What I Watched In May 2022

I’ve really enjoyed Robert Eggers’ previous films THE WITCH (2015) and THE LIGHTHOUSE (2019) so when I learned he was making a Viking epic my ticket was already purchased. With THE NORTHMAN (2022) he has made his most impressive movie yet even though I can hardly believe that he was given $65 million to create such a dark, violent period tale. Eggers and his co-writer based their screenplay on the legend of Amleth written by a 12th Century Danish historian which was the inspiration for William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. If you are familiar with that play, you will know the broad outline of this film’s plot but it does have a couple of surprise revelations not present in the Bard’s version.

The film’s explicit violence, bleak atmosphere, beautiful imagery and historically accurate setting are enough to sell it to someone like me, but I think curious action fans might get pulled in if they give it a chance. The brutal nature of the movie’s savage world is shown in gorgeous, barbaric detail making this rough story something to shield from young eyes. The cinematography is incredible, making use of firelit interiors, natural exterior lighting, and the stunningly beautiful landscapes of Ireland and Iceland, where most of the film is set. Beauty and horror blend together to create a brooding, ominous tone that persists for the entire running time including the stunning final battle. Not every scene is filled with dread but knife edge tension is maintained for the majority of the film with the main character nearly always close to being discovered as he struggles to carry out his quest for vengeance. There are also a few very impressive single-take shots which help create an enveloping, nearly immersive experience. This film seeks to draw you into its world ladling on detail after detail until you simply accept the reality of what is onscreen. THE NORTHMAN is an amazing achievement and one of the best films I’ve seen this year.

THE LIST

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT (2022) – 7

PRIVATE DETECTIVE 62 (1933) – 7 (William Powell pre-code drama)

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2022) – 7 (gorgeous, gory sequel)

LAST EMBRACE (1979) – 7

THE NORTHMAN (2022) – 9

DEMONIA (1990) – 6 (rewatch) (better than I remembered)

CHOOSE OR DIE (2022) – 6 (brief, interesting horror film)

TERMINAL (2018) – 7 (beautifully shot, stylish revenge tale)

WHODUNIT? (1982) – 3 (poor slasher) (a.k.a. Island of Blood)

SATAN’S TRIANGLE (1975) – 6 (Bermuda Triangle TV movie)

VALERIE (1957) – 7 (western remake of RASHOMON)

AMAZONS (1984) – 6 (interesting TV movie)

SAVAGE THREE (1975) – 8

WIVES ABOVE SUSPICION (1938)- 6

1922 (2017) – 8 (nasty little rural murder tale)

WARRIORS OF THE YEAR 2072 (1984) – 6 (rewatch on Blu)

THUNDER IN THE NIGHT (1935) – 7 (fun murder mystery)

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS (2022) – 8

SANTO VS THE DIABOLICAL BRAIN (1963) – 6 (rewatch)

THE GREEN ARCHER (1961) – 6 (rewatch)

MEN (2022) – 8 (fascinating)

HOLLOW (2011) – 5 (mediocre British found footage horror)

THE ECLIPSE (2009) – 8 (lovely, melancholy ghost tale)

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1998) – 5 (rewatch on Blu) (a mess but it entertains almost accidentally)

THE GIRL FROM CORTINA (1994) – 5 (OK drama that becomes a Euro-Gaslight)

99 AND 44/100% DEAD (1974) – 6 (rewatch)

FIRESTARTER (2022) – 4

THE NICKEL RIDE (1974) – 7 (Jason Miller in a crime character study)

CARVED – THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN (2007) – 6 (Japanese ghost/possession tale)

SUMMER OF FEAR (1978) – 5 (Wes Craven TV movie)

A DANDY IN ASPIC (1968) – 8 (amazing espionage tale)

THERE’S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE (2021) – 6 (OK small-town slasher)

THE MECHANIC (1972) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

HAWK THE SLAYER (1980) – 3 (poor British sword & sorcerer tale)

THE DEVIL’S DAFFODIL (1961) – 7 (typically complex krimi)