GREEN ROOM (2016) ****

A punk rock band strapped for cash agrees to play in front of a group of Neo-Nazis.  To show that they don’t cotton to their audience’s ideals, they do a cover of The Dead Kennedys' “Nazi Punks Fuck Off”.  Lots of bottles are thrown and obscenities are shouted, but miraculously the audience doesn't harm the band.  However, once a band member witnesses a Nazi punk murder someone backstage, all bets are off.  The Nazi punks hold the band in the green room against their will and eventually they realize the punks are planning a way to dispose of the band permanently.

From then on, things turn into a siege movie.  As far as the subgenre goes, Green Room has moments that rank right up there with the great siege flicks of all time like Assault on Precinct 13 and Night of the Living Dead.  This isn’t exactly a horror film, but it did contain at least one moment that made my stomach turn.  As a lifelong horror buff, I can’t even remember the last time a movie had that effect on me.

I won’t ruin the best moments for you.  Just know that once the film takes off, it never looks back.  This is one harrowing and suspenseful movie.  They way director Jeremy Saulnier puts the audience through the wringer is worthy of both Hitchcock and Carpenter.

I haven’t even mentioned the cast yet.  Anton Yelchin, in one of his final roles is excellent as the guitarist who must overcome impossible odds to stay alive.  His Fright Night co-star Imogen Poots also delivers a fine performance as the Nazis’ next intended target.  I must admit that it was awesome seeing Patrick Stewart essaying the role of the cold and calculating Nazi leader.  His ruthless demeanor and strategic cunning is part of what makes the heroes’ plight so intense.  His character is a guy you’ll love to hate.

Also, Star Trek fans get an added bonus of seeing Chekov matching wits with Captain Picard, so it has that going for it.