4.7.13

she’s real (worse than queer) (1997)

"It smells like dyke in here."
Documentary that charts the important role that female punk bands played in expanding and spreading the message of the music, riot-grrl, feminism and gender politics.
The rough and ready archive, matches the directorial style and the music, as the director delves into the a neglected genre.

mighty joe young (1949)

"Am I dreaming, or did I see a Gorilla, and a beautiful dame?"
As a young girl, Jill Young (Terry Moore) obtains an orphaned baby Gorilla, and raises it as her own. Twelve years later a showman (Robert Armstrong) arrives in her remote African home, and persuades her that Joe the Gorilla would be a great attraction at his new nightclub in America. All starts well, but Joe soon becomes homesick
From the team that brought us King Kong comes this variant on a theme, which although didn't capture the imagination as Kong did, is still a fine adventure.

the numbers station (2013)

"No loose ends."
When a mission ends in Emmerson (John Cussack) re-assessing his career choice, his bosses send him to babysit a cryptologist (Malin Akerman) working at a remote numbers station in England. But when things go wrong and he's told to 'retire' her, he finds he cannot do so.
Badly paced, but otherwise interesting thriller.

assault on wall street (2013)

"What's our risk?"
Security man Joe (Dominic Purcell), is pushed to the wall by his wife's long term illness. With his finances stretched to the limit, they finally snap when the banking sector collapses, and he sees the bankers and lawyers walk off with his money, with no remorse or consequences to themselves.
A slow build to establish relationships, before the inevitable bloodbath advertised. Offers nothing new or interesting, but is still better than anything Boll has previously attempted.

maniac (2012)

"I just wanted to be with you Anna."
mannequin shop owner Frank (Elijah Wood) stalks New York city for the scalps of eligible women, to add to his collection. But when he meets Anna (Nora Arnezeder), a photographer, who specialises in mannequins, Frank may have found a way to end this nightmare.
Based on William Lustic's film of the same name, this updates the 80's slasher. Unfortunately using POV so we see the whole film through Frank's eye's is a distracting gimmick.

the deadly spawn (1983)

aka The Return Of The Alien's Deadly Spawn. The Alien's Deadly Spawn.
"It looks like it's going to be a bad day."
A small meteor crash lands in upstate New Jersey, bringing with it an Alien. After chomping on a couple of campers, it hides in the basement of a house, devouring anyone who ventures downstairs.
A low budget horror, that manages to drop realistic characters into an unrealistic situation, and drags the viewer along with them.

dark skies (2013)

"What happened? What's going on?
The Barret family start experiencing unexplainable, and disturbing events, from mass bird attacks, to memory loss. What sinister force or person is perpetrating them and why?
A slow build, allowing the story and characters to breathe, as they descend into a nightmare.

last passenger (2013)

"He wants to go out with a bang."
The stopping train to Tumbridge Wells, doesn't stop, and naturally the few remaining passengers are concerned. Especially when they find the guard missing and the driver uncommunicative. How are they going to stop the train?
A slow build to a tense situation, allows us to get to know the passengers, before they unravel, including Dougray Scott and Kara Tointon.

skeletons (2010)

"I ain't gonna go Bulgarian."
Psychic exorcists, Bennett and Davis (Andrew Buckley & Ed Gaughan), helping people rid themselves of the skeletons in their closet. They travel the country bickering, until they are sent to find a woman's husband, who is missing, presumed dead.
Simple, quirky and thoughtful film, that draws you in.