Day 39: Backbeat.

Day 39: Backbeat (1994, Dir. Iain Softley)

Everyone knows the legendary tale of the fab four – John, Paul, George and Ringo; but what about Stuart? This film explores the early days of the 5 Beatles as they travel to Germany at the beginning of their career and the emotionally charged circumstances they find themselves in.

The main attraction to this film is of course to see the early days of the band and to witness how they became the world renowned act they are remembered as. There is the raw musical talent and the surrounding excitement it created, of course there is the trademark humour too, however there is a dark side to these early days, from pub punch ups to sexual frustration. These elements fuse together to make a biopic which captures a great deal of the bands energy but also tells us the lesser known story of original member Stuart Sutcliffe.

Though the problem is that the film never quite seems to gel. Jumping from Stuarts friendship with John to his flourishing romance is interesting and entertaining but some times can feel as though it is not being used to its full potential to show what the character is feeling, letting us know what he has given up to be there and his conflicting feelings. Another issue is the supporting characters, they are often peculiar to watch in some ways just because we are so familiar with them. Whilst always feeling like John Lennon and Paul McCartney the characters are sometimes hard to stomach just because we are so used to seeing the real versions of them; at points these interpretations range from credible to jarring just because you can’t help but comparing them to the images of the band in your head.

However these faults don’t detract from this films charm and appeal to music fans. The film is certainly a unique one, telling a tale about popular music culture which can’t help but interest you, it’s the unusual perspective that’ll keep you hooked and the fantastic music that’ll win you over.

6/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275309/

Extra: Had Twist and Shout stuck in my head for ages after this…

Day 38: Dogtown and the Z-Boys.

Day 38: Dogtown and the Z-Boys (2001, Dir. Stacy Peralta)

This film documents the rise of the Zephyr skateboarding team in the 1970’s, pioneers of both the sport of skating and the lifestyle surrounding it.

Personally I am not much of a skateboarding fan, my knowledge of skate boards actually doesn’t go much past a couple of Tony Hawks games I had on the Gamecube; however this film proves to be a really fascinating documentary and is crafted in a visually striking and appealing way. The vintage cut aways which are used throughout the film provide an interesting and raw view of the early years of the team and the freedom and expressionism they experienced in these Dogtown years. This unique approach is perhaps best shown by narrator Sean Penn coughing whilst reading one of his lines, this freedom the documentary shows is quite liberating and definitely fresh.

Of course it is perhaps as interesting to see how these people who defined a lifestyle have turned out themselves, whilst many have became figureheads in the modern skating world many have fallen from grace. These elements give an emotional depth to the film which keeps you genuinely interested in finding out more.

With a fantastic soundtrack adding to the atmosphere this documentary proves to be entertaining and informative to anyone, from a passionate skater to any of us with our feet firmly on the ground.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275309/

Extra: Last time I skated I was very very rubbish...

Day 37: Shutter Island.

Day 37: Shutter Island (2010, Dir. Martin Scorsese)

Martin Scorsese is back with an amazing exploration of the thriller genre. This is a unique film; an ambitious and engrossing story of mystery and suspense, and whilst it may not be the directors best cinematic moment; it easily takes its place as another contemporary masterpiece to add to the Martin Scorsese collection.

Leonardo DiCaprio is a truly exceptional as Teddy connecting us to every exhilarating twist and dramatic turn throughout the film. Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley too play phenomenal supporting roles which manage to drive the intensity of the film even higher.

As you’d expect the directing is exceptional, in fact every part of the film feels meticulously crafted to produce this mind boggling success, a true celebration of the thriller genre. Every design, costume, piece of music, editing cue and camera movement adds to the impressive and engaging atmosphere. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the film is when it brings the thriller genre into new surreal territory, this technique proves to be visually stunning whilst emerging you deeper into the plot.

A complex thriller which is masterfully perplexing, gripping, unnerving and mesmerising from start to finish; a true cinematic gem care of one of the greatest auteur directors working today.

8.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130884/

Extra: Anyone else just a little excited to see Leo in Inception?

Day 36: Resident Evil 3.

Day 36: Resident Evil 3: Extinction (2007, Dir. Russell Mulcahy)

“Urrrrgh” The zombies pretty much sum up my review of this one.

A lot of people slag off series writer Paul W.S. Anderson, and admittedly they have good reason to do so. This film isn’t even one of those it’s so bad its good affairs; it’s just annoyingly bad. The plot is a mess and the characters are equally as lacking. It takes everything fun, exciting and worthwhile from the original concept of the games and the effectiveness of the zombie genre and bites it in the neck, but not in a good way.

The plot is dull as dishwater with the script set on autopilot, the music gets turned up to 11 every couple of minutes to make sure you’re still awake for another dose of bland scares or nauseating action. The most convincing performances are probably from the Zombie extras and the CGI birds.

There are some interesting ideas in here if you switch off and leave your brain at the door but ultimately anything worthwhile gets lost in the films endless barren wasteland. Best advice is to run like there’s a hoard of undead on your trail.

2.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432021/

Extra: Uuuuurrrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhh….

Day 35: Daredevil.

Day 35: Daredevil (2003, Dir. Mark Steven Johnson)

Following on from the Marvel smash hit successes of Spider-man and X-men there was a great deal of anticipation for this 2003 superhero film, whilst the film wasn’t a total flop it didn’t seem to hit the mark for most audiences either. The problem is this story is darker than audiences would have been expecting however not as dark as comic book fans would have been hoping for so as a concept it is in a bit of a dangerous middle ground. However I believe it manages to be a successful adaptation of a cult comic book classic.

The cast are very effective with Ben Affleck not only being a compelling super hero in the lead role but also providing an interesting representation of a blind man; something rarely seen in big cinematic productions, despite the super powers that come with it his disability is treated with care and respect and provides a positive role model for the blind community. The supporting cast are also well used with the larger than life and surprisingly psychotic villains played by Michael Clarke Duncan and Colin Farrell, genuinely funny performances from Jon Favreau and Kevin Smith plus a emotionally compelling romantic sub plot with Jennifer Garner’s Elektra. The film mixes these characters superbly with the narrative flowing from exciting action to sequences of true emotion. Additionally the film is successful in how it deals with its origins, as a comic book reader it is clear that the film acknowledges its comic book past very effectively, whilst not making it dull or unwatchable for those who haven’t.

That’s not to say that this film doesn’t deserve some of the trepidation that surrounds it. I haven’t seen the directors cut of this film but I’ve heard the somewhat awkward sex scene has been removed which is probably a plus, the action has also apparently been improved to be more grizzly and authentic. It would be nice if some of the MTV style cutting was altered and a few modifications to the soundtrack wouldn’t go a miss but we can live in hope… Of course at the time Daredevil received much of the Ben Affleck backlash following on from a string of so-so films and his highly publicised relationship with J-Lo at the time. Tarring this film with that particular brush of bad publicity isn’t particularly fair and is frankly a very lazy opinion to take.

I guess the ship has pretty much sailed on the possibility of a Daredevil sequel, at least the Daredevil we see here. It would have been very interesting to see the development of the characters beyond this origin story, obviously something every comic book film has to do but equally something that limits the story they can tell. There is a great deal of potential with this character as any comic book fan will know and something in the style of what The Dark Knight was to Batman Begins would have been very interesting. There are however talks of a reboot but I guess we’ll have to wait and see on that one.

I believe that Daredevil is a really great blockbuster, exhilarating action, intriguing characters and stunning spectacle; ultimately a very entertaining film.

7.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287978/

Extra: I still don’t think I’ll give the Elektra spin-off another go though…

Day 34: Pineapple Express.

Day 34: Pineapple Express (2008, Dir. David Gordon Green)

This high concept comedy from the Judd Apatow funny factory pulls together a stoner/bromance comedy with some big budget action; and it kind of comes together too.

The problem is in trying to mix so much together all of the aspects get a bit blurred, and whilst it might have the well paced energy throughout its attraction diminishes as the comedy gets sidestepped for the importance of the action scenes which has been done better countless times elsewhere.

The characters are effective, likeable and kind of believable too in that we can probably recognise the stoners from some point in our lives. However accurate these characterisations are they ultimately becomes somewhat of a curse to the film, the jokes just become a bit easy and somewhat lazy so by the end I just was a bit beyond caring. It would be to easy to dismiss this film for its druggy joke premises alone, deeming it to be merely immature and silly but the simple fact is it just doesn’t have as much of a punch as seen in so many of its recent peers.

Pineapple Express is still an entertaining film with some genuine charm, effective action and a fair dose of laughs, but ultimately it is a forgettable trip.

6/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910936/

Extra: Still, could have been worse… it could have been Year One.

Day 33: King Kong Vs. Godzilla.

Day 33: King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962, Dir. Ishirô Honda)

(American Version)

If you’re a fan of the original 1930’s King Kong film or the first Godzilla film from 1954, you should probably lower your expectations for this film now, and if you’ve got the American version of this you should probably lower them a bit further. However that’s not to say this film is good nonsensical fun.

This review is of the American version and it has a bit of a peculiar history behind it. The distributor who bought the rights basically didn’t like the social satire that drove the film and wanted it to be a more straight forward sci-fi film, so that is what he made it into. A fair chunk was cut from the original then he decided to film additional scenes to make up for it; these particular scenes stick out like a sore thumb and reek of B-movie sci-finess, so after some heavy re-dubbing and a new soundtrack this version was ready to go. Unfortunately the original, like most of the Godzilla series simply isn’t available in the UK so this will have to do for now. That’s not to say it isn’t enjoyable and quite good campy fun but it’d be nice to see a bit more substance behind it.

The main bout in question is a man in a woolly suit having a bit of a wrestle and a roll around with another man in a rubber suit. However naff that might sound you can’t help but really getting into it and finding yourself backing your favourite monster.

Despite the political satire of the Japanese version being replaced by some an American voice over that almost fits and some wobbly news room scenes the film remains extremely enjoyable; the pairing of the two classic characters is something to behold, with plenty of silly action scenes and bizarre battle of the giants that’ll keep you hooked till the end.

8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056142/

Extra: Rematch!

Day 32: Always Crashing in the Same Car.

Day 32: Always Crashing in the Same Car (2007, Dir. Duncan Wellaway)




A title of one of my favourite David Bowie songs lends its title to an utterly fantastic short film.

Not only is the title drawing upon a modern classic but we get to see Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann reunited on screen for the first time since their pairing in the cult classic Withnail & I. The plot is engaging and intense, shot in a marvellously atmospheric way that draws you into the mysterious narrative. With a true chemistry between the actors embedded into every scene, whilst it may not be a bit like their original coupling 24 years prior, it packs in as much gripping tension and dark humour proving to be as amazingly effective.

Power is a strange thing, and this concept is explored in a truly fascinating way here, showing how corrupt and dog eat dog those at the top of the ladder can be. I’ll try not to give too much away on here, but this short delivers a great deal of tension and a dramatic punch, plus a truly shocking revelation that will leave you stunned and wanting more.

It’s funny that I should remember this film really; I was thinking of some things that I would like to cover on this blog and this kept coming into my mind again and again, and I’m glad it did. A couple of years ago I stumbled upon this short on YouTube and left a rather enthusiastic and praising comment on it’s wall, surprisingly enough I was soon messaged back by the director thanking me for the praise and was kindly asked if I could pass it on to anyone I thought might be interested. Well now I’m getting the chance to share this beautifully shot, creative and thought provoking short with you readers.

You can find this fantastic short on iTunes, and I assure you it’ll be £1.49 well spent!

9/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1047441/

Extra: Download the Bowie song whilst you’re on iTunes too!

Day 31: The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Day 31: The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006, Dir. Ken Loach)

The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a gripping political drama set against the backdrop of an occupied 1920’s Ireland.

This film is a truly fascinating one, and has a particularly hard hitting dramatic punch, something which many would expect from veteran director Ken Loach. Cillian Murphy plays an interesting and thought provoking lead here who not only gives an emotional depth to the film but also brings poignancy to the political tension.

Of course the true Irishness of this film must be questioned; basically how a film that feels particularly Irish in its subject matter might not be that Irish at all. Whilst this film might be director Ken Loach at his most visually stunning and gets some fantastically dramatic performances, we must remember he is not in fact Irish; and with the multi-national co-production that made this film wanted to portray this particular Irish story, much of the funding was from abroad. This raises some interesting questions in the films realistic portrayal and representation of events which must be considered. In many places the film seems to suffer from narrative redundancy, whilst this can be effective in giving more depth to the characters or showing of the idyllic landscape it ultimately drags the film down.

Overall this film is an effective one; it not only educates by giving an audience by way of an interesting insight into 1920’s Ireland but does so in a relentlessly brutal and engaging way.

6.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460989/

Extra: I was sitting on some really uncomfortable seats when I watched this…

Day 30: Zombieland.

Day 30: Zombieland (2009, Dir. Ruben Fleischer)

Another day another blog about Zombie’s, well today it’s last year's ace hit comedy Zombieland!

The comedy comes pretty thick and fast throughout this feature; plus there is the making a classic comedy character in the making with Woody Harrelson’s Tallahasse delivering some fantastic post apocalyptic one liners. The film holds its pace and mild threat of the oncoming undead which keeps the films comedy concept from going stale whilst providing a fair few gory splatters along the way. Zombies are never really shown as a horrific menace but more of an annoying obstacle and this is probably for the best as to not get bogged down in a dreary gore fest and instead deliver some truly amusing zombie kills. Initially the films “rules” seemed a bit gimmicky, but once you get in on the joke its quite fun to guess where the next rule will pop up. Once again in one of my review’s I have to give an honourable mention to the one and only Bill Murray, and once you’ve seen the film you’ll know why.

Of course it’s hard not to compare this to 2005’s fantastic zom-rom-com Shaun of the Dead. In fact any zombie comedy, or even any contemporary zombie movie is going to have to go quite a way to compete with this giant cult classic from director Edgar Wright. Fortunately the approach Zombieland takes to comedy is completely different and works all the better for it.

It’s genuinely hard not to enjoy this movie, it never feels as though its dragging or loosing its comedic punch, whilst perhaps not revolutionary or effective as Shaun it is still fresh and thrilling, not to mention relentlessly funny and a true joy to watch.

8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156398/

Extra: Favourite Zombie films anyone?

Day 29: Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Day 29: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001, Dir. John Cameron Mitchell)

Adapted from the popular cult musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a multi-layered tale telling the story of a German transsexual, whose self-styled rock stardom is flailing in 90’s America whilst her protégé, young rocker Tommy Gnosis, rises to stardom. The story is frantic, fun and outrageously camp and will speak volumes to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, or disenfranchised by their position.

With John Cameron Mitchell writing, starring and directing this film, it really proves to be a labour of love and this compelling enthusiasm really shines throughout. The characters, especially Hedwig get you hooked from the get go on this emotionally fuelled journey.

Gender queering is here dealt with in a rather unique and fascinating matter. Transsexuals can very easily be a point of controversy in films and this of course is no different, however it’s the unique differences in Hedwig’s gender and sexuality which complicate matters over about the topic even further. Having the character being forced into their gender is an interesting twist which raises a great deal of questions in Queer cinema. The East German setting to the characters back story adds a further level of complexity and intrigue, it is especially interesting to see these conflicting gender politics at work in a communist nation.

The music drives the emotional narrative like a classic record, with every song providing a stylish plot point and forwarding the story in a unique and involving way. Though much like any great record there are a few notes that fall flat, notably the country styled song half way through the film feels a bit weird however these gripes aren’t enough to detract the enjoyment you’ll get from the film.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch is an emotional, funny, heart-warming and ultimately uplifting story.

7.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0248845/

Extra: I challenge you to watch this and not want to listen to Lou Reed…

Day 28: Hulk Vs.

Day 28: Hulk Vs. (2009, Dir. Frank Paur, Sam Liu)

It’s Hulk Smash time in this Marvel animated movie of two halves. And it’s quite literally a film of two halves with half of the action revolving around Hulk taking on the mighty Thor and one half dealing with Hulk fighting everyone’s favourite mutant, Wolverine. This pretty much sums up most of what you need to know plot wise for the features and you’re half expected to just sit back and watch the carnage. However from the get go Hulk Vs. seems to feel like it will undoubtedly be a weird mish-mash of quality too.

First off it’s Hulk Vs. Wolverine. What surprised me is how violent this film was. It’s definitely not just another typical Saturday morning cartoon, limbs fly, blood splatters, arms are graphically ripped off in some truly exciting fight sequences. Then there is Thor. This story arc is seemingly more complex than that of Wolverine but it again seems to boil down to a series of punch ups, only this time with a less enthusiastic and a mock-Shakespearean script. However despite some story shortcomings, by the end of both sections you do become hooked and genuinely interested to see the respective outcomes. Of course seeing both segments on screen seems like a bit of a fanboy dream. And in regards to the fight sequences it pulls it off, with all the epic potential of these classic characters going at it in these big bouts. Plus there are enough geeky references from the iconic recreation of the wolf taking a drink next to Logan in the lake to the X-23 experiment to keep die hards happy.

Stylistically this film is a mixed bag, whilst being sleek in production providing some interesting interpretations of classic characters the animation used has some limitations. In Vs. Wolverine some of the cartoon like representations just look a bit peculiar whilst in Vs. Thor the visuals of Asgard never looks as epic as you’d hope. The other main problem with this is that it never really feels like it’s about The Hulk; whilst the big guy might not be the most interesting character in the Marvel universe you’d expect the story to feature him just a bit more. For this character development fans may have to look towards the recently released Planet Hulk animated feature.

This animated feature really highlights a lot of what is being done in current Marvel live action movies; in many ways it shows off the great potential these characters have and what stunning visuals we have to look forward to in the Thor movie, but it also makes you wonder about the chances Marvel are squandering. From last years devastatingly bland Wolverine live action film to the turbulent future of the Spider-man series, Marvel have got to be careful in delivering that not only appeals to fans but works too. Plus it shows that Deadpool can be a really funny and really effective character if done well, sorry Ryan…

Overall Hulk Vs. is a great double-bill; epic, exciting and quite literally smashing fun. In a way the two sequences are polar opposites of each other, but they are effective because of it, juxtaposing the Hulk in these two completely different stories works as an explosive animated adventure, whilst not being the strongest of narratives there is plenty action and scrapes to keep you interested for newbie’s and comics fans alike.

6.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1325753/

Extra: Avengers… Assemble!

Day 27: Survival of the Dead.

Day 27: Survival of the Dead (2009, Dir. George A. Romero)

In 1968 George A. Romero practically invented the modern Zombie film, he then went on to define it with the 1978’s Dawn of the Dead. In 1985 he continued the legacy with Day of the Dead. Twenty years later Romero returned to the franchise with Land of the Dead (2005) and Diary of the Dead (2007), now the 6th film, Survival of the Dead takes its place amongst one of horror cinemas biggest epics; but is it any good?

Much like I’ve mentioned in my Star Wars and Indiana Jones review’s any sequel (or indeed prequel) to such a loved franchise which is a long time coming is going to be the subject of some scrutiny. With many fans being so involved with the originals any new films are going to have a lot to live up to. But dismissing this film, or indeed any of the newer films by the auteur for just being new is completely unjust. Here Romero manages to take the series to new places and explores new territory giving us a really new and unique take on the tried and tested zombie formula.

However, in the modern cinema landscape zombies have became a bit old hat. They have either been amped up to be super-zombies like in 28 Days Later or The Dawn of the Dead remake or the un-dead have became somewhat of a shambling joke. Well this film proves that zombies still can have the horror bite if dealt with affectively. Of course Romero zombie films really work because they’re not actually about zombies at all. The zombies have always acted as a catalyst to expose a social tension in society and how this makes corrupt humans the real villains. That’s not to say this film doesn’t have its fair share of scares and gore too, gaining plenty of jumps and gross outs along the way. I’ll just add, watch out for the crow...

This instalment of the series also decided to focus on a supporting character from the previous film, a soldier that turns up for one scene where he seems to be a bit of a one dimensional dick. One of the most interesting aspects of this film is the depth his character develops from this and the journey he goes on. The two rival families provide an interesting tension in the narrative which does make for an intriguing plot. The plots core theme of family and survival is a problematic one which is interestingly explored. By not sticking to the interesting handheld visual approach he used in Diary of the Dead, Romero delivers one of his most visually stunning works with the rich landscape oozing a rustic beauty that is picturesque and atmospheric but also works very well for a horror film.

The film isn’t without its flaws; the fact that it is the 6th part of the story means that in some respects the flesh is starting to look a little less fresh. Some of the more unique zombie kills are a bit questionable, whilst being good ideas they occasionally fall to the productions lower budget. Not to say these kills aren’t a bit of fun gore too though, notable mention to the outrageous flare zombie. Whilst the characters themselves may have interesting traits, having the islanders as Irish descendents who are all farm workers and “simpler folk” seems to be a bit stereotypical and an easy characterisation. It is perhaps an easy criticism to say the social satire these films rely upon has been weakened of late due to there being 3 new films in the last decade, but I think it’s clear the director still has a lot to say and does it in a way few others can.

Survival of the dead may not be Romero’s finest work; not as iconic as Dawn or revolutionary as Night, however it does work fantastically well. It’s a gripping and brooding film that mixes drama, horror and social commentary, proving that after 40 years George still has plenty to show us in his Zombie genre.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1134854/

Extra: “Rrrrraaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh” Zombie. - http://tiny.cc/dkwPD

Day 26: Telstar.

Day 26: Telstar (2008, Dir. Nick Moran)

Telstar is the story of 60’s pioneering music producer Joe Meek. Meek is seen as a legend in the field of independent music production, creating a string of hits from his home recording studio. Though the story isn’t simply one of success but the effects it can have on the human psyche and the troubles frame can bring. This film draws upon the iconic music of the time whilst presenting a truly interesting character study.

Joe’s story is a one of great but tormented genius. A man of eccentricities and a troubled past who manages to achieve some dizzying highs but is cursed by his vision. It’s very interesting that despite his genius, Joe doesn’t often come across as the most likeable character. In fact the main bulk of the story revolves around Joe pushing away everyone who is close to him, with even the most light hearted scenes being able to ones turn into tense, paranoid and claustrophobic dramas. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Joe’s character is his homosexuality, something which was still a very dark subject matter at the time, and clearly something which fed into the darkness Joe felt. You often find yourself wincing at Joe’s mistakes; whilst sometimes humorous they repeatedly lead to darker areas. Con O’Neil plays the role of Joe and gives a truly passionate performance which is fuelled by a tremendous raw energy which you can’t take your eyes off.

The rest of the cast are a powerhouse of British performers ranging from comedy players like Ralph Little and James Corden to actual musicians such as Carl Barât providing the backdrop of various music personnel in the film. It’s this supporting cast that gives the film its fantastic humour that keeps the story moving, but they also give the depth the film needs for its emotional punches. Of course special mention has to go to the always fantastic Kevin Spacey seemingly being the most English of the bunch, in an effective and funny performance as Major Banks.

The aesthetics of the film are close to flawless with the look of 60’s London flowing through every frame. From Joe’s suits to the interior design the film looks right. Whilst techniques such as the disappearing effect and certain directorial flourishes make the film look amateurish the overall style and story prevail.

Ultimately, Telstar is a fantastic and unique biopic telling the tale of a very troubled but a quite fantastic man. The film balances emotion and humour effortlessly in a narrative wracked with tension set against an historic period in British musical history. Whilst the impact of Joe Meek is undoubtedly still alive in music today, the story of the man seems to have been forgotten; this film shows us behind the glitzy rock and roll curtain, an inspiring story of a musical visionary but also the daunting price the fame comes with.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068669/

Extra: Would I suit a stylish slicked back hairdo? Hmm…

Day 25: Pulgasari.

Day 25: Pulgasari (1985, Dir. Shin Sang-ok)

It would be impossible to review this film without giving it some context. This film is a North Korean monster movie produced by none other than Kim Jong-il, yes that Kim Jong-il. However Communist North Korea isn’t well known for its film auteurs so Kim ordered the kidnapping of South Korean director Shin Sang-ok and his wife so after keeping them prisoners for a few years, he could force Sang-ok to make some films. What could go wrong?

It’s certainly epic, you’ve got to give it that; and with all the money North Korea could throw at it you’d expect it to be! Plus thousands of soldiers from the North Korean army provide their services as extras, so the crowd scenes are definitely big. The monster itself is a pretty effective behemoth harking back to classic screen creatures such as Godzilla and King; whilst it may not be as visually iconic, and looks rather dated by today’s standards you simply can’t take your eyes off him every time he is on screen. Sometimes its because he looks a fairly laughable but I’ve seen a lot worse!

The story is of course trying to convey a certain message, and as you’d probably expect that’s a propaganda message about the positives of a collective against the evils of Capitalism. Fortunately the story does this in a fantastical way with the back drop of feudal Korea, plus with Sang-ok at the films helm it never seems like you’re having this political leaning shoved down your throat. The fact it tells this story by using a giant metal eating monster is what gives it some merit; and also this pretty much distracts from any serious connotations of Communism you may come away with.

Pulgasari is an oddity which will definitely baffle and leave you speechless, it may not be great but it’s one any film fan should see for its unreal legacy alone. It’s hard to imagine Kim Jong-il as any thing but the lonely-Cartman-like puppet from Team America, especially not an action movie producer but here he delivers something that will certainly intrigue film fans for years to come. And happily Shin Sang-ok and his wife escaped! Plus this film is probably still better than the American Godzilla…

4.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089851/

Extra: Baby Pulgasari is so cute…

Day 24: The Crying Game.

Day 24: The Crying Game (1992, Dir. Neil Jordan)

Early 90’s Oscar winner The Crying Game juxtaposes a gripping thriller and a tense love story with a big dose of Irish politics too.

The films twist is something which has become synonymous with its popularity, however there’s a lot more on offer from the films head on approach to themes of nationality, gender and identities. The character of Fergus goes on a really involving journey in this film. His story which you think is going to be his struggle with life as a terrorist in the IRA ultimately becomes a much more involving and personal affair, a very interesting case study into national identity clashing with personal traits. The characters of Dil and Jude also provide real emotional and dramatic weight to narrative.

The problem with this film is in parts it begins to feel a bit schmultzy and over emotional with some of its more tender moments relentlessly tugging on the heartstrings instead of opting for subtly. Oddly whilst playing one of the most interesting characters in the film, Forest Whitaker’s performance is hard to appreciate because of his truly peculiar accent. Another issue which this film can’t escape is one which curses a great deal of films, the problem is that it looks painfully 90’s, the hair, the clothes, the cars… but I suppose it could be worse!

Now that the dust has settled on the big twist this movie can surprise a whole new generation, and Jordan’s film still works with a real punch; combining a daring plot with genuine drama and real raw emotion.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104036/

Extra: I’m not going to give away the surprise here!

Day 23: The Crazies.

Day 23: The Crazies (2010, Dir. Breck Eisner)



Not so long ago I reviewed the George A. Romero original version and today it’s time for the new version, and 30 something years later they’re still pretty crazy…

Taking a leaf from another modern Romero remake, Zack Snyder’s 2004 take on Dawn of the Dead this version decides to amp up the scare factor to 11. Much like its remake companion, this film is a pretty loose re-do of the original, seeming to take only the title and basic premises from the first version, not necessarily a bad thing in that it distances itself from a cult classic. Whilst this version didn’t have as much to live up to as the Dawn remake it still never completely steps out of Romero’s shadow. Unfortunately it also falls under Snyder’s shadow by adapting the techniques that made his film a hit, most notably the use of contemporary Johnny Cash song for the films opening, though seemingly minor, it is these things that makes this film feel like a watered down sequel.

The real imposing threat of the original to me was the military presence; however these villains seem pretty much squandered here. Keeping the iconic gas masks but dropping the chemical suits would seem to be a plus, but in doing so these characters lose that something which made them memorable. The problem with this version is that it needlessly humanises the soldiers. Obviously in this current war stricken climate it isn’t easy to portray a normal foot soldier as a heartless killer, especially when it comes to shooting unarmed civilians; but this change in turn just sucks all of the terror out of these characters.

Not to say that this film is a complete wash-out, the problem is it’s just a bit bland. For every exciting sequence such as the car wash there are twice as many clichéd ones, every great bit of gore just gets overused and whilst Timothy Olyphant might give a great performance everyone else is just a bit unmemorable.

It’s got its fair share of scrapes and scares but these Crazies never really get going, a paint by numbers horror film that drops the social commentary and chills for action and jumps. A fair but forgettable remake that doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

5.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455407/

Extra: Bought Romero’s Survival of the Dead on DVD today, eep!

Day 22: Alien Apocalypse.

Day 22: Alien Apocalypse (2005, Dir. Josh Becker)

You find yourself watching some pretty naff films sometimes; and this easily could be one of them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it too if you take it for what it is.

The film was made for the American Sci-Fi Channel and so it delivers a story that it knows will work for its desired audience; a post apocalyptic world provides the setting whilst the narrative is mixed with sci-fi, action, horror, elements of fantasy adventure and a bit of comedy too. The film knows it isn’t Citizen Kane but it deals with this by playing to its strengths. The aliens taking all of Earths wood is an interesting idea in this current eco climate, however the big piles of wood can’t help but looking a bit cheap. Whilst Becker’s direction never really rises above the standards of low budget TV shows a few Sam Raimi-esque visual flourishes do manage to seep through.

Though with its TV budget in mind the title alien’s are pretty effective; yes they do look CGI and the green goo is a bit crap but they do manage to look pretty imposing by utilising the productions limited funds; but most importantly they manage to be an interesting interpretation of invaders, this is achieved by showing aspects of the alien culture such as their burial ceremonies and how they interact with the humans.

Of course many will find this film because of its cult icon star, Bruce Campbell. As always Bruce provides, comedy, action and horror in his trade mark idiot to hero way. Whilst it may not be his best work, it is far from his worst. Bruce makes this film work like very few other actors would have been able too, taking a some what dopey idea and a limited production and giving it merit, making it fun and drastically increasing its watchability.

A definite must for any contemporary B-movie fans or anyone looking for something a bit different from an action film, it knows its cheap and it knows its cheesy but its pretty good fun along the way too.

5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404756/

Extra: Where does he get that sword from?

Day 21: The Rutles.

Day 21: The Rutles: All You Need is Cash (1978, Dir. Eric Idle, Gary Weis)

Before there was Spinal Tap there were The Rutles in All You Need is Cash; these Liverpool Pre-fab Four are shown conquering the music world in the 60’s a bit like that other band, what’re they called again…

The film is a very charming parody, and indeed is very funny but relies on you to be up on your Beatles trivia to get half of the references. Sequences and tales hold a mirror up to the real life events of band but know how to turn them into amusing spoofs. Eric Idle clearly has a great passion for The Beatles when so much care has been taken in replicating key events from their past but he also knows how to do it whilst capturing the comedy of The Monty Python team and the fun and humour of The Beatle too. And indeed a great deal is tackled from The Beatles history from their film career and appearances on the Ed Sullivan show to quite a scathingly funny take on Yoko Ono. This affection for the subject matter can also be seen in the music of The Rutles, whilst they are pretty close Beatles parodies they are clearly crafted from fondness.

There is also a great cast of cameos in this film from Bill Murray and Mick Jagger to John Belushi and George Harrison himself! They’re all funny in their own right adding a unique twist to the film. It is Mick Jagger in particular who provides some of the best scenes, utilising some fantastic dead pan humour.

The Rutles is a really fun watch, a must for all Beatles and Monty Python fans alike, a good humoured and loving tribute film that is a bit fuzzy and nostalgic but also knows how to be a very funny mockumentary too.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077147/

Extra: Anyone for Tea?

Day 20: Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull.

Day 20: Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull (2008, Dir. Steven Spielberg)

Cinematic controversy has followed George Lucas for the last decade. Firstly people weren’t happy with a certain series of prequels and then there was this. I believe that this needless Lucas bashing is just a bit lazy, and all of these films prove in one way or another that Lucas isn’t just in it for the money, but is in it to continue delivering these fantastic stories.

This film is beautiful. It’s impossible not to describe the film’s visuals as stunning, and not just the action set pieces and CGI but everything from the lighting to locations all dazzle and are clearly created under the well experienced hand of Spielberg with a genuine passion for the franchise. Of course you can’t mention the beauty of this film without referencing John Williams fantastic score, but I suppose at this stage in his career it’s a given. This film features many sequences that stand alongside the series greats; the gruesome ant scene, the nostalgic Area 51 opening, the campus bike chase and yes THAT fridge escape isn’t all that bad either!

The alien problem isn’t really a problem at all, and certainly not dismissible for just being an unbelievable twist. The MacGuffins of the series are always a bit of a stretch; from boxes that melt people’s faces off to a magic cup, so the idea of an alien skull isn’t completely outrageous. The interesting twist on the religious iconography also gives an interesting slant to the series and proves to be genuinely thrilling and unexpected.

This moving of the series to the 1950’s works for the film, for one the series needs to move along with Harrison Ford’s age, but because of that we get the intriguing WW2 backstory and the subtle aging of the classic characters. The Russians fill the Nazi villains’ shoes well, with the cold war undercurrent keeping the tension moving along and mixing in some genuine paranoia of the day into the narrative. The different array of characters this time period gives us also adds something fresh to the mix. Perhaps though the best asset of this film is its change in genre, having moved on from an adventure serial of the 30’s to a B-movie of the 50’s there is a very exciting feeling of seeing a well loved character dealing with something different. And to have all of this delivered with the same exhilarating action and sense of adventure of the original 3 films, places this instalment effortlessly alongside its predecessors.

Not to say that there aren’t flaws in the film, Ray Winstone for one… But these can be easily overlooked when you realise how much fun you can have with this film. With the adventure of Raiders, the drama of Temple and the excitement of The Last Crusade all shining through in this 4th instalment, Dr. Jones has been gone too long, and hopefully he’ll be back again soon.

7.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367882/

Extra: The title is a bit of a mouth full mind…

Day 19: Alice in Wonderland.

Day 19: Alice in Wonderland – 3D (2010, Dir. Tim Burton)

After a rather gushing review of Tim Burton’s Ed Wood yesterday today I am turning to his most recent release. This film is an interesting one, and does well for not being just another adaptation of the original story. However the semi-sequel dwells to much on its kooky nature than its ropey narrative.

Burton clearly revels in the visual world he has created here, and indeed there are some stunning landscapes here even if we have seen Burton create them again and again. Special mention has to go to the castle aesthetics which are quite dazzling. These scenes of visual beatuy which really spoiled us in the promotional material for this film arguably set the bar higher than was ever to be reached in the actual film. Whilst the 3D does give depth to some of the landscapes it is completely abused in the action sequences being used for cheap jump moments and scares. Some moments of Burtonesque genius do seep through in both visuals and tone and they can prove to be unique and creepy but many others feel like cheap quirky throw away jokes.

The characters generally are a bit lacking; the Queens are interesting enough but ultimately squandered opportunities whilst Alice is annoyingly dull to watch. Whilst Depp as The Mad Hatter is an appealing character he is also heavily flawed. The problem is that he is either a supporting character who is overused or a main character who isn’t fleshed out enough. Depp plays the character well but it feels like a phoned in mish-mash of his previous collaborations with Burton all awkwardly mixed together.

There are some great vocal performances in the film, notably from Christopher Lee, Alan Rickman and Stephen Fry all giving weight to the film but its simply not enough to sustain this would be fantasy epic.

Essentially I wanted to enjoy this film, I was waiting for something amazing to happen to win me over; instead I was underwhelmed by a bit of a mess. Epic and interesting moments with some visual flair that get lost and washed away under a sea of mediocrity like oysters on the beach.

5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/

Extra: Is Almost Alice worth listening too?

Day 18: Ed Wood.

Day 18: Ed Wood (1994, Dir. Tim Burton)

One of the finest hours for Burton/Depp collaborations, telling the tale of some real life Hollywood stars trying to make a great film that proves to be outrageously funny and oddly inspiring.

Johnny Depp gives a great performance as Ed, a genuinely funny turn as the underdog director; getting laughs in all the right places with the right mix of childish charm, enthusiasm and pure idiocy. But it is Martin Landau who steals the show as an aging horror icon Bela Lugosi. You really believe it is Bela in the film not only sharing his rich acting past, his wit and unique life story but his darker side too.

As a director, I think Tim Burton delivers a really beautifully shot film, and I think this partly due to the real life story he is conveying and the fact it is shot in Black & White. Whilst not as creatively directed as something like Edward Scissorhands, Burton gets a chance to extend his talent to other areas of the film and not seem to be distracted by gothic visuals or a vivid colour pallet. I’m not saying this merely because it is in vogue and easy to pick on Burton for some of his questionable latter day works, but because I think it is clear that when a concern for characters and story telling takes over, Burton can give some of his best work which is still distinctly his own. Burton clearly has a personal passion for the classic horror films of this time and the adventure of low budget film making and this real love for the material shines through here.

The final stretch of the movie suffers and feels a bit drawn out due to the loss of Bela, an unavoidable problem when you’re dealing with a biopic and a problem too that clearly struck Ed. However these problems are outweighed by many other great moments, witty looks at underground film making and some unique performances. The always fantastic Bill Murray as Bunny is a particular comedy highlight whilst the Orson Welles meeting and revelation provides a heart warming sequence that lifts the film up to be quite an inspirational one. Admittedly the biopic itself takes some creative license regarding some issues but ultimately becomes a better and funnier film because of it.

A fantastic biopic of a really interesting time for American cinema, far away from the bright lights of the mainstream. A true story too bizarre not to be real, dazzlingly funny, a touching tribute and a great tale of an underdog just about making it. Whilst Plan 9 From Outer Space will always be considered the real Ed’s “classic”, here is where he gets his master piece.

8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109707/

Extra: It’s funny to think that this films title sequence probably had as much money spent on it as all of the real Ed Woods movies!

Day 17: The Quiet Man.

Day 17: The Quiet Man (1952, Dir. John Ford)

John Wayne stars here as an Irish-American returning to his original home land after some mysterious circumstances to find his roots, a simpler life and love.

This film is essentially an American love letter to Ireland. The location shots of Ireland utilise the countries natural and idyllic beauty that yearns back to a simpler time. Director John Ford clearly revels in these surrounding, delivering shot after shot of rolling hills and babbling brooks, harking back to the stunning landscapes he showed in his work with Westerns such as The Searchers.

Though the interiors of the film pale in comparison at the beauty of the exterior locations. Whilst still being well crafted sequences it seems as though Ford does not know what to do to bring these scenes to life, and so they can’t help but fall flat when compared to those of the natural settings.

The plot is good natured and very of the time, it is a mix of romance, comedy and drama that ultimately works. The backdrop of Ireland is pivotal to holding the film together, romanticising its landscape and its people beyond believable reality and deciding to safely stay away from real issues of Irish history. However the film progresses and remains a compelling watch and a fun one too. The characters occasionally stray into stereotype country, though these all manage to feel acceptable within the film, plus there is quite an interesting revelation about Wayne’s character adding a lot to his performance. Essentially, Quiet Man works as a perfect film for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Overall The Quiet Man stands the test of time, whilst perhaps not being a classic in regards to its actual plot and realisation; the film will always be seen as timeless, showing the American love for Ireland, whilst being an interesting case study for Ireland as a national cinema.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045061/

Extra: Mush-Mush-Mush Tural-i-addy…

Day 16: Logorama.

Day 16: Logorama (2009, Dir. François Alaux, Herve de Crecy, Ludovic Houplain)

I had never heard of this short film before yesterday, in fact I doubt many people had to be honest. Thank God it won this years Oscar for Best Animated Short Film which will hopefully gain it the publicity it deserves.

In many ways it seems peculiar that this short looks so beautiful and feels so engaging when you consider its setting and players; over 2,500 corporate Logos. You can’t help but play the Logo spotting game throughout this, picking out the colourful symbols and figures which does become quite fun in itself, until you realise what you’re doing. And when you do realise what it is you’re doing, the true purpose of the film prevails. It obviously seems like the aim of this film to show how much our everyday life is saturated with brand identities and associations; in modern society we literally can’t turn a corner without seeing the Starbucks Logo or that giant M, and in the end we might as well be shown as our brand, be it by Pringles, AOL Messenger or even The Jolly Green Giant!

Ronald McDonald may seem like a bit of a lazy choice for a villain in this post-Super Size Me age, but ultimately it’s a choice that works, proving its point and managing to be a pretty funny play on the character too. The real life living symbol of 21st Century consumer culture.

At times the Logo reveals and uses can be very clever too, and prove to be an interesting and amusing critique of their brand, this can be seen in the Xbox, Nickelodeon and MGM symbols that all pop up through-out the feature. The plot never tries to take over these visual gags and the overall message of the film, happily just being a fun action film/Pulp Fiction parody racing along in a blaze of gun fights and car chases. With the French creators of Logorama giving another sly wink to the Americanisation of society.

This bitter-sweet and biting short proves to be a beautiful and thought provoking one, what it may lack in subtlety it makes up for in creativity. Overall, a well deserved Oscar win for a fascinating and quirky film.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1563725/

Extra: Spot the “Slurm” Futurama fans!

Day 15: Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.

Day 15: Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983, Dir. Richard Marquand)

(2004 DVD Edition)

Just over 2 weeks ago when I started this blog I decided there would be no better place to start than The Empire Strikes Back; so it seems only fitting that I follow up with the 6th Star Wars film. Return of the Jedi is the perfect climax in the Star Wars saga, not only working as a brilliant adventure film in its own right, but an amazing ending to one of the most loved film franchises of all time.

There are a great deal of highlights throughout the film, a fantastic space battle, an emotionally charged lightsaber fight, a heart pounding speeder bike chase, a vast array of visual delights and classic characters plus even a musical number thrown in for good measure. The film ticks all the right boxes whilst hurtling towards its conclusion. And of course as always, John Williams’ music and Ben Burt’s sound design enhance the films performance making this film another classic that will always be remembered in cinema history.

However Jedi seems to carry around a great deal of negative associations, perhaps most obviously this comes in the form of the Ewoks. Whilst a bit fuzzy compared to some of the other aliens of the series they’re not really all that bad, and whilst they do stretch the believability of the plot to its limit, it’s ultimately forgivable.
Even this recent DVD release of the film has been a topic of some debate amongst Star Wars fans with its inclusion of Naboo in the final celebrations and the appearance of a certain ghost. As with my review of Empire, I am fully in support of these changes and tweeks, and whilst being controversial I believe they have all been added for the benefit of giving the best possible story.

Darth Vader cuts a very different figure here compared to that of A New Hope or Empire; whilst still iconic and imposing, here Vader predominantly seems like a defeated man. A man recovering from defeat at the end of Empire and fighting for his place and purpose in the universe. This conflicted struggle and eventual salvation is a fantastic pay off to a film series which ultimately tells the story of the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker. And having watched the characters story it is impossible for the viewer not to be taken in with the emotion of his redemption.
It is The Emperor that brings the real villainous element to Return of the Jedi, and he does so fantastically with a genuinely unnerving presence and performance. The venomous dialogue which he delivers easily places him amongst cinemas most memorable villains, and certainly one of the series greatest characters.

My opinion of this film is always going to be a very personal one, having grown up as a big Star Wars fan when I was younger for many years the was my absolute favourite film, but I certainly don’t think my high praise was misplaced. Jedi offers impressive excitement, drama, terror, spectacle and thrills all in abundance; delivering a powerful and fitting conclusion to the Star Wars saga.

9/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086190/

Extra: If I get round to reviewing Battle for Endor prepare for a slightly less gushing review…

Day 14: Chasing Amy.

Day 14: Chasing Amy (1997, Dir. Kevin Smith)

It’s quite easy to forget that Chasing Amy is not just a Ben Affleck romantic comedy or an ironic slice of Kevin Smiths Askewneverse; with Jay and Silent Bob popping up for good measure, but a seriously well crafted moving and heartfelt drama; which can be very funny too.

Queering of relationships and sexual politics was a topic that was delved into a fair bit in the 80’s and 90’s, especially in alternative American cinema. There are varied takes on the subject matter all with varying levels of success and some very different approaches. Chasing Amy is a very unique view of this culture and can be poignantly summed up by its posters tag line “It’s not who you love. It’s how.” This proves to be an interesting standpoint showing how complex a relationship can truly be, and how learning about your lover can cause your whole world to come crashing down. The various opinions about gay life addressed in the film by various characters proves to be a fascinating factor too, further addressing the fact that a relationship and someone’s sexuality isn’t simply black or white. This backdrop for the film is a very effective one, never feeling like it is stereotyping the gay community nor feeling like it is being preachy; but instead showing a very complex and confusing way of life that effects a lot of people.

Ben Affleck delivers a performance which ranks up there with the highlights of his career. Indeed in recent years it became cool to say Affleck is a bit of a hammy actor, but that certainly can’t be said after watching this film. His character Holden, is not only likeable but also annoyingly flawed at the same time, and it is these flaws which make him such an interesting character to follow. This perhaps most effectively climaxes with Holden’s relationships all unravelling into an emotional crash crash, we know what is coming from his confrontation at the end of the film but you can’t tear yourself away from the situation he is creating for himself, whilst also genuinely feeling for him.

Smith too proves he is not just restrained to comic irony, observations and a slew of cultural references, but can deliver an effective emotional punch. Of course the humour that runs throughout this film and can be considered amongst his best, with some fantastic comebacks and one liners. But it is the raw emotion that is tapped into which is Smiths strongest suit, the situations and story telling which all sound like they have came from his real life, and are shown here as a realistic and effective exploration of relationships, a topic that many viewers will be able to relate too.

Jason Lee has to be mentioned too, providing a classic comedy character in Banky, whilst outrageously vulgar he remains undoubtedly funny.

Even if Chasing Amy is beginning to look its age with some questionable 90’s styles on display here (all of Affleck’s wardrobe!) and some ideas that don’t quite manage to work or pan out, the film stands as one of the directors and stars best to date. Effortlessly jumping from being devastatingly witty to painfully heart wrenching, intelligent and unique to provocative and sharp, and then back to incredibly funny again, a must see.

7.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118842/

Extra: Also, how young is Matt Damon here?

Day 13: Them!

Day 13: Them! (1954, Dir. Gordon Douglas)

The threat of Nuclear exposure and the red menace proves to be as much of a threat as giant ants in this creature feature; effectively praying on Cold War fear and paranoia whilst providing some genuine scares.

Whilst the ant effects might not cut it by today’s high tech standards, this film still manages to be a pretty creepy watch. A tense plot is held together with fear and suspense, developing from a police drama into a sci-fi horror, with a bit of a science lesson thrown in for good measure. The backdrop of the Cold War gives this film an interesting setting and lets us look at how national threats could be dealt with at the time; well at least if those threats were giant bugs. The fact is this film never gives in to being a campy or silly B-movie but carries itself with real drama and suspense, and doesn’t merely rely on the creatures themselves for cheap scares. It is interesting to consider how much horror conventions have changed today, and how a modern film would often struggle with the subtlety of suspense to deliver an unnerving scene or a fright.

Of course despite these real world comparisons the film is still a lot of fun; and it is pretty amusing seeing the dodgey giant ants for the first time, but you’ll probably get a bit creeped out along the way too!

Them! easily stands the test of time by not merely relying on retro cheesiness to appeal a modern audience, but delivers a strong and gripping story of terror in 50’s America. A film that effortlessly takes its place amongst the classic monster movies of all time.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047573/

Extra: Apparently when this movie was first released in Sweden, it was strangely named "Spindlarna" (which translates as 'The Spiders')

Day 12: Hercules in New York.

Day 12: Hercules in New York (1970, Dir. Arthur Allan Seidelman)

You know when how people say “Well that’s an hour and a half of my life I’m never going to get back” when they’ve watched a bad movie? Well fortunately this movie is only 87 minutes long!

It is stupid from start to finish, with ropey acting and a budget of about 50p to go on, but to be honest its quite good fun, and not to mention campy and kitschy as hell. There is a lot of muscles on show here, and a lot of shirts being taken of and all because… actually there isn’t a reason behind it, just a lot of big men deciding to take their tops off whenever they do anything. The plot is outrageous but is quirky and fun if you manage to just switch your brain off, plus it never really lingers long enough to become dull.

Hercules comes off as a douche for a good chunk of the film; at the start he is like a whiney teenager who is bored and angry at his dad, then when he comes to Earth he just starts beating a lot of people up for no good reason. But soon enough you get used to his fish out of water antics and they can be pretty amusing, whilst always verging on the bizarre. From recognising statues of Greek Gods as friends, calling cars chariots and being a bit sexist too his antics are strangely compelling and entertaining. Plus he fights a bear! A bear! I mean I ask you!

But anyway, as Arnies first big screen appearance this is a strange one, he hasn’t quite made the leap from strong man to film star yet, but he certainly exudes a strange presence every time he is on screen which keeps you watching. It is interesting that because of his accent, the original release of this film was dubbed; though the current DVD is all Arnold, and all the better for it! This version of the film shows his raw and somewhat shakey performance in all its glory. In many ways its strange to think that this man would go on to be one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and then on to being a politician. Here though you can just sit back and take in a very perculiar performance, but one which is undoubtedly his. Ah well, hang in there Arnie, only a decade to go before Terminator…

I would recommended watching this film, even if I’m not entirely sure why. It’s an oddity, but a fun one and definitely one which you’ve got to see to believe!

4/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065832/

Extra: Anyone else just a bit excited to see Arnie, Sly and the gang in The Expendables later this year?

Day 11: The Simpsons Movie.

Day 11: The Simpsons Movie (2007, Dir. David Silverman)

There seem to be some mixed feelings about The Simpsons these days, a lot of people seem to think the show has lost its way, is no longer funny and is simply inferior to the many other animated comedy shows out there. Well they mustn’t have seen The Simpsons Movie.

For me, there are many reasons why this movie works but on a ground level its simple, this movie is funny. And its not just funny for Simpsons fans; it’s a genuinely smart comedy giving out one liners, sight gags, slapstick humour and clever witticisms left, right and centre, truly delivering something for everyone. A pivotal factor in The Simpsons jump to the big screen is that it never feels small; it isn’t just a couple of episodes loosely strung together, it’s a great and compelling story that has you giggling from the get go. It seems common when a television show gets bigger it rarely gets better, but this is a testament that it can be done and done well by a talented team, remaining as funny as it has ever been and having a strong story to match.

The team in question use classic Simpsons humour, mixing it alongside doses of the outrageous style the show seems to have adapted in recent years, but both methods are effective; and with both ways working there is twice the amount of great comedy. The thing that will always put The Simpsons ahead of its peers is that it is not only very funny, but its very clever too, and it knows its clever. The film, much like the show takes every opportunity to cram in joke upon joke into every scene. This depth demands viewers to want to make repeat viewings, and in doing so you get a new laugh every time.

We also get to see the strength of the films writing with the eco sub-plot. Not merely a plot device, but a point highlighting a serious issue and something that the films creators seem to have a genuine concern about. However it is the ability to make light of this whilst still showing it is an actual real world problem that makes this factor work particularly well, being funny and also educating viewers.

The animation makes everything in this film look fantastic, and that’s no easy feat. After 20 years of the programme being on our screens it would be very easy to become complacent and just use the regular animation we’re used to. Fortunately the animation on display here is so loving crafted it is on par with any of the better feature animations out there today, hand animated and CG alike. Plus with the added bonus of the widescreen ratio, the film is given exceptional depth and detail, which treat us to the hard work that has gone into the art of every scene.

All of the Springfield regulars get a glimpse at the big screen too with everyone’s favourite getting a one liner along the way, it’s a shame we don’t get to see more from some of the classic characters but its always better to be left wanting more. And in doing do we get some ace new characters instead, especially the fantastic President Schwarzenegger and Tom Hanks scenes!

No, this film isn’t perfect but it does get a lot right on the money; for everybody watching there will be a few dud jokes and misfires (Alaskan tribes woman?) but the rapid rate of high class comedy will have you laughing again soon enough. Let’s just hope its not another 20 years before The Simpsons 2!

8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462538/

Extra: I still think Simpsons is better than Family Guy too!

Day 10: Shiri.

Day 10: Shiri (1999, Dir. Kang Je-gyu)

This South Korean thriller is an entertaining enough film following attempted assassinations and a rocky relationship all whilst the nation prepares for a football match with North Korea, or something like that…

Disregarding a great deal of plot development and instead drawing heavily upon a Hollywood action movie style, this film manages to be a pretty convincing thriller but there is little else on offer. Kang Je-gyu proves he is a competent director when it comes to gun fights and increasing the explosive tension for the films climax. And Some of the action is indeed effective, but often feels unnecessarily big, brash and pointless, especially when there is another darkly lit shoot-out slotted into the narrative every 15 minutes or so.

The real drama here revolves around the thorny subject of Korean reunification in the late 90’s, and this is a very unique context for a thriller, providing an interesting social setting whilst highlighting issues facing both countries, issues which continue to be topical to this day. Unfortunately any narrative interest that is created through the political aspect of the story is countered by the romantic elements, which quickly turn from an intriguing emotional connection to an overly bloated plot point; slowing down the film and losing the audiences interest in any of the drama it has created.

Shiri never really punches above being an adequate action film; some nice ideas, ok characters, a few exciting fights and set pieces all wrapped up in an interesting political setting, but it never manages to gel enough to make this the great action thriller its wants to be.

5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192657/

Extra: Not a good film for fish fans either. Eek…

Day 9: Horse Feathers.

Day 9: Horse Feathers (1932, Dir. Norman Z. McLeod)

Despite not sharing the high acclaim of Duck Soup or A Night at the Opera, this Marx Brothers film still delivers in spades; with all of the anarchic humour, witty one liners and general absurdity you’d expect.

Each of the 4 brothers adds something distinctly of their own to the mix, if you don’t find yourself what’s happening on screen one minute then there will be something right round the corner that’ll get you instead!

The opening music number is one of the most peculiar song and dance numbers you’ll ever see on screen, but its classic Groucho and if you’re anything like me it’ll be stuck in your head all day too! The token harp and piano sequences are sliced into the film as any Marx fan will have come to expect, but its not all that bad. Plus all 4 variations of “Everyone Says I Love You” work very well, from the romantic to the bizarre, see Harpo whistling to his horse to see what I mean.

The films college football and gangster sub plots adequately string the jokes together, but you never really have to worry about any of that kind of thing as they always take a bit of a back seat to the comedy, and you’ll be glad it they do with the some of the classic one liners on display. Though it is perhaps these weaker plot points that makes Horse Feathers pale in comparison to some of the other early work by the Brothers, and in some ways makes the film seem a bit forgettable.

It’s a shame that the only version of this film that exists today is incomplete; over the years due to damage, decay and censorship; however it still manages to hold up despite a few jump cuts. By the end you’ll be wanting to watch some more fantastic Marx Brothers comedy soon, I know I am!

7.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023027/

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