Review: Green Room

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What's your desert island band?

A punk rock band consisting of Pat, Reece, Sam, and Tiger (Anton Yelchin, Joe Cole, Alia Shawkat, and Callum Turner) have a gig go south and not enough money to afford gas to get back home. They reluctantly take another gig at a skinhead bar. After their set is over, they're about to leave when they accidentally witness a murder. Now the skinheads aren't letting them leave. They barricade themselves in a room with Amber, (Imogen Poots) another person who witnessed the murder while the owner of the bar Darcy (Patrick Stewart) attempts to solve the problem. Things obviously get violent.

I remember when this premiered on the festival circuit, and I saw "Patrick Stewart in a punk rock neo Nazi movie" and I was completely sold just because it's so different from what I'm used to seeing him in. He's not in it a lot, but his cunning presence is felt every time he's on screen. It's Yelchin and Poots who do the bulk of the heavy lifting acting wise. As does Macon Blair, who was in director Jeremy Saulnier's other wonderful feature Blue Ruin. 

The atmosphere in this film is dirty and dangerous. It's very gory, but every kill happens so fast that the film doesn't spend much time dwelling on the details. We're sparred endless scenes of people bleeding out, but man is it gross in the best way possible. That pace does have its downfalls, you barely feel the weight of the deaths on the lead character because there's just no time.

My only other issue may have been singular to my theater, the projector bulb could've been going out, but this film was so dark it was kind of hard to see at times. I actually got up and moved closer to the screen about 15 minutes in. Brutal and intense, this film may not be what you were expecting, but it definitely deserves to be seen.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: A-

Memorable Quote: "It's funny, you're so much scarier in the dark." - Pat (Anton Yelchin)

Comments

  1. KhalidMay 4, 2016 at 1:39 PM

    I have been really excited for this film for quite some time. Really liked Blue Ruin and like you I too was sold on hearing Patrick Stewart is playing a Neo Nazi. Glad to hear you liked it. Looking forward to seeing it

    ReplyDelete
  2. Zach MurphyMay 4, 2016 at 1:48 PM

    One of my favorite films of 2016 so far. I did want to see a bit more of Sir Patrick Stewart, though.

    - Zach

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 4, 2016 at 5:26 PM

      I thought he'd be in it a bit more too, but yes, enjoyed this ine very much.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousMay 4, 2016 at 6:22 PM

    I wasn't sure what to make of this, so I'm glad to have read your review. It hasn't passed through here yet, annoyingly, but I've got my eye peeled (that sounds gross in the singular, doesn't it?)

    J

    ReplyDelete
  4. rhysgdruryMay 4, 2016 at 8:14 PM

    Hadn't heard anything about this film up until a few weeks ago. I think it opens here in a few weeks so I might head along and check it out, the word has been pretty good. Great review Brittani! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownMay 5, 2016 at 5:11 AM

    I missed an exclusive preview of this one but I'm glad to see you enjoyed it, I'll be giving it a shot when I can. I had no idea Patrick Stewart was in it! That's enough reason alone :)
    - Allie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 5, 2016 at 10:35 PM

      His part is small but memorable. Anton Yelchin is great though.

      Delete
  6. BirgitMay 5, 2016 at 7:34 PM

    This isn't a film I would normally see...until you mentioned Patrick Stewart is in it and now I am curious

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 5, 2016 at 10:36 PM

      I know you don't like gore, but hopefully you can stomach it for him lol

      Delete

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