LIMITLESS review

What if you could take a pill that would fix all your problems in life? This new Bradley Cooper starring thriller is now in cinemas. Watch the trailer and read my review, after the jump...

WAKE WOOD DVD review

The latest film to be released by the rejuvenated Hammer Studios, Wake Wood is now out on DVD. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

HUSK DVD review

Part of the new After Dark Originals series of films, this creepy horror is now out on DVD and Blu-Ray. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

WE ARE WHAT WE ARE DVD review

Now on DVD and Blu-Ray is this drama about a family of Mexican cannibals, surviving after the death if their father. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

LET ME IN Blu-Ray review

Based on the Swedish novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist (not to mention the original film version by Tomas Alfredson, Let The Right One In), Let Me In is an interesting spin on the vampire myth. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

Those Are Some Super Posters

I've already shown some love to James Gunn's Super when the trailer got released recently, but I'm even more sold on the film after seeing these new posters. Styled to look like Kick-Ass meets Juno (which Super basically is), I think these new character posters for Rainn Wilson's Crimson Bolt and Ellen Page's sidekick Boltie show the sort of humour we can expect from the finished film. Pedophiles and Drug Pushers better beware, Crimson Bolt looks like he's going to be one bad-ass vigilante.



Super hits US cinemas on April 1st. Hopefully we'll get to see it on the big screen sometime this summer, as I'm way more excited for this than I am the rather dumb looking Thor.

Don't Get Me Wrong, I'm Just As Excited About Attack The Block As Everyone Else, But...

the new quad poster looks a bit like Skyline, doesn't it?

Never mind that, It's still an exciting image that makes for great screensaver fodder, and let's put the Skyline issue down to an unfortunate coincidence. Mr Cornish, I have faith in you.

ARRIVEDERCI MILLWALL DVD review

Out now on DVD (and coming pre-packaged with a copy of The Football Factory) is this retro slice of football hooliganism. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

THE VIRGINITY HIT DVD review

A bizarre mix of Jackass-style documentary and American Pie, this new teen sex comedy is now out on DVD. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

SUBMARINE review

Now in cinemas is the directorial debut of the one and only Richard Ayoade. Watch the trailer and find out what I thought of it, next...

Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) is something of an outsider. At school he tends to keep himself to himself, occasionally taking part in some ritualistic bullying to appear normal in the eyes of his peers. After giving in to the pressure of his friends, he decides it's time he found himself a girlfriend; the best option being the rather narcissistic and abrasive Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Romance soon blossoms, and Oliver finds the presence of Jordana to be a welcome distraction from the breakdown of his parents' marriage which he is witnessing firsthand. If only he can keep his mother away from the mulleted mystic Graham (Paddy Considine), all will be well in his life.

The feature film directorial debut of Richard Ayoade (Garth Marenghi, AD/BC: A Rock Opera, probably best known as Moss from The IT Crowd), Submarine is a film that's been on my radar for some time as one of my most highly anticipated films of 2011. I've been a fan of Ayoade's work, both as an actor and a director, since he first appeared on the scene as Dean Learner in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. He's never really dealt with straight-forward comedy (if there is such a thing), the closest being the fan pleasing nerd he plays in The IT Crowd. As a writer and director he tends to stay clear of the mainstream, catchphrase heavy style of comedy, preferring to put his unique style into slightly random oddities like the modern Christmas classic that is AD/BC: A Rock Opera. If you don't know what that is, you need to stop what you're doing and go watch it now.

It's become all too easy to label anything with the slightest glimpse of quirk as being 'Wes Anderson-esque'. It's clear that Richard Ayoade is well versed in the works of Mr Anderson and Submarine should appeal to a similar audience, but his style shares more in common with the whimsical manner of Hal Ashby. Much like Ayoade, the film is very cine-literate (Oliver doesn't have over-boiled sprouts; his are 'out of focus') and wears its French New Wave influences on its sleeve. Oliver wanders the Welsh beaches like a lost Antoine Doinel looking for his camera crew, finding nothing but his over-active inner monologue.

This is a film all about character, and it's got a great one in lead Oliver Tate. Occupying nearly every frame of the movie, we get to know the inner workings of this 15 year old boy very well. He's a curious little chap with a great command of the English language, putting it to great use in his letter writing and unintentionally self deprecating one-liners. It'll be a struggle to find a better line this year than "Jordana hates anything romantic, so I took her to one of my favourite industrial estates". Somewhat obsessed with death and borderline autistic/sociopathic in his actions, he's what would have become of Harold from Harold and Maude if he'd have met a girl his own age first.

A lot of the success of the film must be pointed in the direction of Craig Roberts. As Oliver, he ably expresses the awkwardness of being an average teenager (albeit one with an above average intellect) finding his feet in a romantic setting. He may be slightly weird, but balances it out by being effortlessly sweet. Along with Yasmin Paige as the potentially icy Jordana, they make these characters feel realistic and likeable. The parents (Noah Taylor and Sally Hawkins) are the least well drawn characters in the film, but as it's Oliver's tale that perhaps doesn't matter too much. I'd have liked to have seen more of them, as well as Paddy Considine's complex and intriguingly styled mystic.

Submarine is quite a beautiful film to look at. Making great use of the Welsh coast, the film is shot in a rich and grainy style that gives it an almost timeless feel. No real reference is made to when the film is set, but its use of Duffel coats and cassette players could plant it anytime in the last 25 years. Likewise, the melancholic songs that have been supplied by Arctic Monkeys front-man Alex Turner fit the tone of the film perfectly.

It's perhaps a little too random to find a mainstream audience (the Jellyfish intro may start to test your patience), but it's an extremely well crafted ode to teenage romance and the pangs of first love that encapsulates how well intentioned but cruel life can be. As a directorial debut it's impressive stuff, and I eagerly await what Richard Ayoade chooses to do next. Influenced by the masterworks of independent cinema it may be, but as a refreshing example of what new talent can achieve, Submarine may have just restarted the rotors of the British film industry.

Verdict

Five Reasons Why Friends With Benefits Looks Better Than No Strings Attached

1. JT and Mila Kunis look hot.

2. 49 year old Woody Harrelson plays 29 year old

Justin Timberlake's gay best friend.

3. It's from Will Gluck, the director of Easy A, so has a

better chance than most films at being awesome.

4. Hatred of The Ugly Truth is always a good thing.

5. Somehow, Justin Timberlake is the romantic lead 

in a Hollywood movie. Jump, Jump.

Oh, and then to balance it out a bit, one of the most ridiculous pieces of product placement/indictments of 21st century society I've ever seen... They can't find a Bible so swear an oath on an iPad instead.

JACKASS 3D Blu-Ray review

Out now on DVD and Blu-Ray is the latest cavalcade of buffoonery from the Jackass crew. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU review

Based on the Philip K. Dick short story, here's the new science-fiction tinged thriller starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

Super Smashing Gr-8

Today has seen the release of the above teaser poster for JJ Abrams' forthcoming Alien drama Super 8, as well as the first substantial trailer. Whilst the poster might not reveal too much about the film's story, it's a really cool, not to mention gorgeous image. From the tilted silhouette that runs down the side of the poster we can just about make out an average small town skyline and the outlines of the five central characters. I'd hazard a guess that the town's water tower/shining beacon will play an important part in the final film, but we'll have to wait until June to see if I'm right or not.


Following the curvature of the silhouette, the rest of the frame is overtook by the ominous dark clouds which make a surprisingly effective stand-in for the surface of a planet. The upwards horizon is where the two worlds meet and where the story takes place; simple really. To where this side of the poster is alluding to we can't quite by sure yet (it looks like the Moon to me), but it's definitely otherworld-y and not our planet.

As for the trailer, it gives us a better idea of the relationships between the main characters, and with its amateur filmmaking story includes the reason behind the odd title. The setting, characters and music all feel very Spielbergian, and although there's not an awful lot of JJ Abrams immediately shining through he's still a rookie filmmaker, albeit one with quite an assured sense of story and character development. A powerhouse producer JJ Abrams may be, but if he's looking for some directorial guidance he couldn't be in better hands than Steven Spielberg.


There's something oddly nostalgic and reassuring about seeing the old Amblin Entertainment logo, and with the expertise of both men put together I think we're in for a fantastic film. I think they've got the marketing for this film absolutely spot on so far (going right back to the original teaser with its cryptic hidden message), and this new poster and trailer have got me really excited about the final outcome. Please God, let this be amazing.


Due June 10th
Anticipation Level

RANGO review

Now in cinemas is the animated re-teaming of Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski. The trailer and my review are next...

Oh My, How Times Have Changed...

Looking more like an episode of Saved By The Bell than a training video and equal parts brilliant and insulting to anyone who's ever worked in retail, these Blockbuster customer service training videos date all the way back to 1990. Watch as some poor girl with massive hair gets harassed by the slightly sinister 'Buster' for not offering every possible promotion she could...

SUPER trailer review

Here's the trailer for the latest homemade Superhero movie, Super. Let's not automatically jump to the conclusion that it's a rip off of Kick-Ass, and watch the trailer next...

THE KID DVD review

Do you like your dramas to be particularly miserable? Then you might enjoy this new film from Nick 'Lock, Stock' Moran. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

Obscurity Files #43 - Men at Work

Remember when Charlie Sheen was known for being an actor rather than the carnival of celebrity scandal he's become recently? Feeling nostalgic for different times, I though I'd take a look at 1990's Men at Work...

ATTACK THE BLOCK trailer review

The directorial debut of Adam and Joe's taller, saner half? Yes please...

MOVIE POSTER MATHS - Your Poster Can Be Adjusted

RUBBER Red Band trailer review

Not to be confused with a bog standard red rubber band (that would be a stupid basis for a film), this updated trailer for the killer tyre movie Rubber has just been released. You might have to put in a fake birth date to 'prove' you're over 18, but it should play after that.

EASY A DVD review

Out now on DVD and Blu-Ray is this new Emma Stone starring High School comedy. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...