film reviews, interviews, features | BRWC

Author: Alton Williams

  • Say Your Prayers: Killers In Film

    Say Your Prayers: Killers In Film

    Say Your Prayers: Killers In Film – There are plenty of iconic assassins and killers prowling through the screens, from Leon to John Wick to Hanna. But some stories twist the trope. The best Killer comedies out there show us what would happen if you crossed paths with someone who was more dumb than deadly, and the Brits do it better than most.

    To celebrate the release of the new dark British comedy Say Your Prayers – about two hapless religious assassins (yes you read that right, religious assassins) – we’re taking a look at some of the best, worst killers in film. 

    Whether these killers are ill-matched duos, secretly sweet loners, or just plain stupid – you better hope you meet them instead of your maker. 

    Say Your Prayers (2020) – Tim and Vic 

    Mistaken identity ends up being fatal when these two extremists end up assassinating the wrong man. In an unholy mix-up, Say Your Prayers follows two orphans (Harry Melling and Tom Brooke) trying to get righteousness right and kill a celebrity atheist before their mentor (Derek Jacobi on wickedly dark form) punishes them for getting the wrong man. As they wait out the consequences in a sleep English village, these struggle-brothers must contend with the hitman’s worst nightmare – curious locals.

    Say Your Prayers will be released on demand 28th September

    iTunes pre-order link: https://apple.co/3lKDYR3

    In Bruges (2008)-  Ray and Ken 

    Traumatised by a bungle on his first hitman job that sees him kill an innocent, Ray and his partner Ken take a trip to Bruges to settle his nerves and avoid the fallout. Forget cool killers, Ray spends most of this cheeky Martin McDonagh feature skating the edge of a full mental breakdown – someone give him a cuddle. 

    Sightseers (2012) – Tina and Chris 

    This holidaying couple are a little better than the entries so far, in that they actually get rid of the people that they mean to. The problem is, they’re only supposed to be on holiday. Alice Lowe and Steve Oram take British passive-aggression to another level as a couple that cheerfully murder anyone who bothers them on their travels through the countryside. Diss their wellingtons at your own risk. 

    The Cottage (2008) – David and Peter 

    All they wanted was a Ransom. After kidnapping the daughter of a Crime Boss, Tracey, brothers David and Peter (Andy Serkis and Reece Shearmsith) discover they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. Stuck in a Cottage with the surprisingly resilient and bullish Tracey, the brothers spend the film not terrorizing but being attacked in turns by her and a local farmer who makes a hobby out of killing trespassers. It’s just not their day. 

    The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse (2005) – Tubbs and Edward

    Any frequent visitors of demented sitcom village Royston Vasey know that ‘local’ corner shop killers Tubbs and Edward have a marriage built on buried outsiders. Reece Shearmsith and Steve Pemberton return as the lovey-dovey duo who ‘will have no trouble here’ for the feature film. The thing is, while they’re good at hiding bodies, they’re pretty much bad at everything else – understanding nothing and making no profit from the shop. Don’t ask them for a can of cola. 

    Any frequent visitors of demented sitcom village Royston Vasey know that ‘local’ corner shop killers Tubbs and Edward have a marriage built on buried outsiders. Reece Shearmsith and Steve Pemberton return as the lovey-dovey duo who ‘will have no trouble here’ for the feature film. The thing is, while they’re good at hiding bodies, they’re pretty much bad at everything else – understanding nothing and making no profit from the shop. Don’t ask them for a can of cola. 

    What we Do in the Shadows  (2014) – Vlad, Viago and Nick 

    Completely undoing the hard work of Robert Pattinson to make Vampires look cool – Taika Waititi brought a fly on the wall expose to screens with a mockumentary on the world’s most docile bloodsuckers. Taika himself and Jemaine Clement are highlights (or lowlights) – bickering over dishes and getting emotional about their ancient ex-girlfriends as part of a gang of ‘deadly’ flatmates who are scared of their own shadows.  

    Hot Fuzz (2007) – The Villagers 

    Not many people can make Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s chracters look capable. But that’s precisely what this gaggle of cult / serial killers locals manage when new policeman Nicholas (Pegg) gets assigned to their town to clean up the ruckus. From flower shop owners to pint pullers, this is a crowd that won’t be getting good trip advisor reviews anytime soon. 

    A Serial Killer’s Guide to Life (2019) – Lou Farnt and Val Stone 

    Self-help comes at a huge price when two women go on a bloody journey of self-discovery. Taken in by Val (Poppy Roe) and her doctrine that murder mends the mind, sheepish Lou (Katie Brayben) finds herself an accomplice to an ill-thought out killing spree of rival gurus. She’s more upset about her confidence issues though. 

    Prevenge (2017) – Ruth

    Baby Blues leave a woman’s hands red in this darkly funny twist on pregnancy hormones. Most women get food cravings, Ruth (Alice Lowe) gets murder cravings when pregnant. It may not be in medical writing but taking up a hobby of serial killing while carrying a baby is not advised. 

    Mindhorn (2017) – Paul Melley 

    A washed-up TV Actor is called out of retirement to take up the mantle of his serial sleuth ‘Mindhorn’. The reason? There’s a killer on the loose, one so stupid he actually thinks that the character is real. Julian Barratt is hilarious as Thorncroft, a trooper of a thespian just trying to live up to his character – and Russell Tovey is on fine demented form as the killer Clive, living out his own dream villain plot.  

  • The Luxury Lifestyle Of 007

    The Luxury Lifestyle Of 007

    The Luxury Lifestyle Of 007

    Ever since 1962, the James Bond franchise has been seen as the epitome of British elegance, class and style. Since then, many actors have used the 007 status on screen, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig. With twenty four films currently released, Goldfinger, Casino Royale, and The Man With The Golden Gun, are just some of the top James Bond movies in the popular film franchise. No matter what mission Bond is on, there are always a fabulous range of fast cars, statement wristwatches, and sharp suits that he is associated with.

    The aspirational lifestyle of the world’s most famous fictional spy can be emulated in real life too, thanks to the variety of luxury brands associated with 007 on screen. Here are just some of the big name brands that have famously appeared alongside Bond and effortlessly evoke the relationship between the sophisticated spy and his luxurious fine taste.

    Statement 007 Watches: Rolex & Omega

    007 is always associated with the latest gadgets and his wristwear is all part of this symbiotic balance of cutting edge technology and timeless elegance. Rolex is just one of the luxury watch brands to appear in the franchise and has been worn by Roger Moore’s Bond in The Man With The Golden Gun and Live and Let Die. Rolex also appears later on down the line in The Living Daylights, worn by Timothy Dalton. Following on with the luxurious style of Rolex, Omega is also a popular choice for the spy too. Pierce Brosnan’s Bond can be seen sporting an Omega timepiece in The World is Not Enough and in both Tomorrow Never Dies and Die Another Day.

    But these watches are more than just accessories in the 007 world. Bond’s Rolex in Dr No doubles as a geiger counter and acts as a bullet deflecting magnet in Live and Let Die. The watches of 007 are not just about style, they also capture the imagination, making them a desirable and fashionable way to emulate the world’s most fashion-forward spy.

    Fast Cars: Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes-Benz

    Just like his watches, the cars that Bond drives are no ordinary vehicles. Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls Royce are all famous car brands that have aligned themselves with the Bond franchise. With luxury car brands featuring in almost every Bond film, it is clear that 007 and top of the range motors go hand in hand. The Aston Martin is most closely associated with the Sean Connery era of Bond. In fact, the British firm reported that over the years the sale of their cars has seen a huge boost from its popular association with the suave and sophisticated spy.

    Other car companies such as Land Rover, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also at one time or another had 007 behind the wheel. Some of the fastest cars in James Bond Movies have included the BMW Z3, the Toyota 2000GT Convertible, and the Aston Martin DB5. In Daniel Craig’s first outing in Casino Royale, Bond drove an Aston Martin DBS, that he later smashed to pieces in an attempt to swerve out of the way of Vesper Lynd.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7U9uHl0Zc

    Classy Drinks: Smirnoff, Absolut, Bollinger & Heineken

    The alcoholic beverages that Bond orders in a lot of the films has helped to promote popular drinks brands for years now. For his classic vodka martini order, both Smirnoff and Absolut have appeared on screen. We all know how 007 enjoys his martini, “shaken, not stirred” right? But it’s not the only drink that Bond enjoys throughout the film franchise.

    Alongside his favourite martini tipple, Bond is also partial to a glass of champagne too. Big name brand Bollinger appears in a number of different Bond films, including Live and Let Die and The World is Not Enough. Daniel Craig’s Bond also has a penchant for a Heineken or two, adding to his more accessible portrayal of the debonair spy.

    Sharp Fashion: Tom Ford, Crockett & Jones, Barbour, Fred Perry

    When Bond is at a casino, he’s usually always dressed to impress with a sharp tuxedo or stylish dinner jacket, which is likely a bit more effort than most people go to when firing up their mobile to play games online at Pink Casino. Roulette, blackjack, and baccarat are just some table games he might play in the films, usually for eye-wateringly high stakes. Arguably one of the most fashionable men in fiction and film, 007 is always immaculately dressed whether he is at the poker table, fighting henchmen, or taking a day off.

    Luxury fashion houses such as Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and Armani have all been suiting up James Bond for decades. Bond has also worn classic clothing, accessories, and outerwear, from brands such as Barbour, Gucci, and Fred Perry too. For Daniel Craig’s Bond, Tom Ford designed suits for the character for films like Skyfall and Quantum of Solace. Tom Ford has also worked on the tailoring for the next Bond film, No Time To Die. However, with yet another postponement that leaves Bond 25 pushed back again to spring 2021, fans will have to wait a bit longer to see just what stylish fashion Tom Ford has created for 007 this time.  dpri

  • Great Movies Based On True Stories

    Great Movies Based On True Stories

    Great Movies Based on True Stories.

    While the movie industry has plenty of creative storytellers who can conjure up incredible tales from their imagination and convert them into magnificent movies, sometimes, the best stories are real. 

    The phrase “you couldn’t write this” is a little overused, but there are many times where it applies perfectly. When incredible events happen, producers in Hollywood are often on the phone shortly after, ready to recreate them on the big screen. Here are some of those movies.

    21

    Casino games are often the setting for movies. They’re glitzy and glamorous and packed with excitement, which all translates well on screen. There have been hundreds of casino movies throughout the history of cinema – recent popular examples include Casino Royale, The Hangover, and Mississippi Grind – though none are quite like 21. 

    21 is based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, a group of students and graduates from MIT and Harvard University who worked together to count cards while playing cards in casinos in Las Vegas and elsewhere. 

    The team played blackjack, a card game that is played in practically every casino around the world, as well as in many online platforms that offer more than one version of blackjack. Most land-based casinos use multiple decks in a single shoe to make card counting more difficult, while online casinos use randomly generated cards.

    That hasn’t always been the case though, so the MIT team took full advantage. They did this by using a range of techniques to improve their odds and beat casinos throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with around 80 players on board at their peak. Eventually, the players were banned from most casinos, so the team was disbanded.

    21 retells this story, but the creators have used creative license to compress two decades of events into a shorter period. Yet the fi;m manages to capture the important parts of the true story while creating a compelling, edge-of-your-seat story. 

    Sully

    In January 2009, New Yorkers looked on in fear as US Airways Flight 1549 flew between buildings and landed on the Hudson River. Rescuers rushed to the scene and the press quickly gathered on the shore to report on the events. 

    What many thought was going to be a gruesome tragedy turned out to have a happy ending. The Airbus A320 managed to land completely intact, with all 150 passengers and five crew members rescued. Only two passengers were injured seriously enough to require an overnight stay in hospital, though this isn’t discussed much in the film. 

    The outcome was widely attributed to the pilot, Chesley Sullenberger (Sully) and his co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles. The pair had been thrust into an unimaginable scenario as they took off from LaGuardia Airport: the plane’s two engines had been rendered inoperable by a double bird strike. 

    After assessing the situation, Sully recognized that there was no possibility of making it back to LaGuardia or another airport, and opted to ditch the plane in the Hudson River instead. 

    Photo // CC BY-SA 3.0
    Photo // CC BY-SA 3.0

    The film recreates these events after the ensuing investigation by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the National Transportation Safety Board. It focuses on simulations that were used during the investigation that showed that, in some scenarios, it may have been possible for the plane to return to two airports. 

    These simulations were criticized in the real investigation as being unrealistic, and in the film Sully requests another be done with 35 seconds to assess the situation and decide on the course of action.

    Senna

    Ayrton Senna da Silva was one of the most successful and loved Formula 1 drivers of all time. He won 41 races and three world titles during his 10-year career in the sport. Fans still enjoy watching his races to this day, as Senna’s talent behind the wheel was like no other driver. 

    He was tragically killed during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola. It was a dark weekend for the sport, as Roland Ratzenberger had died the day before, and fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello had been injured earlier in the week. 

    The film uses interviews with people who know Senna and archive footage of his life on and off the track. It documents his early life and his rise through junior formulas before reaching Formula 1. 

    It’s not just a film for petrol heads though. It received a 93% critic score and 95% audience score from more than 18,000 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, thanks to its focus on the human side of the sport and Senna’s personality.

  • 7 Motivational Movies Every College Student Should Watch

    7 Motivational Movies Every College Student Should Watch

    7 Motivational Movies Every College Student Should Watch

    The lack of motivation is the main problem of today’s students. The fact is that many people are faced with a variety of life problems and lack of time. All this negatively affects the psyche of any student. That is why motivation and a little positive is what it takes to continue learning. Here are 7 of the most popular motivational films every college student should watch. Perhaps this will help you no longer pay for essays and do all the paperwork yourself.

    The Pursuit Of Happyness

    This is a very touching film with an interesting plot and an instructive story. Will Smith will tell you the story of an ordinary homeless man’s rise to an owner from an entire brokerage house. This film is already quite old, but it raises actual problems that are important for modern society. Even if you have just started your student career and still cannot understand all the film’s nuances, you will still get a lot of positive emotions.

    This inspiring story tells how a person can achieve in just a short period if they put in the best effort. Another plus of this movie is that it doesn’t show you the perfect fairy tale where everything happens by itself. Deduce a tough and fairly realistic situation when a person achieves something only through overcoming his shortcomings. Then you will definitely think twice before asking friends, “Will you do my homework for me?”

    The Shawshank Redemption

    This is an atypical story for students that show all the ins and outs of the modern world. According to many authoritative sources, the film is based on the novel by Stephen King and is included in the list of the best films. This is a soulful story about how a person does not lose hope, even being imprisoned, and can go through all the hardships to feel free.

    Amazing acting roles will make you feel every moment of the film as personally on the set. This story will not leave anyone indifferent because it shows how strong a person’s Will is when he wants to change something in his life.

    Good Will Hunting

    This film is especially interesting for students because it tells an unusual story of an extremely intelligent and talented man who works as a janitor at an institute. Through friendship with a local instructor and therapist, the protagonist understands what he is losing in his life and strives to become better. This motivating story shows two people’s attitude from the outside and allows you to understand and rethink many aspects of life.

    If you see this movie, then you will definitely change your mind about studying. You can certainly still use papercoach.net and other writing services. Nevertheless, this film will allow you to understand how far you are ready to go and what you need to be successful and happy.

    7 Motivational Movies Every College Student Should Watch

    Dead Poets Society

    This is a great movie starring Robin Williams that tells the story of teachers motivating their students in various original ways. It talks about how to treat college and university studies and channel your Inspiration in the right direction. This is a very positive and simple film that will tell you the common truths about how to behave in society and why a person needs to progress constantly.

    Soul Surfer

    This is a very touching story about a student who is very fond of surfing and wants to achieve outstanding results in this sport. The film is interesting because it shows how you can overcome physical and moral problems and achieve your goal no matter what. It is a very strong motivational aspect that allows students to find strength in them even after various psychological trauma and deprivation.

    Lean on Me

    It is a very powerful and instructive story of how one person can change anything in this world. The film will appeal to those who adore Morgan Freeman’s acting talent and want to see him in an atypical role. This film shows how one person can change an entire school and return motivation and faith in modern education.

    The Paper Chase

    This film will be especially interesting for those students who study at Harvard or any other educational institution. The main character is an ordinary student who is struggling with a complex education system and various difficulties on his way. This film also tells about the formation of the personality of its complexity of choice in the modern world. If you see this, your opinion about learning will change forever.

    7 Motivational Movies Every College Student Should Watch

  • SCOOB! Holds On For Second Week

    SCOOB! Holds On For Second Week

    SCOOB! holds its place at Number 1 on the Official Film Chart for a second week. Still leading on only digital download sales, the feature-length animated adventure finishes ahead of its closest competition by 2,900 sales.

    At Number 2, Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones is this week’s highest new entry, as the 2002 flick makes its Official Film Chart debut thanks to its turn as the latest in the Star Wars series to enjoy a limited edition 4K SteelBook release. Trolls World Tour drops one place to Number 3, as Bad Boys For Life jumps three to Number 4. Spider-Man: Far From Home also returns to the Top 5 after climbing one place to Number 5.

    This week’s second new entry at Number 6 is Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 war-time epic Full Metal Jacket, which enters the chart for the first time also thanks to a 4K re-release. Sonic the Hedgehog (7) and Jumanji: The Next Level (8) both climb two places to land just ahead of another classic film’s first stint in the Top 10; One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) comes in at Number 9 following the streaming release of its prequel series Ratched. 89% of the film’s sales are made up of digital downloads, with audience’s keen to catch up with the original oscar winning classic. 

    Finally, the 2019 adaptation of Little Women starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson and Florence Pugh drops five places to Number 10.

    This week’s Official Film Chart features a preview of Gemma Arterton in war-time drama, Summerland, available to Download & Keep from October 5. The film stars Arterton as a reclusive writer who is forced to bond with a young boy who has been entrusted to her care after the London Blitz.

    The Official Film Chart Top 10 – 23rd September 2020

    LWPosTitleLabel
    11SCOOBWARNER HOME VIDEO
    NEW2STAR WARS II – ATTACK OF THE CLONESWALT DISNEY
    23TROLLS WORLD TOURDREAMWORKS ANIMATION
    74BAD BOYS FOR LIFESONY PICTURES HE
    65SPIDER-MAN – FAR FROM HOMESONY PICTURES HE
    NEW6FULL METAL JACKETWARNER HOME VIDEO
    97SONIC THE HEDGEHOGPARAMOUNT
    108JUMANJI – THE NEXT LEVELSONY PICTURES HE
    NEW9ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NESTWARNER HOME VIDEO
    510LITTLE WOMEN (2019)SONY PICTURES HE

    © Official Charts Company 2020

    VIEW THE FULL TOP 40 – https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/film-chart/