curtis-lori

This movie has a great look, an interesting concept and some great set pieces. It's set in Russia which is a big change from most big budget sci fi movies. It could have been really good, but they skimped on writing, plot and acting. The plot is predictable. You can spot who's expendable right away and some of the acting is terrible. The real star of the show is Moscow, a City we don't see much in American action movies and it's fun to see the modern city. There are also some really nice effects with light bulbs being used to "sense" the aliens and the way the aliens disintegrate their victims. It kept me entertained! Try not to think to much there are some real plot holes here. But what's better than a Russian soldier with a vest made from keys riding a horse covered in scrap metal on the streets of Moscow while battling energy beings from space? Not much!

This movie about a man who wakes up in the desert with no memory is a fascinating look into what part our memories play in who we are and who we perceive ourselves to be. Writer/Director Henry Barrial uses a mystery to take a fresh look at relationships, memory and consciousness. This film is much better viewed without to much knowledge of the plot, allowing your subconscious to follow the clues to the surprising ending. The movie is being billed as a science fiction thriller, which it is, but it's a thoughtful, psychological study rather than what passes for most box office Sci-Fi these days. You won't find gratuitous explosions here!

Pig is a well crafted film, with care taken to make every scene relate to a greater whole. The desert and Los Angeles scenes really capture their location in a way that isn't often seen. I enjoyed seeing places I am familiar with but which rarely making into the movies.

Finally, the acting is superb. Rudolph Martin does the heavy lifting of carrying the film with little dialogue and we care about his character from the beginning. All the actors are great in their roles and the chemistry between them is believable and compelling.

Paul Rhys is fantastic as Archie Cookson, a former field agent who's best days are behind him and who is marking time translating Russian for the British government. Archie's life takes a turn when he is marked for elimination and an old friend shows up to do the job. This is a British film full of the dry humor for which they are famous and there are many moments to laugh out loud. The plot has just the right amount of twists and turns and all the actors are superb. This is a film with interesting characters who make unexpected choices. The story feels familiar and yet still manages to surprise you.

Hard to believe this is the first feature film for Director/Writer Robin Holder. This is a polished, perfectly paced and beautifully filmed movie.

I was able to catch this at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and hope it gets a wider stateside release.