NateWatchesCoolMovies I love movies set on trains. And I loove movies set in the snow. Imagine my excitement when I heard there'd be a movie set on the longest train ride in the world, in one of the largest snowy region in the world. And it didn't disappoint. Transsiberian could have easily descended into action thriller clichés and been a letdown, but every character is well written, the story has bite and depth to it, and although it's a nasty, cold hearted affair, it's not without its sympathies. Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer play a vacationing American couple on the transsiberian railway. Harrelson is a naive city bumpkin and plays the role well.. Mortimer is phenomenal, at first seeming like a terrified waif, until we learn bit by bit that she has a few sinister secrets, and is taking a dangerous risk and hiding things from her husband. They meet another couple, played by Kate Mara and Eduardo Noriega, and strike a tenuous, suspenseful bond that leads to violent confrontations and secrets being spilled like blood flying into the snow. Kate Mara is brilliant,striking the perfect balance between edgy and unassuming as an outsider girl who is looking for a way out. Ben Kingsley and Thomas Kretschmann show up as shady Russian narcotics agents, trawling the trains compartments in search of drug smugglers. Kingsley steals the movie with the monstrous characters he creates. This is a ruthless, nasty cop that you just don't want to get in the path of. The film is shot in gorgeous, sweeping white and grey brush strokes, visualizing a desolation and quiet sense of impending danger personified by the vast, cold mountainous landscape. It may not be a perfect film and it falters occasionally, but it's an immensely entertaining genre effort brought to life by its committed actors, it's frank, uncompromising narrative and gorgeous locations that are ever changing as the train meanders through the frozen dreamland of snow, wind and looming, beautiful mountains.

Myusersnameiscoolokay Transsibberian (2008) is a psychological mystery-thriller that tells the tale of two American travelers Roy (Woody Harrelson) and Jessie (Emily Mortimer) on their way from China to Moscow by using the old sturdy means of transportation, the train. They encounter a mysterious couple Abby (Kate Mara) and Carlos (Eduardo Noriega) whom befriend them become entwined in the couple's journey there. Jessie reluctantly develops a growing attraction for Carlos and then boom, her husband goes AWOL. Destination from hell. Purely from personal opinion, how anybody would willingly want to take a trip like this is mind-boggling. The film does a brilliant job of highlighting the lack of safety afforded to foreign travelers on the train. As the train reaches Moscow, some of the political nuances are discussed to provide overview (in a non-lecturing type of way). This is all done with great restraint, due to its status of not being a documentary and obviously, no one has signed up for one. Director Brad Anderson does little to highlight it as a go-to travel experience. The word bleak comes to mind when describing the atmosphere of the train ride. So, of course friendliness afforded to this American couple by other train travelers is troublesome and cause for suspicion. The camera pays special attention to the facial expressions of each pertinent character that the audience puts priority on deciphering the motives of this well-traveled couple. Sir Ben Kingsley plays a pivotal role in moving the films narrative during the middle of the film and of course, his screen presence never hurts. The first half brings us more mystery than thriller and vice versa. Everything is where it needs to be, no fat or fluff to eat up some screen time.

Ben Larson It is good to see that Hitchcock is alive and well. Brad Anderson (Session 9) gives us a good thriller that keeps us guessing throughout.You never know who the good guys and the bad guys are. It really doesn't matter as the characters are so good that you are drawn to their performances.Emily Mortimer (Paris, je t'aime, The Sleeping Dictionary) is excellent as a tempted wife who finds that demons still exist within her. When she realizes that she has been set up, the tension became amazing as we watch her efforts to escape.The tempter is an equally good Eduardo Noriega (Vantage point & the elusive Alatriste). He has met his match with Mortimer, but not before he really complicates her life.There is some really gruesome torture involving Kate Mara (Brokeback Mountain, We Are Marshall).And, there is Ben Kingsley, a detective that goes after drug dealers. His performance is amazing. (Kingsley will be in Queen of the South next year, but I don't get my hopes up as that film is written by the same person who wrote Alatriste, which is not to be found.) Kingsley is his usual amazing self and his character is worth the price of admission all by itself.

punishmentpark An international cast and a beautiful and stylish first hour... we're off to more than a good start. Unfortunately things are quite predictable at times and the eventual conclusion, when the train is brought to the desolate area, made me wonder if Carlos' steps hadn't been easier to trace, and much earlier on as well? Or was it necessary to get that torture scene in there? Also, the use of semi-profound one-liners was working counterproductive. Again, a bit of a disappointment by Brad 'The Machinist' Anderson, even if that first hour is very much okay. An extra kudos to Emily Mortimer; well played and wonderful charisma.6 out of 10.