Basic Plot: An industrial worker who is unable to sleep begins to question his sanity.

Outburst: That the man is nuts from sleep deprivation isn’t in question. One is simply left wondering which things are real and which are hallucinations. It’s another classic Brad Anderson; also known as a “mind-fuck movie”.

— If you like being disturbed, you’ll love this one. Note that Christian Bale became emaciated to better look the part, so if looking at bodies of starving people is too much for you, do not watch this movie.

Wikipedia Entry: The Machinist

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Basic Plot: Set in a world where humans remain isolated while interacting through androids, an FBI agent is forced to personally leave his home to investigate a series of murders. Based on a graphic novel series by Robert Venditti.

Outburst: While at some point the base premise could be technologically possible, it remains sociologically improbable. The script is formulaic and illogical; I solved the murder halfway through and I’m usually a sucker for even the lamest plot-twist. Why would having surrogates lower crime? Why did it take so long to solve this mystery when your ‘aha-moment’ involved a standard keyword search and some old newspaper articles? The special murder weapon is the worst bit of stupidity — it looks like an EMP-like device but according to the script it uploads a virus using a flash of light (effects stolen from Terminator). I’d say the acting was good, but mostly people had to be wooden and stilted on camera, so it would be more of a surprise if the acting were poor.

— Tortured Bruce Willis has now officially been overdone. Watch it for the slick visuals, sexy people, and a few good but mindless action sequences, then migrate to something better.

Wikipedia Entry: Surrogates (film)

Basic Plot: An amnesiac war vet, mistakenly sent to an institute for the criminally insane, is subject to cruel experimentation. The idea is loosely based on a Jack London story, which is based on the tale of Ed Morrel.

Outburst: From the intro’s juxtaposition of chaotic war footage and classical soundtrack, I knew I was in for a dark, surreal ride. This is the unintentional doppelganger of the movie Jacob’s Ladder, with a science-fiction, mystery slant instead of demonic horror.

— Charlie Kaufman fans, and folks who have always wanted to see Jacob’s Ladder but who don’t see merit in pissing themselves with fear, will appreciate this film.

Wikipedia Entry: The Jacket (film)
Wikipedia Entry: Ed Morrell

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Basic Plot: In a world where thieves can steal ideas using dreams, can they also plant new ideas in your head and make you believe they are yours?

Outburst: Complex and bizarre, with stunning visual effects and lots of action. There are overtones of the Matrix, various philosophers, and a good bit of Hollywood charm. My biggest problem with the movie was the idea of a ‘kick’ — that one would automatically wake when experiencing falling (more specifically the sensation known as a hypnic jerk). I’ve experienced dreams in which I’ve fallen to the bottom and neither awakened nor died as urban legend would have you believe. Otherwise, this is a beautiful and original concept film, destined to be a science fiction groundbreaker.

/DVD/CULT — This is a complex, cerebral movie concept brought to life. It’s easy enough to follow the first time if you are paying attention, but it would probably benefit from a second or third viewing. I smell the makings of a cult classic provided they don’t screw it up by adding cheesy sequels.

Official Site: Inception
Wikipedia Entry: Inception

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Basic Plot: A rich billionaire decides he’d rather steal art than buy it, but a seductive insurance agent sets out to retrieve the painting.

Outburst: A glorious crime caper movie, too bad the leading lady does nothing for me and the sparks are pretty much nonexistent. Not my ideal ending, but quite satisfactory overall.

/DVD — If you like a witty, rich bad-boy with the mythical heart of gold, this movie’s for you. One of the few movies to portray a mature woman as a seductive siren.

Wikipedia Entry: The Thomas Crown Affair (1999 film)
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Basic Plot: A women and her family return to her childhood home, where she wants to open up a home for disabled orphans. Strange things start to occur when her son meets up with a new imaginary friend.

Outburst: You know the movie is going to be creepy when Guillermo del Toro asks to co-direct. I’m glad I didn’t watch it at night, because I was alone. Creepy, creepy, creepy, creepy, creepy and fantastic.

/DVD — Subtle horror fans and those who like fairy tales with bite will adore the film even as they cringe into their seats. If it plays at night in a theatre anywhere, you must go see it … with lots of buddies and an empty bladder.

Official Site: The Orphanage (American remake pending)

BUY IT NOW! The Orphanage [Blu-ray]

Basic Plot: U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko tracks a killer in Antarctica.

Outburst: When every hand in the movie throws in some ‘must have’ element, you end up with a steaming pile of Whiteout. It is unfathomable why anyone would want to stick Kate Beckinsale in a parka to begin with, but the gratuitous shower scene (in which you don’t actually see her naked) was a nasty tease. Full-frontal male nudity? Unnecessary. Subplot outlining her tortured character done entirely in flashbacks? Both unnecessary and equally torturous to the audience.

— This movie would have been a masterpiece in the 1980′s (circa The Thing). We saw the ending coming twenty years ago. Don’t watch it on a snowy day; you might get cabin fever.

Official Website: Whiteout
Wikipedia: Whiteout movie

Basic Plot: A federal marshal investigates the mysterious escape of a patient at a remote hospital for the criminally insane.

Outburst: Is he paranoid, or are they all out to get him? This movie is astounding in its depth and complexity. Even better, the ending ties everything together in a neat Hollywood package so you won’t have to stay confused forever.

/DVD — Personally, I thought it was a topnotch movie the first time I watched it, although not one I would watch repetitively. However, I’m told you pick up some very detailed nuances the more times you view it, so I’m going to have to add it to the DVD list.

Official Website: Shutter Island
Wikipedia: Shutter Island
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Basic Plot: Strange doings at an abandoned mental hospital when the asbestos cleaning crew goes to work there.

Outburst: This is a creep-your-pants-off style of psychological horror. It took me two tries to actually watch it, because even though I adore Peter Mullen, I have a hard time taking David Caruso seriously after CSI and that awful movie Jade. Once you start watching, however, it really drags you in.

— You have to love indie horror films, lean scripts, and spartan visuals to really get into this movie. If you like over the top or heavy special effects, look elsewhere. As a rainy day horror film, it will give you a delightful shudder.

BUY IT NOW! Session 9 on DVD

Basic Plot: The game’s afoot, and Holmes is on the chase!

Outburst: Entertaining wit, engaging fights, and a clever Sherlock concept make this a fun movie.  I had a few small quibbles with minor details, but overall was vastly pleased.

/DVD  — It’s just a fun sort of movie.  While not technically steampunk, I think fans of steampunk and/or Holmes will want to add this to their DVD collections as well.

Official Sherlock Holmes Website