Watch UK Trailer For Untouchable Starring François Cluzet, Omar Sy

There seems to be something that's been added to the French water supply the past couple of years as they seem create some extra ordinary feel good films. Last year it was The Artist and later this month we might just have the second one, Untouchable and tonight we've been sent the film's UK trailer. Starring François Cluzet (Little White Lies), Omar Sy (Micmacs) a film that's boasting worldwide box office sales, out grossing the likes of Harry Potter, Titanic, Marvel’s The Avengers in certain parts of the world making it France's second biggest box office hit of all time.Surprise surprise Bob and Harvey Weinstein just happen to be the films executive producers just like The Artist!

The film tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a disabled millionaire (François Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy). The pair who, on the surface, seem to have nothing in common find a camaraderie rooted in honesty and humour in one of the must-see films of 2012.

Directed by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache and also starring Audrey Fleurot (‘Spiral’), the film was nominated for a total of nine 2012 César Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, including Best Picture, and won Best Actor for breakout star Omar Sy. The film also won the Grand Prix award at the 2011 Tokyo International Film Festival. UNTOUCHABLE has received Audience Awards from U.S film festivals including San Francisco Film Festival, COL COA and the Nashville Film Festival.

With massive box office sales I would not at all be surprise if this one picks up even more awards, maybe Oscars? Who knows! No one expected The Artist to do so well until the awards season kicked off and we know the rest is history. The biggest winner from this film could be its star Omar Sy which could see him get some bigger roles not just in his homeland of France possibly Hollywood!

Untouchable will get a limited release on September 21st in London, with the film going on general release on 28th September. Audrey Fleurot, Anne Le Ny and Clotilde Mollet also star

Berberian Sound Studio Review

★★★1/2

Director, Peter Strickland (Katalin Varga) presents us with the truly unsettling look at the power of sound in his latest feature, the Toby Jones lead, Berberian Sound Studio – which makes its world premiere at this years’ Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Set in the 1970s, Berberian Sound Studio follows British sound technician, Gilderoy, as he works in Italy on a gruesome horror film. Soon Gilderoy’s work on this dark feature slowly begins to bleed into his everyday life.

Berberian Sound Studio is certainly not a horror film, instead more of a psychological thriller reminiscent of Hammer Films “Mini-Hitchcocks”. This completely absorbing and brooding drama manages to be unsettling, rather than scary. Strickland’s direction immediately emphasises a sense of foreboding, with the distinctive use of the sounds created in the studio capturing Gilderoy’s troubling mental state.

The vibrant and unsettling power of the sound is so strong, that we never see any of the imagery linked to this gruesome horror film (apart from its blood red opening titles) it is simply talked about, yet seeing these sounds created still has a sinister impact. Who knew hacking a watermelon or smashing some courgettes on ground could have such a chilling impact.

Berberian Sound Studio is at its best when capturing the changing mental state of Gilderoy – most notably one frantic, dream-like sequence where the technician’s life blurs with the Italian horror film as he believes there is an intruder in his apartment. Jones performance is terrifically understated, managing to capture both his initial coyness to his more extreme infuriation whilst working on the project. For an actor, that is traditionally cast in supporting roles, Jones proves to be equally impressive in a leading role.

Unfortunately, a utterly confusing and unnecessary twist ending spoils the foreboding and impact so carefully established throughout Berberian Sound Studio. This extreme twist is not given the build-up that it deserves only working as a method of shocking the viewer, but lacking any clear explanation or clarity. It marks a disappointing end to an otherwise well-crafted piece of cinema.

For the most part, Berberian Sound Studio is a unsettling, brooding psychological horror, boasting a magnificent turn from Toby Jones. The well-crafted narrative and powerful sound use are unfortunately spoilt by an over-ambitious twist ending.

Andrew McArthur

Stars: Toby Jones, Tonia Sotiropoulou , Cosimo Fusco
Director: Peter Strickland
Release: 26th August 2012 (Frightfest) August 31st, 2012 (UK)

Shadow Dancer Review

★★1/2☆☆

BBC Films latest production, Shadow Dancer has already met positive receptions at both this year's Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals. Now it is the turn of The Edinburgh International Film Festival to take on this slow-burning British thriller.

James Marsh (Man On Wire, Project Nim) directs Shadow Dancer, an adaptation of ITV Political Editor, Tom Bradby's novel of the same name. After a failed railway bombing, IRA member Colette McVeigh (Andrea Riseborough), is detained by MI5. In order to avoid a length prison sentence, McVeigh is left with no other choice but to act as an informant for the British authorities.

Shadow Dancer requires a lot of patience, this is a particularly slow and brooding, cat and mouse thriller. Marsh's films opens with a completely startling and heartbreaking, 1970s set opening sequence that completely encapsulates the Irish troubles of the time. We are quick to learn that this may be the story of one individual family, but Bradby's haunting story also represents a whole country going through turmoil.

When Shadow Dancer transfers to the 1990s, we see that these troubles are still highly prevalent. This is captured in a tense sequence where McVeigh attempts to detonate a bomb in a British railway station. The pace of the film completely slows after this, building up a brooding sense of unease and tension - a fitting representation of British and Irish relations of the time. Due to this lessened pace, it is quite a struggle to stay engaged with Marsh's film for its' first hour. However, the third act sees the story begin to unravel, as tensions reach boiling point - completely shaking the lives of McVeigh and her family.

At its heart, there is a profound story of family loyalty and dedication running through Shadow Dancer. The quiet resilience of the McVeigh family as they try and make the best out a dark situation is endearing. This is perfectly captured in Andrea Riseborough's stunning lead performance. The actress who thoroughly impressed in W.E. and Brighton Rock, proves to one of Britain's finest young talents with her powerful turn as Colette McVeigh.

Unfortunately, one of the most interesting aspects of Shadow Dancer - the relationship between McVeigh and MI5 agent, Mac (Clive Owen) is completely underutilised. The occasional meetings between the two characters are sporadic, yet prove to be some of the most tense aspects of the film. This is a role that Clive Owen could play in his sleep, giving a solid performance, despite it being a slightly predictable role. Strong supporting turns from Gillian Anderson and Aidan Gillen, add some moments of interest but prove equally underused.
While James Marsh's Shadow Dancer is excellent at building brooding atmosphere and capturing the tension of the time, it proves to be too slow paced to be classed as enjoyable. Andrea Riseborough's performance is the strongest element of the film and ultimately its saving grace.

Andrew McArthur

Rating:15  
Release:  24th August (UK)  
Stars: Andrea Riseborough, Clive Owen, Aidan Gillen,  Gillian Anderson  
Director: James Marsh

Woman In The Dressing Gown DVD Review

★★☆☆☆

Remastered and re-released to DVD with cast interviews and theretical trailer Woman in a Dressing Gown tells the story of Amy (Yvonne Mitchell) a housewife who seems to no do anything right-she burns the breakfast, fails to tidy the house and doesn’t seem to get dressed and instead stays in her dressing gown for the majority of the film.

I know what you’re thinking. Now wonder Amy’s husband Jim (Anthony Quayle) is thinking about leaving her for young, tidy secretary Georgie (Sylvia Simms). When Amy finds out about his affair she tries her best to tidy up and be a better housewife to the point where she goes and gets her hair done only for the rain to ruin it.

A typical story of the time period, I was excited to see this movie being a fan of such movies once I'd seen Brief Encounter. The problem was however that I found myself comparing Woman in a Dressing Gown with Brief Encounter. Whether that was because it was set in the same time period with the use of the story or language I do not know.

What I do know however, is that both Yvonne Mitchell and Anthony Quayle give believable and in a way relatable performances as Amy and Jim in which both men and women can relate to.

Emily Pontin

Rating: PG
UK Release Date: 13th August 2012
Cast: Yvonne Mitchell, Anthony Quayle, Sylvia Simms
Directed By: J Lee Thompson

Himizu DVD Review

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Grim Trailer For Kim Ki-Duk's PIETA

Every so often we get film makers that seem to be more popular outside there homeland than actually in there homelands, Kim Ki-Duk is one of those directors. Regarded as one of the forefathers of the Korean wave who has had success with the likes of  3 Iron, Bad Guy, The Coast Guard, Spring Summer Fall Winter And Spring .Then after a 3 year stint away from the camera he returned to documentary film making with Arirang making an appearance at Cannes 2011 but after mentoring certain young filmmakers it looks like the director may finally find some success on his own feet with his next film.

Pieta looks like to be a dark psychological drama which may not be up there with the dark twisted films we know and love from Korea but enough to say the film maker is on form. Grim but beautifully shot.

he film is about a brutal man who works for a cruel loan shark. Without any family or loved ones to worry about, he has no fear or hesitation when it comes to carrying out his evil deeds. One day, a mysterious woman shows up in his life, saying she is his mother. At first, he doesn't believe her, having no memories of a mother. But as his attachment to her grows, he discovers her gruesome yet sad secret.

source: Hancinema

EIFF 2012: Berberian Sound Studio Review

★★★1/2☆

Director, Peter Strickland (Katalin Varga) presents us with the truly unsettling look at the power of sound in his latest feature, the Toby Jones lead, Berberian Sound Studio - which makes its world premiere at this years' Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Set in the 1970s, Berberian Sound Studio follows British sound technician, Gilderoy, as he works in Italy on a gruesome horror film. Soon Gilderoy's work on this dark feature slowly begins to bleed into his everyday life.

Berberian Sound Studio is certainly not a horror film, instead more of a psychological thriller reminiscent of Hammer Films "Mini-Hitchcocks". This completely absorbing and brooding drama manages to be unsettling, rather than scary. Strickland's direction immediately emphasises a sense of foreboding, with the distinctive use of the sounds created in the studio capturing Gilderoy's troubling mental state.

The vibrant and unsettling power of the sound is so strong, that we never see any of the imagery linked to this gruesome horror film (apart from its blood red opening titles) it is simply talked about, yet seeing these sounds created still has a sinister impact. Who knew hacking a watermelon or smashing some courgettes on ground could have such a chilling impact.

Berberian Sound Studio is at its best when capturing the changing mental state of Gilderoy - most notably one frantic, dream-like sequence where the technician's life blurs with the Italian horror film as he believes there is an intruder in his apartment. Jones performance is terrifically understated, managing to capture both his initial coyness to his more extreme infuriation whilst working on the project. For an actor, that is traditionally cast in supporting roles, Jones proves to be equally impressive in a leading role.

Unfortunately, a utterly confusing and unnecessary twist ending spoils the foreboding and impact so carefully established throughout Berberian Sound Studio. This extreme twist is not given the build-up that it deserves only working as a method of shocking the viewer, but lacking any clear explanation or clarity. It marks a disappointing end to an otherwise well-crafted piece of cinema.

For the most part, Berberian Sound Studio is a unsettling, brooding psychological horror, boasting a magnificent turn from Toby Jones. The well-crafted narrative and powerful sound use are unfortunately spoilt by an over-ambitious twist ending.

Andrew McArthur

Stars: Toby Jones, Tonia Sotiropoulou , Cosimo Fusco
Director: Peter Strickland
Release: 28th June (EIFF) August 31st, 2012 (UK)

EIFF 2012: Fred Review

★★★★☆

Richard Ledes' heartfelt drama, Fred, receives its world premiere at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival, and this poignant feature is likely to strike an emotional chord with many of us.   

Elliott Gould stars as Fred, an elderly man living in his house of over fifty years, with his Alzheimer's suffering wife, Susan (Judith Roberts).  Fred's grown-up children (Fred Melamed and Stephanie Roth Haberle) try to convince him to move to a care home with Susan, but he is not ready to leave yet.  

Fred is a delicately handled film, with Ledes directing in an almost fly on the wall style. As a viewer, we feel part of the family's most intimate moments, which results in a completely absorbing watch. It is impossible not to get drawn in as the family sing Susan's favourite songs to her or reminisce with Fred.

Alongside some striking cinematography from Valentina Caniglia, Ledes has the ability to make almost any shot seem poignant and heartfelt. This is at its most prevalent through shots of the slow withering of the exterior of Fred's home or the near spiritual representation of the nature that surrounds it.

Ledes' screenplay is a wonderful fusion of deadpan comedy (mostly courtesy of the perfectly timed comic skills of Gould and Melamed) and touching drama. Fred also has its share of challenging moments - it is difficult to watch Fred's struggle with his wife's condition as he also attempts to battle his own ailing health. This is shown in one such sequence where Fred attempts to make Susan grip the telephone, but loses his temper at her inability to do so.

Fred reflects issues that are likely to strike a chord with many of us, excelling in its delicate portrayal of the aging process. These well crafted characters ensure the viewer feels the dilemma of Fred's children, as well as empathising with Fred's desire to grasp to his independence at home. These issues are perfectly represented from a wonderful cast.

Judith Roberts truly excels in her turn as Susan, a strong willed woman that the audience completely warm to. Seeing Susan coping with the struggles of everyday life and finding joy with her loved ones, amidst the effects of Alzheimers is heart warming.  Elliott Gould is perfectly cast in the title role, shining through welcome moments of humour, as well as more emotionally heavy scenes. Fred Melamed, impresses greatly with his deadpan wit, whilst Stephanie Roth Haberle gives a touching performance as Fred's exasperated daughter.

Fred is a delicately crafted and heartfelt portrayal of the aging process. The combination of touching drama and deadpan humour alongside stellar performances from the main players, proves a winning combination.

Andrew McArthur

Stars: Elliott Gould, Judith Roberts, Fred Melamed , Stephanie Roth Haberle
Director: Richard Ledes
Release: 22nd June 2012 (EIFF)

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