Final Girl (2015)

Still photographer Tyler Shields presents his first film with a slick and method style. Infiltrating a pack of young killers, Abigail Breslin offers a sympathetic yet hard fought performance as a young undercover operative. The story is extremely straightforward at first but becomes increasingly far-fetched towards the halfway point. Shields knows how to frame a shot, but inexplicable lighting and continuity issues mar the film as a whole. It's an impressive directorial debut showcasing some young talent, but the compelling premise becomes less and less as it reaches its obvious conclusion.

2½ Anna Belles out of 5

BIRTH [2004]

Birth is a creepy little mystery, from director Jonathan Glazer, that seems like a mixture of Stanley Kubrick and Roman Polanski (Rosemary's Baby haircut included).
This intensely hypnotizing film tells the story of a widow who meets an odd little boy who swears he's her dead husband reincarnated.  Both Nicole Kidman and Cameron Bright turn in some immensely haunted performances that will leave many a little uncomfortable with the more intimate scenes.  There's some flaws here and there, that breaks the tense atmosphere but all in all, Glazer proves he can craft a beautiful piece of thoughtful cinema that deserves more acclaim.

3½ buried secrets out of 5