Chosen Survivors, 1974 - ★★½

Chosen Survivors, 1974 - ★★½
REVIEWED

"It consumes its own weight in blood every day."

Alana Fitzgerald (Diana Muldaur)

Slightly off kilter post apocalyptic fantasy, following a group of chosen individuals who are lucky enough to land places in a state of the art futuristic underground base, ahead of an imminent nuclear attack on the USA. Only the group are plagued by vampire bats, and begin to question if they're not part of some progressively more elaborate experiment.

'Chosen Survivors' is an unusual mixture of familiar themes, that never rose to its early promise for me. It did manage to build a pretty claustrophobic and suspenseful atmosphere, while the hammy script made it feel more like a television pilot than feature. Especially the first 3rd, when we're introduced to the characters by way of narrated psycho babble. Acting is fine and visually its great, the internal base is full of 70s chic.

[PRFR]
The dubious random drunken sexual attack by the pent up lead character played by Jackie Cooper, and the even more dubious 'ohh go on then' response by the victim played by Barbara Babcock (the 70s really took misogyny to another level). Ohh and I must give a massive nod to the films lighting department, it lit tunnels and elevator shafts green, way before Alien/Aliens did.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Last Kind Words, 2012 - ★★★½

Last Kind Words, 2012 - ★★★½
REVIEWED

"Why don't you kiss me... its not a sin if I'm drunk"

City dweller Katie (Sarah Steele)

'Last Kind Words' is a pretty damned cool, slow paced supernatural yarn, set in a rural backwater. It follows 17 year old Eli (Spencer Daniels) who discovers that his neighbor Waylon (Brad Dourif) is hiding a shocking family secret, and that his dream girl Amanda (Alexia Fast) isn't all she seems.

Quality little picture, its the first feature from writer/director Kevin Barker that proves so long as you put in some effort, you don't need millions to make a good film. Visually sun drenched, aurally its soaked with delta blues and folk, plus the acting is solid throughout. What more can you ask for (I really enjoyed it) I'd liken it to an indie version of 'Lovely Bones'. I guess it'll be a touch slow for thrill seekers, but if you're in the mood for something a little more restraint, you could do far far worse than this.

[PRFR]
Brad Dourif making a low budget movie worth a shit, the quality delta blues soundtrack and lovely Alexia Fast skinny dipping.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

The Almost Man, 2012 - ★★★½

The Almost Man, 2012 - ★★★½
REVIEWED

"She can uncoil her boobs until they are 10-12 meters long..."

Henrik (Henrik Rafaelsen)

35 year old Norwegian Henrik is bored with the mundanity of modern adult life, so hes refused to fully mature. Only his worlds pushed into crises when his girlfriend Tone tells him shes pregnant.

Martin Lund's debut movie is an odd toned romantic comedy, that actually plays more like a drama and character study of a man child. Henrik Rafaelsen who looks somewhere between 'The It Crowds' Chris O'Dowd and 'League of Gents' Mark Gatiss, plays Henrik so well its easy to believe you're just watching a guys daily life. Likewise Janne Heltberg is hugely likable as his girlfriend Tone, just a shame the nudity in the film was all male. I really liked The Almost Man, its not perfect or entertaining every second, but it definitely comes from an honest place.

[PRFR]
The scene Henrick gets caught pissing on a copy of Peter Pan, which was probably a reference to defacing a character that never grows up.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Ubit Drakona, 1988 - ★★★★

Ubit Drakona aka Kill the Dragon 1988 - ★★★★
REVIEWED

"The only way to get rid of a dragon, is to have ones own dragon."

The Archivist 

 

Beguiling Russian fable that uses the age old theme of an Hero vs Dragon as its backdrop to study human nature and why society will always be governed by one system or another and never be truly free. A traveler who claims to be a descendant of Lancelot walks into a city to find it under the grip of the tyrannical Mr Dragon. Our hero learns that anyone has a right to challenge the Dragon, only do the backward nations people really need or want their freedom back.

The movies all over the damn place, theres musical numbers and science fiction thrown in among its more dramatic moments. But even though its absurd its got an extremely sharp plot and makes great points. I'll be honest, a touch of the more political aspects flew gleefully over my head, outside of the Cold War and Stalin I'm very ignorant to Soviet Union politics. The structure of 'Ubit Drakona aka Kill the Dragon' reminded me most of Jack Arnold's anti war/establishment classic 'The Mouse That Roared', in that its really a comedy about the little man making a stand. Hell Oleg Yankovskiy as Mr Dragon hops into several persona's equally as well as Sellers managed to do. In fact the acting is solid throughout especially from Yankovskiey and Aleksandr Abdulov as our hero. Like most Russian fantasy movies its visually sumptuous, the locations used and peculiar architecture really add to the other world & time feel.

[PRFR]
Some of the crazy policys used like boarding up every window in the city so its populus can't see the truth. And the clever ending with children watching a man flying a dragon kite, open to being taught an alternative way of life.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Female Teacher: Dirty Afternoon, 1981 - ★★½

Female Teacher: Dirty Afternoon, 1981 - ★★½
_REVIEWED_

"Its nice I get hooked on it... Man-aholism."

Delinquent student on about sex, while on a swing 

A usually shy and removed teacher strikes up a bond with one of her wayward students, when the police call her due to the students lack of parents. Has her relationship with the young student grows, it stirs deep rooted urges making her question her own lonely lifestyle.

Female Teacher Dirty Afternoon is supposedly the 8th entry in the Nikkatsu series that ran to an amazing 11. Personally I found it dull and a little lifeless, especially when viewed alongside the studios more notorious series. Theres two mild rape scenes that were clearly thrown in purely for titillation reasons, other than those segments its a very basic erotic drama, more than exploitation fest.

[PRFR]
Not much, but I was pretty amused by the students paint thinner huffing father and the fact the funky central theme tune was English.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

May I Kill U?, 2013 - ½

May I Kill U?, 2013 - ½
REVIEWED

Embarrassingly bad, low grade crime satire that wouldn't even stand up to youtube quality skits. Kevin Bishop (of shit UK comedy trash 'Star Stories') plays copper Baz, he decides to go vigilante and make a lone stand against urban criminal.

Single worst film experience I've had this year, its sub cable TV standard. Actually it did remind me like the sort of thing Channel 4 airs in their Comedy Lab slots (stand alone comedy drama pilots, made at cost in the hope of generating interest in full series).

[PRFR]

Nothing, the quicker I forget the whole sorry mess the better. And Francis Barber has really gone to shit.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Network, 1976 - ★★★★★

Network, 1976 - ★★★★★
REVIEWED

"I just ran out of bullshit"

Howard Beale (Peter Finch)

This corporate satire is director Sidney Lumet's (with the aid of writer Paddy Chayefsky) supremely sharp and articulate masterpiece. Plot follows a soon to be put to pasture news anchorman Howard Beale. Out of shock and his own self emptiness he suffers a mental breakdown and tells his dwindling viewer base hes going to kill himself live on air. His outburst sparks a ratings surge, so much the execs at his TV Network, decide to capitalize on Howard's new found public popularity for their own benefit.

Story plays out like an allegory for Illuminati styled faceless elites in power, and how global corporations have become bigger than countries & religions. Though the central theme is clearly manipulation, like how television media manipulates its viewers and also those who work in it.

The actings superb, its Peter Finch who steals the film, but both William Holden & Faye Dunaway give brilliant powerhouse performances. So do both Robert Duvall and Ned Beatty.

[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]

Its 70's chic at its very best, Holden

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Trainspotting, 1996 - ★★★★★

Trainspotting, 1996 - ★★★★★
REVIEWED

"Would sir care for a starter of some garlic bread perhaps?"

Swanney (Peter Mullan)

"No, thank you. I will proceed directly to the IV of hard drugs, please."

Renton (Ewan McGregor)

Just had the massive urge to rewatch this again over the weekend, with all the hype over the sequel finally getting the green light along with Boyle having a new movie out. Not sure what I think about the sequel, but if anyones going to make it glad its Boyle.

Choose... amazingly bleak humor (which remains immensely quotable).

Choose... fantastic music (which ranges from timeless rock, 90s Brit indie and often quirky incidental elevator music).

Choose... fine performances and direction (arguably the best picture entire cast and crew have ever made).

Choose... Kelly Mcdonalds T'n'A

Choose to wind up at the end of the 90 minutes feeling totally entertained.

[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]

The whole damn package is still amazing, little I didn't remember from last time I caught it (a good 2 or 3 years back). I had forgot how great Ewan McGregor used to be, I last caught him in that dull lifeless tsunami movie. And how much time both the characters of Tommy & Swanney got.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Shameless, 2012 - ★★½

Shameless, 2012 - ★★½
REVIEWED

"So that's how it is in their family"

Ed Rooney the Principle in Ferris Bueller

Morally dubious and downright gloomy incestuous relationship slash social drama from Poland. Tadek moves back in with his sister Anka, whose now become a trophy date to her rising in politics boyfriend. Its clear both Tadek and Anka have been very close earlier in their lives, only the brother wants to take it further.

Shameless is not an easy film to judge, on one hand its got interesting statements to make on modern Polish life, especially with the gypsy character of Irmina whose built up an infatuation with Tadek. But on the other hand it suspiciously plays out like a slice of Eurosleaze, especially in the way Anka seemingly prances around most the film, subtly teasing her poor brother. I just wish the film would have made up its mind and been one or the other, instead of falling someplace between.

[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]

The sexy Polish actresses Agnieszka Grochowska and Anna Próchniak.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Skellig: The Owl Man, 2009 - ★★★½

Skellig: The Owl Man, 2009 - ★★★½
REVIEWED

"Reasons to be cheerful part 3, 1 2 3, some of Buddy Holly, the working folly, the Bolshoi Ballet...."

Dave (John Simm) Dad singing to Ian Dury

Wickedly subdued slice of fantasy dealing with faith and self belief. Michaels parents move to a rundown old house in-order to make room for their impending addition of a new baby sister. Angsty teenager Michael discovers a stranger is living in an old work shed in the garden. At first he assumes the man is merely a junkie seeking shelter, though later he learns the man who seems to have given up on himself isn't what he first appeared.

Charming made for TV family movie based on David Almond's clever children's book. The story is very reminiscent of the classic children's faith testing movies 'Forbidden Games' & 'Whistle Down the Wind' only much more fantasy orientated, its a solid adaptation with great production values. I'm actually shocked how mature SKY Televisions output has become over the last three or four years, gone are the crumbly old days of starsearch. The casts fantastic with Tim Roth, Kelly Macdonald & John Simm, but its young 'Son of Rambow' actor Bill Milner that shines brightest.

[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]

Quality acting, magical numbered Chinese take aways and dodgy gags about arteritis (Arthur Itus).

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Windows, 1980 - ★★

Windows, 1980 - ★★
REVIEWED

"Open wide... arggghhoooOOOOOO"

Andrea (Elizabeth Ashley)

One hit blunder from legendary cinematographer Gordon Willis. In 1980 for the first and last time he stepped from behind the camera to direct Windows, a dubious low rent Rear Window plagiarizing thriller with lesbians.

Several of my all time favorite movies (ie Night of the Hunter, Electra Glide in Blue & The War Zone) are by single movie directors. Sadly the same can't be said for Windows, no wonder its been pretty much sat untouched gathering dust in Warners vaults all these years. Its the sort of cheesy thriller you'd expect from some straight to betamax company, I only wish MST3K's Joel or Mike would have riffed it.
[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]
The only lesbian movie I've ever seen I wanted the woman (slightly aged Elizabeth Ashley) to keep clothed. Ohh and the rapist for hire.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Between Time and Timbuktu, 1972 - ★★★½

Between Time and Timbuktu, 1972 - ★★★½
REVIEWED

"I think that I'm traveling through my own nightmares... ohh and a few nice dreams too"

Astronaut Stoney Stevenson (William Hickey)

Idiosyncratic and downright surreal made for TV science fiction fantasy & social satire based on various Kurt Vonnegut Jr scribblings. Average American Stoney Stevensen is the not so lucky winner of a fizzy drinks contest that promises to put a man into space. Only the spacecraft Prometheus 5 takes poor Stoney on a voyage of self discovery and to the verge of madness.

The writing and plot is all over the damn place which gives it a very disjointed feel, the only theme that constantly carries from one segment to the next is the anti establishment vibe. The more surreal segments include tropical hippy communes, cryogenic sperm banks hell theres even a little yellow submarine style animated piece thrown in. Age hasn't been so kind but it still makes a great curiosity, sad that modern Television doesn't take risks on material like this anymore.

"I'm not in control of my own destiny... its a miracle I can control my own bladder."

Stoney (William Hickey)

[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]
The moments Stoney goes crazy, and starts speaking with himself, we even got multiple images of him.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Sightseers, 2012 - ★★★½

Sightseers, 2012 - ★★★½
REVIEWED

"I wouldnt shit on you Chris, not unless you asked me to"

Tina (Alice Lowe)

Right Tina our next stop is... Sightseers is a darkly humourous vacation nightmare. Anal retentive Chris takes his withdrawn mother fixated new girlfriend Tina, on a sightseeing camping trip of the great Northern English countryside. Only theres more under the surface of Chris & Tina's heady world of named caravans, quaint museums and sexy knitted underwear than first meets the eye.

Sightseers is one of those movies that succeeds in being both cringe inducingly bleak and hilarious in equal measures. Its sort of Natural Born Killers meets Carry on Camping, or National Lampoons European Vacation by way of Hammer. In fact outside of BBC's League of Gentlemen I've not seen rural comedy so dark, probably Klovn: The Movie would be closest recent film, thats similar.

"Hes not a person Tina, hes a daily mail reader."

Chris (Steve Oram)

Director Ben Wheatley does a fine job of capturing the mundane world of camping, even managing to throw in some lovely footage of the countryside. The central performances from Steve Oram as Chris and Alice Lowe as Tina are spot on (they also both threw their own material into the mix). Likewise Amy Jump's script, is briming with subtle and not so subtle satire. Highlight for me was the few times Tina came out of her shell, from being a timid knitting & dog loving home girl to being full on smut, with foul mouth rants about using shit for lipstick.... Ohh and that ending was standing ovation worthy, everyone loves an happy ending, right!.

[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]
Reminded me how fucking dull British caravaning holidays are, use of our national hymn Jerusalem and the ending.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Cloud Atlas, 2012 - ★★★

Cloud Atlas, 2012 - ★★★
REVIEWED

"Ain't no blade can protect you from the True-True..."

Old Georgie (Hugo Weaving)

So the Wachowski's (with aid from Tom Tykwer) finally serve up their new dish minus meat and two veg, and for most part its pure nonsensical self indulgence, but at least its visually rewarding self indulgence. Its a cee gee eye/costume heavy, fantasy morality pantomime. With the simplistic Buddhist message that a selfless kind act can be as important to the grand scale of things than a vicious one, ohh and love never dies. But its drawn out over six stories in six timelines and what felt like several hours.

"Soylent Green are people!"

Timothy Cavendish (Jim Broadbent)

I don't want to be malicious, because its very good in parts, and the Wacko's offer heaps of colour and variety to cinema. Even though I didn't overly like it myself, I'll give it credit for at least trying to do its own thing in a unique way. Typically Wachowski's pay a massive nod to their love of anime, and the future Seoul setting was arguably the best timeline. It was my personal favorite until Neo popped up and it turned into a videogame cutscene. My key problem though was the twee concept of the same actors surfacing again in different guises wore thin fast. I wanted it to just tell its story not force me to play a really fuckin' expensive version of 'Wheres Wally' (or 'WHICH ONES WALLY' in this case).

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Dusty and Sweets McGee, 1971 - ★★★★½

Dusty and Sweets McGee, 1971 - ★★★★½
REVIEWED

"I'm only a freak by the standards I accept."

Male Hustler

Maybe, just maybe 'Dusty and Sweets McGee' is the holy motherfucking lost grail of counter culture drugsploitation movies. It starts with the intention of fooling the audience into thinking they're watching a real documentary (I'll be honest I dived into it under the false pretense it was, but it didn't take long to realize its not), at the start it notifies us that all the characters are played by real people, using their real names. What follows is 100 minutes of screen gold (well kinda more brown). We follow a set of lowlife heroin addicts and hustlers, plus a new couple to the scene, dabbling in the might of the horse for the first time. The characters speak candidly sharing their life stories, while the film itself cuts between dramatic scenes and spoken ones randomly throughout.

How the hell have I never heard of, nor seen this 70's WB movie before (my only guess is somehow it got held up with copyright issues or something, can understand lesser companies movies going AWOL but not WB). Its like watching Gus Van Sant's Drugstore Cowboy & My Own Private Idaho rolled into one, with Reservoir Dogs 'K Billy's Super Sounds of the 70s' playing as its musical backdrop. I must confess beforehand they were all movies I greatly respected and deemed extremely original, after seeing this I'm not so sure I'll feel the same.

Speaking of the soundtrack its truly jaw dropping, the music choices are amazing covering 50's doo-wop through to 70's classic rock, it even features its own fabtastic DJ named Weird Beard. Visually the film looks aged slightly, but that raw 70s era holds up well (at least it does for me). Acting isn't perfect but its sufficient to the characters and their stories. The actors clearly stayed up a few nights to give them the appearance of being tired and drawn, or maybe they really dabbled a little in the old H, hehe kinda 'Taking drugs to make movies to take drugs to' to coin a phrase.

The stories and dialog are the key to it working, they're either true (say taken from dudes in twelve step programs) or they're extremely well researched. I've not seen a Floyd Mutrux directed movie before, but I plan on changing that sooner or later. Of his writing credits i've seen, they go from pretty drool worthy to very watchable.

Originally taken from Letterboxd