howardvause

Just watched the current (April 2023) Amazon Prime version of this film and the narration (UK English) is notably excellent. Sounds like the producers may have heeded the voice-over criticism here and released an update. It now sounds great with nice quality production, tastefully edited, ok graphics and well paced and presented - an easy watch if you're interested in this sort of thing. Plenty of well balanced information, new and secondhand, - no aliens etc. - just observation, deduction and plausible conclusions. The original footage and quantity of info contained in the film would justify a rewatch.

BRIMSTONE is an edgy modern survival/revenge Western, set in a culture of strong liquor and religious fervour, where men's violent exploitation and abuse of women is standard behaviour. It's a story well worth telling and we see it as much from the villain's perspective as from the heroine's. There's some corniness going on here though and Mr. Koolhoven's direction veers towards exploitation during the most harrowing scenes - and that's not classy. In fact, there are gaping plot holes, an unnecessary non-linear timeline and the film is a bit too long. Despite all this, it looks good, there's plenty of well handled edge-of-the-seat tension and great performances all round. Guy Pearce is completely believable as The serpentine sado-paedo-psycho Preacherman. Worth a viewing - it stays with you. To see similar material dealt with in a far better film and from a deeper perspective, check out The Nightingale [2018, Dir. Jennifer Kent].

Superb, intelligent Drama/Horror "The Dark" is probably one to avoid if you prefer slasher/satanic/supernatural/torture/etc. Although there's plenty of gore in first half (nods to Texas Chainsaw), it's a subtle, layered film with heart (hehe). Main theme - the dehumanising effect of abuse - is well handled and Monster/Victim roles are messed with. Thought provoking, atmospheric and genuinely touching. Highly recommended.