January 2012 Blog Update
Now that christmas is over, I hope to try and update my blog more regularly in 2012. Below are some latest random ramblings from me on films and stuff:
Film
> Shame: opening at cinemas today (Friday 13th January), this is movie making at its very best. Pairing Steve McQueen (Director) with Michael Fassbender (Lead Actor) again after the excellent Hunger, please do not miss what is one of the best films of 2012.
> Margin Call: Also opening at cinemas today, this is an excellent movie charting one night at a firm in 2008 at the beginning of the financial meltdown. Great performances add to a good script which make this compelling viewing.
DVD
> Bobby Fischer Against The World: Whether you like Chess or not, this is a fascinating documentary about a genuis and how it ultimately destroyed him. If you like this, you make also like the book ‘The Grass Arena’ by John Healy.
> Straw Dogs: Not out on DVD until 12 March 2012, however well worth adding to your wish list. It is hard to follow up Sam Peckinpah’s amazing original, however this is a very good effort.
Books
> Player One:
As the world appears to be on the verge of collapse, five strangers are isolated in an airport cocktail lounge wondering what will happen. The book focuses on the five characters rather than what is happening outside. This is a quick read, and whilst it starts promisingly, the interest does start to wane in the final third.
Technology
> Blackberry Playbook:
So ipad has won the tablet war and its not a surprise as it is better. Nevertheless, if you want it mainly for movies, the Playbook is a delight, and the 16gb version is now £249
Games
> Need for Speed: The Run
- available on PS3, Xbox and Wii, this has a simple premise where you have to try in a race from California across the USA to the destination in New York (for a reason I cant remember why). The game play is fast and addictive even though its a little repetitive after a while. Nevertheless the quest to keep advancing through the ranks keeps you hooked. Well worth a look if you like driving games.
Food
> Hix Restaurant, Brewer Street, London: Mark Hix is a celebrated chef and food writer, with a focus on British cuisine. Hix in Brewer Street (near Piccadilly Circus) is one of his restaurants. The restaurant is bright and airy and the amosphere good, with a friendly service. Food was very good and with a 2 course set lunch for £17.50 and 3 course for £22.50 you cant go wrong. Steaks are good if you want to spend more. There is also a nice bar (Marks Bar) for drinks only in the downstairs/basement of the restaurant.
> Giraffe:
Giraffe Restaurants is doing 40% off food at the moment. Go to their website for a voucher.
London Film Festival 2011: Films I saw
The London Film Festival 2011 has finished and as usual there was a strong mix of films and plenty of choice. In no particular order, here is a run down of the films I saw and my ratings.
Snowtown – based on notorious Australian serial killer John Bunting, this is a brutal film which is uncompromisingly bleak. A good film, and a strong directorial debut from director Justin Kurzel. 8/10
ALPS – the follow up film by ‘Dogtooth’ director Yorgos Lanthimos, which again focuses on a quirky subject matter demonstrating how Lanthimos is one of the most talented directors in European cinema today. It doesn’t have quite the visceral impact of his previous film, but this remains essential viewing. 8/10
Hara Kiri: Death of a Samurai – a re-telling of the Yasuhiko Takiguchi original story by director Takashi Miike. The first 20 minutes of the film represent one of the best pieces of cinema this year. It lags a little in the middle but the story telling is powerful and extremely well made. 8/10
Rampart – Woody Harrelson plays a bad cop based on a true story. A good film but ‘Bad Lieutenant’ is better. 6/10
Without – a low budget indie thriller, this focuses on a girl who looks after an old incapacitated man living in a remote house in the woods whilst his family is away. Not bad but a bit slow. 5/10
Shame – without a doubt the best film I saw at the London Film Festival this year. After the fabulous ‘Hunger’ by the same pairing of director McQueen and star Fassbender this ups the game even further. Not to be missed. 10/10
Beauty – a slow but absorbing drama set in South Africa, about a husband and father who is secretly homosexual. Superbly shot with a build up that has an undercurrent reminiscent of ‘This is England’. A must watch. 9/10
Guilty – a powerful French drama about a husband and father wrongly imprisoned for sinister crimes, and the failure of the French justice system. Based on actual events this is a film you must see. 9/10
A Dangerous Method – David Cronenberg is back with his dialogue heavy take on the birth of psychoanalysis. With a strong cast (Knightly, Mortensen, Fassbender) this is good but it may not appeal to everyone. 7/10
Surprise Film (Damsels in Distress) – some people liked the surprise film but for me it was a disappointment. Whilst quirky and with a few laugh out loud moments, overall it felt like a poor mans ‘Napoleon Dynamite’. 5/10
Michael – middle aged Michael by day acts a normal life going to work and returning to his house. Secretly however he keeps a boy locked in his basement. This is a difficult subject matter told in an affecting and quietly disturbing fashion. It deserves to be seen. 8/10
Shock Head Soul – generally films about mental illness can be powerful to watch. Shock Head Soul however just didn’t work for me. 2/10
Asshole – an Indian film which dares to be different and focuses on the impact of sex and drugs of the main character Gandu. Some interesting ideas and concepts although it doesn’t work at times. 5/10
We Need to Talk About Kevin – Based on the original novel, this British film is one of the most powerful and disturbing films you will see this year. Tilda Swinton is incredible as Kevin’s mother Eva. 10/10
Headhunters – based on the Jo Nesbo book this is a cracking Norwegian thriller and great fun. Don’t be surprised if this becomes an American remake soon. 9/10
The Last Screening – shades of ‘Peeping Tom’, Polanski and Argento in this low budget French indie thriller make this a nice watch. 7/10
Into The Abyss: A Tale of Life, a Tale of Death – Warner Herzog makes his latest documentary about the life of two inmates living on Death Row. This is an interesting film which provokes a debate about the death sentence in today’s society. 7/10
Martha Marcy May Marlene – a big hit at the Sundance Festival in 2011, this atmospheric drama looks at the after affects of life for Martha after a prolonged period living in a cult like community. It builds up nicely but loses its way towards the end. 7/10
The Descendants – With his wife in a coma and not certain to recover, George Clooney seeks to rebuild his relationship with his children, coupled with the discovery that she was having an affair with a local businessman. This is the type of film that Clooney does best and is a heartfelt comedy drama. 8/10.
Frightfest 2011 – My Thoughts
So the Frightfest main event is over for another year, and here are my thoughts from this years festival.
This was my 12th Frightfest as I have attended since the very beginning when it all started at the Prince Charles cinema. Frightfest has got bigger and better every year, however despite the increase in scale, the organisers have remained faithful to the original days and always have time to speak and catch up with the fans during the four and a half days. Suffice to say this year was as good as ever, with a great mix of films, celebrities, surprises, freebies, and the whole welcoming atmosphere which is ever-present.
So here is what I loved the most in 2011:
- The Divide. My favourite film of the festival which delivers from start to finish. If you like post-apocalyptic and/or movies set in a claustrophobic environment you will love this film. See it as soon as you can.
- The Woman. My second favourite of the film and another tale from the mind of Jack Ketchum. This is brutal in places, however a tight script, plus superb characters and acting, make this a must watch for any genre fan.
- Kill List. I really enjoyed this and everyone should go and see it to make up their own mind. It may well divide reactions particularly the way it ends however for me it worked. My third favourite of the festival.
- Troll Hunter. It does what it says on the tin and the found footage works well. After a slow start after 10 minutes this kicks into gear and doesnt let up.
- Panic Button. A special mention for Panic Button, as for a low button film, and huge relevance in today’s society, this is an enjoyable movie which hopefully will find an audience.
- Cockneys vs Zombies footage. We were shown a treat by way of some early footage of the movie. This looks to be so much fun and the zimmer frame segment had the whole crowd in stitches. One to look out for early next year.
-Frightfest Quiz from Hell 2. Expertly hosted by Andy Nyman, this was a lot of fun as always. Its a shame I am not very good at quizzes but it doesnt matter – it provides some light entertainment and a short break from the films much to everyone’s enjoyment.
The Larry Fessenden interview was enjoyable, and overall most of the films over the few days were great or good. The few exceptions of films which didnt work for me were The Wicker Tree (why did they bother), The Innkeepers (which most people liked but I didnt due to the slow pace – sorry but I just dont seem to get on well with Ti West films), and Deadheads (which had a lot of promise but just didnt work).
As ever one of the great things about Frightfest is the chance to catch up with friends and chat about films etc. The friendly atmosphere is something special about Frightfest which is why more and more people who come for the first time always come back the next year.
See you at the next one?
10 Great Films You Should Watch (But May Not Have Seen)
Below is my list of ten great films (in no particular order) from yesteryear which are less mainstream and may have slipped under people’s radar. If you do get a chance please check them out.
1. Miracle Mile (1988)
A young man by chance hears a phone call where he finds out a Nuclear War will hit the city in 70 minutes time. Can he find the girl he loves in time. Told in real time, this is a cracking film and sadly overlooked.
2. Motorama (1991)
Escaping his abusive parents, a 10 year old boy steals a car and travels across America playing a game where he has to collect all the letters of the word ‘Motorama’ from cards given out at various gas stations. This is a lovely film to watch.
3. Killing Zoe (1993)
Written and directed by former Tarrantino collaborator Roger Avary, this is a decent bank robbery film that never got as much credit as it deserved.
4. Mute Witness (1994)
A mute makeup artist working on a film set witnesses a murder and must fight for survival. This is a cracking thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
5. Dead Presidents (1995)
The Hughes Brothers best film. Part war film and part drama/thriller, this deals with the impact of trying to adjust and survive back in normal life following the Vietnam war.
6. The Cold Light of Day (1996)
Richard E. Grant plays a detective who never solved the brutal murder of a child. Befriending a single woman and her daughter, he see the chance to use the daughter as bait to catch the sick killer responsible. This is a bleak film but very well made. It appears to have been copied for the more well known film The Pledge (starring Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson), but the original version is better.
7. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (1997)
Two young men suffering from cancer decide to go on one last road trip before they die, which turns into more than they expected. An entertaining and uplifting film, and rarely seen in the UK.
8. Red Room (1999)
Four desperate people enter a locked room for a game show to win a million dollars. They draw cards and challenge each other to perform tasks, with the last one standing winning all. Not surprisingly the tasks get more disturbing as each of the contestants seeks to be the victor.
9. Warzone (1999)
A tough subject matter and far from an easy film to watch. Superbly directed by Tim Roth however and starring Ray Winstone in one of his best ever roles.
10. Das Experiment (2001)
Recently remade as The Experiment starring Adrien Brody, this is the original German version and the version you should see. In a social experiement, normal people are filmed in a makeshift prison for 2 weeks, with half becoming prisoners and half becoming guards. The rules are simple and no physical force or violence is allowed. But in a claustrophobic setting and with ego’s involved, can it really be that simple.
Films I haven’t seen yet?
My list of films that I havent seen yet is increasing day by day. These are some of the more obscure titles I have yet to see, but are on my list to hunt down in the next 12 months:
~ Wolf Girl
~ Doris Dorrie
~ Love letters of a Portugese Nun
~ Wild Zero
~ Tiptoes
~ Trinity is my Name
~ The Bird People in China
~ Second Name
~ Death Heater
~ X-Girls
~ The Locals
~ Starcrash
~ Satanico Pandemonium
~ Alucarda
~ Fuel
~ Late Bloomer
~ Malchance
~ Until the Night
~ In Dark Woods
~ Finder’s Fee
~ Zebraman
~ Apocalipsis Vampira
~ El Diablo Espanol
Whether all of these titles are available to rent or buy is another question. If any one has seen or knows where to find these films please let me know? I will report back on progress with these titles in future blogs.
