Flux Films

New Release - We Are What We Are

2010-11-09T21:54:00.001Z

We are what we are is the rarest of beasts, a macabre tale that has the power to delight and disturb in equal measures with its unique take on a family under turmoil. Unlike the majority of horror films that focus on the victims and their struggles against evil, this unflinching portrayal of cannibalism follows a family of killers and their struggle to survive in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Mexican suburbs.

After the head of the family meets a gruesome end, it falls upon his eldest son, Alfredo, to take responsibility for the surviving members; his younger siblings and his grieving mother. Each of them have their own agendas and it is not long before these conflicting issues result in horrifying consequences for both the family and the people they prey on for food. The less known about the storyline the better, which is why my description of the plot is suitably vague, as the majority of the films more unsettling moments come as a complete surprise for the unsuspecting viewer.

Apart from Antichrist, this is the only film I have viewed where audience members have left the cinema during the more graphic scenes, and this certainly confirms that We are what we are is a very powerful film, not for the faint hearted but very rewarding for those that persevere. With cinematography on par to that of the hauntingly beautiful shots seen throughout Let the Right One In and a subject matter as realistically brutal as the gruesome deaths of the unsuspecting victims in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, this is a perfect example of an atmospheric horror that chills you to the core by combining a stark yet realistic situation with unflinching scenes of violence.

The majority of modern horror films rely on cheap scares and shock tactics to batter the viewers senses and it is encouraging to see that there are still directors out there who clearly have a great respect for the genre and shift their focus towards creating a brooding atmosphere and a compelling storyline. This brave and accomplished attempt at reinvigorating a stale genre certainly marks Jorge Michel Grau as a promising director for the future and whilst We are what we are may not be the masterpiece that horror fans are hoping for, it certainly comes pretty damn close.

8/10

If you liked this you will enjoy these:

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1973)
Don't Look Now
Let The Right One In
The Devil's Backbone

Upcoming Films

2010-11-09T17:18:00.000Z

Sanctum

If the film comes anywhere close to matching the intensity of the trailer we are in for one hell of a ride with Sanctum. Based on the true story of extreme sports enthusiasts whose potholing expedition goes awry, Sanctum has James Cameron on board as producer and with the claustrophobic environments involved, this has the potential to look incredible in 3D.

Like Dandelion Dust

Like Dandelion dust is a an emotional drama centered around two families and the conflict that arises when reuniting a child with his parents. On paper it doesn't sound that great but from the trailer and the positive critical response this is definitely one to watch out for come awards season. Ever since his fantastic supporting performance as Jackson in Saving Private Ryan, it was clear that Barry Pepper was destined for stardom, it has been a long journey, with a knock-out performance in The Three Burials starring alongside Tommy Lee Jones, but his time may finally have arrived with his portrayal of a father in turmoil.

The Way Back

After finally getting round to watching Peter Weir's incredibly haunting 'Picnic At Hanging Rock' I stumbled across the trailer for his latest film while reading up about the acclaimed director. Featuring a stellar cast in what appears to be a more traditional adventure story as opposed to the hugely popular comic book movies that dominate the multiplexes, The Way Back could turn out to be a very welcome breath of fresh air upon its release.

London Boulevard

Any gangster film starring Colin Farrell and Ray Winstone is almost guaranteed to be a sure-fire success, with Farrell's brilliant performance in In Bruges fresh in everyone's minds, this has the potential to be an absolute belter! Add Kiera Knightley to the mix and a fresh take on the ex-con routine drawn back in to his old ways, and then convince me that you don't want to see this film. Somehow, I don't think I believe you.

New Release - The Social Network

2010-10-14T17:41:00.001+01:00

At the end of the millennium David Fincher's visceral take on Chuck Palahniuk's novel 'Fight Club' defined a generation and, while it seems like only yesterday that it was released, eleven years have passed since Brad Pitt and Edward Norton contributed towards what is now regarded as a cult classic. Over a decade later the revered director has once more attempted to capture a moment in time, bravely deciding to focus his efforts on real events from very recent history, by filming a compelling drama based entirely on the creation of a single website that quickly became a worldwide phenomenon.

Jesse Eisenberg plays Marc Zuckerberg, the brains behind Facebook, and The Social Network opens with a snappy dialogue between Zuckerberg and a female companion that ends disastrously, allowing the audience to fully comprehend the social awkwardness surrounding the film's lead, and his motivation for the creation of his website. Assisted by a number of friends, most notably Andrew Garfield in a stunning performance that is reassuring to fans of Spiderman (Garfield is scheduled to play Peter Parker in the upcoming reboot), Zuckerberg utilises his computer skills to create an exclusive club for Harvard students that remains accessible to the less sporty members of the prestigious University. In doing so he unwittingly unleashes a social medium that begins to spread across America and eventually over to Europe, as more and more students become obsessed with their online presence and the ability to check up on their friends, and more importantly their relationship statuses, wherever they are in the world.

There is no denying that The Social Network tells an incredible story, with Fincher's visual flair perfectly matched with the powerful soundtrack by Trent Reznor, especially in a standout rowing scene that is guaranteed to get your heartbeat racing, but the only downside is a lackluster ending which cannot really be levelled as a criticism, after all this is real life and the story will continue long after the credits are rolling. People familiar with Facebook will find a lot to love in this movie, the inspirational story is a great backbone to the character development as well as providing a very personal account of Zuckerberg's rise to fame. The humorous references to situations that most of the sites user's will have found themselves in are very effective and provide a perfect balance to the tension in some of the more dramatic scenes, as well as enabling the audience to connect with the film on a more personal level.

The Social Network is an engaging and provocative drama that may just make you think twice before you update your Facebook status in the future. I would recommend it to anyone who uses Facebook on a regular basis; you are guaranteed to give it the thumbs up.

8/10

If you like this film you will enjoy these:

Frost/Nixon
Roger Dodger
The People Vs. Larry Flynt
12 Angry Men

New Release - The Hole 3D

2010-09-18T17:35:00.013+01:00

My first encounter with the world of Joe Dante was almost twenty years ago when i caught a glimpse of Gremlins at the tender age of four. At the time I was horrified, but as I grew up it soon became one of my favourite films, instantly capable of transporting me back to a time when horror films used to scare me. I was hoping that Dante would be able to recapture this magic, and The Hole left me wishing that I was a pre-teen with a wild imagination once again, heading into a horror film for the very first time. This made me very jealous of the younger crowd in the audience as they were clearly stuck fast in their seats, horrified by the visions that unfolded before them - their silence spoke louder than any screams - and desperate for the frightening film to end.

The nightmare begins when a single sprightly mother, her angst-ridden adolescent son Dane and nervous pre-teen Lucas move into a new house in a strange neighbourhood, only to discover a seemingly bottomless pit locked away under a trapdoor in the basement. Curiosity gets the better of the boys and it is not long before they lower a camera into the mysterious hole in an attempt to film the unknown, but, as video footage shows in one of the films eeriest moments, some things are better left undisturbed.

After exploring the darkness underneath the trapdoor, the boys begin to be haunted by strange events, with the hole seemingly preying on their individual fears. This provides the basis for a number of scary moments which are quite effective considering The hole is aimed at a younger audience, but it is unlikely to have any impact on those familiar with recent scary films such as [REC] and Paranormal Activity. The story still remains intriguing enough to keep older viewers entertained for the most part, and could well bring back long forgotten memories of their first encounters with the world of the supernatural films.

Horror fans hoping for a repeat of Gremlins will be disappointed, but that's not to say that The Hole should be dismissed; its constant references to classic horror films cannot replace the dark, warped humour that made Gremlins so watchable, but certainly adds to the experience for fans of the genre. Numerous scenes invoke connections to Poltergeist and The Gate, with the icing on the cake being a homage to the Hands of Orlac - a very under-rated thriller from 1935 - that I imagine will pass by unnoticed by the majority of viewers due to unfamiliarity with the source material, and they all serve to remind us that Dante is an ardent horror fan and is not afraid to wear his influences on his sleeve.

As a children's horror film The Hole is excellent but unfortunately it fails to surpass the genre classics such as A nightmare before Christmas and Gremlins due to the lack of appeal to an older audience. The story is fairly entertaining and the references to cult classics are a great addition to the film but they are simply not enough to keep older viewers fully engrossed for the ninety minutes running time. I would definitely recommend this film to families with young teenagers and children eager to be scared, as The Hole is a perfect introduction to horror films for those easily scared, and one of Joe Dante's more accomplished directorial efforts.

6/10

If you like this you will enjoy these:

The Gate
Paperhouse
Poltergeist
Gremlins

New Release - Going The Distance

2010-09-06T17:32:00.001+01:00

After a recent resurge in successful and critically well received romantic comedies such as (500) days of summer and the brilliant 'Bromance', I Love you man, I was less sceptical about Going the distance than I would have been two years previously, hoping that Nanette Burstein's directorial debut would continue the trend with a fresh, original take on the genre that would be equally entertaining for both sexes.

Going the Distance is not quite as good as the aforementioned films but still remains fairly enjoyable, despite being overcrowded with cliches and featuring the obligatory story arc that fans of romantic comedies will find all too familiar. Soppy love scenes aside, there were a number of humorous moments that prompted howls of laughter from a number of audience members and even brought a wry smile to my face, which is an impressive feat for any Rom-com.

Drew Barrymore is Erin, a lonely journalist who encounters Garret (Justin Long), a talent scout for a record company, on the night he is drowning his sorrows after splitting up with his girlfriend. A few drinks later, the singletons find themselves in bed together, with Erin unperturbed by the thin walls separating Garret from his room-mate, despite his attempts to find the perfect soundtrack to accompany their evening, in one of the films more inspired moments. Fast forward six weeks and Erin is due to head back to Los Angeles, putting their relationship in jeopardy, and testing their powers of resistance to the limit.

Whilst the storyline is far from original, the characters and situations feel fresh, with the actors making the most of their roles and breathing life to an otherwise run of the mill story. The pairing of Justin Long and Drew Barrymore was an inspired decision, their on screen chemistry transforms Going the distance into a believable romance, with a supporting cast that enhances their performances by providing the majority of the humour.

Although nowhere near as iconic as the famous scene in When Harry Met Sally, Going the Distance ups the ante with a number of risqué moments guaranteed to offend the more reserved members of the audience. Presumably, this is a clever ploy to make the film appeal to fans of comedies such as Superbad and The Hangover, which are both well known for their vulgar but hilarious comedy. The solid mix of romance and comedy proves that when combined with panache, the genres can be perfectly matched, enhancing a films appeal by providing interests for different crowds and broadening the target audience.

Going the Distance is far from groundbreaking but is still a welcome entry to a genre that often sells utterly dire films purely on the inclusion of crowd-drawing big name actors. It definitely surpassed my expectations and is worth a look if you get the chance, fans of romcoms would do well to check this out.

7/10

If you like this you will enjoy these:

Goodbye Lenin!
Garden State
Wristcutters
(500) Days Of Summer

Upcoming Films

2010-08-04T20:19:00.000+01:00

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark

Being a big fan of horror films, the news that Guillermo Del Toro was involved in producing a remake of Don't be afraid of the dark was a great discovery, and the trailer has finally arrived! I watched the original a couple of years ago and whilst its dated and not in the least bit scary, the story has great potential, and everything that Del Toro touches these days seems to turn to gold. This is an awesome trailer for a film that deserves a remake, here's hoping its as good as his last horror project, The Orphanage.

Devil

M Night Shyamalan has had a rough ride in the past ten years, after the phenomenal success of The Sixth Sense his films have been on a downward spiral in terms of quality and enjoyment, with each attempt to replicate the twist of his debut failing miserably. Despite this, his trailers still tend to look brilliant, and Devil is no exception. Hopefully this is Shyamalans return to form but presumably it will be another duff movie, thankfully he is only producing Devil and has handed directing duties over to the guys responsible for Quarantine. This definitely has potential, we shall have to wait and see...

Sucker Punch

Zack Snyder's new film sounds like a variation on fantasies such as Pan's Labyrinth and The Fall, with a young girl institutionalised by her stepfather who retreats to a fantasy world in an attempt to escape the facility. Famed more for the incredible visuals he creates than gripping storylines, this could be Zack's first chance to subvert this view and create a cracking thriller that will still appeal to his usual fans. The trailer looks very impressive but I have a feeling this could end up being mindless entertainment, much like 300, thankfully, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing when you consider the eye candy involved.

The Town

I was one of few who didn't enjoy Ben Affleck's last film Gone Baby Gone, but considering he was one of the writers behind Good Will Hunting, I'm still hopeful that he can make a great film. The trailer for The Town demands your attention right from the start, with its intense musical score and glimpses of some gripping action sequences. Jeremy Renner joins Affleck fresh from his Oscar nominated role in The Hurt Locker, ensuring that The Town will garner attention come awards season.

New Release - Knight And Day

2010-08-03T19:30:00.002+01:00

There are some films that you just know you're not going to enjoy before even walking into the cinema. Knight and Day was one such film for me; in the back of my mind I was hoping that I could be pleasantly surprised, but unfortunately it turned out to be as horrendous as I first suspected, with lacklustre performances from actors past the peak of their careers.

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz star in this action comedy which fails miserably in both the action and comedy stakes. Cruise has no problems slipping back in to the role of a secret agent whilst Diaz is the stereotypical Blonde who becomes an unwilling partner in his daring exploits. Although they still have a great screen presence and a definite chemistry, Tom and Cameron have reached a new low with Knight and Day, its only appeal being the reunion of the two actors who must have a lack of good scripts being offered their way.

Billed as a summer blockbuster, Knight and Day can not even be compared to other recent successful blockbusters such as Toy Story 3 and Inception, and doesn't even come close to the duff remake of The Karate Kid. If any other actors were in the main roles, this would be a complete failure at the box office and a film destined for the bargain bin. The action scenes are predictable and grossly unrealistic, for those daft enough to pay the asking price, prepare yourself for a ridiculous bike chase amongst the running of the bulls.

Stay away from this awful film, even though it was a preview screening and my tickets were free, I am annoyed at losing two hours of my life. Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz need to realise that their days as respected celebrities will be numbered if their attempts to replicate the earlier successes of their careers continues. Knight and Day could possibly be the worst film of the year so far, although I do have tickets for Step Up 3-D and The Last Airbender so this could soon change...

4/10

If you like this you will enjoy these:

Mission Impossible
The A-Team
Date Night
Mr & Mrs Smith

New Release - Toy Story 3

2010-07-19T16:53:00.006+01:00

When it comes to kids films I'm usually the last in line but the prospect of a new Toy Story was a chance I couldn't miss, Pixar have mastered the difficult task of creating films that entertain all generations, and I had been eagerly anticipating a third film since the credits rolled on Toy Story 2 back in 1999. The first one hit the big screens when i was just eight years old and I have grown up with Andy, watching his toys run amok every time he closed his bedroom door, and becoming completely absorbed in the crazy situations they have encountered.

We join Woody and Co. a few days before Andy packs up his belongings and heads off to college, misplacing his toys who end up donated to a children's daycentre instead of being packed away in the attic. It is down to Woody to convince the toys they haven't been abandoned and return them safely back home whilst avoiding crazy children, tyrannical toys and terrifying trash compactors along the way.

Whilst the story remains fairly similar to the previous films, the introduction of a wealth of new characters (along with everyone's old favourites) adds to the enjoyment with comic characters such as an eccentric hedgehog, Mr Pricklepants, and the introduction of a hilarious romance between Barbie and Ken fleshing out the storyline with a healthy dose of humour. The eagle-eyed amongst you may even spot a character from one of Miyazaki's movies appearing in a young girls bedroom, a subtle nod to one of the greatest animators of all time.

One of the highlights of the film arrives after the credits have rolled with an alternative rendition of a memorable song from the first Toy Story, making it essential to stay in your seat right until the lights come up. It is also imperative that you arrive on time, as is usual with Pixar films you are treated to a short animation before the main feature and 'Night and Day' is definitely up there with the best of them, giving the audience a taster of the sheer brilliance they are about to behold.

Toy Story 3 is an emotional ride; much like in Pixars recent releases Up and Wall-E, it is surprising how affecting a cartoon can be, with a number of poignant moments that will overwhelm even the most cynical of viewers. Even though the human characters only have minor roles in the story, the few lines they do have will resound deeply with everyone, and the mixture of characters at different points in their lives means that there will be a part of the story that relates directly to you on a personal level. It's not just about throwing out the old toys anymore, its about the process of growing up and those that have followed the story from its first incarnation will be saddened by the reminder that their own childhood has passed.

Captivating from start to finish, Toy Story 3 is a triumphant reminder of Pixar's ability to blow all your expectations out of the water and in doing so they have delivered what could possibly be considered their greatest film to date. Essential viewing for everyone, Toy Story 3 is an unmissable extravaganza that is almost guaranteed a best picture nomination at next year's Oscars ceremony. Book your tickets right now, you would be a fool to pass up the chance to catch the final part of the trilogy in its full cinematic glory.

9/10

If you like this you will enjoy these:

Mary And Max
Wall-E
Watership Down
Pom Poko

New Release - Inception

2010-07-16T16:52:00.002+01:00

Imagine if the brains behind Mensa gathered together one day and created their own version of the A-Team, it would probably end up being very similar to Inception. Basically, Cristopher Nolan is a genius; Inception's storyline is an incredible feat of imagination that will simultaneously amaze and disorientate you with each thrilling turn. The acting is impeccable, with an ensemble cast that is bound to provoke a number of Oscar nominations (as long as the Academy realise that at the core of this science fiction epic there still lies an emotionally draining thriller ) in dramatic roles that will haunt your dreams for a long time to come.

The less said about the plot the better, not because its bad, in fact its awe-inspiring to see the lengths Nolan has gone to in order to make this work , but it would be unfair to spoil your enjoyment of the film and would be quite a difficult feat to summarise concisely the key ideas behind Inception. Despite being a complex beast, Inception remains watchable throughout thanks to the impressive visuals and mind-blowing special effects that despite being physically impossible are still incredibly realistic.

Its closet comparison would be The Matrix, another game-changing sci-fi that took special effects to the next level by providing the audience with one hell of a story and not relying purely on the futuristic visuals to create the films success. The action has definitely stepped up a notch in Inception, with events in interweaving dream worlds affecting the consequences in others. It sounds complicated but it is a sheer joy to behold as Dicaprio and his team invade people's dreams and simultaneously assault an arctic fortress, defy gravity in an insane hotel corridor brawl and swerve traffic in a deadly car chase. Anything is possible in a dream, and thankfully Nolan exploits this to its maximum potential; trust me on this, the action sequences will leave you stunned senseless.

The only thing that dwarfs the intense action is the labyrinthine plot, which requires a great deal of concentration to follow. Luckily, Nolan makes this easy for the viewers by creating a visceral plot that completely absorbs the audience's attention - prompting an almost dream like state of consciousness as the action unfolds before your very eyes.

As I left the cinema I was undecided on my opinion of the film, there was just far too much to take in after one viewing. Having said that though, I would definitely consider catching Inception for a second time, the more the film has invaded my dreams since watching it, the more I want to immerse myself in Nolan's incredible imagination once again.

8/10

If you like this film you will enjoy these:

Waking Life
Dark City
Jacob's Ladder
The Matrix

New Release - The Karate Kid

2010-07-11T15:32:00.004+01:00

Let's make it clear from the beginning, The Karate Kid is a blatant vehicle for Jaden Smith, with his all too famous father Will producing the movie in an attempt to bolster his son's acting career. Much like the criticism that Shane Meadow's Somers Town garnered for its association with Eurostar, it could be argued that the Karate Kid is a cleverly crafted two and a half hour long advert for Jaden Smith. That being said, it's a fairly well polished advert with Jaden putting in a solid performance, the only criticism that can be levelled at Smith is his age; the original Karate Kid was much older, broadening the films appeal to a wider audience, but as I watched pre-teens fighting I couldn't help feeling that this would alienate the teen audience as they will struggle to relate to the main character.

Don't get me wrong, the original is hardly a masterpiece, as is clear from its recent relegation to the library of channel five sunday afternoon family films that are usually only worth watching for the memories they rekindle, but in 1984 the influence it had over popular culture was widespread, with teens everywhere desperate to take up martial arts. There is no doubt that the new version will inspire a similar wave of interest and while this may indicate a certain amount of popularity, it is no indication of the film's quality, which doesn't come close to the sheer entertainment of the original.

Without comparing the two versions, The Karate Kid is a fairly entertaining movie, it has its flaws - most notably its length, but children oblivious to the original will love watching Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) start a new life in China while finding his feet with the local gang. Jackie Chan puts in a sterling performance as Mr Han, the caretaker and karate master who dedicates his time to training Dre and teaching him the true art of karate, that shows he can actually act.

The story arc remains very similar to the original with the main alteration being the setting, which provides some fantastic backdrops for the street battles and a striking training scene on the great wall of China. Visually the film is impressive and the acting is okay, but remakes are never going to compare favourably to their predecessors and a change to one of the most memorable scenes in the film ("wax on, wax off") will be seen as blasphemous by fans of the original.

This is definitely a film for the younger generation, people familiar with the 1984 version should stay well away but those heading into the film without preconceptions formed from viewing the original will find a fairly enjoyable story that is very easy to watch. As i know most people reading this will have seen the original, save your money, and if you haven't seen the karate kid, you're missing out on an eighties classic - go and buy the dvd now and forget about the new version. Some things are just better left alone.

6/10

If you like this you will enjoy these:

The Karate Kid (1984)

Rocky

Pump Up The Volume

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

New Release - Get Him To The Greek

2010-07-06T20:11:00.001+01:00

Forgetting Sarah Marshall was a dull, unfunny comedy, in fact I would go as far to say that it wasn't comedy but a boring drama. It pains me every time i hear someone mention how brilliant it was, and I really can't comprehend why anyone commissioned a spin-off, on second thoughts scrap that, Forgetting Sarah Marshall made money at the box office, so of course we are going to get a lacklustre follow-up, none other than Get him to the Greek.

The story follows Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) as he attempts to escort Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) to his long overdue comeback gig but struggles to keep the dishevelled rock star away from drink, drugs and desperate women. It sounds like the perfect recipe for a comedy but unfortunately it appears that the writers created a number of key scenes and then attempted to loosely tie them together with a script, and that will never work.

It's a shame that the majority of the jokes are clearly aimed at a teenage audience when references to The Mars Volta and Lars Ulrich clearly pay off, film-makers should realise that not everyone in the world is a hormonal teenage lad, desperate for a glimpse of nudity or endless toilet humour, but have faith that intelligent people are out there! Maybe they are just too on the ball and realise that anyone with half an ounce of intelligence will probably steer clear of this film. Admittedly, some of the jokes did bring a smile to my face, but this was not nearly enough to redeem the lack of structure and poor characterisation .

If you like your films without meaning, easy to follow and easy to forget, go and watch Get Him to the Greek, the perfect throwaway Summer comedy. Just don't say I didn't warn you!

5/10

If you like this you will enjoy these:

The Hangover
Super Troopers
This Is Spinal Tap
Grandma's Boy

You should move into an Odeon

2010-06-30T23:16:00.014+01:00

I've recently moved to a new flat where there was no internet up until now, which is why i've not been updating the blog! On the plus side, it means that I've been able to invest in a huge HD TV and surround sound, prompting my brother to send me a message reading: 'You're such a cinema goon, you should move into an Odeon'. He's probably right.

Anyway, I've seen a few previews recently including Get him to the Greek and The Karate kid, but i'm not going to tell you what I thought of them just yet, you'll have to come back and check out the reviews when I upload them in the next couple of days.

Here's a few new trailers for films that have caught my eye recently:

Rango

Featuring the voice talents of Johnny Depp, Ray Winstone and Bill Nighy, and with direction from the awkwardly named Gore Verbinski, the mastermind behind the pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, Rango is destined to do well at the box office. But more importantly, will it be any good? This disappointing trailer indicates that the writers have been reading too much Hunter S. Thompson which may have provided them with ideas which are visually impressive but there is a distinct lack of story on show. Hopefully later trailers will address this issue and Rango will live up to the combined potential of the stars involved.

The Last Exorcism

Ever since Cannibal Holocaust was released to a wave of controversy in 1980, the horror genre has often returned to the faux documentary style of filming in order to provide audiences with a fresh take on things that go bump in the night. Recent successes such as REC and Paranormal Activity have spawned a number of awful copycat films but The Last Exorcism looks like it has the potential to scare the crap out of the most hardened of horror fans. When a priest's final exorcism ritual doesn't go according to plan, all hell breaks loose on an isolated farmstead and the camera crew documenting the events get far more than they bargained for. Okay, it does sound like we're on similar territory as the exorcism of emily rose here, but inital reviews have heaped praise on the film-makers, so that may not be a bad thing - definitely one to watch out for.

Paranormal Activity 2

Whether you liked it or not, Paranormal Activity was a groundbreaking low budget horror film and its huge success at the box office was bound to create the demand for a sequel. Horror sequels rarely live up to their predecessors and while the original was entertaining, this concept would be best left as a stand-alone film. Being a horror fan I will be inclined to check this out, I just hope the writers have a few more tricks hidden up their sleeve and don't make a total hash of Paranormal Activity 2. The trailer doesn't reveal much, but fans of the original will definitely be excited at the prospect of more evil possessions.

Let Me In

Chloe Moretz rise to stardom is bound to continue with the recent announcement that Kick-Ass 2 has been given the go ahead and her appearance in Reeve's Let Me In is sure to cement her reputation as a talented new actress. Cast alongside Smit-McPhee, fresh from his stunning role in The Road, this film has a lot of potential but has a very difficult task in bettering the disturbing Swedish original Let the right one in. For those who have seen the original, pray they don't change the swimming pool scene, and keep your fingers crossed that this is one American remake of a foreign film that will actually be worthwhile.

I recently rediscovered this amazing clip, can't believe the lack of views its had on youtube. If you spend far too much time on IMDB like I do, it's definitely worth checking out:

Upcoming Films

2010-05-16T14:36:00.000+01:00

Super 8

Combining the talents of Stephen Spielberg and J.J. Abrahams, Super 8 could quite possibly be the perfect amalgamation of the creative geniuses behind some of the most successful depictions of extra-terrestrial life ever committed to celluloid. Just watch the trailer and tell me you're not excited.

Inception

Cristopher Nolan's highly successful re-imagining of the Batman franchise cemented his status as an exceptional director who just can't seem to put a foot wrong and hopefully his reign will continue with Inception, which is almost guaranteed to be this Summer's blockbuster. The plot has so far been shrouded in mystery but with a cast including Dicaprio and Gordon-Levitz, this is bound to be another inspired film, which we can only hope matches the intensity of his earlier features such as Memento and Insomnia.

Black Death

Boromir is back! This time he's swapped middle Earth for Medieval England but once again he is dealing with supernatural creatures and appears to be on a very important mission. Okay, it's not really Boromir but its Ulric, the warrior Knight who is sent on a quest to hunt down a necromancer after the first outbreak of the bubonic plague. It all sounds slightly far-fetched but the reviews have so far been very postitive so this may well turn out to be a decent horror film. Certainly one to watch out for.

Machete

Robert Rodriguez is at his best when tackling violent Mexicans, so Machete has a lot to live up to. Based on a trailer that was shown between the double feature of planet terror and Death Proof, Danny Trejo stars as a federale agent betrayed by his superiors. If this is anything like the El Mariachi trilogy we are in for one hell of a ride.

The Adjustment Bureau

Since Blade Runner there has been an endless supply of films based on Phillip K. Dick's work, most have been diabolical but some such as Minority Report and A Scanner Darkly succeeded by sticking closely to the original material. Hopefully the Adjustment Bureau will follow suit as Matt Damon attempts to prevent his pre-determined fate from being realised by holding on to the woman he loves. Ten points if you can guess which film the trailer's music was stolen from, and I mean the first film it was heard in, not Kick-Ass.

Films of the Decade - Part Four: 2003

2010-05-14T19:17:00.000+01:00

10. Kontroll - Kontroll is an exceptional Hungarian movie taking place in the underground Budapest tube system as teams of ticket inspectors patrol the tracks while contending with the appearance of a mysterious serial killer who seems intent on pushing innocent people into oncoming tubes. As Bulcsu attempts to track down the killer, he crosses paths with a beautiful stranger dressed in a rabbit outfit and it is not long before the surreal occurrences take a turn for the worse with disastrous consequences. Fans of head trips such as Memento and Fight Club will find much to like in this unique thriller.

9. Carandiru - This intense crime drama set in the Brazilian prison of Carandiru is based on the real events of the riot in 1992 that cost the lives of 111 prisoners. Told from the viewpoint of the prison’s only doctor, struggling to contend with the constant stream of injured inmates, this gritty and visceral view of life in the biggest prison in Brazil prefers not to dwell on the cruel and violent felons but also touches upon the lives of the prisoners who appear not to belong. Tragic but compelling, Carandiru is a very under-rated film that delivers a powerful message and should not be missed.

8. Save The Green Planet - This Korean Sci-fi is a truly bizarre film that would never be commissioned in Hollywood. Its far-fetched story focuses on an unhinged individual who believes that the world is on the brink of an alien invasion and will do his utmost to prevent the impending catastrophe. After identifying and kidnapping a supposed ‘alien’ with the assistance of his partner, Byeong-Gu proceeds with extreme methods of torture to extract vital information from his captive. Any more information could potentially spoil the film and if you have not yet seen it that would be a great shame - do yourself a massive favour and buy this right now!

7. Oldboy - This cult favourite is infamous for a scene involving a live squid being eaten and a brutal five minute shot of Dae-Su using a hammer as a weapon in close combat. Not for the squeamish, this twisted thriller follows Oh Dae-Su as he is held captive for fifteen years before being released and told he has a week to track down his captor. Relentlessly paced and beautifully shot, this is the second, and most accessible, of Park Chan Wooks vengeance trilogy, a trio of films focussing on the destructive nature of revenge. Oldboy is an essential film for all world cinema fans.

6. Mystic River - Clint Eastwood is a cinematic legend, and his contributions to the world of film show no sign of slowing down despite his age. Mystic River was his finest work since Unforgiven, with the excellent ensemble cast on top form in this emotionally-charged thriller. When his daughter goes missing, Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn) has to confront his past and reunite with two childhood friends, played by Kevin Bacon and Tim Robbins, in order to shed light on a series of disturbing events that have shattered an entire community. If you are a fan of Eastwood’s work this is one of his finest films to date and proved yet again that he is as good behind the camera as he is commanding its presence as an actor.

5. The Return - This minimalist Russian thriller is reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman’s quiet intimate dramas that focus on a small number of characters who are emotionally hinged around tragic events that have been buried in their past. More than just a character study, The Return is a complex drama that rewards the viewers patience with a heart-stopping third act. When a father returns from a twelve year absence to take his two sons on an extended fishing trip in the wilderness it is not long before the past collides with the present as the family try to rekindle their relationships under increasingly difficult circumstances.

4. Kill Bill: Vol 1 - There is no question about Tarantino’s brilliance as a film director, and while Kill Bill was not quite as edgy as his earlier offerings, it still packed one hell of a punch. Almost ten years after he gave the world Pulp Fiction, Tarantino ups the violence with Kill Bill, relying once more on Uma Thurman to take the limelight as a ferocious assassin out for revenge when she is betrayed by her criminal boss. The compelling storyline is balanced perfectly with the stylish ultra-violence, allowing the film to focus on character development as well as intense action. Fans of Tarantino’s earlier work will not disappointed as the reliance on martial arts for the action sequences prove to be a welcome addition to his repertoire. It’s just a shame that the sequel failed to deliver.

3. Dogville - The second of Von Trier’s films to feature in this list (Dancer in the dark was the first), Dogville is a disturbing crime drama shot entirely in a single location. With a limited amount of props and no buildings as such, the action takes place on a dark surface chalked up with the floor plans of buildings and objects, enabling the viewer to see what goes on behind closed doors. Whilst this set design is basic, the acting is anything but, with thrilling turns from Nicole Kidman and Paul Bettany, who shine as the vulnerable village newcomer and the quick-witted doctor’s son that begins to uncover her disturbed past.

2. The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King - Much like with the original Star Wars trilogy, anticipation for the final instalment of the story was a key factor in the films success, with fans desperate to see the outcome of this epic adventure as soon as it hit the big screens. The return of the king is a true masterpiece, epic in terms of scale, emotional depth and storytelling, Peter Jackson’s labour of love cleaned up at the Oscars with eleven Academy Awards and all of them were well deserved. With the Hobbit in pre-production as we speak, it is not long before we will get another glimpse into the fantastical world of middle Earth.

1. Goodbye Lenin! - Occasionally a film you have never even heard of can take you completely by surprise and I was fortunate enough for that to happen with me on first viewing of Goodbye Lenin! This dark satire on East Germany in the late 1980s revolves around a son’s devotion to his mother that is tested to the limit when she ends up in a coma after witnessing his arrest during a riot. After his fragile mother awakes into a new Germany in 1990, Alex has to prevent her from finding out that East and West Germany have reunited in order to prevent the triggering of a fatal shock which could lead to her death. With clever homages to Kubrick throughout and a story that takes a superb snapshot of life within a politically rife time of Germany‘s recent history, this is a very intelligent and accomplished movie - films this good are few and far between.

It was an extremely difficult task to decide which ten films defined the year 2003 - here are my choices that didn't quite make the list:

Lost In Translation
Underworld
The Last Samurai
21 Grams
Once Upon A Time In Mexico
Zatoichi
X-Men 2
Open Range
Monster
Matchstick Men

New Release - The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans

2010-05-11T19:37:00.002+01:00

Whilst many hailed the original Bad Lieutenant as groundbreaking for its time, watching it now just doesn’t hold the same appeal, mindless violence and drug addled cops are no longer as controversial a topic as they were twenty years ago. Abel Ferrara is known for his gritty portrayal of urban life but even with the King of New York, his ventures appear dated and no longer as valid when compared to the back catalogue of auteurs such as the mighty Werner Herzog. Thank god then that it was Herzog who undertook the task of re-imagining one of Ferrara’s works and not the other way round, and by God, he did a bloody good job of it too.

Set in the decaying suburbs of New Orleans after the onslaught of hurricane Katrina, The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans follows the recently promoted police officer, Terence McDonagh, as he investigates the killing of five immigrants whilst struggling to battle his own ongoing problems with hard drugs and gambling. Loosely based on the original Bad Lieutenant released in 1992, Herzog’s version cannot be called a remake. Gone is the volatile and unpredictable Harvey Keitel who starred in the original, and in his place, but not treading on his shoes, is a darkly humorous Nicolas Cage - following on from his extraordinary performance in Kick-Ass with another exceptional turn.

The unconventional plot line may confuse fans of dross thrillers such as Edge of Darkness and Law Abiding Citizen, but is essential to the character development, as McDonagh meanders from one surreal situation to the next without any real progression for the first half hour. That being said, these encounters are exactly what you would expect from a Herzog film, and as the plot begins to unfold, this warped humour becomes a perfect partner to the depravity of Cage’s character.

As McDonagh grapples with his drug problems, these fantastical occurrences increase, with the appearance of reptiles such as crocodiles and lizards strangely reminiscent of Jonny Depp’s drug fuelled hallucinations as Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The results of which culminate in a baffling break-dancing sequence that will remain in your mind a long time after leaving the cinema, especially considering the accompanying music is the same Herzog used at the end of his depressing character study Strozek - perhaps echoing the ill construed ideals of society portrayed in Herzog’s earlier film by hinting that Cage’s Bad Lieutenant could well be the antithesis of Strozek..

Although there are fine performances by supporting actors Eva Mendes and Brad Dourif, I cannot help but focus on Cage’s portrayal of Terence McDonagh, his domineering yet eerily charismatic approach to assaulting two old women is twisted humour at its best. This film is the perfect antidote to the mindless Summer blockbusters that are creeping into circulation around this time of year, complete with the drug-fuelled action and sickening violence that thrill seekers expect from your average blockbuster but far superior in terms of direction, Bad Lieutenant is a great example of an independent film-maker beating Hollywood at its own game.

8/10

If you like this you will enjoy these:

The Boondock Saints
Aguirre: The Wrath of God
Wild at Heart
Woyzeck

New Release - Hot Tub Time Machine

2010-05-05T19:49:00.004+01:00

Hats off to the person who coined the phrase Hot Tub Time Machine, what a brilliant name for a film! Its just a shame that the concept failed to live up to expectations and left me feeling like I needed my own hot tub time machine so that I could travel back in time and avoid ever watching the movie.

When a disgruntled middle aged man attempts to commit suicide, it is down to his old friends (through association rather than choice) Adam and Nick, played by John Cusack and Craig Robinson respectively, to restore his faith in humanity with a trip to a ski resort from their teenage years. Joined by Adam’s nephew Jacob, it is not long before the foursome take a ride in a time bending hot tub and wind up twenty years earlier when the ski slope was in its heyday - cue sexy young ladies in 80s gear and an endless stream of crude, unfunny jokes.

This is basically Back to the Future crossed with The Hangover -as the marketing team behind the film have kindly pointed out - but what they fail to mention is that while it may sound brilliant on paper, the amalgamation of the two ideas falls flat as both plot lines meander aimlessly from one dull situation to the next. There are a number of moments throughout where Hot Tub Time Machine goes beyond being a homage to its influences and becomes a blatant rip off, failing miserably to replicate the choicest moments from Back to the Future and instead just ruining the credibility of the film.

I sincerely hope that unlike most comedies the actors were not required to ad lib their own lines, as while this works well with comedians such as Steve Carrel and Will Ferrell, Cusack and co. could not cause a single smile with their laboured gags. If however, the actors stuck rigorously to their lines, then the scriptwriters would benefit enormously from a visit to their local comedy club to gain some fresh ideas, as the jokes could have easily been written by an immature teenager.

For me, the star of the whole film was Crispin Glover, whose mere inclusion is bound to incite comparisons to everyone’s favourite time travel movie involving a flux capacitor. While his screen time is limited, the running gag revolving around the loss of his limb is very amusing, a clear cut above the rest of the humour, but serves only to frustrate the audience as they realise that Hot Tub Time Machine had the potential to be something very special.

Hot Tub Time Machine is a missed opportunity, and while it is not the worst of comedies, the only reason it stands out from a crowded genre is its daft title and a handful of stolen ideas. By cleverly fooling the general public with a brilliant marketing campaign, Hot Tub Time Machine is bound to fair reasonably well at the box office but you would do well to spend your money on something far more enjoyable - go and buy Back To The Future, it's much cooler to travel through time in a Delorean.

5/10

If you liked this film you will enjoy these:

Back To The Future
Beerfest
Superbad
The Hangover

Films of the Decade - Part Three: 2002

2010-05-04T17:23:00.001+01:00

10. Bubba Ho-tep - A rare example of a film that successfully traverses a wide range of genres, Bubba Ho-Tep is a dark comedy that delivers on a number of levels. This strange tale centres on Sebastian Half, a worn out Elvis Presley impersonator played by Bruce Campbell as he endeavours to protect his residential home from supernatural forces. Famed for his role as Ash in Sam Raimi's Evil Dead trilogy, Bruce is in familiar territory here as his character faces undead creatures in a somewhat surreal situation. While there are a few fairly unsettling moments in the film, the addition of humour to lighten the tone also brings with it a strange emotional attachment to the main characters. Few people have heard of this film, which is a shame as Bubba Ho-tep is a truly unique cinematic experience that is not to be missed.

9. Catch Me If You Can - Spielberg’s adaptation of this true story is a captivating and inspirational adventure, with Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hanks on fine form as the crafty conman and dedicated detective respectively. Frank Abagnale Jr ( Dicaprio) is on the run from the law as he manages to fool a number of unsuspecting victims when he poses a pilot, doctor and legal prosecutor, constantly amassing a wealth of money but longing for a place that he can call home. As pure entertainment, this is an outstanding achievement, but the fact that Catch me if you can is based on real events just makes it even more poignant.

8. He loves me…he loves me not - Following on from the huge success of Amelie, Audrey Tautou appeared in this brilliant thriller as a young student in love with a married doctor. Gripping from start to finish, and complete with an ingenious plot device that is bound to leave audiences reeling, this is a perfect counterpart to Amelie, showcasing the dangers of obsessive love. The first of five foreign films to make the list in 2002, He loves me…he loves me not proves that people who refuse to read subtitles really are missing out on some exceptional films.

7. Infernal Affairs - Far more impressive than its Hollywood remake ( The Departed), Infernal Affairs is a blistering crime drama, with a taut storyline that follows two rival undercover agents and the life-changing decisions they will make when their loyalties are tested to the limits. Featuring spectacular shootouts and unexpected revelations as the plot unfolds, Infernal affairs is a masterpiece that should not be overlooked in favour of its Hollywood counterpart.

6. Irreversible - Unfortunately this film is infamous for the wrong reasons. A fifteen minute rape scene is enough to put off the most liberally minded film fans but it is essential to look past that and experience the whole film to truly understand the powerful message behind the explicit violence. The disturbing storyline is played in reverse, similar in style to Memento, adding to the disorientation and heightening the tension as the film begins with the climax and we are left confused as to how such events occurred. Not for the faint hearted, this is powerful stuff, worthy of your time but a film that is experienced rather than enjoyed.

5. 25th Hour - Edward Norton had an explosive start to his career with Primal Fear and became an overnight A-list celebrity with knock out performances in American History X and Fight Club, however it was 25th Hour that proved he was more than just a flash in the pan, emphasising the emotional depth and intensity he was capable of when portraying characters on the edge. 25th Hour follows the last day of freedom for a convicted drug dealer as he struggles to cope with the impending seven-year jail sentence and confronts friends and family members from his past with devastating results.

4. Lilya 4-Ever - The unforgettable opening scene is still as captivating as it was eight years ago, a foreboding score heightens the tension as a young bedraggled teenage girl contemplates suicide in this brutally stark drama exposing the cruel reality of human trafficking. Left alone in Estonia by her careless mother, Lilya is forced to grow up fast in order to survive. Along with her only friend Volodja, similarly neglected by his parents, Lilya attempts to forge a new life for herself and put the past behind her. This heart-breaking portrayal of innocence being corrupted will stay with you for a very long time.

3. 28 Days Later - Zombie films had become stale and rotten, much like the hideous creatures contained within, and it was down to Danny Boyle to breathe new life into the genre with his fresh take that was highly compelling and very original. From the eerie opening sequence in which a lone survivor awakens from a coma in a post-apocalyptic world to the frenetic pacing of the final confrontations where it is unclear who has been consumed by rage, 28 Days later is a modern horror masterpiece that upped the ante for Romero aficionados everywhere. The believable storyline features moments of sheer terror thanks to the magnificent cast and their creation of characters that we actually care about. Easily one of the most impressive and downright terrifying films of the decade.

2. The Lord of the Rings: The two Towers - The Fellowship of the Rings was a monumental film that left Tolkien fans desperate to return to Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth. Two Towers had a difficult act to follow but didn’t disappoint. With the story in full swing, the second instalment of the Lord of The Rings could focus on huge battle sequences and impressive CGI effects to entertain the audience, culminating in a relentless siege that raised the bar in terms of the sheer scale of the action shown on screen. If the fellowship hadn’t convinced you, the Two Towers was certain to blow you away.

1. City Of God - Nominated for four Oscars but criminally missing out on all of them, City of God is a sprawling crime epic set in a violent neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro as a young group of friends gradually become embroiled with a local gang. Whilst one of the friends ends up as a dangerous drug dealer, his best friend chooses a different path, distancing himself from the grim lifestyle to become a daring photographer. Their lives continue to collide and their friendship is tested to the limit as the crimes escalate out of control. Shockingly brutal and visually stunning, City Of God is a landmark film that is sure to stand the test of time.

It was an extremely difficult task to decide which ten films defined the year 2002 - here are my choices that didn't quite make the list:

The Pianist
In America
The Rules of Attraction
Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
Minority report
The Bourne identity
The Hours
Interstate 60
Confessions of a dangerous mind
24 Hour Party People

Upcoming Films

2010-04-22T19:00:00.000+01:00

Heartless

Featuring a great British cast, this gloomy psychological thriller has a lot of potential. Jim sturgess, Timothy Spall and Eddie Marsan are all excellent actors and the inclusion of the gorgeous Clemence Poesy, best known for her performance as Chloe in In Bruges, is a fantastic choice, I've been looking forward to seeing her on the big screen again for quite some time now. As far as the story is concerned it revolves around Jamie Morgans (Jim Sturgess) discovery that there are demons roaming the streets of East London. If the film is as dark and gritty as the trailer makes it out to be - think Harry Brown on acid - this could be a surprise hit when it's released in May.

High School

Finally the first trailer for High School has been released, and although its a great clip, it doesn't really give much away. The story focuses on Henry Burke, a high school valedictorian who takes his first hit of weed only to discover that all students will undergo a compulsory drug test. Only one thing for it; get the whole school stoned! Early reviews have been comparing High School to The Hangover, which can only be a good thing. Despite the shit title, High School is definitely one to watch out for.

Get Low

Already making waves on the festival circuit, Get low is loosely based on the real events of a backwoods hermit who decides to throw his own funeral party - whilst he is still alive. Starring Robert Duvall as the man in question, along with Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek, we can be assured from the cast involved that this is bound to be a top-notch drama. There has even been the rumours of Oscar noms surrounding this picture, which is a bold claim when the next awards season is over ten months away. We shall have to wait and see.

The Human Centipede (First Sequence)

I would consider myself a nice person, but nothing gets me more excited than a twisted, depraved horror film. Based around the sickening idea of attaching people's digestive systems together to create a series of humans that resemble a centipede, this film is clearly not for those with a weak stomach. It is a very strange concept, and I am unsure how the director can drag the story out for 90 minutes but I am certainly very intrigued. The trailer reminds me of the french horror Eyes without a Face, where a crazy surgeon mutilated innocent victims for his bizarre experiments. Someone get me tickets for the UK premiere of this film and I will be a very happy man.

New Release - Date Night

2010-04-20T18:58:00.006+01:00

Imagine if True Romance was a light-hearted Romantic Comedy where two lovers become entangled in a web of crime and you will not be far off the mark. Date Night is remarkably similar to True Romance in terms of plot but replaces the style and panache of Tarantino’s writing with slapstick humour and bumbling criminals. However, don’t let that get your hopes up, True Romance is a classic, Date night is mere popcorn fodder despite being surprisingly enjoyable.

Tina Fey and Steve Carell play the Fosters, a hapless couple whose marriage is on its last legs, and when their attempt to rekindle the flame goes awry they are mistaken for two thieves who have stolen from one of New York’s leading crime lords - and he is not a happy man. Throughout their eventful date night the Foster’s are thrown into one unbelievable situation after another and while most are amusing, some fall flat, but the excellent cameos are sure to keep you entertained when the humour dries up. In fact, Shawn Levy should be glad that he managed to recruit such an appealing cast; the performances improve on what would otherwise be a lacklustre comedy.
Steve Carell shines as Phil Foster, with his warped sense of humour and deadpan acting, and Mark Wahlberg is excellent as the ex colleague who comes to the aid of the Fosters. Most of the humour comes from Carell’s performance, he is on his usual top form, and fans of Anchorman and the 40 Year old Virgin will not be disappointed. As he gains confidence throughout the night, Phil Foster gradually regains the love and trust of his wife, it’s the usual cliché but here it actually works, and you can’t help but empathise with the endearing couple.

If Date Night was any longer, it would have dragged but thankfully the snappy pacing coupled with a relatively short running time of 88 minutes was perfect for this style of comedy, and funnily enough would make it a perfect film to take a potential partner to see.

Let's say Date Night is a female friend; I certainly enjoyed spending an evening with her, and it would have been even better with a few drinks. I might save her number, but only with the intention of seeing her again if nothing else was on the cards. In other words, check it out but don’t get your hopes up!

7/10

If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

The 40 Year Old Virgin
True Romance
The Apartment
The Naked Gun Trilogy

Films of the Decade - Part Two: 2001

2010-04-08T17:10:00.001+01:00

10. The Believer - Featuring an intense performance from Ryan Gosling as a young Jewish man who secretly harbours an anti-Semitic view of the world, The Believer is an unrelenting character study that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. Similar in tone to the more well known films American History X and This is England, The Believer would appeal to fans of either with its stark portrayal of the disturbing effects that racism can have on confused young adults.

9. Mullholland Drive - David Lynch is the king of absurdly fascinating films, his mind-bending plot lines and crazy methods of storytelling are enough to dissuade most casual filmgoers from sitting through his abstract creations. However, in the case of Mullholland Drive they would be missing out on a beautifully crafted movie involving a struggling actress and her warped perceptions of reality that confuses the hell out of you but still manages to be enthralling throughout! Featuring a few genuinely unsettling moments and creating more questions for the viewer than your average episode of Lost, Mullholland Drive is a tough movie to sit through but is definitely worth your time.

8. Black Hawk Down - A horrifically visceral take on the carnage and destruction of war, Black Hawk Down places the viewer in the heart of the action with some of the most realistic battle scenes ever committed to celluloid. Equally as powerful of other modern war greats such as Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line, this harrowing story is based on real events making the storyline all the more poignant. When a team of elite U.S. soldiers drop into Somalia to capture two lieutenants of a renegade warlord they find themselves caught up in a destructive onslaught of firepower. This is not a film to be enjoyed but it is certainly one that you need to experience.

7. Ghost World - Bizarre but brilliant, Ghost World is a fascinating insight into the life of two adolescent girls who just don’t fit in with their peers. Based on a comic book, the story develops when the girls inadvertently play a prank on an unsuspecting victim only for Enid, played by Thora Birch, to fall for the guy she so cruelly mocked. Steve Buscemi is ever watchable as the hapless victim and the zany comedy only gets better with repeat viewings. Very under-rated.

6. The Man Who Wasn’t There - There’s no doubt that the Coen brothers are excellent film-makers, and despite being one of their less popular films, The Man who wasn’t there is a visually stunning black comedy focussing on the mundane existence of a village barber as his life begins to spiral out of control. Featuring excellent performances from Billy Bob Thornton and Frances McDormand as the couple whose lives are about to be drastically altered, this film is spectacular to look at and funny in that twisted kind of way that the Coen’s do so well. If you like The Big Lebowski and Barton Fink, you need this film in your life.

5. Amelie - The most successful of Jeunet and Caro’s collaborations is a charming romantic comedy that tugs on the heart strings and amuses in equal delights. Amelie is a very innocent young lady, who assists those around her in various ways whilst simultaneously falling in love with a mysterious stranger. I am usually unconvinced by romantic comedies due to their overly whimsical nature but Amelie left me spellbound with Audrey Tautou’s delicate portrayal of a hopelessly romantic young woman, desperate to meet the man of her dreams.

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - This wasn’t the first attempt to bring Tolkien’s supposedly unfilmable stories to the big screen, the initial attempt in 1978 failed to succeed financially and it sadly remains without a sequel to this day. Thankfully with Peter Jackson at the helm, the enormous task of bringing Middle Earth to life was accomplished in a breathtakingly good fashion. A perfect amalgamation of fantastic visual effects and compelling storyline, Jackson’s labour of love turned audiences on to fantasy films in a big way, whilst still appealing to devout fans of the book.

3. No Man’s Land - In a brave but wise decision by the Academy, No Man’s Land beat Amelie to the best foreign Oscar in 2002. Despite this successful result, No Man’s Land is still far less well known than Amelie, which is a great shame as it set a new benchmark for films that focus on the small scale effects of war. When two opposing soldiers in the Bosnia and Serbia conflict become trapped in a trench between the two sides, the horrors of war strike home as they struggle to put aside their differences and make it out alive. Deeply disturbing, wholly original and utterly compelling, this could easily turn you into a pacifist after a single viewing.

2. Donnie Darko - The cult sleeper that surreptitiously became an iconic film for angst ridden teenagers all across the world is still as absorbing as the first time I watched it. Who would have thought a movie about time travel, giant rabbits and a moody teenager would be such a success? It is a shame that the brilliant storyline has been slightly tarnished with the abysmal cash-in that was S. Darko, but Donnie Darko still holds its own as a very unique and compelling vision.

1. Waking Life - Repeat viewings are essential to the enjoyment of Waking Life - that’s not a problem though - you will want to watch it again and again. Richard Linklater has been creating unconventional films for two decades and Waking Life is no exception. The use of a mind-blowing animation technique called rotoscoping that combines live action with animation in a style never seen before paved the way for other adult-orientated animations such as Waltz with Bashir and A Scanner Darkly. Some criticized the film for its hazy plot but that’s essential to the storyline and reflects the main character’s dreamlike state of consciousness. Complete with incredibly absorbing ideas and fascinating insights into the world of philosophy, this is a journey you’ll want to take all too frequently.

It was an extremely difficult task to decide which ten films defined the year 2001 - here are my choices that didn't quite make the list:

Blow
Y Tu Mama Tambien
The Royal Tenenbaums
The Devil’s Backbone
Enemy At The Gates
The Hole
Das Experiment
Session 9
Lantana
The Others

Any films I missed? Let me know!

Upcoming Films

2010-04-03T12:03:00.000+01:00

The Expendables

I’ve been looking forward to this film for well over a year now and the trailer has squashed some of my fears. It’s obviously going to be an over the top action movie full of clichés but it definitely looks like there’s the potential for it to be a thrilling ride. Featuring an eclectic cast of action giants such as Bruce Willis, Jet li and Sylvester Stallone, the expendables is sure to be box office gold when it’s released.

Four Lions

Famed for the controversy surrounding the majority of his work, Chris Morris is the exceptionally edgy comedian behind some of the greatest television series in comedy history such as Brass eye and The day Today. His feature length directorial debut follows the exploits of four young British Muslim terrorists who endeavour to realise their potentially destructive dreams. Written by the guys behind Peep Show, this is sure to be a very entertaining comedy.

Rec 2

Rec is easily one of the scariest movies I have ever seen so the idea of a sequel is always going to be a worrying proposition, how could anything live up to the sheer terror of the original? I doubt that this film will, but I cannot help but be intrigued by the prospect of the film picking up a mere 8 minutes after the first one ended. Definitely one to watch out for.

The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec

Luc Besson is the man behind one of my favourite thrillers, Leon, and while this film is tackling completely different territory, the fantastical world he has created looks very promising. Echoing the visuals of Gilliam and featuring Bessons inventive action sequences, The extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-sec could potentially be this years Pan’s Labyrinth.

New Release - Whip It

2010-04-02T12:29:00.003+01:00

Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut has all the makings of a cult classic, from the impeccable indie rock soundtrack to the impressive cast credentials, but unfortunately fails to deliver. Crude, unfunny jokes pepper a storyline chock full of clichés and corny dialogue, whilst the actresses struggle to bring life to the two-dimensional characters they are portraying.

The storyline focuses on a teenage misfit, Bliss Cavendar, coerced into performing at beauty pageants by her parents, whilst secretly yearning to explore the wilder side of life when she discovers a roller derby league not far from her home in Austin. As usual in these coming of age stories, Bliss meets a guy, falls out with her parents and flourishes within a new group of friends after overcoming a number of obstacles. This is all very pleasant but far from original, making it very easy to predict the outcome of the movie.

The inclusion of Ellen Page as the story’s heroine is a wise move by Barrymore, fans of Juno desperate to see more of the star will certainly flock to the movie, if only to be disappointed. Despite this, Page puts in a fairly impressive performance, proving that she is a talented actor, even when presented with an average script.

I am sure that the target audience of twelve year old girls will get a lot out of Whip It but I wouldn’t recommend this film to anyone else due to its lack of broad appeal. Whip it would definitely pass time during the April showers but I would prefer to get wet than suffer through this pre-teen chick flick once more.

5/10

If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Juno
Little Miss Sunshine
Me Without You
Bend It Like Beckham

New Release - Kick Ass

2010-03-21T18:01:00.002Z

It has been a long time since I have left a screening with endorphins pumping through my body and the strong urge to learn a martial art but Kick-Ass did exactly that; I felt like I could take on the world! An explosive ride that covers insane action sequences, intelligent superhero parodies and intense dramatic turns, Kick-Ass is a welcome addition to the realm of the comic-book movie.

I was initially sceptical about the prospect of watching another superhero spoof movie, most recent attempts at the genre have been abysmal, but Kick-Ass completely transcends its predecessors through the use of intelligent pastiche which drives the story forward as well as providing laughs. The brilliantly choreographed action scenes would not feel out of place in a Spiderman film, or even a Tarantino script, in fact it feels like Spiderman and Kill Bill were put into a blender and Kick-Ass was the end result.

The story focuses on Dave Lizewski, your average teenage nerd, whose obsession with comic books inspires him to create his very own superhero, Kick-Ass, despite his discernible lack of superpowers. Dave’s attempts to become a vigilante crime fighter initially end in disaster but in the process of rescuing a cat his luck changes, propelling him into the public limelight and establishing him as a figure to be reckoned with.

It is not long before other vigilantes surface, some desperate for the fame and attention, others out for revenge, and when Kick-Ass becomes embroiled in a crime lords devious plans, we are treated to a number of intense melees that gradually escalate in size and repercussions for those involved. There has been some controversy over the graphic violence depicted in these scenes, especially as the trailer is intended to appeal to a fairly young audience, and that comes as no surprise when a pre-teen girl decapitates villains on screen and uses the c*** word. Controversy aside, I cannot deny that this was very entertaining.

Chloe Moretz easily steals the show as Hit Girl - the incredibly volatile young superhero with a penchant for explicit language, which will surely propel her into the realms of stardom. Nicolas Cage is surprisingly effective as her doting father, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse is ever watchable as Red Mist. However it is Aaron Johnson who shows the most promise as Kick-Ass, with his convincing turn from a bumbling student to a brave and reckless crime fighter marking him as a talent to watch out for.

An essential part of the film is its eclectic soundtrack, with choice tracks taken from excellent films such as 28 Days Later and For a few dollars more. Usually I would be concerned at such a prospect but the Kick-Ass soundtrack adapts the tracks brilliantly, making them feel like its own, alongside great songs from The Prodigy and Sparks to name a few. The choice of music fits perfectly with the high-octane action sequences and even adds emotional depth to key scenes - not bad for a superhero comedy movie!

Kick-Ass is that rarest of films, a successful hybrid of two genres that delivers an almost perfect cinematic experience. My only criticism would be that some sequences near the end were slightly far-fetched but in a film where suspension of belief is required, maybe I'm being a little harsh. This is an essential film for all cinemagoers, catch it on the big screen and I guarantee you will be completely immersed in the explosive yet entertaining world of Kick-Ass

9/10

If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Special
Spiderman
The Dark Knight
Superbad

Films of the Decade - Part One: 2000

2010-03-17T22:42:00.006Z

I know it’s a bit late considering we are already nearly a quarter of the way through 2010 but I have decided to compile a list of my top 100 films of the decade, restricting myself to just ten from each year. Here is the first instalment starting off in the year 2000 when I was just 12 and not old enough to see nearly all of the films i've listed.

10. Chopper - Eric Bana stars in the true life story of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read, an infamous Australian criminal who penned his biography from the confines of prison. Bana’s portrayal of Chopper is unflinching in its accuracy, bringing his sick, twisted humour to life in this gritty black comedy that disturbs and amuses in equal measures. Worth watching for Bana’s performance alone, this is one of the best films to come out of Australia in a very long time.

9. Quills - History and fantasy collide in this stark portrayal of the notorious French writer the Marquis de Sade as his attempts to publish indecent stories lead him to be incarcerated in an insane asylum. Grossly under-rated, quills is a fascinating story, full of ingenious flourishes that differentiate it from the usual period dramas which often leave all but the dedicated historians helplessly bored. Featuring a powerhouse performance from Geoffrey Rush as the Marquis, who narrowly missed out on the Oscar - Russell Crowe nabbed it, Quills transports you to a world of crazed passion and lust once deemed unfit for public eyes.

8. Amores Perros - Unfairly losing out to the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in the best foreign film award at the Oscars, Amores Perros is a stylish and compelling drama that connects three tragic tales through a horrific car crash. In a powerful breakthrough role, the always enthralling Gael Garcia Berna portrays a young and cautious dog owner forced into a dogfight with disastrous consequences. This is the film that ignited my passion for foreign movies and it's not hard to see why.

7. Snatch - Lock Stock was a definitive gangster film of the nineties, a crass yet intelligent heist film chock full of loveable rogues and crafty conmen. Guy Ritchie’s follow up movie Snatch followed a similar formula but delivered something altogether more accomplished, with standout performances from Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro to name but a few. Russian Gangsters, unscrupulous gypsies and brutal boxing promoters come to blows over a stolen diamond in a series of elaborate encounters. The compelling story is complete with numerous quotable phrases and witty dialogue that would feel at home in any Tarantino movie. It’s a huge shame that Ritchie’s other films have since failed to live up to the incredibly promising start of his career but we should be thankful that Snatch is part of his legacy.

6. X-Men - Brian Singer had the difficult task of creating a film accessible to new audiences whilst still appealing to devout x-men fans and somehow managed to do not just that, but completely kick started the recent comic book movie revolution. As a fan of the cartoon, this film was beyond all my expectations, a perfect introduction to the mysterious world of mutants. Featuring superb special effects and choosing not to rely purely on action to drive the story forward, X-men is a convincing origins story, proving that character development is the key to creating a successful superhero franchise.

5. Requiem For A Dream - Not since Trainspotting had we seen such a harrowing portrayal of drug users on the big screen. Requiem For A Dream is a fascinating but disturbing view of a young group of friends and the sacrifices they will make in order to satisfy their habits. Darren Aronofsky is a visionary genius, the cinematography is awe inspiring and the unrelenting soundtrack has since become the theme tune for what seems like every sporting event on the television. If ever there was a film powerful enough to prevent people from trying hard drugs, then this is it.

4. Memento - Christopher Nolan has become a household name since his incredibly successful reboot of the Batman franchise, and it is sometimes easy to forget the mind-blowing films that he worked on earlier in his career. After the release of The silence of the lambs and Seven in the previous decade, it was hard to imagine that intelligent serial killers could improve any further but with Memento, Nolan managed to do just that. With the use of an ingenious jigsaw puzzle of a plot device that rewards the viewer with repeated viewings, Memento completely alters the viewers perception of serial killers - no-one can be trusted.

3. Battle Royale - A stark reflection on the state of the society and youth culture at the turn of the millennium, Battle Royale crept into the conscience of cult film fans everywhere with its stylised ultra violence and an extremely gripping concept. Based on a graphic novel, the film is set on a remote Japanese island where a group of thirty unruly students must fight to the death until only one survives. If you haven’t seen the film, I can understand how ridiculous the premise may sound but this is a relentlessly unsettling thriller that caused a wake of controversy on its initial release - not to be missed.

2. Gladiator - The film that turned Russell Crowe into a huge star. If you haven’t yet seen this yet, where have you been for the last ten years? It took five Oscars from an astonishing twelve nominations and deservedly so. From frantic battle scenes in the forest to brilliantly choreographed gladiatorial combat in the arena, Ridley Scott kicked off the millennium in style, proving that people could still stomach historical epics, even when they are as gruesome as this.

1. Dancer In The Dark - This is quite possibly one of the most heartbreaking films I have ever seen. Bjork puts in an outstanding performance as Selma Jezkova, a single mother struggling to earn a living and care for her son in a foreign country. Filled with strange musical interludes that echo the glory days of musicals and represent Selma’s desire for a simpler, happier life, Dancer in the dark is a beautiful study of humanity and the lengths people are willing to go to protect their closest family. Lars Von Trier is well known for his unconventional films, especially with the recent release of the controversial Antichrist, and this is no exception - he pushed Bjork to breaking point on the set, increasing his notoriety as a difficult director to work with. Easily the best film of 2000 and possibly even a contender for best film of the decade.

It was an extremely difficult task to decide which ten films defined the year 2000 - here are my choices that didn't quite make the list:

Tigerland
Sexy Beast
Happy Accidents
Vampire Hunter D
Pay It Forward
Best In Show
Pitch Black
Ginger Snaps
Billy Elliot
You Can Count On Me

Any films I missed? Let me know!

New Release - I Love You Phillip Morris

2010-03-14T13:12:00.001Z

This is not a film I would go to see by choice but fortunately See film first (check out the link in useful links) came up roses again with free tickets to a preview screening. You can tell that I had low expectations of I love you Phillip Morris, and this was mainly due to the fact that Jim Carrey’s rubber face and daft noises have never been enough to get me excited about a film. Some of his previous roles in captivating dramas such as The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine have been a key to the overall success of the movie but his appearances in low brow comedies tend to leave me disappointed.

Thankfully, I Love You Phillip Morris falls in the middle of Carrey’s previous performances, a healthy dose of comedy which is aided by an engaging storyline as the captivating conman struggles to escape the law and eventually meets the love of his life in prison. The relationship between Ewan Mcregor and Jim Carrey is completely convincing, despite the absurdities of the situation, which is actually based on a true story.

It is hard to describe the film without drawing on comparisons to another well known film in which Leonardo Dicaprio runs from the law; this is essentially Catch me if you can with a gay man. Although the film fails to live up to the success of its predecessor, it is an entertaining ride and a welcome escape from the teen comedies which tend to dominate the box office.

I have no doubt that audiences will flock to this film expecting another zany Carrey comedy but the humour does tend to take a back seat in some of the more poignant moments in the film. Fortunately the life story of Phillip Morris is a compelling one, although the dramatic turn near the end of the movie is not as effective as it could have been.

If you’re a fan of Jim Carrey, you are sure to enjoy this, I was pleasantly surprised by the film but this could be due to the low expectations I had. Definitely worth a look if you get a chance but I doubt I would go out of my way to watch it again.

7/10

If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Catch me If You Can
Milk
Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert
Man On The Moon

Upcoming Films

2010-03-13T17:25:00.005Z

Frozen

This will either be a very inventive horror movie or an awful mess and i am under the impression that it will be the latter! It is quite an original idea to have three people stuck on a chairlift despite being a very daft one. I can't really see how this premise could be stretched out into a feature film but I can't help being intrigued by the situation.

Splice

Following in the wake of last years successful low budget sci-fi films, District 9 and Moon - both well worth a look, Splice could potentially be a great film. Produced by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Adrien Brody, Splice takes a look at the world of genetics as two scientists forge human DNA with animal DNA to create a new creature. The trailer has not yet been released but this is a short snippet where you get a glimpse of the unusual creature.

The Slammin' Salmon

I'll admit that the trailer for this film does not leave me with high hopes but i can't help but be excited by The Slammin' Salmon as it was made by the creators of Super Troopers and Beerfest, two sadly overlooked comedies. I'm fed up of the onslaught of Judd Apatow comedies that retread the same ground over and over so this could make for a refreshing change.

Predators

As a huge fan of the original, this is a very exciting prospect. I was wary of this being as awful as Aliens Vs Predator but this preview has eased some of my concerns as well as intriguing me with the addition of a new predator to the mix. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, creator of the El Mariachi trilogy - three of my favourite films, and starring Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne, this has got the potential to reboot the franchise with a bang. Unfortunately, the video has been removed from youtube due to copyright issues but you can check it out here:

Predators preview

New Release - The Blind Side

2010-03-12T17:39:00.005Z

I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of sports movies, however, the past couple of years has seen great films such as Invictus and The Wrestler, both showing how sports can be an integral part of a captivating story, and reigniting my passion for older classics such as Rocky and The Hustler. Unfortunately, The Blind Side fails to compete with any of these films, despite being based on true events and receiving two (undeserved) Oscar nominations. Following the journey of a neglected teenager who learns the true values of friendship and family, whilst playing some American Football on the way, this is a film riddled with clichés and fairly average performances - I cannot comprehend how Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress nomination - that somehow manages to entertain despite these problems.

We have all seen film like these before, and The Blind Side brings nothing new to the table. Michael Oher, the young boy in question, is a homeless teenager with a troubled past who is kindly taken in by the Touhy family, where he soon becomes one of the family. Although he shows no talent for football, his size means that Michael is soon singled out to be the team’s blocker, and eventually learns that his team are his family and he must care for them just like he cares for the Touhy family.

I can see many people enjoying this film; it’s an easy watch, suitable for all ages and delivers a message, but to me, this is its downfall. My favourite movies tend to be edgy, controversial films that offer something original whereas the only positive way I can describe The Blind Side is to say that it was pleasant.

I wasn’t bored, but I certainly wasn’t entertained either. No doubt the huge publicity surrounding the film since the Oscar winners were announced will guarantee its success but I still can’t imagine that it will inspire British children to grab an American football and hit the fields when its released on March 26th.

6/10

If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Invictus
Dead Poet’s Society
The Pursuit Of Happyness
Stand And Deliver

New Release - Alice In Wonderland 3-D

2010-03-11T17:17:00.006Z

I’ve eagerly anticipated Tim Burton’s latest releases from before I can remember, and with Alice in Wonderland marking his first foray into 3-D, this was no exception. Arriving early at the cinema, we were treated to a live satellite link-up from the world premiere hosted at London’s Leicester square. Watching Prince Charles shake hands with almost everyone involved in the film was not my idea of fun but it certainly made an interesting change to the cinema experience. After the formalities he was shown into the cinema and the film could eventually start for him at the world premiere, and me in the comfort of Cineworld Didsbury.

Unlike previous adaptations of Alice, Burton takes the viewer on a new journey, only loosely following aspects of Carrol’s classic stories ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the looking glass’ to create an entirely new experience. Although this may disappoint fans of the stories, there are still a lot of familiar characters to be seen as Alice is portrayed as a young woman returning to the world she first envisaged as a child - almost like an unofficial sequel to Carrol’s work.

Having only seen two films in 3-D prior to Alice in Wonderland; Coraline and Avatar, I was still unsure whether 3-D was more than just a gimmick, however, it certainly enhanced the visual aspect of the film, bringing life to Burton’s dark and mysterious world.

There is some fantastic casting within the film, especially Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and although the computer generated effects used to render the characters are impressive, I was left longing for the extravagant costumes that Burton fans are used to seeing in his earlier films - Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands come to mind. Despite this, we still see a glimpse of Burton’s once awe-inspiring creations with a number of weird creatures that inhabit Wonderland, as well as some suitably creepy decapitated heads that serve as stepping stones in a castle moat.

Putting aside a few moments that young children may find scary, this is definitely a family movie, with elements of humour clearly aimed at the younger audiences. One such moment comes near the end of the film when Johnny Depp displays his ‘funderwhacking’ abilities, and whilst that phrase may excite people who have yet to see the film, for me it merely conjures up a horrendous image that I would rather forget!

Most people will have high expectations of the film due to the calibre of actors and actresses involved but I have seen all of them in much better performances, apart from Barbara Windsor - it’s nice to not see her face for once, as Burton does not devote enough screen time to any one of the multitude of characters that inhabit Wonderland.

Although Alice is not a landmark film by any means, I cannot deny that I was soon absorbed in the story, despite its numerous flaws. If you do decide to head to the cinema, make sure you see it in 3-D, as this definitely played a big part in my enjoyment of the film. I doubt I would watch Alice in Wonderland again but would certainly recommend it for families and young children.

7/10

If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Coraline
Labyrinth
Laputa: Castle In The Sky
The Fall

New Release - Let The Right One In

2009-03-25T18:30:00.004Z

Let the right one in is a dark, disturbing vision of a troubled adolescent who dreams only of revenge. In an isolated town, snow drifts through the night sky as Oskar stares longingly, cold and alone. A dishevelled truck pulls up outside his window and out steps Eli, the young (or old?) vampire who is about to disrupt his life.

This is not your average vampire film. If carlsberg did vampire films, they would probably make this one, it is an outstanding horror film, with equal doses of drama and romance that serve to make the scares far more chilling as well as adding depth to an enchanting story. While recent vampire films tend to focus on action and gore, Alfredson uses it sparingly and to great effect, clearly aware that on screen violence is much more shocking and powerful when the audience share a connection with the characters.

Vampire fans will instantly recognise the title's reference to vampire lore, the creatures can only enter a house when invited in, and it is pleasing to see a vampire film that breaks away from the genre in terms of storytelling and character development rather than the reinvention of vampire legacy seen in films such as Blade and 30 days of night. Let the right one in has more in common with early horrors such as Nosferatu and Vampyr, creating an unsettling atmosphere and building up suspense as the story develops. The two young actors are stunning as Oskar and Eli, creating very believable characters who are bought together through a shared sense of isolation.

As Oskar gradually realises that Eli is not human, he begins to confront his fears as the town around him is sent into a panic due to a number of deaths in mysterious circumstances. It is the growth of Oskars character that really sets this film aside and the final pay off is an extraordinary scene reminiscent of the bloody prom night in Carrie when a prank goes horribly wrong.

Let the right one in probably won't be given a major release in the UK which is a huge shame, although it is very rare to see a subtitled film in any mainstream cinema. Fortunately, it is released in the UK on the 10th April and will be showing in Stoke film theatre, although dates are yet to be confirmed. Do yourself a big favour and watch this film, you won't be disappointed.

9/10

The trailer for the film is on a previous post - Upcoming horror films, just scroll down the page.

If you liked this film, you will also enjoy these:
Near Dark
Carrie
Mean Creek
The Lost Boys

Awful Films II

2009-03-15T21:43:00.005Z

Doubt - I cannot believe that rubbish like this gets nominated for Oscars, it's basically Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman arguing for two hours. Meryl thinks that Phillip has touched a young black child. We never find out if he actually has or not and to be honest, i couldn't care less.

Synecdoche, New York - Another awful film starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is this the start of a pattern? This is a big confusing mess. I had high hopes as the director has been involved with modern greats such as eternal sunshine and being John Malkovich but this film gets lost up its own arse hole.

They Live - I don't really know why i watched a film where the main character is played by Rowdy Roddy Piper of WWF fame but i did. It was an awful sci-fi action flick but there was one line i really enjoyed; 'i love kickin ass and chewin' bubble gum, and i'm all out of bubble gum.' You tell those bad guys roddy!

The Mist - Frank Darabont and Stephen King collaborations are generally winners, Shawshank redemption and green mile being two of my favourite films. This was a disaster. Loads of big tentacles attacking a mall while a religious nutter causes riots in the supermarket. About as scary as a day out at Llandudno.

The Burrowers - A horror film set in the wild west? Would have been a brilliant idea if it hadn't been done before with ravenous, and also it would have been brilliant to use a creature that didn't resemble a giant crawling turd.

Sleuth - Let's put Laurence olivier and Michael Caine in a house for two and a half hours both playing devious tricks on each other. Erm, no, lets not because that is a daft idea and would make for a really boring film.

Billy Madison - We all have irrational likes and dislikes of certain people, i cannot stand Adam Sandler. He's in this film. To be honest though i think it would be awful even if he wasn't in it. I can gladly say that i didn't choose to watch this either but was forced to sit through it - never again.

Watchmen - Okay, i'm lying, it isn't awful but its just another film that's been overhyped and is a case of style over substance much like Sin City or Constantine. I decided to go and watch it at the IMAX as i had never been before and i must say i'm glad that in this world we have the technology available to watch a larger than life blue penis dancing around a gigantic screen for the best part of three hours. Watchmen is worth a look, just don't head to the cinema expecting too much.

Upcoming films

2009-03-11T18:05:00.008Z

Bronson

This film is causing quite a stir at the moment with its comparisons to A clockwork orange due to the highly disturbing nature of the violence. Any film that receives a comparison to one of Kubrick's finest films is bound to appeal to most avid film fans! If the trailer is anything to go by, it looks like an English version of Chopper, following the life of a reckless criminal through prison and onwards. I'm also enjoying the presence of Matt King, who is more commonly known as Superhans from Peep Show. This should be well worth a look:

Franklyn

Franklyn was released in the UK on the 27th of Feb but as usual, smaller independent films are never given the chance to shine as most cinemas prefer to play the usual generic Hollywood rubbish such as Marley and me and He's just not that into you. I am really looking forward to watching this but unfortunately its not showing anywhere near Stoke. I love intelligent sci-fi movies, they are few and far between and this trailer incites comparisons to Dark City and V for Vendetta which can only be considered a good thing:

Carriers

28 Days later was an inspired piece of film-making that reinvented the zombie movie and while Carries does come across as a cheap knock-off of Danny Boyle's classic horror in the trailer, the reviews have been very positive so far. Films which deal with post apocalyptic situations are always entertaining and this should be no exception:

Timecrimes

This low budget sci-fi comes across as very similar to the excellent and very under-rated indie flick Primer that was released back in 2004. The fact that its a spanish time travel film may put off a lot of audiences but the subject of time travelling has produced some incredible films such as Twelve monkeys, Donnie Darko and The butterfly effect. Definitely one to watch out for, Timecrimes comes to DVD on May 4th:

Film Review - The Proposition

2009-03-05T19:30:00.003Z

The Proposition

As a keen music fan i was very intrigued by the proposition of watching a film scripted by Nick Cave. A quick glance down the cast list heightened my expectations with many of the actors/actresses having appeared in some of my favourite films; Guy Pearce - Memento, Emily Watson - Angela's Ashes, Ray Winstone - Sexy Beast and John Hurt - Alien.

Centering around three criminal brothers and the lawman out to end their reign of terror, The proposition is an unsettling thriller set in the Australian outback. In a cruel twist of fate, Charlie Burns, played by Guy Pearce, is told that his younger brother will go free if he takes the life of his older brother. The premise of the story is where the films strength lies, and as the captivating tale unfolds it quickly becomes apparent that the characters lack the necessary depth for the audience to empathise with them. That's not to say that all of the performances are lacklustre, John Hurt is exceptional as an aged bounty hunter, and Ray Winstone puts in a powerful performance as Captain Stanley, however, i was more captivated by the stunning scenery and superb cinematography than most of the acting. As well as the breathtaking visuals, the haunting soundtrack was perfectly suited to the film's gritty edge, showcasing another of Nick Cave's many talents.

Given time, the characters could have been developed into so much more but with the film running at just over 100 minutes, we are not given a chance to fully appreciate the motivation behind their actions. Despite not having mainstream appeal, this film is still very enthralling, and will certainly please film fans who have an appetite for revenge thrillers.

7/10

If you liked this film, you will also enjoy these:

Dead Man
Unforgiven
The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada

Upcoming Films - Horror Special

2009-03-01T17:20:00.000Z

Let The Right One In

This swedish vampire movie has become a huge success due to word of mouth and will thankfully be released over here this year so everyone will get to see it. It's probably worth checking out before the Hollywood remake, which has already been given the go ahead, tarnishes the story. It is an incredible film and there will be a review shortly, but for now you can take a look at the trailer:

The Descent 2

I loved the descent, although its based more on jumpy scares than psychological horror, which is usually more effective, it was still a very frightening movie. I know a few people who didn't want to be left alone after watching it! Anyway, I'm not too sure about a sequel, most horror sequels are awful but i am intrigued to see where the story is headed:

Repo! The Genetic Opera

Okay, it looks more Rocky horror than Sweeney Todd, but the style of the film really appeals to me. I also love it when fictional rock bands are created for films like in Strange Days, Queen of the Damned and This is Spinal Tap. Judging from the trailer it's likely to be awful, but I'm still going to check it out when its released for curiosities sake if anything.

Trick 'r treat

Despite receiving very positive feedback from a number of film critics, Trick 'r Treat has still not been released. The trailer has been around for nearly a year and i really want to see his movie! There's been some issue with Warner Bros. that needs resolving and i hope it gets sorted soon - if only for another chance to see Anna Paquin on the big screen.

Awful Films

2009-03-01T10:10:00.000Z

Every couple of weeks i'll give you an update on all the awful films I watch, so that you don't have to. I don't intentionally go out of my way to watch rubbish films but not everything i look forward to watching turns out as great as i first imagined!

Cries and Whispers - This is an abysmal Swedish film about a woman and her sisters struggling to cope with her illness. Most of the film we just see her in bed screaming and moaning in pain and it really put me off my cheese and cucumber sandwiches. Avoid unless you really like Ingmar Bergman's other films.

The Mutant Chronicles - Ron Perlman and John Malkovich starring? Doesn't sound like a bad film at all. I've seen better special effects in Masters of the Universe though, i think the only people who would enjoy this film probably are mutants themselves.

Keith - Keith! What can i say about this? I think the name says it all really, why on earth did i bother to watch a film called Keith? Serves me right.

Gone Baby Gone - I was disappointed when it was given a limited release in the UK due to the story closely resembling the real life events of Maddie Mcann's disappearance. I shouldn't have been though, what a let down. Not completely rubbish but just your average boring drama.

In The Mouth Of Madness - John Carpenter's horror films are mostly awful. The ones that are outstanding are few and far between and this was just daft. The best bit was when Sam Neill was driving along a road and drove past the same cyclist about seven times but each time he got older. Very scary that was John. Cheers for that.

Ghost In The Shell - At the time it was considered groundbreaking, the ideas behind the film might be groundbreaking, it was a major influence behind the matrix after all but the film in general was terrible. I think the only people who will enjoy this film are geeks who enjoy seeing cartoon women naked.

My Name Is Bruce - The Evil Dead and Bubba Ho-tep are two of my favourite films but i couldn't even sit through all of Bruce Campbell's latest effort. Even his huge chin couldn't save this pile of steaming dog turd.

The Big Sleep - Does exactly what it says on the tin, put me to sleep. The only reason I watched it was cause it was in the IMDB top 250 and i think the people who gave it a 10 must have voted on the basis of how good their snooze was while this film was on.

Tenebrae - Very daft italian horror from the 'master of suspense' Dario Argento. I've seen more suspense in an episode of Eastenders when Robbie Jackson's dog Wellard went missing. It was the first Dario Argento film i've seen as well so it will probably be my last.

New Release - Gran Torino

2009-02-28T12:24:00.008Z

Clint Eastwood is a bit of a legend. His mere presence in a film is usually enough to give film fans an indication that they are about to watch something special. Despite being 78, he is still an incredibly hard working man, directing and acting in a number of classic films over the past few years. Whilst Gran Torino is not one of his best films, it is still well worth a look, especially as it will be his last appearance on the big screen.

In Gran Torino Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, an intolerant Vietnam veteran who slowly discovers that he has more in common with his Hmong neighbours than his own family. As Walt is clearly a racist, it is the cathartic process by which he comes to terms with this that drives the story and raises it to a level above most revenge dramas. Eastwood's low growling voice and intense stares still have the same potency they possessed when he appeared in A Fistful of Dollars back in the early sixties, and it is this which enables Walt to take control of almost any violent situation he encounters.

There was no doubt that Eastwood's performance would stand out, he is the only household name in a film full of unkown actors who find it difficult to shine. This is a strange choice as some of Clint's finest films; Mystic river and Unforgiven to name a few, were successful due to the brilliant casting of stars such as Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn and Gene Hackman, which could be an indication that Gran Torino was Clint's final attempt to win an Oscar for best actor.

Gran Torino is a highly enjoyable movie, at times funny, often moving and worth watching for Clint's performance alone. The Curious Case of Benjamin button and Slumdog millionaire may have won all the Oscars but this is a far more accomplished film, and i was surprised at the Academy's decision to ignore it in favour of Eastwood's other recent movie Changeling.

8/10

If you liked this film, you will also enjoy these:

Unforgiven
Dead Man's Shoes
Mystic River
A History Of Violence

Forgotten Classics - The Changeling

2009-02-22T17:46:00.004Z

The Changeling

Not to be mistaken for Clint Eastwood's recent oscar nominated film 'Changeling', which is also quite good, this is a review of the horror film from the 80s which shares a similar name.

I used to be terrified of horror movies when i was younger, i think everyone can remember their first glimpse of a scary film, but gradually as i grew up horror films no longer had the same effect on me. It now takes a hell of a lot for me to be scared by a movie and The changeling took me completely by surprise. I had no idea what to expect, i had just heard that it was a forgotten classic of the genre and it truly is an extremely creepy and unsettling horror. Unlike modern movies that rely on gore and cheap scares to entertain their audiences, the changeling showcases how an emphasis on psychological scares can be far more terrifying for the viewer.

As well as being a disturbing horror, the changeling is a clever mystery film with George C. Scott playing the role of John Russell, a distraught man who has recently lost his wife and only child. Attempting to escape the trauma and leave the past behind him John moves into a new house but in doing so is confronted by a spirit that constantly plagues the house with strange disturbances. I do not want to reveal too much of the plot but it is a very intelligent movie, with a lot to offer for the avid horror fan. This is an exceptional film, genuinely unsettling and thoroughly entertaining throughout. Not many people have heard of the changeling which is a shame, i would rate it as one of the scariest films i have ever seen, not to be missed.

9/10

Here's the trailer, although i tend to find that trailers never age as well as the films they promote. This trailer makes the changeling look as scary as the notebook. Take my word for it though, watch this film alone in the dark and you will probably have to change your underwear afterwards.

If you liked this film, you will also enjoy these:

Don't Look Now
Poltergeist
The Orphanage
The Shining

Upcoming Films

2009-02-22T17:18:00.009Z

Until i get the time to get some film reviews written here are a few trailers for you to check out.

The first trailer is for an animated film called 9 which is being produced by Tim Burton. It's based on a short that was nominated for an oscar in 2006 which you can see in its entirety on youtube and is well worth checking out. Not only does the trailer look brilliant it features music from one of my favourite bands Coheed and Cambria so i cannot wait to see this film:

The second trailer is for a Korean film; The good, the bad, the weird. It's the latest film from Ji-woon Kim who horror fans will know as the director behind A tale of two sisters. Although this film won't be having a big release in the UK, it is showing in Stoke film theatre so i will soon be able to upload a review and let you know if it is as entertaining as the trailer looks:

Everyone gets excited when there's a new Tarantino film on the way, and the trailer for Inglourious Basterds looks promising. Brad Pitt is a hugely talented actor but i'm also really looking forward to seeing Michael Fassbender on the big screen again after his fantastic performance in Hunger. Anyway, here's the trailer: