Topic: The RAWK Film Thread

[hooded claw]

watched it tonight.

Quite a good film, a bit confusing along the way. Reminded me a bit of fight club crossed between memento for some reason.

Christian Bale looks like he was on the Peter Crouch diet for that role.

anyone else seen it?

 

It's on the rental list, pretty high up. Apparently he lived on one can of tuna and an apple a day to lose the weight.

[bradigor]

We have had, French Art house, Japanese & Korean Horror now for a Thai Action Blockbuster.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0428725/

seen the trailer and it looks fookin class.

Tony Ja blew us away in Ong Bak, the film in which many people compared him to the greats like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. The man behind all of Ja's moves is fight choreographer Panna Rittikrai. His next project has just surfaced, Born to Fight. Here is alitle but of what he had to say.

In the pre-Matrix days, nobody cared how a fight-scene choreographer might improve a movie. But the levitation tricks that martial arts guru Yuen Wo Ping designed for Keanu Reeves in that roundbreaking flick transformed the status of stuntmasters from perfunctory second-fiddle to first-billed necessity.

[anon-y-mouse]

What happened to that rawk film thread?

[Barney_Rubble]

Just passin through...

[Branno]

Warning: Never watch a film called '7 Seconds' starring Wesley Snipes!!!

Absolute utter shite..............well I presume it was as I switched it off after 25mins!!! 

[bradigor]

---------- September 9th ----------

Cinderella Man

What's it about? Russell Crowe plays a boxer who became an unlikely heavyweight contender in 1930s America in Ron Howard's true-life drama.
Cast: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Connor Price, Paddy Considine, Paul Giamatti
Director: Ron Howard (Parenthood, Ransom, A Beautiful Mind)
Cert 12A | 144 minutes | Buena Vista | General release | USA
Quicktime Trailer | Official site | IMDB Entry | US reviews
Region 1 DVD out December 6th


The Longest Yard

What's it about? The second remake of Robert Aldrich's 1974 prison football movie, following 2001's UK version, Mean Machine. This time Adam Sandler plays the jailed American football star while original star Burt Reynolds has a supporting role.
Cast: Adam Sandler, Burt Reynolds, Chris Rock, James Cromwell, Nelly
Director: Peter Segal (The Naked Gun 33 1/3, Anger Management, 50 First Dates)
Cert 12A | 113 minutes | Sony | General release | USA
Quicktime Trailer | Official site | IMDB Entry | US reviews
Region 1 DVD out September 13th


Green Street
(US title: Hooligans)

What's it about?Drama about British football hooliganism, starring Elijah Wood as a young American who is accepted into a West Ham firm. Before you laugh, this has been winning awards at film festivals.
Cast: Elijah Wood, Charlie Hunnam, Claire Forlani, Marc Warren, Leo Gregory
Director: Lexi Alexander
Cert 18 | 109 minutes | UIP | General release | USA
Official site | IMDB Entry


The Man

What's it about? Comedy starring Eugene Levy as a hapless travelling salesman who stumbles into the middle of federal agent Samuel L Jackson's sting operation.
Cast: Eugene Levy, Samuel L Jackson, Luke Goss, Miguel Ferrer, Anthony Mackie
Director: Les Mayfield (Encino Man, Flubber, Blue Streak)
Cert 12A | 83 minutes | Entertainment | General release | USA
Quicktime Trailer | Official site | IMDB Entry


Asylum

What's it about? Erotic thriller written by Patrick Marber (Closer). The wife of a psychiatrist working at a maximum security mental hospital meets and becomes attracted to one of his most dangerous patients.
Cast: Natasha Richardson, Ian McKellen, Hugh Bonneville, Marton Csokas, Joss Ackland
Director: David Mackenzie (The Last Great Wilderness, Young Adam)
Cert 15 | 99 minutes | Momentum | General release | UK
Quicktime Trailer | Official site | IMDB Entry


The Aristocrats

What's it about? A kind of experiment in comedy. A hundred comedians are asked to tell the same dirty joke, each in their own personal style. The comedians include Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Whoopis Goldberg, Eddie Izzard and Billy Connolly.
Director: Paul Provenza
Cert 18 | 89 minutes | Pathe | Limited release | USA
Quicktime Trailer | Official site | IMDB Entry | US reviews


Rock School

What's it about? Documentary about a real-life school of rock, an unconventional after-school music academy for teenagers in Philadelphia run by rock afficionado Paul Green.
Director: Don Argott
Cert 15 | 94 minutes | Icon | Limited release | USA
Quicktime Trailer | Official site | IMDB Entry | US reviews
Region 1 DVD out September 13th


The Jealous God

What's it about? British drama set in 1960s Yorkshire. A young Catholic man is torn between his mother's desire for him to become a priest and his own feelings for a pretty Protestant librarian.
Cast: Jason Merrells, Denise Welch, Mairead Carty, Andrew Dunn, Pamela Cundell
Director: Steven Woodcock
Cert 12A | 95 minutes | Miracle | Limited release | UK
Official site | IMDB Entry


The Adventures Of Arsène Lupin
(French title: Arsène Lupin)

What's it about? Arsène Lupin is a heroic, swashbuckling thief and a French cultural icon. This new, big-budget adventure movie, set in the early 20th century, aims to compete with Hollywood's efforts.
Cast: Romain Duris, Kristin Scott Thomas, Pascal greggory, Eva Green, Robin Renucci
Director: Jean-Paul Salomé
Cert 15 | 131 minutes | Cinefile | Limited release | France | Subtitled
IMDB Entry


The Night Of Truth
(Burkinabé title: La Nuit De La Vérité)

What's it about? A film about civil war in Africa told by the Africans themselves. Set in a fictitious war-torn state, this follows a possibly doomed attempt to negotiate a peace settlement.
Cast: Moussa Cissé, Adama Ouédraogo, Rasmane Ouedraogo, Georgette Paré, Naky Sy Savane
Director: Fanta Régina Nacro
Cert 18 | 100 minutes | BFI | Limited release | Burkina Faso | Subtitled
IMDB Entry


Vengeance Is Mine
(Japanese title: Fukushû Suruwa Wareniari)

What's it about? Grim, realistic Japanese film, made in 1979, following the exploits of a sociopathic serial killer.
Cast: Ken Ogata, Mayumi Ogawa, Renturo Mikuni, Mitsuko Baisho, Nijiko Kiyokawa, Chocho Miyako.
Director: Shohei Imamura (Ballad Of Narayama, The Pornographer, The Eel)
Cert 18 | 140 minutes | CULT! | Limited release | Japan | Subtitled
IMDB Entry

------------------------------

[kev78]

Green Street is named after a street next to West Ham's ground isn't it?  Really looking forward to that one. Cinderella Man sounds pretty good as well. Think I'll be off to watch that at the weekend. 

[Walk On]

For more on film reviews see:

www.metacritic.com (also has games, music, dvd)
www.allmovie.com

 

[Buck Pete]

Cheers Fellas plenty to be downloading there.

err.... I mean visiting the flicks to watch.

[Lo]

Anyone seen the 40 year old virgin? Is it any good?

Seen it and its not good

[Ben_JP]

We have had, French Art house, Japanese & Korean Horror now for a Thai Action Blockbuster.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0428725/

seen the trailer and it looks fookin class.

Tony Ja blew us away in Ong Bak, the film in which many people compared him to the greats like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. The man behind all of Ja's moves is fight choreographer Panna Rittikrai. His next project has just surfaced, Born to Fight. Here is alitle but of what he had to say.

In the pre-Matrix days, nobody cared how a fight-scene choreographer might improve a movie. But the levitation tricks that martial arts guru Yuen Wo Ping designed for Keanu Reeves in that roundbreaking flick transformed the status of stuntmasters from perfunctory second-fiddle to first-billed necessity.

Seen it. Flimsy plot, no decent dialogue but an absolute wealth of insane stunts. Perfect! Imagine a load of martial arts loons titted out on whizz believing that nothing they can do will hurt them with their mate filming the results. Et voila: Born to Fight (the end credits showing stunts that went wrong rival Police Story for whince factor)

One thing though, check the bit with the Thailand anthem, then the Thai flag shortly afterwards. Takes American-style patriotism to a whole new level.

[cornelius]

Warning: Never watch a film called '7 Seconds' starring Wesley Snipes!!!

Absolute utter shite..............well I presume it was as I switched it off after 25mins!!! 

You didn't even wait to see if Tamsin Outhwaite gets her kit off. I'm sure no matter how bad it was the film could have been rescued by that. Shame we'll never know.

I watched 'It's all gone Pete Tong' last night starring Paul "Dennis Pennis" Kaye. It wasn't quite what I was expecting. Not sure I'd recommend it to anyone, typical British film really.

[Alan_X]

Anyone seen the 40 year old virgin? Is it any good?

The title says it all.....

Haven't seen it, not going to see it, will turn it off when it comes on the telly.....  just the title and the trailers stink to high heaven.

[The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society]

there's a couple of films coming on at fact picturehouse that look pretty interesting;

History Of Violence

Director: David Cronenberg Origin: United States Year: 2005 Duration: 95m Starring: William Hurt, Maria Bello, Viggo Mortenson, Ed Harris, Ashton Holmes

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke - but a million miles from SIN CITY - Canadian auteur David Cronenberg's (SPIDER) latest is a characteristically intelligent and confrontational look at violence and how, as voyeurs, we react to the spectacle of it. The narrative follows an ordinary family's life after the father (Mortensen) receives unwanted national attention for a seemingly vigilante-style self-defence killing at his diner. With the mob on his trail (headed up by a menacing Ed Harris), the father's past is revealed as being something of a smokescreen, much to the alarm and dismay of his startled family. Brilliantly played, a cast against type William Hurt drips malevolence - this ranks amongst Cronenberg's most cohesive works. Be warned though, it's not for the faint hearted, and the violence is of the raw, graphic variety.


and

Last Days. no synopsis but he's a review from imdb;

A very great work on the time and the sound in this movie, my advice is to see it and also see Gerry and elephant. I really think Gus Van Sant is one of the major filmmakers of the moment. If you're fond of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain, you can see it it's pretty enjoyable, and if you're not at all you will find your interest anyway ! Don't expect to hear some nirvana's songs there is nothing like that, but you may enjoy one musical moment... I do not know if every details of the movie are real or if Gus Van Sant just figured out how the last days were but all seems so unique and finally the truth is not so important. Silent is the way Blake/Kurt is, unique is this piece of art, i think Kurt Cobain deserves this movie and not a silly TV-movie without any vision about nothing.

[scouse and proud plc.]

"The Cinderella Man" (boxing)

Haven't got round to actually watching it yet, but the film is about James J. Braddock the man who inspired America in the depression by coming from nothing to win the World Heavyweight Crown. Braddock is played by Russell Crowe, and his wife by Renee Zellweger.

Braddock is a boxer, who has a very average career before retiring. But, when America is in the middle of the great depression, he comes out of retirement, to defeat Champion Max Baer.
As I said, I haven't seen the film itself yet, but have read a lot about Braddock, and it should make a good film.

[Ben_JP]

A History of Violence

Just a short review: This has some solid performances from all involved - the wooden high school bully excepted - and a nice, slow-burner of a story. Plus, with it being a Cronenberg feature there are a couple of great gore moments (if, indeed, that floats your boat)
However, the pay-off, although expected, leaves a feeling of being underwhelmed as the end credits roll and you try and naviagate past empty popcorn boxes and sweet wrappers. 7/10

[Litherland_Leon]

an absolute Bobby of a film is on tonight, Of mice and men. 12:00 itv.

why they have such a great film on at that time on a tuesday night is beyond me

[theCanadian]

Anyone seen the 40 year old virgin? Is it any good?

I saw it. The best comedy in a long time.

Other movies I've seen in the last few days:

Lord of War: Pretty good, entertaining enough to be worth your while.

A History of Violence: Superb, only a couple of minor flaws.

Matchstick Men: A couple years old, if anyone hasn't seen it yet I highly recommend it. Nic Cage in his best performance.

Also: Rented and watched The Complete Fourth Season of SIX FEET UNDER. Stunning is the only word I can think of.

[Dread Breath]

Mentioned on another thread I'd just seen Rififi a 1954 black and white French film. All I'll say is that it is a corker and a fantastic way to spend a few hours.

[Ben_JP]

an absolute Bobby of a film is on tonight, Of mice and men. 12:00 itv.

why they have such a great film on at that time on a tuesday night is beyond me

Day late seeing that, but just noticed American Grafitti was on after it. ITV has three, soon to be four, channels and yet it can't find room for some decent films?! Bunch of clunges.

[Ben_JP]

Right, another quick review:

March of the Penguins

The French documentary that's taken the US by storm is a simply told, yet highly effective study of the breeding pattern of Emporer penguins. Beautifully shot, with an unobtrusive but informative voice-over by Morgan Freeman, March of the Penguins is a well-balanced blend of wonder, humour and tragedy, and is a must for anyone with an interest in the natural world.

And this week's one-line reviews,

War of the Worlds: Excellent and dark(ish) update of HG Wells' timeless classic.
Madagascar: Decent addition to the enjoyable-for-kids-and-adults-alike cartoon genre.

[Buck Pete]

Wolf Creek - another major disappointment. The villain of the piece is more comical than scary, and despite a gruesome kill midway through, this is a poor rehash of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. About as scary as a trip to Tesco's (unless your local Tesco's is in Hades and is populated by blood-lusting zombies, vampires and, erm, fire-breathing dog beasts)

Gotta disagree with Ben here. I watched Wolf Creek last night and although i didnt love it, i really liked it.

Obviously a low budget flick that seems to take an age to get going but when it does it is quite disturbing.

Even though the villain of the movie is initially quite comical you begin to see a darker side to this man and eventually you see his real "mean" side.

Based on a true story which shocked me as i wasn't aware of this which got me thinking long after the film had ended.

Good effort from the Aussie Film Foundation in my opinion.

[Ben_JP]

Nah, I'm right 

One disclaimer about Wolf Creek; I'd spent the weekend sitting through 21 horror films, so was pretty desensitized to the whole process. I probably expected too much from it, but it still didn't grab me. The ending was quite unsettling though, like you I was not aware that it was based on a true story.

Who's going to see Saw II this weekend? The trailer is grim; hopefully it won't just be a cheap cash-in on the original's success, but rather a genuine frightener for Halloween.

[Dread Breath]

First review I've read for the new Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire film is here, for those interested. Sounds good. (spoilers follow)

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=21652

[The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society]

went to see history of violence, thoroughly enjoyable and i would reccommend it, only i dont know why but the whole plot seemed very familiar, like deja vu. perhaps i dreamt it?

i don't know why william hurt doesn't get more work.

[Ben_JP]

i don't know why william hurt doesn't get more work.

Definitely second that; his cameo in A History of Violence is superb.

[Buck Pete]

Just watched Lola Rennt (Run Lola Run 1998)

Have to say, this is a class German movie in which a young woman has to get to her boyfriend with 100,000 German marks in 20 minutes before he is bumped off by his gangster boss.

The film evolves to reveal three different outcomes as Lola runs to raise the money and meet her love before time runs out.

Fantastic use of quick editing and fast cuts along with a cool but frantic soundtrack makes this a major recommendation.

You can get this film with English audio but i watched it in its original state with Sub titles and this didn't spoil my enjoyment one iota.

[Ben_JP]

Run Lola Run is superb, isn't it?! Anyways, I made it to Saw II this weekend and here's my verdict:

Saw II

Initially, I wasn't the biggest fan of Saw. I think Cary Elwes out-hamming MC Hammer eating a ham roll whilst stroking a hamster on his way to Hamburg combined with having just watched the brilliant lunacy of Bubba Ho-Tep ruined it for me, but on reflection, there is no doubting that it was a nasty little horror that definitely deserved its successes (especially given the paucity of decent schlock at the time)
Is Saw II more of the same? Well yes in terms of being grizzly - the opening is plain nasty, whilst later scenes with an oven and a pit of needles are equally wince-inducing. However, whilst Saw II ups the nastiness stakes with a slightly convoluted set-up that is less haunted house, more hunted house, the overall effectiveness achieved in the original is somewhat diminished here.
Whilst a cast of unknowns means that no-one is safe, the fact that none are particularly charismatic means that after you've stomached a kill, you're not exactly mourning the character, just gearing up for the next dose of blood and bone.
The film certainly cannot be faulted for the ingenuity of its set-pieces, but it does leave a bad taste, almost to the point where this is bordering on horror porn - a series of well-executed deaths held together by a thin plot.
As for the ubiquitous twist, well apart from a nice nod to its predecessor, Saw II isn't going to be too fondly remembered on that front, not least because the revelation is followed by a less-than-subtle recap of the story's clues to the finale, all of which seem a bit convenient, especially the secondary villain - I won't spoil that, but their presence is somewhat confusing given previous events.
So, it's as subtle as a smack in the mouth with a barbed baseball bat, and is nowhere near as bad as it could have been, but Saw remains a cut above whilst this sequel unfortunetly drags the series down to the level of other modern horror franchise also-rans.

[Bobby Fury]

I saw an interesting film a couple of weeks ago called "Proof".  It stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins.  I don't know if has been released in the UK.  I enjoyed it.  It is not the type of movie I would usually go see but I think it is worth checking out.  Here is the plot synopsis:

The daughter of a brilliant but mentally disturbed mathematician, recently deceased, tries to come to grips with her possible inheritance: his insanity. Complicating matters are one of her father's ex-students who wants to search through his papers and her estranged sister who shows up to help settle his affairs.

[Ben_JP]

I saw an interesting film a couple of weeks ago called "Proof".  It stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins.  I don't know if has been released in the UK. 

Looks good that - apparently it came out in the UK in January '05, but no word on a DVD release as of yet...

[axel foley]

If you are into this kinda thing - this is great.

[Buck Pete]

If you are into this kinda thing - this is great.

Did start a thread on Corpse Bride but it got totally ignored but hey i'm used to that. Here was my quick review.


CORPSE BRIDE
Tim Burton's new animated feature film currently showing in American Cinemas.

Had the fortune to watch this last night and must say that it is visually stunning and the look and feel of the characters remind me of Terry Gilliams work.

The story is about 2 youngsters Victor and Victoria who are about to be wed in an arranged marriage when Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp) accidentally slips the wedding ring onto the finger of a deceased bride who had been jilted at the alter. The Corpse bride(Helena Bonham Carter) falls deeply in love with the hapless Victor and sets about keeping him forever as Victor endeveours to get back to the land of the living to marry the lovely Victoria(Emily Watson).

This is a strangely dark tale which i believe originates from Eastern Europe.

A strong cast provide the voices alongside the 3 main characters including a strong British contingent comprising of Christopher Lee,Joanna Lumley,Tracy Ullman and the voice of the main protagonist Lord Barkis Britten comes from Richard E Grant.

The musical score is also fantastic, taking several pieces from other films (so i believe).

Go see it - great fun with a really dark feel.
 

[Ben_JP]

Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire

I've never read a Harry Potter book, nor do I intend to, so based solely on its merits as a film, I have to admit this is pretty entertaining stuff, full of strong SFX and led by a confident young cast.
 
It is simplistic, but then it is a film aimed at younger viewers first and foremost, so it is unfair to expect enormous depth throughout. That is not to say that the film is bereft of meaning - as the main cast have grown from children into teens, so too have the main audience, sharing similar experiences of love and teenage angst along the way (albeit with slightly less wizardry.) Older viewers needn't feel excluded on this front either: the scenes leading to the Tri-Wizard's ball provide a cringeworthy reminder of those awkward first steps into romance when girls progressed from simply being smelly and us boys stopped climbing trees all day.

Some of the scenes are however slightly alienating, but as with the rich tapestry of Star Wars, there is a back story that will be perfectly understood by fans of the series, who will rely on this to fill in any gaps.

My main criticism would be that it is far too long, but, again, perhaps this is to placate fans by not leaving anything out (and at nearly three hours, I expect not a lot has been).
 
So, a fan's film, that is still enjoyable for 'muggles', providing you have a comfy seat.

[SMD]

Can anyone recommend any decent films with Samuel L Jackson in, in the same vein as Pulp Fiction preferably?

[hooded claw]

Can anyone recommend any decent films with Samuel L Jackson in, in the same vein as Pulp Fiction preferably?

Do you mean 'decent films with him in', or 'films (decent or otherwise) in which SLJ features'? He's done some poor stuff although he's always watchable.

[SMD]

Decent films with him in. I've seen too many 'serious' films with him in so I was wondering if anyone knew of something else that I might not have heard of.

[wilo in berlin]

The long kiss good night is nice and light hearted.

[hooded claw]

Fill your boots 

[SMD]

Fill your boots 

I thought I'd dig about on imdb but I thought "no, maybe some of the good, kind souls on RAWK will point me to some gem I haven't heard of."

Tosser.




 

[Ben_JP]

Samuel L. sure has had a fair few cameos hasn't he?! Makes a brief appearence in Do the Right Thing, which is a very good film and well worth a watch if you've not already.