Abrigo em Chamas

This depressing, overy-violent film is watchable, if you enjoy those kind of things. On occasion, I like a well-made violent film, but generally steer clear of depressing ones. Ultimately, this is a depressing film. The film has no clear protagonist (although one woman seems to approach that role). The hopelessness of the situation is so overwhelming that a satisfactory conclusion is almost impossible to achieve without a great deal of manipulation and fabrication. I mean, these people were dead as soon as the bomb dropped; it was only a matter of how long it would take all of them to die. That type of scenario has little attractiveness to the average viewer. But the cast did give it the old college try, and for that, I give them a 5.

4 office workers get trapped in the basement of their office building during an earthquake. Before long, their inter-office relationships create a divide between them, and one of them goes beserk. The situation is desperate, it builds to a stunning conclusion. Rating: 7/10

I found this in the New Release department of my local video store, and saw it was independent, and I wondered if I was willing to think for ninety minutes. Finally, I gave in and picked it up, and I must say, this was a great movie.

There is an apparent bombing or fire (it's never actually verified) at a high-rise building in the city. Four business execs, Rachel, Will, Dan, and Joseph, are frustrated with the crowds at one exit of the floor, and find another that leads them down into the basement. An explosion of some sorts traps them in a fallout shelter, and they must learn to deal with each other for however long they're down there. Interestingly enough, all these characters are connected in some not so friendly ways. Rachel is a top exec who just had to fire Dan, whose job Will is getting, and Joseph is Dan's young protege. So, without a doubt, the tension is thick, and things get more and more intense, as the water supply becomes the only grasp on life, as well as a slow chiseling away at a sewer grate that may soon lead to their escape. Desperation takes over, as Rachel grows a close bond with Will, Joseph tries to independence himself from Dan, and Dan grows more and more mad, eventually becoming murderous. To reveal anymore would give away major plot pieces that have to be seen to be experienced.

A great film, with a solid cast of new faces, who all look so real and act so believably, you really learn to connect with them. The ending is great. You hold your breath the whole way through the movie, and double-crossing is always a possibility. The ending itself leaves you with a weird feeling, and you start to think you're watching "Carnival of Souls," (don't worry, no spoiler in that) and some questions are left to your imagination. All in all, a great film, and worth seeing.