Darth Stujitzu's Reviews

Series 7 : The Contenders


2001 Directed by : Daniel Minahan


The ultimate tv reality show has the ultimate prize, the contestants lives.

Picked by a chance lottery, the contenders are thrown into a deadly cat and mouse game to ensure their survival, they must eliminate the competition with deadly force.
This film is shot in a mockumentary style that parodies so many different tv reality shows that seem to have become a mainstay of tv viewing over the last 10 years or so, there are clear nods to such shows like Survivor, Jerry Springfield and Cops.
Shot totally on digital video, Series 7 has a believeable realistic feel that mocks its many famous influences, apart from the graphic violence and contraversial subject matter, it could probably easily pass as just another reality show, but clever writting, great humour and clever insights into American tv culture make Series 7 a very watchable parody.
There is plenty of black humour, irony and subtle little touches that made me laugh from start to finish, and perhaps the subtle irony the filmmakers used was a little too ironic for the mainstream audience of filmgoers which is why this film was never as popular or wide-seen as it shiould have been.
Not for everyone, but for those like me that despair at reality tv, this is a very funny poke in the eye directed at those responsabile for giving us such drivel on our screens.



Rating 3.5/5

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Toga, toga, toga......


Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour?

Genghis Blues

1995 Directed by : Adrian & Roko Belic


Genghis Blues follows legendary blind R&B guitar man Paul Pena on his journey to compete in the 1995 Tuvan throat-signing contest in the remote land of Tuva north of Outer Mongolia.

Paul Pena is one of those amazing people that has managed to lead an extraordinary life despite being blind since childhood, despite his disability Paul is widely regarded as one of the best R&B guitarists on the planet, and has worked with the likes of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and BB King.
Paul came across throat-singing by chance, but through his determination he went on to learn the art which was eventually to lead him to compete in Tuva.
A heart warming story that crosses many divides, and proves that if the mind is willing, almost anything can be achieved.
A documentary for those that like to witness the triumph of the human spirit, and the coming together of two vastly different cultures through a common love of music.


Rating 4/5 ( check out Samsonite delilah's review, another fine recommendation.)

9 Songs


2004 Directed by : Michael Winterbottom


Set over the period of around a year, 9 Songs follows an intense sexual relationship between Matt and American Lisa.
For those unaware of the contraversial nature of this film, the actors partook in graphic actual sex scenes, and as such it has fairly graphic sexual scenes from the begining.
Winterbottom as director has made a brave choice by filming this feature, but it is the two leads who may have committed career suicide, some would say Kieran O'Brien and Margo Stilley have made a brave and contraversial decision, but from watching the DVD extras Stilley comes across more as nieve.
The film itself is no great shakes, the 9 Songs of the title refer to various concerts the couple attend, indeed it comes across as more of a music dvd at times than an attempted serious movie. Apart from the graphic sex scenes, neither character is fully developed and as such it is difficult to like either. In fact as a couple they come across as fairly unremarkeable and unintresting, it certainly came across as a relationship built only on sex, wheather that was intentional, I'm not sure.

Its not hard to understand why this film sunk fairly quickly after the initial contraversy.


Rating 1/5 ( more for the music than the fairly unemotional detached sex scenes, the soundtrack would be a better bet! )

Finding Neverland

2004 Directed by : Marc Forster

Based on the story of Peter Pan writer JM Barrie and his unconventional friendship with a widow and her four boys.

Johnny Depp is one of my favourite actors, but I put off seing this film for ages, it just didn't appeal to me that much.
First lets get one thing out of the way, Depp's Scottish accent is one of the better I've heard in most movies. Mike Myers in " So I married an axe murder " and " Shrek " is still my favourite, even though both are slightly over the top, but Depp's subtle attempt at the Scottish brogue is a worthy attempt.
This is a nice little movie, always intresting with great little insights into where Barrie got some of his inspiration for Peter Pan, more of a kids movie, but adults will find plenty to keep them intrested.
The main actors are all great, this is more a vehicle for Depp and Kate Winslett, but they are abely supported by a fine cast including Dustin Hoffman and a cameo by one of Britains best comedy writers Paul Whitehouse.
Not as much fantasy as other movies surrounding Peter Pan, but still highly enjoyable if slightly unspectacular.


Rating 3/5

Wow, look at you go! Nice reviews, Darth, thanks!!

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Review: Cabin in the Woods 8/10

Too much caffine today!
Took the weekend off as it was Easter, back to the hard graft tomorrow!
Thanks for stopping by Sammy D.

The Missing

2003 Directed by : Ron Howard.

A woman ( Cate Blanchett ) forms an uneasy alliance with her estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones ) when her eldest daughter is kidnapped by a rogue Indian Chief.

I had missed this in the cinema, and to be honest had totally forgotten about it until I saw it in the Virgin sale at measly £3.
£3 for a Ron Howard flick, what madness was this?
OK, to be honest, the Missing is an ok film, not up there with Howard, or Lee Jones best work, which is a shame as the story was definetly an intresting one.
American Indian history fascinates me, and as such I expected to really enjoy the Missing, but unlike Howards other films it lacks drama and tension.
The film is watchable without ever being compelling viewing, a great director, cast and story should have been handled better, and as such I was ultimately left feeling underwhelmed by the whole experience, it also could have been half an hour shorter.

Dissapointing fair from an established director like Howard.


Rating 3/5 ( OK, but could have been so much better )

Bad Education


2004 Directed by : Pedro Almodovar


Two school friends are reunited after several years apart, Enrique a film director and Ignacio a young upcoming actor. Together they open up old wounds from their school days, but what other secrets is Ignacio keeping?

Firstly an apology, I feel a bit of a fraud, despite my love of foreign films, this was my first Almodovar film. I recently bought his boxset, a miserly £30 for 5 films, including " All about my mother ", " talk to her ", " tie me up, tie me down " and " Live flesh ".
Although I've not watched his films, I'm aware of Almodovar's style and reputation, and was eager to disect it for myself.

I picked Bad Education first because Gael Garcia Bernal was in it, an actor I'm a big fan of, Bernal plays the mysterious Ignacio a man with many secrets some of which are revealed through his new screenplay. The are several stories interweaved, and right from the opening title sequence there is a real film noir feel to the film with several Hitchcock traits thrown in for good measure.
There are similarities to the Waschowski Brothers' film Bound, and if you enjoyed that, you should enjoy Bad Education.
Bad Education is what a modern Noir film should be, an intriguing story with twists and turns, suspicion and counter suspicion that is tightly wound, well acted and directed.
I'm aware that Bad Education is seen as a break from the norm by Almodovar, I just hope his other films are as well crafted and directed with such flourish, in due time, I'll let you know.


Rating 4/5

La mala educacion is one of his weaker films IMHO, my favourites are Hable con ella and Todo sobre mi madre....both much better than La mala educacion. i'm sure you wont be dissapointed....

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Hey adidasss, long time no hear, thanks for stopping by!
Looking forward to watching more Almodovar films.

I have only seen " tie me up, tie me down " so better get to it and, see more.

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Buddha

i think people should be warned, it has very explicit gay content.....just sayin...

Thanks, but I will still keep my eye open for it.

Ooooooh you saucy mare you!!!!
Yeah I forgot to mention the graphic sex scenes, I tend to forget that European movies are more risque with their attitude towards sex, but hey, we're all adults here.

We are!

Night Watch


2004 Directed By : Timur Bekmambetov


Russian vampire flick focusing on the fight between good and evil.


I'd heard so much about Night Watch, and from watching the trailer I was filled with expectation for this modern day vampire film set in Russia.
The first part of a planned triology, Night Watch is the set up movie which details how the conflict started, the impending second coming of a new messiah and one man's struggle to come to terms with his part in all of this.
To be honest, after viewing Night Watch, I'm slightly disappointed, perhaps I was hoping for more than Russia's version of Blade, and although there were some very cool special effects, some of the acting was sub-standard and the story wasn't all that great.
The main problem I had with Night Watch was that in trying to be an American blockbuster, it has lost something in translation. The story is fairly simple to follow, but ultimately if it wasn't for the sub-titles there is nothing to distinguish it from many other lacklustre copy cats from the other side of the pond. Maybe it's just me, but when I normally watch a foreign film I'm looking for something different, I'm a big fan of french cinema which for me is more inventive because it tries not to copy American movies but instead stamps its own identity on the film.
Night Watch is a decent film without being a real standout, obviously a huge american marketing campaign has paved the way for the planned sequals, hopefully they will be slightly better, but ultimately it feels like a bit of a sell out by the Russian director.


Rating 3/5

that's funny, if there's one cinematography in europe that I would say tries way to hard to copy Hollywood, it would be the french cinematography....

We'll agree to disagree, I've been a huge fan of French cinema for many years, to be honest I feel that Hollywood has stolen a lot from French filmmakers over the years because of their lazy and uninspiring attitude to filmmaking.
French films have a more polished feel to them because of the money spent by huge French companies like Canal+ who invested heavily in the American film market during the 80's, and as such know how to make big blockbuster type films but at the same time keep some of their individual identity.
Luc Besson , JP Jeunet and Christopher Gans have a very unique and different style of filmmaking which has paved the way for them to move to Hollywood and direct big budget films, they are of course the latest in a long line of European directors to make their mark in America.
My views are based more on stories and style of directing rather than production values and the finished look of the film which has become more Americanised over the last decade.

hmm, I'll be checking this one out simply because I'm a horror fan.

Cheers for the review.

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Suspect's Reviews

Brick

2005 Directed by : Rian Johnson


Brick follows Brendan, a high-school loner on the trail of his missing ex-girlfriend after she comes to him begging for help in her tricky and confusing current situation.

I was so looking forward to this film, the trailers and reviews I'd read and seen had grabbed my attention big time. As a fan of film noir, I was eagerly expecting a real treat.

Brick is a decent film, shades of Memento and Twin Peaks, but ultimately the film's language often had me confused. It's fair to say Brick is a film that you have to give all of your attention to from the first frame to the last, there are a few twists and turns, and some great cinematography but it is easy to get distracted and lost in this film if you don't give it your full attention.
I have no doubt that Brick like Donnie Darko will go onto gain cult status, and whilst I enjoyed both films, I can't help but feel that both didn't work hard enough to gain their iconic status.
Language aside, there is a lot to recommend about Brick, there are some very strong performances with what must have been a difficult script to totally comprehend, Joseph Gordon Levitt continues to grow in stature as an actor, and Lukas Haas and Nora Zehetner both abely complement him in their supporting roles.
As a film maker, I'm always looking for shots, effects or editing that I've not seen before, or that intrest me, and in Brick there were plenty of these to keep me intrested.
Although the film was confusing at points, and although I didn't totally understand the language, it all came together to a satisfactory but not brilliant ending.


Definetly a film you have to be in the right mood for, and one that demands your full attention.

Rating 3.5/5