Wednesday July 22nd 2009
You know sometimes when you’re just really, totally excited to see a particular film? That’s how I felt about The Taking of Pelham 123. I knew it wouldn’t be phenomenal (it’s a Tony Scott film) but I was genuinely enthusiastic about seeing it. I feel the same way about The Informant!, 2012 and even that film Triangle.
It was at Sony which is my favourite screening venue. They always have nice displays at Sony and big stacks of all their latest DVD releases. I’m not quite sure why they’re there but I’m guessing you can’t just take a few home with you, even though I’d like to. They had two displays up that day, one industrial wasteland scenario with a big Terminator in the middle of it, and one Christmas scene with lots of gift ideas for various family members:
They played three songs while I sat in the ‘lounge’ area.
‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield
‘I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)’ by Sandi Thom
‘… Baby One More Time’ by Britney Spears
None of them were in the film itself.
The review
It’s a very energetic film and it’s not at all boring. Sometimes the relentless MTV-ness of it all gets a bit tiring (especially when it does the whole Danny Boyle blurry low frame rate shit) but mostly it’s the sort of movie that lends itself nicely to a Daily Star style review, using phrases like ‘rip roaring’ and ‘thrill ride’. Be warned, it does have one of the most useless, gratuitous subplots in modern cinema.
It’s a nice little performance from Denzel Washington though.
One more thing…
Tuesday July 21st 2009
See this piece by Peter Bradshaw. I don’t agree with everything he says (I liked Antichrist more than he did) but he’s spot on about Christopher Hart and Wanted.
Tuesday July 21st 2009
Yesterday I saw Lars von Trier’s Antichrist.
I’m not sure I can ever be shocked by a movie again.
I saw it at the Hospital Club in Covent Garden, where they have bean bag chairs in the screening room. If you know anything about the content of Antichrist, you’ll understand why such seating seemed strangely perverse.
Are you really going to appreciate the benefits of cushioned chairs while watching Charlotte Gainsbourg mutilate her own lower portions in slow-motion close-up?
Anyway, here’s the skinny on the year’s most controversial film:
Is it shocking?
Yes. Absolutely. To the extent that even the snobby, above-it-all film critics who laughed ironically (and loudly) at the gratuitous nudity, were silenced by the more horrific scenes towards the end. It’s a mark of how relentlessly provocative the film is that the aforementioned scene of self-multilation isn’t even in the chapter of the movie titled ‘Gynocide’.
It’s incredible really that the BBFC, which only ten years ago was cutting a few seconds of punching out of Fight Club, is now ready to pass this uncut at 18. Even if it has got one of the most Daily-Mail-unfriendly warnings they’ve ever issued:
Rated 18 for strong real sex, bloody violence and self-mutilation.
Bring the whole family.
Does the fact that it’s shocking make it worth seeing?
In some ways, yes. It is a cinematic experience that you will never forget. It is causing mass debate. Such things are not as easy to provoke as certain journalists seem to think. A dozen torture porn sequels and a copy of Manhunt 2 could never even hope to create such an impact on their audience. It is a very well made film.
Should it be banned?
No. Even if ‘journalist’ (cum fucking idiot) Christopher Hart, who admits that he hasn’t seen the film, thinks so.
Is it misogynistic?
Yes and no.
For more information, see a million feminist POVs on the Guardian Film Blog.
Is it good?
Fuck knows.
But Gainsbourg and Dafoe deserve every award going.
Monday July 20th 2009
Literally unbelievable. His neck just melts into his body. And his face is a completely different colour to his arms.
Not to mention the fact that he looks like fucking Gollum.
Monday July 20th 2009
… is mah’fucking reviews week y’all.
Depending on the state of embargos, we may or may not be reviewing Antichrist, Adam, The Taking of Pelham 123, Inglourious Basterds and 500 Days of Summer.
Just in case we’re not allowed to review them this week, here are a few predictive reviews for you now:
ANTICHRIST
Engaging but morally questionable. Never want to see again.
ADAM
Too quirky to ever be called good.
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123
Unbelievably good.
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Another step down on the Tarantino career ladder, but Pitt & Co aren’t awful.
500 DAYS OF SUMMER
See review for Adam.
While we’re at it, here are a couple more reviews that should definitely be embargoed:
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
Nowhere near as good as the last one.
SPIDER-MAN 4
Literally as bad as the last one.
