Repo Men: Unrated Version (2010)

I expected crap from all but Forest Whitaker, but I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of it. It's like Logan's Run (1976) for a new era, with the colourful hedonism replaced by moody lighting and corporate ugliness.
What kept me entertained the most was the black humour and, more specifically, the many small ironies woven into the situations and social contexts. The hero's change of heart, for example, is pure irony, as is allowing people to extend their life by signing it away.

The future as presented isn't completely unrealistic. It's the American health service taken to its extreme next level. If they could get away with that kind of thing today, then they'd probably do it.

3½ pink sheets out of 5

BLACK DEATH [2010]

Severance director Christopher Smith paints a grim look across his face for the medieval mystery thriller Black Death.

Going into this film I was expecting something historically inaccurate in unforgiving ways and large setpieces that offer nothing more than an explosive CGI death.  Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with a rather intimate film that never resorts to large choral battle scenes or tragic hero melodrama.  It allows you to explore your own morals and questions that leave neither the Christians or the pagans looking the "good guys".

3½ infected armpits out of 5