Radu Mihaileanu’s 2011 Cannes competition film The Source gets a UK release this week, and at the edge of the storm that is soon to be summer blockbuster season, it’s a fairly quiet and inoffensive choice to get lost within for a couple of hours. And by couple, I really mean couple – this film, clocking in at just over the two hour mark, is long, and it feels long, too.

Gently see-sawing between equal bouts of comedy and drama, The Source can be at once charming and droll, and similarly shocking and sobering. Set in a remote village in North Africa where the conveniences of the modern world are few and far between, The Source is a simple but affective battle of the sexes tale. Collecting water from the well on the hill that towers over the village has long been a women’s task, until one day, after a particularly harrowing accident, they decide to group together and force a ‘sex strike’ on their male partners until a safer system is introduced. A lot of cracks in the seams that hold this community together get wider – the older men, who are portrayed as nonchalant, tea-drinking layabouts, become irritated fast. The older women encourage their daughters to fight for what they’ve never been able to.

The story is simple enough, but it’s really the way that the film looks that pulls it up onto another level. Lingering shots of quiet, dusty landscapes are plentiful, but the simpler scenes of the village, of children making their way to school, of puzzled and too-curious tourists walking through and invading everyday life (much to local amusement), of women washing their colourful clothing and fabric in the local lake while singing to each other – these give Mihalleanu’s effort real richness.

The drama unfolds slowly, and under protagonist Leila’s eye – played by the lovely Leila Bekhti – who really represents young womanhood in the developing world, it certainly feels more sincere and veritable. Even with the splashes of comedy and what could have been sickly sentimentality, it feels less like emotional manipulation and more like a true reflection of not only the struggles of women in these countries, but of the unrest as a whole. It’s a long film, and labouring, much like the struggles we’re shown onscreen, but it’s rewarding and it will stick with you.

THE SOURCE IS RELEASED NATIONALLY IN UK ON 18TH MAY 2012

About The Author – Teri Williams

Teri is a former film student from Edinburgh and currently works in book publishing in London. She is a fan of bad taste films, horror, fantasy, science fiction and vintage teen comedy and has been described by her friends as a “proper nerd” and a human imdb. She can be found speaking nonsense under the twitter name @msenidcoleslaw and scribbling similar nonsense on her blog Enid’s Revenge

Cinema Review – The Source is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

It has been a serious case of attack of the young ‘uns with this series of posts. I was starting to get worried that I would be the only person posting a list PRE-1980!! Thankfully friend of mine Chris Mason form the book of face has stepped up to the plate and offered up a very interesting list indeed. If you wanted to find Mr Mason on Facebook, he is located here

The ‘Born Into Film’ series of lists is the brainchild of Mike P Williams, staff writer here at FRC. The idea is simple -

List a group of films that were released on the year you were born that you would still like to watching today. No rules on list length, it is up to you. As a bonus, list 3 people or so that were born the same year as you that you admire, either because of their acting / directing / writing skills, or even just because they are hot.

The previous weeks can be found here…

1983 – John Dougherty

1984 – Mike Williams

1985 – Niels De Vita

1987 – Tom Bielby

1989 – Luke Grima

1995 – Stevee Taylor

Here is Chris’ List!!

My Fair Lady

So starting with the years best film Oscar winner, ‘My Fair Lady’, staring the incomparable Audrey Hepburn, I love this movie for all its old school charm, a musical that I can pretty much sing along to in full. Still love the horse race scene when poor Eliza lets her roots slip… “Ca’am ahhnn Dover, move your bloomin arse” has me in stitches

Goldfinger

Moving on to the, in my humble opinion, best pre Craig, Bond film ever. ‘Goldfinger’ I never tire of watching this one, Connery at his best, an unforgettable villain and one of the best monikered ladies in film, you know her name…!

633 Squadron

Growing up I wanted to be a fighter pilot and my plane of choice was the Mosquito, so ’633 Squadron’ is a must watch for me when its shown on TV, one of those ‘stiff upper lip, tally ho’  films about an impossible attack on a German rocket fuel plant in a Norwegian fjord, derring do and ultimate sacrifices make for compulsive viewing.

Crack In The World

Bit of an odd one next, I remember seeing it a few times on TV in my teens, ‘Crack in the World’ a forerunner to ‘The Core’ about the consequences of fooling about with Mother Earth (will we ever learn?) sees a huge crack threatening the existence of our planet, I remember ropey special effects and an edge of the chase of a moving train “Heading towards the CRACK !!”

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Next is a film I didn’t see until my early 20′s, ‘Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb’ is a master-class of black comedy and satiricism, considering the times I was growing up in Reagan/Thatcher and the escalating cold war, the threat of Nuclear annihilation hanging over us all, its a wonder it wasn’t required viewing at school !

A Fistful of Dollars

A western next, ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ sits in the favourites section in my DVD collection, this film and its sequels made westerns worth watching, the brilliant Ennio Morricone score, the stony faced Clint Eastwood and fantastic Sergio Leone direction make them all amazing viewing. Itself an almost perfect copy of  Akira Kurosawa’s film Yojimbo its has been referenced in everything from Back To The Future to The Simpsons.

The Masque of the Red Death

‘The Masque of the Red Death’ is a film that will remain with me for ever, Directed by Roger Corman its visuals have been burned into my brain, never before or since, have I been so scared by a first watch of a film,  Vincent Price excels, its such a glorious looking film with a fabulous ending.

Zulu

Finally ‘Zulu’ based on a true story its another one of those films that seemed to be on TV every Bank Holiday, most widely remembered for Michael Caines’ début, Stanley Baker is my favourite in the film, closely followed by James Booths’ Pvt Hook, I always remember rooting for him, despite his ne’er do-well persona. “Stop chuckin those bl**dy spears”

Also born this year

Courtney Cox

Sandra Bullock

Mary-Louise Parker

Marisa Tomei

Nicolas Cage

Rob Lowe

Russell Crowe

Keanu Reeves

Did you enjoy Chris’ list? What films would you have chosen from 1964? Want to take part? Comment below…

Thursday List – Born Into Film : 1964 Chris Mason is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

Every once in a while a film comes along that manages not only to meet your expectations but surpass them, and whilst this does not happen as often as I would like, the sparsity of this occurrence marks any film that reaches these standards as one of a select few that make it to my list of personal favourites.  Many people throw the phrase ‘I was on the edge of my seat’ around when describing films that the term has lost much of its impact but I was literally perched on the edge of my seat for the majority of The Raid’s running time with a huge grin on my face that didn’t subside until a few hours after the screening. Yes, it is as good as you’ve heard.

With a plot so simple I cannot believe it hasn’t been done before, almost the entire film takes place in a tower block inhabited by assorted criminals and lowlifes under the control of a powerful drug lord who resides on the fifteenth floor. Enter a SWAT team who are tasked with taking him down, made up of veterans and rookies alike, and you can imagine the carnage as they endeavour to reach the top and make their way out alive against very unfavourable odds.

It is easy for the story to become second fiddle to the action in a film such as these and whilst there are times when it does, I only realised this on reflection as during the screening I was completely mesmerised by the action to a point where the plot really didn’t matter. There are enough interesting developments and twists to drive the action forward and this is really all the film requires, although the story does make sure that The Raid is slightly more than just an action showcase.

The undeniable star of the show is Iko Uwais, a native Indonesian versed in the martial art of Pencak Silat which is the driving force behind the incredibly impressive fight sequences, and I have no doubt that his performance in The Raid will lead him to bigger and better things (if that is even possible as they don’t come much better than this). Uwais plays Rama, a young family man with minimal experience in the field who is determined to prove himself as a valuable member of the team and when the situation begins to spiral out of control he is one of few that manage to keep focused on the task in hand despite the dangers they face.

The Raid contains some of the most brutal and intense action sequences I have ever witnessed, with lashings of ultra violence that would offend even Alex Delarge and his gang of Droogs, this really is a blistering assault on the senses that does not let up and thankfully never manages to run out of steam. As a fan of extreme violence on the big screen, I could not fault the direction Gareth Evans has taken with The Raid although the more squeamish of you need to be warned that there are a few unpleasant moments that may leave you squirming. The inventive fight sequences and stunning choreography really are breathtaking; just when you think that there is no way the action can be topped, the next melee ups the ante even more, pushing the boundaries of martial arts usage in films and leaving you mesmerised by the sheer audacity of the character’s actions.

One of the year’s best foreign imports, The Raid is a benchmark in action cinema; by combining all the successful ingredients of those which have come before it, and adding a relatively new form of martial arts into the mix it manages to transcend the genre almost to the point of becoming a masterpiece. This is a film that definitely needs to be seen on the big screen, nothing unites the audience like an epic struggle between good and evil and the fact that certain viewers couldn’t keep quiet in some of the more explosive scenes didn’t annoy me but made me realise just how involving The Raid really is.

With an American remake already on the way, make sure you see The Raid whilst you get the chance. I have been writing for FRC for the best part of 9 months and this is the only rating above four stars I have ever given. I’m still waiting for that elusive 5 star film but until then The Raid remains one of the best new films I have seen in recent memory.

THE RAID OPENS NATIONALLY IN THE UK ON 18TH MAY

About The Author – Tom Bielby

Long time film fan and aspiring film writer, Tom is a horror fanatic who wasted far too much time at University sitting through every film in the IMDB Top 250. He is partial to foreign films and cult cinema and would love to rid the world of people who rustle their popcorn during important scenes. He can be found on Twitter under the alias @filmbantha

Are you a fan of action films? Do you think that The Raid has turned the genre on its head? Let us know your thoughts below…

Cinema Review – The Raid is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

We live in a truly remarkable age. The age where just about everything we do has a digital imprint – social media, entertainment, communications, heck even business is often conducted over the internet and other digital forms, with what has now become a remarkable interconnected lifestyle for all of us. The humble mobile phone, for example, has long since left the domain of simple phone calls; nowadays, your touchscreen phone is nigh capable of launching nuclear missiles from an off-shore submarine, they contain so much technology. Even a bottom of the range portable tablet device can multi-task, making calls, surfing the web and everything but make you a morning coffee.

The future of technology seems to be leaning towards streaming technology, coupled with this newfangled “cloud” technology some companies are pushing. A decentralized storage mechanism for all your downloaded content, from movies to music to web browsing seems anathema to me, as someone who grew up in the dawn of the computer age and who’s more comfortable saving my stuff on my own hard drive for easy access later. That being said, this appears to be the way computer technology is going, with less and less people using, or even owning, a PC in the last few years.

Equally as fluid is the progress made in digital cinema technology – from the latest HD RED cameras and their brethren, to the advent of full High Definition home technology such as Blu-Ray, it seems with each passing year we’re being introduced to more and more stuff to make our entertainment experience better, faster and clearer. I read an article somewhere in 2011 which made the point of questioning just where the future of home cinema was headed. It would seem that the major movie studios are pushing for this streaming technology to maintain a stricter control over their product, the kind of thing currently in play as “digital downloads” – a short term ownership of a transferable copy of said film which is interchangeable between playback devices. Also on the cards is this “cloud” technology, which is mooted by music companies as the way to store your old CD collection (for anybody reading this who doesn’t remember what a CD is, Google it!) and somehow minimizes the potential for piracy. An aside: I want to tackle the subject of piracy in a future article, so I won’t go into it right here, but both piracy and cost of purchasing music and film seem to be linked in a vicious circle.

Folk are already asking what’s going to come next after Blu-Ray. Some are singing the death of the physical format thanks to the improvements of digital technology allowing faster downloads, better streaming and higher quality files being available for consumers. Are these folks on the right track, or are they getting a little carried away? I despair at the tech companies getting carried away at trade shows such as CES, where everyone comes out with new and improved tech for folks to spend their money on, but I have to ask: have we reached saturation point? DVD, the ugly cousin to Blu-Ray was introduced in 1997, and caused a seismic shift in the way home consumers watched their favorite movies – the vast gulf between the ubiquitous VHS quality and the newer DVD technology ensured the new format became so hotly desired it could never fail. Blu-Ray, the successor to DVD, came along at a time when DVD had pretty much become the single major player in the home cinema market. The difference between DVD and Blu-Ray as a technology, however, was not as substantial – at least, not to the average film fan who didn’t have a mega-budget home cinema room in their house. This, coupled with the competing HD-DVD format, creating yet another technological format war, held Blu-Ray back from becoming the dominant format for home cinema viewing, although at the conclusion of that war, Sony’s blue light creation quickly gained a stranglehold on the market. Cheaper televisions, from plasma to LED and LCD, coupled with a decrease in the cost of software, saw Blu-Ray and the High Definition market start to soar, until now the majority of middle-class consumers now own and prefer the HD format over DVD.

But are these same people ready for the Next Big Thing? Blu-Ray has only been in the game since 2006 – barely half a decade as I write this – and considering it’s a relatively new technology, you’d be forgiven for thinking the major tech companies simply wanted to boost their bottom lines by trying to throw us a new technology so quickly. Has the market become so over-saturated by new technology that people are just going to stick with what they know for a while? Blu-Ray was marketed as the best possible sound and image, hammered down our throats by Sony and the rest of the BD consortium – unless we get something better than the best, why would we change, right? Internet-capable televisions are able to stream movies directly out of a box, people can download films legitimately via the internet and watch them in the comfort of their own home more easily now than twenty years ago, and the quality of Blu-Ray has – to my mind – yet to be equaled by the downloadable crowd.

The biggest reason that I see to why Blu-Ray isn’t ready to be superseded is the fact that a large percentage of folks prefer to actually own a copy of their favorite film. While music is inherently a fluid concept, and the advent of the Mp3 format allows minimal loss of signal for replay on portable devices, movies are a different prospect altogether. They require larger space for storage, especially at high quality, and invariably folks prefer to watch them on their PC, television or large format screen – I can’t recall the last time I saw somebody sitting through Fellowship Of The Ring on their iPhone. People want to “own” something tangible, something real. A file on a computer somewhere doesn’t feel as nice as seeing a handsome Blu-Ray cover on a shelf waiting for you to watch it. It’s the intangible aspect of ownership that the major tech and film companies must overcome in order to supersede actual software within the short term. Downloading a film in full 1080p HD, with full master quality audio, is currently a prohibitively expensive and bandwidth intensive prospect for most internet users. Some regions where internet usage is capped by usage also prevents an uptake in downloading large volumes of content, essentially curtailing both the legal and the illegal content markets. Until internet speeds shape up to allow streaming of content in Blu-Ray quality audio and image with no lag or bandwidth issues, I suspect Blu-Ray is going to be around for a while to come.

Maybe in twenty years I’ll look back on this article and despair at my naivete, but I hope not. Until we get to the era of human evolution like Star Trek, and can reproduce entertainment in a holographic format, I’d like to think that having a film on a shelf is infinitely preferable to one in the cloud.

About The Author – Rodney Twelftree

Aussie film fan Rodney has been writing about film, DVD and Blu-Ray since 1998, when he became Chief Reviewer at a now-defunct Adelaide-based online retailer. A fan of blockbuster and mainstream cinema, as well as dabbling in arthouse and independent forms of the industry, Rodney prefers to spend his nights and weekends in front of the television watching the latest release on Blu-Ray instead of out getting sloppy drunk like many of his friends. When he’s not out in the Front Room, Rodney can be found writing reviews for his own website www.fernbyfilms.com, helping good mate Al K Hall over at The Bar None, and dabbling in lists over at Top 10 Films.

How do you see the future of Blu-ray? Are you a streamer? Comment below…

Midweek Mumble – The Future of Blu-Ray is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

She Monkeys is the first film from writer / director Lisa Aschan and it certainly establishes her as a talent to keep an eye out for. She shows that she has a deft hand at direction and story telling. Staying away from heavy dialogue and action and focusing on visual storytelling and atmosphere, She Monkeys is a triumph. The story focuses on a slightly obsessive and slightly sexual relationship between two Swedish girls, Cassandra and Emma. The pair is training to be Equestrian Vaulters, gymnastics on the back of a horse. While the film may come across as slightly reserved in places it shows us that Aschan has a keen eye for what looks good on film.

The film does have the feeling of a thriller at times, it does have the same tone as Black Swan at times, even though the story is wildly different. The beauty of She Monkeys is that throughout we are questioning who exactly we should be rooting for, who is the hero? Who is the villain? You see Emma and Cassandra are locked in a dynamic power struggle with both parties diving between the goody two shoes and manipulative psychopath.

Mathilda Paradeiser and Linda Molin offer very strong and stiff performances as Emma and Cassandra respectively. The restrained performances may come over as bad acting but to me it felt like the control and poise required from the Equestrian Vaulting coursed through their veins and through their interactions within society. They are both control freaks, displayed by Emma with the amount of control and pleasure she gets from training her dog. There is a lot more to their performances than just the lines spoken.

Indeed Emma and Cassandra’s story is the main plot for the film, but there is a very interesting sub-plot about Emma’s little sister Sara. Played brilliantly by Isabella Lindquist, she is lonely and tender and her journey through childhood left me particularly concerned. Maybe it is because I have a daughter of a similar age, but it is a very heartfelt performance. Sara is shy and self-aware and as my Nan would say an old soul. She is slowly awakening to her sexuality and turning into a little woman, will she get through her worries un scarred?

She Monkeys is a slow burner there is little doubt, but it is far from boring. The ending offers up little resolution and maybe even a little confusion, but this did not make it any less enjoyable.

She Monkeys is released nationally in UK on 18th May 2012 by Peccadillo Pictures

About The Author – Scott Lawlor

Chief Editor of FRC. A self confessed geek with an unhealthy thirst for all things Home Cinema. Whether it is the latest Action film or Subwoofer. Check out his home set up HERE

Cinema Review – She Monkeys is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

Dolby is looking to one-up the competition as it rolls out it’s new sound profile to cinemas. Dolby Atmos, according the Dolby is the most significant upgrade to cinema sound since the invention of Surround sound. The new profile delivers a completely enveloping sound stage using speakers hung from the ceiling as well as from the walls. Apparently is is supposed to be the most realistic experience you could ever achieve in a cinema.

A true ATMOS set up comprises of 64 separate channels of audio being delivered from front, rear, side and above the viewer. 

The new system was recently previewed at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. The hybrid system uses dynamic mixing to envelope the audience. Dolby call this Adaptive Rendering and say it is as close to the true needs of the soundtrack that has ever been represented.

“Dolby Atmos is our most significant innovation in years and represents the future for entertainment sound in cinema, We have leveraged our deep insights into how people hear and experience sound to empower filmmakers, studios, and exhibitors with new technology that transforms storytelling”

This new exciting profile is sadly only for the Cinema, at the moment.

The first film to use the new profile fully is the upcoming Disney Pixar film, Brave. If you are lucky enough to be near one of the 22 cinemas that have taken up the new format when the film is released next month you will be in for a sonic treat. Especially as the sound designer for BRAVE is Gary Rydstorm, who knows a thing or two about creating a cracking soundtrack for a film, his CV reads as follows… Terminator 2, Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report and Finding Nemo. Oh how I wish I was near one of these theatres.

Also, Dolby are in talks with Peter Jackson, who we all know is not afraid of new things as he has already embraced 48fps for The Hobbit, and they are hoping he too will take up this profile for the upcoming epic!

Even though ATMOS is strictly for the Cinema at the moment, Dolby are looking to the future and are planning to bring it to the Home Entertainment market. Although I have my reservations on how that will work. I mean it is hard enough for the everyman to fit 5 speakers around their front room let alone hang ones from the ceiling!!! I personally think this is one that is best left in the cinema. It will be something to look forward to, much like an IMAX showing of the latest blockbuster. The Cinemas need to be different!

About The Author – Scott Lawlor

Chief Editor of FRC. A self confessed geek with an unhealthy thirst for all things Home Cinema. Whether it is the latest Action film or Subwoofer. Check out his home set up HERE

Are you excited for this new sound profile? Will it bring anything new to the cinema experience? Comment below…

Tech Tuesday – Dolby is set to bring new life to cinemas with ATMOS is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

I feel dirty and used today, and not in the good way. I haven’t been out burning the midnight oil, I haven’t been clubbing pretending I still have the energy of a 20 yr old. I have not got a hang over.

This morning I discovered that two of my email accounts had been hacked. Partly my fault for not having a secure enough password, also partly due to my naïvety, I had them set up with the same password. What a dufus.

Well a kind person hacked my gmail account and managed to steal over £100 from my bank account through Google Wallet, which is nice. Also they got into my archaic AOL account and sent a huge batch of SPAM emails out to my entire contact list. I only found out because they sent one to me!!

I want to apologize to anyone that might have got an email this morning. Please do not open it up. It is a nasty link that may contain something nasty.

Suffice to say I have changed my passwords to something that even I cannot remember without looking up and I should be a lot more secure now. I have shut down my AOL account and have everything directed through my Gmail now.

I feel horrid.

I have tried to get my money back, but as it is an in-game purchase I have no way of proving that I didn’t actually buy the 580 gems!! I hope whoever spent my hard-earned cash is enjoying the purchase.

Anyway, enough of my troubles. What did I watch? Well after last weeks TimeCrimes, I thought it was necessary to get the very similar themed TRIANGLE finally watched. I must admit the two films are very similar, but also very different. Gone is the sci-fi aspect and in was the Bermuda triangle type element.

Here is my review…

TRIANGLE (2009)

Director Christopher Smith is probably best known for his witty comedy horror, Severance, where he managed to transport the very British workplace humour into a woodland slasher film with an amount of success. With TRIANGLE, Smith stays with in a genre he obviously loves while managing to set up a very disorientating and eerie ‘Bermuda Triangle Esque’ Horror / Mystery.

Melissa George turns out a great bit of acting in the role of Jess, and despite her characters inner turmoil and disturbed nature she still looks hot in a pair of hot pants and a tight vest. Jess is a troubled young woman whose mind seems to elsewhere, mostly worrying about her autistic son, when she joins a group of friends for a sailing trip on a fancy yacht. Whilst at sea a terrific storm sweeps in unexpected and over turns the yacht and then disappears as quickly as it arrived. The stranded group take refuge on an eerie and seemingly abandoned cruise liner, the SS Aeolus. It is here that Jess becomes entwined in an increasingly tense psychological nightmare as a sequence of events keeps repeating, all with an additional alternative version of herself.

The triumph of Triangle is the circular narrative, it is hard to second guess and we see scenes over and over from different angles all the time learning a different understanding of what we have seen. As I said before Melissa George is excellent as she delivers different levels of emotion – madness, anger, sympathy and menace – all the time wielding an axe!

Director Smith pulls no punches in delivering some startling burst of action and violence all tied together with some brilliant tension. The sense of foreboding is ever-present and there are some brilliant light bulb moments that totally shock you into submission, but I cannot say any more on that subject without verging into spoiler territory.

The main problem with TRIANGLE, apart form the fact that it seems to find it hard to know when to quit, and the final act becomes a bit heavy-handed, is that it is so similar to TimeCrimes but with less subtlety and humour. Fans of the Spanish low-budget sci-fi flick will be slapping their forehead through out in disbelief on how many scenes were ‘borrowed’, even down to the menacing bandaged figure.

All in all though, Triangle is a good effort at a time travelling film, it is enjoyable and tense with a great reveal. It is just a shame it is not as original as it pretend to be.

About The Author – Scott Lawlor

Chief Editor of FRC. A self confessed geek with an unhealthy thirst for all things Home Cinema. Whether it is the latest Action film or Subwoofer. Check out his home set up HERE

Have you been hacked before? Have you seen TRIANGLE? Comment below…

Weekend Round-Up – The Joy of Being HACKED and Triangle Review. is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

I have lost count of the times I’ve written the line ‘yet another found footage film’ but if they keep making them I’ll keep watching them, as amongst the more derivative offerings there are occasional scares and moments of inspired genius, with some of the better films of the genre instilling pure terror into their audiences. I was hoping Tape 407 would fall into the latter camp and as it is the best way to approach these types of films I purposely avoided reading anything about the story beforehand so that any unexpected shocks would have a greater impact.

We are introduced to two sprightly young girls boarding a half empty plane and it is the younger of the pair who enjoys documenting everything on her video camera much to the annoyance of her older sister. There is a brief introduction to some of the other passengers before the plane hits turbulence and spirals out of control towards the ground. This is probably the most effective scene in the film as the build up to the crash is pretty intense, with solid direction that gives the audience brief glimpses of the carnage whilst still leaving much to the imagination.

Once back on solid ground the film’s direction takes a turn for the worse with a scene highly reminiscent of the Lost characters first encounter with a strange creäture moving through the dense jungle. However, Tape 407 has none of the tension or suspense that made the audience come back to Lost time and time again. There are occasional moments of terror but after our first glimpse of the creäture which is stalking the survivors the film quickly turns into a farce due to the implausibility of the situation and the lack of an explanation behind the story. A disappointing denouement attempts to wrap up obvious gripes the audience will have with the script but this feels rushed and is unsatisfying, leaving the viewer with a bitter taste as Tape 407 had the potential to be something so much better.

Criticisms aside, the camerawork was fairly impressive for a found footage horror and the cast did a commendable job of portraying people under the severe strain of trauma from a crash who are thrown into a new and even more deadly environment soon after. As always in these films poor decisions are made by the characters but at least the events in Tape 407 go some way towards explaining why they probably haven’t got their heads screwed on, with everyone suffering injuries from the initial crash that undoubtedly impede their later judgement.

As far as found footage horrors go it is unlikely that Tape 407 will be remembered in years to come, when it is revealed what has been stalking the survivors it is a huge disappointment, almost laughable in fact, and the avid horror fan will have seen countless similar films that are far superior in recent years. With the interest in found footage horror waning, Tape 407 is unfortunately nothing other than another nail in what some may believe is a long overdue coffin.

About The Author – Tom Bielby

Long time film fan and aspiring film writer, Tom is a horror fanatic who wasted far too much time at University sitting through every film in the IMDB Top 250. He is partial to foreign films and cult cinema and would love to rid the world of people who rustle their popcorn during important scenes. He can be found on Twitter under the alias @filmbantha

Do you like found footage horror films or does too much shakey cam leave you nauseous? We will look forward to hearing your thoughts below.

DVD Review – Tape 407 is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

One of the most unlucky and unfortunate film-makers of recent times, Terry Gilliam is a highly distinctive director with his creative flair stemming from the years he spent in the company of the Monty Python team and his films, whilst almost always bizarre, often verge on the brink of genius. Amongst his setbacks are countless altercations with studios, most famously over the final cut of Brazil, the untimely passing of Heath Ledger halfway through shooting his last film The Imagination of Dr. Parnassus and the complete destruction of his set whilst filming his adaptation of Don Quixote. This last event was one of a number of factors that led to this film being shelved and although I was saddened that we may never see Gilliam’s take on the story it led me to one of the best documentaries out there about film-making, Lost in La Mancha, which highlights the problems he encountered on set.

After all of his bad luck, I don’t think anyone would be surprised if Gilliam stopped making films altogether. Whilst his recent output has not been up to the high standard set by his earlier films, he still has the strength of character to persist as a director and I for one relish each of his films for the weird and wonderful creations they are.

Essential Films:

Brazil

Originally coined 1984 1/2, Gilliam’s tale of a dystopian future where society is ruled by burecraucy is a compelling film that showcases his ability to create unique and exciting fantasy worlds where anything can happen. Jonathan Pryce stars as Sam Lowry, a lowly admin worker who finds himself targeted by the state when trying to rectify an error that could lead to the death of an innocent man. It contains one of the most downbeat but also one of the most powerful endings I have ever seen and although others have tried to imitate it since, Brazil remains a masterpiece that cannot be equalled.

Time Bandits

Family fantasy movies don’t come more entertaining or as twisted as Time Bandits, with another infamously dark ending that children are unlikely to dwell on thanks to the humour throughout. A young boy joins a band of time travelling dwarves who seek out antiques from different time eras only to be chased by a sinister figure intent on stopping their wicked ways. A childhood favourite, but also a film I can return to as an adult and enjoy just as much, Time Bandits was the first of Gilliam’s trilogy of imagination which loosely charts the growth of man. Followed by Brazil and concluded with Baron Munchausen, the trilogy is linked thematically and all films are coherent in both style and imagination, which is a perfect reflection of Gilliam’s unique talent as a director.

Twelve Monkeys

A loose retelling of the French classic La Jetee, Twelve Monkeys is a highly imaginative sci-fi that depicts a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by illness. One of humanity’s last hopes is sent back in time to prevent the spread of infection before it can begin but when he is confined to a mental institute his story becomes less believable and the viewer undoubtedly questions its authenticity. Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt both put in career defining performances that make 12 Monkeys gripping throughout, if only Gilliam was given a larger budget more often as there is no denying that he has the capability to come up with the goods.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Along with Terry Jones, Gilliam directed the Monty Python troupe’s first foray into the world of film and although Monty Python and the Holy Grail is rough around the edges this tends to add to the overall charm of the picture. Full of hilariously unforgettable set-pieces, the story (if you can call it a story) follows King Arthur and his knights who encounter increasingly ridiculous obstacles during their search for the grail. One of the best British comedies of all time, without this masterpiece of tomfoolery we may never have been privileged enough to have witnessed Gilliam’s madcap genius on a grander scale in his later classics.

Recommended Films:

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen – The third of his ‘Trilogy of Imagination’ films is a superb film that worsened Gilliam’s bad reputation with the big studios when the budget nearly doubled. I’m glad it did though as it gave rise to some of the most bizarre creations ever seen in a Gilliam film.

The Fisher King – Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges are a match made in heaven in this unique drama that highlights Gilliam’s more emotional side. When a down on his luck DJ befriends a homeless tramp, neither of the pair can anticipate how much they will change each other’s lives.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – A crazy adaptation of the Hunter S Thompson novel that does a commendable job of making a drug-addled binge interesting to watch. Depp and Del Toro are outstanding and there is an interesting early performance from Tobey Maguire years before he became a household name as Spiderman.

Tideland – Dark drama about the innocence of childhood that is disturbing but captivating throughout. Proof that Gilliam is still willing to take risk’s despite often being shunned by Hollywood.

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus – More than just Heath Ledger’s swan song, Dr. Parnassus was a bold move for Gilliam, who chose to continue filming despite the loss of his star. This is a compelling fantasy and works well considering the decision to have four actors playing the lead role was made at the very last-minute.

Films to Avoid:

Jabberwocky – After the success of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Gilliam thought he was ready to strike out alone with another comedy but sadly he wasn’t and despite moments of inspired madness it is for the most part very dull.

The Brothers Grimm – Gilliam and the brothers Grimm seems like a match made in heaven, especially as he is clearly a fan of warped fairy tales but sadly this lacklustre effort fails to deliver.

About The Author – Tom Bielby

Long time film fan and aspiring film writer, Tom is a horror fanatic who wasted far too much time at University sitting through every film in the IMDB Top 250. He is partial to foreign films and cult cinema and would love to rid the world of people who rustle their popcorn during important scenes. He can be found on Twitter under the alias @filmbantha

Are you a fan of Gilliam or do his bizarre films leave you wondering what on earth have you just witnessed? Let us know your thoughts below.

Director Showcase – Terry Gilliam is a post from: FrontRoomCinema

Luke Grima is a good friend of mine, now please do not hold that against him. He is a great writer and editor of the new and up and coming website ‘Wanna Go To The Movies?‘ so please check it out when you get a chance, also give him a follow on twitter @LGrima.

The ‘Born Into Film’ series of lists is the brainchild of Mike P Williams, staff writer here at FRC. The idea is simple -

List a group of films that were released on the year you were born that you would still like to watching today. No rules on list length, it is up to you. As a bonus, list 3 people or so that were born the same year as you that you admire, either because of their acting / directing / writing skills, or even just because they are hot.

The previous weeks can be found here…

1983 – John Dougherty

1984 – Mike Williams

1985 – Niels De Vita

1987 – Tom Bielby

1995 – Stevee Taylor

Without further ado, here is Lukes entry…

1989! Bit of a mixed year really. The 80′s finally coming to end as we transition to the next decade but what was it like for films? Well it was sequels galore! But somewhat decent sequels none the less. So let me transport you back 22 years ago! Cue wavy screen-with-harp-music… *dulerdoo dulerdoo dulerdoo*

BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II

Marty McFly and Doc Brown return for the second instalment in one of my favourite film franchises ever. Back To The Future Part II might not be the best sequel among critics but I bloody love this film. It’s full of items that we all craved straight after! Hoverboard and power laced Nikes anyone!?

INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE

The third instalment and the last film in the trilogy (back then anyways). The Last Crusade is probably my favourite Indy sequel, mainly due to the genius inclusion of Sean Connery as Henry Jones. “Junior!”.

HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS

Honey I Shrunk The Kids was a firm favourite during my childhood, the sets were utterly awesome for the time and so were the effects. Directed by Joe Johnson who would then give us The Rocketeer and Captain America.

LETHAL WEAPON 2

Riggs and Murtaugh aren’t ‘too old for this shit’ just yet, in fact there still getting started! I love the Lethal Weapon series just as much as Die Hard. The introduction of Joe Pesci is a slice of comic genius, “Diplomatic immunity”

BILL AND TEDS EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

I watched this film hundreds of times when I was growing up, I found it hilarious and exciting at the same time. So much so I used to try to recreate the time traveling by going behind the living room door with the old corded telephone!

UNCLE BUCK

This film is a timeless classic. Probably one of the late great John Candy’s best. It’s funny and incredibly sweet. I remember the kitchen door swing smack had me in stitches that I would ALWAYS rewind to watch again and again on the old VHS tape.

GHOSTBUSTERS II

A lot don’t seem to like Ghostbusters II, granted in comparison to the first its a blob of slime but I think it’s still got that ‘buster charm and wit. Plus Bill Murray is still on top form.

PARENTHOOD

Ron Howard’s comedy/drama is seriously underrated. Another film I remember watching a fair few times. Had a great ensemble cast and some decent performances, but I will always remember it for that certain ‘bowel movement’ song…

THE ABYSS

I’m not a big James Cameron fan but strangely The Abyss is one of his films I have seen several times, more so than Terminator! I think I loved the deep-sea aquatic storyline, even if it is over 145 minutes!

TURNER & HOOCH

It’s a Tom Hanks film, ’nuff said right? You can’t go wrong with Turner & Hooch. A cop with a sidekick dog that slobbers and chews everything in sight!

Notable actresses born in ’89

Lilly Collins

Hayden Panettiere

Mia Wasikowska

Elizabeth Olsen

Notable actors born in ’89

Daniel Radcliffe

Anton Yelchin

Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Nicholas Hoult

Did you enjoy Luke’s list? Do you want to do one? Comment below…

Thursday List – Born Into Film:1989 – Luke Grima is a post from: FrontRoomCinema