This Watchlist Wednesday will be a little different, as I bring you a full list of recommendations around a theme instead of the usual deep-dive of a single title. I recently had the unbelievable pleasure of being asked to curate a shelf at the legendary Movie Madness in Portland, Oregon. This is the stuff dreams are made of, folks - sharing movies at the place I love renting movies from most. It's a bright spot in the community for movie-lovers, as they have everything from a movie mini-plex where you can watch staff-curated favorites to an incredible collection of movie props and costumes throughout the store.
I could have thrown a list of favorites together, but I got in the winter spirit and made a list I titled Cold Carnage instead. Each film merges atmosphere, chilly natural elements, and ruthless themes to reflect a stark, nihilistic perspective, embodying the essence of "Cold Carnage." Here's a small bite of each films plot for you, so you can see if you want to dive in for something a little less cheerful this Holiday season:
I could have thrown a list of favorites together, but I got in the winter spirit and made a list I titled Cold Carnage instead. Each film merges atmosphere, chilly natural elements, and ruthless themes to reflect a stark, nihilistic perspective, embodying the essence of "Cold Carnage." Here's a small bite of each films plot for you, so you can see if you want to dive in for something a little less cheerful this Holiday season:
The Ice Harvest (2005) - A darkly comedic crime thriller set during a bleak, icy Christmas Eve, where betrayal and moral decay underscore the grim tone. The cold, desolate atmosphere reflects the characters' ruthless pursuit of personal gain - while still managing to be pretty funny in the process.
Shallow Grave (1994) - This psychological thriller explores the breakdown of friendships in an Edinburgh apartment after discovering a suitcase of money - and a dead roommate. The film’s frigid emotional distance and stark, cold apartment setting amplify its nihilistic take on greed and mistrust in hyper Danny Boyle fashion.
Ravenous (1999) - Set in a remote, frozen military outpost, this horror follows a tale of cannibalism, betrayal, and primal survival. Its brutal themes of human savagery in a hostile environment convey a sense of chilling inevitability.
Insomnia (2002) - A corrupt detective tale set in a perpetually sunlit Alaskan town, in which the psychological tension of sleeplessness paired with the unforgiving landscape enhances its themes of guilt and self-destruction. I love seeing Robin Williams play dark characters!
I Saw the Devil (2010) - Peak Korean Extreme Cinema! This revenge thriller portrays a brutal, cat-and-mouse game between a detective and a psychopathic killer. The film’s cold tone, snowy atmosphere and ruthless cycle of vengeance showcase a dark, nihilistic view of justice and morality.
Lady Vengeance (2005) - Part of Park Chan-wook’s “Vengeance Trilogy,” this film follows a woman’s meticulous revenge after her wrongful imprisonment. Its stark, wintery visuals match the chilling precision of her plan and its exploration of justice and retribution.
Track of the Cat (1954) - This Western horror film follows a dysfunctional family isolated in the snowbound wilderness, tormented by what they believe to be a black panther. The setting's cold hostility and the characters' familial turmoil create a sense of inevitable doom unlike any other film I’ve seen from around this time period.
Prisoners (2013) - A bleak, tension-filled thriller where two families are thrust into moral ambiguity as they search for their kidnapped daughters in rain-soaked Pennsylvania. Its dark themes of desperation and the frigid atmosphere intensify the film’s brutal look at human resilience.
If you're in the PDX area and looking to rent some good old-fashioned PHYSICAL MEDIA, be sure to stop into Movie Madness soon and give one of these a try.
If you're in the PDX area and looking to rent some good old-fashioned PHYSICAL MEDIA, be sure to stop into Movie Madness soon and give one of these a try.