Saturday 14 July 2012

Red State.

I watched this rather disturbing film today with my girlfriend, and well, it just had to reviewed.

3 American high-school students head on a night out to get laid by a woman advertising herself online in their local area, but what the boys don't realise is that their night is about to go downhill. Drugged and gagged, they wake up in the local extremist church, where the worshipers have taken it upon themselves to punish the sinful occupants of the united states.

What caught my eye about this film is the controversial theme. Christian extremists killing homosexuals and teenagers? You just couldn't make that up, and that's what is just so scary about this perceived to be horror film: somewhere in America, the plot of this film could actually be taking place.

I have to comment on the way the plot unfolds. Most of the audience watching would be routing for at least one of the teenagers to survive, only to find they all die either at the hands of the bible loving activists or the hardcore police squad, which adds an even darker twist to this already grisly film.

The acting is 50/50. The teenagers aren't Oscar winning but they are most certainly not bad enough to receive a razzie. One actor who really makes Red State as twisted as it is, happens to be experienced actor, Michael Parks. His perception of Abin Cooper, the crazed priest, is exceptionally brilliant, switching from calmly reciting extracts from the bible, to horrifically executing his victims.

Overall Red State is an well balanced action horror, with an excellent B-star cast and a well thought out plot. Credit to Kevin smith for writing and directing such a bold yet brilliant film.

George's score: 7/10

Sophie's score: 6/10

Trailer

Friday 13 July 2012

Hot Fuzz.

I thought I'd kickstart my reviews with a personal favourite of mine, Edgar Wright's Hot Fuzz.

Sargent Nicolas Angel (Simon Pegg), top officer in the London police force, lover of keeping the streets clean with his cut throat attitude towards common crime. But when he is forced to relocate to the quiet village of Sanford his days of extreme policing appear to be over. Soon a series of grisly deaths begin to take place in the seemingly peaceful rural haven. With the assistance of foul mouth officer Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), he sets out to find the cause to the supposedly accidental deaths, and what he finds is more horrific and gruesome than he could ever have imagined, making him return to the hard hitting police lifestyle he so longed to return to.

First off the acting in the film is overall superb. Nick Frost and Simon Pegg returning in their second feature film together just makes Hot Fuzz what it is: fantastic. Frost adds the childish comedy which Pegg wouldn't be able to bring to the film on his own. Not knocking Pegg, once again he keeps up to the high standards he set for himself since appearing in Spaced eight years before hand. Another pair of actors who add a large amount of gut wrenching giggles are Paddy Considline and Rafe Spall (the Andy's). With subtle one liners and comebacks, they just create more and more reasons to love this film.

The way that Hot Fuzz is filmed is groundbreaking for British film and signature to Edgar Wright's productions. Rapidly changing from scene to scene keeps the watcher engaged in the fast paced dynamic of the film, whilst also fitting in a huge amount of detail to stop confusion taking place whilst watching the film.

The plot is so well thought up and the film is so well made, making it a huge shame that it didn't receive more worldwide publicity. But despite this it will go down in history as a modern day cult classic.

George's score: 9/10

Sophie's score: 8/10

Eve's score: 9/10

(every review I post will not only have my overall score out of 10, but also scores of friends and family who watch the film with me)

Keep watching films,

George.

Trailer




Welcome!

Well, this is my blog. 
Every week I'll be reviewing at least one film, either modern, new release or cult classic.
I may review more each week on request or if I happen to find a truly amazing or extremely terrible film which must be reviewed. 
I also love Simon Pegg so the reviews I do of his films will be extremely biased, but these will be the only exceptions.
Keep watching films, and support the film industry,
George :)