Film 4 - (Friday)
The first film we have seen in the discovery screen. It was Tobe Hoopers eggshells in the main screen and I just didn't fancy that. I had seen the trailer for Burning Bright and really liked the look of it.
A simple plot really, a young woman and her autistic brother are trapped in a house with a extremely hungry tiger! Can they survive the night?
You will be surprised! I was!
Cast: Briana Evigan - Kelly Taylor, Charlie Tahan - Tm Taylor and Garret Dillahunt - Johnny Gaveneau.
Written by Christine Coyle Johnson and Julie Prendiville Roux
Soundtrack by Zack Ryan
Directed by Carlos Brooks
What I liked? Briana Evigan was brilliant, the tiger and the tension!
What I didn't like? Not much really!
Summary: As I said I was surprised, it looked good from the trailer, just wasn't ready for just how good this film was. From the description it sounds like a cliched animal-horror movie, with a bad cgi tiger etc etc.
Well the tiger was real, well for most of it, one scene it looked like a fake head, but other than that it was real! The plot is simple,it doesn't need to be anything more. The reason they are locked in the house is due to the oncoming hurricane! The tiger doesn't escape from anything it's actually let into the house to kill the girl and her brother. See the plot isn't as silly as it sounds, the doors are then boarded as well. So we have a hungry tiger, a girl and a little boy trapped in a house!
The film builds the tension really well, never really go's over board with silly scares, keeps it pretty real and keeps you guessing if the outcome is going to be a good one.
Briana Evigan is brilliant in this film, a weaker actress would have ruined this,she carried the film wonderfully well, helped by a good turn from Charlie Tahan, must not be easy playing an autistic kid. They worked well together, the direction was tight and the house was used well to build the tension and keep the film ticking over.
At 86 minutes this film delivered and never outstayed it's welcome.
Overall solid entertainment (8/10)
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Dead Cert
Film 3 (Thursday)
The third film was a British vampire gangster movie. I suppose From Dusk Till Dawn meets lock stock.
A gang of tough gangsters loose their club to a Romanian businessman who turns out to be something a little more evil, a vampire! The gangsters take on the vampires in order to get the club back!
Cast: Billy Murry - Dante Livenko, Dexter Flectcher - Eddie Christian, Craig Fairbrass - Freddy Frankham, Steven Berkoff - Kenneth Mason and Lisa McAllister - Jen Christian.
Written by Ben Shillito
Soundtrack by Tim Atack
Directed by Steven Lawson
What I liked? Craig Fairbrass, Lisa McAllister and Dexter Flectcher
What I didn't like? Most of it really!
Summary: If this was a cross between From Dusk and Lock stock, it missed the mark by a mile. It looked cheap, it sounded cheap, the acting was average along with the action. Didn't help having a poor script though.
It had no flair, or imagination, just nothing I can't even remember the music score!
It was just watchable mainly down to Fairbrass and Flectcher but only just. The gore looked rubbish and considering it was a strip club it didn't really have much T&A on show. It seemed like they didn't want to push the line and kept it all a little too tame for my liking!
Overall - Average at best, could have been so much better (5/10)
The third film was a British vampire gangster movie. I suppose From Dusk Till Dawn meets lock stock.
A gang of tough gangsters loose their club to a Romanian businessman who turns out to be something a little more evil, a vampire! The gangsters take on the vampires in order to get the club back!
Cast: Billy Murry - Dante Livenko, Dexter Flectcher - Eddie Christian, Craig Fairbrass - Freddy Frankham, Steven Berkoff - Kenneth Mason and Lisa McAllister - Jen Christian.
Written by Ben Shillito
Soundtrack by Tim Atack
Directed by Steven Lawson
What I liked? Craig Fairbrass, Lisa McAllister and Dexter Flectcher
What I didn't like? Most of it really!
Summary: If this was a cross between From Dusk and Lock stock, it missed the mark by a mile. It looked cheap, it sounded cheap, the acting was average along with the action. Didn't help having a poor script though.
It had no flair, or imagination, just nothing I can't even remember the music score!
It was just watchable mainly down to Fairbrass and Flectcher but only just. The gore looked rubbish and considering it was a strip club it didn't really have much T&A on show. It seemed like they didn't want to push the line and kept it all a little too tame for my liking!
Overall - Average at best, could have been so much better (5/10)
Primal
Film 2 (Thursday)
The next film was a Australian movie, about a group of students looking for a rock painting in the out back. But things ain't what they seem by this rock and soon one of the party becomes ill and turns into a primal monster on the hunt for blood!
Cast: Krew Boylan - Mel, Lindsay Farris - Chad, Rebekah Foord - Kris, Damien Freeleagus - Warren and Zoe Tuckwell-Smith -Anja.
Written by Nigel Christensen (Story) and Josh Reed (Screenplay)
Soundtrack by Rob Gibson
Directed by Josh Reed
What I liked? The cast, the script, the comedy and the monsters.
What I didn't like? The poor CGI at the end, nearly runined it all.
Summary: This was quite a surprise really, I hadn't held out much hope for this at all. But it wasn't too bad. It had all the horror hallmarks, the group of stereotypical characters, out in the woods, no signal, no help for miles. Things would not turn out well! And they didn't!
What really saved this from being just another throw away horror film was the writing and the cast, they didn't ham it up, it was played straight and the script brought out some really funny scenes. It takes a good 30 minutes to get going, so we get to know the characters quite well. Once all hell breaks loose, it's got lots of really good moments in it, not just gore, but some good humour as well.
But when you think it's all going well, the last section plays out with some really rubbish CGI monster which brings the film back down to earth with a bump! It's a shame because up to this point I had really liked it.
Overall, the bad monster CGI hinders what was a pretty decent low budget effort, with good acting and some good gore and some funny scenes! (7/10)
The next film was a Australian movie, about a group of students looking for a rock painting in the out back. But things ain't what they seem by this rock and soon one of the party becomes ill and turns into a primal monster on the hunt for blood!
Cast: Krew Boylan - Mel, Lindsay Farris - Chad, Rebekah Foord - Kris, Damien Freeleagus - Warren and Zoe Tuckwell-Smith -Anja.
Written by Nigel Christensen (Story) and Josh Reed (Screenplay)
Soundtrack by Rob Gibson
Directed by Josh Reed
What I liked? The cast, the script, the comedy and the monsters.
What I didn't like? The poor CGI at the end, nearly runined it all.
Summary: This was quite a surprise really, I hadn't held out much hope for this at all. But it wasn't too bad. It had all the horror hallmarks, the group of stereotypical characters, out in the woods, no signal, no help for miles. Things would not turn out well! And they didn't!
What really saved this from being just another throw away horror film was the writing and the cast, they didn't ham it up, it was played straight and the script brought out some really funny scenes. It takes a good 30 minutes to get going, so we get to know the characters quite well. Once all hell breaks loose, it's got lots of really good moments in it, not just gore, but some good humour as well.
But when you think it's all going well, the last section plays out with some really rubbish CGI monster which brings the film back down to earth with a bump! It's a shame because up to this point I had really liked it.
Overall, the bad monster CGI hinders what was a pretty decent low budget effort, with good acting and some good gore and some funny scenes! (7/10)
Hatchet 2
Opening film of the 2010 Frightfest, Adam Green director had it written into the contract that he would Premier this film in London. They let him open the show!
The film continues right from where the first film ended, although the Marybeth changed actress this is a more of an extenstion of the first film than a true sequel.
After escaping from Victor, she finds out the truth about the whole sordid affair, her father and Tony Todd's character. She still wants revenge and teams up with a odd band of hunters and bounty hunters to kill Victor.
Cast: Danielle Harris - Marybeth, Tony Todd - Rev. Zombie, Kane Hodder - Victor Crowley
Written by Adam Green
Soundtrack by Andy Garfield
Directed by Adam Green
What I liked: Some of the kills were terrific, the humour, Tony Todd and Kane Hodder.
What I didn't like: Danielle Harris, s0me of the kills, the story and the script.
Summary: I liked Hatchet a lot (watched it the night before Frightfest), and didn't really dislike
the 2nd film, it just didn't seem as well written as the first. Green did comment in the Q&A it took him a week to write! And it does show compared to the first film. The 2nd film missed and real decent characters, bar Tony Todd the rest were dull stereotypical horror characters only in the film to get killed. At least the original had some characters which I liked. Harris didn't seem to have the same screen presence that Tamara Feldman had and I think that weakened the film as well.
The blood and gore levels were pumped up and some of the kills were pretty gruesome some just plain average. I have to say though that this film continued the tradition it started in the first claiming it was "Old school American Horror" and it's true it is just that, Evil Dead style horror!
I like Adam Green, he has a passion for film and always has time for a chat, and his work for Frightfest has been brilliant, with Joe Lynch they have done some great short films called the "Road to Frightfest".
But this is about his film, and I liked it for the most part, but it had the added bonus of the opening film which always seems to play well no matter what!
Overall a good opening to the festival and a good old fashioned (well 80's) style slasher movie. Great to see Tony Todd carry a film! (7/10)
The film continues right from where the first film ended, although the Marybeth changed actress this is a more of an extenstion of the first film than a true sequel.
After escaping from Victor, she finds out the truth about the whole sordid affair, her father and Tony Todd's character. She still wants revenge and teams up with a odd band of hunters and bounty hunters to kill Victor.
Cast: Danielle Harris - Marybeth, Tony Todd - Rev. Zombie, Kane Hodder - Victor Crowley
Written by Adam Green
Soundtrack by Andy Garfield
Directed by Adam Green
What I liked: Some of the kills were terrific, the humour, Tony Todd and Kane Hodder.
What I didn't like: Danielle Harris, s0me of the kills, the story and the script.
Summary: I liked Hatchet a lot (watched it the night before Frightfest), and didn't really dislike
the 2nd film, it just didn't seem as well written as the first. Green did comment in the Q&A it took him a week to write! And it does show compared to the first film. The 2nd film missed and real decent characters, bar Tony Todd the rest were dull stereotypical horror characters only in the film to get killed. At least the original had some characters which I liked. Harris didn't seem to have the same screen presence that Tamara Feldman had and I think that weakened the film as well.
The blood and gore levels were pumped up and some of the kills were pretty gruesome some just plain average. I have to say though that this film continued the tradition it started in the first claiming it was "Old school American Horror" and it's true it is just that, Evil Dead style horror!
I like Adam Green, he has a passion for film and always has time for a chat, and his work for Frightfest has been brilliant, with Joe Lynch they have done some great short films called the "Road to Frightfest".
But this is about his film, and I liked it for the most part, but it had the added bonus of the opening film which always seems to play well no matter what!
Overall a good opening to the festival and a good old fashioned (well 80's) style slasher movie. Great to see Tony Todd carry a film! (7/10)
Monday, 6 September 2010
Frightfest 2010
Year 4, been and gone in a flurry of blood, gore and laughs. Great conversations, top guests and some amazing films, all packed into the 4 and ¼ days of the festival. This was my favourite year, by a mile, I felt more at home, relaxed in the chaos that surrounded me, able to savour the moments, and really enjoy myself!
The films ranged from average to outstanding, but with 27 films to see they can’t all be great. Most of the average ones hampered by budget in the most part, none really lacked in story or cast, just poor CGI or should I say some cheap CGI! Then again a low budget didn’t really hamper the brilliant Monsters.
Stand out films, Monsters, Bedevilled, I Spit on your grave, Buried and The Loved Ones.
Poor efforts included Damned by dawn, Dead Cert,
Even ventured out of screen 1 and into the Discovery screen for 3 films!
Other than the films, the weekend was full of other great moments. Talking to Neil Marshall (Decent) about how I didn’t like Centurion mainly due to the story. And Neil’s reply, they took a lot of the story out at script level, leaving the ending a mess. That explains it then!
My usual chat with Joe Lynch about the best of the year, Kick Ass, Piranha and Inception. He loved them all, even down to our perception of Inception, which we both agreed on.
Getting another photo with Emily Booth!
Getting photos with Kane Hodder, Tobe Hooper, Neil, Adam Green and Joe.
Loads of autographs!
Meeting Mark and Dan, my neighbours in Screen 1 for the 5 days. Had some great chats about the films we had just watched and films we’ve seen in the past. Plus the 2 guys sat behind me but never got their names!
Being first in the queue for Discovery Screen tickets on the Monday
No fast food all weekend, real food every night for under £10 – The stockpot rules!
In fact not much sweets, chocolate and popcorn all weekend!
It did have its lows, well one the pulling of A Serbian Film!
So that was year 4, and it was brilliant! Roll on Year 5!
Oh yes, a blog or each film is coming straight after this one!!!!
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Double Bill - Salt
10 minutes after Piranha I was into the next flick, for the thriller Salt.
What's this one about? A CIA agent goes on the run after she is accused of being a Russian Spy.
Cast: Angelina Jolie - "Evelyn Salt", Liev Schreiber - "Ted Winter", Chiwetel Ejiofor - "Peabody" and Daniel Olbrychski - "Vassily Orlov"
Written by Kurt Wimmer
Soundtrack by James Newton Howard
Directed by Phillip Noyce
What I liked? Jolie, Schreiber, Ejifor. The action, the story.
What I didn't like? Could have been a little longer, the twist.
Summary: I liked this film alot, the story was engaging, Jolie was super as the CIA agent, backed up well by Schreiber and Ejifor. The script was good, along with the acting from everyone else in the film. The action was very good, if a little over the line at times, Jolie pulled it off. For me she is the best action actress around at the moment. She really looks like she puts her heart and soul into it. Plus she doesn't look out of place doing it!
I really liked her character and the way she played it, this was her film and she owned it. Cruise should have done this instead of Knight and Day!
The twist was a little obvious in the end and seemed a little of a kop out considering the rest of the film had been so good. I liked the fact that this is ready for a sequel!
Overall: Solid thriller with great performances and action and Jolie was in great form (8/10)
What's this one about? A CIA agent goes on the run after she is accused of being a Russian Spy.
Cast: Angelina Jolie - "Evelyn Salt", Liev Schreiber - "Ted Winter", Chiwetel Ejiofor - "Peabody" and Daniel Olbrychski - "Vassily Orlov"
Written by Kurt Wimmer
Soundtrack by James Newton Howard
Directed by Phillip Noyce
What I liked? Jolie, Schreiber, Ejifor. The action, the story.
What I didn't like? Could have been a little longer, the twist.
Summary: I liked this film alot, the story was engaging, Jolie was super as the CIA agent, backed up well by Schreiber and Ejifor. The script was good, along with the acting from everyone else in the film. The action was very good, if a little over the line at times, Jolie pulled it off. For me she is the best action actress around at the moment. She really looks like she puts her heart and soul into it. Plus she doesn't look out of place doing it!
I really liked her character and the way she played it, this was her film and she owned it. Cruise should have done this instead of Knight and Day!
The twist was a little obvious in the end and seemed a little of a kop out considering the rest of the film had been so good. I liked the fact that this is ready for a sequel!
Overall: Solid thriller with great performances and action and Jolie was in great form (8/10)
Double Bill - Piranha 3D
Well it's double bill night, starting with Piranha 3D and followed by Salt. Two films I'm very much looking forward too. So let's start with Piranha.
What's it about? Well if it's not obvious! Anyway prehistoric Piranha are set free from an underwater cave after a tremor. With the spring-party in full swing it's feeding time for the razor-toothed fish!
Cast: Elisabeth Shue - "Julie Forester", Steven R. McQueen - "Jake Forester", Ving Rhames - "Deputy Fallon", Kelly Brook - "Danni" and Christopher Lloyd - "Mr Goodman".
Written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg.
Soundtrack by Michael Wandmacher
Directed by Alexandre Aja
What I liked? The Piranha, The slaughter scene, the comedy, the T&A!
What I didn't like? How short it was, and lack of tension.
Summary: For me this film rocked, it had everything you wanted from a B-movie "monster" flick, cool monsters, gore, T&A and comedy. Did I mention the gore, the main slaughter scene is just something else, these are ferocious fish, the camera work is great, the screen soaked in blood. Flesh being ripped from bones, it was stomach churning madness, relentless and like nothing I'd seen before. It was great! Aja went for it and delivered in this scene alone.
The rest of the film had it's moments, the casting was great, the script was average, the story had nothing to offer but it was never going to be much of a classic anyway. But it did enough to move the film along, the fish the CGI and the gore were brilliant. Did I mention the T&A? Full of it, nearly as much as the gore!
Overall : An entertaining b-movie gore fest, (8/10)
What's it about? Well if it's not obvious! Anyway prehistoric Piranha are set free from an underwater cave after a tremor. With the spring-party in full swing it's feeding time for the razor-toothed fish!
Cast: Elisabeth Shue - "Julie Forester", Steven R. McQueen - "Jake Forester", Ving Rhames - "Deputy Fallon", Kelly Brook - "Danni" and Christopher Lloyd - "Mr Goodman".
Written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg.
Soundtrack by Michael Wandmacher
Directed by Alexandre Aja
What I liked? The Piranha, The slaughter scene, the comedy, the T&A!
What I didn't like? How short it was, and lack of tension.
Summary: For me this film rocked, it had everything you wanted from a B-movie "monster" flick, cool monsters, gore, T&A and comedy. Did I mention the gore, the main slaughter scene is just something else, these are ferocious fish, the camera work is great, the screen soaked in blood. Flesh being ripped from bones, it was stomach churning madness, relentless and like nothing I'd seen before. It was great! Aja went for it and delivered in this scene alone.
The rest of the film had it's moments, the casting was great, the script was average, the story had nothing to offer but it was never going to be much of a classic anyway. But it did enough to move the film along, the fish the CGI and the gore were brilliant. Did I mention the T&A? Full of it, nearly as much as the gore!
Overall : An entertaining b-movie gore fest, (8/10)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)