Film: Evil Dead Burn

I've always loved the original Evil Dead trilogy. There's was something magical about the way they balanced hard horror with humour (but perhaps not comedy?) with a dissonance that emphasised both.

I'd say that the modern Evil Dead trilogy manages to walk the same tightrope. What they lack, however, is a quality that leaves them etched in the memory. I was shocked that this was the third in the series, and had to rack my brains to figure out whether or not I had seen the second (I have).

So yes, Burn is a decent romp, scary when it matters and funny elsewhere. It's recommended, but don't expect it to linger once its over. 

Film: The Odyssey

The Odyssey is one of Nolan's best films. But before you start blowing those trumpets, know that I don't consider Nolan a good film maker, so this being amongst his best isn't actually saying much.

All of his annoying trademarks are here, from the overlapping soft cuts between scenes transgressing time and space, to the chopping and mixing up of chronology. Given I don't see any of these tricks as adding to the value of a Nolan film, the overuse of them does more harm than good.

It's probably a testament to Homer that this film is so good though. The story is straightforward and accessible, but with enough nuance to make it interesting. All actors do a fabulous job of spinning the tale, and production is top notch (something I really can't take away from Nolan).

On balance then The Odyssey is a good, even great, film, and yet one that makes me wonder how much of a Nolan fanboy I would become when he finally decides to leave all his gimmicks at home.