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Rare Exports : A Christmas Tale (2010) – Movie Review ★★★★
“This Christmas Everyone Will Believe In Santa Clause”
Director: Jalmari Helander Cast: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Tommi Korpela, Rauno Juvonen, Jens Sivertsen & Risto Salmi Synopsis: In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, lies Christmas’s biggest secret – a sacred grave where the occupant is awaiting excavation – It’s Christmas Eve in the wintery depth’s of Finland, and an ‘archeological’ dig has just unearthed the real Santa Claus. But this no ordinary white bearded, present baring Santa this is one nasty piece of work – and after the local children in their town begin mysteriously disappearing, a reindeer hunter’s son Pietari and his father Rauno set out to capture Santa, free the children and sell his ass to the evil, misguided boss of the corporation sponsoring the dig. But Santa has some helpers and his elves, will stop at nothing to free their master – Verdict: Based on the 2003 short, Rare Exports Inc., by Jalmari & Juuso Helander – Rare Exports : A Christmas Tale is one of them movies that until now has escaped my film watching radar, this is not a traditional festive movie so whilst eating your mince pies & your craving that slice of sentimentality, that warm feeling that the likes of It’s A Wonderful Life or White Christmas give you then stay well clear of Rare Exports – Jalmari Helander‘s movie is a well wrapped creepy Finnish Horror that succeeds in it’s cool & unique concept and delivers in it’s finale a festive message that’s of equal to the Christmas Classics of yesteryear – I must stress although the main star of the film is Onni Tommila who is absolutely brilliant like a throwback to them child star of the classic 80s movies Rare Exports is not really a movie for children as it contains a twisted, violent storyline that feature Slaughtered Reindeer and Naked Elves, it’s a much more evil, black humored take on our puffy faced, sleigh riding Saint Nick Overall: Rare Exports is one of the most delightful, enjoyable movies I’ve had the pleasure of watching over the holiday season for many a year, not since 74’s Black Christmas have I drooled over the screen, laughed and hid cowering behind my pillow – Rare Exports : A Christmas Tale is one film I shall no doubt add to my every growing list of Annual Festive viewings – it’s a truly brilliant, original and surprisingly fun movie !!
Here’s two new images from movies that already have my film juices flowing – the top still is from Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. yep that one! based on the popular 1960s TV series and stars Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki and Jared Harris – and the bottom image is from EVEREST starring Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes and Jake Gyllenhaal and is directed by Baltasar Kormákur – Enjoy !!
There’s always been great movies that have come out of Australia : Walkabout, Picnic at hanging Rock, Mad Max, Gallipoli, Crocodile Dundee, Dead Calm, Romper Stomper, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Tomorrow When the War Began, Animal Kingdom, Wolf Creek, Snowtown & many many more… And in 2014 Australian Cinema has continued its fine tradition of bringing us yet more fresh, well acted, gritty & excitingly told new movies – of course there are so many quality films out there but here’s my 5 must see Aussie flicks of 2014
The beloved British Comic Actor Rik Mayall has died suddenly aged 56 – like many that grew up during the 80’s & 90’s watching shows such as The Young Ones, Black Adder, Filthy Rich & Catflap, The New Statesman and Bottom his passing will be sad but also a moment to reflect on one of the greatest and I must say underrated comics of our time – his partnership with Adrian Edmondson was a master class of violent filthy humor, a rare double act that never disappointed and one that always made me smile – whether it be the flat mates Richard Richard and Edward Hitler from the superb 90’s show Bottom or students in the 80’s Vyvyan and Rick from The Young Ones they were just so damn good together – instead of wiping a tear load that DVD player up and raise a toast to one of the funniest comics to grace our screens….
Here’s a new movie poster, the latest trailer and some stills for THE MAZE RUNNER a post-apocalyptic adventure that is based around the 2009 novel by James Dashner – It’s the latest in the craze of possible young adults film franchises similar to those that have come before: The Mortal Instruments, The Hunger Games and this years Divergent and it’s full of familiar faces too: Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf), Will Poulter (We’re the Millers), Thomas Brodie Sangster (Game of Thrones) and Ki Hong Lee (The Nine Lives of Chole King) – judging by this early teaser the film’s got lot’s of promise, it has an interesting almost Cube like premise played out within a dark and futuristic setting – take a peek and then mark your calendar…. Enjoy!
The Maze Runner – US 19th September) – UK (24th October) – Australia (18th September)
HER (2014) – Movie Review ★★★★½
Director: Spike Jonze – Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt & Scarlett Johansson – Synopsis: The latest directorial feature from the mind of Spike Jonze tells the story of Theodore Twombly (Phoenix) a complex and somewhat lonely individual who makes his living writing personal letters for other people. After Theodore’s marriage comes to and end he becomes intrigued with a new operating system, and a voice within that system called Samantha, a bright, female voice, who is insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny. The two of them strike up an unusual friendship and slowly but surely Theodore falls deeply in love – Verdict: Spike Jonze’s HER has joined Being John Malkovich, Adaptation and Where the Wild Things Are amongst the strangest, yet wonderful, original achievements I have witnessed on a cinema screen in over twenty years – and like it’s predecessors HER is a thought provoking, visually stunning and emotionally haunting movie, Phoenix gives yet another acting masterclass playing the sensitive, almost huggable Theodore and he is well supported by the delightful Amy Adams who plays his best friend and Scarlett Johannson who lends her seductive, husky vocals for Samantha – One thing I always like about a Spike Jonze feature is his camera work and the beautiful images he manages to capture and HER is full of them, one of my favorite moments in the movie is when Theodore lets Samantha guide him through a small fair, with his eyes closed Theodore follows Samantha’s instructions, spinning, sneezing and eventually ordering some food, it’s gorgeous to watch – overall HER is a worthy addition to any movie collection – it’s sad, funny and somewhat scary but one that will have you talking about it’s content for many years to come….superb!
Here’s two pretty Badass movie posters from upcoming action flicks that I’m excited to watch on the big screen – after it’s horrible 1998 version it’s down to British filmmaker Gareth Edwards (Monsters) to send GODZILLA back to it’s rightful place amongst the “King of all Monsters” – then we have the first of many movie posters (I’m sure) from Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY directed by James Gunn – the film pitts Peter Quill and his band of merry outlaws against the evil and villainous Ronan – take a peek…. Enjoy!
THE BAG MAN is a taut crime thriller that follows JACK (John Cusack), a tough guy with chronic bad luck but human touches, and legendary crime boss DRAGNA (Robert De Niro). DRAGNA has summoned JACK and a host of shady characters to a remote bayou motel for unknown reasons, and over the course of a long and violently eventful night, Jack’s path crosses with the stunningly beautiful RIVKA (Rebecca Da Costa). All of their fates intertwine, and when Dragna arrives on the scene there are sudden and extreme consequences for everyone involved – David Grovic makes his directorial debut working with a cast that includes Robert De Niro, John Cusack, Crispin Glover, Dominic Purcell, Sticky Fingaz and Rebecca Da Costa – here’s some new character posters and the trailer…. Enjoy!
The beautiful and super talented child actress SHIRLEY TEMPLE has died aged 85 – her roles in the Mid to Late 30’s made her a box office draw and in 1935 she was awarded an Academy Award for her outstanding contribution to screen entertainment that year – In her movie career Shirley Temple went on to star alongside some of Hollywood’s finest including John Wayne in Fort Apache, Claudette Colbert in Since You Went Away and Cary Grant in The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer – although the movie world has lost another star Shirley’s beauty, her infectious smile and that sweet singing voice will shine on through her legacy of movies for years to come….
From Seth MacFarlane the man who brought us the hilarious TED comes A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST a new comedy western following a coward of a farmer who seeks the help of a gunslinger’s wife to help him win back the woman who deserted him – the film stars Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Liam Neeson, Neil Patrick Harris, Giovanni Ribisi and Sarah Silverman – here’s some brilliant character posters along with the new redband (adults only) trailer…. Enjoy!
A Million Ways to Die in the West – US (30th May) – UK (6th June) – Australia (29th June)
“A series of brutal murders puts the lives of three men on a collision course”
from filmmaker’s Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado comes the highly anticipated revenge thriller BIG BAD WOLVES – the movie stars Lior Ashkenazi, Tzahi Grad & Doval’e Glickman – Here’s four alternate movie posters…. Enjoy!
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (2014) – Movie Review ★★★★
August: Osage County stars Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Abigail Breslin, Dermot Mulroney, Sam Shepard, Julianne Nicholson, Margo Martindale and Misty Upham – Written by Tracy Letts, brought to the screen by John Wells (The Company Men) and based on the Pulitzer Prize–winning play of the same name August: Osage County takes a look at the lives of the Weston family, whose paths reunite after a family crisis brings them all back together to the house they all grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them – VERDICT Compelling, Exhausting, Depressing and Chaotic just a few words to describe my experience with John Well’s big screen adaption of August: Osage County – I’ve seen some great performances by an actress in 2013/14 but Meryl Streep’s Violet is by far & away the best of the bunch, her passion & energy in displaying the vast emotions of the cancer stricken, pill popping mum who’s pretty much angry or drugged up the majority of the time is fabulous to watch – Julia Roberts gives her best acting display since Erin Brokovich playing the eldest daughter and Chris Cooper, the ever reliable Margo Martindale and Julianne Nicholson are all superb in support – some of my favorite scenes in the movie include that moment when Charlie aka: Chris Cooper says Grace at the dinner table, the wonderful moment when young Charlie sings to Ivy and that delightfully funny scene with Violet, Barbara and Ivy around the table “Eat the Fish Bitch” whilst Ivy is trying to tell her mum that she’s in love with young Charlie – overall August: Osage County is not just a platform for A-List actors to strut their stuff, it’s a beautiful at times depressing story of a dysfunctional family brought together in a time of crisis and what plays out is like a roller coaster ride, that’s intense, riveting and altogether emotionally exhausting….
12 YEARS A SLAVE (2014) – Movie Review ★★★★½
12 Years a Slave stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong’o, Sarah Paulson and Brad Pitt – Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Solomon Northup a free black man from upstate New York who is tricked by two con men, abducted and sold into slavery and sent to New Orleans – the film is based on a memoir written in 1853 by Northup himself and brought to the screen by the director of Shame Steve McQueen. VERDICT the last time I felt this appalled at the cruelty of my fellow human whilst watching a movie was Spielberg’s Schindler’s List – McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave is one of those rare films that through all the heartbreak and unimaginable horror that’s taking place on screen, you find yourself submerged in the characters & unable to avert your eyes from it – unlike Tarantino’s dark humored Django Unchained, McQueen’s movie about American Slavery has nothing to smile about, it’s brutal, uncompromising and delivers an intense powerful history lesson to those who may have forgotten our past – along with a haunting soundtrack by Gladiator’s Hans Zimmer and a well worked script by U-Turn’s John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave is a picture driven by some courageous actors giving staggering performances, the likes of Chiwetel Ejiofor playing the lead of Solomon Northup, a family man snatched and sold into slavery, Michael Fassbender who plays Edwin Epps, a cruel plantation owner who whips and sexually abuses his slaves, and Lupita Nyong’o making her feature movie debut playing Patsey – McQueen uses his directing trait of intimate camera shots, taking the viewer as close to the action as possible, you almost feel the blood spraying from the backs of the victims as they are whipped and in some of the movie’s scenes you feel like you’re watching it all in slow motion, the camera pauses almost admiring it’s shot, a fine example of this is when when Northup is hung from a tree, his feet barley touching the floor, everything is going on about him whilst he struggles with every breath to stay alive – it’s great film-making allowing the viewer to feel the intimacy & at times suffocation of that particular scene, a technique all too evident in McQueen’s previous 2 pictures behind the camera – if I was being slightly negative I would have increased the movies run time slightly but overall 12 Years a Slave is Steve McQueen’s masterpiece, a beautifully shot, uncomfortable to watch epic and one that should be watched by all….
Like most I first came across the name Mel Gibson back in the 80’s whilst watching the classic movie Mad Max and Its sequel The Road Warrior – after two movies I was already in awe of this actor with his distinct chiseled features, his well formed action physique and his deep piercing blue eyes – you just knew that this actor with a swagger of a more seasoned pro would one day rule the acting boardwalks and that movie greatness was just around the corner. Combining star quality with actual talent is rare amongst the modern crop of Hollywood’s A-List stars but one thing for certain is that Mel Gibson has it in abundance – reminiscence of screen greats of yesteryear Steve McQueen, John Wayne and Kirk Douglas Mel Gibson always manages to fill the screen with this almighty presence, he approaches his work in a very cavalier manner and has this uncanny ability to captivate his audience, whether that be in the action arena or throwing it down on the comedy circuit Mel Gibson has the tools for any occasion.
With the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon film franchises, a Best Director & Best Picture Oscar for 1995’s Brave Heart and his lead starring role in countless other movies throughout the years to only pick 3 of his best most significant films for this post has been beyond difficult – to celebrate his 58th Birthday and my 100th post here’s the Essential Mel Gibson
A deserved mention to notable absentees that are also vintage Mel Gibson – Conspiracy Theory, Mad Max, Maverick, Ransom, Signs, Gallipoli, The Beaver and Tequila Sunrise (and for that matter anything else that Mel Gibson has had a starring role in)
absolutebadasses 