Magic Magic EIFF Review 2

Rating:
15
Release Date:
25th June 2013 (EIFF)
Director:
Sebastian Silva
Stars:
Juno Temple, Emily Browning , Michael Cera
Tonally speaking Magic Magic hits the nail on the head, achieving from start to finish the truly disconcerting vibe of an oncoming storm. From the word go, things seem to be piling up against Juno Temple’s Alicia, a girl so wrought with anxiety and despair it’s a wonder she was allowed to travel on her own in the first place. It doesn't help that Sarah (Emily Browning) the friend Alicia travels to Chile to visit, has to abandon her for mysterious reasons with her Chilean friends on a lonely island.

When considering psychosis and exotic locations, things never really pan out. The Beach, Lord of the Flies, automatically the situation seems doomed. Mortality and youth, compulsion and human nature seem at the heart of the film, but aren't explored in any particular depth to maximize the impact of the film. This is a film which attempts to show how misunderstandings and over-dramatic, anxious minds can turn even the most innocent actions into purposeful attacks on personal peace. However it’s still a basic attempt at putting across a basically dull story.

                Under all the crossed wires, misunderstood moments, and exaggerated pains, the most unnerving aspect of Magic Magic is how it puts across genuine insanity; Temple does a wonderful job of letting her stability slip away in a way that is understandable yet entirely infuriating. Her unadventurous and cowardly nature are so convincing you’ll pity her more than anything, until she gets a little too kooky.  Special mention goes to Michael Cera’s near-demonic Brink, a creation so utterly loathable you can barely keep yourself from shouting at the screen. He’s prankster, manipulator and quietly closeted to a degree that’s just over the “bromance” line. Together Temple and Cera forge a screen relationship built on unspoken hatred that charges through sinister mannerisms, bird violence, and a different kind of oral rape to what you may have in mind.

Apart from performance and a gloomy aesthetic, not much else can push this slow-burning pscho-thriller into any exceptional ground, even a slap dash race for the voodoo vote. It hits the notes you expect and maintains a level head throughout bar a few brave moments where it musters the courage to show how much an insomniac and a compulsive fool can mess with each other.

★★☆☆☆

Scott Clark

EIFF 2013 - Leviathan Review

Rating: PG
Release Date (UK):
27th June 2013 (EIFF)
Director:
Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Verena Paravel
Cast:
Declan Conneely, Johnny Gatcombe, Adrian Guillette

One of the most intriguing films of this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival is the experimental documentary piece Leviathan; an abstract look at the relationship between man and nature. It won’t be for everyone, in fact it will probably appeal to a smaller part of the audience who have the patience to endure its 87 minutes of non-linear strangely intense imagery.

                This isn’t the sort of film that offers up its direction with any ease, it’s a slog, a hard slog conveyed by the labours of everyone involved. Filmed on numerous cameras spread over a North Atlantic commercial fishing boat, Leviathan never attempts the perspective that would perhaps make the film easy- and thus inevitably dull- it is no accident that there is a lack of interviews and even general dialogue between the boat workers to ease the audiences viewing. Leviathan is bold on this front, unapologetic for a technique too pretentious for the casual viewer, but it’s this bold use of image and sound, the raw and honest quality of the film, that holds attention at some of the more startling images. The camera angles are carefully selected to give those points of view that are never really considered: the ship’s deck amongst the fish and swill, the merciless process of decapitating fish, an extreme close-up of the net chains as they are pulled too and fro in a storm. Among the catalogue of sequences are some real treasures that seem to offer a true fly-on-the-wall look at one of man’s oldest industries  yet on the other hand there are some too out-there for enjoyment, ensuring long stretches of the film crawl along ensuring attention dithers.

                By the end Leviathan seems unperturbed with relaying any true meaning or opinion on the fishing industry, other than to explore the gargantuan operation that it is and expose the isolated nature of its process. At points the film shows truly wonderful camera work be it the night-time filming of man vs. waves or the flipping of sea and sky,  and at others it starts to unravel itself through sticking to its guns as a varied selection of image and sound recorded on an actual fishing boat. By the end you cant help but wonder what it would have been like with an orchestral accompaniment.

An interesting look at the epic harsh relationship between modern man and the sea, Leviathan uses innovative camera work and a lack of non-diegetic sound to relay an isolated and chaotic atmosphere; however by the end it proves just as arduous a journey for the viewer.

★★★☆☆

Scott Clark

Possession Blu-Ray Review

Rating: 18
BD Release Date:
29th July 2013 (UK)
Director:
Andrzej Zulawski
Cast:
Isabelle Adjani, Sam Neill, Margit Carstensen
Buy: [Blu-ray]


Possession is a film directed by noted Polish director Andrzej Żuławski. He worked as a assistant to Andrzej Wajda before he started directing his own film in the early 70s. He eventually moved to France after his 2nd film The Devil was banned in his native Poland. Possession came at the start of the 80s when Foreign films were finding an audience in the UK and US but was shot in English.

Possession is very possibly the oddest film I’ve ever seen and that’s saying something. The film recently has been compared to Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist by some critics most notably Mark Kermode. Both films deal with a total disintergation of a marriage and in both films take a suddenly surreal turn but even more so in Possession.

Mark (Sam Neill) is a spy and returns from a mission and his wife Anna (Isabelle Adjani) demands a divorce. She insists it is not because she is cheating on him but won’t explain her reasons to her huspand. Mark rather stay but agrees to turn the apartment and custody of kid over. He starts going mad in the process. He comes and visits the apartment and discovers she is neglecting the care of their son Bob. He decides to stay and care for the son.

He finds out she has a lover called Heinrich. He soons meets his son’s teacher who looks exactly like his wife (also played by Adjani) and is a nice and calm unlike his crazy wife. She eventually disappears off his radar so he wants to find her wherabouts and hires a PI. The film from this point takes a even more bizarre turn involving tentacled sex, gay lovers, milk bottles, body parts, murder and finally a possible apocalypse.

The performances from the 2 leads are extremely raw and times insanely over the top (Sam Neill especially). Isabelle Adjani won best actress for her role in the film (along with her role in Quartet) and she gives the kind of performance Shelley Duvall should have given in The Shining. The film boosts the most bizarre sex scene in the history of cinema involving Isabelle and a tentacled humanoid, that really needs to be see to be believed. The film has this truly unrelenting feel of disintergating, madness and fear that is very full on.

It’s a truly unique work that I will not forget anytime soon. I’m not sure it’s something I’m gonna pull out anytime but I’m happy I’ve experienced it. It’s being re-released on blu-ray by Second Sight (it was previously out on dvd). It also funnily it comes out right after their release of The Brood which also deals with divorce in a “horror setting” but not remotely as successful. It also includes as usual with Second Sight numerous special features such as an hour documentary on the making of, interviews, comparision of the UK and US reception, commentaries etc.

★★★★☆

Ian Schultz

The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie Blu-Ray Review

Rating:
15
BD Release Date:
15th July 2013
Director:
John Cassavetes
Cast:
John Cassavetes, Ben Gazzara, Timothy Carey, Seymour Cassel
Buy: (3-Disc Limited Edition) The Killing of a Chinese Bookie was my introduction to work of John Cassavetes many years ago. It’s probably his most accessible film in a way; it’s inspired by film noir (which John Cassavetes acted in a handful in his time) but it’s a very arty and gritty take on it. Its much more story focused than most of his work that certainly helps its accessibility. It also came near the end of his golden period of filmmaking, which was from Faces to Gloria.

The film stars frequent Cassavetes collaborator Ben Gazzara who plays Cosmo Vittelli. He is a strip club owner and is making his last payment of his gambling debt to this sleazebag loanshark (played by the film’s producer/cinematographer Al Ruban). He celebrates this by taking his 3 favourite dancers out and it eventually ends in another poker game and he looses $23,000. The mob uses this against him so he will do a hit for them. He believes it to be some small-time Chinese bookie but in reality it’s a capo of the Chinese mafia “the heaviest cat on the West Coast”. He manages to perform the hit but soon realises he is double-crossed.

The film not unlike many of his other films was originally released in a much longer cut. It was originally released in a 135 minute cut but he pulled it after a week and Ben Gazzara hated this version and said it was too long. It was eventually recut in a much more accessible shorter cut of 108 minutes. It mostly cut the strip club routines but true to Cassavetes’ form he ordered the scenes in the new cut. The BFI Blu-ray includes both cuts.

The film is a great piece of cynical neo-noir 70s filmmaking in the vein of Chinatown or Night Moves. It’s boosts a wonderful performance by the always great Ben Gazzara (I’m sure the Coens watched this before they cast him in The Big Lebowski due to his role in this). His performance really makes the film, which is not unlike most of Cassavetes’ films where the leading actor or actress makes the film like for example his wife Gena Rowlands in many of the films. It’s different cause it’s male protagonist when a good majority of his films have a female one.

It’s one of John Cassavetes’ best films partly due to its accessibility. If you’re a fan of Scorsese’s early films and other noir inspired films of the 70s it’s very much worth your time. BFI has released a 3-disc special edition, which includes the film on both Blu-ray and dvd and a bonus disc with a feature length doc on John Cassavetes, a short, a interview and the film itself includes scene selected commentaries by the producer and Cassavetes’ friend and contemporary Peter Bogdanovich.

★★★★★

Ian Schultz

Static DVD Review

Rating:
15
DVD Release date:
15th July 2013 (UK)
Rating:
15 (UK)
Director:
Todd Levin
Cast:
Milo Ventimiglia, Sarah Shahi, Sara Paxton
Buy Static: [DVD]

This year's horror features have mostly been sub-standard releases (with the odd exception e.g. Lords of Salem, The Conjuring), however, Todd Levin's Static serves as a stellar reminder that there are still filmmakers capable of crafting some classy scares without resulting to the use of lashings of gore.

Static follows writer Jonathan Dade (Milo Ventimiglia) and his wife Addie (Sarah Shahi) who quietly grief the loss of their child in their secluded home. However, the arrival of a hysterical young woman (Sara Paxton) chased by a group of masked men forces the young couple into a fight for survival.

Levin's feature is a slow-building one, captured with a quiet yet remarkably unsettling atmosphere (similar to 2008's The Strangers). Whilst the opening sets up this underlying unease in the couple's woodland-surrounded house, Gabriel Cowan's screenplay also establishes a sense of depth and humanity within the protagonists: we see Jonathan thrown off his work and Addie look for purpose as a result of their child's death. Therefore when the tension does escalate and the couple are threatened there is a genuine empathy and support for these characters.

The arrival of Paxton's character really takes the tension up a notch and thrusts Static into full gear. The actress plays the stranger with a sense of mysteriousness which could be construed as something more sinister as we see her skulk round the couples' home. Levin has a real knack for building suspense - perfectly showcased in one sequence which sees Jonathan venture out of the house to investigate the stranger's damaged car. As the film turns home-invasion thriller Levin fills Static with a variety of jumps and scares, avoiding the clichés traditionally found in these features.

Static's narrative is also filled with little titbits that allude to the film's twist ending - such as the couple finding security equipment in their home. These suggestions keep Static refreshing and unexpected, separating it from run-of-the-mill home invasion horrors. This is also helped by some terrific performances from the likes of Milo Ventimiglia, who is a captivating lead, conveying a convincing sense of emotion within the character and never resorting to overplaying things. Shahi is an equally powerful screen presence, whilst Paxton is a perfect addition to the mumblecore style of Static.

Static is an intelligent and well-crafted horror. It's quiet atmosphere and masterful tension, alongside some stellar performances ensure that it is one of the strongest horrors of the year.

★★★★☆

Andrew McArthur

"Do You like movies?" Watch The Canyons New Tailer

"Do You like movies?" Lindsay Lohan asks in the new trailer for The Canyons it's a logical questions but what we have is an Rhetoric mess that will be a cult hit years to come.

The Canyons is an erotic noir from Paul Schrader (writer of Taxi Driver,director of  American Gigolo) set in modern day Los Angeles a group of twenty somethings film actor wannabes attempting to break into the industry find themselves involved in various sex games and ove triangles.

Its been a troublesome film for director Schrader, from finance and with many mainstream press writing off the film you just have to look at the what film festivals have been picking the film up  like Venice it must have some quality. Taking the film seriously though with Lindsay Lohan as female lead and her porn star boyfriend James Deen  male lead is like asking Adam Sandler to star in a serious Oscar wining film which will never happen (but we do know he can act...Punch Drunk Love?!). On a serious note I despite the films negativity I do see some optimism in the shape of Brett Easton Ellis who the cult novel come movie American Psycho wrote the Canyons so there is a glimmer of hope maybe the film will have some dark twisted moments. Sadly I have the sneeky feeling that this may end up been  a The Room type film.

No word on a UK or Irish release but The Canyons is to get a very limited USA cinematic  release on 2nd August.



Source: The People's Movies

Frightfest 2012 Thriller The Seasoning House UK Home Release Coming This August

Buy: [DVD] [Blu-ray]

The Seasoning House arrives on DVD & Blu-ray 12th August and is a must-own for fans of revenge thrillers at their best.The film picked up some positive reviews at Film4 Frightfest in 2012 (our review is here) and now it will be yours to own.

Directed by special-effects maestro Paul Hyett (The Woman in Black, Eden Lake, The Descent), the film was highly anticipated and didn’t disappoint when it premiered at last year’s Frightfest, where it was described as “nerve shredding” and “exceptional.”

Starring talented British newcomer Rosie Day (Ironclad 2) in the lead role of captive Angel, and with support from Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers, Wild Bill) Kevin Howarth (The Last Horror Movie, Gallowwalker) and Anna Walton (Hellboy 2, Mutant Chronicles) The Seasoning House is a dark, gripping exploration of a young orphaned girl’s psychological terror as she is kidnapped and enslaved by soldiers.

SYNOPSIS: Set in the war-torn Balkans, 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, mute, 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.

The Seasoning House will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray 12th August 2013.

BFI To Bring Satyajit Ray’s The Big City To Cinema's Across UK.

On 16 August the BFI brings Satyajit Ray’s The Big City to cinemas across the UK. This richly absorbing tale of family and city life from the master of Bengali cinema is set in mid-50s Calcutta, a society still adjusting to Independence and gripped by social and financial crisis.

The film’s nationwide release will coincide with a two-month complete retrospective of the director’s work at BFI Southbank during August and September.

Subrata Mazumdar (Anil Chatterjee), a young bank clerk struggling to support his entire extended family on a meagre salary, firmly believes that ‘a woman’s place is with her cooking pots’. Unsurprisingly, he experiences conflicting emotions when his wife Arati (Madhabi Mukherjee) helps out by taking a job as a door-to-door ‘salesgirl’ peddling knitting machines to rich housewives. Though shy and nervous to begin with, Arati soon proves a huge success, relishing her new-found independence (not to mention the joys of lipstick) and thoroughly upsetting the family dynamic.

Bengali star Madhabi Mukherjee, with her expressive frown and mischievous smile, gives a ravishing, spirited performance as Arati. This was Mukherjee’s first film with Ray (she was later to star in his Charulata) and she confessed herself ‘stunned’ by his extraordinary ‘woman-centred’ screenplay, so different from anything she had previously encountered. Indeed, Ray originally considered calling the film ‘A Woman’s Place’.

Yet, for all his focus on Arati’s problems, Ray – who is renowned for his breadth of sympathy – also deploys warmth, abundant humour and deep psychological insight in his depiction of a large, multi-generational cast of characters, including Arati’s conservative old father-in-law, her studious teenage sister-in-law, her feisty Anglo-Indian colleague and her benevolently despotic boss.

For this new restoration of The Big City, undertaken in India, the original negative was scanned at a high resolution (2K), enabling the film’s epic scale and intimate detail – from the portrayal of bustling urban life to the exquisite play of emotions on Arati’s face – to emerge in greater beauty and clarity.

Now re-released by the BFI to mark its fiftieth anniversary, The Big City, with its emphasis on conflicting social values – and most particularly on the role of women – feels as fresh and relevant as ever.



The Big City is part of The Sayjit Ray season next month at The BFI Southbank from 16th August, more details here.For listings of when The Big City will be playing near you please check with your local independent/Arthouse cinema for exact dates.

Watch The UK Trailer For The Sea Starring Ciarán Hinds, Charlotte Rampling

The Sea features a stellar cast including Ciarán Hinds, Charlotte Rampling, Natascha McElhone, Rufus Sewell and Sinéad Cusack, and is an adaptation of the Man Booker Prize-winning novel by John Banville. After the film's UK Premier at last month's Edinburgh Film Festival this afternoon we get our first look at the film's UK Trailer.

Grieving after the death of his wife, art historian Max Morden (Ciarán Hinds) returns to the sleepy seaside resort where he spent summers as a child. Max lodges at a boarding house he once frequented, where frosty proprietor Miss Vavasour (Charlotte Rampling), and eccentric resident Blunden

(Karl Johnson), now reside. Before long - and despite protestations from his daughter Clare (Ruth Bradley) - Max revisits the ghosts of his past. Max's mind returns to an idyllic summer in 1955 when, as a child, he encountered the Grace family. Carlo (Rufus Sewell) and Connie (Natascha McElhone) were unlike any adults he had met before: nonchalant, bohemian and filled with worldly grace and candour. Young Max (Matthew Dillon) befriends the young Grace twins, Chloe (Missy Keating) and Myles (Padhraig Parkinson), and his fascination for this unconventional clan transforms into intimacy and love. Meanwhile, the children's young nanny Rose (Bonnie Wright), an outsider like Max, regards the Grace's new surrogate with quiet suspicion. While Max attempts to deal with the loss of his wife, and recalls moments with his departed partner Anna (Sinéad Cusack), he also confronts a distant trauma from the past. The Sea is a haunting, uplifting, meditation on the human condition - at times elegiac, poetic, and nostalgic. A story of memory, love, loss, regret... and the persistent possibility of rebirth.


The Sea UK Trailer from paull devine on Vimeo.

The Sea will be released in UK this September.

Eureka Entertainment Announce Their August/September Line Up

Releases from Fellini, Sirk, Antonioni, Pialat and Antonio Campos are set to join the Masters of Cinema Series as Eureka Entertainment announce their release schedule for August and September 2013

Eureka Entertainment have announced via their twitter feeds (@eurekavideo & @mastersofcinema) the forthcoming releases in The Masters of Cinema series for the months of August and September 2013.

From classic Hollywood to the finest in French and Italian art cinema as well as a brand new film by an emerging auteur, The Masters of Cinema Series is as eclectic as ever in its August and September 2013 line-up – a 6-film slate that includes directors Douglas Sirk, Federico Fellini, Michelangelo Antonioni, Maurice Pialat, and Antonio Campos.

Producer of the Masters of Cinema Series, Andrew Utterson stated “In August, we welcome director Antonio Campos into the series for the first time with his remarkably assured second feature Simon Killer alongside worldwide Blu-ray premières of Douglas Sirk's The Tarnished Angels and Michelangelo Antonioni's La notte [The Night].More cinematic treats follow in September with Maurice Pialat's study of the great artist Van Gogh, the worldwide Blu-ray première of Federico Fellini's early masterpiece Il bidone, and the worldwide Blu-ray première of Douglas Sirk's penultimate Hollywood feature A Time to Love and a Time to Die. “

Managing Director of Eureka Entertainment Ron Benson added “Across six standout films, world and UK premières abound, with new restorations aplenty, as we continue our quest to release the very finest in world cinema, using the very best available materials, and all with a meticulous attention to detail and design.”

Eureka Entertainment Buys Rights To The John Hurt Narrated More Than Honey Documentary

Today Eureka Entertainment announces its plans to release the award-winning film More Than Honey in cinemas 23 August. The film asks why bee colonies continue to collapse worldwide and the UK release will feature a brand new narration from legendary actor JOHN HURT.

Beautifully filmed and directed by Oscar nominated Markus Imhoof (The Boat is Full, Les petites Illusions), winner of numerous Best Documentary Awards across international film festivals and stunning cinematography by Jörg Jeshel and Attila Boa, More Than Honey brings sharply into focus our current bee crisis where numerous colonies of bees have been decimated throughout the world with 50% to 90% of bees having disappeared over the past 15 years. With one in three mouthfuls of the food we eat and 80% of plant species dependent on pollination, the honey bee is as indispensable to the economy as it is to man’s survival.

The decline of bees could have an enormous impact on the environment, which is dependent on the insects for pollination. If there is no pollinating insect life, fruits, vegetables, and field crops would be obsolete, leaving the future of much of the world's food supply in question. Or are parasites, new viruses or travelling stress to blame? Seeking answers, the film embarks on a world journey to discover the answers. More Than Honey is the provocative yet touching tale of what may happen if our bees become extinct.

Ian Sadler, Sales Director for Eureka Entertainment commented: “Globally, bee populations are declining significantly and this is an issue for both commercial and non-commercial bee-keepers. Ultimately, if bee populations continue to decline, the impact on just about everything we eat will be enormous. Powerful, beautiful and tragic, More than Honey demonstrates the global nature of the problem, and in doing so captures everything from the awe inspiring emergence of the queen, to the death of a colony.”

More Than Honey will be released theatrically in key cities around the UK and Eire on 23 August 2013.

The Brood Blu-Ray Review

Rating: 18
BD Release date: 8th July 2013 (UK)
Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: Olivier Reed,Samantha Eggar, Art Hindle
Buy The Brood: [Blu-ray] David Cronenberg’s cult classic The Brood is perhaps one of the most innovative and surprising films to deal with the dangers of psychological therapy. Starring Oliver Reed as the mysterious therapist, Dr Raglan, Art Hindle as Frank Carveth, and Samantha Eggar as Nola Carveth, The Brood explores the possibilities for body horror in medical science without following tired routes: a man desperately clinging to what is left of his family after his ex-wife becomes increasingly more involved with mysterious treatments at a cultish psychological institute, seeks to save his family and solve a recent spate of murders that coincide with his wife’s psychotic turns.

Considering the plot for the film, it would be easy in other hands for The Brood to misfire in a big way, but in careful hands, with a good sense of humour, Cronenberg executes this passion project with nothing short of full genius. One of the things you’ll notice after a first viewing is how brave the film seems once you’ve gotten over the initial shock. The sites of violence and the manner in which those brutal scenes are depicted is riveting and sharp, in particular a class room assault is one of the most controversial yet open-eyed choices in the film.

At points The Brood can stray into laughable territory, spending too much time with hyper-characterized figures and relying a little too much on the apparent terror attached to lonesome children. Cronenberg does, however, carefully balance the humour of his film with visceral imagery and merciless moments of grotesque violence. Yes, the mutant children have perhaps approached their sell-by date and in their bright winter coats appear a wee bit garish but when taken as part of the whole they are still rendered as utterly feral and devious.

The Brood’s cult reputation comes mostly from its classic finale which offers one of the most startling images in horror, and one of the most engaging feminist/horror dialogues committed to film. It is in this shocking final scene that Samantha Eggar unleashes the full fury of her wonderfully damaged psychotic mother-figure and flaunts an unsettling talent for barmy behaviour.

Sharp and well executed, with stand-out performances from Hindle, Reed, and Eggar, and one of cinemas greatest villians and finales, Cronenberg’s The Brood is a sadly often ignored story of relationship breakdown meets horror of the psyche, highly recommended viewing for any classic horror fan.

★★★★☆

Scott Clark

Broken Blu-Ray Review

Rating:
15
BD/DVD Release Date:
8th July 2013 (UK)
Director:
Rufus Norris
Cast:
Cillian Murphy, Robert Emms, Tim Roth, Eloise Laurence, Rory Kinnear
Buy Broken:
[Blu-ray] / [DVD]

Based on Daniel Clay's 2008 book of the same name, Broken follows 11 year old tomboy Skunk Cunningham (Eloise Laurence), her lawyer dad Archie (Tim Roth) and her brother Jed (Bill Milner) and their life in a London cul-de-sac. After Skunk witnesses a violent attack carried out by the father of the troublesome Oswald family, it sets a series of events in motion that will change life in the suburban North London close for all involved.

The first thing that struck me about the film was just how well acted it all was. It has genuine, human performances from the seasoned pros like Roth and Cillian Murphy all the way down to the kids. Eloise Laurence is astounding as Skunk. She sidesteps every precocious child actor beartrap possible and delivers a very real feeling character you relate to and care about. There are moments of real warmth and charm in the film that work beautifully and really draw you in to the drama.

Broken takes many of its cues from Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Many of the characters and family dynamics are the same. For instance, Tim Roth plays the moral Atticus character “Archie” and the white trash Ewells are now the equally scummy “Oswalds”. It does a good job of modernising it too. The real strength of the film lies in the relationships. Archie's relationship with Skunk is very believable and her interactions with Murphy's teacher Mike are genuinely touching.

What isn't so great is when the film (and presumably the book) goes off at a right angle to the source novel and all subtlety is abandoned in favour of a thick layer of melodrama. I felt that once the film got rid of Mockingbird's stabilizers, it became a much shakier prospect. It does fantastic groundwork in making you root for these characters but when it comes to the final act it opts for a batshit smattering of soap-opera level drama which spoils things somewhat. A hackneyed fantasy sequence near the end had me mourning for the deftness of touch displayed in the first half.

First time director Rufus Norris does a great job. He chops and changes between narrative threads with confidence and the result is very engaging. However, there is an overreliance on standard “Brit grit” conventions and the whole thing feels very stagey. No surprise as both Norris and screenwriter Mark O'Rowe have theatrical backgrounds. Not to sell the film short, but I have the feeling Broken would work even better on the stage.

Broken is a well-acted, well directed character piece. The goodwill it earns is only slightly marred by an overdramatic, student film level bleakness towards the end. Recommended.

★★★☆☆

Ben Browne

EIFF 2013 - UWANTMETOKILLHIM? Review

Rating:
15
Release Date:
25th June 2013 (EIFF), September 2013 (UK Cinema)
Stars:
Jamie Blackley, Toby Regbo, Jaime Winstone
Director:
Andrew DouglasViewers may initially be taken aback when seeing the credits of upcoming British feature uwantme2killhim? What appears as a low-key thriller actually has some big Hollywood names behind it - including Bryan Singer and Bob and Harvey Weinstein. This should serve an indicator as to the promise that Andrew Douglas' (2005's The Amityville Horror) feature shows.

Based on a true story, the film details teenager Mark's (Jamie Blackley) growing obsession with the world of internet chatrooms and the dark, tragic consequences this ultimately builds up to.

The early stages of the film feature Mark on a chat-room speaking to cyber-girlfriend Rachel (Jaime Winston) who asks the teenager to look out for her "weird" brother John (Toby Regbo) who is bullied at school. Mike Walden's narrative may seem somewhat predictable from this description, and ultimately it is not difficult for viewers to work out which direction uwantme2killhim? is heading in. Yet despite this, Walden's screenplay is packed full of turns and erratic twists which makes getting to this outcome all the more fascinating and tragic.

uwantme2killhim? showcases the danger of chatrooms whilst also capturing the psychology of a sixteen year old, with the combination of the two resulting in shocking effects. We view the events from the perspective of teenage Jamie and see him be gradually manipulated on these chatrooms - making him all the more of a tragic hero.  However, as the narrative takes continuous twists at points uwantme2killhim? grows somewhat outlandish - best captured when Jamie begins conversations with Janet, 'a government agent.' I personally do not know of any sixteen year olds who would be so easily duped into thinking they were chatting to an MI6 agent on a web chat-room. However, there is ultimately some truth in this - with Douglas' feature being based on a true story, making the feature seem even more extraordinary.

Douglas crafts the feature with a sense of unease and suspense by reflecting Jamie's chatroom world with a variety of actors playing those he chats with  - from Liz White's Agent Janet to Jaime Winstone's troubled Rachel. We see all through Jamie's perspective with this style perfectly reflecting the somewhat vulnerable psychological mindset of teenagers - especially when manipulated in an online environment. This makes uwantme2killhim? feel like more than simply a British thriller but a tragic study into the teenage psyche and the dangers of the online world.

Jamie Blackley (who also impressed in EIFF's We Are the Freaks) is an outstanding lead, bringing a youthful innocence and likeability to the role of Jamie. The role - alongside Toby Regbo's brilliantly dark performance as John, won the festival's Best Performance in a British Feature Film award.

uwantme2killhim? is a darkly unnerving look at the online world and the dangers that come with it. It may be clear which trajectory the narrative is following, yet this ultimately works in the film's favour adding a sense of tragedy to this thriller.

★★★½☆

Andrew McArthur

Baby Hit Me One More Time - Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers To Get August Home Release

Prepare to have your senses well and truly assaulted by the coolest film of the year and uncover a tale of deranged, crazed, sexy college teens on the road to hedonism and self discovery.  Spring Breakers is released on 2 Disc Special Edition Blu-ray and DVD with Ultraviolet on 12 August 2013, and becomes available for Digital Download from 29 July 2013 from Universal Pictures (UK).  The Special Edition Blu-ray will contain an additional bonus DVD disc loaded with fantastic special features including deleted scenes, outtakes and an exclusive ‘making of’ documentary.

Starring Disney graduates Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) and Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical), Rachel Korine (Mister Lonely), Ashley Benson (Pretty Little Liars) and Oscar^® nominee James Franco (127 Hours) as you’ve never seen them before in a take on the American college tradition of Spring Break that has to be seen to be believed. Directed byHarmony Korine (Kids, Gummo) in his uniquely metaphorical and symbolic style, Spring Breakers shatters our expectations and shows us a bizarre underworld where nobody can look away, all set against a scorching soundtrack including original music bySkrillex, Cliff Martinez and Gucci Mane.

Brit, Candy, Cotty and Faith have been best friends since grade school, trying to save enough money for Spring Break. Still short of cash, three of them hold up a restaurant using toy guns in order to get to Florida for two weeks of fun.  After a few days of partying, the girls get arrested during a police raid and land up in jail.  Bailed out by local drug dealer Alien (Franco), they soon find themselves in over their heads when their mentor introduces them to the wonders of an addictively dangerous Spring Breakthey will never forget.

If you follow The People's Movies and cinehouse you'll know opinion was divided. Here at The People's Movies it's rated one of the worst films in 2013 (0.5/5 rating) however over at Cinehouse 4 star review it was a more enjoyable experience. Whatever your views on the film Spring breakers is one of those films which will become a cult classic for the right or wrong reasons making the purchase of the film even more worthwhile.

Edgy, hilarious and outrageous, immerse yourself in an intoxicating world when instant cult classic Spring Breakers is released on2 Disc Special Edition Blu-ray, and DVD with Ultraviolet on 12 August 2013, and becomes available for Digital Downloadfrom 29 July 2013.

BLU-RAY & DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

‘Making of’ feature (26 mins)

Feature commentary with writer / director Harmony Korine

Four featurettes:

• Behind the scenes
• Harmony Korine
• AVPs
• The Girls

Theatrical trailer

DVD BONUS DISC (2 DISC SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY)

• ·         Breaking it Down: Behind Spring Breakers (21 mins 46 secs)
• ·         Deleted scenes (1 min)
• ·         Outtakes (7 mins 20 secs)
• ·         Harmony’s Ear Candy Featurette (7 mins 20 secs)

Pre-Order / Buy Spring Breakers on: [Blu-ray] / [DVD]

Watch The New Uber-Cool UK Trailer For Only God Forgives

Is it Blackpool's illuminations after a face lift or something with more class? The latter of course, so do you wanna fight? If your cool enough, get those dukes in the air or you could just admire the new UK trailer for Only God Forgives instead!

Nicholas Winding Refn's uber-cool neon drenched thriller is only 4 weeks away and to get us in fighting order Lionsgate Films UK  and this new trailer provides that substance. It's style, hyper violent, atmospheric, very melancholic and senor Gosling is been slick as ever , a un-relentless S.O.B. The new Only God Forgives trailer might only be 90 seconds long packs a superficial punch delivering tone and more new footage but not in a manner to spoil the broth.

Ryan Gosling plays Julian a Thai Boxing club owner in Bangkok a front for his family's drug business who is forced by his mother to avenge the death of his brother. Julian has one problem the man he wants is chang a retired police man who is nicknamed the Angel of Vengeance.

Don't let negative American reviews get you down decide for yourselves, as The Playlist said, it's an experience you must enjoy by yourselves and if anyone disagrees ask them 'Wanna Fight?'

Only God Forgives arrives in UK&Ireland on 2nd August (USA 19th July) and stars Ryan Gosling, Kristen Scott Thomas, Yayaying Rhatha Phongam, Vithaya Pansringarm, Tom Burke and Byron Gibson.

Synopsis

Bangkok. Julian (Ryan Gosling) runs a Thai boxing club as a front for a drugs operation. He has everything he wants for and is respected in the criminal underworld though, deep inside, he feels empty.
When Julian’s brother murders a prostitute the police call on retired cop Chang – the Angel of Vengeance (Vithaya Pansringarm). Chang allows the father to kill his daughter’s murderer, then ‘restores order’ by chopping off the man’s right hand. Julian’s mother Jenna (Kristin Scott Thomas) – the head of a powerful criminal organization – arrives in Bangkok to collect her son’s body. She dispatches Julian to find his killers and ‘raise hell’.
Increasingly obsessed with the Angel of Vengeance, Julian challenges him to a boxing match, hoping that by defeating him he might find spiritual release… but Chang triumphs. A furious Jenna plots revenge and the stage is set for a bloody journey through betrayal and vengeance towards a final confrontation and the possibility of redemption.

EIFF 2013 – Magic Magic Review

Rating:
15
Release Date:
25th June 2013 (EIFF)
Director:
Sebastian Silva
Stars:
Juno Temple, Emily Browning , Michael Cera

Sebastian Silva's Magic Magic is perhaps one of the more enigmatic features of this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival, so enigmatic in fact, that many viewers may be left rather unfulfilled by this South American head trip.

Magic Magic follows timid Alicia (Juno Temple), who is sent on vacation to Chile with her friend Sarah (Emily Browning). However after being introduced to Sarah's friends and becoming an object of ridicule by one of them (Brink played by Michael Cera), Alicia's anxiety begins to takeover and she starts to mentally unravel.

Silva's feature is a slow-building one, opening with Alicia's arrival in Chile and her first meeting with Sarah's friends which immediately crafts an aura of uneasiness. When travelling to their lodgings, Silva soundtracks  the group's journey with growling classic blues music and unnerving dog yelping when they pick up then subsequently abandon an ill puppy. This immediately gives an indicator of the frantic, chaotic style that Magic Magic builds towards. However, the main source of this unease is Michael Cera's darkly camp performance as Brink - his actions around Alicia always seem somewhat sinister with suggestions of ulterior, darker motivations.

Silva continues to suspensefully build this unease when the group arrive at their destination - a Chilean beach house. Here Alicia is pressured into diving, attacked by a dog, hypnotised, and comes face to face with (thoroughly underdeveloped) suggestions of voodoo - all leading to her mental breakdown. However, Magic Magic  does seem to lack a clear narrative direction - Silva's feature has a tendency to loosely drift from one sequence to the next - lacking in any solid thrills or anything disturbing enough to merit Alicia's breakdown.  This is best showcased in the conclusion which uses these underdeveloped voodoo elements in a confusing, frenzied and chaotic style.

Juno Temple provides a mentally stripped back performance that feels so authentic  that it proves a challenge to watch at many points.  This can be seen in her encounters with Brink who appears to manipulate Alicia's fragile state for his own pleasure.

This tendency to drift and lack of clear narrative drive - not to mention the lack of a solid conclusion, may make Magic Magic frustrating for many viewers. However, if willing to embrace the unnerving, drifting style and gradual psychological thrills behind the feature - you may find it a slightly more enjoyable watch.

★★★☆☆

Andrew McArthur

EIFF 2013 - A Long Way From Home Review

Rating: 12A
Release Date: 30th June 2013(EIFF)
Stars: James Fox, Brenda Fricker ,Natalie Dormer, Paul Nicholls
Director: Virginia Gilbert

Virginia Gilbert directs A Long Way from Home, a graceful dramatic feature based on her own short story of the same. Gilbert provides us with a rich palette of fascinating characters and breathtaking locations in this often touching and hugely charming tale of desire in old age.

Long married couple Joseph (James Fox) and Brenda (Brenda Fricker) have retired to the French town of Nimes and live quiet, routine lives. However, Joseph is becoming restless in the banality of this routine - something that is challenged by the arrival of vibrant young couple, Suzanne (Natalie Dormer) and Mark (Paul Nicholls).

Gilbert's feature is a graceful look at desire in old age - seen through Joseph's gradual infatuation by the young Suzanne. However, this is a desire for an emotional connection and sense of enchantment - which Joseph appears to recall (and miss) from his earlier years with Brenda. Nimes makes a staggeringly beautiful backdrop for Gilbert's feature, seamlessly paralleling Joseph's whimsical and enchanted view of Suzanne. The cities ancient temples, vineyards and sun-drenched streets add an elegant sense of the picturesque to A Long Way From Home.

The feature provides us with a palette of well-crafted central characters, magnificently played by the film's key players. James Fox provides a thoroughly impressive leading turn as Joseph, a performance which contains glimpses of sadness behind his refined 'classically British' demeanour. The actor showcases Joseph's transformation as a result of the arrival of Suzanne, showcasing a performance full of warmth - yet shadows of something slightly sinister as Joseph's looks can occasional verge on leers. These ultimately never feel too threatening thanks to the unspoken chemistry between Fox and Fricker - a dynamic which captures a long-married couple who deeply love each other.

Fricker is equally excellent presenting us with a woman who appears slightly scatter-brained yet remains fully in control in a crisis - showcased in a somewhat bizarre sequence where Brenda breaks a dying cat's neck. Brenda's gradual suspicions over Joseph's fidelity adds further dramatic interest into A Long Way From Home. Natalie Dormer is vibrant and engaging as Suzanne, who alongside Paul Nicholls' Mark captures the themes of young love and the initial warmth of a relationship.

A Long Way From Home is a graceful and touching look at relationships in both their early stages and in later-life. Stunning settings and sublime performances ensure that Gilbert's feature is a charming and engaging watch.

★★★★☆

Andrew McArthur

Watch New Second Trailer for The Coen Brothers Inside Llewyn Davis

It's not an easy world been a Folk Singer especially in a world created by The Coen Brothers as their previous filmography proves things are hard for their protagonists. In Inside Llewyn Davis we transport back to 1960's Greenwich Village New York, folk music following one man's struggle to find his place in that scene, watch new trailer.

Inside Llewyn Davies is based on actual folk legend Dave Von Ronk and his memoirs The Mayor Of McDougal Street starring Oscar Isaac as the titular character. With no money, a ex-girlfriend who is pregnant (Carey Mulligan) who hates him with only a tabby cat for company, Llewyn attempts to make his mark on the Greenwich folk scene a career that would go onto to inspire the likes of Bob Dylan.

I'm not scared to admit I'm a latecomer to appreciate the talents of Joel and Ethan Coen Fargo was my introduction though I will say a slight disappointment in True Grit, probably because I've never been a fan of Westerns. Inside Llewyn Davies been the first Coen Brothers film since True Grit 2 years previously it's no surprise it's now one of the most anticipated films and this trailer encapsulates the tone of the era. Very melancholic, bleak but we also get to meet some of the films other characters (Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman) giving us a little more sense of the plot and if your attracted to the music, the Mumford & Sons song may bring a smile to your face. The film left Cannes Film Festival with glowing reports and many are calling this film one of their finest films in a long time and that's good for us.

Inside Llewyn Davies now has a UK&Irish release date of 14th January 2014 (USA 6th December) and stars Garret Hedlund, Adam Driver and F. Murray Abraham.


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Source:Thepeoplesmovies

Tropicalia Review

Rating: 15
UK Release Date: 5th July 2013 (Cinema), 8th July 2013 (DVD)
Director: Marcelo Machado
Cast: Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso
Buy: Tropicalia [Blu-ray] / [DVD]

Marcelo Machado shines his light on the revolutionary spirit of Brazil's late 1960's Tropicalism movement in his vibrant documentary, Tropicalia. Tropicalism used musical and visual arts, fusing traditional Brazilian influences with western fashions to create an avant-garde style which was used to confront the country's cultural and political status quo.

Machado has clearly been strongly influenced by the movement which would, by all accounts, go on the inspire such musicians as David Byrne and Beck. His film is a lovingly crafted patchwork of contemporary footage and talking-head interviews. It's a neat balance of styles which imparts a decent sense of history, while immersing the viewer in the visuals and the noises of what was clearly a tempestuous and creative period.

Giants of the movement: Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Tom Ze all share their recollections of what made the period so vital. A bouncing soundtrack from the likes of Os Mutantes provides an intoxicating accompaniment, imparting a discernible sense of time and place.

What's lacking, if anything, is a concise and informative grounding in Brazilian cultural and political history. To a certain degree Tropicalia assumes that you bring that working knowledge with you. All this flag waving and fist pumping is interesting, indeed rousing, but it's sometimes hard to know where this all fits in contextualy. We're repeatedly told that the Tropicalism movement is one of the utmost importance to Brazil; we're rarely told why.

But it's a pretty rum sort who doesn't feel exhilarated by the infectious spontaneity and creativity of Tropicalism. Plonk yourself down to watch this and you'all feel like you've wandered into a beach side cabana bar only to find a Beatles cover band is playing tonight. In which case I imagine you'd grab a caipirinha and thoroughly enjoy yourself.

★★★☆☆

Chris Banks

Documentaries for the big screen: A Top 10

Whether you agree with their message or not, the authors of these documentaries give light to some situations, opinions and stories that the general public may not have considered. From Bill Maher’s sarcastic and potentially offensive Religulous, to Alex Gibney’s soon to be released WikiLeaks chronicle: We Steal Secrets, these films inform, question, amaze, and prove that truth really can be stranger than fiction.

Bowling for Columbine (2002)

Famous for his anti-right wing political rhetoric and social criticism, Michael Moore has produced a number of extremely successful documentaries including Bowling for Columbine. This scathing documentary ponders the American fascination with guns and the possible causes for the Columbine High School massacre along with other acts of violence involving guns. Though this documentary received a large amount of criticism, it won the 55th Anniversary Prize at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, and in 2003 it won Best Documentary of All Time from the International Documentary Association and an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It was also voted third most popular film in Channel 4’s The 50 Greatest Documentaries of all time.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

Fahrenheit 9/11 is another of Michael Moore’s many extremely controversial but highly successes documentaries. It is the highest grossing documentary of all time, raking in over $200 million worldwide. This documentary won the prestigious Best Picture award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and a number of other awards including People’s Choice award for Favourite Motion Picture, which is rarely awarded to documentaries. With a tagline like “The Temperature at Which Freedom Burns,” this documentary about post 9/11 America and the Bush Administration is poised for provocation.

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

This poignantly titled documentary has been recognized for raising international public awareness concerning the issue of global warming. Narrated and presented by Al Gore, this film received a large amount of criticism for false science and being created as a tool of another presidential campaign for Gore. Despite this, An Inconvenient Truth has been made available for use as curriculum at schools in parts of Spain, Germany, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom and won a number of awards around the world.

Religulous (2008)

Not recommended for the deeply religious viewer, this documentary follows comedian Bill Maher as he speaks to various religious figures, examining and questioning the practices of modern day organized religion. Written and directed by Bill Maher, who was voted number 38 on American TV station Comedy Central’s 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time, Religulous exemplifies Bill Maher’s distinct humour and is a must see for fellow religious sceptics.

Supersize Me (2004)

Directed, produced, written, and presented by Morgan Spurlock, Supersize Me watches Spurlock through his experiment into the effects of eating McDonald’s fast food every day, for every meal in a 30-day period. Over the course of the month, Spurlock suffers from a number of health issues, gains a large amount of weight, loses muscle mass and increases his body fat by about 13%. While it is a serious comment on the effects of fast food and obesity, this documentary is often light-hearted and funny and will make you question your own food consumption.

Hoop Dreams (1994)

Hoop Dreams is a sports documentary that follows the struggle of two aspiring NBA players and their families living in a predominantly white society. Originally intended to be a 30-minute public television special to be filmed over 3 weeks, the special turned into a documentary/feature-film lasting over 3 hours. In 2007 Hoop Dreams was voted to be the number 1 documentary by the International Documentary Association out of over 700 titles. Though focusing on the struggle of finding success in basketball, this documentary raises issues regarding education, economic class divisions, and race in America.

Grizzly Man (2005)

Timothy Treadwell was a bear enthusiast who spent 13 summers in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska observing and interacting with grizzly bears, and was eventually killed and eaten by a bear in 2003. Grizzly Man is a mix of footage shot by Treatwell himself and interviews with park rangers, family members and friends who warned Treadwell about his dangerous behaviour. This film Werner Herzog was nominated for the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 2005 and is an intriguing view into the life of a man with an obsession that ended up killing him.

Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop 

Despite having an extremely limited opening in theatres and making a comparatively small amount of money, Exit Through the Gift Shop has been critically acclaimed and was nominated for Best Documentary in the 2011 Academy Awards. It tells the story of a French immigrant, Thierry Guetta, who is constantly carrying around a video camera and develops a fascination with street artists, resulting in hundreds of hours of footage showing extremely secretive street artists working (though most of it deemed unusable). There were many questions of the film’s credibility, potentially as a result of it being directed by Banksy, a street artist whose real identity is entirely unknown. Regardless, it’s an interesting comment on how we label art itself and the people who create it.

Man On Wire (2008)

This BAFTA and Oscar winning documentary looks at French tightrope walker Philippe Petit’s illegal walk between the World Trade Centre’s Twin Towers in 1974. It begins with the conception of the plan to rig the tightrope across the Twin Towers, and because of the flow and feel of this film, it is often accused of being a heist film rather than a documentary. The dramatisations and reconstructions of the real life events bring the viewer into the moment and make this one of the top ten documentaries.

Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)

Taxi to the Dark Side examines the life and death of Dilawar, an Afghan taxi driver who was taken prisoner and falsely accused by American Soldiers to have been involved in a deadly rocket attack. Dilawar was eventually beaten and killed by these soldiers. By highlighting the story of Diliwar, director Alex Gibney spotlights the atrocities of torture performed at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and Bagram, and the responsibility of the administration allowing it to happen. This chilling documentary won the Best Documentary Feature Academy Award in 2008.

We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks (2013)

Critically acclaimed documentary director Alex Gibney is bringing us another in-depth look into questions of modern day society. This documentary looks at Julian Assange, the information released on the WikiLeaks website, and one of the largest security breaches in U.S. history. It brings our attention to the question of transparency in the information age and the effects on our society because of it.

We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks is in cinemas July 12.

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) Blu-Ray Review

Rating: U
BD Release Date:
1st July 2013 (UK)
Director:
Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Matthew Lawrence, Janeane Garofalo
Buy Kiki's Deliver Service:
Double Play (Blu-ray + DVD)
Win Kiki's Deliver Service/Grave Of The Fireflies: Enter Here
Whilst many have attempted and failed to deliver a coming of age story with sincerity as well as charm it seems the masters of animation Studio Ghibli seem to have found that winning formula. Once again they show the world how it's done with broomsticks, talking cats, deliveries, growing pains and been independent, step forward Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) the latest Studio Ghibli animation to be adapted to Blu Ray (in a double play with The Grave Of The Fireflies).Proving Hayao Miyzaki's animation is an timeless classic in animation legacy that would make the so called big boys of animation jealous with envy.

Based on Eiko Kadano's 1985 novel we meet Kiki a 13 year old teen witch determined to make it own her own despite been second rate at spells and poor at making potions. She moves to a new town with the aide of her broom she sets herself up as a courier service delivery, delivering everything from bread to pets.At first her only company is her sarcastic talking cat Jiji se soon discovers she has more friends than she ever thought on her long road of self discovery.

Whilst Kiki's Delivery Service may not have the array of mythical creatures or kindred spirits like in Spirited Away in the studio's film nor is there an villainous character, if anything life itself is Kiki's only enemy. With magic and everyday life living in unison this make's Kiki a more grounded realistic animation (1950's Sweden) that is vibrant, electric and it's probably the only Ghibli animation that resembles a Disney animationminus the over indulgent songs. If you are looking for fantasy elements Kiki herself been a witch, her potions, her talking cat provide that substance without forgetting this film is purely a coming of age tale.

Whilst the premise maybe light hearted giving the animation a nicely pace episodic feel breaking down each part of Kiki's tribulations into nice equally entertaining parts. Miyazaki does continue his use of  strong positive Female protagonists however with  Kiki we do learn she is not picture perfect which opens the door for older, wiser stronger character , strong female role model such as Ursula (voice by Janine Garofalo) to guide Kiki. Some critics say Ursula brings an feminist element to the story and it's probably why Kiki's Delivery Service finds itself paired with The Grave Of The Fireflies both roughly similar targeted age groups both with an message that may not appeal to younger pre-teen audience but never looses the magic we associate with Studio Ghibli. As for Kiki been a feminist film, every child boy or girl needs a good strong positive role model and what Kiki does addresses some of that imbalance of lack of female role models in film.

It's taken myself over a year to finally appreciate the power of bluray, the colour, the crisp detail are second to none. You really getting a real true feel of the film's detail when we see Kiki flying her broomstick in and around the her town, all thanks to Miyazaki's passion for flying bringing more depth to the feature. I always say watch the film as it was meant to be watched in its original language but I know not everyone likes subtitles so this release comes with a dubbed version too. Kiki is voiced by then a unknown young Kirsten Dunst, the late Phil Hartmann (Troy McClure of The Simpsons fame) voicing the sardonic Jiji, Debbie Reynolds, Jeanine Garofalo, Matthew Lawrence too.

Kiki's Delivery Service might provide and unique take on the coming of age tale but at no time does it lose track of what makes it essential Studio Ghibli. It's a warm, sweet entertaining tale that still holds well against today's modern Kids films which is credit to the films as it's amazing 24 years old!

★★★★☆

Paul Devine

The Grave Of The Fireflies (1988) Blu-Ray Review

Darren Aronofsky’s PI Getting A 15th Anniversary BluRay Release In August

Can't believe it's 15 years, but it is and on 12th August Lionsgate UK have announced for the films 15th anniversary they are re-releasing Darren Aronofsky’s PI on Blu Ray.

Surreal psychological thriller written and directed by Oscar® nominated director Darren Aronofsky.

In his stunning debut feature film, Aronofsky tells the story of Maximillian Cohen’s (Sean Gullette) obsession with numbers and his theory that they hold the key to the answers of the universe. His work causes him agonising migraines and his former teacher Sol (Mark Margolis) advises him to take a break from trying to discover patterns in the stock market. When Max's super computer crashes after spitting out a 216-digit number, Max initially dismisses it, until the prediction comes true, and he realises that the number which he consigned to the trash could be the key he has been searching for.

This Blu-ray celebrates the fifteenth anniversary of the Pi’s release, one of the most original examples of cult classic independent American cinema and the birth of a great filmmaker.

Special Features:
Commentary with Darren Aronofsky
Commentary with Sean Gullette
Deleted Scenes
Behind The Scenes Montage
Theatrical Trailer
Original (Darren & Eric) trailer
Πr2 Music Video

Pre-Order/ Buy PI: Pi - 15th Anniversary Edition [Blu-ray] [1998]