I'm not an Eli Roth fan -- gory shock horror is not my style. But Cabin Fever (2002) was alright -- funny and disgusting. I do think it's interesting that Roth's fantasies revolve around entitled assholes getting their comeuppance. That's a motif I can get behind. And this particular film, about contagion, was especially skin-crawly during a pandemic year.
Thanks Megan for braving I Am Legend (2007) with me! I'd heard mixed reviews about this film and after watching I guess that makes sense. It's an interesting concept, but with really inconsistent attention to detail, terrible CGI zombies, and a ludicrous ending. Mark says the book is way better and [[insert book plot spoilers]] which sounds way more interesting and was apparently just totally omitted from this movie?? So that's lame. I guess there's an alternate ending to this movie which hews a little more closely to the book, anyone seen it? Thoughts? Also, Megan discovered this cool website: http://paintingsinmovies.com/m/view/id/127 gotta bookmark that for future reference! :)
My pandemic movie grades:
Outbreak (1995) -- A. The original and the best. Everything you'd want from a pandemic movie -- corrupt government, vigilante scientists, a helicopter chase, and a monkey named Betsy. / 6.6 IMDb / 60% Rotten Tomatoes
It Comes at Night (2017) -- B+. A visually intense and claustrophobic look at paranoia and isolation during a plague. I have some objections to the storytelling but don't want to give spoilers, hmu if you've watched and wanna discuss. / 6.2 IMDb / 88% Rotten Tomatoes
World War Z (2013) -- B. It has Brad Pitt. / 7.0 IMDb / 66% Rotten Tomatoes
Contagion (2011) -- B-. An all-star cast and an interesting plot, with lots of sciencey content for those who are so inclined. Definitely scratches the pandemic "itch," but the meandering storytelling strangles the suspense. A more aggressive editor could have made this movie a lot tauter and more thrilling. Would be interested to watch a fan re-cut. / 6.7 IMDb / 85% Rotten Tomatoes
Flu (2013) -- C. Cliched Korean disaster melodrama. Exciting in the moment but not too memorable. / 6.7 IMDb / 36% Rotten Tomatoes
Forgot how amazing 28 Days Later is! Thanks for reminding me, Sarah! 🙈🙉🙊
