FofR Video

Juno, I have lost my fangs

2008-02-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

I loved this film - it has that indie aura surrounding it with the shtick and the spiel, but through its lack of weirdness it has astoundingly broken into the mainstream and become a great hit. Kimya Dawson, The Moldy Peaches and Antsy Pants also make for a stellar soundtrack. A must see.

What I have been watching lately

2007-11-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

Since I have been working at Ocado, developing my own sites and from time to time playing Halo 3 on Xbox live, I haven't had time to finish off watching Twin Peaks season 2 or the last two and a half seasons of The X-files. It doesn't help therefore that I have been subscribing myself to even more television that I simply don't have the time for anymore.

Boston Legal:

Californication:

Battlestar Galactica Razor

Then there were the films...

Superbad (awesome)

Shooter (meh)

The Bourne Ultimatum (awesome)

1408 (good)

Disturbia (much better than expected) - Shia is someone to watch.

Shoot Em Up (a good laugh but nothing fabulous)

Haloid and Dead Fantasy

2007-10-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

If games could really be this good. This is some stunning animation by montyoum.

Heroes

2007-09-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

I gave this sci-fi series 3 chances, I started watching it back in November, after three episodes I decided it wasn't worth my time. Then it started airing on BBC 2 this summer, I watched a few more episodes, missed some and promptly stopped. Last week I decided to give it one more try and promptly watched the entire series in three days, with episodes 17 (Company Man) and 20 (Five Years Gone, video above) being my favourites. Watching it all at once made everything flow much better and I remembered all the plot arcs. The story, although starting very slowly, does get much much better with a high quality of story telling, riddled with twists and turns (albeit many being predictable, on most occasions I would guess the twist 5 or 10 minutes beforehand).

(Spoilers below)

When a major disaster is meant to happen whether in a film or TV show, you can usually be sure that it wont, with someone saving the day. Heroes puts up a very nice illusion that suggests the disaster will happen, breaking down the security that it wont; it manages to keep you guessing until the end. Sadly though, the final episode is quite a bit of a let down, the Sylar battle being slow, Peter forgetting he himself can fly, little to no teamwork, and lots of other quirks and gimmicks that in the end don't live up to the predicted end of season showdown at Kirby place. It leaves me wishing the bomb did go off, it would have proved the show had some balls; to daringly question the real role of a Hero.

Instead it didn't, condemning itself to the realms of predictive storytelling. My only hope now is that by diffusing the bomb, the New York situation becomes inadvertently worse than it would have been - perhaps through Sylar's unimaginative survival.

To conclude, Heroes eventually invigorated me enough to watch the entire season, gradually building up my hopes as it developed, however catastrophically destroying the majority of my positive perceptions through the final episode's blow by blow. Let's hope season 2 doesn't go wrong where this one did.

How to do a press conference badly

2007-07-20T16:12:00.001-07:00

The Worst Films Ever

2007-06-21T04:30:00.000-07:00

Split into 6 categories.

Oceans Thirteen

2007-06-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

A far superior film to the abhorrent Ocean's twelve, far far better, and actually enjoyable. By no means perfect, but enjoyable, which is more than I can say for that torrid affair in Europe. The average scene length is longer than 30 seconds, there is a storyline, each person actually has a role in the team, there's no Julia Roberts or Catherine Zeta Jones, there's much less impossible technology and as an added bonus, we get Al Pacino and a big-nosed Matt Damon.

It's good to be a... gas head.

2007-05-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

And so on 26th May 2007 Bristol Rovers returned to the third tier of the English league, now termed "League 1", beating Shrewsbury in a close playoff final 3-1 at Wembley. Because of my horrid exam finals I was forced to miss this dream Wembley occasion, although every time I go and watch they tend to lose, so maybe it was for the best. I also had fears of the Doncaster scenario when that quick 2 minute goal went flying in.

Let's look at some of the good moments from the season:

What a Goal!

And another against City.

The Rovers support at the JPT final in Cardiff.

Road to the Playoffs.

This is England

2007-05-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Incredible, incredible film with a stunning score by the ever-great Einaudi. I highly recommend this.

Battlestar Galactica

2007-04-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

... continues to rock my world.

The Fountain

2007-04-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

Aronofsky has done it again, with Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz; this time pulling off a magnanimous beauty - a love story spanning a thousand years with a quivering of death's meaning. Clint Mansell with the Kronos Quartet once again provides another epic soundtrack to match their previous work made for Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream. Fountain is magnificent to watch and feel, a marvel. Just look.

Dumplings

2007-04-10T16:58:00.000-07:00

A pretty strange and messed up Chinese film about keeping your youth at all costs. Don't make the same mistake I did and try and eat food during this movie.

Pure slow motion testosterone

2007-03-31T02:30:00.000-07:00

300. No more, no less. Nothing more, nothing less. It's a feature length trailer of epic proportions by a director "with a machine gun for a dick".

Hard Candy

2007-03-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Saw this a couple of nights ago. Pretty hard to watch if you are a guy. I've heard people state that this stimulates all sorts of debates about paedophilia and vigilantism; personally it seems like this extreme setting is merely justification for a graphic torture film (so is the Lion's gate way) involving some crazy bitch attacking some proposed kiddie-lover. The true menace to society would be illustrated in a sickening role reversal, honestly I believe this film achieves little more than some light (albeit gritty) entertainment. Plus I prefer soft gums.

Tideland

2007-03-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Terry Gilliam back on form with a stunning performance by Jodelle Ferland. I feel like a person of few words today so I shall just say that I really loved this film and then show you some beautiful pictures:

Slither

2007-03-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Now that's what I'm talking about... "Somthing's wrong with me" "It's a bee sting" "That bitch is hardcore". I love a good B-movie gore-fest.

Stranger than Fiction

2007-03-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Starts off interesting but quickly falls away into a sloppy sentimental love story with predictable plot arcs and dialogue that feigns intellect; the book - the subject of the film - sounds and feels like those discount romance novels you pick up at service stations. I had high hopes for this after the first ten minutes, but after an hour it felt like that appalling Sarah Michelle Gellar film "Simply Irresistible" but with less magic and fairy dust. In fact, with each second this film grows exponentially worse and it concludes in the most soppy and pathetic manner possible, betraying the morals and storytelling prowess the film writers tell themselves just moments beforehand. Gah.

But I'm sure your girlfriends would love it.

Viridiana (Luis Buñuel)

2007-03-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Using my free WHSmith's online rental service I borrowed Luis Buñuel's Viridiana. As a Christian the subject matter proved challenging, but I do not regret watching the movie - for faith is merely a belief when left unchallenged (nevertheless, I am not a Catholic and this probably helped - the movie itself has been condemned by the Vatican).

To summarise the plot, without unduly giving away any of the storyline I refer to infofreak's summary as posted on IMDB:

Beautiful and devout Viridiana (Silvia Pinal in an impressive performance) is about to take her final vows as a nun, and enter a convent. At the urging of her Mother Superior she takes a short break to visit her estranged Uncle and benefactor Don Jaime (Bunuel regular, the always wonderful Fernando Rey). Reluctantly she does so thinking it will be the last time she sees him before devoting her life to God. Don Jaime, a complex man, has other plans for Viridiana - he wants to take her as his wife. What follows is unpredictable, fascinating and an almost perfect piece of film making. Highly controversial in its day, and accused of blasphemy, it may not be as shocking to our cynical, secular eyes, but it still packs a punch, and is highly recommended. One of Luis Bunuel's greatest achievements.

I agree with or empathise with many of this film's finer points and believe that rather than assaulting the christian teachings it highlights the intricacies and difficulties of interpreting and following them without proper guidance. The film's portrayal of the "poor-afflicted" that fail to change their ways amid outpourings of generosity is scathing and without sorrow but in no way dehumanising. It is these elements that create the most compelling cinema in the 'Last Supper' fall out; from laughter to debauchery and violence and back again.

Reading into the history of Spain and the situation that led to this film's birth I have come to understand the message within. Loosely, for the symbolism and hidden meaning weaved throughout could be discussed only thoroughly in a short book, is that prosperity and life comes through dedication and hard work by those that wish to make something of themselves. And that a life spent helping those that want it but do not respect it, is the harder and less rewarding (both to yourself and to society) path, one destined for betrayal and never-ending hardship.

I personally respect those that dedicate their life to the hardships of others, sharing the burdens in attempt to reimburse others losses. I don't believe Buñuel's portrayal of the rotten's inability to change to be true, yet it does hold weight with a number of human traits-the sins of pride, greed and lust being prime examples. I do however agree that this path of unbridled generosity to everyone and anyone can be damaging and is certainly not the correct route for social recovery and rejuvenation. Instead respect should be given to those that are capable and worthy of making it on their own, and care given to those that fall by the way side. In neither case should one preside over the other - finding the best balance seems the key to social and economic prosperity for everyone.

To wrap this up I couldn't find a clip from the film but Google Video has a fascinating interview which I have embedded below:

Edgar Wright & Simon Pegg-athon

2007-02-27T12:28:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would take some time out to share my love for their work:

Spaced

Shaun of the Dead

and now...

Hot Fuzz

and here's another oldie with Simon Pegg that many may have forgotten about:

Big Train

A brief history of my January viewings

2007-02-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

Match Point - a very different Woody Allen film. So very very tense, the perfect thriller?

3-Iron - A quiet and alluring love story, astounding work by Kim Ki-duk.

Oldboy - Another Korean film. I've been meaning to watch this for 6 months now. Having seen this I must now seek out the rest of Chan-wook Park's vengeance trilogy.

Lady in the Water - An interesting fairy tale but nothing to match Pan's Labyrinth. I also spent the whole movie trying to work out the twist.

Le Ballon Rouge - a short and sweet french film.

Ong Bak - A fun filled action packed romp (or just another OTT kung fu flick, though at least better than most - but they did make sure to show all the good bits twice... every big jump was shown from ten different angles).

Wait Until Dark - Another top thriller, although Hepburn's portrayal of a blind house wife isn't entirely convincing. This trailer is horrific.

Renaissance - The supermodel of movies - beauty without brains.

Miami Vice - Terrible.

Adrift - Terrible.

Frack that.

2007-02-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

Frackin' A?

Godard's Week End

2007-02-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

That movie found in the trash, the tag line, "A supposedly idyllic weekend trip to the countryside turns into a never-ending nightmare of traffic jams." really says nothing. This is categorically the most weird, perplexing and interesting film I have recently seen. Whilst I understand some moments my lack of knowledge of the era, politics and movie history leaves me lost in the subtleties and the brilliance, that many reviewers claim, is beyond me. I would love it if a kind sole could point me in the direction of a good analysis or some background information. The above video is a 10 minute clip from the movie.

The Russian Dolls (Poupées russes, Les)

2007-01-26T02:38:00.000-08:00

I caught this last night without any prior knowledge of the storyline, premise or Cédric Klapisch except that I recognised the title "L'Auberge espagnole", a phrase that comes in reference to Klapisch's previous film. The trailer doesn't paint the perfect picture; it is a love story that tells us to avoid clichés in writing before throwing them back at us in a delightfully unpredictable fashion. Xavier Rousseau reminded me of Tomas in The Unbearable Lightness of Being adaptation, maybe he just bears a likeness to Daniel Day Lewis, but I could see Rousseau calmly echoing that "Take off your clothes" catchphrase. Kelly Reilly is delightful to watch. Dolls is an effusive trans-culture love tale that maintains a heartwarming questioning outlook on the great mystery without having to resort to mindless sickening sweetness akin to the colour pink. Such is, a self respecting movie goer can happily watch a romantic comedy without needing a bucket, and this is a significant achievement in its own right.

Little Miss Sunshine

2007-01-26T02:24:00.000-08:00

Now officially my favourite film of 2006, I thought I would post this trailer considering Abigail Breslin has been nominated for an oscar in this years shortlist, by the way... she is only 10 years old. I sincerely hope this feature performs well at the academy awards (which has snubbed The Prestige in my opinion). I shall also note that Breslin is the little girl in the film "Keane" that I commented on a few weeks back, where her performance is once again stellar yet the films are starkly different.

If you've not yet seen Little Miss Sunshine I urge you to buy the DVD or rent it, it is one that cannot be missed. The DVD came out last monday here in the UK.

Scrubs

2007-01-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

Oh the joys of JD and Turk. Alas my Scrubs marathon hath commenced.