film reviews, interviews, features | BRWC

Author: Alton Williams

  • Snake Goes Multi-Media

    Having retired in a blaze of glory from his last outing for the Playstation 3 in Hideo Kojima’s epic Metal Gear Solid 4, Solid Snake is branching out. Well not Snake himself, but the man who is as much a hero from voicing Snake over the many years he has been at the forefront of gaming.

    David Hayter has turned his attentions from voicing the aging espionage soldier to form his own production company with Doomsday and London producer, Benedict Carver. Dark Hero studios will be a film, TV, internet and videogame company that fill focus primarily on action, sci-fi and horror. The first project to be made under the Dark Hero name will be Demonology, a pet project of Hayter’s which he will write and direct.

    This guy is a cult hero and all round nice guy

    Not being a stranger to the world of movies, Hayter co-wrote the screenplay for Watchmen and Bryan Singer’s two (and frankly awesome) X Men movies. (He also penned The Scorpion King, but we’ll forgive him for that). His directorial debut Slaughter’s Road is set to start shooting in the summer, which he also wrote and with Carver on producer duties.

    Here’s hoping Hayter will use the Dark Hero name to make a kick-ass Metal Gear Solid film.

    © BRWC 2010.

  • Classic Scene : In The Name Of The Father (1993)

    Irish born acclaimed film maker Jim Sheridan in his third movie, delivers two of the most dramatic court room scene’s ever to be witnessed on celluloid – this is one of them. The story of innocent people wrongly imprisoned for the heinous crime of bombing a packed Guildford pub (which incidently is my home town) in 1974 – that was actually committed by the terrorist group, the I.R.A.

    SETTING THE SCENE : It is the verdict after the trial. The judge played by Aidan Grennell speaks his harsh words with power and intensity set to eerie and recurrent background music by Trevor Jones… together with the mannerisms and frightened looks from Daniel Day Lewis, this scene will guarantee to chill you to the bone with every repeated viewing…

    INT. COURT ROOM. DAY

    Judge : Have you reached a verdict ?

    Jury foreman : Yes, we have, my lord.

    Judge : How do you find the defendants ?

    Jury Foreman : Guilty as charged.

    Cheering and clapping from crowd..

    Man from the crowd : Hang the Irie bastards !

    Judge : Order ! Silence !

    Man from the crowd : String em up !

    Cheering continues..

    Judge : (Leaning forward) Gerard Patrick Conlon.


    Court Usher : (signalling to Gerry) Stand up.

    Gerry shocked and terrified stands up slowly…

    Judge : I feel it is my duty to wonder aloud, why you were not charged with treason to the crown – a charge that carries a penalty of death by hanging – a sentence i would of had no difficulty in passing in this case.. I sentence you to life imprisonment and i instruct that you shall serve a minimum of 30 years.

    Haunting music with drum beat begins…

    Judge : Take him down.

    Gerry like a frightened boy is moved out of the court. On his way he turns to his Father Giuseppe Conlon..

    Gerry Conlon : (with intensity) Help me.

    Judge : Paul Michael Hill.

    Haunting music continues…

    Judge : In my view, your crime is such that life will mean life.

    Carole Richardson bursts into tears…

    Judge : Annie Maguire, i recommend you serve 14 years !

    Annie Maguire : (sobbing and shouting) What have i done for Christ’s sake ?

    Judge : Take her down ! …Giuseppe Conlon, 12 years.

    Mrs Conlon : (stands up shouting) No, my husband’s innocent !

    Giuseppe Conlon : Lord have mercy on you !

    Judge : Patrick Joseph Armstrong, 30 years.

    Gerry is forced down to the holding cells…


    Judge : Carole Richardson, 30 years.

    The eerie music gets slightly louder with a drum beat you will never forget..

    Carole is taken down to the cell next to Gerry howling and screaming, as nurses follow her. Gerry sits down with his head in his hands in utter disbelief…then he puts his hands over his mouth as he obviously feels sick in the stomach.

    © BRWC 2010.

  • New Moon Set Pics

    To all you Twilight fans, our friends over at SpoilerTV have posted over 100 images from the Vancouver set of the highly anticipated sequel to Twilight, New Moon. They seem to be a cast full of smokers and are smokin’ up a storm. Wonder if they realize that they’re not vampires in real life and that they are not immune to the effects of smoking. Anywho…enjoy!

    © BRWC 2010.

  • Who Watches The Watchmen…Early Signs Show Everyone Does

    Not being the first to admit I’ve never actually read the much adored graphic novel from Alan Moore, I feel I have to read it to decide whether this was actually a worthy adaptation or whether it falls in the category of “good effort, massive letdown”. Seen as my knowledge of the source material is somewhat limited, my thoughts on this film are purely based on its film incarnation and not a comparative commentary on it’s translation from page to screen.

    For a start, I am a huge fan of Zack Snyder. His Dawn Of The Dead remake was, in my opinion, far superior to the original in terms of horror, action and pretty much everything else. The celebrity sniper scene was brilliant, the montage to a Richard Cheese lounge version of “Down With The Sickness” equally so. In his remake, Snyder managed to forget about the political and social connotations of Romero’s original and transformed zombies from the lumbering and retarded to the pacy and hershy stain inducing. 1-0 to Snyder. 300 was an adrenaline fuelled blood bath of superlative entertainment with more half naked men than the WWE. Style may have taken precedent over substance but what’s not to like about Spartans kicking/stabbing/bludgeoning ten shades out of a Persian army. Racist? Hell no. Awesome? Hell yeh! Snyder scores a 2nd. And what about his 3rd? Is it 3 and 3 for Snyder or does Watchmen have too big a story or come with far too much baggage for an MTV generation director to handle, let alone carry?

    Following the story of a collective of retired superheroes, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 where America have won in Vietnam and Nixon is still the most powerful man in a world on the brink of nuclear war. The merry band of misfits are formed of 6; The Comedian, who incidentally is spectacularly murdered in the opening of the film thus being the main catalyst for the narrative. Rorschach, the trench coat wearing sociopath out to find the person responsible for the death of his fallen comrade. Night Owl II, a man very much in the Batman/Bruce Wayne mould struggling with erectile dysfunction. Silk Spectre II, a strong, independent everywoman forced to operate in the shadow of her mother (the previous Silk Spectre). Ozymandias, a recognised genius with an equally inflated celebrity personality and Doctor Manhattan, the only one of the group with any superhero ability; a God like deity with incredible power and a sombre outlook on life and mankind.
    Right from the outset, we are treated to the unique visual brilliance now a staple of Mr Snyder. A superb credit sequence giving a brief lesson in superhero history accompanied to perfection by Sir Bob Dylan is undoubted brilliance. Unfortunately for Snyder, his opening gambit is the most impressive piece of the entire film. Now I’m not suggesting the film falls off into obscurity after the intro, it doesn’t. It’s just that when an intro is so good, it’s hard to maintain a similar level of creative excellence throughout. Snyder does give it a bloody good go mind you. For a film clocking in at over 2 and a half hours, it doesn’t ever feel laborious. The pacing is top notch helped along with incredible set pieces, seamless flashbacks and such a consistent high standard of acting more suited to a Shakespearean stage play than a comic book popcorn action-movie. I loved everyone in this movie but the standout performances come from Patrick Wilson (Nite Owl II) and Jackie Earle Harley (Rorschach). Bringing a humility to the film, an everyman quality we should all relate to, Patrick Wilson is simply brilliant as the only sane character seemingly without fault. As the complete opposite, Jackie Earle Harley is simply frightening as the psychopathic Rorschach leaving the current fans outcry for Harley to be the new mangled face of Freddy Krueger completely justifiable. There’s no disputing that such brilliant turns from pretty much everyone in the film is great testament to Snyder’s ability to pull the strings but there just seems to be something missing with each of the character’s inner emotions, feelings and basic motives for being heroes. Apart from Rorschach, no one is really explained with great depth. There are a lot of questions to be asked about each of the Watchmen, and not too many get answered. This is where I feel the idea to have made this iconic tome into a high concept serial rather than feature might’ve been a more successful medium. For me, this didn’t take anything away from the overall viewing experience as I still felt satisfied with such a solid narrative but I can understand why fans of the novel, who are educated in the characters on screen, may feel a little short changed.
    Visually, it’s superb. From start to finish it looks gorgeous. And I expect no less from a guy who made me want to watch a bunch of half naked men wrestle in ancient Greece. The use of slow motion to capture the stills from the novel work as good as they did in 300. I was constantly in awe of what I saw before my eyes, and as I have already mentioned, this contributed to the long looking running time feel like minutes. If I had one outstanding criticism however, it would be the soundtrack. Apart from the aforementioned Bob Dylan accompaniment, the rest of the soundtrack feels like a student film maker trying to show off his taste in music. And like in student films, it almost always doesn’t work. It’s such a shame that this is the major falling point of what is essentially a hugely entertaining piece of work. A working soundtrack should only amplify a films good looks, not hinder them with an oft feeling of awkwardness and unbalance.
    I would like to reiterate, I have never read the graphic novel. I don’t know what was missing, I don’t know what has changed etc etc but it is fairly obvious to see that like Dawn Of The Dead, Snyder has chosen to leave social and political commentary on the back burner. The fact is, it’s not 1986, and it’s clear the film version of Watchmen is no where near as politically relevant as the novel was. Of course echoes of world war still ring true in today’s society but that’s a given, when has war not been on the agenda? But it just seems like the reason I enjoyed the story and was thoroughly entertained throughout is purely for visceral reasons, not for the multi-layered politics and complex characterisation, two of the main reasons why so many people loved the novel. Watchmen has been out around a week and it’s had film goers divided. Fans of the novel seem disappointed, Moore’s impeccable story fleshed out for the screen with all its underlying connotations of superhero mythology aligned with political activism discarded for action set pieces and visceral flair. Not being aware of the original, I have to admit I was entertained by a film maker who looks like he was trying to appease both fans and newcomers to Alan Moore’s 1985. It certainly is no Dark Knight. I went to the cinema 3 times to watch Nolan’s masterpiece but despite enjoying Snyder’s latest effort, I can wait until it’s blu-ray release to watch again. Like The Dark Knight, it brings the often candy coated world of the comic book firmly into adulthood. It is a film I feel both fans and newcomers should enjoy. If you like Snyder’s previous work, it’s a given you will like this. If you liked the novel, then hopefully Snyder’s effort will not be spat upon with distain as it is a really good movie which ticks most of the boxes.
    …plus Snyder maintains his habit of homo-erotic nuances courtesy of an ever present glowing blue penis.
    **** Stars
    © BRWC 2010.

  • Wildcats Everywhere, Wave Your Hands Up In The Air

    Now, we all know it’s not cool to admit you like High School Musical or even to admit you have seen all 3 and own them on DVD, but I am the sort of person who is open to new things and I openly admit I love these films. Singing, dancing, and the small hint of a love story. OK so it may be Disney and marketed for 8 year olds but what the hell. I’m 22 years old and I like High School Musical, now I feel so much better. I can feel you all groaning, going “it’s not a proper film, it’s not Oscar nominated”, yes I know,I know. It is in fact Grease for the kids of today. And there’s nothing wrong with a bit of Disney cheese is there ?

    The HSM trilogy is directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega who has previously choreographed the cult classic Dirty Dancing (1987). He is also set to direct the remake of Footloose staring HSM star Zac Efron due for release in 2010.

    HSM is set in East High School home to the Wildcats, the film opens with two lead characters Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) meeting at a New Years Eve party, they duet at Karaoke. Cue musical number one “Start Of Something New”. Midnight approaches and they nearly kiss they swap phone/cell numbers, Troy returns home and to school where is the star basketball player and jock of the school. He enters his tutor group/home room to find Gabriella just so happens to be the new girl in school; this is where we meet the other central characters Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale), Lucas Grabeel (Ryan Evans), Corbin Bleu (Chad Danforth), Monique Coleman (Taylor McKessie) and Olesya Rulin (Kelsi Nielsen). Gabriella persuades Troy to audition for the “Winter Musical” but everyone in East High knows Sharpay and Ryan always get the part don’t they ?

    Troy and Gabriella ultimately upset the status quo of the school by breaking away from their labels. Cue catchy number “Status Quo”. This musical number is brilliantly choreographed and shows the kids of East High saying “Well if Troy can do it so can I”. Sharpay on the other hand is furious someone is fighting for her role in the musical and ultimately sabotages Troy and Gabriella’s chances by making the basketball game and the scholastic decathlon the same time as auditions. It is clear they are worlds apart, the class geek and the jock simply can’t find the time to star in a musical can they? This is a Disney film so yes of course they can helped by fellow jock Chad and geek Taylor and other fellow classmates they come up with a system to do both the basketball game and make it to auditions. They blow the audience away with “Breaking Free” and its soon clear who the real stars are. In true Disney fashion a big old sing song at the end with “Were all in this together” This is a pivotal song in HSM as the film is essentially about finding yourself, fitting in and realising your dreams in a cheesy Disney bubble gum kind of way.

    HSM is one of those rare movies that will make you laugh at its absurdity smile at its cheesiness but at the same time love everything about it. The plot isn’t exactly complex but the dance routines and musical numbers are catchy and well thought out it also has a moral just remember, “We’re all in this together once we know that we are we’re all stars and we see that were all in this together and it shows when we stand hand in hand make our dreams come true”.

    HSM 2 is set in the summer as school kicks out for summer holidays/vacation the musical number “What time Is it” plays out with the cast participating in a brilliantly choreographed roller coaster style wave in the school corridor. This year the Wildcats need jobs, Sharpay comes up with a plan to get Troy to herself all summer by getting him a job at her country club Lava Springs, she tells her people to get him here by any means she did not anticipate the any means to be all of the Wildcats including Troy’s girlfriend Gabriella. Troy and his Wildcat friends work in the kitchen while Gabriella works as a lifeguard, Sharpay is furious Gabriella is once again ruining her plans. Lava Springs holds a talent contest every summer which as usual Sharpay and Ryan win every year. Kelsie has written a “Breaking Free” style song “You are the music in me” for Troy and Gabriella to perform but Sharpay is having none of it she takes the song and makes it much more up-tempo she also plots to take Troy away from Gabriella and sing with her, she offers him a better job than the other Wildcats. Troy starts to like his job and what can be offered to him a basketball scholarship and a future but isn’t he forgetting the Wildcats and Gabriella?

    Troy loses his friends and acts like a jerk, he finds out Sharpay has stopped his friends from performing in the talent show and realises he has let down his friends, cue musical number “Bet on it” and Zac Efron running/dancing around a golf course. He asks for his old job back and leaves Sharpay without a partner for “You are the music in me” She crawls back to brother Ryan to ask for help he simply states “You’ve always wanted the spotlight. Now you’ve got it”. The Wild Cats sing in the talent show with Troy reconciling with Gabriella and singing “ Everyday”. Although this film isn’t as good as HSM it still has a moral message of respect, respecting who you are and those around you Troy learnt the value of love and friendship. The catchy dance routines and musical numbers are back this time with a beautiful backdrop of glorious sunshine.

    HSM 3 is entitled Senior Year and was released in the cinema and you bet I went to see it, a cinema screen’s worth of Zac Efron who could turn that down. The only downside of seeing it in the cinema was me and my two uni friends were the only people in the cinema without children. The experience of seeing it in the cinema was pretty amazing and in my mind it is on a par with the first film. The third instalment of the HSM trilogy centres on the Wildcats as they prepare for graduation and college its time for big decisions Gabriella has been accepted to Stanford and Troy has to choose between basketball, singing and Gabriella. The other Wildcats are facing their own tough decisions, Sharpay as usual wants the limelight to herself and when the drama club announces a spring musical Gabriella persuades her fellow Wildcats to participate.

    The musical will reflect their hopes and fears of the future and will be something they can do together before they graduate. Gabriella suggests they hold the perfect prom. The film deals with issues all kids will have to deal with at some point in their lives, a split amongst established friends or loved ones, it is a film about closing a chapter in your life and looking forward to the future. This is a Disney film so don’t expect it to be deep, its fun and a refreshing take on the musical genre. The film has a more romantic tone throughout with musical number “Right here, right now” Troy and Gabriella sing “Right here, right now I’m looking at you at my heart loves the view cause you mean everything” this song reflects how torn Troy is between his future and a future without Gabriella. “Can I have this dance” is a dance routine/song set on the roof of the school where Gabriella is teaching Troy to dance for the prom, the scene is well choreographed and well danced by the pair and they burst into spontaneous song singing “Its like catching lightning the chances of finding someone like you, Its one in a million the chances of feeling the way we do….let it rain let it pour, what we have is worth fighting for. You know I believe we were meant to be”.

    In this film the characters have really grown up and the songs reflect how they are feeling. Gabriella has to go to Stanford meaning she will miss the musical, she starts to feel she shouldn’t come back as it will be to hard to say goodbye again, Troy senses something is wrong and travels to Stanford telling Gabriella she should come back she finally agrees and the pair head back to East High where the musical’s already in full swing will they still make it for their performance? Well this is a kid’s film so of course the pair steal the show, at the end of the performance the Wildcats are asked about their future what colleges will they attend. When Troy is asked he states, “I’ve chosen basketball, but I’ve also chosen theatre. The University of California in Berkeley offers me both. And that’s where I’ll be going next fall. Most of all, I choose the person who inspires my heart, which is why I picked a school that’s exactly 32.7 miles from……you. Gabriella Montez. Stanford University School of Law”. Cheesy yes, romantic, yes and a very Disney ending. The film ends with a song entitled “High School Musical” and the Wildcats graduate and leave East High with new dreams and aspirations but most importantly with each other.

    So yes these film may not be everyone’s cup of tea but if you have kids, like musicals, dance films, or simply just want to check out Zac Efron looking a bit fit then I would recommend you watch these films. What’s the worst that could happen you could find out that you secretly like them?

    © BRWC 2010.