Raindance 2012: Mon Ami Review

Smudged with the finger prints of the Coen brothers comes Canadian slacker-kidnapping caper Mon Ami, a darkly comic feature from writer/director Rob Grant. His first film Yesterday garnered widely favourable reviews, something he can expect to continue with this follow-up. Cal and Teddy are best friends unenthusiastically working at a Hardware superstore, undermined by customers and going nowhere fast. When these two long serving employees are overlooked for a promotion they concoct a plan and, like all good plans it involves kidnapping their boss’ daughter.

    Apparently unaware that ‘the best laid plans of mice and men oft do go astray’ this soon becomes plainly evident for our protagonists as, despite a meticulously prepared set-up theirs becomes a lesson in how not to conduct a kidnapping. From the offset the path is far from smooth as the practicalities of capturing the bait prove trickier than expected, quickly establishing our leads as truly inept hostage-takers. That (unlucky in more ways than one) hostage; Crystal, soon proves to be equally less reliable in her role as obliging victim than they had envisaged and when an attempted breakout goes unnoticed the stakes are invariably raised. Out of their depth and forced to alter their plan the two aren’t aided by the constant interruptions of Teddy’s wife Liz whose interspersed phone calls serve as effective tension breakers as well as to annoy the increasingly irritated Cal. The tension within the three is a running theme of the film and asks questions about male friendship and where they go if one’s life-plan differs to the other. Here, the perception is that they turn to crime to re-connect their bromance and there’s a felling that Cal is largely doing this simply to spend some time with his best friend away from his ‘nagging wife’ – that is very much the image of Liz in a role that won’t endear itself to many a female.

    The graphically bloodstained moments of the film are reminiscent of Tarintino or American Psycho and well balanced with the comic elements of the film with the overall effect coming across as something far more akin to Fargo. It’s to Grant’s credit that the comparisons don’t feel far overstretched, taking care to establish these believable characters in unbelievable situations as well as crafting neat stylistic touches.
Yesterday was unfairly but inevitably compared to Shaun of the Dead but alongside his sophomore effort he can rightly claim to be carving out a niche very much of his own. By establishing his own set of rules, language and narrative his is a tone destined for cult following.

Matthew Walsh

Rating:18
UK Release Date: 2nd October 2012 (Raindance Film Festival)
Directed By: Rob Grant
Cast: Mike Kovac, Scott Wallis, Bradley Duffy,

The Angel's Share DVD Review

★★★★☆

Ken Loach’s affable crime movie brings together a group of low-rent, ex-offenders through a community service course in Glasgow. Chief among them is Robbie (Paul Brannigan), a young father who, after barely avoiding a long custodial sentence, finds himself presented with a final chance to turn his faltering life around. Under the guidance of supervisor, Harry (John Henshaw), and with the help of new friends Mo (Jasmin Riggins), Albert (Gary Maitland) and Rhino (William Ruane), Robbie develops a passion for whisky, and with it a chance to escape his troubled past.

Loach has, for the most part, done a decent job of melding the contrasting elements of the down-at-heel kitchen sink drama, with the daft whimsy of a Highlands whisky heist. Brannigan, in particular, is successful in his ability to instil genuine empathy for a character who’s no angel himself. He’s also more than adequately aided by an amusing and largely comprehensible supporting cast, with Maitland standing out as the profoundly dim-witted Albert.

Loach’s ability to temper the comedy with the uglier elements of Robbie’s life, or vice versa, is evident for only two thirds of the story though. As the drink begins settle in the hearts and minds of the audience, Robbie’s past misconducts are conveniently washed-away in a tide of priceless Scotch. It reflects well on Loach and his cast then, that this shift from reality to fancy doesn’t entirely ruin the experience.

There’s more than enough spirit to be found at the bottom of the bottle, to redress the balance of a slightly lopsided story.

Extras on the DVD include a short making-of documentary, featuring interviews with Loach and the cast, who remark on his collaborative approach to filmmaking, as well as Brannigan’s real-life troubles, and his connection to his character.

Chris Banks (@Chris_in_2D)

Rating:15
UKDVD/BD Release Date:24th September 2012
Directed By:Ken Loach
Cast:Paul Brannigan, William Ruane, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, Gary Maitland, John Henshaw

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Hysteria Review

★★1/2☆☆

Hysteria is a Carry On film with ambitions of feminism. As you might imagine, this is problematic, and it’s a problem the film never really solves. This lack of resolution, plus a few other niggles here and there, keeps me from declaring the film a success. But it’s not bad either. Clumsy and didactic the film may be, but its heart is definitely in the right place. What’s more, the spectacle of Victorian high society men confronting the female orgasm, is about as funny as you might expect.

Honestly, I wish I liked it more. The whole issue of hysteria (in essence ‘female emotional behaviour that men don’t understand’ repackaged as a medical condition, that could be cured by orgasm) is one of those pieces of historical silliness that I adore. It seems to me that narrative fiction always has this sombre, respectful, serious approach to history, as if it’s some grand old man whose every pronouncement must be treated with reverence. Whereas, if you actually study history at all, what you quickly find is that the old man is senile. History is composed of the actions of humans, and there is no constant like the silliness of humans. It’s nice to see this aspect of history getting some attention.

But there’s no escaping the fact that the story has problems.

On a basic level, matters work fairly well. Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy) is a young doctor of a forward-thinking persuasion, which makes him a pariah in the eyes of the medical establishment. Luckily for him, one Dr. Robert Dalrymple (Jonathan Pryce) requires an assistant. His clinic for the treatment of hysteria is very busy, and he (not to mention his patients) is in need of a helping hand. There Granville meets the Dalrymple daughters: Emily (Felicity Jones) who is the perfect example of Victorian womanhood, and Charlotte (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is outspoken, passionate and, worst of all, associates with the poor. Granville, being a proper Victorian man, immediately falls for the former and disdains the latter.

So, Hysteria has the standard romance plot. But for all its lack of inspiration, it’s executed rather well. Dancy and Gyllenhaal have some nice adversarial chemistry, the plot is well paced and the characters mostly solidly constructed. A couple of comic reliefs, the (somewhat)ex-prostitute Molly (Sheridan Smith) and the noble sexual deviant Edmund St.John-Smythe (Rupert Everett) aren’t so much characters as walking jokes, as indeed are most of the hysteria patients. But that’s only to be expected. This is after all a funny film. The occasional thin character is a usual symptom of comedy.

But where this becomes problematic is with the film’s message. See, this is very much a historical film told through modern eyes, and as such, the heroes of the story are also those with a more ‘modern’ sensibility. This would be fine, if they didn’t keep aggressively flaunting it. Granville and Charlotte all but run around screaming ‘I support woman’s rights, free education, socialism, germ theory, the telephone, electricity- OH GOD I’M SO PROGRESSIVE”, like holding these beliefs is a big thing. But to modern ears, it sounds like a bunch of people crowing about how amazing it is that they think the sky is blue.

Of course, during the 1880s, believing such things was a Big Deal. But that’s because these beliefs were reactions against deeply entrenched social norms. Take woman’s rights for example. The concept that women were inferior to men was, in the 1880s, not some quaint, mockable custom. It was a societal norm that had existed for thousands of years. Challenging it is one of the most remarkable shifts human society has ever undergone. Considering the strength of the opposition, even the vague success of that challenge is incredible.

That is what any treatment of the growth of woman’s rights, or any of the other progressive movements of the 19th century, has to bring across: the image of a slingless David facing down a Goliath with a submachine gun. But Hysteria doesn’t. The film does give some sense of the opposition, don’t get me wrong. It has its fair share of establishment-minded characters. But in playing so many of these establishment viewpoints for laughs, mocking the Victorian men for getting so flustered about sex, laughing at their ‘scientific’ approach to the female orgasm, Hysteria undermines the seriousness of the establishment view. This would be fine, were the film a full comedy, but it also wants to make a serious point. It wants to state the importance of being progressive. Unfortunately it never manages to capture why being progressive so brave and necessary.

That’s not the only difficulty the film has. There’s a few hamfisted moments, where the characters make the classic ‘wild yet accurate’ speculations about what the future will be like, a joke that was already ancient in the 1880s. What’s more, Hysteria contains the worst jump cut I have ever seen. But on the whole, the film’s problem lies in its politics. The humour is grand: filthy, childish, charming stuff. The romance is engaging. But the film’s attempts to be serious are unsuccessful. All of which adds up to: entertaining, but not exactly good.

Adam Brodie

Rating:15
UK Release Date: 21st September 2012
Directed by:Tanya Wexler
Cast: Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jonathan Pryce, Felicity Jones, Rupert Everett, Sheridan Smith

'Kill Zombie' DVD Review

★★★☆☆

Dutch zombie horror Kill Zombie (original title Zombibi)tackles the horror genre with a ballsy understanding of its fan base and a quick sense of humour. Unfortunately its up against stiff opposition; Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Juan of the Dead (2011) are two stellar zombie features that handle the apocalypse in a similar bro-mantic black comedy style, still the film does well at holding its own.

Cutting straight to the action, Kill Zombie proves it’s for genre fans, no real exploration of the apocalypse and not too much focus on the concept of Armageddon as a social issue, Kill Zombie rolls up its sleeves and dives headfirst into the gory glory with a good sense of where its going and who its playing to. The film follows two brothers who after spending a night in jail, awake to find their city ravaged by zombie invasion. Joining forces with a police officer and two crazy criminals the group set off on a reluctant rescue mission through the deadly gore-splashed streets of Amsterdam.

Kill Zombie has some fantastic set pieces showing off a creative flair that lacks in many run-of-the-mill zombie features: a mini-gun sequence that’s grotesquely satisfying and a play park defence to name a couple. The more striking action sequences seem connected by typical zombie stock, but it’s incredibly tricky for a zombie film to maintain originality when so much has gone before. Even Romero seems to have lost some innovation. A key strength of the film is its comic timing and the skill with which its cast carry off the genuinely funny scenes. Kill Zombie is a prime example of what a good cast can do for a smaller production.

Though it looks good and has plenty of fun, Kill Zombie still lacks the heart of Juan or Shuan, heart that helped push those movies up past your bog-standard zombie massacre. And even though there’s a welcome and sometime innovative aspect to the design of the film, some things just don’t gel. The use of Tekken style fighting sequences is a marmite decision that threatens the integrity of the film, seeming just a little too unrealised and amateur.

Kill Zombie is for genre fans specifically, its lack of plot around the main characters stops it hitting the emotional impact of other mainstream cult black comedies but it does a good job of entertaining and showing off some really cool zombie action sequences. Its also one of few horror comedies that actually gets its comedy fairly spot-on.

SCOTT CLARK

Rating:15
UK DVD Release Date: 17th September 2012
Directed by: Martijn Smits, Erwin van den Eshof
Cast:Yahya Gaier, Mimoun Ouled Radi, Sergio Hasselbaink, Noel Deelen 

OI Dead Geezer, Cockneys VS Zombies Invading UK Home Releas This October

STUDIOCANAL are ‘eaven and ‘ell chuffed to announce that ‘orror comedy ‘Cockneys vs Zombies’ will be available on DVD & Blu-Ray from 29th October.

Cockneys vs Zombies follows a group of plucky cousins as they try to rob a bank to save their grandparents care home from developers. Little do they know, whilst they’re cleaning out the vault, zombies as cleaning up the east end and shuffling towards Bow Bells’ care home with an appetite for OAPs.

Starring a host of Britain’s finest acting talent including; Honor Blackman (Goldfinger, ‘The Avengers’, Bridget Jones’s Diary), Rasmus Hardiker (Starter for 10, I Want Candy, ‘Saxondale’), Harry Treadaway (Fish Tank, Control), Michelle Ryan (4.3.2.1, ‘Bionic Woman’), Ashley ‘Bashy’ Thomas (4.3.2.1, Shank), Jack Doolan (Cemetery Junction, ‘The Green Green Grass’) and Alan Ford (Snatch, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels). Cockneys vs. Zombies is written by James Moran ('Torchwood', Severance) and directed by Partizan's Matthias Hoene.

Cockneys vs. Zombies is a new breed of zombie adventure filled with equal edge-of-your-seat-tension and rocking-in-your-seat-with-laughter moments. If you ever wanted to see how a zimmer frame could turn into a lethal weapon, pick up Cockneys vs. Zombies on DVD or Blu-Ray on 29th October 2012, released by STUDIOCANAL.

When you’re robbing a bank, a zombie invasion makes things a lot harder.

As contractors at an East London building site unlock a 350 year old vault of seriously hungry zombies, our hapless team of wanna-be bank robbers are in the wrong place at the right time. Katy (Michelle Ryan), Andy (Harry Treadaway), Terry (Rasmus Hardiker) and bank robbing “experts” Mental Mickey (Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas) and Davey Tuppence (Jack Doolan) find themselves the unlikely heroes of a zombie attack.

Equipped with all the guns and ammo they can carry, it’s up to the gang to save not only their grandparents but the East End from Zombie-Armageddon. When it’s the living vs. the undead... it’s Cockneys vs. Zombies.

Cockneys Vs. Zombies stars Harry Treadaway, Michelle Ryan, Rasmus Hardiker, Ashley Thomas, Georgia King, Jack Doolan, Honor Blackman,Alan Ford, Richard Briers and Dudley Sutton

Available Extras – DVD &Blu-Ray

Behind the Scenes: - The Maguire Brothers – 4’ 35’’
- The Bank Robbery – 3’ 25’’
- The Care Home – 3’
- At The Docks – 2’ 50’’
- Special Effects – 3’ 40’
- The Filmmakers – 5’
- Andy TV – 1’ 30’’

Zombie School - 4’ 09’’

Trailer - 2’ 20’’

Cockneys Vs Zombies Will be released by Studiocanal in UK&Ireland, October 29th, read our review here

Monster Brawl DVD Review

★★☆☆☆

The first thing to say about Monster Brawl, is that it definitely won’t be for everyone. This B-movie extravaganza mixes wrestling and monsters to create a sub-genre hybrid that plays out like a cult passion project. Abominations like Wolfman and "Swamp Gut" meet in the ring to battle it out and prove once and for all who the meanest monster is. The concept is the perfect fan boy fantasy, a dream now made reality in the increasing validity of the fan's wants: films like Aliens vs Predator and Freddy vs. Jason have all proved that there's an audience waiting to see films that pitch classic characters, who have no good reason to be in the same place at the same time, together at last.

But is the film actually any good? Well if you can look past the cheesy acting of the amateur wrestlers playing the monsters, and have no problem with a fairly wobbly script, then it’s actually a kind of fun. Besides, in a film where Witch Bitch and Cyclops fight in a wrestling ring, the term “wobbly” loses much of its meaning. Much credibility is actually set in place through the cast; Jimmy Hart appears as himself, Kevin Nash steps in as a disgruntled colonel out to win the Monster Brawl, Lance Henriksen lends his growling tones as the narrator (credited as God), but its Dave Foley and Art Hindle who make some of the best scenes in the piece as the commentators.

The film isn’t supposed to be taken too seriously, that much is clear, its schlocky fun for like-minded fans who want to watch something silly, but even then the film is pretty thin. Intentional bombastic tongue-in-cheek can’t save an undeveloped concept. The fight scenes lack real punch and eventually start to bore, the formulaic approach to the subject is where the film trips up, introducing characters, giving them a five to ten minute background, and then pitting them against each other is nice at first but eventually tedious. It’s a shame when the best parts of a fight film are the character intros.

Surprisingly, the film isn’t too badly shot and the whole thing looks pretty good. Costume and production design definitely have a hammer/50’s feel, the sets are solid, and gore and creature effects are as good as any you’ll see in a studio production.

So, for all its B-movie charm Monster Brawl is still underdeveloped and too minimalist at too many points to stand its ground as a feature film. But there’s some fun to be had here for hard-core cult monster fans.

Special features are short but sweet: a twenty minute Behind the Scenes look at the incredibly passionate and humble forces who put the piece together, a collection of outtakes featuring Jimmy Hart, and the trailer for the film. In particular, the Behind the Scenes gives a little more appreciation for the film.

Scott Clark

Rating:15
UK Release Date: 20th August 2012
Directed by: Jesse T. Cook
Cast: Robert Maillet, Jimmy Hart, Jason David Brown, Kelly Couture
Pre-Order/Buy:Monster Brawl On DVD

Win Monster Brawl UK Premiere Tickets

Witness the ultimate “smackdown” event of all time as eight of the world’s most feared and famous monsters enter the ring to go head-to-head in a grotesque and hilarious fight to the death (or, in several cases, the “un-death”). It can only be the Monster Brawl (Momentum Pictures)…blasting onto DVD 20th August 2012.
On offer to some insanely lucky winners is a pair of tickets (per winner) to the premiere, yes PREMIERE, of Monster Brawl at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square on Wednesday 15th August introduced by the legendary horror writer Kim Newman. Fancy dress encouraged…but not mandatory! Doors open at 6pm with the film starting at 7pm.

We have 2 pairs of tickets for this event up for grabs and to win those tickets is to email us your name, address and in the email subject mater type "Monster Brawl". The email to send your entry is cinehouseuk@gmail.com Deadline for this comp is August 8th, 2012 (12noon).

Terms and Conditions

• This prize is non-transferable.
• No cash alternatives apply.
• UK  entries only, who can travel to and from London easily.
• No accommodation or transport are included, tickets only
  The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse and Momentum Pictures have the right to alter, delay or cancel this competition without any notice
• The competition is not opened to employees, family, friends of The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse,Momentum Pictures employees
• This competition is promoted on behalf of Momentum Pictures
• The Prize is to win tickets for London Monster Brawl premiere, 2 pairs
• To enter this competition you must send in your answer, name, address only, Deadline August 8th, 2012 (1200hrs)
• Will only accept entries sent to the correct email cinehouseuk@gmail.com, any other entry via any other email will be void.
• automated entries are not allowed and will be disqualified, which could result you been banned.
• The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse takes no responsibility for delayed, lost, stolen prizes
• The competition is opened to Aged 18  and over 
• Unless Stated Please  Do Not Include Telephone Numbers, we don’t need them
• The winning entries will be picked at random and contacted by email
• By sending your entry for this competition you are confirming you have read and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

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Delicacy (La délicatesse) DVD Review

★★★☆☆

Quality romantic comedies (French or otherwise), are an elusive beast. The phrase ‘chick flick’ is now synonymous with poor quality filmmaking. Often trite, sickly and poorly written the romantic comedy is a genre that has suffered from some of the laziest efforts of recent years. The majority of the energy is put into casting big names in an ‘if you build it they will come’ method of attracting audiences. Adapted from his own award winning novel, David Foenkino and his brother Stephane direct.

Nathalie (Audrey Tatou - Amelie, The Da Vinci Code) finds her idyllic life shattered when her husband is killed in a traffic accident. Following the loss of her soul mate she cuts herself off emotionally and channels all of her energy into her career. She spends a good deal of time fending off the advances of her boss while forming an attraction to Swedish colleague Markus (Francois Damien – Heartbreaker). He’s certainly not the typical love interest; gap toothed, ungainly, shy and socially awkward. Those closest to Nathalie make it clear that she could do much better.

Tatou has made a career out of romantic comedies, with extremely varied results. Delicacy keeps you off balance by switching between genuinely funny and touching moments to those of loss and despondency. Though very well acted by both Tatou and Damien, the lack of genuine chemistry between the two characters is evident. There is no real sense that Nathalie needs Markus to fulfill her and complete her recovery from losing her husband.

Delicacy is charming love story that benefits from the lack of Hollywood-style gloss and two engaging lead performances.

Vikki Myerscough

Rating: 15
Release Date: 6th August, 2012 (UK&Ireland)
Director: David Foenkinos, Stéphane Foenkinos
Cast: Audrey Tautou, François Damiens and Bruno Todeschini

Fancy winning this film on DVD? We have 5 copies of the film up for grabs at The People's Movies, enter here!

Irish Creature Feature GRABBERS Gets full Trailer!

When it comes to Irish films they seem to be a little stereotypical, lots of booze and comedy but would you include Creature features? No but now you can as the full trailer for Jon Wright's GRABBERS. 

The film made it's U.K debut back in June at this years Edinburgh Film Festival (world premier Sundance) and left with some really positive reviews but now the film has 2 important dates coming up next month, it's Irish cinema release and a second U.K appearance this time at the mighty Film4 Frightfest (the 13th). Starring Richard Coyle, Russell Tovey and Ruth Bradley, the film is been described as 'Father Ted meets Aliens' even 'The Guard meets Tremors' with those quotes you can see why people are buzzing about this comedy horror. You could say this is Ireland's homage to HP Lovecraft with a big doze of Irish hospitality and laughs with Tremors invited along.

We caught the film at Edinburgh Film Festival , read our review and check out the films new poster  below. No UK or USA release dates, August 10th will be the official Irish release date and on August 23rd the film will appear at Film4 Frightfest.

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Grabbers Official Trailer #1 (2012) HD Movie Published via LongTail.tv

Something sinister has come to the shores of Erin Island, unbeknownst to the quaint population of this sleepy fishing village resting somewhere off Ireland’s coast. First, some fishermen go missing. Then there is the rash of whale carcasses suddenly washing up on the beach. When the murders start, it’s up to two mismatched cops–an irresponsible alcoholic and his new partner, a by-the-book woman from the mainland–to protect the townsfolk from the giant, bloodsucking, tentacled aliens that prey upon them. Their only weapon, they discover, is booze. If they want to survive the creatures’ onslaught, everyone will have to get very, very drunk!

God Bless America DVD Review

★★★1/2☆

Is there any better fantasy than using a baby as a clay pigeon? The shrill screaming silenced by the sound of a pump-action shotgun unloading into the small fleshy blob, erupting in a truly outrageous amount of blood is enough to make one squirm with joy a coax out a child-like giggle from the viewer. This may be a bit morbid for some but that’s exactly why director and writer Bobcat Goldthwait makes this the first scene of his new feature God Bless America. The audience can decide immediately whether they’re in for the ride or need to run back to the ticket office to demand a refund.

Syracuse, NY. Frank (Joel Murray) is having a bit of a rough time. Frank lives alone tormented my persistent, sharp headaches and neighbours that do little more than regurgitate the mindless garbage that flow into their home through the television. At work he must hear more of this dribble from his co-workers. His attempt at some happiness is refused when his daughter decides he is no fun and isn’t worth spending time with unless she get’s something out of it. His ex-wife does little more than cater to the girls every whim, which in turn is shaping this little monster’s future outlook on life. As if all this wasn’t enough his apathetic doctor has just informed him of an inoperable tumour growing inside Frank’s brain while negotiating the specifics of his new automobile on a mobile phone.

Given up on the world, Frank finds his old service weapon and prepares for his suicide. As his tongue tastes the coolness of the barrel, reality television spews from the set and Frank has an epiphany. There are many people who deserve to die so if he’s going to die anyway he should at least take a few others out before his time has come. After killing one of the brats from MTV’s My Super Sweet Sixteen, Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr) a fellow schoolmate and loather of douchebags teams up with Frank to murder anyone and everyone who deserves to die.

The concept of this film is brilliant in its simplicity. Who hasn’t thought to themselves about someone deserving some sort of physical violence inflicted on them because of their personality or behaviour? Maybe not murder but this is a movie after all and waiting for karma to step in and do its thing doesn’t make for entertaining films. A particularly engrossing scene plays out in a cinema with a group of noisy teens that is sure to please all cinephiles.

The main point of the film is we could all find ourselves at the end of Frank’s pistol, including the likes of Frank and Roxy. If you’re someone who cannot fathom this notion then this film isn’t for you. At times Frank’s message of decency and working for real connections with people rather than virtual ones does feel like it’s being forced on you, it’s not necessarily wrong. Today it does seem as though people don’t take the time to form their own opinions on what’s going on in the new and around the world and simply regurgitate whatever they hear on TV or social media outlets.

It may be a little bit of the old man shouting, “Get of my lawn you damn kids,” but the story coaxes you into caring about these characters and supporting their not-unreasonable cause. The spoiled girl is allowed to die because Frank and Roxy take the time to kill the God-Hates-Fags group. If the hated by all groups at least get what’s coming to them, it’s easier to get away with killing a young girl who is truly horrible in her own right. Frank and Roxy bond over a game of Russian Roulette using an inflated balloon as their bullet, submitting themselves — at least figuratively — to the same rampage their inflicting on their victims.

With all the murdering and smiling faces, it should be easy to remember this is a sort of fantasy film. Of course these characters are insane for wanting to kill everyone who is involved in or watches reality television but isn’t this why we have the movies? Don’t we want to escape from what’s going on around us and live in a universe where we can put a bullet in heads of bigots and selfish people? Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves why the Kardashian’s are famous? It is a one-joke premise sort of film but the joke is always changing its shape. The dry humour blends well with the narrative’s message altering God Bless America from a statement to a question. Who knows, maybe the world could use a new Mickey and Mallory Knox for the social networking generation.

David Rowley

Stars:Joel Murray, Tara Lynne Barr
Director: Bobcat Goldthwait
Release:9th July 2012 (UK DVD)
Rating: 15 (UK)
Pre-Order/Buy God Bless America On DVD

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God Bless America Trailer Published via LongTail.tv

Watch Trailers For Filipino Fantasy SAVING SALLY

Over the years there's been a number of films that have combined live action with animation like Mary Poppins, Who framed Roger Rabbit  Quietearth have spotted this awesome live action-animation SAVING SALLY. Been described as a love story involving boy, girl and lots of monsters and in this there's lots of monsters. The romantic comedy (yes romcom but there's no Katherine Heigl in this!) has been in the works for years working on a blue screen using real actors combining it with 2d animations and yes it may not look in a style or some would argue same quality as those but here at Cinehouse we love what we see from this film. 3 trailer below so do enjoy!

Saving Sally Trailer #2 from Avid Liongoren on Vimeo.

Saving Sally Trailer # 1 from Avid Liongoren on Vimeo.

Who Said Chinese Can't be Naughty, Trailer For Pang Ho-Cheung's VULGARIA

This is not a post about Bulgaria or that fictional country from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but the trailer for Hong Kong film maker Pang Ho-Cheung's latest adventure VULGARIA. Cheung is no stranger to Cinehouse as we last read about him with Love In A Puff, Dream Home (wai dor lei ah yut ho) and fresh from Hong Kong Film Festival Vulgaria proving he's one of Hong Kong's most intriguing film makers.  When it comes to raunchy, sexual references in Asian cinema it tends to come from Japan but occasionally elsewhere like Hong Kong and this film has sexy nurses, maids and a mule with plenty of wash your mouth with soap dialogue and sexy jokes prove this might be funny film. So don't judge a book by its cover or in this case film title, yes its naughty but potentially one of the funniest sex comedies from Asia in a while.


source Twitch

UK Superhero Movie Flies into USA, Electric Man Coming To Comic-Con!

"The Maltese Falcon meets The IT Crowd" - Allan Hunter, Screen Daily.
"Really f**king funny" - Screened
"Quirky little comedy gem." - Media Muppet
"An intelligent and well choreographed storyline" - Cinehouse

Electric Man, the micro-budget comedy shot in Edinburgh, has been selected for the prestigious San Diego Comic Con International Film Festival on July 13th – and is the only UK feature film to play at the world famous comic convention this year.  Shot on a micro budget, the film has already gained BAFTA New Talent Awards nominations for its script and score as well as being shortlisted for Best Feature at the Celtic Media Festival. Selection for San Diego Comic Con places the film with the industry big hitters. Director David Barras explains:

“This is a game changer for us. We had already planned for digital distribution later in the year but we were going to limit that to the UK. Comic Con is enormous and we're now looking to give the film a global launchpad.”
The movie was selected as only one of three feature films to play this year's festival from over 200 initial entries.
"As a small independent movie we have to pick and choose where we go. But San Diego was the holy grail for us. Yes, it has blown a massive hole in the budget but we would be mad not to go. Who wouldn't want to be at the same convention as Iron Man 3 and the new Superman movie?"

Cinema goers in London will have the opportunity to see for themselves what all the fuss is about on Sunday 8th July, when the film plays at The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Place. The film has already played to a sold out audience at the cinema in May but the team are bring it back to coincide with the London Film and Comic Con and give the capital's movie goers a sneak peak before they fly to California for the film's big night at Comic Con. Director David Barras will be joined by members of the cast, the writer and the composer to introduce the film and take part in a Q & A. And there'll be a few giveaways on the night.
Electric Man is already a UK success story but the movie is far from your typical British fare. In an industry that is used to producing Scottish films that are usually about shooting up or shooting grouse, Electric Man is a distinct change of pace. Billed as ‘The Maltese Falcon meets Clerks’ the film makers have produced something set in the UK but with a definite American flavour.

The film is still seeking distribution and is looking for sponsors to support a planned UK tour of independent cinemas in the autumn.

About Electric Man
The movie was shot in Edinburgh in late 2010 and made ready for release during 2011. It premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival in February 2012 and had a successful tour of Scotland thereafter.
The film tells the story of Jazz and Wolf, two cash-strapped comic shop owners who need £5,000 in a hurry if they are to save their comic shop in Edinburgh. As luck would have it they chance across a copy of Electric Man issue 1 which just happens to be worth £100,000. But there are other people after the comic and it is soon lost, stolen, switched and switched again as Jazz and Wolf try to save both their business and their love lives.

UK fans will get the chance to see the film this Sunday at the Prince Charles Cinema in London, and I wondered whether you might be able to flag up the screening and the SDCC selection news with a piece on The People's Movies, and mention it to your followers on twitter and Facebook? You can find out more information here ,  or why not head over to the films facebook page or twitter and grab yourself a pair of free tickets in the competitions they run there - @electricmanfilm facebook.com/pages/Electric-Man

You may have also noticed one of the films taglines at the star of the post looked very familiar,yes it's a quote from cinehouse we caught the film at the Glasgow Film Festival and you can read David's review here.

If you are going to Comic Con (12-15 July 2012) in San Diego, California you can find out more info on the film and convention here 

Stylish Teaser Trailer For Erik Matti's Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles

There's always been talk that maybe monsters live among us, most probably living among us without us even knowing of their existence. What if you pissed of a clan of these beasties  and ones that crave babies and your bride to be just happens to be pregnant what would you do to protect them? In Erik Matti's Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles this is a scenario you may cross.

The trailer for the Filipino film has arrived, giving us a stylish look at the comedy horror and it looks business as usual for the genre veteran though we don't see any of the films comedy elements. The unique selling point of this film is its completely filmed on green screen which is a first for Philippine, a company created by Matti himself working on the digital effects as well, overall looking fantastic.

Unfortunately there is no English subtitles however there's enough here to appreciate the film and what Filipino cinephiles have got to look forward to when this film arrives in Philippines on 17th October. The film stars Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Joey Marquez, Janice De Belen, Ramon Bautista, Roi Vinzon, LJ Reyes, Mike Gayoso, and Rina Reyes.

If your wondering what Aswang is, its a type of Filipino Vampire!  source:Twitch

Who Needs Hulk Hogan When You Have MONSTER BRAWL! Coming To UK This August

Witness the ultimate “smackdown” event of all time as eight of the world’s most feared and famous monsters enter the ring to go head-to-head in a grotesque and hilarious fight to the death (or, in several cases, the “un-death”). Who needs Hulk Hogan when you'll have MONSTER'S BRAWL this August!

Celebrity Wrestlemania doesn’t get any scarier – or funnier – than the Monster Brawl, in which four contestants from the Creature Conference and four from the Undead Conference battle it out in the ring to take the title of the most powerful monster of all time. Representing the CC are Massachusetts’ nefarious necromancer Witch Bitch, Louisana’s slimy bog dweller Swamp Gut, Tennessee’s very own Werewolf and, adding some continental glamour to the group, the mythical Cyclops from the Ionian Islands of Greece. The UC’s creepily cosmopolitan line-up consists of Transylvania’s Lady Vampire, Ingolstadt’s Frankenstein, Egypt’s Mummy and, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the one and only Zombie Man!

The rule book is ripped up, no holds are barred, everything goes and heads definitely roll in this gory and horrifically hilarious satire of those ever-popular Pay-Per-View wrestling extravaganzas we all know and love so well.

The winner of the Audience Awards at both the Fantasia and Toronto After Dark Film Festivals, this is a dream come true for anybody who has ever watched a horror film and then discussed with their friends who would win in a face-off between their two favourite monsters (and who hasn’t had such a discussion?). Combine that brilliant set-up with a cavalcade of “blink and you’ll miss ‘em” in-jokes for horror and wrestling fans alike and you have the perfect recipe for a midnight movie experience that actually rewards repeated viewings.

Directed by Jesse T. Cook (director of the cannibal shocker Scarce) and starring Dave Foley (A Bug’s Life; Cars; The Kids In The Hall), Lance Henriksen (Aliens), cult genre movie icon Art Hindle (Black Christmas; Porky’s; Invasion Of The Body Snatchers), actor and wrestler Kevin Nash (The Punisher; Magic Mike), legendary WWF and WCW manager Jimmy Hart, former WWF star Robert Maillet (300; Sherlock Holmes; The Immortals) and MMA fighter and referee Herb Dean.

Monster's Brawl will the arriving on DVD in UK&Ireland on August 20th, thanks to Momentum Pictures, check out trailer below.

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Monster Brawl (2011) - Official Trailer [HD] Published via LongTail.tv

EIFF 2012: Tim And Eric's Billion Dollar Movie Review

★★☆☆☆

It seems that if a television comedy duo is successful enough that a movie is inevitable. Unfortunately, it is very rare that these movies are actually worth watching - just think Ant & Dec's Alien Autopsy or David Mitchell and Robert Webb's Magicians. Hoping to buck that trend are Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, the creators and stars of Adult Swim television series, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!  The duo have presented us with Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie, which will no doubt appeal to fans of the television series. 

Tim and Eric are two filmmakers who are given a $1 billion dollar budget to make a film for the Schlaaang Corporation. However, with the budget squandered and results in only three minutes of usable footage  - the duo have no choice but to go on the run from vicious studio boss Tommy Schlaaang (Robert Loggia). In a harebrained scheme to raise the money, Tim and Eric find themselves trying to restore a derelict shopping mall.

Anyone familiar with the Saturday Night Live film productions like MacGruber will instantly recognise the formula of Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie. It is this predictable narrative arc that immediately works against the production - we know there is an inevitable fall out and eventual reconciliation and that Tim and Eric will successful rebuild the mall. Since the script structure offers nothing particularly original it is up to the comedy duo to add some interest through their gags and performances, and to an extent they do this successfully.

The humour ranges from enjoyably madcap to unpleasantly crude, never finding the right balance. A perfect example of this is where a drugged Eric goes to a 'Shrim' healing centre - we do not know what Shrim is, but are soon given a fun video representation hosted by Ray Wise. The comic talents of Ray Wise would have been enough for the gag, but Heidecker and Wareheim insist on taking the humour too far. How far? Well Eric drowning in a bath of children's faeces. It is just a crude, unpleasant and juvenile punchline.

The bantering exchanges between Tim and Eric spur on a few laughs, but most of the humour comes from the star power involved in Billion Dollar Movie. The film opens with Jeff Goldblum, posing as Schlaaang spokesman Chef Goldblum, offering the viewer tips on how to enhance their movie going experience - which is particularly fun. Will Ferrell's cameo as the mall's Top Gun obsessed former owner proves amusing as well, as does Zach Galifianakis' role of a self-help guru the duo hire. Unfortunately, most of these star turns suffer from incredibly poor writing and character development - notably John C. Reilly's supporting performance, which is just cringe inducing and not worth the actor's talents. 

Robert Loggia's appearance as villain, Tommy Schlaaang is the main scene stealer of the film, with the veteran star bringing his charismatic screen presence to the role. Unfortunately, the material he is given to work with is just as bad as Reilly's.    

Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie is a formulaic and unnecessary venture. Most of the humour's downfall is in its crudeness and lack of consistency. What should have been excellent supporting turns from well-known stars suffer from poor writing and a lack of development.

Andrew McArthur

Stars: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim ,Will Ferrell, Jeff Goldblum
Directors: Tim Heidecker ,Eric Wareheim
Release: 28th June (EIFF)

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Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie - Official Redband Trailer [HD] Published via LongTail.tv

EIFF 2012: God Bless America Review

★★★1/2☆

Bobcat Goldthwait established himself as one of the most exciting comedy directors in recent years after his excellent 2009 film, World's Greatest Dad. His latest film, a biting satire on contemporary culture entitled God Bless America, proves equally as enjoyable.

Frank (Joel Murray) has just lost his job, he is divorced and has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Growing continually disillusioned by the ever growing idiocy of our society, Frank decides to rid the world of some of its most obnoxious citizens. After taking out a repellent reality television star, Frank discovers he has an admirer - sixteen year old Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr). The pair venture out on an obscure road trip full of strangely feel good serial killing.

It is hard not to sympathise slightly with Goldthwait's view of contemporary culture, regardless of how extreme it is. This is perfectly captured in the opening where Frank flicks through television channels, capturing society's obsession with fame, celebrities and social networking. Frank falls asleep watching a contestant being exploited on reality singing contest 'American Superstars' and wakes up to see the said contestant, the talking point of Breakfast Television. Other delights that Frank witnesses include "Tuff Girls" where one girl throws a bloodied tampon at another. This may be a rather extreme and blatant depiction of contemporary culture, but there is an alarming truth in Goldthwait's message.

Goldthwait's film is consistently amusing and boasts an enjoyably twisted feel good quality. We all harbour a small hatred for the people that talk in cinemas, extreme religious fundamentalists and obnoxious children, so it is hard not to be on Frank's side throughout. Of course, you could compare God Bless America to a drunken Grandparent's rant - complaining about all the things that annoy them, as Goldthwait does have a tendency to preach to the viewer, regardless to how thought provoking some of his points may be. This is completely evident in God Bless America's limp finale where it appears Goldthwait's message has stretched as far as is possible - it is the equivalent of the drunken Grandparent now falling asleep.

One of the strongest elements of God Bless America is they dynamic between the characters of Frank and Roxy. To Frank, Roxy provides a welcome alternative to his vile daughter - sharing his distaste of American culture. Roxy finds an escape from the tedium of her everyday life in the company of Frank. What results is a completely charming, relationship between the two - bonding over their various hates in society.

Joel Murray's understated performance is particularly fascinating, with the actor managing to capture Frank's struggles as a man who has been told he does not have long to live, alongside his growing hatred towards society and his somewhat sociopathic tendencies - yet still be completely likeable. After a shaky start, it is hard to find yourself not warming to Tara Lynne Barr's performance - with the eager young sociopath becoming quite endearing.

God Bless America is a thoroughly entertaining watch, which may also help challenge the way we look at contemporary culture. Goldthwait's message ultimately runs out of steam in the end, despite magnetic lead performances from Joel Murray and Tara Lynne Barr throughout.

Andrew McArthur

Stars:Joel Murray, Tara Lynne Barr Director: Bobcat Goldthwait
Release: 29th June (EIFF),4th July (UK, Limited), 9th July (UK DVD)
Rating: 15 (UK)
Pre-Order/Buy God Bless America On DVD

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God Bless America Trailer Published via LongTail.tv

Win ATTACK OF THE HERBALS On DVD!

Nazis in gasmasks, a foul-mouthed kilt-wearing land-baron, zimmer-frame wielding flesh eating pensioners… what’s not to love?? Scottish comedy-horror ATTACK OF THE HERBALS is strangely charming and never takes itself too seriously!

Jackson McGregor has returned after years of exile to his grandparent’s home in a small sleepy Scottish village, a village where the daily routine consists of eating, sleeping, fishing and drinking tea. However the local’s way of life is under threat from a large corporate retail machine headed up by a monster named Bennett who wants to buy land for a new development.

After discovering a crate of herbal tea washed up on shore, Jackson hatches a plan to sell the tea and save the village. However the new lease of life the tea seems to give people soon turns into a nightmare, and Jackson finds himself in a village of Zimmer-frame wielding, flesh eating pensioners.

Can Jackson save the village, redeem himself and stay alive? Attack of the Herbals puts the Tea back into terror, an outrageously funny horror comedy that is quite simply Scotland’s answer to Shaun of the Dead....

To celebrate the release of David Ryan Keith’s home-grown Scottish comedy-horror, ATTACK OF THE HERBALS, we copies of the film 2 give away on DVD courtesy of our friends at Showbox Media. To Win a copy of this film please answer the following question: 


Q. As tea is made with water, what George C Romero film did the residents of a town go insane after drinking the local water supply?


Send your answer , name, address, to have your email to  cinehouseuk@gmail.com header As ‘herbals’. Deadline:July 15 th, 2012 (2359hrs) .

ATTACK OF THE HERBALS - UK Trailer from Showbox Media Group Ltd on Vimeo.

Attack Of The Herbals is available from today 25th June on DVD.

Terms and Conditions

• This prize is non-transferable.
• No cash alternatives apply.
• UK & Irish entries only
  The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse and Showbox Media have the right to alter, delay or cancel this competition without any notice
• The competition is not opened to employees, family, friends of The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse, Showbox media employees
• This competition is promoted on behalf of Showbox media
• The Prize is to win Attack of The Herbals on DVD, 3 winners
• To enter this competition you must send in your answer, name, address only, Deadline July 15th, 2012 (2359hrs)
• Will only accept entries sent to the correct email (cinehouseuk@gmail.com), any other entry via any other email will be void.
• The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse takes no responsibility for delayed, lost, stolen prizes
• The competition is opened to Aged 16  and over 
• Unless Stated Please  Do Not Include Telephone Numbers, we don’t need them
• The winning entries will be picked at random and contacted by email
• By sending your entry for this competition you are confirming you have read and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

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Gianax's PANTY AND STOCKING WITH GARTERBELT Coming To UK This July!

This is probably one of the weirdest names for Japanese animation  but Gianax's PANTY AND STOCKING WITH GARTERBELT has a cult following and in July UK&Irish fans can now own the series on DVD!

Panty and Stocking - the Anarchy Sisters - are two nasty angels who got booted from the pearly gates for being foul-mouthed bitches! Now they spend their days blowing up ghosts in the lecherous abyss between Heaven and Earth. Panty likes sex, Stocking likes sweets, their afro-sporting main man Garter Belt has a fetish we can't mention. Together, they're keeping the streets free of bodily fluids. Ghosts don't have a prayer against their panty pistols and stocking swords, and if this debaucherous duo can collect enough Heaven Coins, they just might get their halos back. They've got a slim chance in hell, but rolling commando is the best way to get lucky - especially with Panty and Stocking!

Ok this isn't you straight up anime nor is it the dreaded Hentai, its naughty, sexy, funny and the mix of stereotypical anime style and ren&stimpy visuals may appeal to a wider audience. Manga Entertainment are releasing the series (season one) on DVD in UK&;Ireland on July 30th, pre order your copy and check out the UK trailer below. 

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Panty And Stocking With Garter Belt Trailer Published via LongTail.tv

EIFF 2012: Trailer For EDDIE THE SLEEPWALKING CANNIBAL