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The overall rating for the blitz was a record breaking 7.25! Had we had more time to watch more of the films we wanted, it probably would have been higher. I think I'll add the films that we had rented for this blitz and didn't get to once I see them.
Reviews
It Follows (2014)
Most original horror film concept falls just short
It Follows offers perhaps the most unique and refreshing concept in horror/thriller films in the past few years. This film has an unexplainable ability to suspend the viewer's disbelief of fictional concepts by masking them with the unknown. The concept of this film is not secret by any means, and is spelled out quite early in the film in a remarkably perfect manner. The simple explanation given to us in the parking structure scene about the concept of "It Follows" is all the film needed to say, and is all it did say.
The unfortunate problem with this film comes as it shows the characters make choices that are remarkably poor. The audience is taken out of the brilliant concept and thus removed from the suspense of the film due to them questioning the logic and reasoning of the characters.
Many viewers and critics will love this film because of the first half perfection and the unique and refreshing idea. I for one, was angered for these same reasons, as the second half and the conclusion were not even in the same hemisphere as the first act of the film.
*POSSIBLE SPOILER?*
The entire film's concept can be debunked by these three words: Fly to China. Change the opening sequence of the film to show that like the character says in the garage: "It's slow, but it's not stupid" by being smart enough to get on a plane. THEN you have a real problem. :)
Jug Face (2013)
Enormous Symbolism in Kinkle's Debut Masterpiece
Chad Kinkle's full length original screenplay Jug Face, triumphs with perfection. Christian symbolism slowly transposes itself from sheer disturbing terror, leaving the mind to reflect not only on the condition of a viewer's physical stability, but most definitely on the welfare of their soul.
Ada, (Ashley Lauren Carter) is a simple girl, apparently removed from the world in a seemingly simple, ritualistic clan in the backwoods of a small southern town, is found running playfully away from what is believed to be her boyfriend. After a surprisingly graphic sexual encounter in the woods, Ada returns to her immensely involved mother and leader of the town, father. Not long after this brief introduction do we get our first look at Dawai (Sean Bridgers). Dewai is seen molding a pot, or jug, and appears to be controlled by an apparitional presence.
We soon learn that Ada's boyfriend is in fact her brother, Bodey. Ada's secret is understood to be a serious offense amongst the town. Ada soon learns of her pregnancy with her brother, and becomes terrified when she is arranged to be married with another man in the community. Ada, seemingly good friends with Dawai, visits his place, and notices a kiln in the yard where the town "potter" keeps the jug face when a "pit" in the woods summons its next sacrifice. Terrified for her unborn child, she removes the jug from the kiln to in fact discover that she is in line to be sacrificed to the pit, in line with the covenant between the pit and the townsfolk.
Ada does everything in her power to hide her sin, which is visually represented as the jug face, therefore her sin is conceived at the time of her transgression, or her participation in incest. The pit is known to "want what it wants", which is ironically portrayed as both scripturally symbolic to God and to Satan. The clan, which can be symbolized as a "peculiar people" who are not amongst the worldly things, reference a pact, or covenant that they have with the pit. As long as they provide an honest sacrifice, the pit is a generous provider and healer of their sick. However, as Ada has transgressed, the pit demands justice when Ada's brother Bodey becomes ill and is mutilated while asking the pit to become cleansed, which also references an unclean repentance, as he obviously too is a transgressor of incest.
Ada continues to visually struggle with her sins, hiding and burying her jug face as she fights to cover up her transgressions and her secrets. The townsfolk become outraged, as they realize that something is not right with the pact. They turn their attention towards Dawai, the potter, outraged that he may have messed up the announcement of the jug face when Ada's betrothed was wrongly sacrificed by the ignorant town, while the one who knew the truth (Ada) watches him die in innocence with a firm and sincere resolve, signifying a firm faith in their beliefs. Dawai is beaten and later bound.
Ada's mother soon finds out of Ada's secret in an unconventional physical check for the presence of the hymen, and finding it absent, beats and shames Ada. Ada runs away and finds Dawai, frees him, and manipulates him to take her into town to mingle with the common folk, so that she may find a doctor to receive treatment for her unborn child. This manipulation of Dawai symbolizes her personal relationship with the Savior, turning a blind eye, or being a "Sunday Christian", using her understanding of the gospel as it conveniently benefits herself. This scene is symbolized as a lamb leaving the fold to investigate the ways of the world, further deliberately denying the covenant, and thus, Christ – who is learned to be represented by Dawai. They are reported by the doctor back to their townsfolk, where Ada and Dawai are whipped profusely, further illustrating the torture preceding the crucifixion.
Throughout the film, Ada is shown visions, and has encounters with a "liaison" of sorts, illustrating her perfect knowledge of her transgressions, and her enslavement to Satan, or the increasingly rampant pit which continues to dismember and obliterate other innocent townsfolk. After a second innocent slaughter, Ada is shown having a miscarriage, which is assume as cause from her mother's violent finger insertions in checking for her virginity.
Just before the townsfolk are to sacrifice Ada and Dawai back to the pit, satisfying again the covenant, Ada calls upon the liaison, and asks to be sacrificed solely, in exchange for Dawai's life and freedom. Dawai volunteers to be sacrificed alone, stating to the pit his absolute and unwavering faith. This vibrant symbolism of redemption and application of the atonement is fulfilled with her sacrifice to the pit, leaving again at last, a chosen people in harmonious standing with the Lord.
Such complexity in such remarkable portrayal is nothing short of spine tingling, leaving the mind overwhelmed with thought. Bridgers and Carter are flawless, selling their clear understanding of their important knowledge of their roles.
Jug Face will pack a punch that is sure to shatter most of its viewers with fear of almost every kind. Technical aspects are loud, vibrant, terrifying, and nothing short of ingenious. The true tell of a perfect storyline is one that appeals to the masses, but one that also rewards the more delicate eye with a wave of entertaining, powerful, cinematic brilliance.