Grand Designs: S10: DVD Review

Grand Designs: S10: DVD Review

Rating: PG
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment

Is there anyone who can't know the formula to this series now?

Kevin McCloud visits people on builds and sees how their dreams cope with the obstacles which are thrown in their way. It's now 100 episodes the series has hit and it's certainly popular with its fans.

The formula's well established now and to be frank, the series is interesting if you're interested in self-builds and a look at what drives people. Other than that, it's business as usual and with no real thrills or spills.

Well put together,interesting people and projects and an ever affable Kevin make it a watchable series for the winter months.

Rating:

Monster Fest 2013 preview

Monster Fest 2013 preview

Monster Fest 2013 is coming to Auckland's award-winning Academy Cinemas from June 6th.

There is a whole range of films along for the ride - and quite frankly, what an awesome ride it's looking to be. With a lot of the releases being titles which have mysteriously avoided a big screen release here in NZ, it's great to see them getting collected together and given a cinematic outing on the big screen.

The Academy's been generous enough to let me view some of the upcoming releases and I can say there's certainly a fair amount of choice for connoisseurs of the celluloid.

Thale, a Norwegian folklore horror film recalls a mix of early X Files spookiness and Norwegian bleakness as proffered up by Rare Exports. A duo, Leo and Elvis, who clean crime scenes end up at a seemingly deserted cabin in the woods (always with the cabins) cleaning up after an old man goes missing and half his body remains. When the duo discover a huldra, a sacred forest creature in the basement, it all goes a bit haywire. Mixing a few scares and some relative low budget horror, Thale is a short and relatively creepy sweet treat.
Equally impressive is James MacAvoy and a cast of unbelievably good Brit talent in Welcome To The Punch. Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough, Daniel Mays and David Morrissey are stand out in this crime thriller about a former criminal forced to return to London when his son is injured. But MacAvoy's cop is waiting to grab him, three years after they first met. However, it's not as simple as it seems. Stylish, violent, and impressive Welcome To The Punch is a welcome shot in the arm of crime thrillers - and has a thrilling opening which grips.

Small Apartments sees Matt Lucas (of Little Britain fame) as the dweller in a dingy block of tenement flats. A Swiss horn blower, he spends most of his day walking around shirtless in a pair of white y fronts. One day he kills his landlord and doesn't hear from his brother (who always writes daily) and this sets off a chain of events. Eschewing real strong narrative in favour of kooky oddballs and great visuals, with a brilliant cast (Peter Stormare, Billy Crystal, Juno Temple, James Marsden, Johnny Knoxville, James Cann) this is a film aiming for cult curio and one which squarely and refreshingly hits the mark.



Manborg is a shlocky piece of Canadian action-sci-fi cross which sees Count Draculon and his Nazi forces trying to take over the Earth during the Hell Wars. (That description should be enough alone to tell you what's what in this) When a soldier's killed trying to take down Draculon, he's turned into a robot soldier, with one aim in mind - avenging his fallen buddies and saving the day. Mixing B movie action with some truly ropey FX, Manborg is a cheese-fest which looks like it's come from the bottom of the barrel. But it's got some fun moments and for low budget FX fest, you know what to expect.

Grabbers is an Irish / British monster movie, which has been building a strong cult following. When an Irish island is invaded by blood sucking sea creatures, it's up to Richard Coyle and Ruth Bradley's Garda officers to help save the island - and all from a local pub. With a dash of buddy cop movie, mixed in with a pinch of the likes of Tremors and some clever jolts, it's a surprisingly watchable piece which mixes monster scares with some nice character moments. 



Dark Skies (not the much missed TV series about alien invasion over four decades) stars The Americans' Keri Russell and goes for the old there's something haunting a suburban family story which has been so prevalent in recent films. Playing on some of those primal fears and pulling together a reasonable story, it's a spooky if unspectacular watch - but one that may find you checking whether you've locked the door before you head to bed.

That's not all that's on at Monster Fest - there's also the likes of Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's Mama getting an airing here (with no sign of a release boding despite taking No1 in the US Box Office), horror flick The Collection, sequel to The Collector, Father's Day, the Death and Resurrection Show to name but a few more.

Monster Fest runs at Auckland's Academy Cinema from June 6th.

Seven Psychopaths: Blu Ray Review

Seven Psychopaths: Blu Ray Review

Rating: R16
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

From the writer/ director of In Bruges, comes Seven Psychopaths.

Colin Farrell is Marty, a struggling writer who is trying to put together a screenplay but getting nowhere with it. Part of that is due to his friend Billy (Sam Rockwell), who's running a sideline, dognapping. In part he's doing that scam with Christopher Walken's Hans - but they fall foul of the fact Billy's stolen a dog from gangster Charlie (Woody Harrelson).

When Charlie works out what's going on, the scene is set for a massive showdown. To say Seven Psychopaths is a darkly black comedy is a bit of an understatement.

It starts with two mafiosi types discussing whether Dilinger was shot in the eyeball and concludes in a manner which really does set the tone for what lies ahead. It's incredibly similar to In Bruges, but perhaps is lacking a bit of the maudlin tone which pervades that piece of celluloid.

Riffing on movie cliches, crime cliches and proffering up a whole heap of one-liners, this ludicrously overbaked story finds its feet and certainly runs with it, thanks in part to the performances of Farrell, Rockwell and Walken who make a farcical, if talking nonsense, trio.

It's an initially clever script too - and one which becomes self referencing towards the end (where it sadly starts to lose some of its initial gumph and gumption). And yet, Seven Psychopaths certainly manages to carry it off mashing up genres, pouring on the dark comedy as it freewheels on and piles in some surrealist sequences which are one shaggy dog story after another. For a while, at least. It's violent too and splattered with blood and gore in ways that the very darkest of crime genres should be too. However, I can't help but feel that aside from one well written female character, the other women in this are treated somewhat badly - and I can't quite work out if they are supposed to be caricatures of women within the crime genre. It's borderline misogyny in places and certainly a difficult laugh to garner from the audience. Despite throwing in dialogue from Hans which critiques the poorly written women characters and that psychos get a bit boring after a while, it's an odd mix and one which doesn't sit well with me personally.

Seven Psychopaths certainly brings the laughs and the blackness but whether you'll love it or not, depends on how much you adore the crime genre in general and if you're ready to see a derivative film which isn't quite as clever as it thinks it is.

Extras: Featurettes, interviews and deleted scenes

Rating:

UBISOFT reveals its E3 line up

UBISOFT reveals its E3 line up

Ubisoft has revealed its lineup of titles for what the company expects to be one of the most significant editions of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in years. Ubisoft leads off with an invitation-only media briefing at the Los Angeles Theatre that will feature first looks at Ubisoft’s upcoming lineup, including exclusive next-generation games, innovative editions of popular franchises and new brands and titles.

Ubisoft’s conference begins at 3pm PDT on Monday June 10. Local times will be 10am NZT, 8am AET and 6am AWT on Tuesday June 11.

Following the press conference, E3 attendees can visit Ubisoft’s booth (#1023 situated in the South Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center) to check out a number of highly anticipated games, including Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, Rayman Legends, South Park™: The Stick of Truth™, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist, Watch_Dogs and more. Throughout the week, there also will be a number of special guests and live performances at the booth.

“This is a pivotal moment for the video game industry, and E3 is the opportunity for us to share our vision for the future,” said Yves Guillemot, co-founder and CEO, Ubisoft, “We have many incredible games in development, and we’re especially excited to share more on our next-gen titles, which will deliver more connected, immersive and interactive experiences to our fans.”

As the industry transitions to a new console cycle, past market trends and Ubisoft’s internal estimates indicate that within two years the next-gen consoles’ installed base could double that of the previous generation over a comparable period. Ubisoft’s cross-studio collaboration structure allowed the company’s creative teams to get an early start on the transition, with next-gen games like Watch_Dogs already scheduled for release this year and more next-gen titles to be announced during E3. 

In addition to its E3 activities, Ubisoft is creating the Uplay Lounge, a space near the Los Angeles Convention Center designed to give select Uplay members hands-on experience with Ubisoft’s E3 lineup and the opportunity to discuss their favourite titles with members of Ubisoft’s development teams. Uplay^®(http://uplay.com) will have pre-show coverage and a live broadcast of Ubisoft’s media briefing.

Ubisoft’s media briefing will also be available to watch live or on demand on Ubisoft’s YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29uRvifupqQ) and press partners are welcome to embed the YouTube live video feed on their site using the embed link. All of Ubisoft’s videos and trailers will be available on YouTube (http://www.YouTube.com/ubisoft).

To interact live with Ubisoft during E3, visit Ubisoft Australia’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ubisoftaustralia),  follow Ubisoft on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ubisoft) and tweet using #UbiE3.

Three more films revealed for NZ International Film Festival

Three more films revealed for NZ International Film Festival

NZIFF today released three further film confirmations for the 2013 programme, including one from notorious shock programmer Ant Timpson.

New Zealand filmmaker Simon Ogston’s documentary about the Skeptics will have its world premiere at NZIFF. Sheen of Gold looks at the history and influence of one of New Zealand’s most influential Flying Nun bands. A reissue of two Skeptics LPs is planned for August from Flying Nun. 

“Director Simon Ogston continues his excavations of underground Kiwi rock, with a tribute to one of New Zealand’s most influential and eclectic rock bands of the 80s,” says NZIFF Assistant Programmer Michael McDonnell.

Incredibly Strange Programmer, Ant Timpson, confirmed his first film, You’re Next from director Adam Wingard.

“At first glance You’re Next sounds like the type of horror film you've seen numerous times before but like The Cabin in the Woods proved, a director can have a hell of a lot of fun with jaded horror fans who think they know every beat & rhythm of the genre. For the best experience, I highly recommend not watching the trailer nor reading any reviews. Bring an unsuspecting date and watch their popcorn fly when the film kicks in," says Timpson.

The first international guest confirmed for the Auckland leg of NZIFF is professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce, the subject of The Crash Reel directed by Oscar nominated Lucy Walker (Waste Land).

Further NZIFF film confirmations

Sheen of Gold

NZ 2013

The Crash Reel

Director: Simon Ogston

Director Simon Ogston continues his excavations of underground Kiwi rock, with a tribute to one of New Zealand’s most influential and eclectic rock bands of the 80s.

The Crash Reel

USA 2013, 107m

Director: Lucy Walker

Festivals: Sundance 2013

The meteoric rise, calamitous crash and remarkable endurance of US champion snowboarder Kevin Pearce are related with nerve-wracking immediacy in Lucy Walker’s (Wasteland) documentary. Kevin Pearce will attend the Auckland screenings of this film.

You're Next

You’re Next

USA 2011, 96m

Director: Adam Wingard

Festivals: Toronto 2011; San Francisco 2013

Mask clad intruders attack a family during their wedding anniversary getaway. Soon the mysterious killers learn that one of their victims has a secret talent for fighting back!

NZIFF will begin in Auckland (18 July – 4 August), open in Wellington one week later (26 July – 11 August), then Christchurch (1 – 18 August) and Dunedin (8 – 25 August) before continuing to travel around New Zealand screening in Gore, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Nelson, Tauranga, Masterton, Hawke’s Bay and New Plymouth.

The Festival has already announced ten films including NZ titles Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Gardening With Soul, Romeo and Juliet: A Love Song, The Deadly Ponies Gang; international features including Gebo and the Shadow, Much Ado About Nothing, Upstream Colour, What Maisie Knew; and international documentaries Becoming Traviata, and Dirty Wars for the 2013 programme.

Festival programmes will be available online and around town from June 25 in Auckland, and June 28 in Wellington. For Festival updates visit www.nziff.co.nz and register to receive e-newsletters.

Short film finalists unveiled for NZ International Film Festival

Short film finalists unveiled for NZ International Film Festival

FINALISTS FOR NEW ZEALAND’S BEST ANNOUNCED FOR 2013 FILM FESTIVAL

Six short films have been selected as finalists for the New Zealand International Film Festival’s New Zealand’s Best Short Film Competition.

The films will compete for three cash prizes, with winners to be announced at the closing night of the Auckland leg of NZIFF. The six finalists are Tom’s Dairy (dir: Oscar Kightley), Blind Mice (dir: Walter Lawry), I’m Going to Mum’s (dir: Lauren Jackson), Interim (dir: Dan Kircher), Friday Tigers (dir: Aidee Walker) and Here Now (dir: Chelsie Preston-Crayford).

The New Zealand’s Best programme will screen as part of the 2013 NZIFF and audiences will be asked to choose a winner. A jury of three will select the winners of the $5000 Madman Entertainment Jury Prize and the $3000 Friends of the Civic Award. The winner of the Audience vote in Auckland and Wellington takes away 25% of the box office from the Festival screenings in the four main centres.

Winners for the Madman Entertainment Jury Award and the Friends of the Civic Jury Award will be chosen by three judges: Metro Magazine editor Simon Wilson, Michael Eldred for Madman Entertainment and veteran film producer Bridget Ikin (An Angel at My Table, My Year Without Sex, The Rocket, William Yang: My Generation).

Guest selector and international filmmaker Alison Maclean selected the six finalists from a shortlist of 12. Festival programmers Bill Gosden and Michael McDonnell viewed 91 entries to prepare the shortlist.

 “These films found ways to open up unfamiliar worlds and make the familiar more potent. From my now slightly outsider perspective, it was thrilling to watch these shorts - so much talent and skill in every department and, in separate, unique ways, a real authorial voice coming through... I can't wait to see what these filmmakers do next,” says Alison Maclean.

The finalists are:

Tom’s Dairy (13min)

World Premiere

New Zealand 2013

Director: Oscar Kightley

A poignant and humorous short film about a young boy growing up in West Auckland in 1981.

Blind Mice (15min)

World Premiere

New Zealand 2013

Director: Walter Lawry

In the small Auckland drug scene, a young woman, Jules, finds her life complicated by an unwanted pregnancy.

I’m Going to Mum’s (13min)

New Zealand 2013

Director: Lauren Jackson

Jacob is eight years old and his parents dress him funny. Stuck in the middle of a fresh divorce he takes drastic fashion action to make himself heard.

Interim

Interim (15min)

World Premiere

New Zealand 2013

Director: Dan Kircher

A young and green police officer is implicated in the assault of an arrestee.

Friday Tigers (Nga Taika o Te Ramere) (16min)

World Premiere

New Zealand 2013

Director: Aidee Walker

When an unexpected friendship threatens Ana’s secret world, can she find the courage to deal with her past for the sake of her future?

 

Here Now

Here Now (14min)

World Premiere

New Zealand 2013

Director: Chelsie Preston-Crayford

Inspired by Lena Dunham's Girls, Here Now explores the dilemma of the modern day twenty-something. Tess and her friends have no problems, but are they really living?

Dr Who - The Aztecs: Special Edition: DVD Review

Dr Who - The Aztecs: Special Edition: DVD Review

Rating: G
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment

Back to 1964 for this classic slice of sci fi black and white historical Doctor Who drama.

When William Hartnell's Doctor materialises the TARDIS in Mexico in the 15th Century, they soon discover danger. And things get worse when Barbara's mistaken for the reincarnation of an Aztec high priest. As she believes she can change history....

There's a great central dilemma here and it's well played out by Jacqueline Hill and William Hartnell as the ideals clash. It's a little stuffy in places and takes a bit of time to get going - but it's certainly worth the wait.

The greatest part of this special edition is the release of the missing episode three of serial Galaxy 4 which was rediscovered after years thought abandoned. As the recreation of the missing parts showed, it's a wonder when these episodes are discovered.

Extras: Commentary, docos, production notes - and a good piece of restoring the serial

Rating: