Normal //credit: Magnolia Pictures

Bob Odenkirk plays Ulysses Richardson, the newly appointed interim sheriff for the town of Normal, a quiet, almost picturesque Minnesota town. As an outsider to the town, he has to learn its particular peculiarities, and Ulysses has a delicate touch, writing parking tickets saying “Park Better” rather than issuing an actual fine. It begins to dawn on Ulysses that there is perhaps something a little odd about the town, the fact that whilst in an economic slump, they recently raised $16,000,000, and what exactly caused the death of his predecessor. We learn of some of the difficulties in Ulysses’ life, estranged from his wife and a heartbreaking incident that caused him to switch from being a sheriff based in one place to one who took up interim positions all over the country.

Normal has a big cast, with Bob Odenkirk being the central character by far. TV and Hollywood legend Henry Winkler plays Normal’s mayor, Mayor Kibner, seemingly friendly, but there is obviously an undercurrent of something not quite right with him. Lena Headey plays a local bartender whose more acerbic attitude matches Ulysses’ more than the painfully good-natured townspeople. After that, we have a cavalcade of residents of Normal, deputies, business owners and more.

There are a number of shows and movies that hang over Normal. First and foremost, Fargo, both the movie and more recent TV show. A small town in America covered in snow, where people are ostensibly good, decent folk, but with perhaps something more going on, is Fargo. Of course, Odenkirk was in the first season of Fargo and played a sheriff; admittedly, that sheriff would not have fared well in Normal. And Normal is not as good as Fargo; it cannot commit to the dark conceit as completely, and the characters, with the possible exception of Ulysses, are nowhere near as compelling (and Fargo is well known for imbuing every passing townsperson with one line with an abundance of character). But Normal is very enjoyable. Odenkirk is clearly one of the best actors working today, and if this doesn’t bring out his ability like Better Call Saul, it still means we have a first-class actor in the lead role. The other movie is Hot Fuzz, and again, Normal is not at that level, but a new sheriff coming into a very nice town and finding things out, that’s Hot Fuzz.

The central conceit of Normal is that a “normal” town could choose extreme measures to survive when the various government institutions that were supposed to look after their interests have completely dropped the ball, which is very timely. Why stick to the rules of society if there’s no benefit in it for you? The social contract that is meant to exist feels very one-sided. Whilst not supernatural itself, this is eerily familiar with the devil’s bargains of horror films like The Wicker Man, a town’s prosperity ensured by dark deeds.

The action scenes in the film are well done with a number of great fights and shoot-outs. Hot Fuzz‘s climactic gun fight sees not a single person killed, with wounds to shoulders, legs, etc. Normal does not choose that route, going more with the “if someone tries to murder you, you murder them right back” philosophy of Mal from Firefly. The film has problems in that it’s not quite sure how to resolve some of these issues, it strains credulity at times that such events could be successfully covered up, and it has seemingly important characters and plot points vanish without ever being addressed again. But if you like this sort of film and appreciate Bob Odenkirk, Normal is a very enjoyable movie.

Rating (3.5 / 5)

The post Review: Normal – Bob Odenkirk Brings Deadpan Charm to a Twisted Small-Town Thriller appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.

Today we’re looking through 8 exciting upcoming horror releases that will (hopefully) release this year. We will give a brief synopsis of what we know about these films. And explain why you should be excited to see them.

1. In the Earth (30th January – Sundance Film Festival)

Ben Wheatley’s latest film focuses on a scientist and a park scout going on an equipment run after a virus infects the world (topical). Wheatley’s projects are always fascinating thanks to his ability to get great performances from his actors and effectively build atmosphere. In the Earth also sees Wheatley round up prior collaborators, including Reece Shearsmith (A Field in England), Hayley Squires, and Mark Monero (Happy New Year, Colin Burstead). Let’s hope this is another winner.

2. The Blazing World (31^st January – Sundance Film Festival)

Carlson Young’s debut feature is about a woman drawn into a surreal world where her sister is still alive. This movie deserves more attention from the trailer alone. The candy-coloured lighting juxtaposes brilliantly against a foreboding soundtrack and frightening images. Like a smiling man in black, and a worried girl amongst her smiling friends. The Blazing World looks like David Lynch meets Suspiria (1977). What a nightmarish treat.

3. Prisoners of the Ghostland (1^st February – Sundance Film Festival)

From cult director Sion Sono (Suicide Club and Love Exposure) this action, horror, thriller follows a notorious criminal (Nicolas Cage) who must break an evil curse to recover a missing girl. While the story sounds generic the pairing of Cage’s and Sono’s odd talents could lead to another Cage cult horror hit like Mandy and Colour Out of Space. With production stills showing Nic Cage’s quintessential mania, Prisoners of the Ghostland looks like a fun time.  

4. Morbius (19^th March)

This MCU adjacent Sony movie focuses on Morbius, the living vampire. Jared Leto plays brilliant biochemist Michael Morbius whose experiments to cure himself of a disease result in him developing abilities such as super strength, echolocation, and gaining a thirst for human blood. With a horror-inspired aesthetic Morbius looks like a welcome attempt to try something different from other MCU films. Let’s hope this horror comic book film lands better than New Mutants.

5. Last Night in Soho (23^rd April)

When a young woman obsessed with 1960s fashion travels back in time and meets her idol things take a dark turn as time begins falling apart. Last Night in Soho comes to us from Edgar Wright. Wright”s track record alone should entice anyone to see this movie. And with a cast that includes Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Terence Stamp, Rita Tushingham, and the late Diana Rigg, Last Night in Soho should be on everyone’s radar.

6. The Green Knight (30^th July)

Whenever A24 releases a new horror film the horror community takes notice. Starring Dev Patel as Sir Gawain, David Lowery’s latest project reimagines the classic folktale with a decidedly darker edge. The trailer should excite any horror fan. Full of creeping camerawork, unnerving music, and nightmarish fantasy creatures, The Green Knight looks set to please fans of the niche studio.

7. Candyman (2021) (27^th August)

With Tony Todd returning as the iconic villain, Jordan Peele (Get Out and Us) contributing to the screenplay and producing the film, which will be a spiritual sequel rather than a remake of the classic film, and promising new director Nia DaCosta helming the project all of this adds up to a film that looks to be respecting the legacy of the original Candyman while offering something that looks fresh and new.

8. Malignant (2021 TBA)

Finally, little is known about this project, but it’s a reportedly original idea from horror master James Wan. Who birthed great modern horror films like Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring movies. And honestly, that pedigree is all you should need to be excited.

There you have 8 upcoming horror releases you should watch (if possible) this year. Are there any future horror releases you’re anticipating? Please let us know.

Also Read: The Best Horror Films of the Decade

The post A Horror Fans Film Guide To 2021 appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.