1) Spring
Spring: is it a horror movie? A romantic date movie? A gory ad for the Italian Tourism Commission (not Googling for accuracy, just assuming it’s a thing)? That’s the beauty of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s masterful 2015 gem – it’s all those things. The best pieces of art often can’t – or don’t have to be – defined, and Spring beautifully fits that nondescript category. Some compared it to “Linklater meets Lovecraft,” and others came up with their own quirky classifications, but any which way you cut it, Team Moorson have created a monster that’s worth loving.
What impresses most is how the collective workings of this romantic creature feature fire on all cylinders. Conversations are written with a strong semblance of genuine emotion, effects create slimy monster bits, and the performances all embrace the compassionate horror of said scenario.
Moorson (yes, I’m too lazy to spell their names out) run a tight ship while traversing the seas of horror, with their crew (Nadia Hilker/Lou Taylor Pucci) impressively falling into rank due to their own proficiencies. We believe the bond between this lovestruck couple, and can easily invest in their struggle to fight evil for the sake of romance. After all, love is a monster – a fight that’s worth every blow.
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead have given life to something special through Spring, deserving of my only five-star review in the horror genre this year. The crown is yours, sirs. Your trophy is in the mail, and celebratory shots are on me.