The Bat Cave

Buried (2010)

Starring: Ryan Reynolds
Director: Rodrigo Cortes
Quick Thoughts: Think Phone Booth in a coffin under the dirt. Ryan Reynolds plays an American contractor driving trucks in Iraq that finds himself tied up and buried in a coffin when the movie opens. Initially, all he has with him is a Zippo and a cell phone that’s in a European language. Honestly, in a lot of ways this was the scariest film I saw from last year. I’m claustrophobic, for one, and I really had to detach myself from the situation to keep watching. There’s a lot of horrible ways to go, but being buried alive has to rank amongst the worst. Add to that the feeling of falling asleep, which is really the only escape to bliss from your current nightmare, only to wake up again and realize you’re still there. I’ve had that experience in jail. The gadgets are the kicker though. They give Reynolds’ character a sense of hope that he wouldn’t have otherwise and turns inanimate objects into legitimate villains; it’s a race against his battery life and the gas left in the lighter. It’s remarkable that director Cortes and Reynolds make a riveting film out of something that takes place entirely in a coffin under the ground. It says a lot about Reynolds’ performance and he certainly carries this movie; no one else does anything more than voice acting. It’s 100% Ryan Reynolds. Buried is a great, unique, and scary thriller. Oh, and that poster concept kicks all sorts of ass.
Viewings: 1
Replay Value: I’d watch it again.
Sequel Potential: None.
Oscar Potential: No buzz at all, but Reynolds is great in it.
Nudity: None.
Grade: 7/10 (Must See)
Recommendation: This film has been critically praised, but mostly overlooked. It’s unsettling, but definitely worth checking out.