film reviews, interviews, features | BRWC

Author: Ben Gummery

  • Debug (2014)

    Debug (2014)

    Debug is the 2014 Sci-Fi/Thriller big screen debut from writer/director David Hewlett (better known for his sci-fi acting roles such as Stargate & Rise of The Planet of the Apes) and stars Adrian Holmes, Jeananne Goossen and Jason Momoa.

    The story resolves around a team of criminal computer hackers that have been sent into space by the Department of Corrections to help salvage old ships by over-riding their computer systems. This seems like an easy job; until they come across an abandoned prison ship. As they interact with the various virtual elements of the ship”s system4-debug they soon realise it is fighting back in a very real and physical way as it turns the team on each other.

    This is hardly new territory in sci-fi (i.e. the Alien franchise starts with a similar premise and there is of online casino course Kubrick”s 2001: A Space Oddyssey) however the hacker angle does provide a fresh and interesting new take on this. All that said I feel the film is well executed but did not particularly stand out for me. Jason Momoa”s performance is ominous and unnervingly evil as the ships AI Iam.

    The film is shot largely CCTV style as well as through computer screens and the heads-up displays the team uses to add to the claustrophobic feel of the film. The production design is fresh and modern while at the same time bleak and depressing to reflect the mood.

    Debug is distributed by Signature Entertainment in the UK and will be released on Blu-Ray & DVD on 3rd November 2014. Pre-order available now.

    3/5

     

     

  • Reaper (2014)

    Reaper (2014)

    Not to be confused with the TV series of the same name; Reaper is the 2014 thriller/horror from director Philip Shih and writers Mark James/James Jurdi. The film features a strong cast including Danny Trejo (Machete Kills), Vinnie Jones (Snatch), Shayla Beesley (Sex and the USA), Jake Busey (From Dusk Till Dawn – TV Series), Christopher Judge (Stargate) and James Jurdi (Pocket Listing).

    The story plays out initially like a typical road horror movie in the tradition of The Hills Have Eyes & The Hitcher. Hitch-hiker Natalie (Beesley) gets a ride with happy-go-lucky travelling salesman Bill (Busey). When Bill crosses the line Natalie turns the tables on him and we learn there is much more than meets the eye to this girl. This leads her to run into drug runner Brad (Jurdi) who is carrying out a pick-up for tough criminal boss Rob (Jones). Later on the pair meet Jack (Trejo) at the suitably named ‘Last Chance Hotel’ and the story turns somewhat sinister. The twists in this tale remind me a lot of Tarrentino’s writing for From Dusk Till Dawn.

    The monster of the piece is ‘Reaper’; a former ordained preacher of a murderous cult that escapes his death row fate when an electrical fault occurs during his execution. This gives him abilities similar to Magneto where by he can control electricity to scare and shock his victims. There is a lot of religious symbolism here as represented by the neurotic motel operator Caine (Justin Henry).

    reaper2

    I found the characters in this film really well developed; especially for a genre where there is usually more attention paid to killing off characters than giving them believable stories. Trejo plays a character he has played many times before and easily masters; the toughened criminal with morals. He even brandishes a Machete in tribute to his best known role. Beesley is a revelation as Natalie and we see her character jump off the screen and delve to new depths as the story develops. Busey; despite only making a brief appearance is electric as Bill and really helps to kickstart the film; following his success in the From Dusk Till Dawn TV series. I also really enjoyed Jurdi’s performance as self-interested criminal Brad.

    The film does live up to it’s low budget credentials how-ever in terms of the production design, special effects and cinematography; this is very telling and the effects are minimal. In-fact, the ‘Reaper’ character is probably the least developed aspect of the film. There is nothing especially gory here and likewise there is not many big scares but this is made up for with strong writing/direction and a stellar cast that will keep you engaged till the end.

    I don’t know if the Reaper character will be successful enough to fuel a sequel but as a stand-alone movie it is enjoyable and a must see for fans of this horror sub-genre.

    Reaper is distributed in UK by Signature Entertainment and is available now On Demand and in limited DVD release.

    4/5

     

     

  • The Shoot (2014)

    From Wonder Wheel Productions and joint writing/directing team John Adams & Toby Poser ‘The Shoot’ stars John DiMaggio (“Futurama,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”), Keith Allan (“Z Nation,” “Mad Men”), Doug Spearman (Cradle 2 The Grave), and Toby Poser (The Lucky Ones).

    The main protagonists are Tommy (Adams) & Dougie (Sam Rodd); a pair of struggling musicians that are in debt to a loan shark represented by token ‘Bad Guy’ Steve (DiMaggio) while trying finish off their recording sessions.

    The film opens strongly with a shot of a pair of high-heeled legs and an erotically charged sex scene which is just the start of the films shocking taboo moments. We are then introduced to the caricatured demanding fashion photographer Mack (Allan) and his long suffering team including Tommy’s girlfriend Maddy (Poser). Despite the cliche comic French accent Allan’s performance is enjoyable as is DiMaggio’s; the character actors shine in this film.

    Tommy & Dougie come across the idea of robbing a desert fashion shoot after hearing Maddy’s tales of expensive jewellery that is left around the set but inevitably their attempt does not go to plan.

    IMG_1063.JPG

    The film is thrillingly dark and ‘in-your-face’ as reflected by the cinematography & production design which is mostly high contrast and tightly framed. I did feel the films main action sequence came a little too soon as the rest of the film is spent dealing with the consequences of this. The tone turns increasingly dark as the characters true natures are revealed.

    The film is somewhat reminiscent of Natural Born Killers (1994) and the Coen Brothers.

    3/5

  • 1OVE (2014) – ‘A Romantic Comedy For Pop Music Nerds’

    1OVE is a fun internet comedy short from GDB Films; written by G. Daniel Bailey & directed by Reynaldo Rodriguez.

    The ensemble cast includes G. Daniel Bailey, Laura TenZijthoff. Keith C. Wade (Burn Notice, Graceland) and Frank Francisco (Univision’s Va Por Ti).

    The concept here is ‘a romantic comedy for pop music nerds‘. This is achieved through the dialogue which is mostly referencing or borrowed from well known song lyrics (both recent and classic). With everything from Rihanna to The Who there is something for everyone here.

    We see male protagonist Johnny (Bailey) narrate the tale of his conquest Molly (TenZijthoff) to his friends at a bar while we see flashback cutaways. The production value here is reasonable for a YouTube video but nothing exceptional; not that it particularly matters for this kind of comedy.

    This is a fun, cheesy Internet video concept that is well executed and perfect for YouTube but does not have much merit beyond this.

    Find it here on YouTube

    3/5

    Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the United States and United Kingdom during the mid-1950s.  The terms “popular music” and “pop music” are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular and includes many different styles. “Pop” and “rock” were roughly synonymous terms until the late 1960s, when they became increasingly differentiated from each other.

    Although much of the music that appears on record charts is seen as pop music, the genre is distinguished from chart music. Pop music is eclectic, and often borrows elements from other styles such as urban, dance, rock, Latin, and country; nonetheless, there are core elements that define pop music. Identifying factors include generally short to medium-length songs written in a basic format (often the verse-chorus structure), as well as common use of repeated choruses, melodic tunes, and hooks.

  • 5 Films That Feature Radio DJ’s

    5 Films That Feature Radio DJ’s

    1. The Warriors (1979)

    While ‘The Warriors’ gang flee from New York City to Coney Island, the radio D.J. (Lynne Thigpen) provides coded information and updates to the gangs that are pursuing them.

     2. Do The Right Thing (1989)

    dotherightthing
    Samuel L. Jackson plays ‘Mister Señor Love Daddy’; the local block D.J. that acts as a narrative and reflective device for the film; commenting on the activities of the day as well as name-checking/interacting with many of the main characters. He also is also part of the films moral compass.

    3. Good Morning Vietnam (1989)Good-Morning-Vietnam-robin-williams-30953057-2336-2560

    Robin Williams stars as zany US Army DJ Adrian Cronauer that is sent out to Vietnam to entertain the troops where his un-orthodox methods upset the leadership. He also gets to discover first hand what life is like for the troops in Vietnam.

    4. Play Misty For Me (1971)playmisty

    Clint Eastwood stars as Radio DJ Dave Garver in this thriller which he also directed.
    Dave is stalked by the obsessive Evelyn (Jessica Walter) who constantly calls into the station requesting the song ‘Misty’.

     

    5. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

    kbillyMost of the music in this violent debut film from Quentin Tarrentino is introduced through the fictional radio show ‘K Billy’s Super Sounds of the 70’s’ (voiced by Steven Wright) which characters tune into at various points during the film.