Mediocre Movies: Elf-Man

Usually, about once a year, there comes along an actor that I find myself irrationally drawn to. Last year, it was Kevin Bacon. This year it's Jeffrey Combs. Now, during these periods of slightly scary obsession, I will watch every and all movie/TV series that these actors appear in. This can be both good and bad. Good, because you find really good films like Would You Rather and Stir of Echoes, bad because you feel obligated to watch films like Murder in the First and Elf-Man. Good god, Elf-Man. Gonna tell you now, the best thing about this film is Jeffrey Combs, but sometimes that's not a good thing.

So, the film is about a family getting ready for Christmas when the dad, Eric (Mackenzie Astin), creates an energy chip. Three thieves, led by Mickey (Jeffrey Combs), decide to try and steal the chip, and kidnap Eric to try and get it from him. This worries his kids (Carly Robell and Blake Kaiser), Gramma (Marty Terry), and love interest Amy (Mirelly Taylor), as they wait for him at home. However, they get help from a left-over elf (Jason 'Wee Man' Acuña), who discovers that his elf powers can be used to become a super hero, called Elf-Man.

Okay, so let's begin with the worst aspect of the film. Jason 'Wee Man' Acuña cannot act for shit. He has one emotion throughout the whole film, mildly annoyed, and does not have the necessary abilities to deliver dialogue with anything other than a whiny voice! Ugh! He is so annoying! To be fair though, 'Wee Man' is not an actor but rather one of the guys from the Jackass, so with that in mind I can almost forgive his non-acting. 

But still, why would you hire someone who can't actually act! This whole thing stinks of a cheap cash in, from the gimmicky casting and tired plot. Seriously, the plot is recycled from about 7 different kids films, most obviously Home Alone, and Elf. I grew out of both of those films a long time ago, but while watching Elf-Man I longed for either of them! It's not funny, it's not clever. It's just kinda dull and stupid. 

So, what about Jeffrey Combs? Well, he's one of those actors that is fun watch, even in the stupidest of films. In this, he's over acting to his best ability, but it really doesn't save this turd. Actually, there two other things I liked in this, and they were the grandma, and the Christmas fruit cake gag. The grandma for the first half of the film is kinda funny, especially her entrance. And the fruit cake gag, while weirdly introduced and a bit of a cliche, was the funniest joke of the film. 

So, is this mediocre? No. This is not mediocre. This is terrible! As someone who has seen her fair share of awful Christmas movies, I can safely say that this is the worst Christmas film I have ever seen. But will I watch it every year? Potentially. Such is the pull of Jeffrey Combs for me. And he is the only enjoyable part of the entire film. 

Anyway, I think that this will probably be the last review of the year. Sorry it's not longer, but I have cookies to make and pork to eat! Next up will probably be my year end lists, which I hope to get out in early January. Merry Christmas to everyone who reads this stupid blog, I hope you have an excellent New Years, and good luck in 2015! Until next time, readers.

Top 20 Favourite TV Shows (Part 2)

And now we come to the thrilling conclusion of what my favourite TV shows are. Well, not much else I can add, except let's begin!

10. Soul Music and Wyrd Sisters

So, this is the second double up and this one kinda makes more sense. In the 90s, an animation studio called Cosgrove Hall made two series based on two different Terry Pratchett books. And every Thursday, my mum would rush me home from ballet lessons to get back in time to record it on our VCR. Somewhere in our house, we still have the videos. The animation in this film is not the best, but that doesn't diminish either the story or the excellent prose that is available in every Terry Pratchett book. This was my first introduction to the author, and because I loved the Soul Music TV show so much, it became the first Pratchett book I ever read. And I've read as many as I can ever since! I also might own the soundtrack to that show as well. (And it's really good!) A must watch for any Discworld fan!

9. Midsomer Murders

Ah! The show I always turn to when I need some light hearted fun! Midsomer County is the most dangerous place to live in the UK, and the deaths are the most ridiculous you will ever see! I've talked to my friends many times about the infamous wine episode, the most ridiculous of the lot. But the show keeps together through a number of things, mainly John Nettles as Tom Barnaby and Jane Wymark as his long suffering wife, Joyce. Sgt Troy is also my favourite sergeant, he can be so bumbling and dumb at some times! The mysteries themselves can be surprisingly intense at times,and it's always fun to see well known actors before they were famous getting stabbed in the stomach with a pitchfork.

8. Shadow Raiders

Another animated show from my childhood that I taped and still have the videos somewhere! This seems to be a show that people either remember and love intensely or can't remember a thing about. Which is fair enough, since it was never as popular as other shows similar to it, like Reboot or Beast Wars. But I this one stands out as a really good kids show that shows kids the horrors of war. The plot of the show follows a galaxy of planets who are forced to put aside their differences and stand together against a common enemy who appears in their system, the ominous Beast Planet. It's quite serious, but that's what makes it so memorable. And you really don't get kids shows that tackle the serious business of war in such a good way. If you feel like checking it out, then the show can be found on youtube. One of the best shows from my childhood, and one that re-watch every so often, whenever nostalgia strikes.

7. Community

I was introduced to this show after spending most of one New Years Day watching it non-stop with some of my friends. Since then I was hooked. I haven't watched the latest series', but I will eventually. I just love the characters, they way they bounce off each other ad the way the show incorporates pop culture into it's plots and premises. Of course, it did give me some false expectations about what uni was going to be like. It's been two years so far, an no zombie apocalypse! I am most annoyed! But this is the perfect show to watch with friends, and I have done. Many, many times!

6. Firefly

It should come as no surprise that this is on my list. I'm fairly certain that it appears on everyone's list of favourite TV shows at some point or another. And it should be! The characters, even the smallest supporting ones, are all memorable and interesting. The acting is great. The science works so well, and the special effects support it awesomely. And the stories that follow the crew of Serenity are not only interesting on their own, but also allow the main characters to grow into real people. You become so invested in these nine characters that you really do wish there were episodes of them and their adventures! However, I do think that any more seasons would have destroyed how good the only season that we have is. And in the end, we can't help but be pleased that we do have something of this fantastic show! Not too mention the fantastic movie that followed it!

5. Blackadder

Blackadder is probably one of my favourite shows because it parodies 4 different periods of history so well. The first series is very different from the other three, but that doesn't make it any less amusing. But my own personal favourite will always be the fourth series, Blackadder Goes Forth. It manages to combine the mentality and historical accuracy of World War One with humour and actual pathos. Especially in the last episode. But all every single series is excellent in its own way. Hugh Laurie as Prince George in Blackadder the Third, Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth in Blackadder the Second, and of course the ever faithful Baldrick, played fantastically by Tony Robinson. The way history is presented as comedy is exceptional, which can't be surprising considering it was written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton. A must watch for any fan of British comedy!

4. Insektors

This is the last animated kids show from my childhood, I promise you! I'm not sure how many people will remember this show, or which version of it they watched. Yeah, there are two English versions of this original French animated series. The one we got in Australia was the North American dub, which makes it hard for me to watch any of the UK dub. But I digress. Again, this was a show that our family taped and that I get down from the shelves every couple of years or so to relive the memories. The story is pretty simple, and black and white, but I do love the animation style (considering when it was made, the animation is pretty top notch) and the characters. Most of the episodes revolve around two factions of insects and their never-ending inability to get along with each other. I love this show, I met some amazing people through the fandom this show spawned, and it was the first show that inspired me to make my own fan theory concerning the lineage of some of the characters! (It wasn't the first show that inspired me to write fanfiction, however. That's another confession for another day.)

3. The Vicar of Dibley

So, this show not only contains one of my favourite characters played by one of the most brilliant comedians ever to grace our screens. It's also one of the best representations of Christianity in popular culture. But I'm not going to wax lyrical about how the Church of England is not only mocked but celebrated as an accepting and forgiving entity. I'm just going to say that if there were more vicars around like Geraldine Granger, the world would be a better place. Again, this is a show that is hilariously funny, but can also contain some quite heavy and serious moments, and it knows how to handle them well without resorting to bathos (I learnt a new word, look it up!). The characters are also hilarious! I love the villagers and their dopey ways, and how their stupidity and misplaced enthusiasm bounces against the intelligence of Geraldine and David Horton. I love this show so much, that I even memorised Alice's butter speech (for a small fee of biscuits, I will quote it to you). But the heart of the show is the vicar, and I think that Geraldine Granger is one of the best characters ever created!

2. Dad's Army

Unlike a lot of titles on this list, this isn't a show that I grew up with. Instead, I just happened to be in the TV room while my dad was watching an episode of it one day. And since then, I've been hooked. Much like Blackadder, Dad's Army is able to create comedy out of Britain's darkest moment. It's able to combine the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' mentality that a lot of people felt during WW2 with humorous adventures surrounding a small town Home Guard. It's hard to put into words how clever this show is, especially if you know about England during WW2. And the stories are told through some of the funniest characters ever seen on television. I love these characters so much, that I can't even watch the show past the sixth series, because it would mean that I could no longer have the joy in watching James Beck as Private Joe Walker. And when I learned that Clive Dunne and Bill Pertwee had also died, I cried for days. It is now my ambition to meet Ian Lavender, and give him a massive hug, while wearing my hand knitted Pike scarf! I wait with excited breath for the new film!

1. Red Dwarf

For those of you who have been reading this blog (and I do thank those of you who have!) then this number one will come as no surprise! Red Dwarf is everything I could want in a TV show; funny scripts, an interesting premise, awesome characters played by excellent actors. And endless re-watch ability. I probably watch this show more frequently than any of the shows on this list (with the possible exception of Dad's Army), and every couple of years or so I find myself taking down the twelve or so VHS tapes of this show and slowly watch my way through all of them. One day I will get the DVDs, and spend a whole week watching everything that's on them! One of the best comedies ever, one of the greatest TV shows ever conceived and apparently, my favourite TV show. Red Dwarf, I give my double Rimmer salute!

So, that's that. I don't know when the next review will be up. It probably won't be a list, but possibly a rather terrible Christmas movie. Possibly starring Jeffrey Combs. Possibly, but who knows. If I don't post anything before then, have a wonderful Christmas! Until next time, readers.

Top 20 Favourite TV Shows (Part 1)

I am bored. I have finished uni for the year, and that in itself is a lot to celebrate. So, why not with a list.

Recently I have found myself watching more TV shows than movies. I'm currently binging on two series', and have recently discovered a third. So, why not a list of my favourite TV shows? I doubt anyone will actually be interested in this, but I don't really care. My blog, my lists.

So, I hope you enjoy reading my personal favourites. It was a little difficult to choose them, and how I should choose the ones to go on my list. In the end it came down to three things; nostalgia, re-watchability, and whether or not I actually waited to watch them on an actual TV when I did actually watched TV. 

Because I'm weird, or awesome as I prefer to think, I don't watch a lot of TV serials. So, shows like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, True Blood, and Boardwalk Empire won't appear on this list. Just getting that out of the way now so you won't be disappointed. Expect more comedies and mystery shows. You also may have noticed that there are 20 titles on this list. This is because there were some shows that I just could not bear to leave off, and it consequently brought the list up to 20. Sorry.

But enough banter, let's get on with the list!
  
20. The Mighty Boosh

I won't say that this was my first foray into absurd comedy, but The Mighty Boosh was definitely the first bit media that I actively sort out fanfiction for. And it introduced to me the wonder of slash fiction. Apart from initiating me into what fandom is, Mighty Boosh is also a pretty hilarious show. The double act of Howard Moon and Vince Noir is brilliant, and the crazy adventures they find themselves on are both genius and silly beyond words. The supporting characters are also funny, especially Naboo the enigma (who is probably my favourite character) and the Hitcher (who I may or may not have dressed up as at one point...). The live shows are also hilarious, especially the first one. And who could forget the songs! I still know the Hitcher's song off by heart, and will break into it if prompted! If you haven't heard of this show, where have you been living?

19. Jonathan Creek

And now we come to the first of the mystery series that I spent way too much time watching over and over again. Actually, this is probably the only show that I didn't watch over and over again. It spoils the mystery if you watch it too many times. While other mystery shows focus on who did it or why it was done, Jonathan Creek instead focuses on how it was done, which leads to a lot interesting lock door mysteries. I always had so much fun trying to beat the eponymous hero in figuring out how things were done, and even though I never got them right it was still really interesting to see what actually happened. And it stars Alan Davies as Jonathan Creek, who is an awesome grumpy magician's assistant who lives in a windmill. What more could you want?

18. Life on Mars

So, this is one of the shows that I would wait to watch on ABC every Wednesday night. I don't get attached to drama shows that often, but this one was different. It had an interesting premise that didn't get stale through the run of two seasons. And I kinda liked that the situation was never really explained, which is one of the problems I had with the sequel series Ashes to Ashes. The whole universe of the show lost its magic for me when it was explained. But in Life on Mars, the mystery was kept up for 2 seasons! And I was hooked for the entire run! Plus, it also introduced the world to one of the greatest characters ever created! Gene Hunt, the biggest bad-ass of them all!

17. Agatha Christie's Poirot

Agatha Christie has become one of my favourite authors, and I'm sure that favouritism was fueled by this TV show detailing almost every case of Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective. If you watch every episode in order (something I have yet to do, but do it I will!), then you notice a change come over the show as it moves from the rather light seasons of the 90s, to more darker tones and subtexts in the 2000s. It really interesting to watch how they change small things in the books to make the stories more cinematic or dramatic. And David Suchet is the best Poirot ever (sorry Peter Ustinov!). Suchet is also the first actor to appear in adaptations of pretty much every Poirot novel and short story (from what I've read, there's only one short story that hasn't been adapted with Suchet as Poirot). For that, he deserves a medal and every acting award!

16. Star Trek

 
While the picture may be of the original series, this spot is kinda reserved for all the Star Trek's. Or at least all the Star Trek's I've watched so far, namely TOS, Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine. I think in my heart, the original series will hold a very special place since it was the first Star Trek I watched, and it was the first time I was really introduced to the acting genius that is William Shatner.
The thing that really stands out about the original series in particular is that it's not about conquest, it's about discovery, finding new species and making friends with them, and maybe accidentally destroying said species in the process. Kirk might have ignored the Prime Directive more than once, but his loyalty to his crew and need to protect them is truly admirable. He's not that bad a captain. And the original series theme music is cheesy and brilliant and awesomely 60s!

15. Black Books

I don't return to this series as often as other ones on this list. But every time I do, I find myself watching every episode from every season in one huge binge! The world's grumpiest book shop owner, Bernard Black (played hilariously by Dylan Moran) has appeared on this blog before as the most loveable jerk you ever met. And the other characters are equally as awesome. Every actor who appeared on here has gone to other shows and movies, but I do love them in this the most. The strange scenarios they find themselves in become a little hit and miss in later seasons, but there are still some excellent jokes and one-liners to be found in even the least good of the episodes. British black comedy at its finest!

14. RuPaul's Drag Race & The Great British Bake Off

There are a couple of doubles on this list, because it's my list and I couldn't bear to leave any of these off. These two are put together because they are both reality TV shows, though their subject matter couldn't be any different.

I have a strange fascination with drag queens. I think it's cause I find them so talented in creating an illusion that most of the time looks better than the real thing (better than my best day, at any rate). I think that's why I got into this show, but I stayed because I fell in love with the drag queens. The show might be a bit manipulative, but then what show isn't. And they do take a lot time to show how talented each of the queens are. And I do like the message that drag queens create their own family that is hidden between the bitchiness and cat-fights. Plus the fashions that they all come up with! I have seen every season of this show at least two times, and I don't regret any of it!

Now, this show is almost the complete opposite in terms of tone, but that's what makes it so good! While other reality shows rely on bitchiness and scandal to sell themselves, The Great British Bake Off instead uses politeness and constructive criticism to keep it's audience. The judges are always fun to watch, and though they do critique the bakes quite hard sometimes, they always offer advice and try to offer a compliment to even the worst bakes. And the contestants are all really supportive of each other, and that means that you get really upset whenever any of them leave. I never thought baking could be tense. And the hosts, Mel and Sue, are so awesome! The puns they come up with! All the bun puns! Brilliant!

13. 2 Broke Girls

 

So, this is the most recent show on this list. I'm not that big a fan of modern sitcoms, I think a lot of them are annoying and stupid. But I like this one, and I think a lot of that comes from the excellent casting of the two leads. Kat Dennings is awesome in everything, and Max Black is now one of my favourite characters ever! But Beth Behrs is also really good as the straight man to a lot of Max's jokes, and I don't think she gets the credit she deserves a lot of the time. The whole premise of the show is also one that people can relate to, since almost everyone has been broke at some point in time (me more than others, it seems). I know the humour can sometimes be crude and obvious, but I still like it, and I think there should be more sitcoms with excellent female characters and actors. 

12. Heart and Soul, aka All the Small Things

I loved this show so much when it first came out that when I missed one of the episodes, I looked it up on youtube to watch it! I doubt many people remember this. It was a fairly light, 6 episode dramedy from the UK about the trials and tribulations of a small town choir. Each episode would focus on a different member of the choir, with an overarching story involving the strife of the family of the choir master. It's quite gentle, and the music is excellent with some awesome covers of modern rock songs (check out the acapella version of 'What's My Age Again'). It's one of those shows that whenever I watch it, I have to watch all 6 episodes in order in one big binge. I just have to, I get so caught up in the characters I need to know everything that happens! If you haven't heard of this series, but like little British TV shows, then I would definitely recommend this!

11. Daria

When I first watched this when it first came out, I don't think I really got it. I was too young to understand it. But after re-watching it a year or so ago when I was craving nostalgia, I fell in love with it completely! I love the character of Daria, the perpetual high school outsider (so much so, that I might have dressed up as her for a party at some point). The other characters are also great, and even though most of them don't turn up in Australian high schools, are still recognisable enough to everyone. The animation is also good, and while it is simple if fits the premise perfectly. One of the best kids show ever made, and now one of my favourite shows ever!

So, that's it for part 1! Part 2 will be up eventually. Until next time, readers.

MIFF 2014: Patema Inverted

There seems to be an increase of animated films being shown at MIFF, and I am so happy! This was the only one I got to see, since none of the other times suited me, and they were selling out fast. Speaking of selling out, the session I went to of Patema Inverted was sold out. Which is awesome! Although it did mean I had to sit next to a whole bunch of people who didn't know how to turn their phone off.

Anyway, this is a fairly confusing film to try and summarise in a few sentences, but I will do my best. Patema is a teenager living in an underground world of caverns who, against the wishes of the Elder, goes out exploring in what is known as the danger zone. One day, she comes across a being who is standing on the ceiling and she gets knocked into a pit that takes her to the surface world. Here she meets a boy called Age, and discovers that while gravity works as normal for Age and his people, for her gravity is reversed and without being held down she could fly off into the sky. The leader of Age's world wants to get rid of every 'invert', as he sees them as sinners. So, the race is on to return Patema to her own people, while also preventing her from flying away.

Like I said, a bit confusing. But it is a good film that works through a difficult concept. The film doesn't go out of its way to explain everything that is happening, which can be both good and bad. I know there were times when I was scratching my head, wondering what the hell was going on. But by the end you have a pretty clear idea of what happened.

And can I just saw, the animation in this is breathtaking! I know everyone goes on about how How To Train Your Dragon and its sequel are able to animate flying so brilliantly, but while watching them I never got that gut feeling of being lifted into the air that I did during this film. And the method for flying is really interesting and different, and ties in well with the rest of the film. Patema and Age discover that by holding onto each other, they each become lighter since they are using each others gravity to move. I think.

The way the setting is designed is also really cool. There are some steampunk elements here and there, which makes me very happy. I guess the biggest problem I had with the film was the voice acting. I saw the original dub, and generally everyone was pretty good. But there were a few moments near the beginning where I swear the voice actor for Patema was trying to destroy my eardrums with her shrillness. She got better as the film went on, but it was very annoying to begin with.

So, this was a pretty excellent film, with brilliant animation and a complex but intriguing concept that the film explored really well. The film also talked about how religion can blind people from understanding others plights, which is a good message to give in this day and age. Apart from some problems I had with the voice acting, this is probably the best animated film I've seen all year. There are some scary moments, so really little kids might not like it. But for older kids, and people who like good sci-fi, check this out.

I'm writing this blog on the last day of the festival, so the chances of anyone seeing the last of these films is very slim. But I did set myself a challenge to write on every film that I watch, and I don't plan on ending it now. I have three more films to write about, and they should come out in the coming week. Hopefully. I might have an essay that requires me to concentrate on it rather than writing these silly little blog posts. But we'll see. Until next time, readers.

MIFF 2014: Obvious Child

Okay, to be perfectly honest, the main reason I wanted to see this film was because of the director. Or, to be more specific, the director's name. Her name is Gillian Ropespierre, and if that doesn't also make you want to immediately see this film then we can't be friends. After watching the trailer, I was intrigued into what sort of film this would turn into, since it's tackling a subject that is quite controversial in America, abortion. And it's a comedy. How could this work? Could this work? Well, I am pleased to say that it can.

Donna (Jenny Slate), a comedienne who also works in a bookshop, is dumped after one of her sets by her boyfriend, who also reveals that he has been cheating on her with one of her friends. After having a one night stand with Max (Jake Lacy), Donna discovers that she is pregnant and, realising that she isn't ready for motherhood, decides to have an abortion. Meanwhile, as she and Max grow closer, she tries to tell him of her decision, while also trying to get a grip on her quickly deteriorating life.

First up, this film tackles a subject that most rom-coms shy away from in both a funny and honest way. Most rom-coms that revolve around unexpected pregnancy don't even consider other options to having the baby, despite how immature the parents may be. And, most importantly, Obvious Child doesn't condemn Donna for deciding to get an abortion. And I applauded the film for taking a controversial subject and not making it a message film. It's not about being pro-choice or pro-life, it's just about one persons decision. It doesn't treat it like a be all and end all situation, it's just another event in her life that she learns and grows from.

But I think the crowning glory of Obvious Child is the way it takes quite a serious subject and making it funny! And this film is pretty hilarious! I think it was Kevin Smith who once said "The big bucks are in dick and fart jokes". If that is the case then this film should make millions. Most of the humour is dialogue and character based, but it's centered in a realistic setting, which basically means that the film doesn't go out of its way to create comedic set-points that would not happen in real life. That being said, most of the dialogue is full of bodily fluids, genitalia, and of course, dicks and farts. And it is gloriously funny!

 
Unlike other films that uses crude, gross-out humour to make shock jokes that aren't actually that funny when you get past the shock factor, Obvious Child uses this sort of humour for the characters to hide behind. Donna herself has problems talking face to face with people, and so uses her comedic routines to address the important issues in her life. And again, this masking humour is used in the conversations between Max and Donna, where they tease each other instead of talking about things that need to be talked about.

This way of using humour creates a vulnerability in Donna that is both relatable and honest. And this also comes through in Jenny Slate's acting. I haven't come across Slate before, apparently she was in Parks and Recreation, but I haven't watched that... yet. I hope she does some more films, and I also hope that Gillian Robespierre makes more films, since this is one of the funniest American comedies I have seen in a long while. It was also nice to Gabby Hoffmann in a role after years of not doing much. And here, playing Donna's feminist amd free-spirited roommate, Nellie, she really has come a long way from her roles in pre-teen melodramas.

I suppose I should also talk about the romance briefly, and it's not bad. The biggest complaint I have is that Max does come across like a saint at times, which is a problem a lot of rom-coms have. But I am glad that he and Donna don't do the whole 'love at first sight' thing. There is an attraction, there is sex, but the relationship part takes time to grow and develop throughout the film. And there is a chemistry between Slate and Lacy that makes their interactions seem natural.

So, if you're tired of the general paint-by-numbers rom-coms that are still being produced, then you should check this one out. The characters are awesome and realistic, the acting is great, it tackles a controversial subject while also making dick and fart jokes. What more could you want? Until next time, readers.

MIFF 2014: Life After Beth

Zombie comedies is my favourite sub-genre of horror films. So naturally, when I heard that one was on offer at MIFF, I got excited. And when I saw the title, I got more excited and also got some tickets. And last night, I got to see this little indie comedy.

The film revolves around Zach Orfman (Dane DeHaan), who is still mourning the loss of his girlfriend Beth Slocum (Aubrey Plaza), when she suddenly comes back to life with no memories of her death. Despite being initially freaked out, Zach and Beth resume their relationship. However, Zach soon realises that the newly alive Beth is not the same Beth that he used to know. And just maybe, the zombie apocalypse is also happening.

So, the thing with comedy is that it is subjective from one person to the next. What one person finds funny, someone else won't. Me, personally, I don't like films in general where characters shout over the top of each other in an attempt to be realistic (looking at you, David O. Russell). Life After Beth unfortunately does this. I just don't see why you would have everyone talking at once when you're comedy is based predominantly on dialogue. If you can't hear the dialogue, then you can't hear the jokes! This was the one big flaw of the film for me, but I do understand that it is also a personal pet peeve. If you like films like that, well done! You will probably enjoy this one.

Anyway, moving on after that rant, what are the good things in Life After Beth? Well, for starters the cast is amazing! Especially Dane DeHaan and Aubrey Plaza. I see both of them becoming big stars in the future. And if they don't, then the world is crazy! Other actors that should be mentioned include Matthew Gray Gubler as Zach's older, trigger-happy brother Kyle, John C. Reily as Beth's overprotective father who can't understand that his daughter is turning into a monster, and Anna Kendrick, who has a small role as a parody of those girls that One Direction sing about. The rest of the cast is made up (presumably) well-known American comedy actors that I haven't really heard of.

I do have to say that despite my rant earlier, this is a very funny film. Which is good, because there really is not a lot of plot, but because the action of the film is made up the characters reactions to situations I can overlook that. The fact that the zombie apocalypse is treated in such an upper-middle class manner makes the jokes more interesting and funny than if everyone's reaction was based in reality. And there are some really funny moments dealing with the zombies themselves and how they are deteriorating. The way zombies are treated themselves is pretty interesting, as they come back normal, but become more aggressive and violent the longer they stay.

All in all, the new way of dealing with zombies and the mix of very American, suburban humour makes Life After Beth a really good film. Aubrey Plaza is awesome, and any flaws in the plot is made up for with the acting. If you like zombie comedies, or genre films in general, or indie films, then I would recommend this one. Until next time, readers. 

MIFF 2014: When Animals Dream

It seems that the countries leading the world in terms of horror films are the Nordic ones. In particular, Norway and Sweden have produced some excellent horror and genre films within the last ten years, including Troll Hunter and Dead Snow. Now, Denmark has joined their ranks in producing an excellent werewolf thriller, that is both intelligent and chilling.

When Animals Dreams focuses around a young woman, Marie (Sonia Suhl), who lives in a small fishing community with her father, Thor (Lars Mikkelsen), and her wheelchair bound mother (Sonja Richter). When she gets a job at the fish processing factory to help her parents, Marie starts discovering strange changes in her body, starting with a rash on her breast. As the changed become more and more prominent, Marie starts exhibiting odd behaviour that startles others in her village. She also discovers these changes may or may not have something to do with how her mother ended up in a wheel chair. Eventually, the townspeople start hunting her down as a means to protect their community.

What good films do is present exposition in natural ways, that don't clunk up the narrative. They also let the audience use their brains to figure out what may be going on. This film does that, slowly unraveling the mystery of what is happening to Marie as she, and by extension the audience, come across each new piece of information. The word werewolf is never used, nor is it explicitly spelled out what actually happened to her mother, but through the information we are given, it's not hard to see what's going on.  It's very clever the way the film never gives full answers, just enough exposition to hint at what is going on. You rarely see films like that nowadays, let alone horror films.

Well, if that's what good films in general do, then good horror films take advantage of the supernatural creature/force/thingy and have them represent a certain aspect of society or whatever. And When Animals Dream does this as well. Now, as with any film, it could be interpreted in many ways, so this is just my interpretation. But for me, the werewolf and the changes going on in Marie represent female coming of age, and embracing your individuality and identity. This theory is strengthened by the fact that Marie, once she does start transforming, fully embraces the animal inside her. The townspeople's reaction, that of violence and condemnation, could represent the power of conformity and the suppression of female freedom. Again, just my interpretation. But it is nice to have a horror film where such interpretations can be made.

So, what is the most important part of a werewolf film? The special effects. And the effects that they use here are very subtle. We, unfortunately, never see a full transformation. But the snippets we do see are very well done, using both computer effects and make-up. The make-up here is used really well, as small changes are added to Marie's body and face, just to hint that something is happening. And her transformed look retains her human body, while her stance and face change drastically. It's a really effective, and different way to show a werewolf onscreen.

The cinematography is also really good, with some breathtaking views of Danish coastline. But it adds to isolation of the village, and the danger that Marie is in when she tries to leave. Through the isolation of the place, a tension runs throughout the film that builds until the climax. Its really effective, but it makes the film less outright scary and more subtly haunting. Which is good, because horror films that rely on jump-scares get really boring after a while.

So, if you're looking for a smarter horror film or just an excellent retelling of the werewolf story, then I would definitely recommend this. The gore is not overt, there are few bloody moments here and there, but for most of the time the film relies on atmosphere rather than gore or jump-scares. The story is excellently told, the acting is really good, and the cinematography is beautiful. Not you typical werewolf film, but much better for it because of that I think. Until next time, readers.

MIFF 2014: I Hired a Contract Killer

One of the guidelines I set for myself when choosing films to see was to have at least one film from one of the retrospectives in the program. The film I ended up seeing, I Hired a Contract Killer, was a part of the retrospective focusing on Jean-Pierre Léaud, a respected French actor who I have never heard of. I chose this film over the other ones being offered for a number of reasons. It was on at a good time, in a good cinema, and the premise looked brilliant. 

So, the basic plot is that lonely Frenchman Henri (Léaud) finds himself out of a job and with nothing to live for. After failing to kill himself numerous times, Henri finally decides to hire a hitman (Kenneth Colley) to actually do the job for him. However, before he can be killed, Henri meets Margaret (Margi Clarke) and the two fall in love. But the hitman is still after Henri, and he won't stop until the job is done. 

This is a strange little film, that could be considered either a dark comedy or a romantic comedy, with the film mixing dark subject matter and sweet romance throughout. The acting is odd, especially Margi Clarke as Margaret. The way she speaks some of her lines is quite weird, but it works for her character and makes her memorable. There is little dialogue, most of the information being conveyed through visuals and gestures.Which is how films should be! I'm not going to lie, I really like this film and how all the elements of plot, acting, comedy, and romance make it both un-Hollywood and unpretentious. And that was before I found out who the director was. 

The film is directed by Aki Olavi Kaurismäki, a Finnish director probably most famous for Leningrad Cowboys Go America, one of the best road-trip movies ever made, and one of my favourite films. I Hired a Contract Killer is very similar to Leningrad Cowboys (which is where the band comes from), in that the situations are a little outrageous, the acting is a little off, and the plot is a little convoluted, but all that mess creates a very fulfilling and funny film, that despite being dark has a sweet centre. I found myself liking all of the characters in this film, including the hitman who gets quite an interesting (if slightly cliched) backstory that makes him more sympathetic. But what stood out for me was the romance between Henri and Margaret. It was a different way of doing the whole 'love at first sight' thing that worked in the context of the film, and contrasted with the industrial and depressing setting.

If you are a fan of odd movies, interesting premises, or dark humour, then I would recommend this film. I put this film with the likes of Harold and Maude, or Keeping Mum, so if you like films like them then you'll probably like this. I'm just glad there are still some film-makers out there who managed to escape the Hollywood system to create interesting and different movies, that still manage to be both funny and romantic. It's a refreshing thing to watch after the crude comedies of Judd Apatow or the boringly offensive movies of Adam Sandler. So, I guess I'll be looking for more
Jean-Pierre Léaud and Aki Kaurismäki movies now. I hope some of you do the same. Until next time, readers.

MIFF 2014: Joe

It seems a shame that Nicolas Cage has become such a punchline in recent years, especially since he is a very good actor when given the right sort of material. Joe is one of the first films in years that lets Cage show how good an actor he can actually be. This is the sort of film that people who don't believe he can act need to see. But is the film as a whole, taking out the Nicolas Cage factor, actually an good? I think it is, but I do think there are also a few flaws here and there.

The film focuses on Joe (Cage) an ex-con who runs a deforestation business. It's through this business that he meets Gary (Tye Sheridan), a 15 year old boy who starts working for him. The film focuses on these two characters, their interactions with the other members of the backwater society they find themselves, and how they both survive such an uncaring part of the world. The two end up becoming friends, with Gary seeing Joe as the father he always wanted. Gary's actual father, Wade (Gary Poulter), is meanwhile creating a downward spiral that threatens to drag the rest of his family down with him.

So, thing about the character of Joe, is that he is essentially a thug with a heart of gold. There are some things that he does in the film that are really questionable, but Cage manages to make the audience stay on his side through it all (although that could have something to do with how the rest of the characters are written, but we'll get to that later). Tye Sheridan also does a good job as a kid who comes from a broken home, yet manages to retain his youthful optimism about most things despite how hard his life is. The film spends a lot time showing how beneficial the relationship between these two is to both characters, and they are the strongest parts of the film. Another nice thing that I liked was the destruction/rebirth symbolism through the jobs that Gary gets. It's some much needed hopefulness to the end of what would otherwise be a very depressing film.

And that brings me to my first criticism of the film. This is a very bleak and dark story, with some of the most hideous characters I've ever seen on film. There are two main antagonists, Wade and Willie-Russel (Ronnie Gene Blevins), who are so disgusting and despicable that they seem to almost be more like caricatures than characters. Almost. There are some moments in the film that make them more than one dimensional villains. But it is still unpleasant to watch what they do in the film. And they are given very little motivation or back-story. A lot of secondary characters lack that, actually. They just appear, we may learn one or two facts, and then that's it from them for the rest of the film. It's a bit annoying, but it sort of works with the rambling nature of the narrative. But part of still wants to know why Willie-Russel would wear a bunny mask when he rapes someone.

There are a few other nitpicks I had with the film. Most of the scenes are shot with intense close-up shaky cam, that makes me sick. If can stomach that sort of film-making, then well done. And the southern accents can sometimes get so thick that it's extremely hard to understand what the characters are saying at times. But those are minor things. I did like this film, and as I found myself thinking about it again for this review, I found myself liking it more. There is an air of menace that hangs over the film, that adds tension but also makes it hard to watch at times. But if you like good drama films or character studies, then I would definitely recommend this. If you are a Nicolas Cage fan, you may be disappointed he doesn't have many insane moments, though there is a highly amusing scene when he is drunk.

In the end, this is a film that should prove to many that Cage does have it in him to give an excellent performance in a film that doesn't have to be manic, or overly intense. It may be a dark film, but it is a good one. Until next time, readers.
 

MIFF 2014: The Young and Prodigious TS Spivet

I'm not going to lie, this is the film I was most looking forward to out of the entire MIFF program. Jean-Pierre Jeunet is one of my favourite directors, and the only director whose entire filmography I've seen. Including Alien Resurrection. This film marks his English language debut, and his first film shot in 3D. With all this in mind, when I went to see the film yesterday my expectations were pretty high. And not only were they met, they were exceeded!

First of all, this is the only time I have ever been impressed by 3D. The cinematography is truly breathtaking, and the use of 3D only enhances the visuals rather than hindering, like it does in so many other films. One of the main problems I have with the medium is that the overall film ends up too dark to completely enjoy, but here, the colour balance was good, and I could actually see what was going on. If only every film that used 3D didn't waste it as a cheap gimmick to be applied during post-production as a way to make extra money.

Also excellent is the acting. After stagnating for a few years, Helena Bonham Carter is excellent as TS's mother, Dr Clair. The character could have been played as feather-brained, but instead Carter plays her with a grounded personality, providing an interesting spin on the absent-minded professor parent-type character. But the real stand-out here is Kyle Catlett as the eponymous TS, a boy genius who tries to deal with a family who doesn't understand him in the wake of a terrible tragedy that affects them all. While there are moments when his youth comes across as almost grotesquely cutesy, but Catlett's personality manages to create a character rather than just a caricature.

I suppose I should now move onto the plot, which when described is fairly straight forward, but when you're watching it you come to realise that the film is not really about the plot at all. Anyway, the basic story is 10 year old TS Spivet invents a perpetual motion machine which wins a prestigious scientific award. After some thinking, TS decides to hitch a freight train to Washington DC from his Montana ranch to accept the award in person. When he arrives there, he realises that winning the award is not the answer to his problems that he thought it would be. That's what the basic plot is, but like I said, the film is more of a study of how this rather odd family comes to terms with a recent tragedy, and move forward from it.

The film is littered with the usual Jeunet-isms that may annoy if you aren't familiar with his style or are just not of fan of it. There is a voice-over narration that talks about seemingly inconsequential everyday occurrences, there are little animations or cut-aways to show these occurrences, a lot of time is spent describing little details, there is a vintage feel to the sets and costumes, Dominique Pinon turns up somewhere... the list goes on! I love his style, because it's different and unique to Jeunet. But I have found a lot of reviews describing this as 'overly twee'. And to a certain extent, I agree. But then you have to remember that this film is told from the perspective of a ten year old boy. The film explains how he notices the small details in his life and how he is fascinated by them, so naturally they should appear regularly in the film. If you keep that in mind, then this film becomes an interesting examination of how, while maybe not all children, at least this child reacts to the world around him.

It's not perfect (no film ever is!). One of the problems I had was that the plot sometimes got a little confusing, since a lot of cuts are used between the characters and their situations. But it's hard to know whether it's in TS's head, or if it's actually happening, or if it's a flashback. It's also resolved fairly easily and without any of the complications you expect to arise. But because the actions remain true to the characters (and because I'm a sucker for a good old fashioned happy ending), I can forgive the rushed feeling of the end.

If it wasn't already clear, I really, really like this film! I haven't managed to find out if it's getting a larger release in Australia, but I'm hoping it comes out to a wide release (it won't, I'm just setting myself up for disappointment). I hope Jeunet continues to make films as interesting as this, and his previous ones. If you're a fan, you shouldn't be disappointed. If you aren't a fan, then we can't be friends. If you have no idea who I've been rattling on about, then try and see this film. It's a good introduction to Jeunet's world, while also being good family entertainment. Enough gushing now. Until next time, readers.

MIFF 2014: Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films

Well, it's that time of year again! The Melbourne International Film Festival has returned again! This year I will be seeing 10 films! I am so excited! I think I've used enough exclamation marks though. Hopefully, I will stick to my plan of writing about each of the films I see. But if I don't, nothing will happen. I'll feel bad for a week, or something. Anyway, my MIFF adventure started last night at Melbourne Central Hoyts, with the newest (and apparently last) documentary from director Mark Hartley, Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films, who also directed Not Quite Hollywood, and last years Patrick.

Electric Boogaloo, as you could probably tell from the title, recounts the history of B-movie production studio Cannon Films, focusing on the two men who ran it during the 80s, Israeli cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus. I've only recently been introduced to Cannon Films, having seen the 1983 Hercules that they made, but I have heard of some of their more legendary flops, like Breakin' and its sequel, American Ninja, Superman IV, and Masters of the Universe. This film goes through the making of these films, and more, and really highlights the craziness of the Golan and Globus, and how they ran the business. The film also explains how the company split them up and failed, for despite their great love of movies, neither man really knew how to make films that would be successful in America.

Like Not Quite Hollywood, the film uses talking heads to get across most of the story of Cannon. And it's incredible how many people they got to talk for the film. B-movie legends like Sybil Danning, Richard Chamberlain, Alex Winter, Dolph Lundgren, and Bo Derek are interviewed, but there are also a lot of behind the scenes people featured as well. Ranging from directors, writers, editors, and cinematographers to CEOs and chairmen of both Cannon and other film studios.

Clips are used from the films that being spoken about to great advantage. More than once I found myself thinking "Hey, that one looks fun! Stupid, but fun. I should check that out sometime." Archival footage of Golan and Globus is also used effectively to show the personalities of the two men, since neither agreed to appear in the film. The one complaint of the film I have is that because of the focus on the two men rather than the company as a whole, it didn't go into great detail about what happened to the company after the two split. I was a little confused as to whether Cannon continued without the both of them, but that's a minor complaint that a quick Google search can fix easily.

 All in all, this is a fitting tribute to a studio that may have had great dreams, but just lacked the talent and patience to really make them a reality. The spirit of Golan and Globus really came through the numerous interviews, and you got the idea that they knew how to sell movies to anyone. Making them was a different matter.

This was an excellent start to MIFF, and I am intensely looking forward to the next nine films I have in front of me. Until next time, readers.