Filmmaker Larry Fessenden's unconventional horror movies deal with serious subjects rather than mindless malevolence, and employ atmosphere and slow-burn tension rather than graphic shocks, loud music bursts, and buckets of gore to deliver chills. The Last Winter is an eco-thriller set in an Alaskan wildlife refuge after oil companies receive government permission to drill. Unfortunately, the effects of global warming are making operations here too dangerous, and members of a fractious exploration crew end up suffering a series of accidents that suggest some force is at work that threatens both their jobs and their lives. Shot in authentically frigid locales, The Last Winter perfectly captures the ambiance of the setting, and (like The Thing) masterfully toys with the effects of isolation on the characters, so that viewers aren't certain whether the dangers are real or imagined. The film does lose its way a bit towards the end, but a good cast, evocative cinematography, and an unusual score are deftly combined to create a haunting experience that never degenerates into a strident environmental screed. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
The Last Winter
Genius, 101 min., not rated, DVD: $19.99, July 22 Volume 23, Issue 5
The Last Winter
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