Nowhere, PA (2008)

The Franke kids seemingly lived a normal life, until their mom met the infamous Jodi Hilderbrandt.

This animated kids' movie shows viewers two different species--jungle animals and aliens--and how both species coexist.

With The Father, writer-director Florian Zeller- who wrote and developed the play upon which the film is based- pulls no punches as he confidently makes every effort to put the audience in the mind of someone whose grip on reality has all but vanished. It’s a dazzling testament to Zeller’s abilities as a director as he makes his first transition from stage to film appear as if he’s been working behind a camera his entire career. The dialogue he fashions with co-writer Christopher Hampton, along with the work of production designers Peter Francis and Cathy Featherstone, collectively makes the downward spiral of dementia startlingly tangible, doing so in a way that can be comprehended by everyone except the person it directly affects.

Few movies deal with aging (particularly aging women) with as much compassion as Relic does. Yet it’s not sickly sweet and not a soapbox rant against ageism. Relic simply is, allowing the horror to seep in quietly and carefully.

A simple question often sparks intense debate. Incluvie attempts a working definition for the beloved horror genre.

That gut-wrenching feeling you have while watching it is okay but needed, and you, the viewer, will be okay.