HP ePrint TRON: Legacy Experience - Outside Flynn's Arcade - London Southbank

HP ePrint TRON: Legacy Experience - Outside Flynn's Arcade - London Southbank
Originally uploaded by Craig Grobler

Friday is MACHETE !!!!!! day

The only way to hear Machete in your inner voice when reading the word is in a loud booming Grindhouse accent like this: MACHETE !!!!!!

By now you no doubt seen the trailer for MACHETE !!!!!! or at least heard of it. MACHETE !!!!!! is a Robert Rodriguez film that started out as one of the fake trailers inserted into the Grindhouse double bill of Death Proof (Quentin Tarantino) and Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror. As you know the double bill was a homage to the Grindhouse cinema of the 70s & early 80s.

As a side note my small home town Cape Town had an authentic Grindhouse cinema - the one and only The Roxy. It’s long gone these days but way back then I would occasionally sneak off for a Saturday matinee double bill at The Roxy. I say sneak off because The Roxy was strictly out of bounds. But for the same fee as the regular Saturday kiddy club I could see two films (three if I got there early enough), load up on refreshments and still have enough pocket money left over for a couple of comics. Sure the films showing were fairly old and in bad condition but I loved it.

So I can totally understand the desire to recapture that edgy nostalgia. Pretty much the whole Tarantino/Rodriguez double bill experience and visuals could have been lifted from the projection room of The Roxy.

In all honesty I wasn’t really swept away by Grindhouse Double bill - Don’t get me wrong there were moments of pure fun and maybe it was the heightened promise of delivery from the two or maybe it was because I saw films on small screens but I thought Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror only sucked slightly less than Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof. I just couldn’t help but think that budget and talent have been used to float better films. Having said that - both films are on my playlist for a re-evaluation.

Apart from MACHETE !!!!!! the other fake trailers that were inserted into the Grindhouse double bill included; Hobo with a Shotgun (winner of Robert Rodriguez's South by Southwest Grindhouse trailers competition and currently being made into a feature film starring Rutger Hauer - See the bottom of the page for a Grindhouse poster competition), Eli Roth's Thanksgiving (Roth has said that Thanksgiving may be turned into a feature) Edgar Wright's Don't (not in anyway shape or form confirmed as going to be made into a feature, yet) and Rob Zombie's Werewolf Women of the SS (with Nicholas Cage as one of cinema’s greatest villains Fu Manchu).

The idea of MACHETE !!!!!! came to Rodriguez while he was making Desperado. He got to know Danny Trejo who had a part as a hit-man who specializes in knives. Trejo and Rodriguez are distant relations but didn’t know each other till they met on the set of Desperado. Trejo a genuine bad ass having spent most of his youth in and out of juvie for crime and drug abuse. Eventually ending up in prison. While in prison he kicked his drug habit and become California State Prison Champion in both the light and welterweight divisions. The guy is a bad ass and has a lot of screen presence, too be honest when ever I saw him I thought he’s end up as the Mexican badass/henchman in lots of films. A bit like Al Leong is the Asian bad ass/henchman. You probably don’t recognize his name but when you see his face you’ll know him. Anyway when Rodriguez met Trejo he thought he was the scariest looking guy he had ever met and should be the Mexican “Jean-Claude Van Damme or Charles Bronson”.

Trejo even had a documentary Champion made about him back in 2005.

So Rodriguez decided to build a character around Trejo and thus MACHETE !!!!!! was born. His first incarnation was as Isador MACHETE !!!!!! Cortez in Spy Kids. He’s the brother in-law of Antonio Banderas’s character and reprised the role for all 3 of the Spy kids films.

In 2007 MACHETE !!!!!! was back again in the previously mentioned fake trailer for MACHETE !!!!!! inserted into the Grindhouse double bill feature.

I should mention I was surprised how incredibly close the original 2007 trailer for MACHETE !!!!!! is to the 2010 MACHETE !!!!!! film. Bar a couple of actor changes a lot of the set ups are exactly the same.

MACHETE !!!!!!
MACHETE !!!!!! picks up somewhere in Mexico and we are immediately dropped into the action as MACHETE !!!!!! and his partner are racing their Federale (Mexican bad ass cops “like the FBI, CIA and DEA, all rolled into one mean burrito!”) car to save a kidnapped girl from a vicious gang. But things aren’t that simple as the higher ups have told them not to go in and that they’ll be killed and kicked off the force. MACHETE !!!!!! makes it clear that he’s going in to save the girl, his partner lets him know what ever happens he’s on his side. MACHETE !!!!!! is a maverick badass. Thank god he’s on our side.

They crash threw the wall of the gangs hideout and MACHETE !!!!!! sets about dispensing with the criminals, each being dispatched in an increasingly more violent and ingenious way. Until a twist means that MACHETE !!!!!! has the table turned on him and he is at the mercy of the drug lord, non other than Steven Seagal (Torrez) it’s also revealed that MACHETE !!!!!!'s commanding officer is in on the whole thing and as corrupt as the night is dark. Rather than give MACHETE !!!!!! an honorable death, the gang remove MACHETE !!!!!! ’s wife’s head and Segal makes threatening comments about his daughter.


MACHETE !!!!!! is a broken man. But anyone who has ever seen a film knows this is a big mistake bad asses always come back, so I’m still unsure why Segal didn’t kill MACHETE !!!!!! Fade out.

3 years later we are introduced to Senator John McLaughlin (Robert De Niro) and Von Jackson (Don Johnson) when they are patrolling the US-Mex border with their crew, they are on a sport illegal immigrant hunt and brutally slaughter a group attempting a border crossing. Turns out Von Jackson has his own private army that are contracted to patrol the border and he is backed by the Senator John McLaughlin, who is looking to step up politically as well as increase immigration laws. Fade out.

We then find MACHETE !!!!!! he’s on the US side of the border, without a work permit and trying to scrape a life together as a non descript day labourer. Things aren’t going so well for him. As shown in the trailer Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey) picks him up, presents him with evidence of Senator John McLaughlin’s wrong doings, makes him an offer that involves MACHETE !!!!!! assassinating McLaughlin and ridding the world of a bad man and finally threatens him. Suprisingly rather than kicking the crap out of him MACHETE !!!!!! takes him up on the offer, but surprise, surprise is double crossed framed for shooting McLaughlin and left for dead.

But they just f#cked with the wrong Mexican. What follows is 105 minutes of badassery as MACHETE !!!!!! lays waste to everything and brings the whole corrupt system down. Or as the official synopsis says;” Double crossed and on the run MACHETE !!!!!! braves the odds with the help of Luz (Michelle Rodriguez), a saucy taco slinger, Padre (Cheech Marin) his "holy" brother, and April (Lindsay Lohan) a socialite with a penchant for guns. All while being tracked by Sartana (Jessica Alba), a sexy ICE agent with a special interest in the blade slinger.

The Skinny
I have to say that despite the cartoonish violence and ham acting (In some cases unintentional ham acting) MACHETE !!!!!! starts out quite well and well above my expectations. It's not for everyone - even though it draws attention to very relevant social issues particularly with David Cameron’s recent announcement of tightening UK immigration laws. It’s not meant to be taken seriously - it’s a very violent fun cartoon from start to finish. Performances are delivered in the spirit it is meant with tongue firmly in cheek. Around the ¾ mark I did start flagging as I the film was becoming a little repetitive. It’s a fun homage to B-Grade films of the 80s and closer to the mark than The Expendables. In fact I’m nominating Danny Trejo for the lead villain role in the sequel to The Expendables - The Expendables 2: Even more expendable now because Danny Trejo is the villain.

Outstanding
There is a scene set in a hospital where MACHETE !!!!!! has a stand off against a crew, the build up isn’t great and the slo-mo bit lifted from The Terminator 2 but MACHETE !!!!!! has hastily put together a bunch of deadly edged weapons from kit on a surgeons table. He then proceeds to rip the crew apart (literally) removing the intestine from one of them and using it to escape by swinging through the window to the floor below. They don’t teach that shizz in the academy, that’s for sure.

Fear not citizens At the end of MACHETE !!!!!! a message promises that MACHETE !!!!!! will be back in Machete Kills & Machete kills again

The MACHETE !!!!!! are also running a competition on the official UK & Ireland Facebook page for the MACHETE !!!!!! - http://www.facebook.com/macheteUKIRE - ‘Go Grindhouse’ asks fans of the page to create a ‘Grindhouse’ style movie poster for a film of their choice. They can then upload it to the page for a chance to win a Playstation 3.

Friday is MACHETE !!!!!! day

MACHETE !!!!!! is slashing big screens from today Friday 26 November

Director: Ethan Maniquis, Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Fahey, Cheech Marin, Don Johnson, Lindsay Lohan

More info:
Over at the MACHETE !!!!!! website.

The American

I’ve seen The American twice now and feel comfortable that what you are about to read will still be valid in 28 years.

When posters for The American started popping up I was intrigued. I loved the two tone minimalistic poster design. It was reminiscent of those cool 70s posters for adult spy thrillers that introduced the world to me, full of high intrigue dramas and twists and someone my I age would not fully comprehend at the time.


However the bits of the trailer that I saw made The American look like a by the numbers CIA (or other Agency) hitman on the run/having a jolly in Europe that we have all seen before. I should at this point mention that the early trailer I saw (Trailer 1 over here is incredibly misleading - I can understand why the expositionary American voice over was inserted but I felt it did a disservice to The American and left me confused when watching the film. Trailer 2 below (which I found while writing this) gives a much better feel for what the film is actually like.

So trailer 1 combined with:

1. I haven’t really enjoyed the bulk of George Clooney’s work lately and passed on most of them. Look to be fair George Clooney is not without a considerable amount of charm and talent, but lately he seems more comfortable in the lighter roles, the roles that parody himself and the belief system has built up over the last 20 years.
   
   Now I’m not saying that he isn’t a good actor or made serious films - I loved Michael Clayton and everything about it is good, especially George Clooney. And of course anyone in a job wants to stretch themselves and be known for more than 1 trick so I understand his need to extend his range.


2. I didn’t really enjoy Anton Corbijn’s earlier feature Control. Despite the great performances. The subject matter went over my head. I have absolutely no emotional attachment to Joy Division and didn’t think the visuals alone weren’t strong enough to carry the film for the entire bleak 122 mins.
   

However The American was adapted by Rowan Joffe, and I was completely blown away by early footage of his big screen debut feature Brighton Rock as well as suitably impressed with his take on film creativity - as well as curiosity to see what Clooney and Corbijn cooked up with one of my favourite genres was enough of a draw for me.

The American
We open on a serene snow-laden Nordic winter wonderland; in a rustic cabin we find a naked lady draped across a bed playfully messing with George Clooney’s hair as he sits comfortably but slightly aloof on the floor in front of a wood fire. A little later, dressed and smiling they make their way out the cabin into the snow.

They come across some human foot prints “Hunters? No they would travel in pairs” she offers. Thereafter their tranquility is brutally shattered and in what follows we learn that George Clooney has finally taken a role that isn’t a humorous stab at self parody and a rehash of the formulaic "hero" archetype we usually see. It's Clooney but as we have never seen him before. We also learn that The American is capably trained in the art of death and inhabits a world of intrigue that justifies his constant state of paranoia, isolation and edginess. And so with a bang rather than a whimper begins Anton Corbijn’s The American.


By the time the titles were rolling I’m ecstatic. The American has a really strong start; I’m going with it and loving it.

We then follow The American as he goes to ground in a small Italian village where we meet the bulk of the cast including the wonderfully captured Italian countryside. This is not the Italy that you see in most films or the travel ads; this is small town, rural Italy.

The gist of it and you’ll understand why I feel Trailer 1 is misleading. The American is an anonymous craftsman; he’s not an assassin - but he does live in that world and has all the same highly dangerous enemies as assassins.



The gist of it and you’ll understand why I feel Trailer 1 is misleading. The American is an anonymous craftsman; he’s not an assassin - but he does live in that world and has all the same highly dangerous enemies as assassins.


He is someone who has lived in that world for so long he is isolated, trusts no one and on constant edge - ready to react to a click of a gun or a footfall behind him. Clooney is marvellous in the role. Monosyllabic and convincingly unable to connect with anyone unless it’s on his terms. He is charmless, efficient and brutal at the drop of a pin. He is James Bond without the glamour.

Pretty soon The American has taken on a new assignment in the village. But as recent events continue to haunt him he feels the net closing in on him. At the same time he has attracted the attention of some of the town locals; including a priest intent on making The American repent his sins (Paolo Bonacelli) and a gorgeous young prostitute falling for The American (Violante Placido), old enemies reappear and a possible new threat rears its head - as The American wants to leave this world behind him - kicking his paranoia and instincts into overdrive.


Performances are top notch and Corbijn’s minimalistic cinematography plays well to The American’s Spartan philosophy. I also enjoyed the measured pacing of the story allowing one to absorb detail as The American’s world develops. I particularly liked the shots of The American plying his craft; it's a very interesting but often ignored aspect of the world of assassins.

However in the interest of fairness I should mention 2 niggling points that I thought let the film down slightly (apart from Trailer 1). And I’m only mentioning this as I was surprised at the dichotomy of an otherwise faultless visually detailed orientated production letting these slip through – The American’s tattoos looked too new, particularly his fake military“Ex Gladio Equitas” tattoo - which establishes his military background. He would have got this when he was young(er) and it would look dated, especially when compared the newer tattoo on his back..

A related but slightly larger issue for me was the heavy handed symbolism. Don’t get me wrong I think there is a distinct lack of visual analogy in contemporary film-making but one of the consistent themes was laid on a little too heavy and not since Blade Runner's Rick Deckard’s unicorn 28 years ago has there been a more blatant use of a metaphor. My understanding is that in Martin Booth’s book A Very Private Gentleman the symbol in question plays a larger role in The American’s façade, which the film dropped for a more updated and believable past time - photography. The American is a wonderful film and I can't figure out why the symbolism was given such prominence, subtly done would have been more in line with the film's zeitgeist, Clooney's performance and possibly would have had greater effect.

Anton Corbijn talks a little bit about the tattoos on his blog over here you can also see some very cool behind the scenes photography there as well.

The Skinny
The American is a class production, with more in common with the super cool international spy thrillers of the 70s than a poster - it's shot with both style and existential substance and really I hope it signals a return to film making for adults that don’t need every little detail spelt out for them or the Hollywood playbook to enjoy a decent story.

The American will be on a big screen near you this Friday 26 November. It's our pick of this week's releases as well as in our top 10 for 2010.

Director: Anton Corbijn
Starring: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Paolo Bonacelli , Thekla Reuten

More info:
Over at The American website.

Film Location – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final adventure in the Harry Potter film series, is a motion picture event, told in two full-length parts.

The End Begins

Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality and destruction—the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart.

Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort’s Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. But the one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort… alive.

Harry’s only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him. But as he searches for clues, he uncovers an old and almost forgotten tale—the legend of the Deathly Hallows. And if the legend turns out to be true, it could give Voldemort the ultimate power he seeks.

Little does Harry know that his future has already been decided by his past when, on that fateful day, he became “the Boy Who Lived.” No longer just a boy, Harry Potter is drawing ever closer to the task for which he has been preparing since the day he first stepped into Hogwarts: the ultimate battle with Voldemort.

Shot in the UK both on location and in studio Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows shows more of London than the previous six films, including scenes filmed in the one of the capital’s most recognised landmarks - Piccadilly Circus.

As seen in previous films the visitor’s entrance to The Ministry of Magic is still on the corner of Great Scotland Yard and Scotland Place. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry and Arthur Weasley (Ron’s dad) use a public telephone box to enter The Ministry of Magic. Although the public call box does not actually exist in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Harry, Hermione and Ron have to sneak into the Ministry in disguise using a public bathroom. The entrance is still around the same area.

In the pictures above we see Ron spying on Mafalda Hopkirk (Sophie Thompson) who unwittingly contributes to Hermione’s disguise.

Film Location – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Where:
Scotland Place, London SW1A

View Larger Map

We love Dream Home

Network Releasing are on a roll! Earlier this year they released the wonderfully subtle and nostalgic Martin Scorsese & Alec Baldwin produced Lymelife. This month they are set to release the rather awesome and wacky Dream Home (19 November).

A little while ago I was lucky enough to see Dream Home. I had heard some good things about it so I wasn’t going in totally blind. My understanding was that it centered on someone’s attempts to acquire a Dream Home under some tough conditions in the Far East.

Dream Home - Cheng Li-sheung (Josie Ho) is a young, upwardly mobile professional finally ready to invest in her first home. But when the deal falls through, she is determined to keep her dream alive - even if it means keeping her would-be neighbors dead. Cut-throat real-estate prices call for bloody countermeasures....


After reading the synopsis and watching the trailer visions of; Three Extremes (Sam gang y), Audition (Ôdishon), The Ring (Ringu), Dark Water (Honogurai mizu no soko kara), The Grudge (Ju-on), One Missed Call (Chakushin ari), Pulse (Kairo) and other great Eastern shockers seeped into my consciousness. So the screening was certainly going to be interesting if nothing else.

Soho Screening room. Lights dim. Projector flares up. For the next 96 minutes the audience veers from white knuckle terror, cringing disgust, to giggles & back again and by the time the credits roll it had completely charmed me. I absolutely loved Dream Home.

The gist of it is that Cheng Li-sheung (Josie Ho) is a hard working young lady; she works in a thankless job in a bank call centre dealing with dismissive clients all day. Unlike her colleagues when the day ends she does not head out to blow off some steam, she heads to her second job as a sales assistant in a clothing store. She has a callow boyfriend, who’s married, not to her - who fits her in around his work, wife and golf schedule. She supports her sickly ungrateful father and at every turn her attempts to buy a home are dashed.


You soon get the picture that young Cheng’s life seems empty and oppressed, something of a modern day Hong Kong Cinderella, desperately needing the help of a fairy godmother.

Dream Home has a similar narrative structure to a Quentin Tarantino film, so the story rolls out in flashback as well as real time - building up to the climax. So we really get to understand more about Cheng’s motivations, her back story and her dream of owning a home - with a harbour view. All the way from her humble childhood through to her butterfly like metamorphosis to the screen's latest slasher queen. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say watching Cheng’s convincing transformation was like witnessing the birth of a new screen character similar to the likes of; Patrick Bateman (American Psycho), Michael Myers (Halloween) and Ghostface (Scream).

Dream Home is not any of those great Easternt horrors I listed above, it’s something different and not going to be easy to pigeon hole. Which is why I’m not surprised that it’s being pitched as a slasher film and the dark satire has been played down. Make no mistake it will horrify and there is a fair amount blood and gore. But it's beautifully shot and you’ll be chuckling - sometimes at the gore.

I saw Dream Home a couple of days after seeing Piranha 3D and couldn’t help but draw
similarities between the two. Both films are filled with gore, both filled with blood,
both have humorous elements except Dream Home is more satire than slapstick, is
relevant, was presumably made for a fraction of the cost, is innovative and actually
entertaining. Even it's poster is a wry take on the American Dream via American
Beauty.

Key to Dream Home is that it has an emotional focus and charm, which comes down largely to Josie Ho’s portrayal of Cheng. I could not help feel sympathetic to her going through the troubles and tribulations as she tries to fulfill her childhood dream and I’m pretty sure she’ll win you over and even though she has a dark side you’ll be silently rooting for her.

It’s easy to see why Hollywood have snapped Josie Ho up and she’ll soon be seen in, not one, but two major productions; Steven Soderbrgh's Contagion starring; Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon and Marion Cotillard as well as in acclaimed director Hany Abu-Assad’s The Courier starring along side Mickey Rourke and Dean Morgan.

Dream Home is deftly handled by Pang Ho-cheung and although it’s efficient, it’s beautifully shot especially the scenes of Hong Kong architecture.

The visuals and editing are slick and innovative (including some class gore FX) throughout but maintain the emotion. I guess the highest compliment regarding the production that I can throw out is that; it’s an Eastern film, with an Eastern cast, shot in Cantonese, gives a really good feel for Hong Kong but translates very easily to a western audience. This may have been helped by the relevant and topical subject matter but Dream Home is one very well made film.

For fairness I should mention that there were a couple of minor errors in the subtitles on the print I saw - although, if anything I felt it added to the charm of Dream Home.

Dream Home will be on a big screen near you this Friday 19 November. And is our pick for this week's releases.

Director: Ho-Cheung Pang
Starring: Josie Ho, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Michelle Ye, Eason Chan, Norman Chu

More info:
Over at the Dream Home microsite.

Monsters Andrew Kaulder's Flickr stream

Gareth Edwards' Monsters will be released on the UK big screen on December 3. I was lucky enough to catch an early preview of it at this year's FrightFest as well as hear Gareth talk about the making of Monsters at both Empire's Moviecon and the aforementioned screening.

I'm a fan of the super talented Gareth Edwards and loved Monsters. Comparisons have been drawn to District 9 because of it's super low budget and minimal production, but I felt the tale has a lot more in common with Cloverfield.

Even though Gareth has said that Monsters is "part sci-fi, part romance, part road movie" you will get a lot more out of it if you go into the cinema not expecting District 9, Cloverfield or any other special FX laden extravaganza. Although Gareth is a FX wizard the magic of Monsters is that it is a quiet, understated character film set in the near future.

I particularly liked the match up of visuals with the haunting soundtrack as well as romantic play between the two lead characters. Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able are married in real life so the chemistry between them is spot on.

As soon as I get some time I'll throw up a full review as well as some clips of Gareth Edwards talking about making Monsters in the meantime - I have serendipitously stumbled across Andrew Kaulder's Flickr stream. Andrew Kaulder is the male lead character from Monsters played by Scoot McNairy.

If you have already seen Monsters these are presumably some of the photos Kaulder is seeing taking throughout the film. This is a nice understated touch of marketing and it compliments the general feel of Monsters. His full photostream can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaulder

Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring:Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able

UK, 2010, 2009, 94 mins

Monsters Andrew Kaulder's Flickr stream

Monsters will be released in the UK on Dec 3, 2010

More info:
Over at the MONSTERS website or follow the MONSTERS spreading UK infection via Twitter here @stra_monsters

Shhh.... Secret Cinema is back this November

Secret Cinema the daddy of immersive cinema is back. And this November is seems as though they have pulled out all the stops.

I have been following their movements as closely as I can in the run up to their November screenings and I have to say that their November campaign is one of the most intricate and well thought out experiences yet. Top viral marketeers (I'm talking to you Dark Knight, Tron, etc.) could learn a thing or two from this month's campaign.

I've been sworn to secrecy, well it is Secret Cinema after all - but I can now let you know the following..

SECRET CINEMA CREATE A VIRTUAL WORLD

11TH – 21st NOVEMBER 2010

In Partnership with Windows® Phone

Secret Cinema is back. For this month’s immersive cinema
experience over 50,000 people join a virtual world. Visit the New Well
Being Foundation website, listen to the Wellbeing radio or call the
Wellbeing telephone line.

The journey begins here…

Please log onto:

www.thenewwellbeingfoundation.com

To get you into the mood I have lifted the following clips from their Facebook page here

Previously I have taken pleasure in guessing what the screenings are going to be and I have some guesses on what this months film could be, but in the spirit of Secret Cinema I'm telling no one.

Shhh.... Secret Cinema is back this November

Where:
It's a secret

When:
Yea, that's a secret too

More info:
All is revealed at http://www.secretcinema.org/

Martin Scorsese, Thelma Schoonmaker and Columba Powell discuss Peeping Tom

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Michael Powell's Peeping Tom, Curzon Cinemas have announced a very special screening of the film followed by acclaimed filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker and Powell’s son Columba Powell in conversation.

Peeping Tom was, upon its release, one of the most controversial films ever made in Britain. Powell’s career never recovered from the scandal, but twenty years later, Peeping Tom was hailed as a misunderstood masterpiece – thanks to the efforts of filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, who helped finance a wider US re-release.

The event will be hosted by Francine Stock. Francine Stock is the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The Film Programme. Formely presenter of Newsnight and Front Row, Francine was also nominated for the Whitbread First Novel award for her debut book, A Foreign Country.

Peeping Tom - By day, Mark Lewis works as a modest focus-puller in a film studio. But he also shoots glamour photographs for a seedy Soho newsagent, and by night he seeks victims for his most gruesome obsession – filming the face of mortal fear, moments before death. Directed by Michael Powell, the acclaimed director of A Matter of Life and Death and The Red Shoes.

Director: Michael Powell
Writer: Leo Marks
Starring:Karlheinz Böhm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, Maxine Audley

UK, 1960, 101 mins

Martin Scorsese, Thelma Schoonmaker and Columba Powell discuss Peeping Tom

Where:
Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5DY

When:
5:20pm, Sat 13 Nov, 2010

More info:
Over at the Curzon website

James Bond - All that Glitters is Goldfinger: In Conversation with Guy Hamilton - Film Talk Tuesdays

Early this year. Film4 held their Film4 Summer Screen 2010 Festival at Somerset House. As you by now no doubt know the Film4 Summer Screen Festival features eleven nights of movies on the giant open air screen at Somerset House with an accompanying season of insider talks, discussions and special events in Behind the Screen in collaboration with Film4 and BAFTA.

One of the highlights of the Behind the Screen sessions was BAFTA celebrating the works of long time James Bond director Guy Hamilton. The discussion was hosted by master Bond composer David Arnold (@davidgarnold), was focussed on Guy Hamilton's Bond directorial debut Goldfinger and included the Goldfinger's golden girl the lovely Ms. Shirley Eaton (http://www.shirleyeaton.net/).

James Bond - All that Glitters is Goldfinger: In Conversation with Guy Hamilton - Film Talk Tuesdays

QA Mike Leigh & Another Year screening

Although it narrowly missed out on the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Mike Leigh’s ANOTHER YEAR is undoubtedly one of his finest films. It is a typically dry slice of British social-realist cinema with a host of richly formed characters and sharp dialogue from a seasoned cast on top form. - from www.picturehouses.co.uk

Another Year - A married couple who have managed to remain blissfully happy into their autumn years, are surrounded over the course of the four seasons of one average year by friends, colleagues, and family who all seem to suffer some degree of unhappiness.

Director: Mike Leigh
Starring: Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen and Lesley Manville

Release Date:
5 November 2010

QA Mike Leigh & Another Year screening

Where:
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn Street, London SW4 0AT

When:
8:00pm, Fri 5 nov, 2010

More info:
Over at the PictureHouse website

Jameson Cult Film Club presents: Taxi Driver

Given the increase and number of various Immersive Cinematic events to choose from I would be surprised if you haven’t participated - or at least aware of the uprising of events popping up in London (as well as the rest of the UK).

They are the cinematic equivalent of Tyler Durden’s Fight Clubs, the secret gigs of the 2000s and the warehouse parties of the 80s - they pop up, create an immersive experience and fade back into the night.

For years - in the hopes of offering a deeper, more compelling experience to keep audiences engaged and interested - there has been much talk of how audiences can be engaged beyond the passive viewing experience with immersive cinema.

With the continued dissatisfaction in traditional cinema, many of us are seeking out more niche experiences, not only more in line with our general social seeking behaviour but experiences that embody the same care and attention, showing a film that filmmakers put into a making a film (and which we view the film with.)

Their have been various attempts at this, the most enduring (and successful) of these being Surround sound, 3D and more recently IMAX. However there have been many other attempts including; Smell-o-vision (odours released to coincide with on-screen events) and its scratch-n-sniff offshoot Odorama (successfully employed last year at the ICA for a screening of Peter Greenway’s The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover), Percepto! (small electric buzzers attached to chairs), Illusion-O (coloured glasses reveal ghosts), Sensurround (incredibly loud rumbling bass output), Cinerama (curved 146 degree widescreens) as well as 4-D (3D combined with physical interaction like moving/vibrating chairs) mostly used in theme parks. Who can forget Feel-A-Round the parody technique demonstrated in The Kentucky Fried Movie?

Jameson too have crossed that bridge merging film and immersive experience with their ongoing Jameson Cult Film Club screenings held in unique and distinct locations, combined with performance art and props. These screenings also offer a warm platform for film lovers to come together and watch some of their favourite films. For more about previous screening see my post about the MOON screening here!

Although Jameson were not first, they certainly have consistently maintained the spirit of Cult, kept their screenings fresh, un-bloated, and on the button.

Some seem to be focussing on the “pop up” nature of these screenings as the heart of the event, rather missing the point that the bigger immersive experience is intrinsically tied into the ambient connection offered by the location of the screening.

As was the case when Jameson Cult Film Club presented the classic Taxi Driver at the Brewer Street public car park.

I had been to an event a little while ago at the same location so initially my thoughts were that they needed a space and this was it. However as I made my way through the streets of Soho things started to fall into place and the neon bathed wet backstreets of Soho were an inspired substitute for Travis Bickle’s sordid and grimy New York. This event started outside the actual screening. I’m unsure of how many people had assembled, but the queue was long, full of anticipation and well dressed urbanites.

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: In the seedy back streets of Soho people queue for the JCFC screening of Taxi Driver by Craig Grobler , on Flickr

We crossed the police barrier and made our way up the sign posted stairwell,
through the concrete car park to be serenaded by the haunting Bernard Herrmann Main Title theme from Taxi Driver emanating from a street musician’s Saxophone bathed by the green glow from lights above.

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Street Musician greeting people on entry with Bernard Herrmann's great Taxi Driver Theme by Craig Grobler , on Flickr , Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Ladies of the night by Craig Grobler , on Flickr ,

Passing the musician on our way up the vertical slope to the next floor we were first handed some dollars by Usherettes to be used upstairs and then accosted by some ladies of the night. We were well and truly immersed in the sleazy world of Travis Bickle.

Arriving at the top and turning the corner, there it was – straight from the opening scene of Taxi Driver like a shark, Travis Bickle’s cab comes gliding out of the steamy night.

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Like a shark, the cab comes out of the steamy night by Craig Grobler , on Flickr , Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Homage to the opening scene of Taxi Driver by Craig Grobler , on Flickr , Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Inside Travis Bickle's cab by Craig Grobler , on Flickr ,

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Travis Bickle's Taxi Cab by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Then I first saw her She was wearing a white dress. She appeared like an angel. Out of the filthy mess, she is alone - Betsy handing out "We are the People" vote for Senator Palantine badges. Nice touch a little takeaway paraphernalia from the evening.

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Betsy hands out vote for Palantine "We are the people" badges. by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Behind Betsy a queue for New York style hot dogs and a cavernous room filled with not one but three screens to ensure non of the action was missed by the growing crowd, neon lights, Usherettes ensuring libation for all, revellers - Hustlers, Hookers and Pimps all trying to get those recently acquired dollars off us when not fighting with each other.

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: New York Style Hot Dogs by Craig Grobler, on Flickr, Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Betsy and the end of the Hot Dog queue by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Pimps and hoes do getting on by Craig Grobler, on Flickr, Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Jameson usherettes ensure that drinks are topped up by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Hustlers and Hoes rarely get on by Craig Grobler, on Flickr, Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Street Hustlers. by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

On the right behind the DJ booth a long stretch of bar serving up customary Jameson refreshments adding some class and respite from the grim “streets of New York”.

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver DJ XXX by Craig Grobler, on Flickr, Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Precision Mixology by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: The New York Post headline Taxi Driver Battles Gangsters by Craig Grobler, on Flickr, Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Pre-screening refreshments by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

While nursing a Jameson Mule I headed past the Diner booths already filled with the more fleet of foot –

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Pre-screening by Craig Grobler, on Flickr, Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Pre-screening refreshments by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

and to my surprise bumped into the rather brilliant Riz Ahmed London Curator for the Jameson Cult Film Club screening, (if you haven’t seen Chris Morris’ bittersweet yet hilarious Four Lions yet. I strongly urge you to. You won’t regret it)

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: JCFC Curator Riz Ahmed & Jameson's team member. Travis Bickle lurking in the background by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Stephen Graham will be curating a screening of Dracula in Liverpool on October 28 and Matt Greenhalgh will be the Curator of a November screening of Aliens in Manchester – more info and tickets for these screenings can be found on the Jameson Cult Film Club website over here!

I had a really short chat with Riz Ahmed about what he had coming up next. He can currently be seen in a show stealing part in the Blu Ray/DVD release of Neil Marshall's spectacular vengeful sword and sandals adventure Centurion. Just before he had to rush off and introduce the screening of Taxi Driver he had a chance to mention that he was working with Plan B (Ben Drew). I had assumed that he was involved with Turnaround a new feature starring Ben Drew, however he may have been referring to their collaboration on the Party4Pakistan fundraiser for the Pakistan floods.

He also mentioned that he was starting production on a new film directed by no less than the great French auteur Jean-Jacques Annaud and will be working with Tahar Rahim.

OK! Hopefully by now you know that A Prophet (which starred Tahar Rahim) is one of my favourite films of all time. Holy Cow! (That’s an exclamation not the title of the film) turns out Riz is working on Black Thirst with Tahar Rahim, Freida Pinto, Mark Strong and possibly Antonio Banderas. Under the eye of Jean-Jacques Annaud and with a cast like that Black Thirst is shaping up to be something of a cinematic treat


Shooting in Tunisia Black Thirst is based on a 1957 novel by Hans Ruesch.

“Set in the 1930s Arab states at the dawn of the oil boom, the story centers on a young Arab prince torn between allegiance to his conservative father and
modern, liberal father-in-law.” – From IMDB

He had to shoot off to introduce Taxi Driver so I didn’t get the chance to delve deeper into either projects. As Riz Ahmed made his way backstage I spotted the man of the hour Travis Bickle. In fact when I noticed him I realised that he had actually been around the whole time lurking and watching. Although reluctant to stop for a photo I managed to get a couple of shots of him.

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Travis Bickle How's your drivin' record? - It's real clean, like my conscience by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Travis Bickle unhappy with the state of the nation by Craig Grobler, on Flickr, Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Travis Bickle surveying the streets. "King Kong Company 1968-70" by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

The PA system let us know that the screening would be starting shortly and we should take our seats. Everyone started making their way to their seats for Taxi Driver.

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Jameson Cult Film Club Curator the brilliant Riz Ahmed introduces Taxi Driver by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Jameson Cult Film Club Curator the brilliant Riz Ahmed introduces Taxi Driver by Craig Grobler, on Flickr, Jameson Cult Film Club - Taxi Driver: Travis Bickle puts his own twist on a film introduction by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Riz Ahmed introduced Taxi Driver as one of his favourite films and his love of anti hero Travis Bickle. Next up Travis Bickle (channeling Christopher Walken) spoke of the storm that was coming to clean the streets of all the scum.

After the screening Jameson treated all to an after party off note, allowing us to discuss just how brilliant Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver is, what an inspired choice for a cult viewing it was, what an absolutely blinding and brilliant cast it has (Robert De Niro, a 12 year old Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, Cybill Shepherd, Peter Boyle, Albert Brooks, etc.), Bernard Herrmann’s soulful score (one of his last), the larger social implications of vigilantism or just how bat shit crazy Travis Bickle actually was, which Jameson screening has been the best so far and will Jameson be able to top this evening given that Taxi Driver is the de facto king of Cult films? - Over a drink or two. As the bar filled and the DJ kicked off his playlist - filling the dance floor very quickly I made my way into the Fall Soho night.

I have to say I really enjoyed this screening; the performance art bits were pared down to the right balance of entertaining but not intrusive or distracting leaving the film to be the highlight of the evening. Hey Jameson how about a custom cocktail made to celebrate each film by a Mixologist of note? Just an idea.

For an insightful review of Taxi Driver by Dave Calhoun, TimeOut film editor head over to the Jameson Cult Film Blog here!

Thanks Jameson for another great night : )

The Jameson Cult Film Club continues with screenings of Dracula in Liverpool on October 28th, Aliens in Manchester in November (you lucky, lucky Mancurians) as well as their annual CHILLS IN THE CHAPEL season which includes screenings of Quatermass and the Pit (October 29), The Amityville Horror (October 30) and ends on Halloween with some classic Hitchcock Psycho (October 31) to be screened at Union Chapel in London.

Visit the Jameson Cult Film Club Box Office for more info and tickets.