Monday 2 January
The Iceman
10:05pm, SBS VICELANDWatch now at SBS On Demand
MA15+
USA, 2012
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Language: English
Director: Ariel Vromen
Starring: Michael Shannon, Ray Liotta, Winona Ryder, Chris Evans
What's it about?
Michael Shannon is a master at playing broody and menacing roles (think Boardwalk Empire's religious fanatic fed, or the ruthless real estate broker of 99 Homes). He proves his talent once again in The Iceman, in which even his co-stars were terrified by his portrayal of real-life contract killer Richard Kuklinski. Initially working as a porn film lab tech, Richard comes to the attention of a mob boss who hires him for contract killings. All the while, Richard appears to be a loving family man, keeping his sociopathic tendencies away from his devoted wife (Wynona Rider, impressive in this role) and children.
[link title="The Iceman: Michael Shannon interview" url="node/1589"]
[link title="The Iceman Review" url="node/6226"]
Monday 9 January
Killer Joe
9:25pm, SBS VICELANDAvailable after broadcast at SBS On Demand
MA15+
USA, 2011
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Drama
Language: English
Director: William Friedkin
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple
What's it about?
This hilarious and savage thriller by legendary director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) follows the misadventures of a white trash family who decides to hire a professional killer to murder their loved one so that they can get their hands on the insurance payout. They get in touch with 'Killer' Joe Cooper, a smooth-talkin' local cop with a profitable sideline as a hitman, played brilliantly by Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club). But when the family is unable to raise the advance payment, Joe suggests a retainer "in nature" from the virginal daughter Dottie (Juno Temple). Soon, things go from bad to extremely worse for everyone.
[link title="Killer Joe Review: Rude, crude, very violent and a lot of fun" url="node/5895"]
Monday 16 January
Escobar: Paradise Lost
9:25pm, SBS VICELANDAvailable after broadcast at SBS On Demand
M
Belgium, France, Spain, 2014
Genre: Thriller, Romance
Language: Spanish, English
Director: Andrea Di Stefano
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Josh Hutcherson, Brady Corbet
What's it about?
This gripping thriller looks at the life of the infamous Columbian drug lord in his later years, through the eyes of outsider Nick, a young surfer on a visit to his brother in Colombia. Against an idyllic backdrop of blue lagoons and white beaches, he soon falls madly in love with a beautiful local girl called Maria. Everything seems perfect, until he meets her uncle, one Pablo Escobar. Benicio Del Toro's performance alone is worth the watch: perfectly cast in the title role, he completely blends with his character, brimming with magnetism, quiet menace and insanity.
Monday 23 January
The Assassin
9:25pm, SBS VICELAND
PG
Taiwan, 2015
Genre: Martial Arts
Language: Chinese, Mandarin
Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Starring: Shu Qi, Chang Chen, Satoshi Tsumabuki
What's it about?Hsiao-Hsien Hou won the Best Director award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival for this exquisite epic, in which a female assassin during the Tang Dynasty begins to question her loyalties when she is ordered to kill the cousin she was once betrothed to. Don't expect The Assassin to be your usual action-packed martial arts flick: instead, let its contemplative mood wash over you, immerse yourself in the elegant fighting scenes, and enjoy each frame of this sumptuous film.
The Assassin review: Fleeting battles make way for exquisitely beautiful, lingering shots
Monday 30 January
Killing Them Softly
9:25pm, SBS VICELAND
MA15+
USA, 2012
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Language: English
Director: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Ben Mendelsohn
What's it about?In this stylish film noir directed by Andrew Dominik (Chopper), Brad Pitt stars as Jackie Cogan, an enforcer sent by the mob to take care of business when their rules are broken by an unknown gang of thugs. Cold and ruthless, Cogan makes a point of not inflicting unnecessary pain ("killing them softly"). Cogan moves among a motley crew of Boston underworld characters, played by quality character actors including the late James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), and Ben Mendelsohn (Animal Kingdom) as a hapless Aussie junkie.
[link title="Killing Them Softly review: Crafty heist thriller takes its cues from Wall Street" url="node/6007"]Watch interview with director Andrew Dominik
