'The Divide'
(Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance, et al / DVD / NR / 2012 / Anchor Bay)
Overview: A sudden nuclear attack forces nine strangers into a small, decrepit apartment building basement for shelter. Trapped for days underground with no hope of rescue, and unknown horrors awaiting them outside, the group begins to descend into madness, acting out vicious bouts of psychological and physical torture upon one another.
DVD Verdict: Wow, referencing this movie is being 'dark' is an understatement beyond anything you could ever witness! In truth, it's really just one depravity after the next. Indeed, each one topping the last like a rollercoaster of double dares! You never find out why anything is occurring either, which is sad as that added element would have made the back story to this great film that much mor sweeter to end the closing credits with.
In truth, I like post-apocalyptic movies, but this was a total ride from start to finish - and not always one that made sense or pushed forward too fast at time. That said, as noted, I still think it's a great movie, with an incredible cast, but just some shards of cinematic color would have made all the difference here - the masses, me thinks.
But, if you like this sort of thing I would watch the first five minutes and then the last five minutes; much like a basketball game! You'll instantly get the feeling of the atmosphere, the characters, the needs and, yes, most assurdly, who lives and who dies! Everything in-between really doesn't have much to do with it except for a bunch of people going nuts because they can't cope with the solitude!
In closing, 'The Divide offers a pessimistic view of human nature under duress, pure and simple. Would we act like this if such a horrible thing was happening above us? Who knows, but I'd like to think not. And sure it makes for some unusually grim, depressing viewing, but there is a lot of action toboot. This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.35:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:
Audio Commentary with director Xavier Gens, and actors Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia and Michael Eklund
Theatrical Trailer
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