companies he's working for . Through his wife's art exhibition he meets Clas Greve (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) who becomes the latest candidate for Roger's 'headhunting' who also help him live his alternative extravagant lifestyle by stealing high profile artwork they possess. Through Clas Roger learns he owns one of the most sought after paintings, a painting would answer all his financial problems and end this crazy alternative second 'job' Roger has.

Just as Roger pockets the painting he doesn't realise he has just embarked on his most dangerous heist to date, not even after what else he finds at Clas home. What follows after is a dark and relentless game of cat and mouse as the hunter becomes the hunted.

So what is it that's made Scandinavian cinema so popular these days?It's probably because it reminds us of the times of Hollywood before it was destroyed by 3D gimmickry and over reliance of CGI, a time when we focused on the story giving us a chance to appreciate the characters. At first when we meet Roger we don't really care much about him, he's smug, cocky, over confident, full of himself most of all insecure but as the film progress we become more sympathetic or even just empathetic as hardship prevails. As for Clas he seems the total opposite of Roger, very confident, tough as nails, alpha male providing those needs Roger fails to provide his wife, a threat.

Headhunters is a film stacked to the rafters with creativity, a little unconventional at times but in a way that the film's narrative structure holds fantastically well together. The film hits you at a fast pace you don't want to pause, step away from the screen as its a gripping exciting film start to the finish. What this film really excels at is it's ability to throw the book of common sense out the window to become a film that rarely takes itself seriously. There is moments what we're watching is totally farcical but in a way it never feels out of place with the whole tone of the film.There's one example I don't want to say much about it, but when I watched Headhunters at the cinema I volunteer for it had the majority of the screen roaring with laughter apart from those who adore animals, seeing is believing, that's all I'll say!

When it comes to calling films, writers, actors "the new...." I do tend to get a little annoyed as it brings unwarranted pressure on that person or if its a film gives the viewer a false sense of expectation. In Jo Nesbo's case he is been labelled 'the new Steig Larsson' I agree to the extent that Nesbo is keeping the Scandinavian film flag flying high but that is really where it ends. Larsson was a writer who excelled in writing dark, gritty psychological even political  thrillers as for Nesbo his stories a dark and do have visceral bloody moments but he brings comedy to the table so I would go as far as associating him more with Coen Brothers than Larsson.

Headhunters is probably the best dark satirical thrillers you'll see this year, it's neither controversial nor is it overran with violence and blood, it feels more at home with the farcical elements that made Fargo such a cult hit. As usual Hollywood has found a new cash cow, I would recommend seeing this before before it's destroyed by an un-welcomed  remake. If you really hate subtitles there is a dubbed version of the film on the disc which gives the film a extra layer of humour as the dubbed voices make this even funnier.

Paul Devine

Rating:15
DVD/BD Release Date:13 August 2012
Directed by: Morten Tyldum
Cast: Aksel Hennie, Synnøve Macody Lund , Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

To 

Woman In The Dressing Gown DVD Review

★★☆☆☆

Remastered and re-released to DVD with cast interviews and theretical trailer Woman in a Dressing Gown tells the story of Amy (Yvonne Mitchell) a housewife who seems to no do anything right-she burns the breakfast, fails to tidy the house and doesn’t seem to get dressed and instead stays in her dressing gown for the majority of the film.

I know what you’re thinking. Now wonder Amy’s husband Jim (Anthony Quayle) is thinking about leaving her for young, tidy secretary Georgie (Sylvia Simms). When Amy finds out about his affair she tries her best to tidy up and be a better housewife to the point where she goes and gets her hair done only for the rain to ruin it.

A typical story of the time period, I was excited to see this movie being a fan of such movies once I'd seen Brief Encounter. The problem was however that I found myself comparing Woman in a Dressing Gown with Brief Encounter. Whether that was because it was set in the same time period with the use of the story or language I do not know.

What I do know however, is that both Yvonne Mitchell and Anthony Quayle give believable and in a way relatable performances as Amy and Jim in which both men and women can relate to.

Emily Pontin

Rating: PG
UK Release Date: 13th August 2012
Cast: Yvonne Mitchell, Anthony Quayle, Sylvia Simms
Directed By: J Lee Thompson

Elfie Hopkins DVD Review

★★☆☆☆

Here’s a question. What’s the difference between the new Brit horror Elfie Hopkins (2012) and watching paint dry? Answer not much, as they both cease to hold your interest after about five minutes (less in fact where Elfie Hopkins is concerned). This film by director Ryan Andrews and starring father / daughter double-act Ray and Jamie Winstone, though with an atmospheric opening, soon looses any promise it had once the action sets (or in this case doesn’t set) in.

Elfie Hopkins (Jamie Winstone) and her best mate Dylan (Aneurin Barnard) live in a tranquil home counties village where nothing much happens - period. Until that is the mysterious and exotic Gammon family move in next door. Suddenly things become very exciting indeed - well ok, the use of the word exciting is admittedly debatable when talking about this film, but hey I’m trying my best here! Anyway, after members of the local community start to go missing Elfie and Dylan decide to investigate the new arrivals and the ‘exotic holiday‘ business they run with some very disturbing results.

Right, lets cut to the chase. Kimberley Nixon, who plays Pippa the local nympho, is about the most exciting thing this otherwise fright free exercise in tedium has to offer. This girl has just one thing on her mind - bedding the hunky Mr Gammon (Rupert Evans) at the first opportunity - toodle pip, rutting in the shires would have nothing on this filly. Going by what she shows here Nixon would be perfectly cast for any upcoming Jilly Cooper adaptations. Evans’ said Gammon is the only other saving grace amongst a cast of actors who are on the whole as lifeless as their characters are by the end of the film.

Admittedly the film looks stunning, particularly its surreal costumes which are a cross between twinset and pearls, home counties couture and bizarre medieval hunting clothes, shot through with a dash of sloppy bohemia. Filmed with a clouded effect, the whole proceedings are leant a surreal, dreamlike quality, the muted palette of which highlights the graphic gore when it does eventually arrive. These said viscerals, which consist mainly of rich and bloody reds and one effective jolt (or should that be bolt) to the system are unfortunately too little too late to save what could have been an effective and tight little shocker under the right guidance.

We are offering you the chance to win a copy of Elfie Hopkins on dvd, so don’t let my views put you off trying your luck - it’ll be a great film to have on in the background when you’re finishing painting the spare room.

Cleaver Patterson

Rating:15
DVD/BD Release Date: 13 August 2012
Directed By: Ryan Andrews
Cast: Jaime Winstone, Aneurin Barnard, Rupert Evans, Ray Winstone

Monster Brawl DVD Review

★★☆☆☆

The first thing to say about Monster Brawl, is that it definitely won’t be for everyone. This B-movie extravaganza mixes wrestling and monsters to create a sub-genre hybrid that plays out like a cult passion project. Abominations like Wolfman and "Swamp Gut" meet in the ring to battle it out and prove once and for all who the meanest monster is. The concept is the perfect fan boy fantasy, a dream now made reality in the increasing validity of the fan's wants: films like Aliens vs Predator and Freddy vs. Jason have all proved that there's an audience waiting to see films that pitch classic characters, who have no good reason to be in the same place at the same time, together at last.

But is the film actually any good? Well if you can look past the cheesy acting of the amateur wrestlers playing the monsters, and have no problem with a fairly wobbly script, then it’s actually a kind of fun. Besides, in a film where Witch Bitch and Cyclops fight in a wrestling ring, the term “wobbly” loses much of its meaning. Much credibility is actually set in place through the cast; Jimmy Hart appears as himself, Kevin Nash steps in as a disgruntled colonel out to win the Monster Brawl, Lance Henriksen lends his growling tones as the narrator (credited as God), but its Dave Foley and Art Hindle who make some of the best scenes in the piece as the commentators.

The film isn’t supposed to be taken too seriously, that much is clear, its schlocky fun for like-minded fans who want to watch something silly, but even then the film is pretty thin. Intentional bombastic tongue-in-cheek can’t save an undeveloped concept. The fight scenes lack real punch and eventually start to bore, the formulaic approach to the subject is where the film trips up, introducing characters, giving them a five to ten minute background, and then pitting them against each other is nice at first but eventually tedious. It’s a shame when the best parts of a fight film are the character intros.

Surprisingly, the film isn’t too badly shot and the whole thing looks pretty good. Costume and production design definitely have a hammer/50’s feel, the sets are solid, and gore and creature effects are as good as any you’ll see in a studio production.

So, for all its B-movie charm Monster Brawl is still underdeveloped and too minimalist at too many points to stand its ground as a feature film. But there’s some fun to be had here for hard-core cult monster fans.

Special features are short but sweet: a twenty minute Behind the Scenes look at the incredibly passionate and humble forces who put the piece together, a collection of outtakes featuring Jimmy Hart, and the trailer for the film. In particular, the Behind the Scenes gives a little more appreciation for the film.

Scott Clark

Rating:15
UK Release Date: 20th August 2012
Directed by: Jesse T. Cook
Cast: Robert Maillet, Jimmy Hart, Jason David Brown, Kelly Couture
Pre-Order/Buy:Monster Brawl On DVD

Film4 FrightFest honours Greg Nicotero

FrightFest, in partnership with Variety Magazine, are set to present the inaugural Variety Award at FrightFest to renowned special effects and make-up artist Greg Nicotero.

Nicotero will be presented with the award on Saturday August 25, following an on-stage interview at this year’s FrightFest The 13^th.

"FrightFest is very proud to be associated with Variety Magazine,” said FrightFest co-director Ian Rattray. “We feel Greg Nicotero is a perfect choice to receive this historic award - the first to be given out at a FrightFest event.”

An acknowledged master of his field Nicotero is an idol of horror fans with a 30-year career that has seen him work on virtually every major horror franchise.

"Film4 FrightFest is delighted to welcome back Greg Nicotero,” added co-director Alan Jones. “Every time we see him his career seems to have taken another quantum leap and we are thrilled Variety has recognised his contribution to the genre in both fan and business terms. We love his company as much as his professionalism and are looking forward to hosting him on this auspicious occasion.”

One of the founders of KNB Effects Group in 1988, with Howard Berger and Robert Kurtzman, Nicotero has worked with the great modern filmmakers on both the big and small screen.

His enduring relationships with directors including Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Wes Craven, Frank Darabont, George A. Romero and Sam Raimi demonstrates the value top filmmakers place on his skill.

From “The Pacific,” “Deadwood,” and “The Walking Dead” on television to features including “Kill Bill,” “Misery,” “The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe,” “Mulholland Drive,” “Sin City” and “The Green Mile” Nicotero and his studio have consistently supplied some of the most spectacular and imaginative effects and prosthetics seen on screen over the past three decades. 

Film4 FrightFest The 13^th is on from Thurs 23 August to Monday 27 at the Empire Cinema in London’s Leicester Square. It will present 48 films in three screens. Empire 1 will house the main event while the Discovery and the newly-created Re-Discovery strand will play in Empires 4 & 5.  There are eleven countries represented, with a record-beating fifteen world premieres and twenty-three UK or European premieres.

Tickets for Individual films are on sale from 28^th July.

Bookings: 08 714 714 714 or www.empirecinemas.co.uk

HEISTS: THE MOVIE GENRE

A crew of people, a prominent target and a strategic plan- all aspects needed to qualify as a heist. Putting these aspects on screen has created some of the most memorable films in the heist genre. Headhunters is released on Blu-ray and DVD on August 13th, and as we look forward to watching its new take in the heist formula - and its different, dark and often comical nature- we’ve been inspired to look at other unforgettable movie robberies.

Quick Change (1990)
Bill Murray shows how dangerous a clown can be in one of the top heist movies ever. He stars as Grimm, a grumpy New Yorker who plots a heist on a bank with the help of two accomplices. Although the heist goes smoothly, stealing the money is only part of the job. When the three robbers attempt to make their escape from New York City, things start to spiral in a very bad direction for them.
Point Break (1991)
One of the most important things in making a heist successful is having a captivating leader. Patrick Swayze stars as Bodhi, who seems just an ordinary surfer, when really he’s the leader of the Ex-Presidents gang-- a crew of felons who rob banks wearing Nixon, Reagan and Carter masks.  Keanu Reeves stars as a rookie FBI Agent who goes undercover to catch the robbers, but as he gets drawn in by Bodhi’s charismatic personality, he has to make the decision of a life time.

Heat (1995)
With one of the greatest shootout scenes in film, Heat sets the bar for robbery, shootout and escape scenes in the heist genre. Robert De Niro stars as a successful thief, who is considering leaving the business for good after one last heist, while Al Pacino stars as a compulsive cop who desperately wants to lock De Niro up before he does. De Niro and Pacino both know a heist is being conspired, as each man keeps a close watch on the other.
Entrapment (1999)
Sean Connery stars as an international art thief, while Catherine Zeta-Jones stars as an insurance investigator sent to question him about stealing a Rembrandt painting from an office. She persuades him with a plan to steal a Chinese mask from a heavily secured palace. After they successfully steal the mask, Connery accuses her of plotting to turn him in-- until she informs him of yet another heist for the duo to plot.
Heist (2001)
Gene Hackman stars as Joe Moore, a renowned jewel thief whose life and career become endangered when he's caught on security cameras. He finds out that his fence, Bergman, breaks his word on the money he's owed and his wife may be cheating on him with the fence's nephew. As Moore and his crew are left broke, betrayed and blackmailed, they are forced to do Bergman's last big heist for the payday of a lifetime.
 Oceans 11 (2001)
Using some of the best looking stars, a bit of humour and a well-thought out plan, perfectly exemplifies the modern heist genre.   George Clooney stars as Danny Ocean; an ex-con who gets out of jail and instantly puts together an ultimate crew of ten men. As each of the members specializes in something different, they strategically plan a heist on a casino that's run by an oblivious CEO dating Ocean’s ex-wife.
The Italian Job (2003)
In Venice, Italy, Mark Wahlberg stars as a team leader of expert thieves as they pull off a daring heist and steal 35 million dollars worth of gold from underneath the noses of the Italian Police and the Mafia. One of the thieves betrays his team and takes the gold for himself. A year later, in Los Angeles, the crew create a smart and scheming heist to get back the gold and get their revenge on the traitor.
Inside Man (2006)
Dressed in painter outfits, Dalton Russell’s crew enters a bank and within seconds, they put the bank under a strategically planned heist as they disable the surveillance cameras and take everyone hostage. The NYPD detectives arrive on the scene to contact Russell and ensure the safety of the hostages.  However, things don’t go as planned as Russell’s perfect bank robbery leaves the hostages and authorities dumbfounded.
The Bank Job (2008)
Inspired by the infamous 1971 London bank robbery, the plot twists keep an intriguing edge throughout the film.  As a struggling car dealer with a wife and kids to take care of, Terry Leather is constantly worrying about money. When Martine, a model from his old neighbourhood, tells him of a flawless heist plan, he takes the risky chance of a life time and robs the bank. What Terry doesn’t realise is that Martine has an ulterior motive-- one that is much bigger than anything he or his crew could imagine.
The Town (2010)
This film brings some of most thrilling robbery scenes in film history. While sometimes dressing up in the infamous nun costumes- Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner star as two childhood friends who pull off armed heists for a dangerous mobster. When Affleck’s character starts to build a relationship with one of his robbery victims, things begin to get complicated for the crew as they set out to execute the ultimate robbery.
Inception (2010)
Built like a classic heist film- the crew, the plot and the execution- but having it all happen inside the subconscious mind adds an entirely different twist to the genre. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Dom Cobb, an expert in raiding the minds of his targets while they sleep to steal their secrets. When he is assigned to plant a thought instead of steal one, the difficult heist skyrockets to a whole new level. Headhunters (2011)
Roger Brown seemingly has it all; until the discovery that his life is based on a lie. He is a well-known headhunter with a pretty wife, gigantic mansion and everything else he could ever want.  However, his biggest secret revolves around maintaining this lavish lifestyle-- as an art thief. And when his finances hit rock bottom, he attempts to pull off his biggest art heist yet; which transpires chilling secrets, backstabbing and murder.
Find out how Roger gets on in Headhunters, on Blu-ray and DVD August 13th.

Livid DVD Review

★★★ 1/2☆

Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo have already made a sound debut in the form of 2007’s Inside, so their second feature, Livid, is due to cause some excitement amongst horror fans. The pair’s second film is an atmospheric and visually inventive take on the ‘old haunted house story’ and among other things probably one of the few films this year that will really prove how terrifying obscenely old people can be.

The story follows Lucie (Chloe Coullaud) on her first day as an in-home caregiver Lucie’s new job takes an interesting turn with the revelation that oen of her patients, the comatose Mrs. Jessel, has a treasure of unknown value stashed somewhere in her desolate house. Lucie, Her boyfriend William (Felix Moati), and William’s brother Ben (Jeremy Kapone), decide to break into the house on Halloween night to find the treasure and turn their fortunes around. The house has different ideas and not long after entering the trio are trapped and in the throes of a supernatural nightmare.

Maury and Bustillo understand the importance of believable characters and spend a good time at the start of the piece introducing us to their lead character Lucie , and her world.  Understanding her hopes and dreams, and those of the two boys, is vital for the scare factor of the film since even though we know they are trespassing and robbing we also know that the money is a way out of their dreary world. The film is centred on the end of life, the purgatory of not just the coma state, or old-age, but of squashed dreams so the money is an opportunity to avoid ending up like one of Lucie’s patients. The film’s first half flaunts a good pace and enough menace to keep the viewer intrigued, the scares are kept in check and the three main characters all work off each other well. Long shots of Mrs. Jessel’s  vegetative form hooked up to life support unnerve the viewer and create a surprising amount of tension which is never relinquished with a cheap jump or “eyes-flicker-open” moment.  The discovery of just what the treasure is,cements the fairy tale quality and leads to a bizarre supernatural mind-screw of a second act.

Unfortunately the film loses grip on itself by the end. The escalation of scares degrades to a messy muddle pushing the film into a gory conclusion it never seemed destined for. Some of the blatant images and sequences stand out as uncomfortable in a film that, for the most part, identifies the grotesque and eerie with care. The sequence where Ben suddenly ends up in a filthy room with no doors is genius but what follows in the room seems ham-fisted and unconnected. The construction of the relationships and tension is skilful, but the set-up is squandered through hasty conclusions to characters and a half-assed attempt at more concepts. Eventually the film comes across as something between Guillermo Del Toro’s dark fairy tale world, and The Skeleton Key (2005)it pushes for a strong gothic element that comes flawlessly until the film aims big. If it had followed certain routes from earlier on it could have cemented itself as a particular type of horror, but it seems wary of being lost in a sub-genre. Still, it’s a charming and striking horror with more than its fair share of unsettling ideas.

Scott Clark

Rating:18
DVD/BD Release Date: 13th August 2012 (UK)
Directed By: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
Cast:Chloé Coulloud, Félix Moati , Jérémy Kapone