In the modern world of streaming, Netflix’s suggestions can make it difficult to track down movies that take you out of your comfort zone, and unfortunately means that a lot of really good films can go relatively unseen. Cinema Perspective counts down gems that might have passed you by…
1. Coherence
A mind-bendingly good psychological horror from director James Ward Byrkit.
Brie Larson has been impressing from supporting roles for some time and is tipped to get the recognition she deserves in Room which comes out in the UK on 15th January 2016. In Short Term 12, she plays a social worker with troubles of her own.
3. In Order of Disappearance
Starring the great Stellan Skarsgaard, In Order of Disappearance directed by Hans Petter Moland is a dramatic yet hilarious watch that combines genres in a satisfying revenge flick.
Ryan Gosling received an Oscar nomination for his complicated role in Half Nelson, playing the part of a drug addicted school teacher. This makes the list not for being unseen as such but perhaps forgotten.
5. Creep
Comedy writer, director and actor Mark Duplass takes a horror influenced detour, teaming up with director Patrick Brice for Creep, which more than lives up to its name.
6. Young Adult
Charlize Theron is excellent in Young Adult, a film which explores what happens to the popular high school ice queen when life doesn’t quite turn out as planned. Jason Reitman directs.
7. Mighty Aphrodite
Netflix has a great abundance of Woody Allen films, including Mighty Aphrodite in which he stars alongside Mira Sorvino and Helena Bonham Carter and is at his wittiest.
8. All this Mayhem
As well as films, television and stand-up, Netflix gives a platform to a huge selection of documentaries. All this Mayhem follows the harrowing story of Australian skateboarding brothers Tas and Ben Pappas and is a must-see for anyone who has an interest in extreme sport.
9. uwantme2killhim?
British rising star Jamie Blackley is going from strength to strength, and this is partly down to uwantme2killhim? which featured at Edinburgh Film Festival back in 2013 and is based on a shocking true story.
10. Hyena
Hyena was met with a mixed critical reception but for fans of gritty British crime films, it is well worth looking out. It tackles police corruption in London’s criminal underworld and stars the brilliant Stephen Graham.
It is a common occurrence in film for directors to go back to the same actor again and again if a fruitful working relationship is formed. Hans Petter Moland’s go-to guy is the acclaimed Swedish star Stellan Skarsgård and the Norwegian black comedy thriller ‘In Order of Disappearance’ marks their fourth collaboration. In the desolate mountains of Norway, Skarsgard stars as snow plough driver Nils Dickman; a well regarded decent citizen who is pushed to his limits following the murder of his son. The Nordic fjords and landscapes provide a breathtaking setting for a story that achieves a satisfying blend of violence and humour as a father hunts down justice, spilling rich red blood upon thick white snow.
The craft and creativity of Moland’s vision enhances the classic vengeance setup as he applies an inventive flair. The script is sharp, saying something about the current state of society in Norway, or in Europe as a whole, as well as including subtle jokes and culture references. The many deaths provide great physical humour as Nils mercilessly takes out members of the Oslo underworld The victims in the film, mostly undeserving of any sympathy whatsoever, have their deaths brilliantly noted by a still black frame with the departed’s name underneath their applicable religious symbol, marking each untimely demise with comic effect. At the heart of the film though, behind the stylish coating, is a very solid character study. Skarsgard gives a stellar performance depicting a man whose contentment with life is cruelly decimated.
The eccentric supporting characters enrich the plot, as a drug war ensues around Nils between the Oslo gang and a group of Serbians. Before long snow isn’t the only white substance on screen in abundance. The pony-tailed crime boss known as The Count, played by Pål Sverre Hagen, is an absurdly entertaining villain. Thinking the world owes him a favour, he whines and moans when things don’t go his way, and attends shady meetings armed with a revolver and a flat white. Veteran Swiss actor Bruno Ganz also appears as the amusing Serb leader Papa. Like an Eastern European Don Vito, his delivery his hoarse and his actions are deadly.
‘In Order of Disappearance’ is a visually stunning cinematic piece of work that refuses to be compartmentalised as it mixes genres comfortably and with glittering results. It works as both comedy and thriller, and the acoustic score even gives Western elements which is evident again in a gunfight finish. Scandinavian cinema continues to impress hugely and with the success the film has enjoyed on the festival circuit set to result in a nationwide release, it would be criminal to miss it.
Click here for my interview with director Hans Petter Moland
Cinema Perspective 