Film Review - THE CABIN IN THE WOODS ★★★★☆

It's hard to pinpoint the best way to review The Cabin In The Woods, but the best start to it would be to simply just recommend seeing it.

Co-written by geek God Joss Whedon and his Buffy The Vampire Slayer collaborator Drew Goddard (who directs here and also co-wrote Cloverfield), this horror gem had been sitting on the shelf since 2009 until Lionsgate picked it up from MGM. Wisely setting it for release just in time to capitalize on both Whedon's foray into the big screen mainstream with Marvel's The Avengers, and rising star Chris Hemsworth, who has made a name for himself as Thor since he was cast as a then unknown in Cabin.

To go into the meaty details of the plot would be spoiling the fun. That is no to say that it is a roller coaster of massive twists and turns that would be wrong to reveal, but the enjoyment is to witness it all methodically unfold and challenge all your expectations of what you would assume to transpire.

The commercials and trailers do a commendable job of minimally teasing the skeleton outline of the plot. Five friends embark on a weekend excursion to a secluded summer house for typical college hijinks. But the cabin is not at all what it seems as a an underground high tech control room appears to be in control of the ensuing death, destruction, and mayhem.

Cabin never screws with your head regarding what is up to behind the curtain. From the very beginning you are in on the backstage workings of the button pushing techies played by Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, and Whedon-verse staple Amy Acker. And the film is very much about its excellent play on the importance of the journey and the destination.

How it all fits together while winking to the audience is what makes the film so fun, and not in the same way Wes Craven's Scream was the refreshing in-your-face game changer in response to a generation of stale slasher film standards.

Hemsworth is joined by Fran Kranz (Dollhouse), who as the stoner with the best reality grip on the situation, has a majority of the winning witty lines that Whedon is great for providing. Kristen Connolly also turns in a strong performance as the shy girl turned reluctant horror movie scream queen warrior.

The conventions played with and subsequently turned on their asses will make you realize that there can be gems sitting on a shelf begging to see the light of day. Whedon has tapped a top notch production crew, including Director of Photography Peter Deming who also shot Evil Dead 2, Scream 2, 3, 4, and Lost Highway, and delivers the perfect effective horror mood to the big screen.

While it does get to the gore when it needs to, it's not necessarily over the top scary because of the way it plays its horror genre hand to the audience. The less is more review here is for best, and thankfully there has been a gentleman's agreement online for not revealing massive spoilers since its premiere at SXSW in March. I will easily call The Cabin In The Woods wildly entertaining, smart, and original, and not to be underestimated, missed, or simply grouped in with your run of the mill horror fare.

REVIEW RATING: ★★★★☆
Directed By: Drew Goddard
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Bradley Whitford, Fran Kranz, Richard Jenkins, Kristen Connolly
Studio: Lionsgate
Rated: R

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Gary Ross Announces He Will Not Direct 'Catching Fire'

The final and official verdict is in: Gary Ross will not direct Catching Fire, the follow-up to the current box office juggernaut, The Hunger Games.

"As a writer and a director, I simply don't have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make because of the fixed and tight production schedule," Gary Ross said in a statement regarding why he will not return to direct Catching Fire.

It's another hard lesson for Hollywood as the fierce competition between studios creates a mad rush to meet their announced theatrical release dates ever before all of the crucial and necessary pre-production steps have been sorted out. Too many tent pole films are set to hit theatres these days sometimes even before a director is appointed (i.e. the sequel to Captain America).

Internet rumors have been rampant over the past week concerning whether director Gary Ross would return to helm the next installment of The Hunger Games trilogy, which is set to start shooting in late summer / fall. According to Deadline a decision would be made following Easter Weekend, amid the speculation of 'will he' or 'won't he' stay on board for a franchise that he not only cultivated, but even co-wrote the screenplay with Suzanne Collins, author of the novels. 

In addition, the box office take for the first film starring Jennifer Lawrence has already amassed a worldwide box office gross of over $460 million since its release on March 23rd.

20th Century Fox and Lionsgate also recently came to a truce when it came to sharing Jennifer Lawrence's shooting schedule. While Fox has the red hot actress lined up to reprise her role as Mystique in the sequel to X-Men: First Class, Lionsgate obviously has her lock, stock, and barrel for Catching Fire (and the inevitable third Hunger Games film as well, Mockingjay).

Fox announced that X-Men would commence shooting in January 2013, freeing up Lawrence to film Catching Fire later this year.  

It is too soon to determine if Ross' departure has any affect on the Lionsgate shooting schedule. Big budget films, in theory, should have their director's involvement from the beginning, allowing them ample time to prepare, and at least put their stamp on the film. Ross' replacement now has the thankless task of not only rushing through all the countless necessary logistics to meet a pre-determined shoot date, but be expected to exceed expectations set by the first film's massive box office performance. 

Here is Gary Ross' full statement:

"Despite recent speculation in the media, and after difficult but sincere consideration, I have decided not to direct Catching Fire. As a writer and a director, I simply don’t have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make because of the fixed and tight production schedule.

I loved making The Hunger Games – it was the happiest experience of my professional life. Lionsgate was supportive of me in a manner that few directors ever experience in a franchise: they empowered me to make the film I wanted to make and backed the movie in a way that requires no explanation beyond the remarkable results. And contrary to what has been reported, negotiations with Lionsgate have not been problematic. They have also been very understanding of me through this difficult decision.

I also cannot say enough about the people I worked with: Producer Nina Jacobson, a great collaborator and a true friend; the brilliant Suzanne Collins, who entrusted us with her most amazing and important story; the gifted and remarkable Jennifer Lawrence whose performance exceeded my wildest expectations, and the rest of the incredible cast, whom I am proud to call my friends. 

To the fans I want to say thank you for your support your faith, your enthusiasm and your trust. Hard as this may be to understand I am trying to keep that trust with you. Thank you all. It’s been a wonderful experience."

Lionsgate, in turn, also released a statement:

"We’re very sorry that Gary Ross has chosen not to direct Catching Fire. We were really looking forward to making the movie with him. He did an incredible job on the first film and we are grateful for his work. This will not be the end of our relationship, as we consider Ross to be part of the Lionsgate family and look forward to working with him in the future."

Now let the speculation begins as to who steps in. Lest we forget that Steven Soderbergh directed some second unit scenes for The Hunger Games, but there are also numerous qualified candidates who may jump at the chance (given their availability) to take on a mammoth production set to shoot in several months. The Twilight series changed directors from film to film, with no let up in audience attendance (harsh critical reviews be damned).

Let's hope Lionsgate does not rush to that decision once again simply to meet deadlines, and keep our fingers crossed they do not have Brett Ratner's phone number anywhere near a speed dial button in their time of need.