Author: Ben Gummery

Review: Before I Go To Sleep (2014) – Out Now On DVD & BluRay

Before I Go To Sleep Pre-release review thanks to distributor StudioCanal.

Based on the best-selling novel by S.J. Watson. The film rights were initially acquired by Ridley Scott; who then brought Rowan Joffé on board as Director (he also wrote the screenplay).

Before I Go To Sleep tells the story of Christine (Nicole Kidman); who suffers from anterograde amnesia and wakes every day with no knowledge of her surroundings and how she came to be the way she is. She goes through life haunted by a past she can’t recall and a present she cannot fathom.

She lives with husband Ben (Colin Firth) who helps her to deal with her condition but we discover she has also been secretly seeing Dr. Nasch (Mark Strong) who is helping her to recover her memory through a video log. With his help she begins to piece together the pieces of her life; sometimes contrary to what she has been told.

Before I Go To Sleep plays out like a taut psychological thriller; somewhat reminiscent of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Memento‘. The mood is bleak which is reflected in the cinematography; colour is used sparingly. The pace really picks up gradually thorough and shows some real visual flare at times.

Nicole Kidman turns in a restrained performance as Christine; a woman who is struggling to put her life back together. Without giving too much away; Colin Firth gives one of the most unexpected performances of his career in this film while still displaying a mod-icon of his trademark charm. Some may call this star-casting; but the entire film is built around these two striking performances.

The DVD release includes Special Features:
– Interview with Director Rowan Joffe
– Interview with Nicole Kidman
– Directors UK: Q&A with Rowan Joffé moderated by Kevin Macdonald
– Trailer

4/5

Get it now on BluRay or DVD from Amazon and Zavvi.

12th January 2015
Movie Gem Of The Week: Death At A Funeral (2007)

Death at a Funeral (2007) is a classic British farce comedy directed by Frank Oz (Little Shop of Horrors) and written by Dean Craig (A Few Best Men). It features a great comic ensemble cast including Matthew MacFadyen, Kris Marshall, Ewen Bremner, Alan Tudyk Andy Nyman, Peter Dinklage, Rupert Graves and Keeley Hawes.

The film follows the great tradition of British ‘farce’ comedies (i.e. The Ladykillers, Carry On). The story revolves around Daniel (MacFadyen) who is left to deal with the funeral arrangements for his late father. Things are complicated when his fathers ex-lover Peter (Dinklage) turns up at the wake and a hilarious comedy of errors ensues.

The well-written script is supported by great comic performances from the entire ensemble. Tudyk’s comic performance as Simon is a delight while MacFadyen plays his charecter completely straight-faced and buttoned up. Comedy favourite Kris Marshall (My Family, Love Actually) gives his usual zany performance as Troy.

Interestingly this spawned a American direct remake of the script (very little is changed other than to Americanise the film); released in 2010 starring Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Danny Glover, Tracy Morgan & Luke Wilson. Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) even plays the same character in both films. However while funny and well cast I found this version to a poor imitation of the original.

5/5 – Great cast, lots of laughs, highly recommended.

7th January 2015
Lake Eeerie (2014) – A New Horror/Thriller

From husband and wife team Chris Majors (director/producer) and Meredith Majors(writer/producer/star); Lake Eeerie is a new indie horror/thriller starring Betsy Baker (The Evil Dead), Lance Henriksen (Aliens/Terminator) and Marilyn Ghigliotti (Clerks). Due for release worldwide in 2015.

Young widow Kate (Meredith Majors) moves into an old house on Lake Erie to recover from her husband’s death. The house has not been lived in for over 40 years. From the moment Kate moves into the house, she is soon haunted by a dark presence. Kate is taking multiple pills/ medications for her anxiety and depression; therefore, she is not sure if she is losing her mind or if the haunting is really happening.

Kate is suddenly envelope by a whirlwind of tragedy and dark forces, and must decide whether or not she is strong enough to fight back and figure out the evil truth before it’s too late.

Principal photography on the film has already been completed; however the film-makers would like to raise additional funds to further improve the film in post-production such as Sound Design and Visual effects. A great range of perks are available including Blu Rays of the final film, autographed posters, T-shirts, custom-made jewellery, IMDb producer credits, and much more.

Lake Eerie Kickstarter Campaign – Please give generously and support indie film.

This has all the makings of a great haunted-house horror/psychological thriller.
Horror/Special Effects legend Robert Kurtzman (Evil Dead II) is also involved in the project so you can expect some of his trademark spine-chilling character design/make-up and horrifying effects.

The producers found a great main location for the film; which wan an actual reportedly haunted house, largely untouched with it’s original 1920’s fixtures & fittings.

For more information please visit http://lakeeeriemovie.wix.com/lakeeerie.

22nd December 2014
Blu-Ray Review: Day Of The Dead (1985) Steel-Book
Day of the Dead is widely regarded as the third installment in George A. Romero‘s seminal zombie series; following Night of the Living Dead (1968) & Dawn of the Dead (1978).

This Limited Edition Steel-book release from Arrow Films Video is a re-hash of their 25th Anniversary edition Blu-Ray release; the special features included here are the same.

They have used original 1985 poster artwork which I have to stay looks stunning in full-colour steel-book. Also included is a special collector’s booklet featuring the Japanese artwork, other images and writings.

This was a much more claustrophobic film than the sprawling Dawn Of The Dead; confined mostly to an abandoned underground mine. However, as we discover from behind the scenes footage Romero originally intended the film to be much larger in scale (think ‘I Am Legend’). Favoured by some and dismissed by others the film none the less has memorable performance from Joseph Pilato (as tough military leader Captain Rhodes), Lori Cardille (as Dr. Sarah Bowman – the lone female in a group of men) and Richard Liberty (as scientist Logan). We also see some of the best zombie effects work from legends Tom Savini & Greg Nicotero.

There are two ‘making of ‘ documentaries included; one focuses on the film being cut down from the original script while the other focuses more on the effects team. There is also two features with actor Joseph Pilato and his experiences of the fan circuit since the film.

A notable exception is the lack of a Director’s commentary track; only the special effects team commentary is included which is a shame. A great collection of miscellany is also included such as a photo gallery and TV spots.

Full list of Special Features
- Commentary with the special effects team including Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, Everett – Burrell and Mike Deak
- Joe of the Dead: Acting in a George Romero classic – An in-depth interview with actor Joseph Pilato
- Travelogue of the Dead: On the Rhodes again (which shows Joseph Pilato meeting fans)
- The Many Days of Day of the Dead
- Behind the Zombie footage (a day in the life of zombies on the set of the film)
- Romero Zombography (listing George A. Romero’s credits)
- Photo Album of the Dead
- Souvenirs of the Dead (which shows various merchandise spawned by the film)
- Night and Dawn Trailers
- The audio recollections of Richard Liberty
- TV Ads of the Dead
- Wampum Mine Promo (the actual underground storage facility where the film was shot.
4/5 – Beautifully packaged but same special features as previous Blu-Ray release.

Copies of this limited release are still available on Zavvi & Amazon.
16th December 2014
Blu-Ray Review – Birth of The Living Dead (2013)

Birth of the Living Dead is a documentary detailing the production of the George A. Romero’s 1968 film Night of the Living Dead which is widely regarded as inventing the modern zombie genre as discussed in the film; directed by Rob Kuhns.

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10th December 2014