Tuesday Releases: Cloud Atlas & Texas Chainsaw

May 14, 2013 / Leave a Comment

MAY 14TH, 2013

CLOUD ATLAS // The one word that I would use to describe “Cloud Atlas” is ambitious. In the day and age where coming up with even one interesting story with a complete narrative arc can prove to be a difficult act, The Wachowski siblings take on the daunting task of telling six different stories, which at times inter-connect, in one giant film. Though certain stories seem somewhat out of place when matched with the rest, specifically “The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish”, overall, the film is effectively intriguing throughout. The multiple uses of actors in several different roles can, at times, be confusing, but overall provides a nice little game of who’s who, which culminates in the end credits where you are shown every character that each actor played. If The Wachowskis have achieved anything besides a majestic, visually stunning piece of cinema, it is a film that will cause for multiple viewings.

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TEXAS CHAINSAW // Without a doubt, the best representation of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” since the original, “Texas Chainsaw 3D” not only revamps the themes from the original but completely turns the franchise into something new and exciting, hopefully leading to more films to follow, which is something I say very rarely in concerning horror remakes. During the trailer, there were small glimpses of this film’s potential, including a tracking, rack-focus shot of the leading lady, Alexandra Daddario, who is beyond sexy in this film, along with a well-framed wide shot of Leatherface in a buttoned up shirt and tie, revving his trademark chainsaw. Once the film began and Tobe Hooper, the original director, had a credit as executive producer, I knew I was in for a treat. The film surprises on all levels, always alluding to past themes, but never actually showing them, for example, the interrupted sex scene. Also, by twisting the story so that Leatherface becomes an anti-hero is beyond anything I could have dreamed for this franchise, and breathes new life into a series that was otherwise falling to the straight-to-DVD depths. With plenty of avenues to take from here, including a potential plot not so different from “House at the End of the Street”, I remain completely impressed with Lionsgate and director John Luessenhop in their ability to show me an effectively made horror remake.