Ecstasy in 35mm

It was my great pleasure the other day to see at the courtesy of my work place Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, I shall come back to the film later I am however more concerned with describing and discussing the experience in general. You must understand that this was no ordinary film viewing in regards to my usual film viewing. This film is an old 80’s high school classic, and it was on its original 35mm ream. This may seem small and insignificant to many but it really isn’t for a number of reasons. The fact of the matter is that unless you are desperate to see a film you might as well wait for it to come out on DVD or at least till it can be downloaded, and what with the difference in release dates with some films it’s occasionally possible to download a film in good quality before its release here in Britain. So the only real reason to go to see it on the big screen is for the sake of seeing it on the big screen, for the experience. Seeing emotions, action and in depth stories on the big screen is now an experience in amazing detail with fantastic resolution and definition. With new technology being advanced everyday films having amazing special effects that can create whole new worlds and if 3D prevails films can literally leap out at you. There is something that seems to make the emotions we experience bigger the bigger the picture is. What was different about this was that the resolution was distinctly poor, there were scratches, a constant hissing and the film jumped with the sound not even fitting in places. It was gloriously flawed, and something about this flawed nature seemed to give the film a greater effect then any amount of realism in the picture or special effects or 3D ever could. It felt more like a movie. I knew that that morning our only fully trained projectionist had come in, taken the reels out of their casings and spliced them together as best he could with the old materials, something that took him years to master and genuine skill to get it right. It seems odd but seeing the cigarette burned image really reminded me that films are an art form and I think at time modern technology can shroud that. It was strange that the viewing was truly fantastic because it was 35mm. On the other hand though the movie by itself was pretty good…

The classic tale of the infamous Ferris’ escape from school on a beautiful day with his girlfriend and best friend, evading the determined principle and dodging family members is one most people will know if not seen themselves. How the young run from growing up to spend a day basking in sheer experience whilst also tackling a number of the issue they are growing up with as well as looking at the potentials of the future is a wonderful storyline. I do find myself taking the view that this story is not about the titular character, he is actually a plot device, the focus is his friend Cameron. The lonely hypochondriac with a depressing outlook and uncaring parents is dragged into a world of pure enjoyment and discovery, stripping away his morose nature by introducing him to possibilities and showing him who he can be. Of course Ferris still features heavily, with him and Sloan showing Cameron how life can be on their at time unbelievable adventure. Amidst their youthful abandon we also see the cynical principle out to catch the undisciplined wolf amongst the sheep of his students, as well as following the angry jealous sister. This film that pokes fun at the stern nature and expectations of adulthood as well as some films is a great classic. Though at times the story goes beyond the believable and into a ridiculous tangent it generally sticks to a just about believable plot with hilarious hi-jinks as set in motion by Ferris who kicks down the fourth wall and talks directly to the audience involving them. A great and funny film that makes you want to take the advice of Ferris, to stop and view the world.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, AWESOME!

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a film that has been eagerly awaited for a while now, not least for its impressive cast. It is also monumental proof that a large budget film can be made with out the need for hollywood. Away from those bright lights something immense has been made.

The film follows Smiley, a spy who is retired after a nasty incident in Hungary. However when fears of a Russian mole at the very top of the service he used to be in he gets called back into action. Spying on the spys he used to go to christmas parties with Smiley must think back to all that he used to know and combine it with new information to discover who the traitor is. The plot is long and winding, it slips back and forth between the current mess and all those memories of the past that Smiley links with the case. Unfortunately to say much more of the plot woul be to spoil watching as there are many twists and red herrings.

This film is indepth and complicated and in that is it's greatest acclimation and it's worst criticism. Though I have to admit I love any film that really makes me think it must also be admitted that this film seems longer than it is and at times goes beyond complicated and into confusing. Several points in the plot are left to our decision as to the reasoning behind them or their significance, nothing major obviously. What really helps hold up the intricate twists and turns of this fantastic spy thriller is the acting, Gary Oldman leads a star cast that at no point diappoints. I peg this film to sweep up many an award, and more importantly deserves them. A fantastic film that I encourage all to go see, probably with mysef as I will undoubtedly see it again a couple of times before it leaves the cinemas.

A Classic Classically done

Jane Eyre the renowned novel by Charlotte Bronte is a story of romance, deciet, trust and struggle. It is a story many know, and one that has been re-made several times in numerous styles and fasions. So what does Cary Fukunaga bring to this well rehearsed tale. On the surface not much, the story is follow the original closely with little deviation save for some changed lines and missing sentances. The setting is that stated in the book and all the props and clothing follow. There is nothing spectacularly different from this invisaging of the work. Yet I would still say that this was a fantastic vision of the classic and a damned good film. Why? Execution! This film is wonderfully shot, the scenes are stunning, the direction fantastic, the props perfect to the era and to top it off the acting is superb. Micheal Fassbender gives his character Mr Rochester and amazing sense of presence and plays the brooding, yet also emotionally expressive character to near perfection giving him his strange charm. Next to him Mia Wasikowska Gives the titular character the right amount of defiance and independance to portray the determined yet soulful woman. The support cast are also fantastic, not letting up the quality in anyway and always helping to create the desired effect of the period and story.

Yes this film is not fantastically original and it has many predecessors, yes the story is at times dull and is not the most inspiring to grace literature. However it is a good story with parts many can relate to even now, and the twists still genuinly feel unexpected. A good classic story, filmed fantastically, acted amazingly. Execution makes this what it is!

Vincent

FUCK OFF AMERICA!!!

The other night I went and saw a film that was innovative, funny, shocking, well written, well filmed, different and just generally amazing, it was also in Norwegian and with sub titles. It has barely been released and America has decided to do a remake, because apparently it's too much for people to be encouraged to go see an original film if it also involves reading. Fucking hell.

The Troll Hunter is a mocumentary about a group of college kids go off to film a mysterious man and get to the bottom of some parculiar bear shootings. What they discover, they could never have imagined. After following Hans, a supposed bear poacher they are attacked in the night and he says something baffeling. Thus begins the adventure into discovering the nations secret creatures: trolls. As they follow Hans about on his job of troll containment they learn all there is to know about trolls as well as why no one knows about them.

It is hard to describe this film and its content due to the simple fact that is something you really need to see more than read about. The visuals are stunning as stunning as the landscapes and the details are as indepth as they are peculiar. A lot of thought has gone into this film to ensure continuity as well as fun. This is truely something original that I would implore all to go see, it has been a while since I saw an adult film this different. More importantly I implore you to see this version, rather than the remake as this original deserves all the credit it can get.

The Swill List

I was going to make thise entry about some other recently watched films, and have no fear they will be reviewed today or perhaps tomorrow, however last night I watched a film that was in my personal opinion terrible. Simply bad. It occured to me that going against the general concept of a critic all my reviews up until this point have been fairly posotive and approving. So it is with a strange glee that I now move for the kill on Kill List. But beware I shall be without mercy and without care for revealing the full plot. Spoilers ahead!

The film opens with a gritty hyper real look at a troubled couple suffering from financial difficulties, martial stress, raising a child and lack of work. And thus the film continues though the reason behind the lack of work becomes more complicated and it becomes evident that the man called jay cannot work due to something that happened on his last job. Plot twist one, he is no ordinary man out of work from back problems, he is infact a contract killer. When friends come round for a party the next job is discussed and there is a major argument between the lead couple. We are also introduced to a friend who works with Jay, Gal is a charming and merry Irish man who is also a cold contract killer. At this point Gal's girlfriend goes into a bathroom and scores a symbol upon the back of a mirror, a symbol previously shown in the opening titles. Moving on from this point Jay and Gal, the two Musketeers as they proclaim, go off on their questionable start. But the first kill seems with out reason, they are expected, and the priest thanks them. So begins the intrigue. On to number two, he also thanks them though they are incredibly violent upon discovering he keeps snuff childporn. They also find in a safe a wad of money and a file on them. Jay howevere cares not for the thickening of the plot and goes off on one killing those who made the film in violent self righteousness. So far everything is going ok I guess, they return home for a brief spell as Gal wants to quit, but after Jay's beloved cat is killed and the man who contracted them issues a severe threat it is back to last but not least number three the M.P. This particular minister of parliment is wealthy with a large estate, oh and before I forget he is also linked to some questionable possibly Pagan group that walk through his estate naked save for straw masks carrying torches till they reach a gallows where one of their number willingly hangs herself. Jay cirtainly does not like this and openning fire upon the group whom he percieves as evil leads to a tense chase through some tunnels by mainly naked Pagans with torches who, for no explainable reason, squeal like piggies. From here on the movie turns into a horror of how jay and his family are being hunted by piggy Pagans. There is a little more but I shan't ruin it for you, needless to say the Pagans are lead by those who hired the two men, and their targets where people who wanted to die.

My issues with this film are numerous but I shall make it simple. Firstly the hyper real drama of the families everyday lives and struggles with relationsihps is well done but quite frankly boring, the fact that the guys are hit men is more importantly unbelieveable. Then amongst these extended periods of boring monotony we get more boring points of following victims and them interjections of unnecassary violence. I know they are aiming for gritty realism but I don't need to see a man recieve a hammer to the back of the head. Then when we get to what might be argued the second half with the piggy Pagans it seems the film decides to run away from any credibility it once had, it changes genre and feel and becomes out and out rediculous. The ending though I shan't turely spoil it is an extraordinarily predicatable twist that doesn't even play out well. The characters are unlikable and I had no care for any of them at any point, the story was conveluted and stupid, and the music made to increase tension was poorly placed and at best unnerving because it was annoying. The film seems to have been filmed in a desperate attempt to please critics with its oddities and quick cut film style whilst trying to catch the awe of the veryday audience with shocking tacticks of hyper violence and a last minute adrenaline rush chase. Unfortunately it merely comes across as a dull real life film with outbursts of pointless violence and gore that then becomes a different film. As to reference to the witty title it is pig's swill probably from the squealing Pagans. Also as a point I feel needs to be raised why is it the Pagans always get the shitty end of the stick, most other religions have done attrocities far out of the reaches of a small almost dead religion. 

Conan The Boobarian

Conan The Barbarian is the creation of writer Robert E. Howard and has seen three film adaptions of which I know. I have little care for Conan: The Destroyer however of the two Conan: The Barbarian I do care.

Conan The Barbarian of 1982 stars the now infamous Arnold Schwarzenegger, it is a film of adventure and the hunt for revenge. Conan having seen his parents murdered at an early age becomes a slave but after winning many fights in the pits he is taken and made into a warrior finally being freed by his captor. Once leaving he discovers an ancient tomb and taking up a sword he finds there begins his quest to find those who massacred his tribe. Along the way he meets three companions, a thief, a woman and a wizard. They are asked with saving a princess who has been kidnapped by the sorcerer Conana seeks. The finale part sees both victories and loses for Conan.
This original film has many strong points to it in that it is an untarnished adventure, there is implications of a rich history and a fantasy world and moments of great humour. There is action as well as a love interest and some amazing quotes. On the other hand it is at times cheesey and the effects are far from great. It is a good fun film, uncomplicated, nothing great nothing terrible

Conan the Barbarian that I saw today starring Jason Momoa starts and follows a different but all together similar story to the first. In this visions of Conan he is born on the battle field, cut from his mothers womb who dies there. As he grows he becomes a promising warrior but again his people are massacred and he watches his father die. So off on adventures goes Conana though forever in search of the man who murdered his father and people, as well as his generals. There is a love interest as well who is introduced as being central to the antagonists maniacal plans who Conan saves. In truth there is little more to story or film than that.
This film much like the original is an out and out adventure movie. There is almost unrelenting action with buckets of blood and even a sex scene thrown in. the story is uncomplicated and no great issues are tackled, for this I am greatful. I do not want a conan film to be deep and meaningful, I want violence and honour. At times there were unnecessary scenes or length to scenes and the overall film was to long for my liking.

If I am honest I find it difficult to say if one film is better than the other but find it more appropriate to say they are different but the same.

To Begin at the Beginning with the Beginners

Beginners is a film that would make many cry, but strangely a film that would make those same people far happier than a lot of films going around. That’s not to say that it would make them laugh as loud as the top comedies, or make them smile as much as a soppy rom-com. It is a film that looks at serious issues that though more prevalent in the past still hold some sway, it also looks at the troubles faced by those adults in modern society and at how past, present and future is linked by people. 

The film focuses on Ewan McGregor and how his life is monumentally rocked when after his mother dies he has two face a number of revelations about his father (Christopher Plummer), that he is gay, that he has terminal cancer, and that he has a young lover. Yet the film is set post all these things, and after his fathers inevitable death. During this time Ewan McGregor’s character meets Melanie Laurent. A romance grows between them and McGregor has to tackle his issues about love born from his perspective on his parents relationship. All through this we go back a forth with flashbacks to his distant and recent past telling his full story. 

This film is beautiful, well filmed, it has a fantastic soundtrack of old songs full of fantastic singing and melody. The acting is of a high quality as to be expected from such a cast and as said the movie deals with a number of issues from the gay rights movement to modern disillusionment. However there must be criticism, the film is long and slow, and at times sections seem unnecessary and at times borders on monumentally depressing. My favourite aspect of this film was probably the interjections of amusement that where a little silly and childish that perfectly matched the up down of life. One particular example is the relationship and unspoken conversations with the dog. This is a film to see but prepared to laugh and cry, to smile and feel heart broken.

Rupert Grint Sex Bomb in CherryBomb

So I recently watched a film for one reason and one reason alone. Rupert Grint the boy everyone knows and loves for being Ron Weasley plays a sexy young drugged up teen who’s Irish. Not the best reason behind watching a film but he is a potential rising star.

In this film Grint and Robert Sheehan play two teens getting drunk and high in Belfast. Grint’s character comes from a well off loving if not demanding family, he gets good grades and works at a leisure centre. Sheehan’s character is the opposite, his father an addict, his brother a big time dealer, he deals on the side to make his money and his prospects are not good. Enter the daughter of the boss (Kimberly Nixon) who starts to cause trouble when pitting the old friends against each other until the final crescendo.

A small summary for a basic and very old plot, one that has been done time and time again. The film is short, made shorter by drawn out scenes of teen night life filmed in arty fashions to gothic indie music. It is predictable and nothing to write home about. However it does have one saving grace. The acting is superb, especially from the three teen parts that show great talent and promise. So for the reason that I watched this film I was spot on, the acting is great, the rest leaves a lot to be desired.

Why does know one know about this?

A couple of weeks ago I had a friend invite me to watch a movie I had never heard of in my life, admittedly the title wasn’t the catchiest, however after watching I was amazed. The film, a horror-comedy, is one of the funniest films I’ve seen in recent years but still with good moments of gore, suspense and bit to make you jump like sat on a nail. So how comes I know nothing of this film, I work at a cinema, I like to think I keep up to date-ish with movie news. So investigate I did, 7.5 out of 10 rating on imdb.com 100% on rotten tomatoes (though unconfirmed due to lack of reviews). It showed at a number of film fests and won awards. But alas this was Eli Craig’s feature debut, and got an immensely limited release, outside of America it was almost entirely a film festival showing. Heck it went to the Czech republic before getting to Britain to be shown at the dead by dawn Scottish horror film fest.

So what is this film?

Tucker and Dale VS Evil. Like I said not the catchiest but the synopsis makes up for it. Two hillbillies pack up some stuff and set out to their dream, a little vacation home in the woods to fix it up. It quickly becomes evident they’re nicer than nice, not hugely intelligent but smarter than your average red neck. Also on their way to the woods are a group of young college kids looking to get drunk and high. But the two don’t mix and soon due to complicated misunderstandings people start dying, which really isn’t helped with the one college kid who is off his nut with a grudge against all hillbillies. I shall say no more as not to give away some of the ingenious twist and turns

One of the best things about this film is it’s look at cliché, at common perceptions of good and evil especially those propagated by holly wood, there are also some lessons to be taken as to real life. In truth this film, though having its twists, has some bits of the plot that could be seen coming by a blind man from a mile off. But that doesn’t spoil them, which film doesn’t have predictable points? And just because we know how that one unlucky fuck is going to die doesn’t stop us laughing when it happens. What makes this film so good is execution, Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk lead the cast as the title characters and their acting is splendid with their odd camp on screen chemistry. But all the other cast are just as talented and show it though none are big names. The filming is well done with few effects to clutter the place, excellent make up and a great location. In fact I find it difficult to find fault in the film, it is a tad predictable, and at times it would be nice if it took a little more time. I guess what gets me down about this film is its limited release. Amongst such current comedies of the hangover part 2 and  bridesmaids this stands out as far better executed, far more intelligent, and far far funnier. I am no hipster and being one of relatively few to have seen this only upsets me. So I implore you to get the dvd when it is released (or download it now)

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I have decided that it would be most effecient to have one blog (this one) for all my review needs and leave the other for other stuff.