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  • Headhunters – Review

    Headhunters – Review

    It’s all about reputation. Or so we’re told in the opening scene of Headhunters, a Norwegian crime thriller coming to cinemas in April. Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie) is a respected corporate headhunter, below average height and nothing special to look at, his life is a collection of status symbols: his car, his house, and even his wife Diana (Julie R. Ølgaard), a tall, svelte, blonde, supermodel-esque beauty. Despite his highly successful career his life is a carefully constructed web of lies and debt as he struggles to maintain his life of comfort, one he’s convinced is required in order to keep his wife. So, beneath the facade of his stylish glossy world, he hides a secondary career as an art thief, selling off the treasures in order to better provide the illusion of prosperity.

    The first thing that strikes you when watching Headhunters is that it’s extraordinarily droll, not just funny but suspenseful and quick-witted. Roger, facing mounting money problems, is thrown a life-line in meeting affluent businessman Clas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) who, it just so happens, has a long lost Rembrandt hiding away in his apartment. Clas is the embodiment of Roger’s inadequacies about himself; he’s handsome, confident, charming, successful, rich – in essence all the things that Roger strives for. Whilst Roger is a consummate thief (he does have some help), he is not naturally violent or threatening and pitted against Clas, an ex-special forces and tracking technology expert, he is wildly out of his depth; to recall a scene from the movie he finds himself squarely in the shit.

    The movie progresses from one delightfully, and unexpectedly, hilarious scene to another, with escalating violence that is as preposterous as it is fun. Twisting and turning, we’re as unaware of who to trust, and of who is trying to kill Roger, as he is himself and as he runs from the relentlessly ubiquitous Clas, his priority shifts from getting away with the heist to simply surviving. Headhunters makes for very compelling viewing, a lot happens but it’s not rushed and there’s plenty of action keeping the story progression moving forward, not getting dull at any point. Often disturbingly violent the film counters this with the sheer hilarity of the situations Roger finds himself in, the movie blithely switches from a zany carefree tone to intense moments of cruelty and death, with Hennie playing a wonderfully endearing underdog for us to root for.

    As it builds to it’s crescendo the methodic, calculated, precision that Roger utilises on his heists is translated into the story as we’re shown exactly what we need to in order for a highly satisfying and very intelligent ending. A humorous, unconventional, violent take on the crime thriller, Headhunters is one to see for utter gratifying madness of it all.

    Headhunters is released in theatres April 6.

  • NEWS: Bruno Wu & Jake Ebert Create Allied Productions East

    NEWS: Bruno Wu & Jake Ebert Create Allied Productions East

    Bruno Wu’s Seven Stars Film Studios has signed its second joint venture to create Allied Productions East with financier/producer Jake Eberts.

    Allied Productions East will specifically focus on developing and financing content in the Asian market for Asian audiences, utilizing Eberts’ producing acumen.

    Development has commenced on the first Allied Productions East project, Mission Boys, with Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary) writing the story of 20 Chinese High School graduates arriving in the United States in the 1870s. Thrust into the highly competitive world of Yale and Harvard, they experience extraordinary cultural differences, with varying degrees of success.

    On making the announcement, Bruno Wu commented “Jake Eberts’ name is synonomous with quality and epic size films. We are so proud to have the opportunity to collaborate with him making the kind of films that Jake has built his career on, with a distinctly Asian flavor.”

    Jake Eberts added “Asia is a region with vast potential for stories that will resonate around the globe, as well as being home to over 4 billion potential consumers of filmed entertainment. I welcome the opportunity to be a part of the growth and development of Seven Stars, and to work with Bruno Wu and his team.”

    This is the second of three high profile multi-million dollar collaborations with leading filmmakers to be consummated over the coming weeks by Seven Stars Film Studios. On 19th March 2012, Seven Stars announced the creation of its first joint venture, Perfect Storm Entertainment, with acclaimed director Justin Lin.

  • An Everyday Conversation Between Friends

    An Everyday Conversation Between Friends

    Yet again we are prepping for an episode of ’11 Questions with…’ This time it’s going to be a bonus sized edition with legendary filmmaker John Carpenter on Monday April 2nd 2012!

    So, as happened before the inaugural piece with the lovely Tuesday Knight, I’ll be doing a post a day until the big unveiling!

    This is a real conversation that took place between myself and my good friend (bosom buddy, if you will) Seb Talton on March 26th 2012. It is a fairly common example of things not only he and I discuss, but what I and my inner circle discuss in general.

    Are we sociopaths? No.

    Insane? Maybe.

    A touch morbid. Yes.

    Basically childish, in an inventive and exploratory way? Definitely.

    Either way, I THINK most of the time we mean what we say in jest… But… Sometimes not… In this case it’s in jest, but also serious at the same time.

    Also, to put this conversation in context, the boyfriend and I are going on a trip soon and I was hoping to buy Seb a plane ticket as well so he could go and visit a friend of his in the same area we’re headed to. That unfortunately didn’t pan out this time and naturally, it made him sad…

    DS: To make up for the non-trip that is now not happening for you (this time anyways) I want you to defecate on my breasts, right now! (Also, don’t be sadmad at me. For it is truth that I love you and wish to bare your children.)

    ST: You are a cutie, but I do not wish to make poo on your titties. And while yes, that did make me feel crying tears there were like a billion other things going on that day that made me just go “agsjfklfjkldfhsjkhdjksjhdhjk” so, don’t worry about it. No need to get pregnant over it. BESIDES, I feel MUCH better after watching The Lorax like twice in a row. I JUST REALLY LOVE THAT MOVIE!

    DS: But… Tit pooping… And, I know. You know I gonna make it up to you though. I am glad that Doctor Seuss related CGItized Zac Efron voiced imagery somehow managed to make you feel halfway better though.

    ST: Well… Also I found a dead squirrel on the drive home from the first showing and it’s kinda in a Ziploc bag now, in my dwelling. So that’s an upper I guess.

    DS: Kind of? That’s definitely an upper. What are you going to do with it? Cause I’d LOVE to see you turn that shit into fuzzy sunglass frames.

    ST: Well… to be honest… I want its skull (and possibly the rest of the skeleton just to have it and because it, y’know… would be there.) But, I’m not sure how to get it short of either A: Letting it rot. Which will take a while and cause a smell. Or, B: Just literally going in and cutting/tearing/pulling the skin and shit away from the bones. Which I’m quite sure I’ll make a mess of that I don’t want to make.

    DS: B is probably the best option (squirrels are notoriously easy to skin.) OR there is a drain cleaner they sell in most places, notably Wal-Mart, that is like pure Hydrochloric Acid (I THINK, might be another.) Anyways, it says it eats through “biowaste” including: flesh, tissue and etc. RIGHT ON THE PACKAGE, so you KNOW it’s legit… You could probably make easy dispose of the outer bits that way (but it might damage the bones.) Also, there is soaking it in bleach and drying/curing options too.

    ST: I’m not sure how to skin an animal though. I guess I could Google instructions… A step-by-step video on how to skin a squirrel? I’m sure the internet would have that… And, yeah, I think someone else mentioned using drain cleaner too. I wonder how much it would eat through though?…

    DS: I WISH I had recorded my Dad’s friend doing it the one time. Like… He literally just popped an average old hunting knife into one little spot on the belly, gave it a twist, shoved his thumb in and pulled off all of the fur and skin in one quick swoop as if he were a redneck Pyramid Head or something. (Granted you are left with the musculature on top of the bone then… but still, STEP ONE.) WAIT! I got it… Boil it. In theory it should make everything fall right off. It’d get rid of the under bits and the musculature too.

    ST: You want me to boil the road kill squirrel?

    DS: Yes, desperately so. If you really want to get at the skeleton… Boil the carcass.

    ST: I had better get a big pot then. If this doesn’t work I’m gonna be upset… Not at you or anything, just upset that I’ll have to wait and find another dead squirrel to try it with if it doesn’t.

    DS: Granted, I have never boiled a dead animal before, I am not Glenn Close… But I don’t THINK it’s going to mess up the skeleton of course. The squirrel itself isn’t gonna be very pretty after though. Plus… It’s gonna be really gross and it will probably require a lot of draining and reboiling to get it just right… Also, I have a pot you could use. It’s currently housing MY road kill Deer Skeleton that I was gonna turn into a Texas Chainsaw Massacre style prop lamp for something, on my back porch… You’ve seen it I think.

    ST: I was just going to use a cooking pot… Not sanitary, but THERE YOU GO…. Should not do that at all probably. Wait… Are you saying that after I boil it… does the skin and all just come… off?

    DS: Yeah… At least I’d think so. You can use my big pot. In fact we could bring it to you JUST for the sole purpose of this endeavor. But, yeah, anyways, in theory it should all just come off. Have you ever boiled a chicken (the one dead animal I HAVE boiled I guess)? Eventually, if you boil it long enough, the skin and meat just falls right off the bone.

    ST: Ok. Well… I would accept this pot gift. I just have the squirrel sitting here… But I mean, waiting a while should just make it easier, right? Albeit a bit smellier… I’ve never boiled chicken but I can kind of imagine it.

    DS: You can’t KEEP the pot forever though, as I plan on using it as some sort of witches cauldron/Sleepaway Camp reference thing at some point, but, long enough of course for dead rodent boiling. When can we bring it? Probably could come this afternoon after work… Also, could get some food perhaps. This conversation made me hungry. Taco Bell maybe?

    ST: Well my dad would be weirded out. Mainly just cause “Why is this giant rot iron pot here?” But rodent boiling is a necessity. However I am occupado this afternoon with stuff-n-junk, so food wouldn’t really be a thing. You could still drop off the pot though, but I’d feel bad not being able to hang out with you and such too. I COULD GIVE YOU THE SKIN FOR FILMS IF YOU WANT THOUGH. Gross.

    DS: Pass. Just let me know when you are available and we’ll just do it at my place. Thy will be done. And yeah, really, good on the skin having. Thanks for the generous offer though. I’d probably end up wanting to put it on my face and act like Hannibal Lector and that would result in me never getting to make sex again.

    ST: Shhhhh. Just don’t let Adam see you do it. It will be our secret special dance.

    DS: But he will see because you will take pictures and show him. And or I would be filming it… Also, may I use this entire conversation for Battle Royale with Cheese? I feel this is a keeper.

    ST: You may. I would be honored. Although we’re both going to come across as RAGING psychopaths.

    DS: Perhaps. Translation to text does often remove the “12 year old boys poking things with a stick” aspect of such discussions. But, it will be done. It must be done.

  • Piggy

    Piggy

    Piggy stars Martin Compston (The Disappearance of Alice Creed), Paul Anderson (The Firm) and Neil Maskell (Kill List)

    Joe (Compston) is a mild mannered young man bored by his humdrum London life. When his beloved brother (Maskell) is murdered, Joe finds solace in Piggy, one of his brother’s old friends. Piggy helps Joe to cope with grief, intent on saving him and helping him get justice for his brother’s killing.

    As their friendship grows Joe finds himself in an increasing dangerous and murky world of violence and revenge. As Joe life collapses around him he starts to question who Piggy really is, and how honest he’s really been with him. When Joe confronts Piggy a series of events are put in place that lead to a disastrous climax.

    With an electrifying performance from Paul Anderson in the title role, Piggy signals the arrival of director Kieron Hawkes as a major new force in gritty British cinema.

    Sounds good, I hope to hear about Piggy soon.

     

  • Random Nude Fighting Double Feature: Saturn 3 & Eastern Promises

    Random Nude Fighting Double Feature: Saturn 3 & Eastern Promises

    Yet again we are prepping for an episode of ’11 Questions with…’ This time it’s going to be a bonus sized edition with legendary filmmaker John Carpenter on Monday April 2nd 2012!

    So, as happened before the inaugural piece with the lovely Tuesday Knight, I’ll be doing a post a day until the big unveiling!

    Now, on with similar subject matter to yesterday’s post!…

    So, yeah… Saturn 3 (1980), not a great movie. Never has been.

    But, once every few years, when the moon waxes red, like shimmering crimson in the black of night I am compelled to watch it, like the salmon are compelled to travel up stream each spring to mate… and die.

    Farrah Fawcett’s hair is gorgeous in the film and her acting (even in this role) is far beyond what most gave her credit for at the time. Kirk Douglas is his usual sarcastic, capable self, but of course he and Ms. Fawcett have nothing to do. Same goes for poor poor Harvey Keitel, who is both wasted AND horribly dubbed over by a stiff British actor as the human villain of the film.

    The screenplay by original director John Barry (not the composer, this was the second unit director and effects supervisor for the original Star Wars films) and acclaimed (and excessively witty/ascerbic/cynical) author Martin Amis throws out some brief, fleetingly interesting ideas (an earlyish example of the “Earth is shit in the future” subgenre, the hydroponics station being located on Saturn’s 3rd moon which is covered mostly in water, and the basic idea of the food research station usurping this unique situation), but is overall flattened by behind the scenes tinkering to make the film more of an Alien clone.

    Replacement director (did I mention the behind the scenes problems?) Stanley Donen doesn’t know what he’s doing with special effects (slashed budget, unfortunately cheap-o effects,) suspense (although the infamous “eye cleaning” sequence IS wonderful,) science fiction in general or having such a small cast in tight quarters (they are relegated to endless scenes of running down corridors and crawling through ducts and the like, always brings to mind French and Saunder’s deliciously wonderful parody of Aliens.)

    HOWEVER, the production design of the Saturn 3 station itself is quite nice (I wonder if the folks behind the look of Kurt Wimmer’s Ultraviolet drew some inspiration here) AND the one thing the film is most remembered for, the 8 foot tall, semi-human in appearance, insanely evil and intensely menacing robotic antagonist, Hector, is astounding. Most people, myself included, hold the film in much, much higher regard than it warrants simply due to the presence of this mechanical nightmare that really shouldn’t be terrifying (thanks to his tiny, tiny head) but very much is.

    Oh, also, (at the time 64 year old) Kirk Douglas fights Harvey Keitel in the film… naked… Let that soak in for you. Farrah BARELY even pops a tit out, but Spartacus? Full pickle and saggy arse.

    Hence the title of the article. And it was THAT fight scene that made me wish to watch Eastern Promises (2007) again (I had seen it in the theater, love David Cronenberg,) but remembered nothing beyond Viggo Mortensen’s wonderful body, buns and cack… and something about Russian Mobsters or something.

    Really though? That’s pretty much all there is in the end… It’s one of those critically lauded films that I just don’t particularly see the wow factor in.

    The plot, direction and performances are all VERY sedate, TOO sedate for the subject matter. Usually Cronenberg’s clinical approach creates a unique and engrossing (also, typically disturbingly unflinching) experience, but this time around it’s more of a slow, steady, muddled lapse into a snooze caught on film. (Even the major twist, while decent in concept, is spoiled in execution.)

    It’s by no means a bad movie though, just a somewhat boring, meandering, relatively uninteresting one. (It seems to me almost as if Cronenberg was trying to make his own John Cassavettes type deal and then the two styles didn’t mesh.)

    The central message (I think) of finding hope, redemption and yadda yadda yadda in a frightening, violent and imperfect world; as well as the whole mob angle and moral grey areas were covered much more thoroughly (and entertainingly) in Mortensen and Cronenberg’s first team up, 2005’s A History of Violence (granted they had a staggeringly wonderful villainous turn from Ed Harris propelling that film along.)

    Eastern Promises is elevated, somewhat, by Viggo. He’s always watchable and affects the relatively go-nowhere part in the film with a slightly sparkling charm that accounts for a lot (not Oscar nomination worthy as it was, but…) and then there is the nudity.

    For a gay film viewer it’s always nice to see penis on screen (particularly from A-List , very attractive stars) much less for five straight minutes (during a wonderfully brutal fight scene in a bath house.)

    Granted I know Cronenberg was aiming for the discomfort button with the scene (since audiences are ALL profoundly terrified of male nudity it would seem,) but still, I thank him and Viggo for it.

    Also, to be of note, I do still look forward to The Canadian Horror Maestro and Aragorn’s next match up, A Dangerous Method coming soon (trailer looks brilliant,) if they can do it once, they can do it again.

    Saturn 3, 5 out of 10 unique uses for decapitated heads.

    Eastern Promises, 5 out of 10 graphic finger severings.