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Directed by Dan Trachtenberg

The original Cloverfield film, produced by J.J. Abrams, dabbled in found-footage alien invasion horror films, from what I can remember of it. So it comes as a surprise that 10 Cloverfield Lane, from Dan Trachtenberg in his directorial debut, is less of a sequel to its predecessor, and more of a stand-alone series revival of a live-action thriller, that might be sequel material. First it must prove itself, and it certainly does. The acting and the suspenseful nature of the film, carry this film the mile long to make this a great revival. Also it should be noted that the marketing and the trailer to this film are a prime example of how to sell a movie without giving anything away. Before carrying on with this review, take a look at the teaser trailer and let it entice you into possibly reading further or going to see the film. Sadly this review will contain the basic plot summaries in order to represent the magic of the film and the way it was marketed. 

The films starts out with the central protagonist Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) in a state of distraught, as she is packing up all her belongings from an apartment she shared with her partner, as the Bear McCreary score is the only thing heard. Michelle is involved in a car crash and ends up chained to a bed that is located in a bunker. This is where she meets Howard (John Goodman), who claims he is there to help her, but has a temper that might explode at any minute in this claustrophobic setting. Also under Howard's care is Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), who has a care-free spirit about him that keeps things light amidst being in a bunker with the temperamental Howard. Everyone is in the bunker due to it not being safe outside, and the claustrophobia and the temperamental nature of Howard create most of the atmospheric sense of paranoia and horror for the most part of the film. 

Where the original Cloverfield dabbled with the notions of creating horror out of found footage, 10 Cloverfield Lane creates the horror due to the intense and character-driven performance of John Goodman's Howard. Many are calling it a career performance for Goodman, and they are right. My only criticism is that the score sometimes overstays its welcome, especially when Howard and Michelle are delivering a monologue. Seriously, don't drown out John Goodman while he's delivering his lines! Not cool. When it comes down to it, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a great example of a standalone sequel that no one expected, and the marketing should be the staple on how to sell a film. 

Rating: 4/5

--Remi hosts At the Movies (with Iconic Sounds) every Tuesday at 8 AM, only on CJLO.

Tonight at 6pm on Champions of the Local Scene- we preview Rap Battle 4 Gender Freedom, happening this Saturday at Reggie's (1455 de Maisonneuve W.). Lucas Charlie Rose, a QTPOC multidisciplinary Hip Hop artist who is very active in the trans and anti-racist activist scenes, will come by to tell us more about the event (which is the 5th in a series of Rap Battles for Social Justice.) 

"The Rap Battle 4 Gender Freedom is a space where rap and spoken word artists who are trans people of colour, femme-identified people, as well queer and some cis allies will rap and speak about gender issues. Since gender oppression is prevalent in most communities, gender freedom represents the release from the shackles and the violence of the gender binary."

Performers include Lucas Charlie Rose, Strange Froots, Marshia Celina, Hua Li, Moe Clark, and Tshizimba, and Urban Science of the weekly #LECYPHER will bring their live hip hop jams. CJLO is stoked to co-present this event.

Tune in at 6pm, to hear tracks by performers and an interview with Lucas Charlie Rose.

Coming up tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm on The Trend, we have talented home-grown actor Spiro Malandrakis!

Following a major supporting role in the U.S. on Discovery's new series Real Detective, Spiro continues his steady rise to stardom with a recurring role on Bravo's award-winning series 19-2. Over the course of 6 episodes in this year's upcoming 3rd season, Spiro joins the talented cast of 19-2 (Jared Keeso, Adrian Holmes) in a game-changing role—both for his career as much as for the show—that's set to shake up the plot in a major way!

Spiro's role on 19-2 caps off a number of recent appearances (in Real Detective, supporting fellow Canadian Devon Sawa (Final Destination), The Fixer alongside Eric Dane (Grey's Anatomy), Pawn Sacrifice opposite Tobey Maguire (Spiderman) and ABC's new series Quantico) that showcase his skilful abilities as one of Canada's latest talents to keep an eye on!

Tune into The Trend every Tuesday at 9pm, a show where two sisters come together to examine trending topics and to provide a full dose of entertainment, whether it be through music or banter!

Metal March may have come and gone, but here in Montreal, Mother Nature doesn't seem to want to let go of sleet, snow and subzero temperatures. What better way to keep yourself legit and warm at the same time than to crawl under the blankets and fire up some heavy films? Here are nine movies you can stream on Netflix Canada right now that you won't mind staying inside for!

Lemmy

If you still haven't seen this film, now's the time to pour yourself a Lemmy (Jack & Coke) and settle in with this touching testament to Motörhead's iconic frontman. This film was released while Lemmy was still alive, and at the time, it bothered me that it felt like a eulogy. Now, I'm just glad that the world has this documentary to remind them about the humble man behind the monstrous music.

Kurt & Courtney

This late '90s classic by notorious documentarian Nick Broomfield is just one of several books and films that suggest that Kurt Cobain was murdered at the request of Courtney Love. Intrigued? This is the Dateline Saturday Night Mystery that rock fans have been pondering for over 20 years, and this film is where it all originated. 

Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny

This isn't really my cup of tea, but if you like your heavy metal with a healthy dose of musical comedy, maybe this Jack Black helmed flick will be right up your alley. The film does have a fair amount of rock royalty cred thanks to appearances by Meat Loaf and Ronnie James Dio, and Satan himself appears in the form of mortal human Dave Grohl. 

Metallica Through The Never

Just added, this movie blew me away when I saw it on release in 3D IMAX. While your at home mileage may vary, this film is an interesting hybrid of the classic concert film and an apocalyptic thriller, The “story” part of the film takes a backseat to the concert footage, which is for the best, but this is still a really cool way to experience one of the world's biggest metal bands.

The Punk Singer

This documentary about Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of Bikini Kill, is more than a single person's story, but also the story of a movement, and over the course of film her personal history, both as an individual and as one of the most notable figures of the riot grrrl movement is revealed. This movie is essential viewing for all punk aficionados and will make you wanna yell "girls to the front!".

Lords of Salem

Rob Zombie has made a name for himself beyond the music world, but many of his films tap into the same aesthetic as his music, and this one is no exception. Zombie's lovely wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, steps into the role of a hard rock DJ who one day receives a record at the radio station. After airing it, well, let's just say the music has a strange effect, Speaking of which, tune in to my show, BVST, Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm. I promise that the music I play is totally not cursed. No, really, I promise.

Airheads

Speaking of Rob Zombie, heavy metal, and radio stations, all three feature in this fictional film about a heavy metal band that takes a station hostage in order to get their music played. Starring mid-90s up an comers Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Adam Sandler, with a cameo from Lemmy, and a pretty kickass soundtrack, there are way worse ways to waste an hour and a half.

The Other F Word

Featuring a huge list of famous faces from the punk rock world, including Fat Mike, Flea, Lars Frederiksen, and Mark Mothersbaugh along with Tony Hawk, this documentary explores what happens when rockers become fathers. Archival footage underscores the interesting dynamic between raising a family while still keeping it real on the road. 

Beware of Mr. Baker

Cream's drummer, Ginger Baker, is credited with being the godfather of heavy metal drumming, having influenced, among others, John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Peter Criss (Kiss), Ian Paice (Deep Purple), and Dave Lombardo (Slayer). His eccentric personality and troubled life is revealed in this documentary, which also features interviews with many incredibly influential figures in the world of music.

--Hear Angelica on the airwaves every Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM on BVST, the best (and worst) rock 'n' roll, country, punk, and metal, from right here and around the world.