Trailerblazing -- XX

XX -- February 17, 2017 -- directed by Roxanne Benjamin, Sofia Carrillo et al. -- starring Melanie Lynskey, Sheila Vand, Mike Doyle, Natalie Brown, Angela Trimbur

Female directors are a rare commodity in horror cinema. There have been impressive entries by directors such as Rachel Talalay (Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare), Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark), Mary Harron (American Psycho) and Jennifer Kent (The Babadook), but, overall, women filmmakers have not been given many opportunities in this genre. Along comes an anthology that should represent a major step in changing this sad state of affairs, showcasing four tales that look and feel like major creepfests. "The Box" somehow reminds me of the "Need to Know" episode from the 1980s "The Twilight Zone" revival, while "The Birthday Party" looks like it came straight out of "Black Mirror". Who is the zombie-like woman? What is in the box? The stories offer interesting questions and, without a doubt, fascinating twists. The cinematography in each of the segments is grim and expressive and the cast seems well chosen. I am looking forward to this collection.