I liked Pod quite a bit. It's a cool story, and it's pretty intense but feels kind of minimalist at the same time. I think there is total cast of five? And the majority of it is just three characters - mentally-ill (or is he?) war vet Martin, his psychologist brother Ed, and their younger sister Lyla. Ed has gotten a creepy voicemail from Martin, who is living in an isolated cabin in the woods. Ed begrudgingly recruits Lyla to go up and check on their brother because it sounds like it "could be happening again." Apparently, Martin has been diagnosed with some sort of PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, and while they thought things were under control, it sounds like the meds may not be working anymore.
When Ed and Lyla get to the house, it's in rough shape. All of the windows/doors are blocked off with foil, and the place is a total mess. And Martin is visibly NOT okay; he begins spouting off about super soldier programs and tests that were performed on him during the war, and how he's being tracked by the government. (He's even turned to self-mutilation to get the tracking devices out.) Oh, and he's got a pod in the basement (and not the storage kind - more like an egg). He claims it's from some strange creature that somehow ties in with his government conspiracy. And he begs Ed and Lyla not to go down there, no matter what happens.
Well, it's a horror movie, so you can probably kind of guess what happens. While Pod is not what I would call an unpredictable film, the story is decent, the characters are good, and the performances are solid enough that it ends up being an enjoyable time.
The bulk of the film actually plays a bit like Bug (the Ashley Judd/Michael Shannon film from 2006) - at least what I can remember about it. Mostly one setting, just a whole house here instead of a motel room. And the bulk of the tension is derived from the questionably crazy person... how much of what they're saying is legit, and how much of it is the babbling of the mentally ill? Here, Brian Morvant turns in a really solid performance as Martin. I don't think he's going for (nor is the script asking for) a legitimate portrayal of PTSD/schizophrenia... but he brings a *lot* of energy to the role and certainly looks the part. He flirts with pushing things over the top now and again, but I think Pod needs that. It's a film where nothing really happens plot-wise for large chunks of time, but Morvant's portrayal sort of distracts you from that. The other two siblings (played by Dean Cates and Lauren Ashley Carter) are solid too, and the script (by director Mickey Keating) gives them each some good little character building scenes. It's funny how throwaway moments (like pretentious Ed wiping off the rim of Lyla's flask before he takes a shot) can raise the stakes in a horror film. You feel like you know the character's better, so you are at least kind of invested in what happens to them.
Well, it's a horror movie, so you can probably kind of guess what happens. While Pod is not what I would call an unpredictable film, the story is decent, the characters are good, and the performances are solid enough that it ends up being an enjoyable time.
The bulk of the film actually plays a bit like Bug (the Ashley Judd/Michael Shannon film from 2006) - at least what I can remember about it. Mostly one setting, just a whole house here instead of a motel room. And the bulk of the tension is derived from the questionably crazy person... how much of what they're saying is legit, and how much of it is the babbling of the mentally ill? Here, Brian Morvant turns in a really solid performance as Martin. I don't think he's going for (nor is the script asking for) a legitimate portrayal of PTSD/schizophrenia... but he brings a *lot* of energy to the role and certainly looks the part. He flirts with pushing things over the top now and again, but I think Pod needs that. It's a film where nothing really happens plot-wise for large chunks of time, but Morvant's portrayal sort of distracts you from that. The other two siblings (played by Dean Cates and Lauren Ashley Carter) are solid too, and the script (by director Mickey Keating) gives them each some good little character building scenes. It's funny how throwaway moments (like pretentious Ed wiping off the rim of Lyla's flask before he takes a shot) can raise the stakes in a horror film. You feel like you know the character's better, so you are at least kind of invested in what happens to them.
I guess the rest of this is a little spoilery... so if you want to check out a decent flick unspoiled, stop here, I guess. But not all that much *does* happen. There's some monster-ish action in the final act of the film that is pretty well done, but much of Pod is the siblings yelling at each other, trying to convince each other that Martin should come with them (in Ed and Lyla's case), or that there's some seriously evil shit going down (in Martin's case). And while that doesn't sound all that compelling, Morvant's performance, the grungy house, and the way the film is shot add a good deal of tension to the proceedings. You know they're all in a bad situation... the question is how bad?
There is some gore here - nothing over-the-top, and it's usually played to be more disturbing than entertaining. The monster design is okay, but it's the type of film where you see it for frustratingly short periods of time. But I guess I'd rather like what little I see than to be disappointed at seeing too much. But Pod uses that mystery to its advantage, letting you imagine what it *could* be before showing you what it actually is. (I reckon this is a practical monster too - so thumbs up there!) Plus, there are some good "lurking around in the background" shots here too.
Overall, Pod just worked for me. It's low-key plot-wise, but has some energetic performances and a decent story. It's a relatively simple, but well-made film... good stuff. Oh, and great opening credits too.
I would recommend this film.
Overall, Pod just worked for me. It's low-key plot-wise, but has some energetic performances and a decent story. It's a relatively simple, but well-made film... good stuff. Oh, and great opening credits too.
I would recommend this film.
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