04/07/07 : Once upon a time in the West

This is not just the best western ever made - its one of the best films ever made. Its almost too much to take in on one sitting - as its just one fantastic scene after another. Subsequently - we have all watched this numerous times - andim sure will be watching it many more




There were three men in her life. One to take her... one to love her... and one to kill her.

27/06/07 : Kontrol

I don’t think I have ever seen a Hungarian film before. I certainly could not have named you a Hungarian director.

Now I have ……. and now I can - the film was Kontrol and the director Nimrod Antal.

If this is a yard stick for Hungarian cinema then I shall definitely be watching more!

It’s a fictitious tale set on the Budapest subway system and the film actually starts with a disclaimer from the real-life subway chief assuring the viewers that the staff employed there are nothing like the agoraphobic, adrenaline addicted mavericks depicted in the film.

It’s a dark tale revolving around a gang of undercover ticket inspectors and a spate of mysterious killings or people jumping in front of trains.

There were moments where I was reminded of Escape from New York as you get the impression that this is set at some point in the future - but the not too far distant.

As someone who loves the whole look and feel of underground systems I found this film easy and enjoyable viewing. I'm not going to say its 'amazing', but as a first film by a new director it certainly not disappointing and the stuff that’s good certainly out ways the few weak moments.

Coincidently the film shares its name with a night club in Doncaster, a town where shops and bars are particularly keen on using the letter K to replace the letter C in a generally KRAZY way. The difference here is that the film is Hungarian and so they actually spell KONTROL in this way. I just felt it was important to make that distinction.

Captain Haddock

20/06/07 : ‘El Mariachi’

‘El Mariachi’(1992 ) is the low-budget debut from cult director Robert Rodriguez, famous for ‘From Dusk ‘til Dawn’ and a previous selection for the SYNW film club, the excellent ‘Sin City’. Allegedly made for only $7,000, Rodriguez apparently donated his body to medical science to finance the film.

Set in Mexico, the film follows the misadventures of a travelling mariachi who is mistaken for a vengeful gangster on the rampage in small town Mexico. Cue chase scenes, guns and mindless bloody violence a-plenty!

The film uses humour to make quite a serious point too. In one hilarious scene, Rodriguez comments upon the dying art of the traditional musician in Mexico. A bartender in one downtown drinking hole ‘treats’ the mariachi to a session from his ‘in-house’ band (literally a dude in a sombrero with a cheap Bontempi style keyboard). The irony of the bartender’s statement, 'if you want to earn real money, get yourself a real instrument' is not lost on our hero!

I thought there were some real stylish touches to the film and moments of genuine laugh out loud humour. This film shows what can be done on raw talent and a minimal budget.

It’s brimming with audio and visual effects, such as speeded up/slowed down shots and exaggerated sound effects that render it quite cartoon-esque in places. It’s a film that never bothers to take itself too seriously.

An ultimately enjoyable and watchable flick...if you don’t mind the 'low-budget' look and feel to it. Reviewed by Corporal Tench