Original Title: La porta sul buio - Testimone oculare
Italy: Dario Argento, 1973
IMDB reference
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
Sunday, 26 February 2012
MOVIE MATTERS MINI - MORE LISTENER TOP 10 FILMS OF 2011 LISTS
Somewhat later than anticipated, we've put together a supplemental bonus to the most recent Movie Matters episode containing the three "Top 10 of 2011" MP3 lists we didn't have time to showcase in the episode itself. We hope you enjoy listening to these additional takes on the year that was 2011 and can forgive the delay in getting them out there. The music sampled in this episode is from DRIVE.
Created by Lee Howard & Michael Mackenzie
Edited by Michael Mackenzie
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Friday, 24 February 2012
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Monday, 20 February 2012
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Friday, 17 February 2012
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
(*) THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE *****
Original Title: L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo
Italy/West Germany: Dario Argento, 1970
IMDB reference
Italy/West Germany: Dario Argento, 1970
IMDB reference
Monday, 13 February 2012
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Saturday, 11 February 2012
THE WOMAN IN BLACK ***½
UK: James Watkins, 2011
Having been terrorised by the long running and rightly celebrated stage adaptation of Susan Hill's classic ghost story novel 'The Woman In Black', I'd long had my eye on the reborn Hammer film version. The casting of speccy Potter - Daniel Radcliffe - in the lead tempered my enthusiasm somewhat as did the decision to go with a 12A rating. However, Watkins film manages to overcome my irrational prejudices, particularly at the start where good use is made of both faithful and new material to set-up the chills that are sure to follow. Perhaps most successful is the genuine atmosphere of gothic horror that is brought to both the remote English landscape and isolated house setting. Although to say Watkins big screen adaptation brings anything new to the long litany of cinematic ghost stories is over stating things. Unfortunately, the tension is allowed to sag slightly as we build toward a climax that is too reliant on digital effects and predictable jump scares to rival the true terror of its stageound counterpart or even that of its TV Movie brethren. The changes made to the ending also bring nothing extra to Hill's impressive original but all in all THE WOMAN IN BLACK is fine spinetingling fun.
The Count's Verdict: The quality of the source material ensures Hammer will find an audience with this latest entry into the much mined 'ghost story' tradition of horror cinema. This feature film outing of THE WOMAN IN BLACK may not offer anything new but it still manages to deliver in the atmosphere department and will deliver chills for all the family.
Friday, 10 February 2012
WAR HORSE ***½
USA: Steven Spielberg, 2011IMDB reference
Spielberg has built his reputation as a filmmaker on numerous narratives of childhood wonder and fantasy. As a director, he has also been most critically recognised for his historical war epics/dramas. Therefore, a Hollywood big screen adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's best-selling children's book 'War Horse' helmed by the most commercially successful filmmaker of our time was plain inevitable. Spielberg fashions a characteristically watchable fantasy which embues the titular 'War Horse' with almost magical powers of attraction and survival. The horse is very much the glue of the story - please excuse the dark pun - as through 'Joey's' adventures we learn of the horrors of WW1 and the human sacrifice it cost.
The Count's Verdict: WAR HORSE may be overlong, overly sentimental and never anything other than minor Spielberg but there is no denying his ability to craft an entertaining cinematic tale. Worth seeing at any age.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
A SEPARATION *½
Iraq: Asghar Farhadi, 2011
IMDB reference
Putting my tin hat on and full body armor... A film shouldn't have to rely on the context of its making to qualify as a true great. I can't see what all the acclaim for A SEPARATION is for. I've heard it described as a sublime thriller and a formal master class in film technique. No it isn't!
A SEPARATION is the most visually bland and narratively drab 'thriller' I can recall seeing. Puttting aside the awards campaign to get the film noticed in the West or readings of the film purely in relation to celebrating the significance of its gender politics, having seen the film for myself - I just don't think it's very good. There I said it.
The Count's Verdict: Fuck all the hullabaloo surrounding the film - awards prestige, historical context, socio-political significance. Considering A SEPARATION purely on the basis of its merits as a film, this is one of the most tedious films I've ever seen. Avoid.
Putting my tin hat on and full body armor... A film shouldn't have to rely on the context of its making to qualify as a true great. I can't see what all the acclaim for A SEPARATION is for. I've heard it described as a sublime thriller and a formal master class in film technique. No it isn't!
A SEPARATION is the most visually bland and narratively drab 'thriller' I can recall seeing. Puttting aside the awards campaign to get the film noticed in the West or readings of the film purely in relation to celebrating the significance of its gender politics, having seen the film for myself - I just don't think it's very good. There I said it.
The Count's Verdict: Fuck all the hullabaloo surrounding the film - awards prestige, historical context, socio-political significance. Considering A SEPARATION purely on the basis of its merits as a film, this is one of the most tedious films I've ever seen. Avoid.
Monday, 6 February 2012
MONEYBALL ***½
IMDB reference
Didn't blow me away like it has many but still a fine sports film with a cracking script. Pitt was solid in lead and well supported by Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The Count's Verdict: Worth a watch whether you're into baseball or otherwise due to fine cast in a well written drama.
INCENDIES ****
IMDB reference
A complicated political discourse is conveyed and commented upon through the personal history of a woman. A survivor. INCENDIES was pretty harrowing in places but remarkably well-shot and acted. The presence of Radiohead on the soundtrack was a surprise I must say but worked well with images.
The Count's Verdict: Strong themes, committed performances, impressive photography, interesting use of score and a plot with a sting in its tail all combine for a difficult but powerful watch.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
CARNAGE ***
France/Germany/Poland/Spain: Roman Polanski, 2011IMDB reference
Based on a stage-play, Polanski doesn't shoot CARNAGE in any radical way. Instead you get four great 'big' performances from a fine cast in this brisk no fuss comedy.
The Count's Verdict: If you find plays on film inherently uncinematic then give this a pass. However, if like me, you still think a strong performance by a talented actor is engaging regardless of the medium then you'll find plenty to entertain in this exaggerated comedic farce.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Friday, 3 February 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012
BATTLE ROYALE ****
IMDB reference
Undoubtedly, one of my biggest world cinema genre flick omissions! Happy to say I loved the bonkers 'Lord of the Flies' meets RUNNING MAN vibe. As well as being a real blast in the action department the film does manage to get you interested enough to want to find out how it is all going to pan out for Kitano.
Major hIghlight of the film is the inspired use of classical music to accompany the mighty bitch Mitsuko's demise. BATTLE ROYALE is clearly an influence on Tarantino (especially casting of GoGo Yubari in KILL BILL) and the upcoming THE HUNGER GAMES but nothing will quite match the dizzying carnage of the original.
The Count's Verdict: A barmy bloodbath that keeps getting better and better throughout.
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