(2008) *****LOTS of people reviewed this last year - AC, Octo, Freeek and JSP. (Sorry not to link, but really, why did JSP put all that effort into The Monster List if we're not going to use it?) So as briefly as I can - here's the plot: Oskar, lonely and often bullied by jerks, meets Eli, his new neighbor. Who turns out to be a vampire. Interesting and powerful events occur. Good? Okay.
I loved this movie. First of all, it is so beautiful. I loved the scenery, it actually made me cold. It's all this endless snow. It permeates everything. It's not only the outside shots that are cool, either, check out Oskar's classroom.
There is not a lot of dialogue - it's not really needed. There are subtleties in some of the action that really break your heart. Octo pointed out a scene in his review - with Oskar and his Father's sweater - that made me catch my breath as well. But it's clearly not all sunshine. The unexpected turns here and there truly add to the tension as the story unfolds. The bits with Eli's "assistant," especially in the most brightly lit forest where you can't believe he's doing what he's doing, had me on the edge of my seat. But at the same time, you have these moments of pacing and quietude that are so sublime.
And there is some brilliantly filmed pipe in the ass.
I'm pretty sure almost all of the Thonners have seen this. If anyone hasn't, be sure to put it on your list. You really don't want to miss it.
