Weapons
Tempo grade: A-
Horror
Mitchell Storyteller 7 Cinemas
Rated R for strong bloody violence and grisly images, language throughout, some sexual content and drug use
One of the worst subjects of horror, in cinema and real life, is the missing child.
In writer-director Zach Cregger’s new feature, “Weapons,” that sense of terror is amplified by 17. That’s the number of elementary school children in teacher Justine Gandy’s (Julia Garner) classroom that fails to show up one day. As soon as school officials and local police are alerted to the disappearances, a huge manhunt is launched.
Only one child did show up for class that day, Alex Lilly (Gary Christopher). But after extensive questioning, little Alex has nothing the police can use for clues.
Cregger expertly allows this anxiety to simmer as he divides the film’s plot into chapters that focus on the main characters and how they cope or don’t cope with the vanishing, which all take place on the same day, at the same time of 2:17 a.m., and all within the small town of Maybrook. They know this because some kids lived in houses equipped with ring cameras on their front doors.
For instance, we learn that teacher Gandy has had some challenges in her history, which are aren’t helped by her tendency to drink alone. Then, there’s Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), a local building contractor with a hot temper who is convinced Gandy knows something about the disappearances and isn’t telling. Others push the plot forward and back, providing the audience with context for why they do what they do.
When little Alex’s parents take in an ailing older relative not long before the trouble starts, some questions are answered, but Cregger doles out them out as quiet revelations and sudden, horrifying violence.
The first conclusion to which one may jump is that the film has a plot vaguely like John Wyndom’s 1957 seminal horror novel, “The Midwich Cuckoos” (1957), which was later made into three films. But, in that story, the children mysteriously born to child-bearing age women and linked with one another by telepathy, was more science fiction than this.
Cregger, who rose to fame with his popular horror film, “The Barbarian,” shows he is a talent to watch. His work is perfectly paced with deliberate performances from his actors, in particular, Gary Christopher, Josh Brolin and Julia Garner. Plus, the settings, amid peaceful, well-to-do expensive homes and a school that screams normalcy, is the perfect place for this over-the-top horror masterpiece to take place.
Definitely a spook-worthy movie to enjoy.
Also showing this week at the Mitchell Storyteller 7 Cinema
Freakier Friday (PG). Comedy. Not previewed.
The Bad Guys 2 (PG). Animated comedy. Not previewed.
The Naked Gun (PG-13). Comedy. Tempo grade C-
Fantastic Four (PG-13). Super-hero action. Tempo grade: A-
Superman (PG-13). Superhero action. Tempo grade: C
Jurassic World Rebirth (PG-13). Sci-fi action. Tempo grade: C
Eddington (R). Drama. Tempo grade B+
Smurfs (PG). Animated. Not previewed.
These films are showing daily at Mitchell Storyteller 7 Cinemas, 110 Old Talpa Cañon Road. For tickets, showtimes and additional information, call (575) 751-4245 or visit storyteller7.com.
Showing this week at the Taos Community Auditorium’s Big Screen
On the Fringe Film Fest (Not rated). Various subjects. Friday (Aug. 8), 6 p.m.
Counted Out (Not rated). Documentary. Free event includes discussion and educational activities. Saturday (Aug. 9), 1:30 p.m.
The Phoenician Scheme (PG-13). Comedy adventure. Saturday (Aug. 9), 7 p.m., Monday (Aug. 11), 4 p.m.
The Life of Chuck (R). Drama. Monday (Aug. 11), 7 p.m., Wednesday (Aug. 13), 7 p.m.
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (R). Drama. Tuesday (Aug. 12). 7 p.m.
The Last Class (Not rated). Documentary. Wednesday (Aug. 13), 4 p.m.
For dates, times, tickets and additional information about Movies on the Big Screen at the Taos Community Auditorium call (575) 758-2052 or visit tcataos.org. The venue is located at 145 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, behind the Stables Gallery of the Taos Center for the Arts.
Films described as “not previewed” contain synopsis from imdb.com or studio/distributor /venue notes.
