Dead of Winter

I went to the Cinemark Secret Movie and this was the movie played. I was a little disappointed at first because I was hoping for a different movie, but five minutes in I was hooked.

This was such a great movie with good action, which was surprising considering Emma Watson is the main character, and suspense, I jumped in my seat twice, and even cringed at one bloody scene.

I am very happy that this was the movie shown as I would not have gone to see it otherwise.

I'd give this film a 7.5. It was s solid thriller. I saw it at Screen Unseen at AMC. It was already on my list, so that was lucky.

No frills, no gimmicks, just good old fashion filmmaking. Story was basic, but the writing was good. The acting was believable for the most part. The pacing was good.

There were several predictable moments, but it wasn't all predictable. I loved the cinematography (10/10). The landscape offered some beautiful shots and they didn't waste it.

Good direction. Nice little flick. My girlfriend and I both enjoyed it.

This was this month's Secret Movie at Cinemark. Another good choice by Cinemark! This film stars Emma Thompson as a widow who travels to a remote lake to honor her late husband. Unfortunately for her, she gets a bit lost and stumbles upon a pair of kidnappers who have abducted a young girl and are holding her in their dilapidated cabin for reasons that I will not reveal to avoid spoilers. Soon Emma Thompson tries to help the girl with violent results. The film is very suspenseful (almost Hitchcock like) and the cinematography of Finland and Germany (as a substitute for northern Minnesota) is fantastic. Emma Thompson is very good along with Judy Greer as one half of the kidnapping team is scarily good. Highly recommended. 8/10.

The first great feature of Dead Of Winter is that it is NOT a remake of the 1987 movie of the same name (hated that movie).

This is a German production, filmed in Finland, set in Minnesota. My experience with German movies is they are gritty, story-driven, low budget, and have zero stupid characters. Dead Of Winter has all of those characteristics.

The cast is tiny. 9 people total, only 4 of which are major players. Most of the rest of the cast is seen through Emma's memories, eventually explaining why she has made this trip to an isolated lake. As memories work, Emma never names her own character, so we don't learn her name until the final minute of the film. Even that is an add-on, as most references to her in the credits call her character the fisherwoman.

As you can tell from the preview or blurb, Emma happens across a kidnapping and tries to help the young woman. Everything cascades from there. Emma mostly has no one to talk to so the story has to convey her plan just from her actions. And in places it looks like she's making mistakes. But ultimately we learn it all comes together and makes sense.

The mix of Minnesota-nice character with ruthless moves to effect rescues and escapes is incredibly endearing and Emma plays it perfectly.

You probably won't see an ad for this movie, given the budget. But it's one worth seeing.

Emma Thompson was phenomenal. She produced this movie. Kept you on your toes. Story of a couple who had their first date in 1982 and she goes to that same place to complete his last request by burying his ashes there. Twists and turns but good movie. Id watch again. Just go see it. You wont regret it.