By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

‘Retreat’

Directed by Carl Tibbetts

Rated R, 90 minutes

“Retreat” follows married couple Kate (Thandie Newton) and Martin (Cillian Murphy), who are grieving the loss of their first child. To heal, the two head to a secluded island where they once spent a romantic holiday filled with good memories. Being the only people on the island, they rely on the caretaker, but days soon pass without contact. They, in time, find a man (Jamie Bell) washed up on the island and take him in. He eventually wakes up and delivers some crazy news — an airborne virus is decimating the world, and to survive, they must seal up the windows. After a few days, Kate and Martin soon wonder if there really is an epidemic outside or if they’ve been deceived and taken prisoner by a lunatic. “Retreat” is a claustrophobic and intriguing film, and although its pace slows in the middle, it all pays off by the end. CV

‘The Beach’

Directed Danny Boyle

2000, Rated R, 119 minutes

Before director Danny Boyle became a critics’ darling with “Slumdog Millionaire,” he made amazing films including “Trainspotting,” “Millions” and “28 Days Later.” But his most underrated film is “The Beach.” Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio), is an American traveling through Thailand. While there, he becomes friends with a young couple and a man named Daffy (Robert Carlyle), who gives Richard a map to a beach paradise before killing himself. With the map in hand, the three head out to find this tropical bliss and eventually stumble upon a small community of travelers, led by Sal (Tilda Swinton), who is living off the land. Although they are welcomed into the village, they are given strict rules to follow, which Richard ultimately breaks, turning his paradise into something much worse. “The Beach” is a drama-filled adventure that offers the hope of finding a piece of paradise. In these tough times, who couldn’t use that? CV