Black Death Review

So I have just finished watching Black Death. The only thing that I can say is, it was pretty good. It's been a while since I've actually yelled at a movie in anger. It was quite the experience, one that is definitely welcome in my mind.

The movie is directed by Christopher Smith (Severence, Creep). He's known for directing on the horror/ thriller side of things and doesn't fail to deliver. He achieve's a sense of both suspense and breathlessness at the climax of the film that literEddieally had me at the edge of my seat. The music, which is conducted by Nick Ingman (Shakespeare in Love, Madagascar) builds the mood and chilled me to the bone. The choices made by Smith creates an aura of evil and gives off a satanic and dark feel.

The film itself doesn't follow any traditional storyline or plot that I can recognize. The story is about a kinght appointed by the church in 1348, right around the time of the first bubonic plague that struck England. This plague was also known as the Black Death because of the black spots and boils it leaves on its victims skin. Medicine in Europe had no means of stopping it and the Church's believed it to be God sending this plague as a means for us to pay for our sins. The knight, played by actor Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones) is sent to a remote village where it is rumored to be ruled by a woman who can raise the dead and may have Satanic ties. The monk that volunteers to lead him to this village is played by Eddie Redmayne (The Good Shepard, Powder Blue) and I must say he delivers a very powerful performance. His anguish, self doubt, and self destruction makes it a performance worth seeing. By the time the third act rolled around I was still craving more and still appropriatly creeped out.

And that's my first review. So how did I do? Feel free to leave a comment here, on Facebook, or on twitter @R_Galarneau. I will welcome any feedback ranging from opinions on how I can improve to what other movies you may want me to review. Well this has been a lot of fun. and Arrivederci for now friends!

~Riley