What is is that makes the Arctic so terrifying? This incredibly inhospitable area of the world, rather than being antagonistic towards human life, is entirely indifferent to it. There is an inherent Lovecraftian horror to the vast, seemingly endless expanses of white, that serve only to make us feel utterly insignificant. In the Arctic, there is nothing but space. And space is exactly what Against the Ice lacks.

This movie is about two men trying to preserve their life and…

The Power of the Dog is a subtle film, and likely not what you expect going in.

The plot starts off feeling somewhat hollow, focused on Cumberbatch's character. I was not very convinced by his performance, though this problem was somewhat alleviated when the character's past and secrets were revealed. This reveal took just long enough, and the latter half of the movie was much more engaging than the first. There is still quite a bit to unpack, and I'm…

To sum this movie up in one word: "Unclear". The Ninth Gate has no idea what it wants to be. Vague mystery is jarringly combined with clumsy humour, destroying any tension or comedy the movie could have had.

The main character is entirely ill-defined. He is introduced as an unscrupulous bookseller, willing to forgo morals in favour of profit. This characteristic, however, is never utilized, explored, or expanded upon, and our main character simply moves along with no discernible reason…