Grigori Kozintsev's Don Quixote DVD Review

Don Quixote is obviously an adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes’ mammoth novel of the same name. It was the first adaptation to be shot in colour and widescreen but the first Quixote adaptation was over a century ago in 1906. It was also a Russian production and was entered into the Cannes film festival where it left empty handed. It was directed by noted Russian director Grigori Kozintsev, who starting working in film back in the days of Eisenstein. Kozintsev who like Eisenstein was also a member modernist avant-garde movement “Eccentricism”. After Quixote he did some Shakespeare adaptations of King Lear and Hamlet. The actor who plays Quixote Nikolai Cherkasov also starred in some Eisenstein films.

★★★★☆

The adaptation of Quixote is supposedly relatively faithful to the novel according to some reviews (I haven’t read the novel). It however chronologically changes the order of adventures is changed drastically. Don Quixote de la Mancha is a aging old gentleman who’s real name is Alonso Quixano. He reads many books of chivalry and starting believing he is a knight. He meets with his trusty squire Sancho Panza. They have adventures, Quixote falls in love the possibly imaginary Lady Dulcinea, they however treated like fools but their humour and dreams help them along.

The film is a really well done adaptation; it’s a relatively short 100 minutes or so. The film is beautifully shot and I wish the dvd release wasn’t letterbox but a anamorphic widescreen transfer which would really show the beauty of the photography. I am however happy a film this obscure is even released in the UK. The best scene for me was the scene when you actually see what Quixote sees and it’s done very surreally and will stick in my mind for a time. The film is a somewhat more serious version of the story than some adaptations, which is partly in tone with the 2nd half of the novel but it does have the expected humour of Quixote. It will be probably the best film of Don Quixite till Terry Gilliam does his.

Ian Schultz

Rating:PG
UK DVD Release Date: 24th September 2012
Directed  By:Grigori Kozintsev
Cast: Nikolai Cherkasov, Yuri Tolubeyev, Tamilla Agamirova, Lyudmila Kasyanova
Pre-Order/Buy:Don Quixote On DVD

Raiders of the Lost Ark IMAX Review

★★★★★

Each Indiana Jones movie brought something to the franchise. Raiders, a fantastic sense of adventure; Temple of Doom, horror; The Last Crusade a brilliant sense of humour and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull... um... CGI gophers? Indestructible fridges? Shia Labeouf swinging through trees with monkeys?... I shouldn't be negative, for here I am reviewing Raiders of the Lost Ark, one of, if not the, best adventure films of all time.

Everything works in Raiders. The script is smashing, the performances perfect, and the direction dazzling; Spielberg at his best. After making two of the greatest blockbusters of the seventies with Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, he started the eighties by harnessing the novelty of the adventure serials of the 1930s, much as Star Wars had with science-fiction serials of the same period. The formula of falling from one bad situation into another works wonderfully here. The perfect example being the infamous opening with Jones going after a golden idol in South America, the moment he grabs it everything starts to go wrong.

The action throughout is quite amazing and is greatly helped by Harrison Ford's marvellous lead performance. He sells all the action through the genuine fear on his face. Never has a man looked more worried... well maybe Hans Gruber as he fell from Nakatomi Plaza. This ability of Ford's to look scared and vulnerable made all his classic action films far more relatable. But its not just Ford that makes this film, there is not a single weak performance. Karen Allen is great as the feisty love interest. Paul Freeman provides the best villain of the series and possibly the only one who doesn't play it like a character from Adams West's Batman (I'm looking at you Cate Blanchett). And both Denholm Elliott and John Rhys-Davies provide fantastic allies for Jones.

But everyone is a star here; in front of and behind the camera. John Williams composed one of the greatest soundtracks of all time. Costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis (John Landis' wife) created some iconic costumes and Douglas Slocombe's cinematography is gorgeous. This is to name just a few amazing contributions.

For this current release on IMAX Spielberg has enhanced the sound but made no other alterations. A testament to just how perfect the film is. Or maybe he and Lucas have just learnt to LEAVE THEIR FILMS ALONE!!! We love them already.

Harry Davenport

Rating:PG
Re-Release Date: 21st September 2012 (UK)
Directed by:Steven Spielberg
Cast:Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies, Alfred Molina, Ronald Lacey, Paul Freeman

Alejandro Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre Review

★★★★☆

Watching an Alejandro Jodorowsky film is an exciting experience - you can expect provocative images, violent surrealism and a dreamlike narrative - all of which are on offer in his recently rereleased 1989 epic, Santa Sangre.

Jodorowsky's feature structured in three parts: present, past and future, tells us of the life of Fenix - a Mexican circus performer. After witnessing a brutal exchange between his performer parents, Fenix is left mentally disturbed and spends much of his youth in an asylum. The future sees his escape where he rejoins his disfigured mother, where the pair soon go on a chilling campaign of murder.

Santa Sangre has been labelled as a horror film, most likely due to bucket loads of disturbing content. However, it would be uncouth to confine Jodorowsky's film to one genre - Santa Sangre is a movie like no other, a truly surreal and unnerving experience. From the onset this is clear, and those new to Jodorowsky may be initially taken aback - it opens with a disturbed, naked feral man (the older Fenix) perched on a tree, growling at asylum staff. The weirdness continues throughout, escalating becoming more and more surreal and hallucinatory.

Jodorowsky's style is completely unmatched, although the religious undertones and surrealism of Santa Sangre could be compared to the work of the late great Ken Russell, most notably The Devils. It is a complete visual feast with set pieces, design, and performances all tying into Jodorowsky's greater psychedelic vision.

The nightmarish imagery proves truly haunting - mainly the twisted relationship of Fenix's parents - most notably his father Orgo's affair with the circus' tattooed lady. There's also some nasty scenes involving genitals and sulphuric acid and the chopping off of arms. However, Jodorowsky does also capture a human side to his characters from the oddball community developed by the circus performers - encapsulated in a sequence where the acts are brought together following the death of the show's elephant. However, disturbing imagery is never far off as the elephant's funeral soon ends in locals ripping up the creature and feasting on its flesh. Tasty.

Some may find Jodorowsky's surrealism and style verging on crude and pretentious (which it does), but underneath this all the director presents distinct moral messages on good and evil, power relationships and revenge. When the film's latter half finds itself falling into more straightforward horror territory, Jodorowsky's vibrant style and craftsmanship makes sure Santa Sangre continues to grip the audience.

Santa Sangre is truly a movie like no other - Jodorowsky's haunting and surreal visual style combined with his tackling of religion, community and revenge makes for an unforgettable experience.

Andrew McArthur

Stars: Axel Jodorowsky, Blanca Guerra, Adan Jodorowsky & Guy Stockwell
Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Release: 21st September 2012 (Cinemas)
Rating: 18 (UK)

Twisted Trailer For The Collection

We love our Horror films at Cinehouse but unfortunately past few years it's suffered from 'seen it all before' films with too many similar films been dished out. The serial killer sub genre is probably one of those genres that suffers greatly however we do tend to come across the odd film like 2009 The Collector that even satisfies even the hardened critics and tonight the twisted trailer for the follow up film The Collection.

The film comes from the directors of the latter Saw films Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton whose experience from those films do seem to inspire the maze torture our leatherface Kendo Nagasaki wannabe killer has for his victims. The Collection follows the story of  Elena (Emma Fitzpatrick) a young woman who is abducted by a psychopathic killer taken to a Hotel come torture maze. Her wealthy father (Christopher McDonald) hires a team of mercenaries lead by the only person to escape the killer Arkin (Josh Stewart) to guide them through the maze and rescue Elena.

This looks twisted, crazy but fun in a sadistic way and has 'games' even Jigsaw would be jealous off. I've never seen The Collector but those I know who have seen it enjoyed it and has become a minor cult hit but the old cliché will The Collection suffer from the dreaded Sequel hell? No word on the UK release date however if your on the other side of the Atlantic and heading to Fantastic Fest this weekend you can catch the world premier or wait until 30th November for The U.S release.

When Elena’s (Emma Fitzpatrick) friends take her to a secret party at an undisclosed location, she never imagined she would become the latest victim of The Collector, a psychopathic killer. The Collector kidnaps and transports her to an abandoned hotel he’s transformed into his own private maze of torture and death. Upon learning of his daughter’s disappearance, Elena’s wealthy father (Christopher McDonald) hires a group of mercenaries to retrieve her from the vicious grips of The Collector. These mercenaries coerce Arkin (Josh Stewart), the only man to have escaped the wrath of this heinous monster, to lead them through the gruesome labyrinth. Now, Arkin finds himself fighting for his own life in order to save Elena. “The Collection,” directed by Marcus Dunstan and written by Dunstan and Patrick Melton, is a suspense horror film with nonstop thrills at every turn, starring Josh Stewart (The Dark Knight Rises), Emma Fitzpatrick (The Social Network), and Christopher McDonald (Requiem for a Dream).

source:  Yahoo!

New Red Band Sinister Trailer Will Intensely Disturb You

When it comes to film’s with such an amazing buzz I like to tread on safe ground and call it potentially great film but Scott Derrickson’s Sinister since it’s SXSW premier the buzz has been steadily been growing and tonight we have a new Red Band Trailer! Pardon my French but holy shit this is genuinely looking a scary film!!! This been a red band trailer so you’ll be expecting a few f-bombs,nudity your disappointment will become fear as what we get is some truly disturbing imagery and as no words are uttered it gives this trailer a truly atmospheric level of dread. Sinister is one Horror film even hardcore horrorphiles will have to admit we have a potentially scary film on the cards.

We are catching the film in just over a week’s time, but you can read the Frightfest review our friends at Blogomatic3000 gave us, You can catch Sinister on October 5th (UK, Ireland and USA) starring Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Clare Foley, Juliet Rylance and James Ransone

Desperately in need of a best seller to revive his struggling career, true crime writer Ellison (Ethan Hawke), moves his family to the scene of his most recent story; the unsolved, gruesome murder of a loving, happy suburban family.Shunned by the local community and strained by his obligations to his family, the discovery of a batch of home movies in the attic offers Ellison shocking proof to the crime he is investigating. Ellison notices the same unidentified figure appearing in each of the 8mm films, leaving him convinced that all the incidents are linked by a truly bizarre connection. As his investigations uncover the terrifying truth he starts to lose his grip on reality and it soon becomes clear that he is placing his own family in harm’s way.

source Yahoo Movies

The Ingenious Fritz Lang's DIE NIBELUNGEN To Get Masters Of Cinema Release

Renowned for its ingenious special visual effects and breathtaking set design, DIE NIBELUNGEN [THE NIBELUNGEN] is to be released in the UK on Blu-ray & DVD as part of Eureka Entertainment’s MASTERS OF CINEMA Series on 29 October 2012

Perhaps the most stately of Fritz Lang's two-part epics, the five-hour Die Nibelungen is a courageous and hallucinatory work. Its extraordinary set-pieces, archetypal themes, and unrestrained ambition have proved an inspiration for nearly every fantasy cycle that has emerged on-screen since – from Star Wars to The Lord of the Rings.

In Part One, Siegfried, the film's eponymous hero acquires the power of invincibility after slaying a dragon and bathing in the creature's blood. Later, an alliance through marriage between the hero and the royal clan of the Nibelungen turns treacherous, with Siegfried's sole weakness exploited. In Part Two, Kriemhilds Rache [Kriemhild's Revenge], Siegfried's widow travels to the remote land of the Huns to wed the monstrous Attila, and thereby enlist his forces in an act of vengeance that culminates in massacre, conflagration, and, under the auspices of Lang, one of the most exhilarating and terrifying end-sequences in all of cinema.

Adapted from the myth that was also the basis for Wagner's Ring cycle of operas, Lang's epic offers its own startling expressionistic power – a summit of the director's artistry. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Die Nibelungen in a spectacular new HD restoration, released as a 2 x DVD set & a 2 x Blu-ray set in the UK on 29 October 2012. 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Long-awaited expert HD restoration by the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung, Germany
• Immaculately presented in the film's original frame rates and aspect ratio, in 1080p on the Blu-ray
• Newly translated optional English subtitles for the original German intertitles
• An hour-long documentary: The Heritage of Die Nibelungen
• Illustrated booklet featuring the words of Lang, rare archival imagery, and more
• Further details to be announced nearer the release date! Pre-Order/Buy: DIE NIBELUNGEN (Masters of Cinema) BLU-RAY [1924]

LIVE EAST DIE YOUNG East London film nominated best UK picture at Raindance

Finnish Director Laura Hyppönen’s gritty East London debut film Live East Die Young has received a nomination for best UK feature film at this year’s Raindance Film Festival in London.

The film will hold its world premiere at the festival on the 4^th October, shortly followed by French premiere at the Dinard British Film Festival where the film has been nominated for the festival’s Grand Jury prize, the Golden Hitchcock.

Shot on a shoestring budget and featuring a distinctive soundtrack from the indie underground wave (featuring cult bands Bo Ningen, Feral AKA MC Kinky and many others), Live East Die Young is a raw look at the lives of model Emma and her best friend, hairdresser Max, as they descend ever-deeper into a destructive world of parties, lies, sex and drugs. Shot entirely at authentic East London locations, from artist warehouses to club basements, the film offers a voyeuristic, dogma-esque look into their substance-fuelled lifestyle. The film also stars newcomers Zoë Grisedale and James ‘Jeanette’ Main, best known for his involvement with notorious real-life East London party collective, Boombox.

Hyppönen, who has been living in the UK for 11 years, produced, wrote and directed the film. She says: “It’s great that an edgy independent no-budget film like Live East Die Young has been recognised among recent UK successes like ‘Ill Manors’ and ‘Shadow Dancer’. The project has been a labour of love, made without any support from film funds. We are really excited to see how the audience will respond!”

The film is sold internationally by Paris-based Reel Suspects. Matteo Lovadina, CEO, who handpicked the project from Cannes during the Marche du Film, says: “I am pleased to work as the international sales agent for Live East Die Young. The film’s roughness and documentary look made me feel immediately inside the story. It’s a crossover film that can fit equally well into niches and attract the general public. The Raindance world premiere and Dinard competition selection are a confirmation of the film’s potential.” 

Cecil B. DeMille's Cleopatra (Masters Of Cinema) DVD Review

★★★★☆

Cleopatra was a film made by legendary maverick film director Cecil B. DeMille in 1934. It also was later done again in 1963 infamously with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the roles of Cleopatra and Mark Antony respectively. In the 1934 version it stars Claudette Colbert (who was one of the biggest stars of the 1930s) and Henry Wilcoxon.

The film tells the story of the man hungry Cleopatra and her affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony partly out of love and partly for their power. She firsts meet Caesar because her brother Pothinos throws her in the desert to die because he gonna sign off Egypt over to Caesar. She sneaks back in a carpet and wins Caesar over with her body and they fall in love. She later kills Pothinos after she spots him trying to assassinate her.

Caesar and Cleo go back to Rome. The other Romans officials start distrust both of them and eventually assassinate Caesar. Marc Antony and Octavian are later named the co-rulers of Rome. Antony is “disdainful of women” but Cleopatra eventually wins him over much to disgust of Rome.

The film is considerably shorter than the more famous Liz/Burton version, over half the length shorter of that’s 4 HOURS!!! running time at a relatively brisk 101 minutes. It’s not a super fast paced film but very few from the 1930s were. It does however play along nicely.

It was made soon after the production code was introduced. It was the 80th film approved and because this it got away with a lot more than some films not a long afterwards got away with. It has very overt sexual undertones that in some cases DeMille just covers the act in progress. Which is very effective and a good and inventive way to get away with very risqué matter.

The film has lavish sets and design, which is expected from DeMille production. The sets are beautifully detailed with wonderful backdrops, dozens upon dozens of extras and beautifully choreographed. Some of the battle scenes however suffer from bad super imposed images but hell it’s the 1930s, technology has come a long way. The costume design by is also stunning and amazingly revealing for a film from 1934.

The performance from Claudette Colbert oozes sensuality, dominance, heroism and power. The male roles are all very mundane and weak compared to Cleopatra’s strength and dominance over them. Colbert did a best actress Academy award that but not for Cleopatra but for the proto-screwball comedy It Happened Here. It did however win a much-deserved award for cinematography and was nominated for Film, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR!!! (a category they no longer have), sound and editing.

Overall the film is a gloriously over the top film from one true pioneers of cinema Mr. DeMille who would later go on to make such films as The Ten Commandments and The Greatest Show On Earth.

Ian Schultz

Rating:PG
UK Re-release Date:24th September 2012
Directed By:Cecil B. DeMille
Cast:Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon, Joseph Schildkraut

Monster Pictures release EXCISION theatrically In UK This November!

Our friends at Monster Pictures have announced today that they will be releasing EXCISION, in select cinemas nationwide from 2 November 2012.  Excision is the story of Pauline (Anna Lynne McCord), a delusional teenage outcast. Pauline picks scabs. Pauline dissects road kill. Pauline fantasizes about performing surgery on strangers. Her fascinations disturb her schoolmates and her parents, Phyllis (Traci Lords) and Bob (Roger Bart). No one understands Pauline except for Grace (Ariel Winter), her younger sister who suffers from cystic fibrosis. An outcast at school and at home, Pauline is convinced that the best way to repair her estranged relationship with her family is to perform a risky operation to save her sister’s life...

Starring AnnaLynne McCord (90210) as Pauline, Excision continues a long tradition of horror films with compelling female leads, such as Scream, the original Halloween, the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Birds, and Psycho. The film also stars Traci Lords (Cry Baby, Blade), Ariel Winter (Modern Family), Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives), Jeremy Sumpter (Friday Night Lights, Soul Surfer), Malcolm McDowell and John Waters.

EXCISION is Richard Bates Jr.’s directorial debut adapted from his highly praised short film, Excision, which played in over 50 film festivals internationally and garnered 24 awards from festivals such as Austin Fantastic Fest, Sundance Film Festival and Fantasia International Film Festival. 

Excision will also  make an number of appearances at Horror film festivals around the UK&Ireland, here's the dates:


CELLULOID SCREAMS Closing Gala, Sheffield Showroom – 28 October 2012 

HORRORTHON, IFI, Dublin – 28 October 2012 

DUNDEAD, at the DCA, Dundee - 28 October 2012

TWISTED CELLULOID, IFI, Triskel Christchurch – 30 October 2012

And more to be announced soon

There will as be Preview Screenings at the PRINCE CHARLES CINEMA, Leicester Square, London from 28 October 2012, before the film is released cinematically.

Monster Pictures will release EXCISION on DVD & Blu-ray in the UK  Eire on 12 November 2012.  Available to pre-order now on DVD   Here and blu-ray Here

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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