film reviews, interviews, features | BRWC

Blog

  • Kuma Review

    Kuma Review

    By Gordon Foote.

    Kurdish director Umut Dag’s first full length film, Kuma, tells the story of a young, village girl who is recruited as a second wife (a Kuma), leaving her past existence behind and relocating to Austria.

    I’ve wrestled with how best to review this Turkish/Austrian effort, simply because much of what makes it worth watching, and it is certainly that, relates to its treatment of issues within the plot, and I’m a firm believer in reviews not just telling you what happens in movies. As such, I feel honour-bound to give a spoiler warning for the paragraphs ahead, but for those of you looking to experience the film afresh, I’ll cover the two questions most people are looking to have answered by reading this. 1. Is Kuma a good movie? Yes. 2. Should you go and see it? If you like well acted, smartly scripted, domestic dramas: certainly.

    Ok, you have been warned – from here on in, I’ll be discussing events from the plot.

    Seen through my Western eyes, the entire premise of Kuma is bewildering. The adoption of a second wife, brought in to ensure the family’s needs are catered for after the existing matriarch is diagnosed with cancer, seems as alien a concept to me as anything Man of Steel had to offer. Yet, Petra Ladinigg’s screenplay manages effortlessly to break the viewer through this cultural divide, easing you into the world of Ayse, the titular Kuma, as we see that such practices are not commonplace, her role being obfuscated by mock-weddings and deceit.

    This, not only, gives the film’s first act an air of mystery, driving you forwards to find out exactly what is going on, but also aids in your empathy for Ayse, someone else who has been thrust into a strange situation and is doing her best to keep up. Bėgum Akkaya’s performance, as Ayse, combines fragility, kindness, and enough hints at inner strength to make the character entirely believable, instantly winning the viewer over as jealousies and frustrations within her new family make her the regular target of derision. In her first major role, Akkaya’s portrayal provides one of the two columns Kuma is built on.

    The other being Nihal Koldas’ turn as Fatma, known affectionately as “Mama”. As the film progresses, it is made clear that she is the orchestrator of Ayse’s situation, hand picking the young woman as her successor, should cancer claim her life. It is a wonderfully complex role, as we witness the ebb and flow of family dynamics shifting around Ayse and Fatma, the balance of power slowly slipping from the stern, controlling mother toward her compassionate, beleaguered successor. The script throws more family upset and tragedy into its hour-and-a-half run time than most soaps attempt in a whole season. On occasion, Kuma feels unrelenting; tackling a panoply of difficult issues but not really giving any of them enough time, or space, to breathe. However, as the film blends the likes of domestic abuse, homosexuality in a Muslim family, bubbling resentments, and even death, Ayse is seen growing to fill the role she was chosen for, despite Mama’s continued survival. Even a last minute twist which seems certain to see her return to the rank of outsider within the family is handled in such a way that it is hard to judge Ayse for it.

    Functionally shot, wonderfully scripted, and housing some strong performances Kuma, like the girl whose story it tells, manages to take a wide variety of heavy topics on its shoulders without strain or complaint, refusing to stoop to melodrama. Its story builds slowly, taking its time to introduce its characters and world, refusing to let the usual pace of modern cinema influence it, and benefiting for its self-assuredness.

    4/5

    Out in cinemas 16th August

  • Gone In 60 Seconds (1974) – Review

    Gone In 60 Seconds (1974) – Review

    So you like huge muscle cars with ginormous engines. You’re bored of car show circuit, you’ve used the vouchers to drive a Porsche round a track for a day. What do you do to get your next fix of sweet later motor oil? You make a film of course. Which is what H.B. Halicki did in 1974.  Coming from a career in haulage and junkyards Halicki’s next logical step was to make write, produce, direct and star in a film in which he could brum brum and vroom vroom to his hearts content.

    The film is now famous for having a big-budget, brum brum, vroom vroom, shooty shooty, bang bang remake that was a pile of shit. Who here remembers Christopher Eccelston’s wood fetish? My, my what a compelling villain. The original is also famed for having a near forty minute car chase that takes up nearly half the film. That alone should tell you whether or not you will enjoy Gone in 60 Seconds.

    There is a wonderful, grimey b-movie feel to the film. Seemingly self-financed as a labour of love by Halicki it brings to mind Melvin Van Peebles’ Sweet Sweetback’s Badasssss Song, except without the political and social message behind it. This is a movie in it’s purest form. Simple plot; corrupt insurers steal cars for money. As a results we get to see lots of nice looking cars driving around fast. Their are no pretensions of this being profound, dramatic storytelling. It’s not filmed in an overly stylized fashion. The script is filled with cliches and riddled with melodrama. I’d be shocked if the majority of the cast went on to further careers. Jerry Daugirda as Halcki’s best friend turned nemesis particular puts in monumental performance of staggering mediocrity. The crowning moment being when he walks out of phone box having squealed on his partners cloaked in a rain coat (because he’s being secretive) and say aloud to himself “that’ll fix you!” . The camera  work is perfunctory at best, working just enough to get everything in shot. That is until the mamoth car chase hits the screen and the camera crew seemingly wake up. The entire sequence is shot with an edge that would still thrill most cinema goers today unless you’ve watched Ronin and Fast and Furious 6 a billion times in which case you might think it as exciting as an episode of Songs of Praise.

    Sadly Halicki died whilst filming a stunt for a scene during the making of Gone in 60 Seconds 2 – planned 14 years on, it would have been interesting to see where he took the art of filming cars/car crashes too. He had a talent for it, as Dominic West’s bland remake demonstrated – just cause you have more expensive cars, it doesn’t mean they look more exciting.  Stick with this unpolished turd of a gem. It’s ultimately hard to dislike a film that wheres its intent so firmly on its sleeve.

    This car go fast. You no like. You no watch.

  • Confine: Review

    Confine: Review

    Confine is probably the most appropriate title to describe recent release from director Tobias Tobbell; a simple yet effective crime thriller set entirely in the London apartment of housebound victim Pippa, played by model turned actress Daisy Lowe.

    As a fitting summary, Confine successfully places the viewer into the uneasy and tense prison that Pippa’s apartment becomes after the break in of fickle sociopath Kayleigh (Eliza Bennett). Although this is advertised as Lowe’s feature debut, it is perhaps Bennett’s performance that steals the show as her character unsettlingly flits from soppy girlfriend of Henry (Alfie Allen) and small-time thief, to an unstable psychopath, at times spouting rants in German and French.

    While the plot progresses, we learn more of Pippa’s backstory, uncovering her isolative life after a dramatic car crash. A premiere for Lowe it is a convincing portrayal, particularly as she had the challenge of playing her own twin, a character radically different to Pippa’s. And while the situation gets out of Kayleigh’s hands, the simple storyline and decent acting are what pays off. Tobbell was clever here to keep the filming trapped within the walls, never once leaving the house. Although he himself states that the film wasn’t “as good as buried or cube,” it seems he is mistaken. As a viewer the movie perfectly creates that claustrophobic atmosphere and manages to maintain the feeling throughout.

    Though the twists and turns that the story roles with could be described as, at times, a little dramatic and jagged, the subdued and tasteful acting carry them through slickly. Alongside this is Tobbell’s cinematic style that shows through his talents as a director. His camera work is smooth, sweeping and theatrical taking influence from directors such as David Flincher and Christopher Nolan.The plot progression is made much more entertaining by the use of interesting focuses of both characters and objects.

    For any director setting an entire story in the location of one apartment and centering a majority on four on screen actors can be a hit or miss prospect. But here Tobbell has succeeded in keeping it refined and most of all distinctive. A tense and thrilling watch, Confine is a film that will leave you either running to the exit or reaching for the lock. Depends which way you look at it.

  • Just Stay In – All The Cool Kids Are Doing It

    Just Stay In – All The Cool Kids Are Doing It

    Remember when going out on a Friday and Saturday wasn’t an option – you just had to do it? Back in the days when there was enough cash to go round and there seemed to be better music in the clubs. At one time staying in on a weekend night would be seen as a total social failure. But not anymore! Reality bites with the endless recession and more and more people, of all ages, are shunning a Friday night on the town and finding new and different ways to entertain themselves at home on a weekend.

    Time off is important. It’s a fact that in the UK we have the longest working hours in Europe and a really intense work culture that doesn’t allow for much downtime. Many of us regularly work over 40 hours a week and put in many unpaid hours of work as a matter of course. All of which contributes to high stress levels. Add onto that the pressures of keeping up with mortgage payments, trying to scrape enough money together for the occasional holiday and maybe even a couple of kids, then it’s no wonder most people’s stress levels are off the charts.

    So, a combination of staying in a lot and needing to lower stress leaves a dilemma. Just what can you do at home to entertain yourself, your friends and lower stress levels? You know, to grab a bit of ‘me’ time? Luckily, in this day and age we have plenty of options. Even if you only have Freeview, there’s usually a decent film to watch, for example. Or you could get online and start finding ways to play.

    Streaming services like Netflix and Lovefilm give cheap access to loads of TV programmes and films – they’re definitely worth checking out for a cost effective way to get your fix of TV series, both new and classics.

    If you’re looking for something that will stimulate your brain rather more than watching TV, then there are loads of online gaming options. You could go for the brain training option and put your grey matter through its paces or you could get hooked into one of the many addictive puzzle games like Candy Crush and Bejewelled Blitz.

    Or you could get online and play some poker on an online casino site – there are so many out there to choose from, all the thrills and spills of Vegas in your own front room? Well, almost. Maybe not quite so much cabaret and bright lights, but the gambling is definitely on offer.

    If none of these are lighting your gaming fire, you could try – totally fun way to spend a few hours. And no, bingo definitely isn’t just for old people anymore, it’s a fun way to chill out, chat to like minded folk and try your hand at various different games. And, of course, you can actually end your Friday night in having made some money, as opposed to going out and splashing the cash. After all, a normal night out costs way more than £50 these days once you’ve factored in travelling, drinks, food and any other kind of entertainment – even going to the cinema will set you back around £20. So, don’t give into peer pressure – stay in and have just as much fun at home!

  • Now On DVD: Identity Thief – A Must-See

    Now On DVD: Identity Thief – A Must-See

    I first saw Melissa McCarthy back in 2000 while watching my favorite TV show at the time, “Gilmore Girls.” She played Sookie St. James, the quirky, adorable chef in a small town who always wore pigtails and was never afraid to boss people around. Then I saw her in “Samantha Who” as Dena, the funny, level-headed best friend. But what catapulted her to fame was her role in “Bridesmaids.” McCarthy is the quintessential supporting actress and is always a bowl full of laughs. But I’m happy to see her in her first starring role opposite “Horrible Bosses” star Jason Bateman.

    Bateman’s character, Sandy Bigelow Patterson, has everything to lose. After getting his identity stolen from an Orlando woman, he goes on a frantic quest to find her and reclaim his identity. He travels halfway across the U.S. to confront her. Always great with his finances and being an accountant himself, Patterson is shocked to learn his credit score is a shambles. And to make matters worse, if he doesn’t clear his name in a week he could lose his job. He bribes, coaxes and wrangles his way to get her the 2,000 miles back to Denver.

    But the thief isn’t going down without a fight. Her animated antics, jabs to the throat and funny one liners are hilarious and kept me entertained throughout the film. But when bad guys are on the hunt for her as well, will they be forced to work together? First chance you get I recommend seeing this film. You won’t be disappointed.

    This film made me realize just how easy it is for someone else to steal your identity, blow through your life’s savings in the mere matter of weeks and screw up your life. Don’t let yourself be another victim!

    How to Protect Yourself

    According to Lifelock.com, over 8 million Americans in 2011 were victims of identity theft. Lifelock is one of the best companies out there for identity theft prevention. So if you don’t have prevention set forth as of yet, do so as soon as you can. Lifelock identity theft protection is a good option for any and every one.

    Think like a thief. Look at anything you throw away like a thief would. Are there important numbers? Account information? Social security numbers? If there’s anything of value that someone could easily steal your identity with, dispose of it properly.

    • Start Shredding– Don’t let any mail with important or identifying information make it to the trash can intact. When in doubt always shred it. You will especially want to shred any financial statements, medical statements and pre-approved credit card offers with a cross-cut shredder.
    • Clear Logins and Passwords– For convenience reasons many of us do our shopping and banking online. But to protect your information, be sure to always clear your logins and passwords after every use. For extra precaution change your password every month. If you can, always pay for purchases with a credit card, which has better guarantees under federal law than if you use your debit card. Keep an eye out for phishing scams.
    • Monitor your bank and credit card statements frequently– I recommend checking your bank accounts weekly to ensure nothing’s going awry. Purchases you didn’t make should jump out at you. And a word to the wise: try to fill up your tank with an odd dollar amount. Far too often people wait to get to an even mark, but if you always fill up to .60 cents on the dollar you will know if someone other than you is purchasing gas.