End of Watch: Blu Ray Review

End of Watch: Blu Ray Review

Rating: R18
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment

Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena star as a pair of South LA cops in this blistering drama set on the streets.

The duo are tight and have a powerful bond; but as the film begins, they're both heading back to duty after being cleared in an investigation into a shooting. Gyllenhaal's character, Taylor, is a young brash cop, who's taken to taping everything on the street as part of a study degree which means they capture everything going down in their world - from the camaraderie between the pair, to the horror of the gangs and the violent offenders.

But, when the duo cross a drug cartel on a routine stop, their worlds are blown apart and they face the possibility of not getting to the end of their watch.

Gritty, unrelenting and unflinching, its initial hand held style takes a little getting used to, but once you do, you're captivated from beginning to bloody end. Gyllenhaal and Pena are a great pair, and demonstrate a close bond as they show the real face of front line policing but it's their camaraderie which shines through the unrelenting offensiveness.

Sure, there are plot holes - like why are the gangs taping everything as well as the police on handhelds, but despite the flaws of the film, End of Watch stands on the work done by Pena, Gyllenhaal and Anna Kendrick as Taylor's girlfriend. You have to commit 100% to this gritty film and are rewarded for doing so with one of the best and most realistic police movies in the past few years.

Extras: Deleted scenes, behind the scenes and commentary

Rating:

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: The Boy With Tape on his Face

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: The Boy With Tape on his Face

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?

The Boy with Tape on His Face - More Tape

2)   Why?

As it is a return season of the show that sold out last year I thought it would be a pretty silly thing to change the name.

3)  Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?

It will be exactly the same as last year's show but for those who missed out on a ticket and have no idea the show will feature people being funny and everyday items being used in different ways.

4)  How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?

The show has been touring pretty much nonstop since last year and has picked up a few more sell out seasons and a couple more awards.

5)  The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what are your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21?

Living above a bagel shop in christchurch, having my friend from Timaru surprise visit, taking nitrous and getting drunk and later that night seeing miss western australia nude...typical 21st.

6)  The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?

It’s quite nice as now some of my friends from the UK are coming to the festival for the first time so it will be great to see how much they enjoy it. Stuart Goldsmith and Markus Birdman are two that I am very much looking forward to seeing how they get on.

7)  What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?

I am based in the UK so am a bit out of the NZ comedy loop but from what I can tell from Facebook updates it seems to be going well.

8)   What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?

When Princess Anne said hello to me...oh when an old man farted onstage, that was pretty funny as well.

9)  What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?

I was lucky enough to have a season in London’s West End. That has proven to be pretty hard to top.

10)  When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?

Coffee, good food, nice people and Cut and Paste from interviews from 2012

11)  How would you persuade people to come and see your show?

I tend to let the show speak for itself.

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Jeremy Elwood

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Jeremy Elwood

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?

"Jeremy Elwood's Notes"

2)  Why?That's what it's based on - the "notes" I make while I observe this odd place we call home. I carry a notebook at all times, and here's what's in it. 

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?Me! My take on issues, trends, social changes and life in general. And how I think you should think about them.
4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?Every year, the morning after the festival ends, I draw a big black line through my notebook. Anything I write after that line is fair game for the next years' show. So, to answer your question; every day.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – whatyou’re your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21?I remember 21 like it was...16 years ago. Oh God. I didn't move to NZ until I was 14, and in other places I've lived, "The 21st" isn't such a big deal, so I remember organising a party literally the day before, because everyone else insisted I do. Good party, though.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?It'll be great to catch up with Mickey D and Fiona O'Loughlin, both performers I admire and who I am lucky enough to also call friends.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?I know there's been a huge upsurge in media attention, and as a result, a lot of new faces; but I genuinely rate highest those who have been doing it in NZ for many, many years. Those who stuck with it when we really had no bigger stage than a weekend showcase or 3 minutes on TV once a year.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?

I had a guy yell something unintelligible immediately after I walked onstage, and after I finished abusing him I asked what he'd said. It was "I really admire your work, bro."

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?

Probably doing a gig just out of San Francisco in a full 125 year old theatre, with my wife Michele and Dana Carvey (Garth, from Wayne's World).

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?

Well, there goes May.

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?

If you've seen me at a club, or on TV, what I do in a festival is really quite different. You're in my head for an hour, and I have a few things to show you that you might not expect. If that appeals, then I hope to see you there. 

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Tom Gleeson

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Tom Gleeson

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?
Tom Gleeson.

2)  Why?
Because it is my name.

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?
I don't really know. I've never done the NZ Comedy Festival before so I guess I'll just run with my best material. I've been doing festivals for over ten years so I'm sure I'll be able to scrape something together.

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?
You really didn't listen to my last answer did you. I SAID I'VE NEVER DONE THE NZ COMEDY FESTIVAL BEFORE. So I guess I've spent my lifetime crafting this show.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – whatyou’re your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21?
My 21st was miserable. I had dinner with my family and three friends. I started stand up that year because I needed more friends.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?
Jesse Griffin! Another tall red head. When I first did the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 200l, we both had crew cuts. From behind we looked identical. We became friends because we always got mistaken for each other.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?
The scene is very healthy. People are more aware of stand up than they have ever been. Words like 'material', 'gold' and 'riffing' are now used in everyday language. In the UK, stand ups are selling out arenas. I'm in a long line of comedians that rate Louis CK. I supported him in Australia. He needs to be lured to NZ. He's the master.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?
A month ago a woman in my audience passed out. She had to be carried out. No one knew what had happened. I told the audience that I was secretly hoping she was dead because that would mean I had made someone die laughing.

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?
On 7 Days I jumped up and down like an angry wanking monkey. It was a satirical piece.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?
The poor exchange rate.

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?
Louis CK chose me to be his support act. If I'm good enough for him, maybe I'm good enough for you.

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Brendon Green

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Brendon Green

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?
Everything Is Alright (*Citation Needed)

2)  Why?
Because I thought my last year’s show title, Everything Is Meaningless And Nothing Matters, was maybe a touch too sad. This one’s nicer, right?

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?
It’s about me following the advice of my fantastic Auntie Margie, who told me to be proud of the things I do. Plus there’s a bunch of songs. Plus puppies.

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?
The ideas started about 10 months ago, and what I have now is completely different to what I had then. It’s all a matter of gently finessing the pieces into place through constant stress and worry.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what you’re your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21?
I officially had the lamest 21^st party in history. We went to Denny’s for lunch, then played mini-golf. True story. So my memories of being 21 involve me being super cool and popular, obviously.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?
Gordon Southern is the loveliest man, and I’m happy he’s bringing his smile back here. Also I am going to attempt to woo Josie Long, but will likely be too embarrassed to even look her in the eyes.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?
It’s doing pretty good. “Ripe with potential”. And you can tell by the number of newbies coming in to give it a go. I put most of that down to Guy William’s height and beautiful face. He’s magnetic.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?
I had a thing in last year’s show where two audience members had to describe how they would best serve human flesh (like an imaginary Master Chef, which wasn’t nearly as horrible as it sounds), and one girl went into disturbingly deep detail with her answer. Like she had been thinking about this prior to the show, and probably had a typed up recipe in her purse. It was awesome.

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?
Arriving at friend’s 30^th birthday in Wellington, with her entire family there (whom I had never met before), and having to do an impromptu set for them because someone had told her mum I was a stand-up comedian.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?
Good friends, great laughs, and for some reason the song ‘Ignition (Remix)’ by R Kelly.

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?
“I promise I won’t make you talk about cannibalism. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and listen to me sing sweet songs to you. Plus puppies.”

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Jamaine Ross

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Jamaine Ross

1) Tell us what your show is called this year?

The Medium Rare Comedy Showcase

2)  Why?Last year, Nicole Steven, Stephen Witt & myself were all finalists in the Raw Comedy Quest (which I won, but I’m not bragging, no big deal, whatever). So this year we decided to show how far we’ve come since then. Because we’re definitely not Raw anymore, but a perfectly cooked Medium Rare. And Gabriel Page is doing the show with us as well because he sometimes eats steak.

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about?It’s a line up show where we each get to showcase our unique styles. Gabriel’s musical comedy, Stephen’s slightly skewed view on the world, Nicole’s outbursts and impressions, and my imaginative stories and observations. There’s a lot of variety so if you don’t like one of us (probably Gabriel), don’t worry, there’s 3 others that you’ll love.

4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival?This show is basically a culmination of all the material we’ve been working on for the past year. Which in comedian time is the past month.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what are your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21?

When I was 21, I moved from my hometown of Christchurch to Wellington. Well, I attempted to, but overshot it and ended up in Masterton working in a sawmill.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?The Wayans Brothers. I remember when I was a kid, I used to stay up late on Friday nights to watch In Living Color, hoping the Dirty Dozens sketch would be on cos it had the best ‘Yo Mama’ jokes. I used to try and make up my own ones but they were terrible. “Yo mama so stupid she sometimes wears t-shirts as pants.” Actually, that’s genius. Don’t be surprised if you hear me say that in our show.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why?I’m going to be honest, I didn’t really watch local stand-up before I started doing it. So it’s hard for me to compare it to previous times but the quality seems pretty high across the board. One of my favourite comics is Nick Rado. I just love his energy and how much fun he has on stage. Plus he organises gigs so if I’m nice to him then he’ll give me some.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had?This guy heckled me a couple of times so I decided to challenge him to a fight in the parking lot. It was real gangsta until I told him to meet me by my mum’s lime green Suzuki Swift.

9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?As a result of winning the Raw Comedy Quest last year (not bragging, no big deal, whatever) I got to perform at the Last Laughs at Skycity Theatre alongside all the Billy T & Fred Dagg nominees. I was on before Rhys Darby so just before I went on he was backstage pacing nervously and running through his stuff and I was like, “He’s just like me. Except a million times better.”

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of?The laughing man logo. Such a cute little face. Just wanna punch it. Lovingly.

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show?It’s fun, cheap, plus you’ll be able to tell people that you saw us before we were famous. Wait until we’re famous to say that obviously. Don’t just leave the show and tell random people on the street because that’ll be weird.

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Luke Heggie

Comedy Fest Questionnaire: Luke Heggie

1) Tell us what your show is called this year? Mega Dry

 2)  Why? It's based around working in a bottle shop. I'm mildly known for quite a dry sense of humour. A lot of beers are called “Extra Dry”, “Super Dry” etc.. Someone with a keen comedic eye will see what I've done here.

3) Can you give us a few hints as to what broadly your festival show is about? The stupidity of the general public.

 4) How much time have you spent crafting the show over the past 12 months since the end of the last festival? This is my first time at the NZ comedy festival. But I've been writing the show for about 5 months.

5) The comedy festival is turning 21 this year – it’s a big age 21 – what are your memories of being 21? Or if you’re not old enough yet, you lucky person, what are your hopes for being 21?I was at University, which was fun but useless. I was also trying to rid the world of beer one at a time, watching a lot of Simpsons, and attempting to trick girls into liking me. All this while finding time to service the habit of throwing eggs at cars that I was yet to grow out of.

6) The Comedy festival is one big party and catch up for a month - is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing over here either socially or on stage?Socially, I don't know anyone. I'll be staying on a  stranger's couch, and banking on it being a “they're more scared of me than me of them” situation. On stage, I'm looking forward to seeing the Idiots of Ants, Fan Fiction Comedy, and Jack Dee.

7) What’s the comedy scene like at the moment who do you rate and why? There's a lot of groundbreaking weird shit. It's not my cup of tea generally. I rate some quality comedians like Chris Wainhouse and Bruce Griffiths, (who most people have never heard of) who make a fist of getting the job done, without the benefits of being a television personality, or big name.

8)  What’s the best piece of audience interaction you’ve had? I performed at a music festival where there was a comedy tent and about 2000 people watching. For 3 of my ten minutes, a group of 30 or so guys were at the front chanting “Fuck off! Fuck off! Fuck off! Etc” It wasn't great, but I don't get a lot of audience interaction. I usually just plough on if some fart in a jar yells something out.
9) What’s the most memorable part of performing for you within the last 12 months?
 One day last December I was in Coober Pedy (a South Australian desert mining town) and being roundly ignored/hated by a bunch of miners in their orange prison uniforms while the 40 degree sun belted on my face and flies were crawling into my mouth. A few days later, I was supporting Stephen Merchant at the Sydney Opera House. This one was at night time, and I don't think they let any miners in.

10) When we say New Zealand International Comedy Festival to you, what’s the first thing you think of? Isn't that cute. (See I'm happy to make smart remarks like that, but let's just see who's laughing when I get my head punched in in Auckland Huh? Not me. But I don't laugh that much anyway).

11) How would you persuade people to come and see your show? 

I ask them nicely. Twice. And when that doesn't work, I threaten them with violence.