Let's be realistic.

Lack of good storyline.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

This is the story of Andy (Charlie Tahan), a young man confined to a wheelchair and apparently getting weaker. It is also the story of his weak-willed father Richard (Michael Shannon), and Maryann (Natasha Calis), the new neighbour about Andy's age. Reeling from the loss of her parents (she lives with her grandparents), she makes a friend in Andy. This is also the story of Andy's horrendous mother Katherine (Samantha Morton), ostensibly over-protective of her dying son but far, far more than that.Maryann is unresponsive and ungrateful to her grandparents (Leslie Lyles and Peter Fonda), so it is easy for them to believe it when Katherine suggests, with a smile, the girl may have behavioural problems. Her friendship with the lad is a heartfelt one, marred only by the mischief all children are guilty of. Certainly it is undeserving of Katherine's wrath. It's during such a mishap that Maryann, hiding in the basement, discovers a dark secret.This increasingly disturbing story is expertly directed by John McNaughton, who handles the onslaught of revelations and horror in spellbinding fashion. Initial cruelty is revealed to mask a far more sombre situation. Not entirely unlike Kathy Bates from 'Misery (1990)', Morton gives Katherine a measured stillness, a dangerous sense of calm (often with her trademark tiny smile), so that when her anger does erupt, it is extraordinary. This is an engrossing, quite disturbing production, with terrific acting, especially from the juveniles.

Settling in to bed for a movie I did my random pick and mix and was presented with The Harvest which was mistakenly advertised as a horror, I can assure you that it isn't. Starring modern day Zod himself Michael Shannon it is a well constructed fascinating little mystery that tells the story of an ill child with his overbearing mother.It's one of those films that I was drawn into but didn't know quite why, however was eager to find out just quite where it was going. The pivotal reveal turns the tide of the movie, and I mean that in a good way. The story takes shape, the cast do a stellar job and this under the radar movie I'd never heard of actually succeeded in blowing me away.I can't say much about The Harvest without ruining it, I will merely say this is a masterworks in filmmaking and though not flawless is still a highly impressive little film.The Good:Very well writtenPerformances are flawlessPerfectly pacedThe Bad:A couple of unanswered questions lingerThings I Learnt From This Movie:Michael Shannon has one facial expression, I'm starting to think it's a mask

This is not a horror film but a gripping thriller with horrific aspects powered by two actors both of whom do intense better than anyone, Michael Shannon and Samantha Morton. Morton is particularly good, terrifyingly on the edge of becoming completely unhinged most of the time, although seemingly tiny next to Shannon. The two child actors also deliver convincing performances, Natasha Calis and Charlie Tahan (Gotham's young Scarecrow). Their relationship drives the plot and works well.It starts off slow then gradually builds up its tension and shocks without resorting to improbable melodrama. A very good film.

The Harvest came out of nowhere for me. It's a film about power and deception, which makes for a truly fantastic film. This film gets well under your skin, making it a very effective psychological thriller, NOT a horror. The one thing I truly love about this film is that it gets straight to the point. It starts off fast, there is no filler, every scene has a point and the finally is epic and perfectly paced.The Harvest really did surprise me. With such low user ratings, I was expecting something overly pretentious or just plain bad; both of these it was not. If there could be one criticism it would be the lack of suspense leading up to the unveiling, but other than that, nothing is at fault.