Stoker

Sometimes you need to do something bad to stop you from doing something worse.

Stoker is the story of young India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska), who has just lost her best friend and father in an unfortunate car accident. At the funeral her mysterious uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) shows up and announces that he'll be staying with them- them being her unstable mother (Nicole Kidman) and her. Indie is the type of introverted girl who prefers being alone, silent and untouched. While she may seem sweet and innocent though she has a very dark side to her, a side that shows no remorse at shooting a duck or stabbing a man with garden sheers.

The movie is told from India's perspective but gives off the feeling that you can never quite get inside her head, you are there with her but you're still an outside viewer. The uncomfortable proximity you can get with the close up shots and sounds of breathing or chewing really make you squirm as well.

I watched this movie at two in the morning last night and within the first four minutes I found it incredibly beautiful. The unique intro to the movie, with the narrative, color palette and even the way the credit rolled was incredible. If you're looking for a scenery-gasm movie I highly recommend this one.

The movie wasn't only amazing in color balance though, the acting was incredibly well done. Goode plays the really hot psychotic uncle well and Kidman manages to impress me finally with the grieving mother- though her grieving seems to be more along the lines of moving on to the next brother. Then of course, Mia does phenomenal as always, but I couldn't help but think this role would be perfect for Kristen Stewart what with the lack of emotion.

Overall, I highly recommend this movie. But only watch it if slightly incestuous themes don't make you cringe.