24/01/07 : Neighbours

I have been unable to include the usual internet review, or images for this film as i struggled to find anything about it on the internet. Indeed – before its screening at SYNW I had never even heard of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZC2LqjU7RU

To compensate - I have included the above link which takes you a trailer on you tube ! Check it out.

This is a 1981 film featuring Dan Akroyd and John Belushi (made 1 year after the blues brothers ). I was struck that despite the fact that this film is over 25 years old, its still a great deal funnier than many of the comedy 'family' films that are around today. Dan Ackroyd as the ‘neighbour from hell’ is excellent and we had a good laugh watching this film.

Its not an AMAZING film – but we didn’t really expect it to be so in terms of scaling this against some of the others its only receiving a 7/10. Still worth checking out ! A good Sunday on the sofa after a late Saturday night type of thing !

17/01/07 : 13 ( Tzameti )

Internet Review : Tzameti is written and directed by Georgian director Gela Babluani. Tzameti is the georgian word for 13. The film follows twenty-two year-old Sébastien, as he struggles to make money for his Georgian immigrant family in a small French coastal town. He is hired to work on the house of a man called Godon, a morphine addicted criminal. After Godon dies , his widow informs Sébastien that she is unable to pay him.

Sébastien then overhears the widow talking with one of Godon's friends, describing to him a "job" that he had lined up before his death. Unaware of what it is, the destitute Sébastien steals the envelope containing the instructions for the job. All the envelope contains is a train ticket, a hotel reservation and a sign with the number 13 on it.

When he arrives at the hotel, he receives a phone call giving further instructions to catch a certain train and alight one stop before the destination on his ticket. Once there he is collected in a car, the driver showing him a similar sign with the number 13.

Once they arrive at their destination Sébastien quickly learns what the job entails, and tries in vain to back out.

Lukes Review : Don't really want to give too much away regarding the plot of this film - as it holds some good surprises which would best enjoyed if left till you watch this film.

All I will say is that its WELL worth seeing. Its dark, raw in places and nicely unpredictable and if that don't sell it to you then you shouldn't be reading this blog !

This was actually the second time that I have seen this film but its definitely got the 'rewatchability factor'. My only criticism would be that at 86 minutes it seems quite short - but then I suppose I would rather that this be the case, than too long. There are rumours of an 'American Remake' which would be tragic. Half the appeal is that it doesn't include a car chase, love interest or a 'happy ever after' type ending which the Americans seem to have to include in everything that they produce - so please please, just let it be !

I well deserved 09/10 from me !

10/01/07 : Survive Style +5

10/01/07 Survive Style + 5 Director Gen Sekiguchi 2004 ( Japan )

INTERNET REVIEW : Simply stated, Survive Style 5+ is a feast for the eyes. The Japan in this film is one of Swiss-style chalets and pink houses decked out in Christmas lights, with rooms awash in Technicolor rainbows, strewn with the kitsch of a thousand yard sales. Clearly, an incredible amount of time and effort was spent on the design of the film, and it really pays off. And while much of the camerawork can be said to belong to the post-Tarantino school, there's a lot more to the film than style and flash -- certainly enough to justify the two-hour running time (rare for a comedy). Survive Style 5+ is a rare thing -- a black comedy that is justifiably uplifting. A film that on one hand mocks certain genres (particularly the Japanese family drama) while at the same time playing into convention. A violent film with heart, a surreal fantasy brimming with style and originality, and a laugh-out-loud comedy that you can watch again and again.

What I can I say ? Fucking brilliant ..thats what ! The film contains 5 separate story lines that cross into each other at various points and I can honestly say that none of them are disappointing. Visually - its amazing and the attention to detail in the sets, clothes etc are incredible. The character in the first story lives in the most amazing gaff in the world. Each time he returns home the same beautiful woman is waiting to cook him a sumptuous feast before kicking the shit out of him, despite the fact that he keeps killing her and burying her deep in the woods. Supported by a well chosen soundtrack and smart script I cannot fault this film in anyway. If forced to make a choice from all the films viewed so far I might say that this has been my favourite. If you had to categorise it then you would put it on the same shelf as the tarantino films - but it certainly has enough of its own style to make it stand out there alone. A hearty 10/10 !

03/01/07 : Crime Wave

03/01/07 : Crime Wave Directed by Sam Raimi 1985

INTERNET REVIEW : Crimewave is a 1985 film directed by Sam Raimi, a unusual slapstick mix of film noir, black comedyThe Evil Dead. The film is also known as The and several eras. It was his first studio film following the success of XYZ Murders in some parts of the world.The director has publicly disowned the film due to numerous clashes with studio executives.

Another excellent film and again not at all what I was expecting. I was the only member of the SYNW club never to have seen this before so perhaps had that added to advantage to my enjoyment. The characters are fantastic and the whole film has that slight comic book style to it which I really enjoy. Bruce Campbell appears as Renaldo 'The Heel' and as my cohorts pointed out - was obviously a massive influence on Jim Carey as the original master of the exaggerated expression and versatile eyebrow movements ! 8/10

We followed crime wave with some episodes of robot chicken ( adult swim ) which I had also never watched. The makers have apparently spent years collecting various action figures and dolls which are used to create various animated shorts. Plenty of proper belly laughs to be had throughout and I was almost crying with laughter at some of the sketches.

27/12/05 : My Name is Nobody

27/12/05 : My Name is Nobody : Directed by Tonino Valerii / Sergio Leone 1973 Spaghetti Western Comedy

INTERNET REVIEW : Jack Beauregard (Henry Fonda) is a tired, aging legend, who just wants to retire in peace in France where he came from, but is continually being dogged by men who want to kill him for the fame. 'Nobody' (Terence Hill's character) likes the old guy and wants to see him die in a blaze of glory going against the Wild Bunch singlehanded.

Being an self proclaimed aficionado of this genre I had wanted to see this film for ages and was well pleased when Reko suggested it as a choice for film club. Although plenty may disagree with me, I would gladley place this film up on the shelf with the big boys ( once upon a time, few dollars etc ) and immediatley bought 3 copies from ebay as birthday gifts for friends and family. There are some hilarious scenes in this film and the comical aspects summed up what the genre is all about. Spaghetti Westerns for me have always been like visual comic books where the heroes and villains are almost too good ( or bad ) to be believed. I loved the idea of a gunslinger who can draw and reholster 3 times before his opponant has even reached for his. 10/10

We maintained the comedy vibe by viewing various amusing animals clips that Reko had downloaded ( talking dogs, skateboarding cats etc )

13/12/05 : Little Miss Sunshine

13/12/05 Little Miss sunshine : Directors : Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris 2006

Little Miss Sunshine is the story of the Hoovers, a fictional dysfunctional family from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The characters are introduced in the opening sequences; Sheryl Hoover, a stressed and over-worked mother of two, picks up her brother Frank at a hospital after the depressed, gay Proust scholar has recovered from a failed suicide attempt. Richard Hoover is a manic go-getter striving to sell his motivational nine-step technique to becoming a winner. Dwayne, Sheryl's son, is an angst-ridden, avowedly mute, Nietzsche-reading teenager who has dedicated his life to joining the Air Force Academy in order to become a test pilot. Richard's father, Edwin, recently evicted from a retirement home for snorting heroin, is shown to have a strong bond with seven-year-old granddaughter Olive, and coaches her to perform in a beauty pageant.

There are plenty of good moments and laughs to had in this film though personally I didn’t feel it quite warranted the Kudos that it has received. I have read so much about this film and it won a 'golden globe' for the best European film of 2006. Straight away im thinking - 'well renaissance is a European film made in 2006 and that was far better' but maybe im being a bit unfair. If I had got this video out from Blockbuster then I would have been pleased with the choice but I suppose for a film club choice it went a little bit too 'feel good factor' at points for me. 7/10

On the same evening we watched a collection of clips from 1982 about the Hulme break dancing crew 'Broken Glass'. It was excellent viewing and I had a slight lump in my throat to be looking back in time at the Manchester where I spent my adolescent years during such an important time in terms of 'youth culture' and general 'times they were a changin!'

These clips should be buried in a tin box and planted underneath the blue peter garden for future generations to look back on a less polished and more exciting Manchester.

06/12/06 : Superman Returns

I have not bothered to include an internet review of this film. What’s the point? You get the idea from the title. It’s a superman film, but notable in the fact that it’s the first one without Christopher Reeve (RIP and big respect!) playing America’s favourite hero. I was all set to be highly critical but Brandon Routh was a good choice of predecessor. It was noticed that they made efforts to stay loyal to the character created by the original, probably knowing that they would upset a few old duffers such as ourselves if they didn't.

High points for me were the opening sequence which was superman flying through space back to earth ( which looked particularly amazing in my slightly enhanced state ) and the scene where superman makes his entrance ( after being away for 2 years ) by landing in the middle of a baseball game carrying a Boeing 747.( god bless America and superman )

Low points were the excessive number of 'romantic scenes' with Louis Lane and im sorry - but we were not having Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther.

Despite that we were glad to have added this to the list of films watched. 5/10

22/11/06 : The Machinist

22/11/06 The Machinist Director Brad Anderson 2004

Internet Review : Trevor Reznik is an industrial machinist who has not slept for a year. He has progressively lost weight to the point where he has become an emaciated skeleton. His alarming appearance and behavior cause his co-workers to shy away from him; they eventually turn on him after he is involved in an accident that costs a man, Miller, his left arm. Trevor, distracted by an unfamiliar coworker named Ivan , bears the blame for the accident. No one at the factory admits knowing "Ivan", however, and there are no records that he was ever an employee. Trevor seems to find peace only in the arms of Stevie a prostitute who develops genuine affection for him, or in the company of Marie, a waitress at the airport diner where he spends many of his nights

I absolutely loved this film. Christian Bale who plays the lead apparently lost 60 pounds for this role by eating a single bowl of rice per day. His gaunt and alarming appearance adds to the dark feel of the film which has loads of nice twists and surprises that you don’t see coming (well I didn’t anyway!). I think that we have all experienced where your brain can start to go with not enough sleep and this film gets the mood exactly right. I love films which leave you unsure as to what is reality as opposed to fantasy and that’s what this film is all about 9/10

15/11/06 : 28 Days Later

Internet Review : 'Set in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the 21st century, the film concerns the breakdown of society following the release of a plague known as "Rage" (which almost instantly locks those who are infected by it into zombie-like creatures, a state of irreversible hyperactivity and murderous insanity), and the struggle of a handful of survivors to come to terms with the ruins of everything they once knew.'

Another good choice of film and not at all what I was expected. It’s a british film, when I expected it to be american and so the lack of 'car chase sequences' and 'romantic bits to appeal to the ladies' was an unexpected bonus. I would describe this as a thinking mans 'dawn of the dead'. I enjoyed dawn of the dead, and im not really a thinking man but this film was realms ahead of the usual zombie flick and the shots of a deserted London were amazing. 8/10

8/11/06 : The Banquet

8/11/06 The Banquet Director Feng Xiaogang ( Chinese, ART FU ) 2006

I didn’t realise while we watching, but this film is in fact billed as ' A loose adaptation of "Hamlet" with exciting kung fu twist.'

Whilst we all like a bit of 'Art Fu' this film took this genre to new levels and at the end of of 131 minutes running time we all agreed that had certainly had our fill of watching people moving in slow motion through sumptious sets in amazing costumes. Don’t get me wrong - as is the case with all these films it was undeniably beautifuly made with lots of stuff to like, but I think the combination of an Art Fu style film with a William Shakespeare plot line made for a cultural overload. 7/10

1/11/06 : Renaissance

Wednesday 1/11/06 : Renaissance : Director Christian Volckman 2006 ( French, Animated )

Renaissance was the first film viewed by the SYNW club and it certainly 'set out the stall' for future gatherings.

This film has been described as : 'A French, animated cyberpunk/science fiction detective film which mixes the paranoid technophobia of Phillip K Dick with the hard-boiled melancholy of Raymond Chandler'.

This sort of puts in a nutshell and all that’s left me to add is that we all thought it was an excellent. Some fantastic animation and nice concepts of a futuristic Paris ( where the film is set in the year 2054 ). I particulaly liked the roads that were encased inside glass tunnels with people walking along the pavement with cars zooming along below.

We followed the film would a low budget manga cartoon - which predictably seemed rather piss poor compared the classy artwork and deep plot of the 'main attraction' but all in all it was a succesful night which kicked the club off to a good start and left us hungering fo' maw' 9/10