adamgehrke.com

A prodigal veterinarian student, Justine (Garance Marillier), who also happens to be a vegetarian is admitted into her first year of vet school with high hopes of academic success. But, while being hazed with the rest of her incoming classmates Justine finds she’s developed the inexplicable taste for raw meat; meanwhile, big sister Alexia (Ella Rumpf), does her best to shepherd Justine through the rigors. Surviving the social and academic pressures and now these new cravings, what’s a girl to do? Written and Directed by Julia Ducournau this twisted dramatic horror is all about the unsettling and squirming as opposed to the screaming and jumping, metamorphosis-esque and relatively unmasked with its subtext on sexuality and feminism. Striking and measured with rich and atmospheric tonality, Ducournau makes a notable splash entrance as a fresh new director, fans of grizzly concepts eat your heart out! Raw is rated R.

During the time of WWII and the German occupation of Poland, the Warsaw Zookeeper Jan (Johan Heldenbergh) and his wife Antonina (Jessica Chastain) put themselves in great danger to save innocent and imprisoned Jews as the Holocaust gained momentum. This is their story. Directed by Niki Caro, based on the true story and book by Diane Ackerman, this important story is unfortunately revealed in a predictable and calculated fashion that falls short of the emotional finish line without really stretching any of its players. But, given the material they have to work with, Chastain and villain Daniel Bruhl, your archetypal Nazi soldier, do manage to create enough chemistry that one can’t entirely throw the baby out with the bathwater. Checking off the rest of the requisite boxes for a cinematic pass you’ve got the makings for a matinee or a rental, but really, it’s the latter. The Zookeeper’s Wife is rated PG-13.

It’s been roughly twenty years since Renton (Ewan McGregor), Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sickboy (Jonny Lee Miller), and Begbie (Robert Carlyle) ran together through the streets of Edinburgh as junkies, raising Cain, capturing a generation’s adolescence and self destruction in the mid 90’s. Now, with Renton’s return “home” friends, foes, life’s reflections, women, and oh yes… drugs await him with open arms and clenched fists, what good can come from this? Written by John Hodge and Irvine Welsh, and Directed by Danny Boyle, this incredibly insightful and introspective examination of life is unapologetic and honest to a fault, showing the natural and organic progression of several characters that for a moment helped define Generation X– a combination of dark humor, self loathing, love, friendship, and the struggle to make something of ones self. Rich with detail, color, texture, cinematography and editing that Boyle is now famous for, T2 brings everything to the fight and leaves no stone unturned in a poetic brilliance, blending nostalgia and fresh material in a satisfying smorgasbord. Sharp acting all round this ensemble continues to reach new heights, and, with another infectious soundtrack your next iPod mix is ready for prime time. Not to be missed, T2 Trainspotting is rated R