Lost in Space

 

Inspired by the 1812 novel, Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss, the original Lost in Space TV show aired for 3 seasons in the 1960s. Then in 2018, Netflix released another iteration, again, inspired by the novel from 1812 and the 1962 comic, Space Family Robinson. But in-between these TV shows there was the film, which, is a strange mix of both. Lost in Space, released in 1998, directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by the same person who gave us Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, I Robot and The DaVinci Code. Despite it being a box office smash hit, knocking Titanic of the top spot in the US, the film was absolutely panned by critics. Most noted the film was not the same tone at the wholesome 60s show and felt like a basic science fiction story. But, Lost in Space is getting a new lease of life through Arrow Video who know when its time to revitalise a film.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

The Beanie Bubble

 

This is the year of the ‘product’ film, with several films about the origins of a particular product being explored. The Beanie Bubble fits very nicely between Flamin’ Hot, BlackBerry and Air, moving from the 80s into the 90s and banking on nostalgia to make us want to find out exactly what happened to the Beanie Babies bubble. Back in the mid-90s, you were either a collector or you knew a collector, there was no escaping the beanies and that inviting TY logo. 

Behind every great man, there’s always at least three women that he’s standing in front of. There are always a trinity of women, each having propped the man up, in a relationship with him or created ideas that he had stolen, The Beanie Bubble tells the story of the three women in Ty Warner’s life and how they helped him become a billionaire.

The full review is over at Filmhounds HERE.

Flatliners

 

The question about whether there is life after death has been the subject of a fair few films. Approaching the question from different angles and trying to gain a fresh view on the possible after life, Flatliners is one that always springs, not just because of the 90s resurgence period we are going through. With the future star-studded cast, the classic 90s film tone bleeds through the film and director Joel Schumacher was able to leave his mark on the now cult classic film. 

When medical student Nelson Wright creates an experiment to find out what happens when you die, he convinces a group of his fellow students to aid him in his dangerous experiment. When Nelson is successfully brought back from the dead, the others want to try for themselves. But soon after returning, Nelson starts to have dark visions of his past that start to physically harm in the present. At first, he says nothing to the group but soon, one by one after they return to life each member of the groups starts to see things too, as if they brought something back with them from their death.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

Tales of an Unlikely Franchise

 

Nineties films are having a resurgence and for those who grew up in the days of the 1990s are finally able to reminisce. The nostalgia that we all had for the 80s and before has run its course as now we now so far into the millennium, two generations in, it is now time to talk about the good old days and what we used to watch when we were kids and teens. This new and acceptable appreciation for those 90s films are being explored by the young film fans of today. Discovering a treasure trove of stories that influences later films and gained notoriety for explicit scenes, characters and plot, whether they were good or bad or the ever-popular category of ‘so bad its good’. Quite a few 90s films were unceremoniously thrown into this later list due to the fact they were 90s films and not given the gravitas they deserved. Thankfully due to those physical media advocates, we have been given various versions of films from that time period.

Read the full article in the latest issue of Filmhounds HERE.

Neo Noir: Cape Fear

 

The 1991 version of the film was dramatic but felt dated, compared to the 1962 original, as if it were just an imitation. Danielle Bowden, the teenager is not doing well as school and is forced to take summer classes, which is how she meets Cady as he pretends to be her drama teacher and he manages to convince her to suck his finger in a seductive manner. Leigh Bowden, Sam’s wife, works from home, she is a ‘modern woman’. The two lead male roles felt strange to me. Nick Nolte played Sam Bowden, who I found extremely uncharismatic. Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis are the ones that carry this film for the Bowden family. Robert De Niro as Max Cady was terrifying but it wasn’t the tattoos or the greasy hair or the way he spoke, it was his ability to flip from seemingly charming guy to raging maniac. He is repulsive, which is what the character is meant to be and De Niro really does throw himself into the role. Unfortunately, Nolte, beside De Niro just feels miscast.

 

Cape Fear, both films, boast an impressive cast and director yet it’s quite difficult to compare the two films as they are almost identical in how the story plays out. The differences are obviously the ending and the change of character of Lori Davis and Diane Taylor. The former was a colleague, who has a crush on Bowden and after being rejected by him, meets Cady in a bar. She is then violently raped and beaten and left too afraid to testify. The change from the 1962 film, where Diane is a woman, not connected to other characters Cady picks up at a bar. Cady threatens Bowden when he attacks his friend, showing this is what he’ll do to his wife and daughter. Both women are used as plot device to show what Cady is capable of and shaming these women for having sex with someone they hardly know. An age-old device.

 

 

For more #noirvember & #NeoNoir follow @little_sister_filmnoir

 

Neo Noir: The Game

 

SNAPSHOT POST

"I don't care about the money. I'm pulling back the curtain. I want to meet the wizard." - Nicholas

David Fincher's 1997 thriller literally teeters on the edge of sanity when his protagonist becomes involved in an elaborate game gifted to him by his brother. Discovering what is and isn't part of the game is left up to the audience even right to the very last moment. There is at points detours to what we think is the narrative and just feel like challenges to overcome. There are moments of dread and very little pleasure. We witness a man who on top of the mountain, be it lonely, and fall slowly to rock bottom. We see him over come struggled he may never have thought he would go through and then through it all, question his own reality. Is this real or part of, the game?

 

 

For more #noirvember & #NeoNoir follow @little_sister_filmnoir

Neo Noir: Miller's Crossing

 

SNAPSHOT POST

"I am gonna send you to a deep, dark place and I am gonna have fun doing it!" - Eddie Dane

Despite being set in 1929 the story is still a classic neo noir. Not with femme fatales and noble men trying to save them but with criminals, gangsters and mixed messages. The most interesting way to read this film was to understand the motives and character of Tom Reagan. He's our would be hero but he's shady as the rest of the gang. But he does have one weakness, Leo, his boss and best friend. If we read that Tom is in love with Leo, everything falls into place and his actions sense. He does everything for him. In fact there is good evidence to read into the other male relationships too as being sexual. This makes a whole of sense, not to mention the incestuous relationship between Bernie and Verna and why no other guy is interested in her. A fascinating story that goes beyond the gangster genre. 

 

 

For more #noirvember & #NeoNoir follow @little_sister_filmnoir

 

Neo Noir: Wild Things

SNAPSHOT POST

"People aren't always what they appear to be. Don't forget that!" - Ray 

With more double crosses than you can shake an alligator at, Wild Things really goes above and beyond to try and trick you into thinking it’s a cleverly devised thriller disguised and several ways; a teen thriller, erotic thriller (at a push), revenge flick and straight forward crime story but of course its deep seated neo noir at its core, especially with the very unsavoury relationship this teacher has with two of his students.

 

For more #noirvember & #NeoNoir follow @little_sister_filmnoir

 

Neo Noir: Jade

 

 

Linda Fiorentino is back on top form as the femme fatale who may or may not be innocent, at least of murder. The erotic thriller that can easily slip into the guise of neo noir was ever popular in the 90s with seamless edges, half drawn supporting characters and usually one man, a law man, who’s drawn into the web weaved by a woman he just can’t resist.

 

The entanglement of deception that Katrina Gavin, a clinical psychologist, has created all starts to unravel when a wealthy businessman is found brutally murdered with a hatchet. Photographs are found leading to further deception and intrigue involving prostitutes, blackmail and further murders. At the heart of the investigation and somewhat a target himself is David Corelli, assistant District Attorney picking and literally chasing down clues throughout the film. Once a lover of Katrina before she married his friend, Matt, a powerful defence attorney. She doesn’t hide behind her husband’s power, letting us believe of her innocence but Katrina’s found sexual liberation is discovered through burnt out tapes and seedy photos. What’s different about Katrina’s reaction is at first shame at being found out, her secret is no longer just her. She enjoys the control she has over the men at beach house and doesn’t want to let this side of her go. But with her husband, she is the complete opposite. Her vulnerability is seen on a few occasions making us question whether she really is the killer as she’s been set up to be.

 

The corrupt politician in power and the corrupt policemen doing his bidding cheapens the story the slightly as its quite predictable. The menacing governor threating Corelli with losing his chance as becoming elected isn’t the bold move he thinks. Corelli is made of sterner metal, surviving multiple attempts on his life and being able to stand up to bullies. He does almost succumb to the charms of the femme fatale but knows better.  He is a rare character amongst the genre.

 

 

For more #noirvember & #NeoNoir follow @little_sister_filmnoir

 

Neo Noir: The Last Seduction

 

Most Film Noir stories feature the femme fatale, she is the one who leads men down the wrong path, convinces them to commit murder and then run away with them, only to leave the men in the dust to deal with the fall out of their actions. The femme fatale of the Neo Noir variety is often the main focus, sometimes they are even the protagonist themselves. Bridget Gregory is the ultimate femme fatale, even more so than Sharon Stone’s character Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct. She lies, cheats, steals, seduces her way through a rough patch in her life. This is all triggered when her husband hits her, but by her actions throughout the film, it’s more likely she has been planning this whole ordeal before the incident.

 

Linda Fiorentino is a force to be reckoned with in this film. Robbed of awards recognition because of a technicality with the film’s release, she gained little notoriety after the film, appearing in similar orientated films and Dogma, she seemed to have disappeared in the 2000s. Her personal life reads like Neo Noir, when she became involved with an FBI agent to try and provide evidence to release her PI boyfriend, Anthony Pellicano who was on trial for several crimes. Maybe one day we’ll see that story on the big screen. 

 

Despite all the terrible things Bridget does, there is also some room to admire her for schemes and plans. She doesn’t do things by half measures and possesses talents that I think we all wishes we had at one point in our lives; her ability to manipulate with ease, actually commit to a job she talks herself into and execute a plan no matter how complicated. But most of all, she is always herself, even when lying, she refuses to be anything other than who she wants to be and will do anything it seems to get it.

 

 

For more #noirvember & #NeoNoir follow @little_sister_filmnoir

 

Watch List: August & September

Apartment 1BR

Full review can be read HERE. 3/5 

 

The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day 

The first film is a cult classic and is just such a brilliant film, how do you top that? Well, you make a sequel that makes nearly no sense whatsoever and you bring back familiar faces and replace Willem Dafoe because he was most likely busy. This time, a hitman is hired by the mafia to murder a priest to bring the Saints back to Boston so they can have revenge BUT of course when The Saints arrive, with new pal Romeo as their sidekick, things do not go according to plan. There are moments of hilarity and ridiculous scenarios as well as amsuing details such as the emphasis on the hitman's height but this is the world of The Saints here so you have to expect the weird stuff. 3/5

 

Room

The harrowing story of a woman kept captive for years in a shed with the only positive part of her life, her young son is a film I didn't run to see at the cinema. Mainly because of the story and the real-life story that inspired it. Brie Larson is brilliant in the film as is the breakout star Jacob Tremblay as Jack, their bond and chemistry is the obviously the heart and soul of the film. Seeing the story unfold through Jack's eyes brings a new perspective on this type of story and I can see why there was so much hype around the film when it was first released. Waiting all this time to see it, I don't think took anything away, but the kidnapping and the strain everything put upon Larson's Ma is so painful to watch. Jack has his life ahead of him but Ma will be forever scarred and forever in pain and fear, even with time and I can't let that go. 4/5

 

12 Monkeys

 After years of this film sitting in my ‘to watch’ pile (in my mind) I finally got the film I had heard so much about. A science fiction thriller from Terry Gilliam, when he was making great films, is hard to resist. Of course, this is a film that resonates now more than ever, revolving round a disease that was spread in 1996 driving what remained of the human race underground. Future man Bruce Willis is time travelled back in time to find out who is responsible for the virus getting out and, in that time, makes friends with crazy Brad Pitt and scientist Madelaine Stowe with fixed effects. It’s a pretty damn good film despite making me feel uneasy in the state we all find ourselves in. 3/5

Tenet

I went to support the film that was meant to welcome people back to cinemas and I still stand by this, but, this film, was not a masterpiece. Nolan has some great ideas but how executes them is with varying success. Inception was about dreams and our perception of reality, here he cross the time travel line but it isn’t really a time travel story, it’s about time inverted….WHAT?! Starting with a fantastic opening scene pumped full of adrenalin but then quickly morphed into a sequence of fast dialogue heavy scenes that do not set up the story and does not explain anything. Literally, nothing. The only hint, a drawing but that is actually pointless too. There were too many scenes you can’t hear dialogue whether that was part of it all or not. Granted, there are some fantastic visuals but the overall reason for why things are happening is just, weak. There were also quite a few plot holes which I felt were set up in a film set before this one which we will never get to see. 2/5

Beanpole

 Full review can be read HERE. 4/5

 

Schemers

 Full review can be read HERE. 2/5

 

Night School

 I usually avoid Kevin Hart vehicles but this has Tiffany Haddish in it so I needed to see it. A fun silly comedy about a guy who struggled with school loses his job and can’t get another without a GED so he goes to night school to get one, meets group of kooky characters each with their own personalities and stories, hides his schooling from his successful girlfriend, is taught by the brilliant Haddish and has to overcome an old rivalry with a guy who knew in and now is the principle of their old high school. It’s all fun and games and dramatically plays down the fact that his character has learning difficulties that had gone unnoticed by his teachers when he was at school, but I suppose that would have been a whole other film with less laughs. 3/5

The Babysitter: Killer Queen

I have a habit of seeing sequels first but with this Netflix film, I didn’t think I needed to see the first film, but now I’ve seen this, I will go back to the start. As far as horror comedies go, this was very fun, ridiculous and I could immediately get into it despite everything that was going on. Picking up a few years later and Cole, still traumatised and trying to move on from the last film’s events decides it’s a great idea to go with his ‘best friend’ knock off blonde from next door and her friends to a lake. Of course, things go very wrong when the ghosts of the cult rise up and try and kill him again. There are flashbacks to how and why everyone joined the cult that are very amusing and silly as well as a very excellent dance scene in place of a sex scene that is better left watched and unspoiled. Cole also has a buddy along for the night of terrors, the equally mysterious and traumatised Phoebe which means our troubled boy has someone to share his story with. 3/5

 

Scottish Mussel

A wholesome British rom-com that is both impossibly sweet, slightly predictable and something rare all at the same time. Directed (and starring) Talulah Riley, her debut as the former is what you’d expect from the genre but just feels like a new voice that barely got heard. I don’t think this gem enjoyed enough if any attention at the cinema beyond the UK borders (please correct me if I’m wrong). When Ritchie and his friends end up mistaken for pearl thieves, the small-time criminal decides stealing rare Scottish pearls might be a way to make money. But after volunteering at the wild life centre to gain access prime mussel spots, he starts spending more time with Beth, the very passionate conservationist and he begins to change his mind. Unlucky for him, local gangsters have also taken an interest in the pearls too. 4/5

Gamera and Stockhom Syndrome

To review the latest limited edition boxset  I had immerse myself into the world of Gamera. All I knew was that Gamera was a gigantic turtle and was created in rivalry to Godzilla, basically a 'rip off' of the king of monsters. Little did I know once I was in too deep with this weird kaiju monster, I would soon turn from sceptic to actual fan of the monster films. 

Despite balancing between the ridiculous and pure action, I started to see a pattern in the films, not just the fights scenes between people in costumes, which I started to appreciate more and more as the films progressed, but there were patterns in Gamera's behaviour and its evolution. There was more to this franchise that I initally thought. But this might because I spent a whole week and one very intense day watching all the Gamera films, I may have just convinced myself that Gamera and all its weird ticks are amazing. For anyone wanting to explore the franchise, I would suggest the first film, Gamera, the Giant Monster, then possibly skip the 'vs' films as they are very similiar, and go straight to the 90s trilogy as these are hidden gems in the action film world.

For my full review of the boxset, you can read it over at Vulturehound HERE.

Watch List: July

EuroVision

In all honesty, I am not the biggest Will Ferrell fan but I do love Eurovision so I thought, what's to lose watching a comedy written by an American who doesn't really understand the European singing contest as, yes, it is, very European. Despite Australia literally buying its way into a contest it has no place in. Euro, it’s in the title of the contest. For a Netflix original, the quality is very good as those originals tend you have a certain aesthetic now. Icelandic singing duo, Fire Saga have big dreams of representing Iceland at Eurovison and despite their home town not being the biggest fans and through a series of strange events, they make it to the promised land, Scotland as that is where the contest is being held. On their way to stardom, humiliation and triumph they both realise that they had the wrong priorities. The music is amazing, the costumes and supporting cast are also very entertaining and amusing, even Pierce Brosnan’s very dodgy accent is entertaining. If you love Euroviosn, you’ll love this and if you don’t, you will be the end. Even though there are some liberties taken such as, Iceland being bankrupt, that is very untrue and the contest would never be held in Scotland as they are part of the UK and its VERY unlikely that the UK will ever win again AND the semi-finals are not televised. I had to get that out as that bothered me.  4/5

Paradise Hills

A fantastical science fiction story about classes, beauty, oppression and deception all wrapped up in a very extravagantly visual film. Everything about this film is visually intriguing or disturbing, in particular the carousel horse ‘therapy’ sessions and the opening wedding scene. There is so much detail that it was actually quite difficult to hone in on one genre this film could be and on ways prepares you for the knife twist even though you may suspect it. Set in a futuristic society where the upper classes send their disobedient young women to be taught how to act. However, there is something more sinister on the island, ruled over by a striking and again, disturbing being played by Milla Jovovich. The style is so bizarre and, in some ways, misleading in terms of narrative, it reminds me of Tarsem’s films (which I loved). As director Alice Waddington’s previous work is a short film, I’m hoping we see more of her work. 3/5

The Beach House

Full review can be read HERE. 3/5

The Old Guard

My post about the film can be read HERE. 3/5

Mission Impossible: Fallout

Ethan Hunt is at it again and ‘it’ I mean taking on another impossible mission and going against his boss again too. Seeing how brilliantly executed Rogue Nation was, I was eagerly awaiting to see what happening next. But I was very disappointed. The plot is only created when Ethan makes a mistake that could have been avoided and then from there, the story, along with new and old characters, very weak and only as entertaining as it is to watch Henry Cavill in fight scenes, which is usually entertaining but this time, even Cavill couldn’t save the MI crew. 2/5

Desperados

Just when you needed a fun ridiculous rom-com, Netflix provides. This time round, the story is the same old same old. Down on her luck Westly (best name for a girl) is without a job, behind on bills and all she really wants is a boyfriend. She meets a ‘perfect guy’ but instead of being herself, she holds back her personality, don’t try this at home girls and believes she’s happy. But the real story begins when she thinks she’s been ghosted by the perfect guy so sends him a horrible email (don’t know why email – that’s just odd) but it turns out he didn’t ghost her, he was in an accident, in Mexico. So she drags her two friends to Mexico to delete the email. That’s it, that’s the premise. The two friends get a fair share of story but its dull, one wants a kid, the other wants sex, the end. It is funny and silly and you can get carried away with it but it’s nothing ground-breaking. The script is not worthy of the cast’s talent either. 2/5

Come As You Are

My full review is over at Vulturehound and can be read HERE. 4/5

Black Rainbow

A gem from the cusp of the 90s about a spiritual medium who can communicate with the dead but things take a disturbing turn when she starts predicting deaths. Having worked as a medium for years, a gift inherited by her mother, Martha travels the country with her alcoholic father from town to town connecting people with loved ones. She spends her nights at engagements and days hooking up with random strangers, including the very eager sceptic journalist looking for a story. Not quite a murder mystery or crime thriller but a spiritual thriller where ghosts don’t appear but their presence is felt. Sounds more like buzz words but the character of Martha is fascinating, a true dark horse that never really reveals how she does what she does, her powers go beyond speaking to the dead and maybe even time. 3/5

How to Build a Girl

My post about the film can be read HERE. 3/5

The Truth

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s first non-Japanese language film is not quite a story about living in the shadow of a successful parent but more about coming to terms with the emotions that one builds up over time. The bitterness and painful memories cloud over the true intentions someone is trying to convey. Screenwriter Lumir arrives back in France with her daughter and husband to visit her very famous actress mother, Fabienne. They are distant yet close with each other, the daughter still not able to forgive her mother for neglecting her all those years and her mother not caring about being a bad mother only being a good actress. All set against the release of a Fabienne’s memoir which is full of lies and the set of her latest role. Its wonderful mother daughter relationship story that flows with anger and resentment as well as an emotional bond that won’t break. With two fantastic leads, Catherine Deneuve and Juilette Binoche, the film is a delight. 3/5