28 Years Later (what to expect)
Scorecard, Watchlist Worthy
This week we have zombies and the latest Pixar drop, next week is Brad Pitt in F1, and the following week is Jurassic World Rebirth. Our Apple Watches are going to be working OT reminding us to stand up because we are in the thick of blockbuster season and we are seated.
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: 28 Years Later
Watchlist Worthy: Jeremy Allen White goes from The Bear to The Boss
This week’s movie - 28 Years Later
Letterboxd Description:
In 28 days it began. In 28 weeks it spread. In 28 years it evolved.
Twenty-eight years since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one member departs on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.
Best Watched With
Eric Harrison and at least one friend who is just a little bit slower than you 🧟♂️
End credit thoughts
Whatever you're expecting going into 28 Years Later, we wager you'll be surprised. We might even double down on that wager and say you'll be pleasantly surprised. When you have the original team from the first film, 28 Days Later, at the helm, it's expected that you're going to get callbacks and style choices that tie this film to the first. But it's the daring editing, camera work, and story that make 28 Years Later a solid standalone film.
At first, it can be difficult to pinpoint a specific style for this movie. The camera work brings in some of the disorienting, shaky handheld footage like the first two movies, but there are different effects used here that make this movie unique in the trilogy. The first half of the film cuts back and forth between the characters in the story and footage from old war clips. Some of the kill shots have jump cuts that feel like they're straight out of a video game.
There are voiceovers, and music that doesn’t neatly fit into any genre. In other words: Alex Garland and Danny Boyle are making a MOVIE. They want us to feel things; to think things—and it’s not going to make perfect sense all the time. But the execution is there, so somehow it all works.
You know a great director is cooking when even the minor-role villagers kill it. Not a single actor phoned this in, but let’s start with the bloody breakout star, Alfie Williams, who plays Spike. In the movie, Spike is twelve years old—however old this kid really is, the young lad can act his socks off. He’s endearing, sweet, funny, and a tough little dude when he needs to be.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is in his sweet spot as a Scottish badass dad. Ralph Fiennes doesn't have as much screen time as we expected based on the marketing, but his impact on the story can't be denied. He plays a key role, and Fiennes absolutely obliterates his part. Last but not least, Jodie Comer’s performance is a bit of a slow burn. She starts off without a lot to do on screen, but as the story builds, so does her performance—ending with an emotional high note.
If you're only coming for the blood, guts, and carnage, rest assured: you'll get your fill. As a friend of the newsletter said in the lobby after our showing, "They got pretty deep with some of the story, but they also kept it pretty metal with some of those kills." We couldn't agree more. There are deep elements about life and death explored here, but it's all packaged in an exciting zombie movie.
It's worth noting that this can easily be enjoyed as a standalone film; seeing the first two isn't mandatory. We'd argue there’s enough cinematic storytelling in 28 Years Later for non-horror fans to enjoy. But we'd be lying if we said the guts, gore, and jump scares were inconsequential. If you’re a horror fan—or a non-horror fan who isn’t squeamish—make like you're rage-infected and run to the theater to see this on the big screen.
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere by Scott Cooper
Jeremy Allen White is out for blood. White has been crushing the TV game with his role as Carmy, neurotic and high-strung, award seeking fine dining chef, but now he’s coming for Oscar’s golden statue.
I’m sad to say I don’t know much about Springsteen other than he’s a New Jersey boy, but this trailer had me locked TF in. What Timothée Chalamet did for me with Bob Dylan, White is doing the same with Springsteen. I’m about to put his albums on repeat until this one hits the silver screen.
-JP :)
Letterboxd Description:
Visionary musician Bruce Springsteen embarks on an emotional journey to record “Nebraska.
Also Directed by Cooper:
Out Of Furnace (2013)
Black Mass (2015)
Tune in next week for | F1
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