Shutter Island: Every step leads to a new mystery!
Martin Scorsese's "Shutter Island" (2010) is a neo-noir masterpiece based on Dennis Lehan's novel. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a US Marshal who goes to investigate a missing person case from a psychiatric facility on Shutter Island. But it turns out to be more complicated than it sounds.
Joining DiCaprio on this mysterious island are a stellar cast including Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow and Michelle Williams. The film received mixed reviews, but was a refreshing and admirable change from Scorsese's usual work. And yes, the soundtrack is simply amazing!
Creep: A terrifying combination of loneliness and fear!
Patrick Brice's directorial debut "Creep" (2014) is a wonderful collaboration with Mark Duplass. Duplass co-wrote the story and also acted alongside Brice. The story takes inspiration from films like 'My Dinner with Andre', 'Misery', and 'Fatal Attraction', and uses Craigslist as the starting point of the story.
It is a 'found footage' film that follows Brice as a poor videographer who travels to a remote cabin for an online job to record a dying man's final video for his wife and unborn child. Duplass' character scares you to the core and an uneasy atmosphere prevails throughout the film, which continues into its sequel 'Creep 2' (2017).
Gerald's Game: When life becomes a shackle!
"Gerald's Game" (2017), directed by Mike Flanagan and co-written with Jeff Howard, is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood star as a married couple who go on vacation to a remote cabin. Unfortunately, their attempt to spice up their love life turns into an accidental death, and Gugino is left handcuffed to the bed with no one to rescue her. '
Gerald's Game' was initially deemed 'unfilmable', but Flanagan pulled it off brilliantly. He was critically praised for the tone, performances, and visuals, and the notoriously critical Stephen King even gave it his approval!
Black Swan: When obsession turns to madness!
"Black Swan" (2010) is a mind-bending film directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin and Andres Heinz. The story follows Natalie Portman as a ballerina who must dive into her dark side to win the role of the Black Swan in the NYC company's production of Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake.'
Unfortunately, the pressure of fighting for the coveted role drives her to insanity. 'Black Swan' features an unforgettable cast including Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder. It received a standing ovation at its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and became an awards show darling, with Portman even winning an Oscar for Best Actress.