Monthly Archives: January 2012

Loco Film Festival: Discovery Screening

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London’s Comedy Film Festival

This was the first year of the Loco festival, but there was a really strong line-up of films and events. Alas, due to work commitments, I could only make it to one night of the festival – the Discovery Screening – in which a brand new short and feature are presented to an audience. And may I say, the future of UK comedy looks bright!

All Consuming Love (Man In A Cat)

A short film from Dice Productions which is, as all good shorts ought to be, properly weird. A woman believes that she has mice, so buys a cat. Inside the cat’s hollow, squishy head lives a tiny man in a jumper. Such a wonderful little existence is created. The animation and voice acting is great, and it’s very funny indeed. Check out the trailer below. Seeing this did raise the question of how difficult it is for short films to be seen in a proper cinematic environment, though, which is a real shame.

Black Pond

The Thompsons are a couple that have been together for many years, but have reached a point of simply existing. There is no joy in their marriage any longer, and most of their life is being lived through their daughters who have moved out. Whilst out walking the dog, Boy, Tom Thompson (Chris Langham) meets Blake (Colin Hurley). Blake seems a little simple, or innocent, but pleasant enough, so goes back for tea. This small act goes on to change the lives of all involved, and results in a death and a divorce.
The outcome is given away early, but it is the details and the character development that provide the interest. The relationships between the Thompsons and their friends are realistic to watch and the is the main strength of the film. The only character which doesn’t work quite as well is Eric Sacks (Simon Amstell). His scenes felt very different from the rest of the film, and the character much less real, which jarred with the family.

Chris Langham and Colin Hurley really stood out for me, with Langham managing to squeeze every drop of humour from his role.

Although being shown at a comedy festival, there are no jokes in BLACK POND. It is, however, extremely funny. The humour comes mainly from the characters and their relationships, and is very dark in places.

Highly recommended.

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Review: Life Just Is

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Life Just Is

I was lucky enough to be invited to see an early screening of new British Indie LIFE JUST IS, a fresh take on the lives of urban 20-somethings, from writer/director Alex Barrett

We follow a group of friends for a week. We see relationships begin, break up and develop. However, these aren’t standard ‘movie’ relationships, and they don’t necessarily go the way the characters would like. One of them, Pete is going through a tough existential crisis, while Tom and Claire are struggling with the simpler problem of mutual attraction.

It took me a while to get into the film, but much like real friendship, I think that is because I had to get to know the characters. Once I did, I was thoroughly engrossed. I was worried that the episodic nature of the film – each day has its own title card – might break up the flow, but it works really well and actually keeps the film moving, where perhaps it could have stalled on certain events.

The film manages to be both very large in scope, discussing religion and the existence of God, and also extremely intimate. The conversations are very realistic in the way they are written and are performed naturally by the cast, which really brings the characters to life. Of course, in an ensemble piece like this, some of the characters will end up a little neglected – but wanting to know more about them just proves that what we see is interesting and well thought-out.

Ultimately, once the film had finished, I find myself wishing I could see the next day in the lives of these characters. Watch it, and you’ll feel like you’ve made some new friends.

Visit the official website and follow on Twitter.

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Monster Movie Action!

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Kim Jong-Il’s monstrous creation, PULGASARI

I went to the fantastic Roxy Bar And Screen to see PULGASARI.

Now, the story behind the film is pretty amazing. Back in 1985, Kim Jong-Il had South Korean Director Shin San-ok make a monster movie. Of Course, San-ok had been kidnapped by North Korea, and was being held against his wishes. Special effects are from Godzilla studios Toho.

The film follows the story of a village which is being, essentially, pillaged by the King. The villagers revolt, and several are taken prisoner. One, the blacksmith, creates a small doll out of rice and food. When touched by human blood, the doll comes to life, and begins to eat metal.

As the villagers continue to fight against the evil regime, the monster grows in size, before becoming large enough to take on entire armies.

Some of the torture scenes are surprisingly shocking – particular an old woman getting her legs beaten by a plank of wood. Some of them are fairly silly (such as an executioner giving a full-on movie ‘evil laugh’). However, it isn’t the people that are the stars of this film, it’s Pulgasari himself.

In his first scenes, he’s tiny. You will want one as a pet. Once he’s big, though, the effects are standard 80′s Godzilla stuff. It’s bonkers, and I loved it. It’s really the sound effects that lift this film, though. They are very cartoonish in places, with hilarious consequences.

Without getting into the politics of the film, it is very entertaining in a ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ kind of way, and is different enough from other Toho monster films to be fresh.

Like the ‘Asian Movies Meet-up Group‘ to stay up-to-date with other events and screenings.

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Review: The Artist

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The first film of 2012

A silent film about the death of silent film. Rave reviews, great anticipation and awards buzz that would be deafening, except, of course, it’s all silent.

Can a film eighty years out of time really be as good as everyone is saying?

The film starts in the 1920’s, and George Valentin (jean Dujardin) is a Hollwood star at the height of his fame. Following a chance encounter with Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), a young actress, Valentin steps in to give her career a boost, and the sparks between them fly.

The trouble begins when cinema takes that giant leap into the unknown – sound.

As with so many of the great silent stars, George Valentin doesn’t make the transition, and his life begins to fall apart. At the same time, Peppy Miller become the new biggest name in town.

The story is simple and won’t tax you at all. The real joy of The Artist is the clever way that homage is made to silent classics, but in a very fresh, very modern way. There are moments of absolute brilliance. What’s more, the comedy is spot-on.

Watch it, ideally in a cinema that’s been running since the 1920′s, because the year has started with one of the very best films!

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