Blu-Ray Review - Il Bidone (1955)

Genre:
Comedy, World Cinema, Drama
Distributor:
Eureka! Entertainment
Rating:
12
BD Release Date:
30th December 2013(UK)
Director:
Federico Fellini
Cast:
Broderick Crawford, Richard Basehart, Giulietta Masina
Buy: Il Bidone [Masters of Cinema] Dual Format [Blu-ray & DVD]

Il Bidone is one of Fellini’s early films and came out after the worldwide success of La Strada. It was a big flop in the film’s native Italy and abroad. It was made when Fellini for all purposes was still working in the school of Italian neo-realism. Fellini from the 60s onwards would be known for surrealist satires, which I prefer.

Il Bidone is about a group of small time swindlers (the title translated is The Swindlers) called Augusto (Broderick Crawford), Picasso (Richard Basehart), and Roberto (Franco Fabrizi) who prey on poor farmers and slum dwellers. The role of Augusto was originally intended for Humphey Bogart, which would have been interesting. Fellini always a mischievous director in the opening scene dresses up his swindlers as Catholic priest. They trick some poor farmers out of their money by in exchange for some bogus buried treasure.

The film has a great set piece in which the conmen pretend to be city officials. They go to a slum and pretend to be city officials and scam everyone by saying they will give them a council house if they put down a deposit. It’s perfect shows the lengths that the 3 conmen will go to get a quick buck.

The film isn’t Fellini at his finest see his masterful 8 ½ but it’s a interesting slice of neo-realism which a slight film noir edge. It was criticised by some for just being a crime film but it’s a scathing attack on the greed. It’s worth checking out and as usual Masters of Cinema has done a very nice package.

★★★★☆

Ian Schultz

DVD Review - Upstream Colour

Genre:
Sci-fi, Drama, Arthouse
Distributor:
Metrodome Distribution
Rating:
15
BD/DVD Release Date:
30th December 2013 (UK)
Director:
Shane Carruth
Cast:
Amy Seimetz, Frank Mosley, Shane Carruth
Buy Upstream Colour:
[DVD] or [Blu-ray] [Amazon]

Upstream Color is without a doubt the strangest film of 2013 and there have been some strange films this year. It’s the 2nd film by Shane Carruth who made a splash in the indie world 9 years ago with the incredibly overrated Primer which was made for $7,000 but it was unnecessarily complex for it’s own good. Carruth worked on a highly ambitious science fiction epic for the years in-between films but it eventually gave up due to lack of funding.

The film starts with a woman being tasered and kidnapped by a man called “The Thief” in the credits. She is under his mind control and forfeits her money to him and she is only allowed to small portions of water. The Thief performs surgery on her which involves putting a live roundworm in her which has blue tinged orchid leaves dust in it which infects her system.

She awakes and the roundworm is attracted by infrasound waves and she goes to a pig farmer/field recorder’s farm in trance. The farmer performs a transfer of the worm into one of his pig’s. She awakes and has no memory of what happened in her SUV. The woman finally realizes that all her money has been stolen and her employer fires her.

The film picks up a year later and she meets a man on a train (played by the director) and they bond and fall in love. They may have more in common than they initially thought. It then becomes increasingly stranger and stranger.

Carruth literally served as director, writer, producer, actor, cinematographer, editor, composer, casting director, production designer and sound designer… take that Orson Welles! His cinematography is reminiscent of the recent Terrence Malick films at times. The sound design is outstanding which he won a special jury award at Sundance for his sound design. Carruth is being a very talented director and he has the makings of a real auteur but give it a couple more films before calling him one.

It’s a very admirable film even though it’s extremely pretentious at times and utterly baffling. Despite some of the film’s problems it’s a breath of fresh air in a time of endless sequels and comic book films than somebody makes a film this out there. I don’t full understand what the film is about and it’s quite possibly Carruth himself doesn’t. It’s a pretty unforgettable film with plenty of ideas and an endlessly fascinating story that surprisingly wraps itself up in the end. There are still many unanswered questions and people will debate them for years to come.

★★★★☆

Ian Schultz

Watch New Promo Trailer For School Anime Seitokai Yakuindomo Season 2

One anime which is so popular even this side of the world is school anime or slice of life and Seitokai Yakuindomo will go down well, this afternoon we get a look a the TV shows new season 2 promo trailer.

Based on Tozen Ujiie's manga Seitokai Yakuindomo centres around Ōsai Academy, a former all girls private high school which has recently been integrated with the local boys school. The student council body is split between 524 girls and 28 boys,Takatoshi Tsuda is pushed into becoming the vice president of the student council, a council made up of only girls.



Seitokai Yakuindomo will premier on Tokyo MX TV on 4th January.

source: Animenewsnetwork

Watch First Trailer For Live Action Patlabor TV Series And Film

1990's was a great time to be an anime fan in UK, with no internet, you could buy anime any shop that sold video even better mainstream TV (BBC, Channel 4) screened anime more regularly.Mamoru Oshii's Patlabor was one of the anime's we cherished during the decade and now we have a teaser trailer for Patlabor Next Generation TV Series.

It may only be 32 seconds long but when we have a mecha film the first thing we want to see is the MECHA! and we do! The glimpse we get is of the 8 metre tall robotic mecha AV-98 Ingram with the main cast of the series around the foot of the metallic giant. The series is not going to be a remake of the anime movies or series, set in Tokyo 2013 with the third generation of Patlabor due to the recession The Tokyo Metropolitan Police has been disbanded.

The series  will be shown in 7 parts with the first episode coming April 2014 with a feature film arriving in Summer 2015.



source: Animenewsnetwork

Lars Von Trier Wishes You A Merry Christmas With New Clip For Nymphomaniac

We do hope your enjoyed festive pig out turkey dinner with all the trimmings with enough to feed a 100. Now that your chill-relaxing wearing that knitted jumper your aunt Mary has knitted for you, Lars Von Trier has a last minute gift for cinephiles with a new clip from Nymphomaniac.

Well are you ready to listen? As Charlotte Gainsbourg is about to tell you a few stories and us blokes are all well equipped with a 'truth detector' but what is she talking about? Well gents sit down, unbuckle storytime is is about to begin!.

What this clip is all about your guess will be as good as our's, it's entitled 'The Gun' the film's final chapter (8) and today The Danes along with the Norwegians will get the first look at Von Trier's sexual adventure. Here's a brief synopsis on the final chapter...

Sometimes things hide, because we're familiar with them. But if you change your point of view, they can suddenly take on a whole new meaning.Joe enters a shady business, and she quickly finds out that her life has taught her some valuable skills.

As in Nymphomaniac been released in UK&Ireland officially the film is been released in 2 parts officially on 7th March with part 2 a week later. However we're hearing conflicting stories that the release date is now 21st February,whatever date we'll keep you posted.



source: Nymphomaniac website

Daddy's Coming Home Could Be Trouble For The Family In Trailer For Swedish Thriller Tommy

The buzz the  past couple of years for Scandinavian crime noir/ movies has been exceptional, though the buzz may have quieten down a little there's still a sense of excitement when the next possible movie is released. The good folks at Twitch have gotten their hands on a trailer for possible candidate for next big Scandinavian film called Tommy and below is the film's next trailer.

The film comes from Swedish born director Tarik Saleh whose last film was the sci-fi dystopian animation Metropia however Tommy is completely different direction. Moa Gammell stars as Estelle a wife of a gangster whose on the run thanks to a job went wrong and just before Christmas their daughter get's a message, Daddy aka Tommy is coming home.



Swedish cinephiles can expect Tommy in cinemas March 2014.

Win Beautifully Moving Anime Wolf Children on DVD

Part slice-of-life drama about the joys and tribulations of single mother Hana raising her half-wolf kids, part rite-of-passage movie about finding your place in the world, Wolf Children is a funny, moving and accessible film directed by a true anime great.

After receiving an abundance of praise from its theatrical release, we are pleased to say that we have a DVD copy to give away to celebrate Wolf Children coming to DVD and Collector's Edition on 23rd December.

19-year-old Hana is studying at university when she falls in love with a mysterious classmate with a highly unusual secret - he is the last descendant of Japan's now-extinct grey wolves, and possesses the ability to transform into a wolf. Not daunted by this, Hana and her wolf man lover start a family, with energetic daughter Yuki ('Snow') soon followed by her more timid little brother Ame ('Rain').

But when tragedy strikes and her wolf man suddenly dies, Hana is left to cope with the two young children on her own - and both Yuki and Ame have inherited their dad's power to shift between human and wolf form. Moving to the countryside and the seclusion of an abandoned old house in the mountains, Hana hopes to raise her family away from prying eyes …but life's not that simple.

To Win Wolf Children on DVD please answer the following question:

Q.In March this year what prestigious Japanese award did Wolf Children scoop?

Deadline is 12th January 2014 (23:59pm),If you haven’t done already Like us and stay with us at our Facebook page (if you are already liking us just share this post on twitter and facebook). Must be 12 or older to enter.

Terms&Conditions:

1.The competition is not opened to employees, family, friends of The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse, Manga Entertainment  employees who have the right to alter, change or offer alternative prize without any notice.2.All The Peoples Movies entries must be done via contact form. deadline Sunday 12th January 2014 (23:59pm) 12 years or older to enter 3.Failure to include any information required to enter could result in your entry been void.  4.automated entries are not allowed and will be disqualified, which could result you been banned, DO NOT INCLUDE telephone numbers as for security reason your entry will be deleted.5.If you are friend or like us at facebook for every competition you enter you get double entry, but you must stay friend/like us all the time,or future entries maybe considered one entry if you are liking us share the post on facebook and re-tweet the post.6.The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse takes no responsibility for delayed, lost, stolen prizes 7.Prizes may take from days to a few months for delivery which is out of our control so please do not complain 8.The winning entries will be picked at random and contacted by email for postal details and will be announced via facebook, sometimes we are unable to confirm winners. Uk & Irish entries only.

UK Competitions and Prize Draws at UKwins
Loquax Competitions
Free Competitions
ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

Win Vikingdom on DVD Starring Dominic Purcell, Craig Fairbass

Unleashed upon the UK on 26th December in a DVD and Blu-Ray™. Vikingdom is an adrenaline fuelled, high octane adventure which is sure to blast you out of your Christmas day food coma.

From a time when the Gods walked among men and Kings became the stuff of legends, comes a feast of visual effects, myths and true historical events; released on DVD and Blu-Ray™ on 26th December 2013, from Universal Pictures (UK) and Universal 1440 Entertainment, a production entity of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

To celebrate the release of “Vikingdom” we have a copy on DVD to give away!

Based on Viking mythology, Eirick (Dominic Purcell) battles from hell and beyond to retrieve the mystical artifact, Odin’s Horn, before Thor and his army can unleash its powers to conquer the world.

From the mists of time comes the clanging of steel against steel, a collision of myth and history…. “Vikingdom.” Based on Viking legends and the epic poems they left as record, “Vikingdom” is a fantasy/action-adventure about a forgotten king, Eirick, who was tasked with the impossible odds to defeat Thor, the God of Thunder.

Thor is on a mission to gather the key ancient relics – “Mjolnir,” his hammer from Valhalla, “Necklace of Mary Magdalene” from Mitgard, and the “Horn” from Helheim. This needs to be accomplished before the blood eclipse, which happens once every 800 years, failing which, the pagan Viking Gods will never be able to rule and conquer mankind ever again.

Only one man can stop him… Eirick, the undead.

To in with a chance to win Vikingdom on DVD please answer the following question:

Q.What Was the name of the Viking film that was screened at this years London Frightfest?

1. Hammer Of The Vikings
2. Thor: The Dark World
3. Hammer Of The Gods

Deadline is 12th January 2014 (23:59pm),If you haven’t done already Like us and stay with us at our Facebook page (if you are already liking us just share this post on twitter and facebook). Must be 18 or older to enter.

Terms&Conditions:

1.The competition is not opened to employees, family, friends of The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse, Universal Pictures UK employees who have the right to alter, change or offer alternative prize without any notice.2.All The Peoples Movies entries must be done via contact form. deadline Sunday 12th January 2014 (23:59pm) 18 years or older to enter 3.Failure to include any information required to enter could result in your entry been void.  4.automated entries are not allowed and will be disqualified, which could result you been banned, DO NOT INCLUDE telephone numbers as for security reason your entry will be deleted.5.If you are friend or like us at facebook for every competition you enter you get double entry, but you must stay friend/like us all the time,or future entries maybe considered one entry if you are liking us share the post on facebook and re-tweet the post.6.The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse takes no responsibility for delayed, lost, stolen prizes 7.Prizes may take from days to a few months for delivery which is out of our control so please do not complain 8.The winning entries will be picked at random and contacted by email for postal details and will be announced via facebook, sometimes we are unable to confirm winners. Uk & Irish entries only.

UK Competitions and Prize Draws at UKwins
Loquax Competitions
Free Competitions
ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

Enjoy A New Clip And Featurette For The Coen Brother's Inside Llewyn Davis

As 2014 creeps even closer our thoughts go towards what great films we can look forward too and next month one of the highly anticipated films will be released, The Coen Brothers Inside Llewyn Davis. This afternoon we have another exciting look at the film from a new clip sent to us from our good friends at Studiocanal and another look at the UK trailer.

Based on the actual memoirs of folk legend Dave Von Ronk, Inside Llewyn Davis follows the life of folk singer Llewyn Davies (Oscar Isaac) attempting to navigate around the Greenwich folk scene .Set during the harsh winter of 1961 New York penniless , only a orange tabby cat for company,  an ex-girlfriend (Carey Mulligan) pregnant, Llewyn attempts to get his first foot in business to audition for music mogul Bud Grossman.

We may not revved up the engine on the awards season yet the buzz from the film, we would be silly to say this film wont do well in the awards, with  fantastic U.S reviews things look good for the film. Most of all it's the long welcome return of  Joel & Ethan Coen  behind the camera after been in the wilderness past few years.

Inside Llewyn Davies now has a UK&Irish release date of 24th January 2014  and co-stars Justin Timberlake, John Goodman,Garret Hedlund, Adam Driver and F. Murray Abraham.

Film Clip

UK Trailer

[Update - 22 December 2013] Totalfilm have posted a exclusive featurette which looks at the music of Inside Llewyn Davies with the 'folk music' created specifically for the film.

Chris Thile of the Punch Brothers chats about working with The Coen Brothers and a insight into the original song 'Auld Triangle' and the input a certain cast member had on the song too.


[update 2nd January 2014 - Studio Canal have now sent us our own version of the featurette]

Interstellar 'Boobies' In The English Dubbed Anime Trailer For Space Dandy

He loves his bouncing breasts but we love the surreal weirdness of the interstellar hijinks and the wackiness of Anime's craziest alien space hunter Space Dandy is coming back to Toonami, check out New Trailer.

Sadly at the moment toonami aka Adult Swim is in U.S but there is hope a channel may pick up the rights for directed by the Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe. Whilst this may not be the most politically correct animation in the world  it highlights the industry male dominated is or they don't give a hoot-er what you think. It's action packed, it's funny but in today's climate this is heavy on ad placement (space hooters) but on gender issues this will annoy , judge for yourselves.

Space Dandy will be aired in USA on Adult Swim's Toonami 4th January.

Synopsis

Space Dandy is a dandy in space! This dreamy adventurer with a to-die-for pompadour travels across the galaxy in search of aliens no one has ever laid eyes on. Each new species he discovers earns him a hefty reward, but this dandy has to be quick on his feet because it’s first come – first served! Accompanied by his sidekicks, a rundown robot named QT and Meow the cat-looking space alien, Dandy bravely explores unknown worlds inhabited by a variety aliens. Join the best dressed alien hunter in all of space and time as he embarks on an adventure that ends at the edge of the universe!

Source: Bleeding Cool