Stanford Mail

Gothic Enchantment Meets Suspenseful Intrigue

MOVIE REVIEW
B’Twixt Now and Sunrise (The Authentic Cut)

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Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Mystery
Year Released: 2011, 2023 Lionsgate Blu-ray (The Authentic Cut)
Runtime: 1h 19m
Director(s): Francis Ford Coppola
Writer(s): Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Val Kilmer, Bruce Dern, Elle Fanning, Ben Chaplin, Alden Ehrenreich, David Paymer
Where To Watch: arrives on Blu-ray and Digital on February 28, 2023, from Lionsgate


RAVING REVIEW: Ready for a thrilling journey to a remote small town? Look no further than B'TWIXT NOW AND SUNRISE, a visually stunning film by Francis Ford Coppola. Val Kilmer stars as a struggling writer named Hall Baltimore, who finds himself embroiled in a mystery after hearing about local legends of vampires and more. As he delves deeper into the town's dark secrets, he is haunted by nonother than Edgar Allan Poe and another ghostly apparition.


This film is a feast for the eyes, with exquisite attention to detail in every frame. The film will remind you of a visual mix between SIN CITY and SUCKER PUNCH. This is a must-see, if only for the experience of such a surreal film by the legendary director. Kilmer delivers a standout performance, capturing the essence of Baltimore's despair. The supporting cast, including Bruce Dern, Elle Fanning, Ben Chaplin, and Joanne Whalley, round out this unique experience.

B'TWIXT NOW AND SUNRISE is a haunting film from the start, although not so much horror as a psychological thriller—a part homage to gothic horror films, part filmmaking experiment. The mix of dream and reality keeps viewers guessing about what is real and what is not.

B'TWIXT NOW AND SUNRISE is a captivating film perfect for those who appreciate artistic experimentation. The surreal and dreamlike quality of the film will leave a lasting impression on viewers. Color plays a vital role in the movie, and being part vampire story, red is a very present albeit muted color selection.

In conclusion, B'TWIXT NOW AND SUNRISE is a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that should be on your list to experience at some point. Coppola's experimental style sets this film apart from the rest of his filmography. This isn’t like one of his traditional films, but the “authentic cut” delivers a movie I’m glad I got to experience.

As a side note, this film was something special to Coppola; it was an almost autobiographical experience after he lost his son in an accident. So while a general audience may need help understanding the importance of certain parts of this film, he certainly had a purpose while crafting this gothic experiment.

SPECIAL FEATURE:
Twixt: A Documentary by Gia Coppola

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[photo courtesy of LIONSGATE]