Well, I really wanted to see
The Reaping because I love rivers of blood and biblical plagues. And Hilary Swank ("P.S. I Love You"). And the film had all three of those things. Sometimes atmospherically creepy and sometimes jump scary, the plot was just a bit too thin. Swank plays a professor who specializes in debunking religious mysteries. She's called in to investigate what seems to be a series of biblical plagues affecting a small town. She has a past of a terrible event where she lost her faith. Stephen Rea ("Stuck") is a priest and former friend who tires to warn her she's in danger. Though some of this is pretty cool, I could see where it was going before it went there.
For Christmas, my husband got me
Masters of Horror: Joe Dante - The Screwfly Solution as a companion piece to Season 3 of 90210, both staring the fabulous Jason Priestley ("Made in Brooklyn"). I had not watched any of the Masters of Horror series before, and so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It's sort of twilight zoney. Priestley and Elliot Gould ("The Deal") are scientists called in to try and figure out why men all over the world are suddenly and viciously attacking women. The pacing is pretty good and there's some good creep factor. But it's more sci-fi than horror. Still, I'm interested to see more of this series.
Away from Her is gorgeous and depressing. I pretty much had tears in my eyes from the beginning until the end. The desolateness of the story is reflected beautifully in the scenery. Good job for writer/director Sarah Polley in her full length debut, though it sometimes reminded me of a film in which she starred, The Sweet Hereafter. Julie Christie ("The Secret Life of Words") stars as a woman developing Alzheimer's. She wants to go live in a home so as not to be too much of a burden on her husband, played by Gordon Pinsent ("The Sparky Book"). The film takes us through the decision, her placement in the home and how both husband and wife react to the new situation. It's heartbreaking.