Bajo La Sal (2008)

I really need to start checking out some thrillers from Mexico.  Especially the newer one.  Yesterday I checked out a movie called "Bajo La Sal" (Under the Salt) on Netflix.  This was directed by Mario Munoz and was released by Warner Bros. Mexico.  I have to say, it did not disappoint.

A body is found at a salt mine, which the police have linked it to one of four girls who have been missing at the town of Santa Rosa de la Sal.  Jefe Salazar brings in Comandante Truijillo to help him out with the investigation.  We also meet Victor.  A troubled youth that works at his father's mortuary.  He also creates stop-motion slasher films, which looks really cool.  After the death of his mother, Victor has been having problems at school and his father, who is also dealing with the death of his wife (Victor's mom).  While returning from school, he meets Truijillo and Salazar at the mortuary, who brought the corpse to see if they can find the identity.  Truijillo finds a tattoo, which the police might think it's someone who works at the town's brothel.  Later the body was identified by the girl's boss/pimp.  It seems that Victor is familiar with the girl as he becomes interested in the investigation.  There's also another person who is familiar with the dead girl, named Isabel, who Victor takes a fancy in.  Meanwhile, Truijillo and Salazar go to the home of the dead girl to find some clues.  Truijillo finds a book from the school library and a note.  Since then, Truijillo finds out that there is a link between the town's school and the missing girls.  The problem is that he's having trouble since the old school records were burnt during a fire.  After that, the suspense starts to get bigger as we find out the school's backstory and the interaction between Victor and Isabel.  Also when the killer is reveled 

"Bajo La Sal" is very well made with some good production, great acting, and a awesome soundtrack.  This is probably the best film to come out of Mexico.  If you're interested in watching a foreign thriller, totally check out "Bajo La Sal".  It should be streaming on Netflix.

Antibodies (2005)

I have to admit, when I read about this on Rue Morgue, it almost sound just like "Silence of the Lamb".  But being a fan of psycho-thrillers, I had to check it out.  And I have to say, it's better than I expected.

The movie is about a small town cop name Michael Martens, who lives in the country side of Germany.  The town folks caught news that police have caught killer who had murdered a little girl in their town.  So Michael is sent to the big city to interrogate serial killer Gabriel Engel, who had admitted to killing 12 boys.

Gabriel Engel is one sick individual.  Most of his victims are 13 yr old boys.  He paints portraits with his victims blood.  And in one scene, he gets turned on when talking about his killings.  He also plays mind games, which upsets the police department.

When Michael and Gabriel meet, Gabriel sets some rules for Michael if he expects him to get a answer.  Gabriel wants to know every detail about Michael's personal life.  But Michael refuses to play his game.  He asks Engel if he killed the little girl, but Engel denies it.  Gabriel then tries to give Michael some clues of who murderer was.

Back home, Michael dealing with some problems with his marriage and his son, who happens to be showing signs of a serial killer.  Michael is also haunted of the memories of when he found the dead body.  He's hoping to find some closure when he knows the killer has been captured.  He goes into Gabriel's apartment and found the underwear that belonged to the dead girl.  While the lab was looking for semen samples, Michael becomes shocked when he finds out about the result.

I really have to say that the ending was really heart-bumping.  A great performance by Andre Hennicke.  And the script by director Christian Alvert was greet, too.  Totally recommended if you're a fan of psycho-thrillers.  Believe me, this will have you glued to the screen.

Destitute- "Left For Dead" (2010)

As years go by, I'm starting to really appreciate the Portland, OR music scene.  I've been a huge fan of bands like Agalloch, The Decemberist, and Trees.  And you can add Foxcore/punk band, destitute to that list.

For a while, their debut ep, "Left For Dead", has been playing in my car's CD player.  I'm a huge fan of their Riot Grrl influence.  Also love the raw/lo-fi production.  It gives this ep some attitude.  The first three tracks ("I Don't Want To Play With You Anymore" "Junkie For Jesus", and "Absence") are great.  "Moral Decay" sounds like a good track, too.  But the mix is a bit low.  If they do a full-length, hopefully they'll turn it up a notch.

If you're a fan of the Riot Grrl scene during the 90's, you will totally love destitute.  It's loud and kick arse.  Just the way a bloke like myself loves it.  Really looking forward to their next release.  But I may have to wait awhile since they are in hiatus.  Last time I checked, they got a new drummer.  But until then, "Left For Dead" will be in repeat rotation in my car.  Destitute gets "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face"

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Website: http://unrepentantrecords.com/destitute.html