Take Shelter(2011)

As usual, I would venture to say that The Academy Awards are a joke this year.  So many films are overlooked because they're either not mainstream enough or they don't fit the perfect genre mold of the awards show.  I would say that Take Shelter is certainly one of those films.  It's not quite mainstream and its style won't necessarily appeal to the masses, but if this reviewer was in charge of the Oscar's, it would receive the best picture award.

Curtis(Michael Shannon) begins to have dreams and visions of an apocalyptic storm.  He becomes obsessed with fixing up his back yard's storm shelter.  Curtis' ultimate decision is whether he needs to work toward protecting his family or seek help for himself.  The conclusion will stay in your head for days after.

As I said earlier, this should have at least been considered for the best picture nomination.  Also, Michael Shannon's performance is incredible and should receive some form of recognition.  The direction and everything else is nearly flawless.  Since this film got a limited release and hasn't had its arrival on DVD announced yet, I hope you can see it soon, it's fantastic!

10/10 stars.

The Innkeepers(2012)

This slow building, crafty horror flick won't appeal to the modern ADD audience but any  true fan of the genre will be pleased with its throwback style.  When comparing it to other films, 1944's The Invited and the original version of The Haunting come to mind.  There are several other classics that The Innkeepers pays homage to, but I won't bore you with that.

Luke and Claire are the only two employees stuck with the task of working The Yankee Pedlar Inn's final weekend in business.  With only a couple guests and the second floor being the only one that hasn't been stripped, it seems that it is going to be a calm evening.  These assumptions are ruined when a strange old man checks in and refuses to sleep anywhere except a certain room on the third floor.  It all eventually leads to a frightening, ghost of a conclusion.

Director Ti West is really coming into his own with films like House of the Devil and now The Innkeepers.   I really hope he gets a chance to make dozens more films and that he isn't discouraged by the jaded, Tranformers fans out there.  Storytelling and actual suspense still matter to some of us!

8/10 stars.