THE WORLD IS A FROST GIANT’S CORPSE: I Netflix’d Frozen because of Kindertrauma’s glowing review, and I was not disappointed. This movie is so much smarter than it has to be, you guys. It’s a horror flick about three college students (I think? twentynothings at the most) who get stuck on a broken ski lift, abandoned and freezing and alone, with no help in sight for days.

Both Kindertrauma and I expected popcorn, disposable entertainment; both of us got something memorable and frightening instead. I don’t recommend that you read the comments until you’ve watched the movie (although I sort of agree with one of the criticisms a commenter raised), but I really liked KT’s Unkle Lancifer’s comment that if you can get into the “there, but [for the] grace of God, go I” mindset, this movie will hurt you.

KT notes the dialogue, which I liked well enough, but I want to call attention to the use of time and of nature photography. Frozen is a short movie which feels grueling, in the best way. You feel like time is passing with agonizing slowness even as you’re held in suspense, literally cringing and covering your mouth. The manipulation of the audience (at least me!) was just masterful.

And the stunning shots of fir trees, and mist shivering over snow, were deployed expertly throughout the film. These lingering beauty shots actually added to the increasing weight of the characters’ despair.