Cinetalk

Review: Position Among the Stars

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:06:29 -0500

The final instalment in a trilogy of films from Director, Leonard Retel Helmrich, that follows the lives of a family in Jakarta, Indonesia. It works well as a stand-alone piece about life in Jakarta, but holds more emotional pull when the films (Eye of the Day & Shape of the Moon) are viewed sequentially. Grandma Rumidajh is asked by her son, Bakti, to come back to the city from her rural existence to help guide her granddaughter, Tari, through her teenage years and education.

The previous film, Shape of the Moon, finished with a very young Tari distraught that her grandmother was moving away from the family home to a more rural location. Tari has now blossomed into a teenager, is graduating from high school and full of raging hormones. Bakti is her uncle, who has taken on the role of guardian and is struggling to come to terms with the fact that she is turning into a woman. Grandma Rumidajh is worried for Tari and Bakti’s future and does everything in her power to set them on the right path.

The struggle between tradition and new technology, the ever growing financial difficulties and the clash of religion are all problems that are presented. Oil has become too expensive so the need to move to gas cookers which are considered “new gadgets” is a prospect the elders are not happy with. Bakti, who has always been a bit of a slacker, has now gained a position as neighbourhood manager and his newest infatuation is breeding fighting fish. His laidback manner that is apparent in the rest of the films seems to be wavering as he is responsible for some of the darker moments in this film. His anger bubbles over as he takes out his frustration on his wife and niece. Some moments of unexpected rage are unsettling to watch.

The rural backdrop washes over you like a summer song with its lushness whereas in juxtaposition the city landscape is overpopulated, dirty and full of giant rodents and cockroaches. The vista is at once vast and cramped. The modern, progressive state seems at odds with the natural beauty of the location. Tari is a slave to the materialistic values of the new world whereas Bakti is struggling to keep up and acting like a child instead of a father figure. Grandma Rumidajh, as blunt as ever, calls them losers and goes back to her good rural living. Her honesty has always been endearing and it is no different in this situation. Two wise old ladies, Rumidajh and her friend Tumisa, open and close this film with traditional song, surrounded by the exceptional beauty of world, and they both seem entirely satisfied with their simple existence.

A wonderful, multi-layered and aesthetically rich documentary that raises issues of globalisation and the ever growing divide between rich and poor.

written by
Kat

Student Film Festival London 2012 Coverage

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:46:00 -0500

An inaugural film festival in London where the level of films was extraordinarily high; it ran from 3^rd -5^th February and I spent most of the Friday watching some amazing films the programming team had expertly chosen. I managed to watch two blocks of shorts and one feature film and if I hadn’t been otherwise engaged I would have loved to have made the morning session that featured a film called Paris 60 described as “an overt love letter to the French New Wave and the works of Wong Kar Wai”. French New Wave alongside coffee and croissants kindly provided by the festival, what’s not to like?

The first block of shorts, titled Eclectic Mix, was comprised of animation, silent slapstick, a documentary, a music video that featured model stop-motion animation (one of my favourite things in the world) amongst others and it certainly lived up to the given name. Das Kartenspiel presented some intense emotions through inventive camera work and Hurdy Gurdy was also a very effective and good looking short film. Spycat and the Paper Chase, directed by Darren Lim from Singapore, was a witty animation (think cartoon network style) about the secret life of a house cat and the horror of a paper cut. Synkro – Look at Yourself a music video from Chris Shen who studied at LCC showed huge potential. The Scaffold a silent, black and white, slapstick film, revolving around one piece of scaffolding and three men, was a comical affair. It was impressively taken in one shot and choreographed extremely well; a great example of slapstick as the art form it truly is. Under the Surface was a beautiful animation from Amanda Brent that had me enthralled and swept up in the mood and idea of it. Black and white animation about a tube trip turns into a pastel shaded colourful day dream to portray that mind-set you go into when packed into a train carriage. I think most commuters will be able to relate to it! And finally I was blown away by some masterful stop motion in this music video created by Mirjam Baker and Michael Kren:

I AM CEREALS - Galaxy from I AM CEREALS on Vimeo.

It won the music video award at the Festival.

I didn’t think it could get any better and then I was presented with one of the most dramatic and striking films I have seen in a very long time called Somewhere West. A film about personal turmoil, the human condition, acceptance and the simple beauty of the world in which we inhabit; a road trip movie that uses the landscape to its full potential. Ian has a terminal illness and decides to take to the road to die peacefully surrounded by nature. Scenic views of Colorado and Utah will draw you into the universality of this man’s personal story. A particular highlight is a scene shot at Bonneville Salt Flats, an immense and breath-taking piece of land that will have your jaw dropping to the floor at its sheer beauty.

My day concluded with another round of short films, Original Thoughts, opening with Bird Bath a one minute short of a woman taking a bath and blowing a whistle, delightful! Pan Pozde (Mr Late) delivered an intriguing fourteen minutes, about a man who is present in body but whose mind is delayed in time. Escargot provided an animation piece about warring snails that looked great and was extremely witty. Caring for Calum brought this block to a close, a documentary about a father and son relationship that provided some touching and shocking moments of discovery. Director Lou McLoughlan met Uisdean while she was working at a prison and he invited her to film him on a visit to see his father Calum. It’s a sad tale of redemption and regret that needs to be seen and is currently being made into a feature film. Sin É also showed in this block, you can read our piece about the director Sean Branigan here:http://www.cinetalk.tv/post/16935289711/focus-on-sean-branigan

I could only attend the festival for one day, and if it is running next year, I hope to be present for the entirety. I suggest you do the same.

For more information visit: http://www.sfflondon.org/en/index.html

written by
Kat

More stills: Snow White and The Huntsman Released in the UK on...

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:46:52 -0500

More stills: Snow White and The Huntsman

Released in the UK on 1st June 2012

HELLO! new Stills: Snow White and The Huntsman Released in the...

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:35:17 -0500

HELLO! new Stills: Snow White and The Huntsman

Released in the UK on 1st June 2012

Review: Miss Bala

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:27:48 -0500

Laura Guerrero (Stephanie Sigman) suffers a terrifying ordeal as she is thrust into the heart of the drug war in Mexico. Her innocent presence amongst terrible men who use her is entrancing to watch. Scenes that contrast beauty with violence and purity with corruption make for engrossing viewing as Director Gerardo Naranjo delivers them with long takes and fast paced action.

Laura decides to enter the Miss Baja beauty pageant so she can use the winnings to put her younger brother through college. She wants to use her body to achieve her dreams but instead her body is used against her will by the leader of a powerful drug cartel when she is snatched after searching for her missing friend. Noe Hernandez provides a threatening presence in his role as Lino Valdez; he encroaches into Laura’s life with unreasonable demands. He forces her to take part in a dangerous scheme against the authorities that attempt to police the drug war. All along Laura has no idea what she is actually taking part in, she is blind to the reasoning (as we are) but it all becomes clear what they are up to as the movie goes on. Focused and fast paced shoot-out scenes full of writhing bloody bodies set against the Mexican suburbs make for believable footage of what is actually occurring on the streets.

Stephanie Sigman is captivating; her reactions to what is unfolding around her are convincingly real. Confusion and terror wash across her face as the situation around her spirals out of control. When Laura appears on stage at the beauty pageant the degree of self-control and suppression of emotions comes to a head as she breaks down into tears. This moment along with what should be a triumphant one when she finally claims the crown is beautifully accomplished. The contrast of emotions along with the dazzling spectacle of the show in the background pulls you into her dreadful situation. Her strong performance combined with Naranjo’s directional flair makes for claustrophobic viewing.

Director, Naranjo’s intentions are clear, by using Laura as the eyes he attempts to put the viewer in her position. It works for the most part making you feel totally unsettled and on edge as you follow Laura on her unpredictable journey for survival. It loses pace in the latter half of the movie by going on for too long. Naranjo’s statement that the innocent are suffering at the hands of the corrupt in Mexico is expressed well but just not succinct enough.

Miss Bala is out on DVD now. You can purchase it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miss-Bala-DVD-Stephanie-Sigman/dp/B0063GNBVU

written by
Kat

Trailer: SAFE or STATH as we like to refer to it as… this...

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:20:00 -0500

Trailer: SAFE or STATH as we like to refer to it as… this is the official UK trailer.

We spotted this a while back http://www.cinetalk.tv/post/12783977705/stath-update-the-big-apples-hardest-cop-once and there was a lot of love for it/Jason Statham from our readers.

It is out in the UK on 4th May 2012

For more info: http://www.facebook.com/SafeMovieUK

Who’s in?

Poster: Wild Bill has a special preview at Future Film Festival...

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:48:40 -0500

Poster: Wild Bill has a special preview at Future Film Festival on 19th February

To purchase tickets: http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/learning/future_film_for_young_people/whats_on/future_film_festival_preview_wild_bill_

Released in the UK on 30th March 2012

One of our writers is very sad they can’t make this screening. We have heard lots of good things about this film and we are fans of Dexter Fletcher.

Trailer: Rampart released in the UK on 24th February 2012

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:03:51 -0500

Trailer: Rampart released in the UK on 24th February 2012

Trailer: The Doom Generation comes to DVD for the first time on...

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:01:18 -0500

Trailer: The Doom Generation comes to DVD for the first time on 26th March 2012.

Directed by Greg Araki and originally released in 1995.

Trailer: Special Forces Out to own in the UK on DVD, Blu-ray and...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:10:48 -0500

Trailer: Special Forces

Out to own in the UK on DVD, Blu-ray and EST 12th March 2012

Stills: Rampart Released in the UK on 24th February. For more...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:03:52 -0500

Stills: Rampart

Released in the UK on 24th February.

For more information visit: http://www.facebook.com/RampartUK

Trailer: Beauty (Skoonheid) Released in the UK on 20th April...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:32:13 -0500

Trailer: Beauty (Skoonheid)

Released in the UK on 20th April 2012.

For more information: http://www.skoonheid.com/beauty_ang.html

Interview with Simon Oakes: President & CEO of Hammer and Vice Chairman of Exclusive Media

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:01:02 -0500

Originally founded in 1934, legendary British film studio Hammer has delivered a hugely successful run of films over the years including Dracula, Frankenstein Created Woman, One Million Years B.C. and The Vampire Lovers. Not in production since the 1980s, Hammer marked their return to features in 2010 with the release of the critically acclaimed Let Me In. In 2011, Hammer released Antti Jokinen’s The Resident starring Hilary Swank, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Hammer legend Sir Christopher Lee. Today sees the UK release of The Woman in Black starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Simon Oakes took the time to sit down with Cinetalk in a roundtable discussion to talk about the future of Hammer, the possible re-boot of The Quatermass Experiment and the making of The Woman in Black.

The Woman in Black

The birth of the film

If you have read the book, it’s a pastiche of Victorian melodrama, and those novellas were quite thin and much was left to the imagination. We never went to multiple writers or directors – we went to Jane [Goldman], then we went to James [Watkins], then Daniel [Radcliffe]. Jane got it immediately, she knew the book, loved it, and remembered reading it as a teenager and she asked if I minded if she opened it out. She wanted to define some of the big set pieces. We worked closely with Susan Hill, [the author of the novel] who is a great pragmatist; she is not precious about her material. In the sense that she is very realistic about what you have to do to make something in a different medium work. She got on famously with Jane.

The setting and props

We were painstaking in our search, the location manager [Dan Connolly] on this film did unbelievable work because he had to find an iconic house that was gothic but not too cheesy, and it had to have enough sense of being spooky without being a joke. He found the Nine Lives Causeway on the Essex coast. The house is in Leicester, the village is in Yorkshire, the Causeway was in Essex, so we were all over the place. And then we were in Pinewood.

We also had a brilliant prop master, who went out and found all these automatons, these mangy old dolls that were really spooky. They were all originals, they were the things that were most expensive besides Daniel’s insurance because they are antiques and collectables.

On the future of Hammer

We are announcing a project called The Quiet Ones, which is a poltergeist movie based on a true story about a group of scientists. It’s an ensemble piece. From the press release: Written and to be directed by John Pogue (Quarantine 2) and produced by James Gay-Rees (Senna, Exit Through The Gift Shop).

Hammer has a history of being quite literary, with Frankenstein and Dracula, and sci-fi was also part of that. We have two projects in development at the moment, one of which is a monster film. I can’t tell you what it is, but you can probably work it out. We are looking at rebooting Quatermass which we own the rights to. It’s very early stages though. We have a fantastic writer but again I can’t announce it as we are still in the negotiation stage. I am interested in Quatermass for television, it’s about re-booting his character and asking what would Bernard Quatermass be today?

We also have something called Boneshaker which is a Cherie Priest novel and we are developing it with Cross Creek our partner in America.

We definitely want to be more involved in social media. I am very keen to do something with games. The games side of things is extremely expensive and the question is whether it would be a Hammer game or a specific film title. It’s not something we would do ourselves, we would do it in partnership with somebody else. Our expertise is making films and television. It requires a spark of imagination from someone from the major games development companies.

We are also doing Hammer theatre of horror; I think there is a huge interest in the market for scary theatre. We are in partnership with Sonia Friedman to do a theatre version of… not sure if I can tell you…I’ll come back to that!

The Woman in Black is released in the UK on 10^th February

For further information about Hammer and its parent company Exclusive Media Group, please visit www.hammerfilms.com and www.exclusivemedia.com

written by
Kat

Review: The Muppets

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:02:00 -0500

A joyful, nostalgic, Muppets musical extravaganza! After a twelve year break from the big screen Director James Bobin and writer Jason Segel bring back these great characters with sincerity and a massive sense of fun. The gang have gone their separate ways and it is up to Walter, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and the lovely Mary(Amy Adams) to get them back together to save The Muppet Theatre from the hands of an evil oil tycoon (Maniacal laugh!)

They travel by map, move the story along by montage and introduce the show to an audience that may not have seen it before. It moves along so quickly and the enjoyment factor is so huge you will not want it to end. The back stories to where some of The Muppets have ended are particularly effective and amusing. Fozzie Bear lives in Reno running a tribute band called The Moopets who feature an excellent cameo in the drumming section. Gonzo is a high flying (did you see what I did there?) business man running The Royal Flush that manufactures toilets. Animal is in anger management and found in a meditative state hanging out with Jack Black and refraining from drumming. Kermit and Miss Piggy have gone their separate ways, with Piggy in Paris and Kermit in LA. It’s all very dramatic.

There is a self-awareness to the humour but also a silly side that kids will enjoy. It is clearly aimed at the generation that hold The Muppets so dear, but full of so much life, colour and humour that it would be difficult not to enjoy it. The musical numbers are phenomenally funny and entertaining. Bret Mckenzie from Flight of the Conchords is in charge of the music and you can certainly hear his influence. If you are a fan of the aforementioned show he brings his wit and charm to every song. Man or Muppet is a particular high point that even has a hint of Hall and Oates magic in it, so it is not surprising it has been nominated for an Oscar.

Amy Adams and Jason Segel are wonderful and wide eyed in their roles and the amount of fun they are clearly having comes across on screen. Segel’s obvious love and knowledge for The Muppets comes across extremely well in the sharp screenplay he has penned. A simple story of “getting the band back together” works effectively at introducing the characters and getting the audience backing them in their quest.

A vibrant, victorious return for The Muppets; we can’t recommend this film more, every moment was enjoyable.

written by
Kat

Review: The Woman in Black

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:23:00 -0500

There are two things in this world that are truly terrifying, birds (I blame Hitchcock) and creepy toys; The Woman in Black has both of these things and uses them to full effect. An atmospheric, tension builder that places importance on both the story and the scares that will make you jump out of your seat (or close your eyes a lot)…

Solicitor, Arthur Kipps is sent to a remote village to sort the affairs of the recently deceased owner of Eel Marsh House. It is clear on arrival that the house and the village are hiding terrible secrets. The villagers are unwelcoming to Arthur, and they try to veer him away from his intended business and send him back to London; it is all very satisfying to watch and it sets the tone for the film well. Uneasiness, mystery, suspense and clichés of suspiciously paranoid locals who can’t look Kipps in the eye make it obvious that the protagonist of this story is in for trouble.

Jane Goldman has taken Susan Hill’s novel and translated it beautifully to the big screen with her sinister and chilling screenplay. Loss and sorrow are at the heart of the film, but scares and jumps are also a-plenty thanks to director James Watkins (Eden Lake), who gets the pacing right. Daniel Radcliffe takes the lead role of Arthur Kipps, and does a good job at looking scared in all the right places. Ciaran Hinds, who is also recognisable from the Harry Potter franchise, is masterful at playing a man who is grieving a lost child. His wife, played by Janet Mcteer has one of the most memorable scenes in the film that is both humorous and heart-breaking.

The era is perfectly captured, with strong attention to detail in both the props and the costume. The setting is superb, from the small village to the haunted house inhabited by the menacing woman in black. The grand house is full of discarded paperwork, locked doors, strange noises and terrifying antique automatons that all add to the mood of discontent.

A horror film that goes back to basics, it is all about the eerie atmosphere and the characters that inhabit a desolate world. The Woman in Black, a spectre with a sad story, is even given enough depth for you to feel sympathetic towards her evil doings, but only for a moment. Her vengeful acts are truly horrific. Overall an absorbing ghost story that is both scary and moving.

Out in cinemas on 10th February in the UK

written by
Kat

Review: Safe House

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:35:00 -0500

Denzel Washington is the most dangerous man on the planet. But don’t worry; he has a heart of gold. Ryan Reynolds is a rookie CIA agent who ends up responsible for bringing him in. Brendan Gleeson isn’t The Guard, he’s also CIA. It may not be the most original sounding film - but turn your brain off, and it’s very entertaining.

In a little more depth, the story begins thus; Tobin Frost (Washington) is involved in a shady transaction with an ex MI5 agent, and pretty soon he is on the run from some pretty shady baddies. We know they’re baddies because they drive black cars. To get away from these particular baddies, Frost gives himself up to the US authorities.

At the same time, we learn that Matt Weston (Reynolds) is a new agent, desperate for work in the field. Currently he is in charge of a ‘safe house’, somewhere that prisoners can be taken and questioned. Of course, Frost is taken here. The baddies find them, and a shoot-out follows, which results in Weston being solely responsible for him.

Overall, the story is unoriginal and predictable. An attempt is made to build mystery - but this is done simply by withholding information, which is just annoying. However, if brains are turned off, then it’s quick-moving and easy to follow.

The setting of Cape Town and South Africa is a real bonus. It’s great to see somewhere new on the big screen, and there is some real texture in the locations used.

Denzel Washington is in full ‘Denzel’ mode here. He’s great, but not really pushing himself. Ryan Reynolds, playing the rookie, is playing the goodie ‘everyman’ role, and also doesn’t have a great deal to do other than look confused, worried and angry. I couldn’t shake the thought that the role was written for Gosling. Brendan Gleeson is a great actor, and is wasted in this. If only he had some more to work with!

This sounds like a really negative review, and that’s the oddity of Safe House. The ingredients aren’t special, but the film is very entertaining. Great action, fast plot and easy to watch. It’s certainly not one of 2012’s greats (or indeed, one of February’s greats), but it is a very enjoyable popcorn film, and is a recommended way to escape the cold winter nights.

written by
Tom

Poster: Bel Ami Released in the UK on 9th March 2012 For more...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:01:25 -0500

Poster: Bel Ami

Released in the UK on 9th March 2012

For more information visit: http://www.facebook.com/BelAmiUK

Argggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Feel the Wrath…. of...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:33:20 -0500

Argggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Feel the Wrath…. of the Titans!

Released in the UK on 30th March 2012

For more information visit: http://www.facebook.com/ClashOfTheTitansMovieUK

Are you excited?

Review: Tyrannosaur

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:20:00 -0500

“God ain’t my fucking daddy. My daddy was a fucking cunt”

I have to admit it; I avoided seeing this at the cinema. Not because I didn’t think it would be good, quite the opposite. Paddy Considine is one of the best actors working today and I knew any film with his name attached as Director would be affecting and astoundingly brilliant. I wasn’t wrong. Tyrannosaur is about abuse and redemption and it is brutally but thoughtfully depicted. I sat at home and watched it on Blu-ray and allowed myself to be enthralled by the depth of the characters and moved by the dramatic and realistic scenes.

Joseph (Peter Mullan) is unlikeable from the very start of this film as you witness him kicking his dog to death in a drunken stupor. It’s difficult to watch but it also introduces you to his character exceptionally well. He is a complete mess, but with this horrible moment, you also get to see his regret as he buries his pet. Joseph is self –destructive, full of anger but also sad and vulnerable, which poses the question” why?”

Joseph first meets Hannah (Olivia Colman) when he hides in the charity shop she works in. From behind a rack of clothes you hear this sinister voice telling the helpful charity worker to “fuck off”. Joseph doesn’t hide his contempt, whilst Hannah attempts to make sense of the situation. The start of this challenging relationship does not paint Joseph as a very nice character, but it is the start of a fierce and relentless tale of redemption.

Mullan is moving in his portrayal of an enraged alcoholic as is Colman in her performance as a woman struggling to find her way out of an abusive relationship. Eddie Marsan is terrifying in his role as the abusive husband and Hannah’s goodness is contrasted well against his malevolence. Internal turmoil, suffering and fear are all portrayed well through the strength of the acting.The performances are all powerful and mesmerising.

Considine’s strengths as a director and writer are clear with his commanding camera work and his screenplay that is so honest and perceptive it will make you writhe with discomfort.

Tyrannosaur is out now on Blu-ray and DVD

written by
Kat

Genesis Cinema Film Quiz in conjunction with Cinetalk. When: 8pm...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:33:00 -0500

Genesis Cinema Film Quiz in conjunction with Cinetalk.

When: 8pm tonight!

FREE!

http://www.genesiscinema.co.uk/contact.php