"High-Rise" Review by Tim Hellman

'HIGH-RISE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A British thriller flick, from director Ben Wheatley (who also helmed the popular 2011 British thriller film 'KILL LIST'). The movie was scripted by Amy Jump (Wheatley's wife, and usual writing partner), and it was based on the 1975 novel, of the same name, by J.G. Ballard. The story is about a high-rise tower, that's cutoff from the rest of society, which falls into anarchic chaos, when social conflicts continue to escalate between the residents. The film stars Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss. I found it to be bizarre and oddly fascinating.

Hiddleston plays Dr. Robert Laing; a physiologist that takes a job at a new London tower block, which he also moves into. The high-rise is divided into different social classes; with the rich living in higher floors, and poorer residents living in lower ones. The building has everything occupants need (like a supermarket, gym and swimming pool), so residents hardly ever have to leave. Social conflicts arise when the tower's power begins to fail, and the poor suffer the blunt of it. Disagreements become violent, as the high-rise turns to total chaos and anarchy.

The movie is definitely strange, and sometimes hard to follow (for me at least), but I liked it even more because of this. Hiddleston is great in the lead, and Wheatley's direction is very fitting to the material. The story is a great examination of the power struggles between 'the haves and the have-nots'. It's also an interesting look at mental illness, as almost everyone in the movie seems to go completely crazy (very quickly). It's very amusing, quirky, and darkly humorous too. I'd definitely say it's a well made little indie thriller.

"The One I Love" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'THE ONE I LOVE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss costar in this indie romantic comedy flick about a married couple, struggling to stay together, who go on a weekend getaway in an attempt to work things out. It was directed by first-time feature filmmaker Charlie McDowell and written by first-time feature film writer Justin Lade. Ted Danson costars in the movie as the couple's therapist. The film is funny, and bizarrely entertaining, due to a pretty clever script.

Duplass plays Ethan and Moss plays Sophie. The two have been married for some time but things have become difficult for them, recently, due to some infidelity. At the advice of their therapist (Danson) the couple decides to go stay at a secluded vacation house for the weekend; in an effort to try to reconcile their differences and rekindle their love. After the two get high, on the first night, things get really strange (and it's not because of the weed).

Without giving away too much of the movie, there are some pretty unique twists and turns; which make it very interesting to watch. It's funny, because of it's bizarreness, but it's also a thoughtful examination on love and relationships. Duplass and Moss are both great in the leads and Lade's script is brilliant. McDowell's directing is pretty decent, for a first-time filmmaker, but the movie overall is a tad too dark and depressing. The ending has some optimism though and it also leaves you with another great twist. I think 4 stars (out of 5) is fair.