Knock at the Cabin, Plane and M3gan

 

A typically thought provoking screenplay from M. Night Shyamalan. Are we meant to question everything we are being told by these intruders? Are they mad or is there some truth behind their "end of the world" prophesy. Of the two gay men in the cabin, I found myself sympathising with Eric who didn't believe a word. But the director keeps us guessing all the way. I'm not sure if we ever get an answer to the big question: "why here"? So there are some holes in the plot, but these did not detract from a well written, acted and directed film set almost entirely within the confines of the cabin. Almost theatrical in it's presentation.

Yes, here is Gerard Butler once again playing the hero. Not saving the President this time, just a plane load of passengers. So much was predictable but this is an enjoyable ride (maybe for a theme park later?), a well made big budget thriller and a great location. Butler is aided and abetted by another tough guy this time Mike Colter in handcuffs. Those who are familiar with the controls of a passenger jet will relish some of the technical details. I liked how the crash in the first part of the film is never rushed and is therefore highly dramatic. The downside is that the baddies are all totally pathetic. Where did they get them from? It did look good on the big screen although The Independent said "it needed to be more stupid". But it was stupid enough for me.

Normally I would avoid a film about a killer robot, but this had some strangely excellent reviews. Wendy Ide in The Guardian gave it four stars. I think it was created to be silly, dramatic and stupidly funny at the same time and mostly that worked. You have to leave your brain outside (the advanced technical workings of M3gan are literally unbelievable) but the script is actually passable. There were only a couple of jump scares, thank goodness, so not really a horror movie given it's 15 certificate. The limited violence is not gratuitous and more staged and creative. Yes, we have seen the ending many times before but how else could it be.