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.

Buried Review Screenrush Film Club

So last night, I went off to see Rodrigo Cortés' Buried. It was the inaugural screening of the Screenrush Film Club launched to celebrate their redesign of Screenrush.co.uk.

The cinema was packed and there was and there was a buzz in there in anticipation of Buried. To kick of the screening the Screenrush team welcomed us and gave out some Swag to celebrate the event.

Screenrush Film Club: Screenrush team introducing Buried by Craig Grobler , on Flickr

If you are unsure - Yes! I am a sucker for good film Swag and I have to say that the Screenrush Swag bag was pretty damn good.

Screenrush Film Club: Buried - Swag Bag (Ogden Marsh T-Shirt - The Crazies, Fakin Cnut T-Shirt - 44 inche Chest, Where the Wild thingare Fan & Pencil, The Rebound Water Bottle, Sex & The City 2 goodies, I Love you Phillip Morris Gown & Walkman speakers and The Accidental Husband, Vera Drake & The Crazies on DVD) by Craig Grobler , on Flickr

But the highlight of the Swag was this:

Inception Spinner by Craig Grobler , on Flickr

That’s right I know own an Inception Spinner. Sweet!

Anyway onto Buried. Previously I had heard that Buried was a great conceptual piece that basically consisted of Ryan Reynolds being stuck in a box. Interesting! Visions of the Larry Cohen written “phone” films: Joel Schumacher’s minor 2003 classic Phone Booth and Cellular starring & Kim Basinger and a little known Chris Evans were being conjured.

Then this August at Empire Magazine’s Moviecon I got to see the first 8 minutes of Buried and listen to Director Rodrigo Cortés talk about making Buried. My already growing interest was piqued when Cortés introduced the clip by saying something like “It’s about a man buried in a box, here are the first 8 minutes. There is nothing else to say” and shrugged.

Paul Conroy is not ready to die.

But when he wakes up six feet underground with no idea of who put him there or why, life for the truck driver and family man instantly becomes a hellish struggle for survival. Buried with only a cell phone and a lighter, his contact with the outside world and ability to piece together clues that could help him discover his location are maddeningly limited. Poor reception, a rapidly draining battery, and a dwindling oxygen supply become his worst enemies in a tightly confined race against time, fighting panic, despair and delirium, Paul has only ninety minutes to be rescued before his worst nightmare comes true.

I have to say even though Cortés’ first language is not English (he’s Spanish) he was one of the most engaging and entertaining speakers I have had the pleasure to listen to. His energy and passion at a high the entire time. Too be honest I would have paid more than the equivalent of a cinema ticket just to hear him talk. By the way the Curzon Soho is previewing Buried on Wed 29 Sep and Rodrigo Cortés will be answering questions after the screening. I highly recommend that if you can you pop along.

Cortés went on to acknowledge the craziness in making a film about a man in a box and then hoping it’s a success. And acutely aware that initially the cards were stacked against him. For full effect imagine all of this in a thick Spanish accent.

Although he has an interest in the subject matter he wasn’t particularly inspired to create a story about someone being buried (it was written by up and comer Chris Sparling) but he feels that being buried alive does tap into out primal fear.

He was quick to point out that although people thought Buried was going to be “experimental and obscure” he was aiming for more Hitchcock or in the best case “Indiana Jones in a box”.

Cortés went on to talk about the difficulties in making a film where the star is stuck in a confined space for the entire 17 day entire shoot. As you can imagine it wasn’t a whole lot of fun.

The best parts of the talk were when he went on to explain how Ryan Reynolds involved. Initially Reynolds thought it made no sense at all but read the script and thought that there is no way a film like this could be made. He went on to watch Cortés’ earlier The Contestant and wanted to know more. They met in LA and shook on making the film. ”I think it was because of my poor English, I think he misunderstood and he was too embarrassed to back out. When you have this accent people think you are sophisticated.”

Another highlight was when asked how you get a piece like Buried distributed?

I was expecting an underdog vs. the system tale but Cortés surprises again by explaining how ridiculously easy it was. They shot the film it premiered at Sundance and immediately studios were trying to outbid each other for the distribution rights- “within two months we sold it to 65% of the world.” Pure magic.

I guess a large part of whether you’ll enjoy Buried or not is whether you buy into Ryan Reynolds. I’m a fan although some of his recent efforts haven’t been great, during the late 90s (a bad time for stand out talent) Reynolds was one of the few glittering new acts on TV in "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place" to shine. The cracking dialogue played to his wise ass strengths. And pretty soon it was apparent that if Reynolds star did not ascend something was very wrong.

I say a guess a large part of whether you’ll enjoy Buried or not is whether you buy into Ryan Reynolds – because and I’m managing expectations here when I say most of the film is Ryan Reynolds in a box. There are no flashbacks, outside shots, traveling through telephone lines or sideways cuts.

Buried starts with a great Saul Bass like title sequence which sets the tense Hitchcock like tone for the film.

We wake up in the box/coffin with Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds) a Truck Driver contracting in Iraq and for the remaining 95 minutes live with him real time as his predicament unfolds. He has been buried 6 feet under the ground somewhere in Iraq by professional abductors. Don’t let the word professional fool you - they do this for the money but their victim’s well being is not a priority and they are brutally merciless.

He has his wits (which turn out to be his most useful tool), a lighter, a hip flask and a little later a mobile phone (with a diminishing battery life & poor reception) that becomes his link with the outside world, however this is not some cooked up film world where the cavalry comes charging when asked, this is the “sorry, you have reached the wrong department let me put you on hold while we put you through” world. Try to imagine trying to get some coherent sense from your bank or an automated voice system over the phone and you are close to the hell that is unleashed upon Paul and from here it only gets worse for him.

A standout scene for me was when Paul Conroy has to reach something at his feet I think it was the mobile phone and we watch as he goes through a herculean effort to reach the item. This typifies the film for me; Paul’s will pushed to the limit by a seemingly simple task.

I guess this all comes down to two questions:

1. Can Ryan Reynolds single handedly hold a film together for 95 minutes?
Yes. The increasing frustration of his character permeates through his limited movements and voice - at every step of the way as he slowly descends to desperation. Reynolds is good enough to ensure that empathy is maintained for Paul. It’s also worth noting that as well as both the helpful and antagonist voices on the telephone, the psychical space has an oppressive character of its own to play off.

2. Is Buried well enough made to make sense?
Yes. Tense and gripping Buried had me engaged throughout. Cortes has alluded to it being similar to a technical challenge that the Hitchcock would have set up for himself. With Cortés fulfilling both directorial and editing duties the film comes and stays together cohesively, although I did feel myself meandering in thought around the ¾s mark but there is more than enough richness in atmosphere to make the film worthwhile.

In hindsight there are some bits that seem to be added to extend or heighten the tension and looking back there were bits that were supposed to build to a punch that may have been lost in the overall stuck in a box situation.

If you are the type person who would pay to see a film about a man stuck in box, you won’t be disappointed. With a few props and lots of creativity the Buried teams have made a pretty good film.

Buried will be in UK cinemas from the 1 October, 2010

Director: Rodrigo Cortés
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, José Luis García Pérez, Robert Paterson, Stephen Tobolowsky, Samantha Mathis

20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition

I love the London Film Museum, not only are they the home for props, memorabilia and costumes from some of my favourite films ever (Bond, Excalibur, Aliens, Batman, Superman, Star Wars and currently a Ray Harryhausen Exhibition as well as many, many, many more) but some of my best recent film related memories are attributed directly to them (Star Wars Exhibition, celebrating Mr. Ray Harryhausen’s 90th Birthday, Meeting Bond alumni; George Lazenby, Maude Adams & Britt Eckland and separately meeting Herbert Lom & Burt Kwouk (responsible for some of the funniest moments on the silver screen from my childhood), as well as shooting the breeze with Terry (still not a Sir yet) Gilliam, Sir Peter Jackson and John Landis). And that’s just the stuff off the top of my head.

London Film Museum: John Landis & (still not a Sir yet) Terry Gilliam enjoying Harryhausen's Myths and Legends Exhibition launch and Birthday by Craig Grobler

I keep meaning to post more about the London Film Museum and my adventures there but invariably get bogged down by some other time consuming task, the best I have done so far is manage to get some pictures up on Flickr here.

The London Film Museum is like the spiritual home of all things film in the UK. It’s an immersive experience like nothing else. Visiting the studios that make motion pictures is a great but they are operating businesses so very often the bits that would lift these experiences - like visiting a film set are closed to the public and the tactile bits of film history like the relics, memorabilia or props are no longer stored site. So the London Film Museum really has a place as the home for this film history. Where else can you see Rexy from Night at the Museum.

Turn the corner view the Bat Suit while being watched by the Alien Queen and the Terminator?

London Film Museum: Christian Bale's Batman Bat Suit from Batman Begins by Craig Grobler

The place is full of bits of film history and there is something for everyone.

At the moment they have exhibitions featuring pieces from the awe inspiring and must see Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends Exhibition (you can see pics of some of the extensive collection over here), a Zulu Exhibition, along with loads of film props you can see some recently discovered original storyboards (pics of some of the collection over here), an Excalibur Exhibition (they have a huge collection of pieces bits from John Boorman’s English classic, with loads of pieces from master armourer Terry English).

London Film Museum: Excalibur Exhibition by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

You can still catch the Charlie Chaplin – The Great Londoner exhibit a retrospective displaying pieces from Chaplin’s life and films.

-

London Film Museum: Charlie Chaplin – The Great Londoner by Craig Grobler, on Flickr & 20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Original Alien suit by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

London Film Museum: 20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Twentieth Century Fox the London Film Museum are exhibiting some pieces from Fox’s most loved films. The exhibit includes exclusive prints from the Fox archives and unique props from classic Fox releases including Alien and Star Wars as well as a small display of outfits from some legendary recent Fox films.

Costumes displayed include:

20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Costume Display by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Larry Daley’s (Ben Stiller) night guard outfit from Night at the Museum an excellent accompaniment to seeing Rexy (the Museum’s Tyrannosaurus Rex) right next to it.

Rexy is also doubling as a Dragon to add to the ambiance of the Eragon outfits. Within his “enclosure” there are two Eragon outfits on display Eragon’s (Ed Speleers) leather and scales armour and Elf warrior Arya’s (Sienna Guillory) tan armour. I’m unsure if she actually wears the lacy skirt with the boots and bodice together in the film.

20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Costume Display by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

The memorable and intricate cheongsam inspired dress that Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) wears to the Ball in Australia is the most beautiful piece on display.

Next to it you can see a Can-Can Dancer outfit from Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. My understanding is that it is currently unknown who wore this glam outfit in the film.

-

20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Wolverine's X-Men suit by Craig Grobler, on Flickr & 20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Sue Storm's Fantastic Four suit by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

The feral Wolverine or Logan’s (Hugh Jackman) leather X-Men suit. Which is very different from the original yellow outfit, wryly alluded to by Logan in the X-Men film. There is still a nod to the comic's original costume with the "claw" design on the shoulders and sides.

Sue Storm’s (Invisible Girl) Fantastic Four suit worn by Jessica Alba in Fox’s Fantastic Four.

-
20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Tom Cruise's Precrime jumpsuit from Minority Report by Craig Grobler, on Flickr & 20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Tyler Durden's Fight Club outfit by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Chief John Anderton’s (Tom Cruise) Precrime Security jump suit worn by Tom Cruise in Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report.

The highlight and biggest disappointment for me was the outfit that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) wore in Fight Club. It was great to see it but somehow the charity shop leather jacket and polyester trousers outfit lacks the lustre and edgy coolness when not animated by Tyler Durden. But I still love the early 80s motor cross t-shirt.

You can also see Capt. Jack Aubrey’s sea faring outfit worn by Russel Crowe in Peter Weir’s Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

Along with these outfits the London Film Museum has 100s of others that can also be viewed as well as some special pieces for the Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition.

-

20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Obi Wan Kenobi's Lightsabre by Craig Grobler, on Flickr & 20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition - Original Alien suit by Craig Grobler, on Flickr

Above, the original Alien suit from Sir Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic Alien and Obi Wan Kenobi’s Lightsaber from a Star Wars collection.

It’s already been extended once but the Fox display will be finishing its run at the end of September - so there are only a couple more weeks to get up close to these outfits from Fox classics.

20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Exhibition

Where:
The London Film Museum, 1st Floor, Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB

When:
Till the end of September 2010

More info:
Over at the London Film Museum website