EXCISION

10 years ago I saw Lucky McKee's film 'May' for the first time and it blew me away. I vividly remember the euphoria washing over me when it ended. I had seen a horror film so original and smart that I wasn't sure I would ever see anything of its kind again... well... I just have! 'Excision' is a mind blowing horror film that reaches the same level of originality and downright awesomeness that May did a decade ago. Like May, the story revolves around an anti-social young woman and her complete withdrawal from reality. Pauline is an 18 year old with a deeply disturbed relationship with the world around her. Her mother is strict and controlling, her sister is dying from cystic fibrosis and her father is caught under his wife's thumb. During her sleep Pauling dreams of death... she becomes one with it and finds comfort, excitement and passion within all it's complexities... its her go-to place and reprieve from life . The film is so well made and it's incredible to think that it's director Richard Bates Jr's first film. Wow, I can't wait to see this guy's career take shape. He's put together a really impressive cast with some really surprising performances from the likes of Traci Lords, John Waters and Ariel Winter. Also good are Malcolm McDowell and Roger Bart but its Annalynne McCord's performance as Pauline that steals the show. If I were to actually give films a star rating, Excision nails it. 5 out of 5. Incredible stuff. See it.

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