Killer Joe DVD Review

It opened the 65th Edinburgh International Film Festival ,iconic director William Friedkin's lastest feature, Killer Joe giving another meaning to the Colenel's Finger Licking Good! Friedkin has arguably never made a bad film (let's just pretend Cruising never happened) and the seventy-six year old proves that he is still at the top of his game with his latest opus.

This pulpy Texan-noir follows the financially struggle, Chris Smith (Emile Hirsch) who plots to have his mother murdered, in a harebrained scheme to collect $50,000 insurance money. After confessing the plan to his father (Thomas Haden Church), sister (Juno Temple) and step-mother (Gina Gershon), the family seek out the services of lawman-meets-hired killer, Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey).

Friedkin manages to capture the nerve shredding intensity (similar to that of his previous film, Bug) through his bold, atmospheric direction. From the onset, Friedkin hits us with the ominous sound of Joe's carefully timed lighter clicks, followed by shots of a rain-drenched, derelict trailer park and prescient lighting strikes. This gives us an early impression of the tense and brutal tale that is about to unfold. Friedkin does not hold back when it comes to depicting raw portrayals of violence and dark characters - possibly a device that may leave some viewers feeling somewhat alienated.

Fortunately, between these moments of intensity, Tracy Letts' screenplay presents us with several wonderful moments of darkly comic humour. These perfectly executed moments of deadpan humour and awkward fun provides light relief from the Killer Joe's dark subject matter, proving to be an unforgettable combination. Letts' screenplay may begin with a simple premise, but Killer Joe soon proves to be a highly original and often unexpected and frenzied ride. This is perfectly summed up in the films' outrageous, near-genius conclusion which proves to be both shocking and riotously humorous.

It is particularly nice to see that Matthew McConaughey has escaped from the world of romantic comedies and is once again proving what a wonderful actor he is. His underplayed portrayal of the sardonically smooth, Joe Cooper, is a career best and one of the sheer delights of Friedkin's film. Gina Gershon proves to be on fine form as Chris' trashy, no-nonsense step-mother bringing a convincing slice of Southern gumption to the role. Thomas Haden Church's deadpan comic skills also prove to be a highlight with the star excelling as the bumbling, beer-guzzling patriarch. Younger actors Juno Temple and Emile Hirsch are equally well cast with the pair both able to shine alongside the likes of McConaughey and Gershon.

Killer Joe is a magnificent example of modern-noir, with Friedkin proving to still be one of the most exciting figures in modern cinema. The director's latest feature proves to be one of the most energetic, brutal, tense and darkly comic pictures of the year, featuring an unforgettable career best performance from Matthew McConaughey.

Andrew McArthur

★★★★☆

Rating: 18 (UK)
UK DVD/BD Release Date: 5th November 2012 (UK)
Director: William Friedkin
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Thomas Haden Church , Juno Temple

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Rust And Bone Review

Rust and bone - the very name conjures up rough and ready imagery typical of a Jacques Audiard film. The French auteur’s star has seldom shone so bright following the release of the widely lauded A Prophet forcing the anticipation for this, his follow up, to rocket, only to intensify after early screenings at festivals confirmed its worth. Somewhat of a departure, it’s an incredibly human film, with all our flaws, hopes and problems on show. Above all however, it is our relationships – connections with other humans with their own dreams, worries and needs that take centre stage, flanked by two staggering performances from leads Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts.

Relocated from its American-border setting in the short story source material of the same name, Audiard places us on the south coast of France and the allure of the Cote d’Azour, home to Stephanie (Cotillard); an Orca whale trainer at a local sea life centre whose life is changed irreversibly by two events of vastly varying severity. The first is her chance encounter with the physically imposing Alain (Schoenaerts); a new resident and single father looking to tie down regular employment in a mixture of security jobs trying his hand as a bouncer when his doorman duties collide with the partying Stephanie at local nightclub The Annex. The pair begin a quasi-relationship which only begins in earnest after the horrific accident that befalls Stephanie while working at Marineland, an event that invariably forces a change in lifestyle.

Without becoming reliant on Ali, Stephanie finds in him a companion whose candid approach to life and sex enables her to re-evaluate her own life and values and gently encourages her to start living once again. Eschewing the air-punching, life-affirming delight of other works like the recently released Untouchables, Rust and Bone’s success comes from its tone steeped in almost Dardennes levels of realism and, as you’d expect from an Audiard film, there is little room for sentimentality. At no point are we asked to pity either lead despite their various and very real challenges. Alain’s single father is light-years apart from a Will and Jaden Smith venture, his gruff barks to son Sam coming from frustration and anger as much as love and affection and there’s little sympathy (offered or given) when he struggles to control this anger. It’s an unforgiving role and one newcomer Schoenaerts takes in his stride turning in a wonderfully controlled performance both menacingly fierce and endearingly gentle in equal measure. Not to be outdone, Cotillard turns what had the potential to be a restricted, self-pitying role into one unlike any other. She has the ability to tell whole stories with the smallest gesture or look, conveying a self-conscious vulnerability alongside stubborn desire and seamlessly flicking between the two.

Audiard’s body of work from Read My Lips through The Beat that My Heart Skipped and A Prophet shows a film maker adept in telling crime stories about tough men in tough situations which allows the more personable approach in Rust and Bone to be brought to the fore while avoiding anything remotely Mills and Boon or TV-movie about a story that in lesser hands could have easily turned that way. On more familiar territory he shows flashes of his nuanced approach to violence; the fighting scenes are simultaneously beautiful and barbaric, taking in slow motion visceral beatings and culminating in a solitary tooth, bloodied and spinning on gravel.

That he so effortlessly marries the tender with the terrifying is testament to a director at the very top of his game, elevating the film to more than the some of it’s parts. It becomes neither an out and out romance nor a stripped down brutally macho piece but instead, much like life itself, a mixture of all different aspects that affect these characters and their relationships. An incredibly powerful yet restrained film.
Matthew Walsh

★★★★★

Rating: 15
Release Date: 2nd November 2012 (UK)
Directed By: Jacques Audiard
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Matthias Schoenaerts, Armand Verdure

Watch The Brutal Trailer For UK Indie Horror The Seasoning House

Picking up some great positive word of mouth feedback former SFX turned Director Paul Hyett's The Seasoning House has been touring the film festival circuit.The film was one of the highlight's of this years Film4 Frightfest and now Kaleidoscope Entertainment has picked up the UK rights for the film and they have sent us an harrowing UK trailer.

The much anticipated directorial debut from Paul Hyett, one of modern films’ most respected special make-up effects designers, whose credits include Gladiator, The Hours, The Descent, Eden Lake, The Woman in Black and many more, The Seasoning House is a taught and claustrophobic exploration of psychological terror that mixes the nerve shredding genius of Hitchcock with Polanski’s visual intensity.

The Seasoning House is a grim and soulless place where young girls are bought and sold for men’s pleasure.  Here we meet Angel (Rosie Day), a young, orphaned girl enslaved by Viktor (Kevin Howarth).  Unbeknownst to her master, she moves between the walls and crawlspaces of the house – silently observing, learning and planning for her escape. 

When her closest confident is savagely killed, Angel can no longer contain her rage and sets out through both ingenuity and brutality to seek justice.

Our Friends at Blogomatic3000 watched the film at Frighfest for us, read their review here .



The Seasoning House doesn't have an offcial release date set yet but do expect the film to arrive early 2013. The film stars Rosie Day, Sean Pertwee, Kevin Howarth, Anna Walton, Jemma Powell,Alec Utgoff.

A big thanks to Sterling Pictures for sending us this trailer!

Horror Channel's Horror Club to screen SHIVER

Following the inaugural sell-out showing of INBRED, Horror Club, created by Horror Channel, will host its second event at The Horse Hospital on Tuesday Dec 4 from 7pm with an exclusive preview screening of Julian Richard’s spine-chilling SHIVER.

This special event, open to all horror fans, will be introduced by Horror Channel's Emily Booth and genre expert/writer Billy Chainsaw. Chainsaw will interview Richards after the screening. Richards, an award-winning writer and director, is best known for his ground-breaking serial killer shockumentary THE LAST HORROR MOVIE and the haunting SUMMER SCARS, which won two British Academy Awards.

Julian said today: It's terrific news that Horror Club will be presenting SHIVER in December. I can't wait for the opportunity to watch the film in the company of hard core horror fans"

Entry is free and seats can be won by entering a competition exclusively through Horror Channel, enter comp here.

SHIVER stars John Jarratt (WOLF CREEK) as Franklin Rood, a weird loner laughed at by women. He handles his anger at rejection by creating a police taunting alter ego, The Griffin, and embarks on a spree of horrific murders, seemingly at random, all young women.  However, one manages to escape, for which she earns his respect – and his love. Danielle Harris turns in a powerful performance as Wendy, the girl who has to toughen up quick if she wants to stay alive.  Also stars Casper Van Dien and Rae Dawn Chong.

TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138

 www.horrorchannel.co.uk | twitter.com/horror_channel

The Hunter Blu-Ray Review

When it comes to films starring Willem Dafoe his performances are nothing more but mesmeric, outstanding even when the film he stars in is truly awful. The actor is one of films great gems who delivers wonderful performances that are deserving of awards but the true professional he is he doesn't complain just gets on with the job. Past 20 years or so Willem Dafoe has been making big noises in arthouse / world cinema and his latest film The Hunter the actor excels once again as a hired hand to find one of the world's rarest commodities whilst battling his own morality.

The Hunter is based on a novel by Julia Leigh that tells the story of Martin(Willem Dafoe) a mercenary sent from Europe to Australia by mysterious Biotech company.Martin heads to Tasmanian wilderness to embark on a dramatic hunt for the so called last Tasmanian Tiger despite the creature been reported extinct since 1982. As he searches the elusive creature he discovers the mysteries hidden within the wild landscape, triggering long forgotten emotions, but can a human who has led an immoral life find connection and redemption too?

What really grabs your attention in The Hunter is the central performance of Willem Dafoe. As I mentioned earlier in the review the actor rarely disappoints, he also rarely gets a chance to a lead a film and when he gets he grabs the bull by the horns delivering something truly fantastic. Martin is a charismatic emotionless man but when he's on his own especially in the wilderness he's in his element becoming part of the land, a predator, animalistic with frightening tenacity. When there's no dialogue you really do get drawn into something rather haunting,atmospheric gving you a chance to appreciate the surroundings he's in as well as his predatory skills.

We have to also give a mention to Morgana Davies and Finn Woodlock who play the children at the farm Martin stays at, they deliver a performance so naturalistic as they are given a chance to be..children. They bring out the parental side of Martin as they adopt him as a father figure with their own father lost in the wilderness, this makes Martin feel awkward. Even the children's mother Lucy (Frances O'Connor) whose in a depressive state drugged up, constantly sleeping greets Martin's presence within her home she embraces him when he sorts out the power and when he becomes more comfortable it then his morality is questioned even his loneliness.

It's Films like The Hunter that make you think twice at how small the world is becoming at a frightening pace. This is a film that doesn't just question the morality but environmental issues but the allegorical message of the film is terrifying and throughout the film thanks to the smartly written script reminders of the world changing drastically are scattered throughout the film: the desrruction of the Tasmanian rain forest (like many other forests globally), job losses that impact local towns as they loose jobs, conservation groups been harassed by multi-national companies but most of all hunting a extinct creatures. The latter sort of ask you why do you hunt these 'mythical' creatures and why should we only read about these creatures in books and for the sake of the creature and it's environment maybe they should stay 'extinct'?

The Hunter is an beautifully shot film thanks to Robert Humphrey's breath taking cinematography that captivates the desolation and beauty of the wild terrain of Tasmania. The world is getting smaller and these hidden tranquil treasures are becoming as elusive tiger asking you what can you do to make sure these lands don't disappear?

The Hunter wont be a film which will appeal to everyone as it's a slow burning psychological thriller will keep you engaged until the end.It's atmospheric, beautifully shot and masterfully performed by an underrated esteemed actor in the industry today.

Paul Devine 

★★★★☆

Rating:15
DVD/BD Rating: 29th October 2012 (UK)
Directed By: Daniel Nettheim
Cast:Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill , Morgana Davies, Frances O'Connor
Buy The Hunter:Blu-ray / DVD
Win The Hunter on DVD here

King Of Devil's Island DVD Review

King of Devil's Island (2010), though not an easy film to watch, is a drama which demands to be seen. Starring Stellan Skarsgård, Kristoffer Joner and Benjamin Helstad and directed by Marius Holst, this is a harrowing lesson in the harsh reality of human nature and man's inner strength in the face of adversity.

Based on true events, the story is set in the infamous correctional facility of Bastøy on a remote and inhospitable island in the Norwegian fjords, during the early part of the 20th century. When a new and headstrong boy called Erling (Helstad) arrives it soon becomes clear to everyone, especially Bastøy's governor Håkon (Skarsgård), that this troubled young man is not ready to conform to the strict regime on the island. Before long Erling's rebellious nature comes to the fore with life changing results for them all.

King of Devil's Island is a devastating film. Shot on location in Estonia and Norway, the mesmeric natural beauty of its setting and the minimal style and colour palette in which it is shot is breathtaking. Both the snow and ice covered countryside outside backing onto a seemingly endless sea which stretches beyond the island's rough beach, and the facility's interior monotone colour scheme of grey and white, create perfect neutral surroundings against which the action plays out.

This harsh air continues with the film's overriding realism - both in the conditions in which the boys live and in the brutality of the men who run the concentration camp facility - and at points threatens to engulf the viewer with its seeping sense of despair and hopelessness. From this angle the film works marvellously, leaving you with a real feeling of what these young men (one of whose only crime had been to steal a few pence from a church offering plate) went through, and hence an admiration for their stoic perseverance to survive in the face of insurmountable odds.

Ultimately however this film revolves around three people - Erling, Håkon and Brâthan (Kristoffer Joner) the sadistic head of Erling's section within Bastøy. That by the end of the film it is Erling and his fellow inmates with whom the viewer sides will come as no surprise. However it is the performances of the actors who bring these three disparate characters to life which is undoubtedly the most memorable aspect of the film. From the outstanding performance of newcomer Helstad as the damaged Erling to Skarsgård as the ineffectual and ultimately weak Håkon and Joner as his twisted subordinate, the relationship which plays out between these men will hold your attention until the film's final reel.

Shocking, moving and mesmeric in equal proportions, King of Devil's Island makes essential viewing if only as a warning against the extremities of human nature and man's cruelty against his fellow man.

Cleaver Patterson

★★★★☆

Rating:12
UK DVD/BD Release Date: 29th October 2012
Directed By: Marius Holst
Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Benjamin Helstad,Kristoffer Joner, Trond Nilssen
Buy King of Devil's Island:DVD / Blu-ray

Brake DVD Review

You can really appreciate a quality ironically by the number spin-offs or in this films case clones or films with similar scenarios. Rodrigo Cortes 2010 film Buried starring Ryan Reynolds is a highly underrated film which oddly enough hasn't seen any 'clone' films, just a few similar scenario films until now, Brake starring Stephen Dorff. So is Brake another Buried or simply a test of character for an actor for an actor who for many years puzzled us all why he hasn't excelled in bigger parts or is the film a test of how much claustrophobic you maybe?

What Appears to be an random kidnapping into something more sinister when Secret Service Agent Jeremy Reins (Dorff) discovers he's being used as a pawn in a terrorist plot. Watching the clock tick down to an unknown catastrophe. Jeremy is forced by his captors to listen to the outside world on the brink of collapse, knowing the the only way to save the people he loves is to divulge a secret that he has sworn to protect.

The first question you'll probably ask, is Brake a 'Buried clone'? The answer is yes but answer is also no. The basic set up is the same (enclosed captive who has no clue why he is there or who is responsible), but as the film progresses we gradually move away from Buried plot with the film going in it's own direction.The story is kept intense, engaging with a few twists thrown that make you think twice 'have I really sussed the plot?'. Things do work really well until the end things go pear shaped probably thanks to an eccentric flawed script which give the film the ridiculous 24 tv episode feel (though I am a fan of all things Jack Bauer).As the flaws happen right at the end of the film this could leave you in a forgiveable mood because of the timings or the total opposite frustrated and wondering why have I just wasted 80 minutes of my time watching this film! What's more confusing is at no time do we get a reason on why the film is called Brake?!

As for Stephen Dorff, in Brake he may not reach the same emotional levels Ryan Reynolds did in Buried however Dorff does deliver a really strong performance commanding the screen in a film that many other actor may have stumbled at. The film also proves he can hold a film on is own and he may have starred in a howlers as well as many one hit wonders like Sofia Copolla's Somewhere proves he does possess the acting chops to do bigger and better things.

Brake is an enjoyable tense thriller and if you can forgive the ending this film will be worthwhile your time which Buried and 24 fans will enjoy.

Paul Devine

★★★1/2☆

Rating:15
UK DVD/BD Release Date: 29th October 2012
Directed by:Gabe Torres
Cast: Stephen Dorff, Chyler Leigh, Jr Bourne, Tom Berenger, Kali Rocha, Pruitt Taylor Vince
Buy Brake:Blu Ray / DVD

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Die Nibelungen (Masters Of Cinema) Review

Die Nibelungen came out in 1924 and was directed by the master of German Expressionism Fritz Lang. It’s really 2 long films put together which is turn comes around to 4 hours and 40 minutes. It was made in-between his first Dr. Mabuse film and his Magnum opus Metropolis. It in a way is a stepping-stone to what would become Metropolis and like that his later ex-wife Thea von Harbou co-wrote the film.

The film tells the epic saga of Siegfried of Norse Mythology. He is the son of King Siegmund of Xanten. He forges his own sword. He hears stories of the kingdom of Burgundy and Kriemhild the Princess. He announces when he leaves Xanten he wants to win her hand in marriage. The swordsmith Mime who’s shop he forged his sword, tells him of a shortcut to Burgundy but it reality it leads him to a dragon which he slays and baths in it’s blood but missed a shot so he gets a Achilles’ heal. He goes on numerous adventures on his way to Burgundy. There is a part 2 of the film but it would spoil the film too much.

The film isn’t one of Fritz Lang’s best films. It’s very baggy, it’s about 4 hour and 40 minutes and every scene is dragged out to excruciating levels as times. It is a film from the 20s so obviously the pacing is very different to modern films but there are 20 minutes scenes that should be half the length.  However film is basically an early mini-series, each segment and both films has a title card.  The plus sides of the film are the imagery is hallucinatory at times and utterly fantastical. The 1st half of the film is most visually arresting which ends brilliantly. The 2nd half has an astonishing climax though. The story is truly epic in scope, which can be expected when it comes from mythology.  It’s worth watching simply for the imagery.

Overall, It’s a good piece of early sword and sorcery cinema. It’s not gonna be for most people but if your interesting in Frit Lang and early cinema it’s worth seeing.

Ian Schultz

★★★★☆

Rating:PG
DVD/BD Re-Release Date: 29th October 2012 (UK)
Directed By: Fritz Lang
Cast: Paul Richter, Margarete Schön , Theodor Loos
Buy Die Nibelungen: BLU-RAY/ DVD