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DVD Release Review: ‘Proxy’

Published

10 years ago

September 14, 2014

A few times a month, I like to take a “movie nerd” risk, and buy an indie film DVD release, without actually watching it prior to buying it. A few weeks ago, I took the plunge the again, and purchased ‘Proxy’, a Zack Parker film released by IFC Midnight, Along the Tracks, and FSC Productions.

‘Proxy’ features a story about a very pregnant Esther Woodhouse (Alexia Rasmussen), who while walking home from her last doctor’s appointment, is brutally assaulted and disfigured in an alley way by a hooded assailant. Esther is persuaded by a hospital social worker to attend a support group for grieving parents.

At the support group, she meets Melanie Michaels (Alexa Havins), who claims her son and husband (Joe Swanberg) were killed by a drunk driver. Esther and Melanie form a close bond, but soon it becomes clear that both are harboring much darker secrets than they initially let on.

When Esther discovers a dark secret about Melanie, another shocking act of violence is committed, and they find that recovery may be impossible, or unnecessary.

‘Proxy’ might be best known for it’s initial opening sequence. Critics at the Toronto International Film Festival noted feeling uncomfortable by the assault scene, and they were not alone. The opening scene features the death of Esther’s unborn child, and if you can get past that scene, you will be pleasantly surprised by this IFC piece.

‘Proxy’ does so many things right. The first thing a viewer notices, is the seemingly uncomfortable silence that most of the scenes feature. Most of the scenes, especially action scenes, have little to no dialogue. Instead, they are highlighted by creepy, almost cathedral music, that sounds like a throwbrack to Bernard Hermann’s Alfred Hitchcock scores. The music does wonders for the tense and demented feel of the movie.

The simple dialogue and complex soundtrack is not the only thing ‘Proxy’ does right. Alexia Rasmussen creates a perfect Esther. Esther is mousy, quiet, plain, and has little observable presence. Throughout the whole movie, you can tell Esther is not quite “all there”. You feel uneasy in her presence, as if you can tell she might be unstable. Melanie Michaels, played by Alexa Havins, is the polar opposite of Esther. She’s outgoing, outspoken, somehow vacantly caring, and has a big presence. However, like Esther, her stories and personal life reveals also have an uneasy undertone. ‘Proxy’ has a wonderful character development, with every actor playing their part to perfection. The subconscious emotions the viewer feels is a direct result of the actors.

The movie is gory, unnerving, and seems to have no moral conscience, much like the characters. The scenes seem to drag on, with the intention of building an unstable mental state. The movie does a tremendous job of building your expectations, and satisfying them with a crazy twist. I found myself thinking ‘Proxy’ was seemingly a throwback to the movies of Hitchcock, Kubrick, and even Lars von Trier.

The first half of the movie indeed feels like a peak inside the lives of mad women. However, after the initial plot twist, the movie takes on a different pace. I found the second half of the movie seemed to drag, and almost bore, when compared to the first half. Although you get a clearer vision of the lives of the main characters, the second half of the movie has less to talk about. There is still a level of unease, and even suspense, but on a much lower level.

Towards the end of the movie, the plot putters out into one last shock. Most of the movie, you’re unable to tell what’s real and what is not, even down to the last scene. I would highly recommend ‘Proxy’ to the horror fans who like intelligent thrillers. If you like a psychological twist to your entertainment, ‘Proxy’ is for you.

I’ll leave you, the reader, with the line that haunted me for the rest of the night after viewing ‘Proxy’….”We could always have another one.”

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

16 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

17 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

19 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.