Production company Hammer continue their return to form with Wake Wood, a chilling horror set in the Irish countryside. On paper it could be dismissed as an Irish version of The Wicker Man, but sets itself apart by grappling with the realities of grief, the occult, and how to safely deal with cattle. It’s not perfect, but strong performances, a strangely Scandinavian feel (part of the filming took place in Sweden) and artistic flair makes Wake Wood an enjoyable addition to Hammer’s canon.
The A-Team is ridiculous. But given that it’s based on perhaps the cheesiest TV series ever to star a be-Mohawked ex-wrestler with a serious thing for bling, that’s not really its fault. Anyway, the A-Team movie replaces him with a cage-fighter who has given all four of his sons the middle name ‘Rampage’, which is frankly BOSS.
Another day, another remake. But before you throw your computers across the room at the mere sight of the dreaded ‘R’ word, take heart – Breck Eisner’s The Crazies is actually a pretty good horror film, and a definite improvement on George A. Romero’s original.
Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five sees Po return to teach a rabble of young bunnies the philosophy of the ancient Chinese art. The short animated feature, originally a deluxe DVD extra, is now a film in its own right. But is it cute and succinct or a not-so-secret attempt to simply rake in more money?
So, the UK Film Council is to be axed. There are really only two things to do in reaction to such baffling news: a) follow in the steps of over 12,000 film fans and sign our official online petition here b) then proceed to remind yourselves of what the UKFC has brought to our screens in the last ten years, starting with the exhilarating horror sequel 28 Weeks Later.
The 2007 film adaptation of Monica Ali’s novel Brick Lane is reason enough in itself to sign our petition to save the UK Film Council funding scheme. The picture, which was directed by Sarah Gavron, went on to win a silver Hitchcock award and best screenplay at the Dinard Festival of British Cinema. Now is the time to show your support for our independent filmmakers in order for successes such as this to continue.
If I had a pound for every person I saw reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on the train this month I’d be rich. Well, I’d be able to afford a first class ticket anyways and not have to stand in the corridor having my faced pressed against book covers bearing the tattooed back of a naked girl. Without a doubt, Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy has captured the world’s imagination, with Oplev’s adaptation of the first book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo becoming the most watched film in its native Sweden. So what is all the fuss about? In a word, Lisbeth.
Vincenzo Natali’s Splice, much like the genetically manipulated subject of the film, is a hybrid. Living up to its title, the film splices modern fears about genetics with the traditional monster movie, mixing in elements of a psychological drama and dark comedy for good measure. It is a Frankenstein’s monster of a movie that sometimes lumbers around awkwardly under the strain of all its parts, but ultimately remains a fascinating, original and horrifying beast.
Based on a true story and redolent of Germany’s chequered past, The Wave is a compelling film which throws our reliance on authority into sharp relief. If you’ve ever thought that Hitler would never have taken you in, watch this and see how sure you are.
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