Monday 30 August 2010

Obscurity Files #21 - Clark and Michael

Obscurity Files aims to put the spotlight onto a series of films that time and audiences have otherwise forgotten. I'm doing a bit of a different thing today. With Scott Pilgrim currently at cinemas and Hot Tub Time Machine on DVD this week, let's take a look at Michael Cera and Clark Duke in the internet TV show, Clark and Michael.
More after the jump...



COP OUT: Never More Apt A Title

Kevin Smith's latest film has had a bit of a rough time title-wise. Starting off as A Couple Of Dicks, that title was deemed a bit unsuitable for mass audiences, so we ended up with the watered down (but quite witty for its backstory) Cop-Out.
Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan in a buddy comedy about a pair of mismatched cops? Directed by comedy legend Kevin Smith in his first major trip outside of his ViewAskewniverse? How could it possibly fail?


Well it did in a way. It saw a $55 million return worldwide against a $30 million budget, which is pretty good; but it only took £60,000 here in the UK which is pretty poor for a Bruce Willis film. It was also absolutely mauled by critics. So, how do you go about relaunching the film for the home entertainment market? Well let's start with a new cover and see how that works.


Oh.


Poor old Tracy Morgan. What did he ever do to deserve being shunted off the cover? From what I've heard he's the best thing about the movie. Admittedly, he's not quite as big a star in the UK as he is in the US, but to be taken off the promotional campaign and replaced with generic explosion is a bit harsh. 


Look at all the dead space on the right hand side. Could they really not have found a place for Tracy's goofy visage? The Blu-Ray's managed to fill that space, but it isn't much better.


Sorry Kev, you'll always be Silent Bob to us.


Cop Out is out on September 20th if you want to risk it. Trust me, Tracy Morgan IS in it.

Friday 27 August 2010

FRIGHTFEST 2010

Frightfest begins today down in that there London, and I can't make it. It's one of those things that every year I say I'll make an effort to go down and see it, but instead I'm working Bank Holiday weekend for no extra pay. Ah well, maybe next year...


So to plan B. The good thing about Frightfest is that you've got really no idea what films they're going to put on for you. You might have heard some rumblings about some real nasty flicks (this year that would have been A Serbian Film, but it's been pulled due to censor issues), and sometimes there's a trailer knocking about that catches your eye.


Well, for me this year, that'd be Burning Bright. It doesn't look like the scariest film ever, but it's surely one of the most ridiculous. A sexy girl gets trapped inside her house with a Tiger on the loose, running around in her utility room. Oh, and her autistic brother is in the house too. She can't leave because there's a flippin' hurricane going on outside, so she's just got to stay clear of the Tiger until the weather gets better. High concept stuff.


Here's the trailer for your amusement. Sorry, it's not great quality.



Of course I want to see that film. Who wouldn't? But as I can't get down for Frightfest I'll have to do the second best thing. Wait 9 days and then rent it on DVD.
If I wasn't sold before, telling me that it stars the girl from Step Up 2 (if ever there was a person to see potentially ripped apart by a Tiger) and having a tagline as good as 'True Tiger Terror' has sealed the deal. I'll definitely do a review for this next week so keep a look out for that.


Oh, and if you are lucky enough to be going to Frightfest, have fun.

Thursday 26 August 2010

SLACKER trailer review

Trailers are an important tool in building buzz and anticipation for films. A good trailer can sell a bad movie, a bad trailer can kill a good movie. Here we try and tell the difference between the two and pick out the most anticipated new films.
More after the jump...


Happy Birthday Macaulay Culkin!

Waaaah?! As if Macaulay Culkin's 30 today! As someone who's fast approaching that same landmark, all I can say is... I feel your pain brother. Oh, and Happy Birthday.


There's nothing like seeing a former child star all grown up to make you feel old (even if Mac still looks about 14). Although, one of my co-workers who's on the same wage as me has never heard of Alanis Morissette or River Phoenix. That made me feel pretty old too.


Here's the trailer for the lost Home Alone 3 with Mac in it. At least, I think it's real. (it's not).

Wednesday 25 August 2010

SLACKER Quote of the Day

"River Phoenix? Didn't he die outside of Johnny Vegas's Strip Club?"


Ooooh, you're so close!

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Obscurity Files #20 - Hackers

SLACKER Obscurity Files aims to put the spotlight onto a series of films that time and audiences have otherwise forgotten. With Salt hitting screens this week, let's check out an extremely youthful Angelina Jolie in Hackers.
More after the jump...

THE SCOUTING BOOK FOR BOYS DVD review

This new Thomas Turgoose starring film has just been released on DVD.
Watch the trailer and read my review, after the jump...

Monday 23 August 2010

This Is England '86

Shane Meadows' 4 part TV follow up to This Is England is coming to Channel 4 from September 7th. Here's the trailer...





It's looking good. I was a fan of the original film, so I'm intrigued to see what the characters are up to now. Apparently this series is based more on Lol, but Shaun Fields is Shane Meadows' substitute for himself, so I'd expect him to feature just as heavily.


If you're able to get to the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield on September 2nd, there's a preview screening with Shane Meadows, Thomas Turgoose and other cast members in attendance.


Follow this link to the Guardian website for a chance to win tickets. Don't try too hard though, I want to win.


(FYI, I'm not associated with this competition. I'm just being nice sharing the link.)

Friday 20 August 2010

SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD review

Due for imminent release is Michael Cera and Edgar Wright's new film Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. I've already seen it.
More after the jump...


Wednesday 18 August 2010

SLACKER trailer review

Trailers are an important tool in building buzz and anticipation for films. A good trailer can sell a bad movie, a bad trailer can kill a good movie. Here we try and tell the difference between the two and pick out the most anticipated new films.
More after the jump...

KNIGHT AND DAY review

Also out in cinemas is the latest star vehicle for Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.
More after the jump...

THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE review

Out now in cinemas in the new Nicolas Cage/Jay Baruchel starring Disney actioner, The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
More after the jump...


Obscurity Files #19 - Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

SLACKER Obscurity Files aims to put the spotlight onto a series of films that time and audiences have otherwise forgotten. With The Expendables about to hit our screens we thought we'd look up one of Sly Stallone's less memorable films. Today, it's Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.
More after the jump...






Monday 16 August 2010

CENTURION DVD review

Neil Marshall's latest blood and guts extravaganza is now out on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Watch the trailer and get more details after the jump...

PERRIER'S BOUNTY DVD review

Also out on DVD and Blu-Ray today is this Irish Gangster film starring Brendan Gleeson and Cillian Murphy.
There's the trailer and more details after the jump...


WHIP IT DVD review

Drew Barrymore's directorial debut Whip It is out on DVD and Blu-Ray this week. 
Hit the jump for the trailer and more details...


Saturday 14 August 2010

Jerking Around

Steve Martin turns 65 today, and despite being associated with some crap films nowadays, I'll always forgive him. Why? Because he gave us Orin Scrivello, DDS...




Come back Steve Martin, all is forgiven.

Thursday 12 August 2010

In Memory of John Cazale

On the occasion of what would have been his 75th birthday, I thought I'd devote this blog post to perhaps one of the greatest losses the acting world ever saw. Today let's look at the life and career of Fredo himself, John Cazale.
More after the jump...





Wednesday 11 August 2010

Back To The Cinemas

I'm starting to get really excited now. Hit the jump to see the new poster for the upcoming re-release of Back To The Future.

Tuesday 10 August 2010

SLACKER trailer review

Trailers are an important tool in building buzz and anticipation for films. A good trailer can sell a bad movie, a bad trailer can kill a good movie. Here we try and tell the difference between the two and pick out the most anticipated new films.
More after the jump...

Monday 9 August 2010

THE INFIDEL DVD review

Out on DVD and Blu-ray today is the David Baddiel's The Infidel.
Hit the jump for the trailer and more details...


Saturday 7 August 2010

MEGA!!!

I know what you're thinking. Nothing will ever top the MEGA storytelling and high production values of 2009's Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus.
I mean, Debbie Gibson AND Lorenzo Lamas? You don't get a MEGA cast like that every day. Well those good folks at The Asylum have come up with a MEGA plan that could conceivably change the way we look at films for the rest of our lives.


More after the jump...






Friday 6 August 2010

Back to Back to the Future

Something exciting is happening. Hit the jump for more details...



Thursday 5 August 2010

Obscurity Files #18 - Earth Girls Are Easy

SLACKER Obscurity Files aims to put the spotlight onto a series of films that time and audiences have otherwise forgotten. With I Love You, Philip Morris now out on DVD, we thought we'd have a look at another odd Jim Carrey film. Today it's Earth Girls Are Easy.
More after the jump...







SLACKER trailer review

Trailers are an important tool in building buzz and anticipation for films. A good trailer can sell a bad movie, a bad trailer can kill a good movie. Here we try and tell the difference between the two and pick out the most anticipated new films.
More after the jump...



Monday 2 August 2010

Obscurity Files #17 - Cube

SLACKER Obscurity Files aims to put the spotlight onto a series of films that time and audiences have otherwise forgotten. With Splice currently in cinemas, we thought it might be nice to look at Vincenzo Natali's first film, Cube.
More after the jump...