The latest reviews of DVD's and classic films from FilmCritic and contributors

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Bubba Ho-Tep

One and a half words spring to mind when watching this film - B Movie. Hailed as a cult movie classic, Bubba Ho-Tep is a comedy horror that quite possibly tries too hard to reach that 'cult' status. The one and only Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead) plays Elvis Presley in a fight against a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy wreaking havoc through his Texas nursing home.

So how does an Egyptian mummy figure in all of this? The story unfolds as the peace is shattered by cockroaches the size of a fist that, get this, attack the residents by flying at them upon purple wings. Bizarre isn’t the word. Toilet humour to boot includes the method ‘ole Bubba Ho-Tep’ uses to keep alive in such an unnatural condition – sucking his victims souls through their ‘arseholes’.

A strange, strange movie with theatrically lit scenes owing a touch of tack and camera shots most directors avoid using for a good reason. Great if you like comedy horrors and spoofs, but leave it on the shelf if you like a sensible plot, 'cause boy does this not have one.

Severance

Directed By: Christopher Smith
Starring: Danny Dyer, Laura Harris, Tim McInnerny, Toby Stephens
Running Time: 91 mins.
Review By: Damien Matthews

Deep in a dark and isolated wood a handful of good guys hide inside a rickety old cabin as ‘a big bad wolf’ huffs and puffs to blow the old house down. From classic horror flicks such as The Evil Dead (1981) and Friday the 13^th  (1980) to modern day slashers such as Dog Soldiers (2002) and Cabin Fever (2002) horror writers have survived on this classic ‘3 little pigs’ siege formula for over 30 years.

Now the familiar and bloody formula gets a twist of British humour, thanks to Director Christopher Smith and a cast including Danny Dyer (The Football Factory (2004), Mean Machine (2001) and Tim McInnerny (Tv’s Blackadder 1982-1989, Notting Hill (1999).

The story behind Severance takes place as a group of 7 colleagues from weapons manufacturer Palisade Defence are rewarded with a team-bonding weekend at the company’s luxury lodge in the forests of Eastern Europe. After getting lost on their travels they arrive at a cabin where a group of heavily armed assailants are waiting for them and looking for bloody revenge against employees of Palisade.

The plot is simple and the deaths violent as they often are in horror films but what sets this film apart from other horrors are its witty dialogue (often calmly delivered by Dyer) and its thirst for dark and often subtle comedy.  Its isolating setting and small cast means it is very dependent on the comic mannerisms of a few key characters for its laughs, much in the way that the Cohen Brothers Oscar winning dark comedy Fargo (1994) did in the snowy outback of Minnesota, in fact they both even have very iconic scenes featuring the disposal of a severed foot.

Severed feet aside, Severence’s cast led by the tense, unwavering Palisade boss Richard (Tim McInnerny) whose determination to have a productive and fun weekend in the countryside is only surpassed by Gordon (Andy Nyman), the nerdy adventure-seeking bosses pet whose untiring positive outlook in times of adversity is the source for much well scripted comedy.

The slightly intoxicated Steve (Danny Dyer) and leading lady Maggie (American actress Laura Harris) take the star roles as far as action is concerned, both characters lead the fight back through the military style assault course to safety with the gun toting, knife wielding assailants in hot pursuit. Severance lacks the warmness and character depth of recent British horror/comedy Shaun of the Dead (2004) but in all a very impressive well-acted horror/comedy with enough laughs and suspense to please fans of both genres.

The Disc provides a fairly generous offering of special features that should satisfy anyone’s lust for bear traps, crashing buses and Danny Dyer. The main feature being a 45-minute ‘making of Severance’ documentary which takes the viewer right through the Severance experience from writing and casting the script with Director and Co-Writer Christopher Smith to location shoots in Hungary and the Isle of Man and interviews with the cast and production team. This is a very insightful and interesting documentary, which even addresses a more serious side of the story in which cast and crew discuss the responsibility and moral issues of the fictional Palisade Corporation.

The Documentary enables the viewer to really get to know the cast and can observe a lot of similarities between the actors and the roles that they play. Outside the documentary the ‘not so special effects featurette’ (their words) also makes for exciting viewing as the cast and crew tackle the excitement and dangers of working with explosives, machine guns and bears, and revel in the spectacular stunts used in the film including a high speed bus crash scene which left its stunt driver temporarily unconscious.

The ‘Being Danny Dyer’ featurette is probably a bit unnecessary as it doesn’t really teach you anything interesting about the actor and is just mainly made up of footage of him hanging round the set. Although amusing in parts, Danny Dyer isn’t really prominent and interesting enough to warrant his own mini-documentary.

Brick

Directed By: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emilie De-Ravin, Nora Zehetner, Lukas Haas
Running Time: 110 mins
Released: 2005
Country: USA
Review by: Alexia Weeks

A cast of unknowns despite main character Brendan (Gordon-Levitt), Brick has an authentic feel to it that gets underneath your skin and refuses to budge. Beautifully shot and full of intrigue, Johnson’s critically acclaimed masterpiece whipped up a storm among indie cinema filmgoers when released two years ago.

Centred on love-sick Brendan, his troubled ex-girlfriend Emily (De-Ravin) and high school's equivalent to the Mafia, Brick is a frightening drama with a hint of teen angst lurking in the background. Tension builds up as questions remain unanswered; who is the Pin? Who killed Emily? And more importantly, what is the Brick? Codenames for just about everything and double-dealings with authority all add to the sense of foreboding that make this noir thriller more than just a teen flick.

Annoyingly it does happen to be one of those films based around school where no-one actually goes to class (think Elephant, the two films are similar in theme also) but the storyline is strong enough that most viewers wouldn’t notice. Instead, we follow the Third Rock From The Sun escapee as he delves into the underworld of drugs, deception and more violence than you can shake a fist at.

Give this film a look-in. It's almost like a comprehensible Lynch film, meaning you get your fix of intrigue and confusion but you don't come away with the headache.

Final Grade: ****

Image: Copyright of Focus Features. All Rights Reserved

Gosford Park

Directed by: Robert Altman
Starring: Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Clive Owen
Running Time: 132 mins
Released: 2001
Country: UK/USA
Review by: FilmCritic

After the recent passing of director Robert Altman, FilmCritic takes a look back at arguably his finest work, Gosford Park. Critically acclaimed on its release, the film picked up numerous awards and nominations including Best British Film at the BAFTAS and a nomination for Helen Mirren as Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars.

Essentially the plot is your archetypal murder mystery; members of the high society of the 1930’s are invited to a country estate for a weekend of drinking, shooting and other frivolities. The film is presented in an upstairs, downstairs style with half the film concentrating on the exploits of the guests upstairs and the other half on the goings on of the personal valets, cooks and butler downstairs.

The film has garnered a somewhat love it or hate it reputation with some claiming that it’s essentially a dull whodunit where the murder (not a spoiler…its in the trailer people!) takes place far too late in the story. I’d have to disagree with that assessment as its debatable whether the films main focal point is the murder itself; it would be more apt to describe it as a fascinating social commentary on the class divide.

With an ensemble cast consisting of many of today’s greats it’s difficult to pick out the best performers. Grudgingly it could be said that Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon give the most impressive performances but the acting really is top notch all across the board.

Gosford Park is a film where you have to concentrate throughout or you’ll miss something, probably because the characters all seemed to be fully fleshed out which is unusual for an ensemble piece such as this. The characters seem so real, due in part to the way the camera pans from conversation to conversation, picking up bits here and then, that it really makes you feel part of the household.

I really don’t want to give away any more as it’s difficult to do the film justice on paper and it’s just one of those films that has to be watched.

Overall, a fascinating piece of work from a filmmaker who will be sorely missed and a film surely destined to become a classic.

Final Grade: *****

Animal Farm

Directed by: John Stephenson
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Pete Postlethwaite, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kelsey Grammar, Ian Holm
Running Time: 87 mins
Released: 1999
Country: USA
Review by: Alexia Weeks

A disappointing remake of the 1954 animated version, which of course originally was based on one of history's finest novel's Animal Farm. George Orwell would be spinning in his grave if he could see Stephenson's account of Manor Farm, and especially the ending, which FilmCritic won't spoil for you. All you need to know is that it's different, very different.

The special effects were appalling at times, which is surprising since Jim Henson's Creature Shop was involved, and made Babe look like the best thing since sliced bread. Nevertheless, children everywhere will probably rejoice at this cute film and fall in love with the heroic farmyard animals.

However, considering the film is rated PG, some of the scenes seemed unsuitable for children and shocked even myself. An allusion to sex, a pig's death by landing on his head and other more disturbing shots of butchery were a little uncalled for in this otherwise 'childlike' film. The history behind the film will be lost on younger audiences but can be enjoyed by everybody else, as Manor Farm turns into Animal Farm, and then back again.

Final Grade: *

Image: Copyright of RHI Entertainment. All Rights Reserved

Mean Girls

Directed by: Mark Waters
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows
Running Time: 97 mins
Released: 2004
Country: USA
Review by: Alexia Weeks

Although successfully avoiding this film for two years, Mean Girls can be slightly enjoyable for teen-flick-aphobes like myself. The hormone fuelled film does have a nasty streak running through it, making it humorous at times and suitable for a variety of people and not just twelve-year olds.

Inspired by the book Queen Bees and Wannabees, Mean Girls is set amongst pubescent teens in an American high school, where backstabbing and competition is rife. Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) joins the school after spending her childhood in Africa and is soon to realise that cliquey groups of friends is the norm, but where will she fit in?

Joining The Plastics, three popular and narrow-minded girls, Cady finds herself trapped in a sticky situation - does she stay in the group just to humiliate ring leader Regina (Rachel McAdams) for her true friend, or is she enjoying being popular a bit too much to give up?

A film for girlie girls or anyone who has ever had trouble with bullying at school, but otherwise I'd steer clear unless you're desperate for a film one evening. Adhering to a formulaic structure that all teen movies come packaged with, the ending is obvious from the very beginning. This one's definitely not a thinker, so not bad for a 'staring at screen blankly' session.

Final Grade: **

Image:TM and Copyright © Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved

Microcosmos(Le Peuple de l'Herbe)

Directed by: Claude Nuridsany and Marie Pérennou
Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas (English Narrator)
Running Time: 72 mins
Released: 1996
Country: France/Switzerland/Italy
Review by: Alexia Weeks

Ok, so admittedly this isn't the kind of movie you'll be renting on a lads' night in with a keg of beer, but all the same, this film is a masterpiece. In all honesty it’s a nature documentary, but you will be transported to a dreamlike world that at the same time is utterly realistic. Breathtaking imagery and vivid colours using Macrovision serve to remind us what actually goes on down there between the tiny blades of grass at our feet, and may surprise you how engrossing it can be, not being an action thriller and all.

Not for those who fear or cringe at the sight of creepy crawlies, prepare to be confronted with some very bizarre but enthralling scenarios. A 'traffic jam' of hundreds of caterpillars, snogging slugs, insects hatching and then eating their way out - this is a gross-out flick with a difference. Fortunately there is no grandfather like commentary accompanying every inch of the imagery, so you’re left alone to savour it in your own way. There is a narrator that sneaks a few words at the beginning and the end, but only to add to the ‘story’ in a compelling voice, alongside the Tim Burton-esque music of Bruno Coulais.

It does feel at times like shots are so continuously brilliant and set up that they can’t be real, but the cute characteristics of the individual insects shine through and make this a heart warming film. The tagline for the film is a little confusing, if I’d have watched the film because of the tempting ‘It’s Jurassic Park in your own back yard’ I think I would have been left disappointed. Especially if I was kid of 10 wanting to see blood and gore.

To sum it up in five words: Artistic, fascinating, colourful, Alternative cinema.

Final Grade: *****

Strike

Directed By: Sergei M. Eisenstein
Starring: Grigori Aleksandrov,
Aleksandr Antonov, Yudif Glizer
Running Time: 95 mins
Released: 1925
Country: USSR Silent B/W
Review By: Alexia Weeks

Eisenstein was a revolutionary in filmmaking and is now considered one of the fathers of cinematography. 'Strike' was his first feature, followed by well-known masterpieces 'Battleship Potemkin' (1925), 'October' (1927) and 'Ivan The Terrible' (1944).

Set in the years leading up to revolutionary Russia, Strike details the struggles between the wealthy fat-cat owners of a factory and their downtrodden employees. Following the suicide of a worker, fellow employees decide that they have had enough and now is the time to strike.

Eisenstein's effective use of music in this silent black and white film is haunting at times, hilarious when the fat-cats are on screen, but always dramatic in typical Eisenstein fashion. His enthusiasm spills onto the screen and out through the characters' exaggerated body language and facial expressions, so the viewer can understand what's going on when there is no dialogue to be seen.

There are however, numerous uncomfortable scenes that make for difficult viewing; such as the graphic slaughter of animals (symbolising the massacre of the workers) and the deliberate dropping of a small child from a balcony - of course followed by dead silence for best effect. Eisenstein developed the use of montage in films, creating effects like the crushing of strikers with a clenching fist.

Overall it's a good silent, black and white film with some random imagery in that is certainly interesting if nothing else. Take for example the surreal scene where two young children dressed as glamorous partying adults are dancing on top of a table for no apparent reason. Creepy... But the portrayal of revolutionary Russia is amazing and the power of the mob never more apparent.

Final Grade: ***

Image:Copyright © 2006 Eureka Entertainment Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Created By: Joss Whedon
Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk
Running Time: 625 mins - 14 episodes
On Air: 2002 - 2003
Review By: FilmCritic

Although FilmCritic is only known for its movie reviews I thought it was about time we looked at its close cousin, tv.

What better way to start than with a review of quite simply the best television show of all time.

Firefly wasn't just a Sci-Fi show for geeks who like space programmes. You could argue that the space setting of the show served merely as a backdrop for Firefly's main selling point, the relationships the ships crew have with each other and the character arc of each person, albeit only through 14 episodes.

The scriptwriters on the show wrote what could best be described as a drama comedy, with every serious plot point intertwined with laugh out loud gags and visual jokes. The casting was also perfect with each actor looking as though they had been playing their respective roles for years. Nathan Fillion is mesmerizing as the Han Solo like captain, Ron Glass perfect as the wise yet secretive Preacher and perhaps the standout performance was from Morena Baccarin, playing the part of a 'Companion'. Every character in the show seems as though they belong, giving the programme multiple plot strands to weave as the series progresses.

Unfortunately the show's makers Fox chose to pull the plug after only one series, but hope was given to its many fans when its film sequel 'Serenity' was released earlier this year. Unfortunately that also flopped, leaving fans praying for the rumoured mini-series to begin production. This will hopefully tie up the loose ends with all the character's stories.

Until then cherish Firefly for what it is and I urge Sci-Fi fans or lovers of great tv, whoever they may be, to embrace Firefly on DVD.

Final Grade: *****

Image:Copyright © 2003 Fox and its related entities. All Rights Reserved.

HurlyBurly

Directed By: Anthony Drazan
Starring: Sean Penn (Eddie), Kevin Spacey (Mickey), Chazz Palminteri (Phil), Meg Ryan (Bonnie)
Running Time: 122 mins.
Released: 1998
Review By: FilmCritic

HurlyBurly arrived in cinemas in late 1998 and took less than 2 million dollars at the US box office, but HurlyBurly was never intended to be the next Hollywood blockbuster.

Adapted from a David Rabe play by Rabe himself, the film stays faithful to the play by using few locations and much interplay between the main performers.Telling the story of several fictional actors trying to make their way in 80's Hollywood, HurlyBurly gives an insight into the desperation and fragility of the life of an actor.

Penn, Spacey and Palminteri play the part of Eddie, Mickey and Phil respectively, and all deliver performances that make us believe in their characters. The problem with this film though is not the acting which is top notch throughout, its in the pace of the film. Long monologues and conversations are the cornerstone of a good play, but its difficult to hold the movie viewers attention with just interplay for two hours. Admittedly it can be done, just see Glengarry Glen Ross for a perfect example of this, but while the acting in HurlyBurly is almost up there with Glengarry, the script simply isn't.

HurlyBurly can only really be recommended to those who enjoy plays, as the script simply isn't good enough to hold most movie-goers attention.

Final Grade: **

Image:™ & © MMV New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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