Pairic

Weapons: This isn't a Stephen King film but it has all of his hallmarks, small city, bullying, clownlike character, cover up by authorities. Seventeen children go missing in Maybrook, Pennsylvania, they're all pupils in Justine Gandy's (Julia Garner) elementary school class, only one of her class is left, Alex (Cary Christopher). We see what happened from multiple viewpoints, cutting back and forward, eventually we have some idea of what occurred but it's so strange it's difficult to describe it as a coherent narrative. A month after the disappearances a meeting is held at the school, some patents blame Justine, she is harassed afterwards, witch is painted on her car. She takes comfort in alcohol, linking up with an ex, Paul (Alden Ehrenreich). This results in her being physically attacked by Paul's present partner. Following Alex, she notices something strange about his home. Archer (Josh Brolin), one of the affected parents won't just leave the police to do their jobs, he suspects Justine knows something. But he carries out other investigations and when Justine is attacked by a Zombiesque character he saves her. The film has turned truly bizarre by this stage. Not just Horror but existential terror unfolds as the true nature of the disappearances is revealed. There are many disturbing scenes if violence, murder and mayhem with plenty of gore and blood, I can't say much mire without spoiling things but suffice to say that rituals are involved. Not at all a comedy but there are a few darkly comic scenes. Great performances from an ensemble cast, too numerous to mention. A many stranded mystery horror movie, ultimately satisfying and is perhaps the greatest Non-Stephen King, Stephen King film.. Written, Co-Produced, and Directed by Zach Cregger. 8.5/10.

The Virus (2014): Those meddling kids ... But it's not all their fault. A film studies professor notices that a mountainous area is constantly obscured by clouds, exploring he observes buildings in the area. He persuades his students to go on a trip to find out what's going on. Naturally they ignore warning notices and trek across rough territory eventually reaching the buildings, one which they break into appears to be an abandoned hospital. Meanwhile, not so alert military contractors discover that there's a security breach. Their HQ implements an extreme prejudice option and dispatches more mercenaries. Yep, the area was used for experimentation on human subjects but things went wrong and a virus went loose in the complex. Rge students start to become ill, not just physical sickness but also becoming violent and acting/speaking strangely. The contractors shoot the first of the group who try to leave. After that it's a battle for survival, they face danger from the vtus, violence from each other and the mercenaries. The back story unfolds through found footage and documents. A dark conspiracy had unfolded in this isolated compound. It would be a spoiler to say any more about that. A decent enough film given its low budget. Directed by Michael Cramer and Troy Scoughton Jr., Written by Michael Cramer. 6.5/10.

Stage V: Who wants to live forever? The search for an immortality drug goes wring resulting in a deadly plague which has wiped out most of humanity in four stages. Only those aged 6 to 19 years old have survived and a it is feared that Stage 5 will also wipe them out. There is both violence and cooperation as the young people band together. An element if caring for the youngest exists but often breaks down. A sort of quest/chase takes place. Disturbing because of the bleak inevitability of doom. A tad reminiscent of On The Beach. Low budget but worth a watch. Directed by Buddy Calvo, Written by Calvo and Richard Dane Scott. 6/10.