Hex

As other reviewers have painfully pointed out the pace of Hex is slow. Seems they've been so transfixed on this they haven't bothered to mention that's its only drawback.

During the English Civil War two soldiers from opposite sides of the conflict find themselves alone in the woods only to face off against each other. Things are not equal as one is older, and thus more experienced, but he underestimates the younger soldier's survival instinct in what leads to a cat and mouse game during which they discover they are not as alone as they thought and find themselves trapped in the woods by a witch.

The cinematography in Hex is simply beautiful taking full advantage of lush woodland scenery and an old ruins. Re-enactment props and costumes give it an authentic look, combined with the scenery, well beyond its means. The audio in this is truly masterful, from the slightest brush of tall grass to a crackle in a fire to a babble in a brook, the environment is full and crisp.

Three incredibly talented actors bring to life a story tautly stretched in tension. The director keeps the mystery going making good use of the natural surroundings, the night, and of course the unknown. Fear and suspicion rule day and night for the soldiers, not only of an unseen enemy but of an unknown trust as to whether they could turn on each other at any moment. The tension plays out as thick as the tall grass in the meadows.

This is not a story of just a moment in history, as that is its adornment, but within is an allegory pertinent in our times that certainly provides something to think about and stays with you, for those who don't shrink away from it. Slow it is, and it could have used some trimming in my opinion, but beautiful and haunting throughout is what sight, sound and an open mind will reveal.

A methodical, interesting and very intelligent film. The atmosphere and intellectual underpinnings are more important to the filmmaker than ceaseless action. If you crave that, great. Almost any super hero movie will do. This on the other hand is an insightful meditation on extremes in a time of civil war. If you want a film that will challenge your mind and your senses (so beautifully shot) then this is for you.

A great story about self discovery, fighting our inner demons and not only a war. It is set in contrasting locations - mesmerizing and bone-chilling making the nature a silent observer of what's unraveling in the movie. Beautiful sceneries of lush forests are intertwined with eerie and ominous caves, passages and abandoned occult places. It is a balance of night and day light and dark. What I Found to be truly great is the fact that a movie of this size tells a compelling story about two soldiers fighting in the civil war. One of the main accomplishments of it is that through the narrative I actually cared about them, the decisions they made, the moral dilemmas they had, the tough choices they had to take. The movie also deserves credit for managing to show us most of our own emotional spectrum - from rage, anger, fear, sadness, remorse, loss of a loved one, faith, god, empathy and doubt. Our two main heroes are not flat two dimensional soldiers. There was also a lot of attention to detail and anyone with a keen eye is sure to spot it. From snapping twigs, to how corpses behave, to how water flows and moves, the costumes, the camp, and and every other tiny aspect one might miss or take for granted or miss in the scenery. Definite must watch for everyone looking for something out of the usual Hollywood mystery/horror mould

A period piece is a really challenging movie to make on a budget, and to include a suspense element as well is a daunting prospect. This is a beautifully filmed movie about conflict on a man-to-man scale, with a lovely score and some excellent performances. Kudos to the filmmakers. I'm very interested in what they do next!

Even to attempt to make a period film with no money is impressive enough, but to pull off a film this absorbing and compelling is no mean feat. A seriously gripping psychological thriller set during the height of the English Civil War and a time of great superstition. Very effective. Recommended viewing.