World Cinema Showcase: Movie Review

World Cinema Showcase: Movie Review

The World Cinema Showcase
It's back showcasing some of the best cinematic talent around - from here and around the globe. There's a few premieres too - and as ever, it's a mixed bag to suit all kinds of tastes.
Here's just a taster of some of what's hitting the streets from the 1st of April.
Rubber comes with a cult following already behind it. Simply put (and no word of a lie), it's the tale of a tyre - yep, you read that right - who goes on a killing spree. This French piece of madness works on a few levels. It never sets out to be something radical, but plays with your expectations in a smart way. Worth watching for the way the action loops back to a group of spectators, direct to camera pieces and back to the tyre's rampage. So much so, you're never quite sure which viewpoint is the one to focus on. . At the beginning a character, in a monologue to the screen, tells you the best things in cinema happen for "no reason". It's best to bear that in mind as this piece of destined for eternal cult lunacy unfolds.
Bill Cunningham New York already is bound for great things. A simple film, this doco follows the life of 80 year old Bill Cunningham, the fashion photographer who walks the streets of the Big Apple, taking pics and setting the trends on the streets. Genuinely likeable, Bill's clearly old school, with ethics and principles aplenty - the majority of which get his support from within the industry. While many are happy to be photographed by the legend and put in his columns, not many know much about him. The engaging doco which plays out in front of you will charm and amuse in equal measures. Plus you'll be impressed at the major effect one person has on so many lives.
The Woodmans is a curious doco about the life of an artistic family. Mom Betty and Dad George believe that "art is a very high priority" - so much so that their two kids, Charlie and Francesca, spend much of their formative years being dragged around exhibitions and to a degree, suffering neglect because of their parents' passion. Inevitably Francesca gets the art bug but excels in photography - however, her own demons threaten her self obsessed world. The doco leaves many questions over the parenting skills, with interviews of Betty (in particular) and George never giving you the feeling they got the family right. Francesca's life plays out in telling journal extracts and her photos litter the doco casting a haunting presence over this troubling yet hypnotically watchable piece.
You Don't Like The Truth - 4 Days inside Guantanamo is harrowing to be brutally honest. Hidden-camera footage of a Guantánamo interrogation, released by a Canadian court, provides filmmakers Luc Côté and Patricio Hernríquez with acutely personal evidence of the tragic injustice of American war on terror tactics. Canadian-Afghani Omar Khadr, abandoned in Afghanistan by his father, is accused of killing a US medic. He was interrogated in 2003 aged 16 by Canadian intelligence officers. But the interrogation sees Khadr fall apart and get treated brutally by his interrogators as his mental state falls apart. With grainy images and an unclear view, the effect is devastating - quite simply the pictures tell the story - and commentators/ interviewers and those fighting for Khadr's justice and freedom all rationally weigh into the debate. Uncomfortable viewing but an essential reminder of the atrocities being committed as the ongoing war against terror continues.
We Are What We Are - a cannibal flick from Mexico - sort of says it all really. When the father of a human eating clan dies in the middle of the street, the family he provides for are flung into chaos. Well, sort of - as they try to work out who should lead them and continue the life of collecting and killing their victims. Dark and bleak it is and there's little light throughout. But scenes of the lead characters preying on their targets may also give nightmares because of the tension and bleak overtones. That said fans of horror (albeit of the subtle and restrained variety) will lap this up.
Bicycle Dreams is a doco charting the progress of riders in an annual 3000 mile Race Across America; focusing on the 12 day event which runs through some truly terrific and truly terrifying countryside, this doco is exactly what you'd expect from a feature looking at endurance athletes. Interviewees talk of "learning something about themselves" and "being pushed to the absolute limits and beyond." Interesting though are the choices made by the riders who partake in this difficult race - we see them forgo sleep and risk death to be the winner. Fairly told and interesting, this will fail to garner anything but a "What the hell are they thinking" reaction from those outside the cycling fraternity. But I doubt it will convince you to start training for it next year - particularly when this event they charted leads to tragedy.
Of Gods and Men was France's official selection for the Oscars this year - and it's searingly haunting. It's set in the monastery of Tibhirine, where Trappist monks lived in harmony with the largely Muslim population of Algeria. Well, that is until terrorists invade their village, frighten the local populace and look to the monastery for supplies and medicines. Ultimately, this true story leads to seven of their number being beheaded in 1996. From initial shots of prayer and treating the locals for their ills, to scenes of the monks studying, eating and living together, there's a hypnotic lull to this film which explores faith in a crisis. But when the terrorists break in, reality comes crashing in - however, it's never at the expense of the drama or over the top at all. The final sequence which sees the monks partake in a Last Supper is electrifying - even if the camera milks every emotion from the close ups on their faces. Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale shine as the lead two monks in an entirely powerful and masterly film - and it imparts such a serenity and horror in you, it'll haunt you from the minute you leave the cinema.
Waiting for Superman is a doco about the American education system and its failings. From Davis Guggenheim (who brought us An Inconvenient Truth) its USP is that this doco blames weak teachers for the failing students rather than the system itself. Choosing to follow a clutch of kids from all sides of America and their families who want the best for them educationally, it manages to humanize the issue. Throw into the mix some inspirational teachers who're trying to make the difference after realizing what's wrong and some damning evidence (and some anecdotal) about where it's going wrong and you've got a fairly potent mix. Use animations and clips from the School of Rock and The Simpsons and Waiting for Superman aims to get its message out to all - many will appreciate what it's saying; some will feel, once again, that the doco maker is following his own agenda.
Tucker and Dale Vs Evil is likely to be the new cult hit (along with Rubber). A comedy horror with aspirations to do for hillbillies what Shaun of the Dead did for zombies, it's got a neat premise. Tyler Labine (of Reaper) and Alan Tudyk (of Firefly and anything cool) are the Tucker and Dale of the title; a pair of hillbillies who're just heading into the woods to do up their vacation home. But when they get nearly run off the road by a group of college kids, enemies are made. The hapless duo find things get worse when they save one of the girls from drowning and take her back to their cabin - soon, her friends are, in their words, "in a suicide pact" and "killing themselves on my property." Simple misunderstandings lead to hilarity and horror in equal measures - and you'll never look at a hillbilly again in an unsympathetic light.

The World Cinema Showcase starts this Friday in Auckland before hitting Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Full details here.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work: DVD Review

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work: DVD Review

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Released by Madman
Rating: M
A simply stunning doco about the stalwart of the American showbiz scene, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work follows the comedienne through one year of highs and lows of her life.
During that time, Joan tries to launch a stage play, get as much work as she can and generally seize every opportunity which presents itself - and then milk it for as much as she can.
A warts and all portrayal of how to deal with longevity in showbiz it may be, but what it's also is a fascinating look at how one woman continues to thrive within the industry.
We watch Joan take every chance to get her play off the ground and then see her slump catastrophically when it gets 3 star reviews - we view her apartment, with its opulence and magnificence; or as she says "how Marie Antoinette would have lived if she'd had money."
You can't help but want her to succeed or to empathise with this bastion of showbiz - but what you do get out of this is a cautionary tale of how ruthless the industry can be - however, given the amount of effort Joan puts in (filing cabinets full of jokes, trying out material over Obama), you just can't look away.
Highly recommended.
Extras: Commentary with Joan, Extra scenes, Q&A at Sundance and trailer.

Rating: 8/10

Paranormal Activity 2: Blu Ray Review

Paranormal Activity 2: Blu Ray Review

Paranormal Activity 2
Rating: R16
Released by Universal

Following on from the soaraway success of the first Paranormal film comes part two.

Once again, it's a doco style film where everything unfolds through CCTV around a house - this time, it's the home of Paranormal Activity's original victim Katie - to be specific it's sister Kristi (Sprague Grayden), a recent mother.

It begins 60 days before the death of Micah from the first film - the handheld video camera captures the return home of the new mom and her son Hunter as they begin their new life with husband Daniel and daughter Ali and their pet Alsatian.

But with something in the house as well, it's clear this isn't going to end well for all involved.

Paranormal Activity 2 is sinister, creepy, and improves on the first one. Those involved could have simply once again ramped up the scares and gone for obvious horrors - but thanks to a degree of restraint, there's an ominous tone of creeping horror in this sequel (which is more prequel than anything).

With CCTV footage you find yourself scanning all corners and waiting for the shocks to come - and even when they do, you're caught out.

Paranormal Activity 2 retains the quality of the first and leaves it open to a third one&here's hoping the trilogy will see it all wrapped up nicely rather than stretched out like SAW.

Extras: Exclusive footage, an extended cut - these are ok but do little to enrich the experience.

Rating: 7/10 

Game Review: Dead Space 2

Game Review: Dead Space 2

Dead Space 2
Released by EA
Rating: MA15
Platform: PS3
A horror first person shooter - with the emphasis firmly on the "atmosfear" from beginning to end.
A sequel to the massively popular Dead Space, we once again rejoin Isaac Clarke as he fights an alien organism that infects and takes control of human corpses, turning them into "Necromorphs", mutating their bodies and generally scaring the player to death.
After a genuinely unsettling opening, the game rarely lets go of its fear factor - and despite the ability to drop some of the settings down to easier to battle on, Dead Space 2 is likely to give you some nightmares and haunting images as it progresses.
That's not necessarily a bad thing and sees the genre being slightly redefined in terms of gameplay, action and atmosphere - but it'll do little for any heart condition you may suffer as a result.
With 360 degree movement and the feeling you're never quite alone, this is a superior , if at times challenging game which will reward long term players as well as reward those who invest in the strategy side. There's masses to explore in this sprawling compund and some genuinely unsettling imagery will haunt you for a long time after - this isn't a game for the faint hearted with gore and horror in equal measures, it's certainly one to keep you horrified and entertained as you try to battle on through.

The Limited edition comes with an extra game for PS Move - and if you've completed the main game with nerves in tact - you're likely to want more as well.
Overall, as the dark nights draw in, Dead Space 2 is bound to be a solid game favourite - although the horror side of the game will have you scrambling to leave the lights on in the background on more than one occasion

Rating: 8/10

Buried: Blu Ray Review

Buried: Blu Ray Review

Buried
Rating:M
Released by Warner Home Video

Ryan Reynolds stars in this claustrophobic thriller where the clock is ticking in a deadly race against time.

Reynolds is Paul Conroy, an American truck driver in Iraq who awakes to find himself trapped in a coffin with only a cellphone, a few pens and a lighter for company.

As Conroy comes round, he begins to realize the horror of the situation; namely that he's buried alive, with no idea where he is, why he's there and perhaps most importantly, how he's going to get out.
However, as he makes a series of desperate phone calls, he begins to piece together a potential escape plan. Things get more complicated when those who put him in the box call and make demands of him..can Conroy get it together in time and get out alive with time, oxygen and hope running out?

Buried is a good old fashioned thriller with an intriguing premise and a great sense of claustrophobia.

Every sound, every nuance is disorienting on the big screen in the dark - Conroy's frenzied panicked breathing puts you on the edge of your seat right away.

But what will keep you on the edge of that seat is Ryan Reynolds - what a performance in what is essentially a one man film. As the camera pans over Reynolds in his captivity, his every performance (whether it's the breathing or freaking out as he realizes how problematic his situation is) is pitch perfect.

Buried is a nervy mesmerizing treat - and a sign Ryan Reynolds is an underrated and extremely impressive talent.

Rating: 8/10

The Killer Inside Me: Blu Ray Review

The Killer Inside Me: Blu Ray Review

The Killer Inside Me
Rating: M
Released by Warner Bros

A difficult watch to say the least, The Killer Inside Me (from acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom) is an adaptation of a Jim Thompson book about a sociopathic sheriff in 1950s Texas.
Casey Affleck plays said Sheriff Ford, who finds himself entangled in blackmail and extortion - as well as a torrid affair with prostitute Joyce (Jessica Alba) - and when things come to a head, boy, oh boy do they explode, as Ford discovers he's heading in deeper and deeper.

When Simon Baker's (The Mentalist) Howard Hendricks starts to investigate him (using very similar techniques to Patrick Jane as well) - and Ford finds he's in a real predicament.

This film, despite its slick 50s look and polished performances, is going to be steeped in controversy because of its violence- well, specifically its violence against the two women in Ford's life (both played wonderfully by Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson), which is shocking in the extreme.

While Affleck's performance is chilling and spot-on for a complete psychopath, it's a hard ask to watch a man who's meted out such violence as he has - audiences may find themselves split down the middle on this flick which has echoes of American Psycho -but none of the humour.

Rating: 5/10

The American: Blu Ray Review

The American: Blu Ray Review

The American
Rating: R16
Released by Universal

George Clooney stars as Jack, an assassin, who's been ordered to lie low in Italy after his cover in Sweden is blown, resulting in a bloodbath.

While there he befriends an elderly priest, falls for a prostitute Clara (Violante Placido) and takes on one last job.

However, the demons of the past are catching up with him.

Deceptively shot and simply made, The American is a thrilling ride.

With a restrained performance from Clooney, it's hard to root for this assassin as we learn very little about him - many shots are of him constructing a gun or merely going about his day to day business while waiting for the storm to blow over. Clooney's rarely been better than when he plays against type - and this is no exception.

It's a good solid turn from Clooney which sees you sucked into empathizing with him very early on - even if the opening does shock you.

It's a gradually building, well acted and restrained drama which has you in its vice like grip as the final moments play out.

Extras: Deleted scenes, making of and commentary - nothing wildly exciting but solid nonetheless

Rating: 8/10