5 films I recommend you check out!

Haven't done a recommendation list in awhile, and figured I'd make one to hopefully help a few of you find some new movies to check out! Let's just get right into it. 

Movie: The Guest (2014)

Synopsis:  A soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence. 

My thoughts on this film: The best way to describe this movie for me is that it's like Captain America if he had gone insane. This is an action/suspense/thriller film, filled with plenty of great performances, some beautiful cinematography, a wonderful soundtrack, and some fun action scenes. This is made by the guys who brought us You're Next, so if you're a fan of that then you'll more than likely dig this. I would rate this one as a 8/10 personally. It's a fun flick for sure. 

Movie:  The Rover (2014)

Synopsis:  10 years after a global economic collapse, a hardened loner pursues the men who stole his only possession, his car. Along the way, he captures one of the thieves' brother, and the duo form an uneasy bond during the dangerous journey. 

My thoughts on the film: An interesting take on the post-apocalyptic genre. This film has a very similar vibe to the movie The Road. It takes a look at how society would react and what we would turn into after a complete collapse in structure. This film however focuses more on human beings and what our existences would be if such a thing happened, rather than the setting of the world. The film can be quite bleak and brutal at times, the score and cinematography only held aid that feeling as well. I really enjoyed the simple story that was told in this film, and the performances we get out of the lead actors are done quite well. I'd rate this film as a 7.5/10. 

Movie: Lord of War (2005)

Synopsis:  The 20-year arms dealing career of Queens, N.Y., outcast Yuri Orlov serves as a window onto the end of the Cold War and the emergence of worldwide terrorism. He finds himself reassuring his more ethically challenged younger brother, Vitaly, while adeptly sidestepping the pursuit of federal agent Jack Lawrence. 

My thoughts on the film: Probably my all time favorite performance of actor Nicolas Cage. This film centers around an international gun dealer named Yuri and narrates how he got into his trade and what his world is like. This film borders on black comedy for me, with how bleak it is at times yet it also manages to crack you up during this down moments. It has a very cold cynicism feel going on at times, due to how Yuri is always concerned about profits no matter what seems to be happening. It also has a great performance from Jared Leto playing as Yuri's brother. The film has a very aggressive style of cinematography, and perhaps one of the coolest opening shots of any movie made. This film is almost hypotic in a way with how it will draw you in. If you're a fan of crime films, or just a fan of Nic Cage in general, then you'll definitely love this film. I'd rate this one as an 8.5/10

Movie: Why Don't You Play in Hell (2013)

Synopsis: In Japan, gonzo filmmakers hatch a three-pronged plan to save an actress's career, end a yakuza war and make a hit movie. 

My thoughts on the film: This film was probably the most surprisingly good film I wasn't expecting of 2013. The tone of this movie is definitely in black comedy territory while also maintaining a drama/thriller feeling. This film is a gore soaked mockery about the honor of indie/guerrilla style film making. The main characters sport perhaps the most ridiculous name a group has ever had in a film, The Fuck Bombers. These film makers throw themselves into the midst of a yakuza gang war to try and make the greatest film ever. The main characters are insanely naive and overly optimistic, and basically sacrifice everything they have to make this film. This is definitely a cult movie which also happens to be quite charming. All I can say for this one is try it and see if you're into it. It has some great action scenes, and just some amazing dark humor. This one is another 8.5/10 for me. 

Movie: Deathgasm (2015)

Synopsis:  Two teenage boys unwittingly summon an ancient evil entity known as The Blind One by delving into black magic while trying to escape their mundane lives. 

My thoughts on the film: I might be a bit biased on this film because I have a very large love of the metal genre of music and some of the characters in this film really mirrored some of the people I grew up with in that community. Having said that, however, this film is a very wonderfully funny black comedy film so long as you don't mind gore. This is a very energy filled film which will have place a stupid grin on your face many times as you watch. (Especially if you grew up in the metal community.) This film has a lot of heart and wears it on it's sleeve in between the comedic strokes throughout the script. I would definitely label this film as a splatter film, and it does a fine job of that. If you liked films like Evil Dead or Dead Alive, then I would say you'll probably like this since it plays like those with some Beavis and Butthead mixed in. I'd rate this one as a 7.5/10.