Sunday 30 January 2011
Thursday 27 January 2011
More Awesome Action Movie action from India
This is epic and also badly dubbed over in Russian for some reason
Ratings & Classifications : An opening ponder.
After watching Mark Kermode's interesting entry on effect of age rating certificates and their differing effects on the performance of films I did starting thinking about what he said and then about film censorship in general.
Of course recently there has been some renewed discourse around the issue down to the fact that for the first time in a few years the BBFC refused to release a film unless cuts were made. That being the four minutes of cuts made to A Serbian Film.
Now rather boringly I have to admit I think the current state of affairs is probably about right. Currently very few films are refused classification by the BBFC and they are these days very open about the decisions they make. I do think they were right to ask for the cuts in A Serbian Film since the material in question centered around the sexual abuse of minors.
Now some people may say that as adults we should be allowed to all make our own decisions and we have a right to free speech. First off I don't think anyone who calls for total free speech has really thought about what they're asking for and secondly (and perhaps somewhat conservatively) I'm happy there is a body examining media released into the cultural sphere in this country.
I don't think anyone can argue that things are restrictive at present. Look at The Hangover (which received an 'R' in the states), which pretty openly strides through drug abuse, alcohol abuse, prostitution, gang violence and a lot of swearing. It was given a '15' rating, which I think is fair but I can imagine if had been released perhaps as early as the 90's it might have been bumped up to an '18'
At the other end of the scale the introduction of the '12' certificate has opened up the market, but it is a certificate I admit I'm not sure about. Illustrated by something like The Dark Knight; clearly the studio involved was happy to let director Nolan make things a little darker (well a lot in comparison to Batman & Robin) in the knowledge that they could hit the '12' and keep the valuable family market that would be cut back by the '15'.
Now I'm all for as people being allowed to see a film as possible but am a little wary since it seems very few parents check out a film before taking along children and something like The Dark Knight I can imagine being a little much for 'younger' 12 years olds. And from the other side the film was hamfistedly edited in places to ensure the lower certification especially the infamous pencil trick and any of the scenes involving knives.
In the end though I'm fairly certain we have a better system that the American one which pretty much allows anyone and everyone to see has much violence as they like but slaps it's highest certificate on pretty much anything sexual, so the likes of Blue Valentine gets initially an NC-17 (reduced to an R on appeal) whilst The Expendables happily gets the much more lucrative R rating straight out the gate.
Made all the more bizarre considering anyone can go to an R rated film if there is someone over 18 with them. The cultural attitudes touched upon by Kermode are also interesting, where the American audience seems to still treat NC-17 as something lurid, perhaps its a legacy of the exploitation film scene that exploded in the seventies.
Now that was a bit of a ramble and I may come back to the topic again at a later date once it's had more time to roll around my brain.
Of course recently there has been some renewed discourse around the issue down to the fact that for the first time in a few years the BBFC refused to release a film unless cuts were made. That being the four minutes of cuts made to A Serbian Film.
Now rather boringly I have to admit I think the current state of affairs is probably about right. Currently very few films are refused classification by the BBFC and they are these days very open about the decisions they make. I do think they were right to ask for the cuts in A Serbian Film since the material in question centered around the sexual abuse of minors.
Now some people may say that as adults we should be allowed to all make our own decisions and we have a right to free speech. First off I don't think anyone who calls for total free speech has really thought about what they're asking for and secondly (and perhaps somewhat conservatively) I'm happy there is a body examining media released into the cultural sphere in this country.
I don't think anyone can argue that things are restrictive at present. Look at The Hangover (which received an 'R' in the states), which pretty openly strides through drug abuse, alcohol abuse, prostitution, gang violence and a lot of swearing. It was given a '15' rating, which I think is fair but I can imagine if had been released perhaps as early as the 90's it might have been bumped up to an '18'
At the other end of the scale the introduction of the '12' certificate has opened up the market, but it is a certificate I admit I'm not sure about. Illustrated by something like The Dark Knight; clearly the studio involved was happy to let director Nolan make things a little darker (well a lot in comparison to Batman & Robin) in the knowledge that they could hit the '12' and keep the valuable family market that would be cut back by the '15'.
Now I'm all for as people being allowed to see a film as possible but am a little wary since it seems very few parents check out a film before taking along children and something like The Dark Knight I can imagine being a little much for 'younger' 12 years olds. And from the other side the film was hamfistedly edited in places to ensure the lower certification especially the infamous pencil trick and any of the scenes involving knives.
In the end though I'm fairly certain we have a better system that the American one which pretty much allows anyone and everyone to see has much violence as they like but slaps it's highest certificate on pretty much anything sexual, so the likes of Blue Valentine gets initially an NC-17 (reduced to an R on appeal) whilst The Expendables happily gets the much more lucrative R rating straight out the gate.
Made all the more bizarre considering anyone can go to an R rated film if there is someone over 18 with them. The cultural attitudes touched upon by Kermode are also interesting, where the American audience seems to still treat NC-17 as something lurid, perhaps its a legacy of the exploitation film scene that exploded in the seventies.
Now that was a bit of a ramble and I may come back to the topic again at a later date once it's had more time to roll around my brain.
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Baldie Statue time!
Well, here go on the final straight of film awards season. The first thing to note is looks like I will have to catch up with The King's Speech soon!
But seriously looking at the main categories it's pretty much the expected suspects making up the numbers. So let's have a look at the runners and riders;
BEST PICTURE
127 HOURS (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
BLACK SWAN (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
INCEPTION (Warner Bros Pictures)
THE FIGHTER (Relativity Media/Paramount Pictures)
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Focus Features)
THE KING'S SPEECH (The Weinstein Co)
THE SOCIAL NETWORK (Sony Pictures)
TOY STORY 3 (Pixar/Walt Disney Studios)
TRUE GRIT (Paramount Pictures)
WINTER'S BONE (Roadside Attractions)
It's a decent selection this year with nothing in there that makes you think it's been included to try and popularise the event, everything named honestly would seem to merit inclusion. A couple of popular crowd pleasers in there with Toy Story 3 and Inception but crucially they were actually good. Nice to see Winter's Bone get a mention.
But this is one is most likely already a case of straight up fight between The King's Speech and The Social Network. It seems Social Network has the zeitgeist and King's Speech the momentum so it's hard to call but I'm going to call King's Speech to pick this one up.
BEST ACTOR
JEFF BRIDGES - TRUE GRIT (Paramount Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM - BIUTIFUL (Roadside Attractions)
JESSE EISENBERG - THE SOCIAL NETWORK (Sony Pictures)
COLIN FIRTH - THE KING’S SPEECH (The Weinstein Company)
JAMES FRANCO - 127 HOURS (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Again a decent set of nominations, Jeff Bridges got an award for being Jeff Bridges (ie awesome)last year so I think he's out. I think it might be between James Franco and Colin Firth for this one with Firth most likely coming out the winner.
BEST ACTRESS
ANNETTE BENING - THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Focus Features)
NICOLE KIDMAN - RABBIT HOLE (Lionsgate)
JENNIFER LAWRENCE - WINTER’S BONE (Roadside Attractions)
NATALIE PORTMAN - BLACK SWAN (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
MICHELLE WILLIAMS - BLUE VALENTINE (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
I think here we're pretty much looking at Natalie Portman picking this one up since she's been picking up the awards throughout the season. Jennifer Lawrence may be an outside bet since she is absolutely excellent in Winter's Bone, also great to see Michelle Williams (who has been quietly impressive for a few years) get a nod. Plus notice once Nicole Kidman ditches the botox she returns to the nominations!
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
CHRISTIAN BALE - THE FIGHTER (Paramount Pictures)
JOHN HAWKES - WINTER’S BONE (Roadside Attractions)
JEREMY RENNER - THE TOWN (Warner Bros Pictures)
MARK RUFFALO - THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Focus Features)
GEOFFREY RUSH - THE KING’S SPEECH (The Weinstein Company)
A bit of mixed bag, Renner wasn't that good in The Town, which might see method madness steer it the way of Christian Bale's emaciated turn in The Fighter as Rush already has one and so won't win for just being him Jeff Bridges style.
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
AMY ADAMS - THE FIGHTER (Paramount Pictures)
HELENA BONHAM CARTER - THE KING’S SPEECH (The Weinstein Company)
MELISSA LEO - THE FIGHTER (Paramount Pictures)
HAILEE STEINFELD - TRUE GRIT (Paramount Pictures)
JACKIE WEAVER - ANIMAL KINGDOM (Sony Pictures Classics)
Hmm, hard to call here, but word seems to possible point this one in Amy Adams direction but none of the performances are distinctly ahead of any the other's mentioned. If King's Speech is on a role though by this point expect Mrs Burton to take the award home
BEST ANIMATED PICTURE
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (DreamWorks Animation)
TOY STORY 3 (Pixar/Walt Disney Studios)
THE ILLUSIONIST (Sony Pictures Classics)
It's Toy Story 3. It will be. Always bet on the Pixar.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“127 Hours” Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
“The Social Network” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
“Toy Story 3” Screenplay by Michael Arndt; Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
“True Grit” Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“Winter's Bone” Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
I think The Social Network will probably take the baldie here though there is much love for the Coen's work with True Grit. I admit I'm not sure why Toy Story 3 is in this category.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Another Year” Written by Mike Leigh
“The Fighter” Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson;
Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
“Inception” Written by Christopher Nolan
“The Kids Are All Right” Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
“The King's Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler
Most likely to be The King's Speech again here but Inception's screenplay that combined intelligence with big time thrills for a summer audience might have a shout at this one. The Kids Are All Right is probably you're best 'outside' bet though.
DIRECTING
DARREN ARONOFSKY, Black Swan
DAVID O RUSSEL, Fighter
TOM HOOPER, King;s Speech
DAVID FINCHER, Social Network
JOEL AND ETHAN COEN, True Grit
Now I suspect King's Speech might well pick up a lot of awards but I have a hunch that this will go David Fincher's way. Social Network was not only entertaining for a story about civil lawsuits and internet start-ups but was also a technical masterpiece in it's construction. Though I can possibly see Black Swan's delirium turning a few eyes. But I'm betting on Fincher here.
Sunday 23 January 2011
Sunday Smile : also good for Monday Mornings
This week a bit of sweding Star Trek style (if you don't know what sweding is check out 'Be Kind Rewind', tell you I'll pop the trailer for that on the end here):
Saturday 22 January 2011
True Blood, now with extra Wolf
First of all let's just say it's great to have True Blood return to our screens (well technically our monitors since so far I've caught the first two episodes of the series on iTunes) and it's still a great piece of work.
There are of course some spoilers from here on in as we take a look at the first couple of episodes (Bad Blood and Beautifully Broken).
It all opens just after the disappearance of Bill at the restaurant and Sookie is frustrated that no-one seems to take it seriously, with the Police not helping. Meanwhile Tara reels from the death of Eggs as Jason and Andy try to work what they are going to do about explaining it all.
To be fair this episode is a little bitty as it needs to set threads running after the fall out of last year but for the most part it is successful as we learn those we have taken Bill have a certain lupine quality about them. However Tara still is annoying for me as she manages to blame Sookie for Eggs' death within about thirty seconds of talking to her and then ignores LaFayette in favour of her unstable mother.
Things settle down a bit in the second episode of the series as we learn that Bill's captors in fact work for a vampire Lord who is maneuvering to take over the land of Bill's Queen. Who herself, is looking a trouble as investigations begin into the amount of 'V' being sold in her territory.
Along the way we see Eric and Godric in '40s Europe, posing as members of the S.S. no less as they track werewolves, Sam has some uncomfortable dreams about Bill and Jessica finds herself struggling to deal with a dead body as continues to learn about being a vampire.
It certainly seems like the series is shaping well with a lot of avenues to be pursued (why does Bill appears to have a dossier on Sookie?)and hopefully the number of strands will help avoid the bogging down that occurred last year during the Marianne sections.
Thursday 20 January 2011
The Girl With The Draon Tattoo
I recently caught up with this excellent Swedish thriller. It follows the tale of a recently disgraced journalist (Michael Nyqvist as Mikeal) as he investigates a forty year old disappearance for a reclusive rich business man and the trials of a twenty something hacker with an abusive past (and present) who ends up helping him.
The presence of the missing Harriet Vanger hangs over the film like a ghost for most of the runtime (indeed helped by the isolated setting) as Mikeal investigates the dealings of the Vanger family and their dark secrets meanwhile playing against the traditional thriller fair of the investigation we follow Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace) as she endures and fights back against some terrible abuse at the hands of her probation officer.
Indeed this section of the film is very dark stuff indeed and is hard to watch at times but does go a long way to explaining Lisbeth's actions at the film's end. To really say more here would go a way to spoiling the mystery at the heart of the film but be warned this is some distressing stuff in here.
The mystery and investigation itself are compulsive and things take a turn once a series of murders is discovered connected to the family and echoes of Se7en enter the frame as each crime is played out in a specific way.
Sadly once the villain is revealed things stutter a bit as the last third of the film both dispatches them and ties together some lose ends in a slightly stilted way. But the motivations of a couple of the characters turn out to be distressingly similar and you will be made of stone if at least one part of the final third doesn't get to you.
Michael Nyqvist as Mikeal is solid in the role and does give you the sense of a man who once intrigued won't let thins lie but it's Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth who puts in the star performance. Given an incredibly complex character to work with she succeeds in making Lisbeth a rounded if damaged individual, someone who is looking for something in her life she isn't sure exists, love. Sounds cheesy I know but it is played and written excellently.
It's a great film of the type of investigative thriller you seem to get so rarely these days and am also indeed now very much looking forward to the US remake since remembering it's David Fincher calling the shots. The material is certainly right up his street and the last time he made something similar we got the masterwork that is Zodiac.
Wednesday 19 January 2011
The NC-17 quandry
An interesting one from Mr Kermode here which I think I shall have to muse on as I think it's probably worth having a longer look at certification and the problems it can cause.
Monday 17 January 2011
Trailers of the day.
This time round we have two trailers, one that doesn't inspire me at all and looks like a fairly tired comedy and another that trailer that looks quite cool and the film should hopefully be a barnstorming take on the 'ol alien invasion thing.
So first up the underwhelming looking 'Paul' with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost
It just don't make me laugh or smile and the CGI looks pretty poor if you ask me and Seth Rogen's voicework just feels out of place.
And that was Battle: Los Angeles aiming to give you alien invasion from the point of view of the army grunts on the front line. Could be pretty dumb but it looks like it's going to be pretty epic whatever the intelligence level.
So first up the underwhelming looking 'Paul' with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost
It just don't make me laugh or smile and the CGI looks pretty poor if you ask me and Seth Rogen's voicework just feels out of place.
And that was Battle: Los Angeles aiming to give you alien invasion from the point of view of the army grunts on the front line. Could be pretty dumb but it looks like it's going to be pretty epic whatever the intelligence level.
Thursday 13 January 2011
Song line game
Well, it's the old opening lines from songs game. You know the score, name the songs. I suspect some of these might be quite tricky and be warned my musical taste really is quite far ranging
1. "For a long time I was in love/ Not only in love I was obsessed"
2. "Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner / But he knew it wouldn't last."
3. "Good and bad I swear I've had / Tho' both are overrated"
4. "You took my hand, you showed me how / You promised me you'll be around"
5. "Well she lives in a fairytale. / Somewhere too far for us to find"
6. "Lord, give me grace and dancing feet. / And the power to impress"
7. "I dreamed I was missing / You were so scared"
8. "Love, love is a verb / Love is a doing word"
9. "I got to testify / Come up in the spot looking extra fly."
10. "Are we growing up or just doing down? / It's just a matter of time until we're all found out"
11. "There is a house in New Orleans"
12. "Loose lips might sink ships. / But loose gooses take trips"
13. "I'm in the sky tonight. There I can keep by your side."
14 "In my happy home I barely breath. In my lover's arms I find relief"
15."Leaves area falling all around / It's time I was on my way
16."It's hard to rely on my good intentions. When my head's full of things I can't mention"
17."Five hours from now you'll be sleeping. I'll be lying awake wondering;; did we make the right decision?"
18."I rather be liberated. I find myself captivated. Stop doing, what you keep doing"
19."Just gonna stand there and watch me burn. That's alright because I like the way it hurts"
20."Standing in line to see the show tonight and there's a light on."
1. "For a long time I was in love/ Not only in love I was obsessed"
2. "Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner / But he knew it wouldn't last."
3. "Good and bad I swear I've had / Tho' both are overrated"
4. "You took my hand, you showed me how / You promised me you'll be around"
5. "Well she lives in a fairytale. / Somewhere too far for us to find"
6. "Lord, give me grace and dancing feet. / And the power to impress"
7. "I dreamed I was missing / You were so scared"
8. "Love, love is a verb / Love is a doing word"
9. "I got to testify / Come up in the spot looking extra fly."
10. "Are we growing up or just doing down? / It's just a matter of time until we're all found out"
11. "There is a house in New Orleans"
12. "Loose lips might sink ships. / But loose gooses take trips"
13. "I'm in the sky tonight. There I can keep by your side."
14 "In my happy home I barely breath. In my lover's arms I find relief"
15."Leaves area falling all around / It's time I was on my way
16."It's hard to rely on my good intentions. When my head's full of things I can't mention"
17."Five hours from now you'll be sleeping. I'll be lying awake wondering;; did we make the right decision?"
18."I rather be liberated. I find myself captivated. Stop doing, what you keep doing"
19."Just gonna stand there and watch me burn. That's alright because I like the way it hurts"
20."Standing in line to see the show tonight and there's a light on."
Monday 3 January 2011
Quiz Time : A quick 2010 film quiz
Pretty much what it says on the tin. I admit I'm not in practice with writing quizzes so I'm not sure if it's too easy or too hard. Submit your answers and I give the answers once it seems everyone who wants to has had a go. (There might even be a promise of a drink bought for the winner) Stay away from the IMBD and qive it you best shot.
1.Let Me In was the English language remake of which Swedish chiller?
2.Scorsese’s Shutter Island was based on a book by which author also known for Mystic River?
3.Edgar Wright, pal of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, director of promise brought a comic very much to life in 2010 with which film?
4.Who took over as Lt Col James Rhodes in Iron Man 2 and who did he step in for?
5.Rickey Gervais and Stephen Merchant wrote and directed which slice of small town life?
6.The Town saw the second director’s chair outing for which former Marvel superhero?
7.Just how many levels of dreamscape where there in Cillian Murphy’s head in Inception?
8.Matthew Vaughn brought to screen the whirling dervish of Kick-Ass with his third stint as director, but which very different film was his second directorial outing?
9.The Social Network told (a version of anyway) the story of how Mark Zuckerberg established Facebook. But it seems his business partner and friend in the film is heading to grander things, as Spiderman. So who played friend Eduardo Saverin and is soon to be Peter Parker?
10.Four Lions is the film debut for director Chris Morris but it’s two writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong are the brains behind which Channel 4 sitcom?
11.Bradley “The Hangover” Cooper became one of The A-Team last year. But which one?
12.Toy Story 3 was a triumphant return for Woody, Buzz and the gang. Even Barbie found love, who was it that voiced the oh-so slightly camp Ken?
13.Just before the end of the year Sofia Coppola returned with the tale of a film star drifting through life. Name it.
14.Who was the other, other guy to Will Ferrell in the cop comedy The Other Guys?
15.M. Night Shyamalan looks like he may have finally killed his career stone dead with which family adventure derided by all?
16.The excellent Monsters appeared towards the end of the year, written and directed by Gareth Edwards who also worked on the visual effects. But through which country are the protagonists trying to find a safe way home?
17.The Bourne team of Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass reunited for which Middle East based thriller?
18.In the Summer Jake Gyllenhaal was the titular prince of where?
19.Restrepo was an unflinching documentary following a platoon for a year on tour in which conflict zone?
20.Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe teamed up once again and brought us their version of which legendary outlaw?
1.Let Me In was the English language remake of which Swedish chiller?
2.Scorsese’s Shutter Island was based on a book by which author also known for Mystic River?
3.Edgar Wright, pal of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, director of promise brought a comic very much to life in 2010 with which film?
4.Who took over as Lt Col James Rhodes in Iron Man 2 and who did he step in for?
5.Rickey Gervais and Stephen Merchant wrote and directed which slice of small town life?
6.The Town saw the second director’s chair outing for which former Marvel superhero?
7.Just how many levels of dreamscape where there in Cillian Murphy’s head in Inception?
8.Matthew Vaughn brought to screen the whirling dervish of Kick-Ass with his third stint as director, but which very different film was his second directorial outing?
9.The Social Network told (a version of anyway) the story of how Mark Zuckerberg established Facebook. But it seems his business partner and friend in the film is heading to grander things, as Spiderman. So who played friend Eduardo Saverin and is soon to be Peter Parker?
10.Four Lions is the film debut for director Chris Morris but it’s two writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong are the brains behind which Channel 4 sitcom?
11.Bradley “The Hangover” Cooper became one of The A-Team last year. But which one?
12.Toy Story 3 was a triumphant return for Woody, Buzz and the gang. Even Barbie found love, who was it that voiced the oh-so slightly camp Ken?
13.Just before the end of the year Sofia Coppola returned with the tale of a film star drifting through life. Name it.
14.Who was the other, other guy to Will Ferrell in the cop comedy The Other Guys?
15.M. Night Shyamalan looks like he may have finally killed his career stone dead with which family adventure derided by all?
16.The excellent Monsters appeared towards the end of the year, written and directed by Gareth Edwards who also worked on the visual effects. But through which country are the protagonists trying to find a safe way home?
17.The Bourne team of Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass reunited for which Middle East based thriller?
18.In the Summer Jake Gyllenhaal was the titular prince of where?
19.Restrepo was an unflinching documentary following a platoon for a year on tour in which conflict zone?
20.Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe teamed up once again and brought us their version of which legendary outlaw?
Saturday 1 January 2011
R.Tv.O.R.F.
Yes it's a little prentious but the tune is catchy and parts of the documentary style video shows a great eye for an image and a surefooted sense of timing.
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