Indie Roundup #3

Indie Roundup #3

 

Since im going away next week for 10 days and won't be able to post for a while, I thought I would do another indie roundup before I leave... Here's 3 of the best indie and arthouse films that I recommend you watch along with their trailers so you don't have to bring YouTube up!

 

Submarine

 

www.moviewriting.co.uk

 

Submarine is a brilliant film if you're in the mood to laugh and you love deadpan British humour, the film is filled with cynical and quirky jokes that delivery every time. It's a film about a teenage boy and his coming of age in a small Welsh town, its based on a critically acclaimed book of the same name, and borrows many of the jokes found in the book for the film. The film is the directorial debut of Richard Ayoade, the nerdy one from The IT Crowd, and is very impressive for a debut. The performances certainly help, with Craig Roberts' fantastic role as Oliver Tate being one of the most hilarious I've seen in a long time, Paddy Considine as the slightly mad Graham is also a brilliant performance, and proves that he doesn't just have to play dark roles like that of his acclaimed Dead Man's Shoes performance. The film sounds beautiful, with an unusually quiet and relaxing score by The Arctic Monkeys front runner Alex Turner providing the film's music, which really works with whats happening on screen. The film looks beautiful too, with rich colours and gorgeous backdrops giving the film its own unique look, the camera work is also brilliant, using quick cuts and Wes Anderson style uber close ups mixed with nostalgic super 8 montages. Speaking of Wes Anderson, the film appears to borrow many elements from his films, most noticably the humour, as Submarine's deadpan humour matches Anderson's films perfectly. That being said, Submarine is a wonderful coming of age film, and anyone who loves British comedies should definately give it a watch.

 



 

The House of the Devil

 

365daysofhorrormovies.blogspot.com

 

The House of the Devil is an indie horror film that is a complete throwback to the 80's. Its a film that is not just inspired by 80's horror films, it IS an 80's horror film, just released in 2009... From the opening scene its clear that this isn't your typical modern teen horror film, the retro soundtrack and titles are blatantly inspired some of the classic slasher films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween. The film appears to follow the same sort of plot you have seen before, a babysitter goes to a house in the middle of nowhere to be told she is in fact babysitting the owner of the house's mother, its all a very standard affair. The difference here however is that the director, TI West (Innkeepers, segment in V/H/S), turns every expectation you have on its head, making the film more of a send up of those 80's films. This isn't to say that the film isn't scary, it is, the tension that West builds up as Samantha is roaming the house with her Walkman on, listening to loud music as we know something more sinister is happening is almost unbearable. The gory payoff at the end however is well worth the nerve crushing build up, and the ending credits are a brilliant play on expectations. If you're looking for a nostalgic indie horror film that breaks all the rules, then look no further than The House of the Devil.

 

 

Another Earth

 

collider.com

 

I will be the first person to admit that this film has its flaws, yes its not perfect, but since when was perfection the only thing worth watching? This is a drama film disguised as a sci-fi, which seems to be the reason that some people are upset about it, it does not conform to your expectations and therefore some people found it to be frustration. I personally think that while it might not be a sci-fi film, its a brilliant drama. The film revolves around Rhoda (Brit Marling), a girl who crashes her car into another car after a party and kills a mother and her son who were inside, its also about the discovery of another earth identical to this one, which is the cause of the crash itself as Rhoda is looking towards the sky. When Rhoda  wins a ticket aboard the first flight to this new earth, she begins to ask questions about what she will find there, and whether her parallel self will have made the same mistakes that she did. The film is also somewhat of a love story, Rhoda decides that she wants to meet the husband of the mother who died in the crash, and becomes his cleaner in an attempt to apologise and make up for her mistakes, the two then fall in love at which point she tells him who she is. The film is very quiet, yet packs an emotional punch, the performances are all very downplayed, which makes the film seem much more human and real, despite its themes. While some complained about the end of the film, I felt that it was perfect, and really brings about more questions once the credits have ended. If you're looking for an intelligent drama about life, regret and consequences, then check out Another Earth.

 

 

That's it for this weeks indie roundup, I'm on holiday next week so expect some new posts and reviews in a couple of weeks when I'm back, keep checking my twitter for more info! 



Compliance Review

Compliance Review

 

moviecarpet.com

 

Compliance is a very unnerving and disturbing film, and the fact that its based on true events only heighten the sense of dread. Its a film which will leave you shocked and distressed, its a film which will have you wanting to scream at the screen in frustration.

 

The plot, based on real events, mostly takes place in a fast food resteraunt (a McDonalds in real life but a Chickwich in the film), and revolves around a reported robbery performed by one of the employees on a customer. Its a narrative which asks questions about authority, the nature of a hierarchical structure and how far someone will take orders from someone they think is of a higher position than themselves. I don't want to spoil any more of the plot, but just know that it is very unnerving, distressing and frustrating all at the same time.

 

The film's cast is superb, and without it I don't think the film would have had such a big effect on me. The lead performance of Becky, played by Dreama Walker is brilliantly understated, and her downward spiral into complete and utter compliance is astonishing and brilliantly acted. Ann Dowd's performance as the manager of the restaurant is perhaps the most unnerving thing about the film, and she provides a final scene which digs deep into your brain and stays there for the rest of the day, the commentary about authority spoken through Ann Dowd's performance is engaging and by the end of the film will bring many questions to your mind.

 

The cinematography is gorgeous, and while most of the film is set in the fast food joint, its filmed in a way to make it feel like a prison. The juxtaposition between what's happening in the office with shots of trashy fast food, greasy chicken and dirty water is brilliant, and provides a wonderful sense of self awareness to the film.

 

I would recommend this film wholehartedly to anyone who is looking for a film that will horrify you, without being a horror film. Zobel has created a masterclass in suspense, Compliance is a truly shattering film based around engaging themes that anyone under employment can relate to, and has in my opinion produced one of the best films of the year so far.

 

9/10



Oz: The Great and Powerful Review

Oz: The Great and Powerful Review

 

www.pastemagazine.com

 

I'm not usually a fan of these kinds of films, and 2011's Alice in Wonderland remake left me disappointed, so I went into this film with no real expectations of it being anything but a glossy popcorn flick, and to a certain extent I was right.

 

The film's plot is loosely based on 1939's The Wizard of Oz, one of my personal favourites, and is designed to be a prequel to that film. As with the sequel Return to Oz, I found that the film didn't really manage to meet my expectations of what a prequel to the original should have been, it did however at least try to link it together. The plot revolves around a con man/magician called Oz, who gets swept up in a tornado and ends up in Oz, where he is part of a prophecy to bring peace to the land. Its all a very standard affair, and while the film neatly links in with the original, I still found the plot to be mediocre at best, and lacking in any originality.

 

The film is undeniably pretty, some of the sights and backdrops in Oz are beautiful, and the 3D provides a sense of depth not unlike Avatar. The 3D effects in the film were impressive compared to the recent Hobbit film and it utilised the slightly gimmicky, but impressive all the same, "pop out" style effects, which were best used during the beginning of the film. The film starts out in black and white and in a 4:3 ratio, which I actually preferred to the wide screen colour of Oz, it was refreshing to see the classical Hollywood look, even if it was for a brief amount of time.

 

The performances in the film were hit and miss, James Franco's cheesy grin got on my nerves by the end of the film, and his performance wasn't up to scratch when compared to something like 127 Hours. Mila Kunis also seemed slightly out of her comfort zone, and she sounded fake and awkward in this kind of role, and she is much better suited to roles such as her Black Swan performance. On the other hand Michelle Williams played a solid part, and while she seemed to be going for the Marilyn Monroe style breathy, doe eyed look, it did work in the context of the film and provided a break from Franco's annoying and cheesy role. Rachel Weisz also played a good part, appearing suitably evil and menacing, and (thank god) doesn't try to put on an American accent to fit in with the others.

 

I went to see the film in the D-Box, which is the new motion seat technology being implemented in cinemas. For the first half of the film I found it to really add to the atmosphere, and coupled with the 3D provided an tremendous sense of immersion, especially during the hot air balloon scene at the beginning. By the middle portion of the film however it seemed as though the seat was just repeating the same effects, jolting when someone casts a spell or vibrating continuously through the tornado scene, and I found myself just wanting to watch the film without being jolted around. The seat will work for some films better than others, and while It was used effectively to some degree, I found it tedious by the end.

 

This film then, is a film designed to engage you in it's plot and excite you, and do nothing else, and while I don't have a problem with that, its not really my cup of tea. However I'm going to score it based on how good it is compared to other Hollywood Blockbuster type films, rather than base the score on how good a film it is altogether. If you're looking for a popcorn film that will provide some light entertainment for 2 hours, or you have kids, I would recommend Oz. For anyone else who is looking for a thinky film, don't bother with this one.

 

6/10



Indie Roundup #2

Indie Roundup #2

 

Back for another Indie Roundup! Again it's 4 indie films that I think you should watch, along with a small review of each and the trailers to save you switching between the blog and YouTube.

 

The Skin I Live In

 

collider.com

 

I'm a massive fan of Pedro Almodovar, I think he's one of the great European Auteurs of the 20th and 21st centuries and this is one of his best. The Skin I Live In is a glossy European body horror/thriller film about a man who has an obsession for creating the perfect skin. I won't reveal any more than that, just know that there are film altering plot twists that you really won't see coming! The film is beautifully shot, and Almodovar's signature style shines through the cinematography, the use of colour and set has always been an integral part of Almodovar's work and this film is no exception, you can practically feel the love that has gone into this. The film itself is a tense and mysterious thrill ride from start to finish, and will definitely keep you on your toes, I'm gonna recommend this to anyone who's into European arthouse films, or anyone who is in the mood for a beautifully crafted thriller that will thrill, surprise and perhaps even move you.

 



 

 

Lost in Translation

 



filmstone.com

 

Ahhh Lost in Translation, one of my favourite films of all time. I just love everything about this film, the direction, the performances, the plot, the score, the mood, everything. The film's plot revolves around two people who are stuck in Tokyo for different reasons, and who end up making friends and hanging out with each other, I won't spoil any of it but just know that it's a beautifully downplayed and tender story that WILL make you weepy by the end. The cinematography is absolutely mind blowing in this film, every shot gives me shivers and the Tokyo setting is incredible, the film is stunning, and every shot is laced with some of the best music I've heard in a film. Both of the lead performances, Murray and Johansson are career bests in my opinion, and they compliment each other perfectly, with the dry sarcasm of Murray and Scarlet's tender and vulnerable role in perfect harmony with each other. I cannot recommend this film enough, and for anyone who is put off by it's indie style please don't be, its very easy to watch. Here's the trailer along with one of my favourite scenes.

 

 



 

*Goosebumps*

 

Cafe De Flore

 



www.cinenews.be

 

This is another great arthouse film, and while it may not be perfection like the previous two, its still a wonderful and emotionally charged film. Anyone who has been in love can relate to this film, and that's what the film's central theme is, the film delves deep into love as a concept, and manages to answer questions that a lot of us have wondered. The narrative is split between two different time periods, one in 1960's France and the other set in modern day Montreal, the two different stories are linked heavily, and the final act of the film brings the two together in a somewhat Lynchian manner, it can be confusing at times but by the end you'll understand whats going on. The film is shot beautifully, and the locations in the film are magnificent, particularly the Paris storyline which features some great locations. The film is designed to be extremely moving, and it managed to achieve its aim, for me anyway. The music in the film helps, with a mixture of beautiful tracks by bands like Sigur Ros and modern electro music to fully involve you in the film. If you're looking for an art house drama about love that you need to think about and engage with to appreciate, then look no further than Cafe De Flore.

 

 

Dancer in the Dark

 

www.moviepostershop.com

 

Lars Von Trier films are always a controversial subject to talk about, purely based on the fact that he's either a love him or hate him director, his films are all very dark, and deal with intense themes and issues. His personal life has also been attacked, which came to a head with his outburst about Hitler at Cannes 2011. When you strip back all of this negativity and controversy, his films are actually rather good. This film is one of his best, and is a musical/antimusical about a woman who is slowly going blind. It's well known to be one of the most soul crushingly devastating films ever made, and by the end of it you'll be depressed for days, this shouldn't put you off though, the film is beautifully made using handy cams and taking influence from Trier's own Dogme movement, whereby the film is shot using natural light and following the rules of the manifesto set out by himself and Thomas Vinterberg, the film is not true Dogme 95, but it takes much influence from that movement. Bjork's performance astonished me, and it turns out that as well as being a brilliant musician, she can also act, the supporting performance from Catherine Denevue is also wonderful, and all of the characters ooze passion. The film is very hard to watch, due to both it's subject matter and the general tediousness of the musical numbers, which seem to take up half of the film, while I think its a refreshing change to the musical genre, I would have preferred it as a straight drama. In any case if you're looking for a very arty drama, one which is immensely disturbing and upsetting I would recommend this film, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't in the right frame of mind to watch it, as it can at times seem like a workout.

 



 

That's It for this weeks Indie roundup, I'll try and bring you a new one in a few weeks!



Maniac Review

Maniac Review

 

 

What an absolutely brilliant horror film! I've been looking for a film that really tried, and this one really does.

 

Maniac is a remake of the 1980's cult film, which was widely panned by critics but gained a somewhat underground cult status along with other nasties of the time. While I haven't seen the original, I can safely say that the remake is brilliant. The film is mostly all filmed from a first person perspective, the perspective of the killer, who in this case lives up to his name, this adds a disturbing level of voyeurism to his actions and make the film even more repulsive. Maniac is full of blood, its a gore hound's dream, not stinting on close up shots of scalps getting cut off to reveal the skull, knives being rammed through throats and the final scene of complete and utter carnage. The gore in the film invokes a sense of early 80's body horror, using effects in ways like Cronenberg and some of the video nasties did in an attempt to make the audience recoil in disgust, which it managed to make me do.

 

Elijah Wood's lead performance couldn't be further away from his most well known role as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, and proves that he has acting ability away from Middle Earth. The performance was laced with a disturbing sense of complete and utter madness, and the use of his thoughts as a narrative device, with his sick imagination being broadcast to the audience, was equally unnerving. The film's narrative is not original at all, there are minor plot twists that can be seen coming, and some of the film is unrealistic, but most horror films demand a suspension of your disbelief, and so however unrealistic the narrative gets it still manages to invoke the horror it sets out to do.

 

Aja has managed to create one of the most inventive horror films (in the cinematic sense) that I have seen in the last 5 years, and in my opinion has given birth to a masterclass in horror, suspense, gore and general nastiness that has been needed for a long time in the Horror film industry. When compared to recent outings like Mama, The Woman in Black and The Devil Inside, its clear that while this film might seem more "arty" to some people, its still magnificently entertaining.

 

If you're looking for a well directed, well thought out piece of horror I highly suggest seeing this film. Its scuzzy, inner city feel and revolting and brutal gore make it a must see for gore hounds, and its indie credentials make it a worthy candidate for anyone who enjoys a break from the typical Hollywood horror affair.

 

9/10



Side Effects Review

Side Effects Review

 

www.fandango.com

Side Effects is a great thriller, although one that I was admittedly expecting. When Soderbergh is at the helm it is standard practise to expect something that has thought and care put into it, and this film continues the trend.

 

Side Effects manages the controversial themes of the American medical industry, mental health and suicide in a stylish package that is well thought out and directed. The narrative twists and turns and essentially revolves around a murder, which is then investigated and the murderer trialled. While this may sound like a standard episode of CSI, Side Effects manages to make the subject a lot more interesting with the use of some great unexpected plot twists and some brilliant characters.

 

The performances in the film are spot on, with the 4 main characters (Law, Mara, Jones and Tatum) all pulling off exciting roles, using their skills to the best of their ability. The standout performance has to be Rooney Mara, who's previous role in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo proves that she is a force of magnificent talent in the film industry. She manages to create a sense of foreboding, a sense of creepy unease that only gets stronger as the film progresses. The direction is again solid, with Soderbergh's usual glossy and stylish visuals merged with a more indie kind of cinematography. He also has a lot of things to say about the medical industry in Side Effects, dealing with very similar themes in 2011's Contagion, the commentary is however no less engaging.

 

I only had one real gripe with the film, and that was the final quarter, while the film had me hooked for the first three quarters, the final act I found was somewhat underwhelming, and lacked the sense of excitement and mystery that the rest of the film has.

 

In any case, if you're looking for a stylish Hitchcock-like thriller with a few excellent plot twists that will keep you guessing, along with solid performances and an assured direction, Side Effects is for you.

 

8/10



Anime Roundup #1

Anime Roundup #1

 

Since I'm not going to be seeing any new films for a while I thought I would recommend you something to watch in the meantime. While anime films are often brushed off as being for kids or teens, a lot of anime films are actually aimed at an older and more mature audience. In the anime roundup I'll be recommending three films that you should watch, along with a small review of each.

 

Spirited Away

 

behruz.deviantart.com

While this might seem like an obvious choice to anime fans, I think it's a great place to start if you want to see what anime can offer in a mainstream package. Stuido Ghibli, who have been making anime films for more than 25 years, are like the Walt Disney of Japan. Their films have a recognisable quality to them which makes them stand apart from a lot of the more action and comic book orientated anime films. Spirited Away is directed by the godfather of anime Hayao Miyazaki, it is arguably their best offering. The film follows the adventures of Chihiro, a girl who gets separated from her parents and transported into a magical world filled with strange and wonderful creatures, it really is a good old fashioned adventure film, and at a running time of over two hours it really manages to cover a lot of ground. I'd recommend this film to anyone who hasn't yet watched an anime as its a great way to introduce the genre.

 

                                     

 

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

 

                      

www.listal.com

This is again a nice introductory anime film that anyone can watch without having seen an anime film before. Its a sci-fi film about a girl who finds a way to time travel, as she attempts to use it to her advantage she realises that she can't always get what she wants. The film blends sci-fi, fantasy, comedy and drama to create a film that anyone of any age can watch and understand. It might not be the best that the genre has to offer but if you want a stepping stone between Ghibli films and some of the more hardcore anime films then this is it.



My Neighbour Tororo

 



                 

www.listal.com

I couldn't make an anime list without including one of my all time favourites! My Neighbour Totoro is an excellent kids film, but one that can also be thoroughly enjoyed by adults and grandparents. The film is about two kids who move house and come across the creature called Totoro, this leads onto some adventures and misadventures that I won't spoil. The film oozes love and care, and has a genuine heart, which can't be said for most of the kids films that are coming out nowadays. The film has a beautiful soundtrack too, which gives the film a completely magical feeling. The character has spawned a sort of cult fan club, and you'll be able to find Totoro merchandise in most cities around the world, its also be referenced a lot, with a Totoro making a cameo himself in Toy Story 3! If you want a film that you can watch with your kids, or a film to make you feel happy then I wholeheartedly recommend Totoro.



 

That's it for the Anime roundup this week but I'll be carrying it on across the coming weeks with more recommendations!



Stoker Review

Stoker Review

 

www.ropeofsilicon.com

I've been a fan of Park's work since I saw Oldboy 3 or 4 years ago, since then I've been hooked on his films, so naturally I was excited about seeing his first American picture Stoker. I'm glad to say that I wasn't disappointed, and while the film may not be as good as some of his previous works, it was still a beautiful and savage film.

 

The film is set presumably in the present day, although the decor, costumes and general atmosphere are more reminiscent of a period drama than a present day thriller. The plot concerns a wealthy family who live in a remote mansion, when India's father dies her uncle comes round to visit, and eventually stays with her and her mother. It is apparent instantly there there is something wrong about the situation, and the twists and turns of the plot begin. I won't spoil it any more for you, suffice to say that the sheer eroticness of this film, as well as the sometimes unbearable sexual tension mixed with scenes of shocking violence are what makes this film truly extraordinary for something that has come from the Hollywood system. 

 

The camera work in the film is a thing of beauty, the shots are all thought out to the absolute maximum, and look breathtaking as they soar and swoop through the beautiful sets. Each shot attempts to connote an idea, and eventually you start noticing all of the references the film is making through the shots and action on screen. It's a refreshing change from the stale technical work of some of the recent films I have seen, and you can tell that Park was specific to the utmost degree about what he wanted the film to look like. The costumes and environments all echo this as well, and provide a stunning backdrop the film's dark themes.

 

The performances were again superb, with Nicole Kidman making a surprising lasting impression on me, especially in one particular scene where she looks directly at the camera and seems to be staring into the audience. Mia Wasikowska again provides a good performance, and manages to portray India's internal feelings wonderfully, Matthew Goode is also brilliant as the manic uncle Charlie, establishing an instant sense of unease about him.

 

There are a few tiny niggles here and there, while the script is nearly perfect there are some plot holes here and there which can distract from the immersion of the film. I'm not sure whether this can be classed as a negative as I found it easy to watch, but Park has managed to create an American film which uses the traits of his Korean films and which for a certain kind of audience may be confusing and make the film hard to watch. Its mostly due to the timing and framing of the film, which is remarkably more Asian feeling than American which might put some people off.  

 

With these niggles aside, I would still recommend this film wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to see a refreshing change to the thriller genre, and to anyone who wants to escape the mundane Hollywood formula film. Just know that this film is a very mature film, it revolves around ideas of sex, murder and mystery, and is very erotically charged.

 

9/10

Mama Review

Mama Review



 

http://greshamargus.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/mama-poster-001.jpg

 

I had high hopes for Mama based on the fact Del Toro is the producer and manager of the picture. Unfortunately I was pretty let down by it, due to its general lack of effective horror and its weak atmosphere and plot line.

 

The film definitely marketed itself as a horror film, a sly thing to do to bring in the mass audiences when the film is actually a tame fantasy drama with a few jump scares thrown in for good measure. The film's plot revolves around a murder/suicide by a father who kills his wife and himself and tries to kill his two daughters in a cabin in the woods but is killed himself. The girls then turn into crazed forest people who eat bugs and are generally not very lovely at all, the girls have an invisible friend called Mama, who is the 'monster' in the film. Its all very mother-daughter themed and by the end the film has turned from what appeared to be a creepy film at the start to some kind of queasy fantasy kids picture. The creature itself is kept from sight until about half way through the film, in which it is revealed to the audience, it was a massive anticlimax as 'Mama' looked more like a dementor from Harry Potter than anything deeply terrifying or mind scarring like the film seemed to advertise itself as.

 

The performances in the film were all solid however, especially Jessica Chastain who plays a Gothic mother figure in the film, and who I didn't recognise until told after the film that it was in fact her! The general direction of the film was sub par, while the camera work was adequate, the scares barely managed to pull any noise or shocks out of the packed out screen I was in. As well as the scares the general look of the film was drab, cheap looking and had an off putting brown smear across the lens which gave everything a look of lifelessness, whether that was intended or not it was still rather dull to look at.

 

If you're looking for a really good scare I wouldn't recommend this film, if you're looking for an intelligent and original film I definitely wouldn't recommend it, if however you're looking for a mindless popcorn flick or a fantasy drama with a few mild scares then you might enjoy Mama.

 

4/10



Song For Marion Review

Song For Marion Review

www.handbag.com

I was pretty excited to see this after seeing (and loving) The Best Exotic Marigold hotel, and by the trailer this looked like it would be similar. The film is similar to Marigold, but feels more like a Marigold-Lite film.

 

The film is basically the same story we've seen over and over in films like The Full Monty and The Calender Girls, but with less heart and more gloss. The plot didn't manage to captivate me in the same way either of those films did, and while the director seemed to be aiming for that British feel, it ended up feeling more like a glossy Hollywood production. There wasn't any real sense of grit or emotion, and for one exception of the terminally ill Marion singing True Colours, it didn't manage to tug on my heartstrings like it was designed to. This isn't to say that the film is bad, rather it was just middlingly average.

 

The performances in the film are all solid, especially Vanessa Redgrave as Marion, the main character played Terence Stamp was however lacking for me, mostly due to his unlikeability. This was in fact the main problem for me with the film, rather than me caring for the main character and what he was going through, his emotionless personality made it hard to warm to him, I did eventually warm to him a bit near the end of the film but it was sadly too late to save the film.

 

The camera work and technical aspects of the film are all again average, they work for what the film is but don't attempt to do anything new or exciting, and at points make the film look like an ITV special. The comedy wasn't there either for me, I didn't laugh out loud once, and most of the jokes were either cringeworthy or just fell flat on their face. I was expecting British wit but was instead met with slapstick and somewhat childish humour.

 

The good parts of the film came from the early scenes involving Marion, which were much more joyful to watch, if a little bit more emotional, than the rest of the picture. To sum up I would only really recommend this to elderly people who might find something relatable in the characters, or easily pleased adults looking for a schmaltzy and sickly sweet drama

 

5/10