David M. Brown's Blog, page 61
April 9, 2013
Film Review: Infernal Affairs
Starring: Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Eric Tsang, Kelly Chen
Directed by: Alan Mak, Wai-keung Lau
Runtime: 101 minutes
Studio: Miramax Lionsgate
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Review: Infernal Affairs
Wai-keung Lau and Alan Mak’s 2002 thriller was well received on its release but is now better known as Martin Scorsese’s Hollywood remake The Departed (2006). I’d seen The Departed previously but was intrigued to go back to Hong Kong and see where it all began. The remake has stayed quite faithful to the original. Chan Wing-yan (Tony Leung) is an undercover police officer who has infiltrated a notorious gang known as the triad. The intention is to bring down the boss Hon Sam (Eric Tsang). However, Sam has sent numerous of his men to try and join the police force as moles and one, Lau Kin-ming (Andy Lau) has succeeded. When the police interrupt a drug deal Sam is conducting with Thai associates both the triad boss and Superintendent Wong Chi-shing (Anthony Wong) are aware they each have a mole in their midst. It becomes a race against time for Chan and Lau to find the identity of the respective moles.
This is a tense and well-acted thriller with Leung and Lau complemented one another well even though the meetings between them are saved mostly for the final reels. The two protagonists are a perfect contrast. Chan is the good guy who is broken by the years he has spent undercover, almost ten in all, with three of those serving Hon Sam. He longs to have his identity back but Superintendent Wong Chi-shing, who is the only one that knows his real identity, keeps putting Chan off. In contrast, Lau is from the ruthless triad gang and is meticulous and calculating in all that he does. At home he has a normal life that Chan doesn’t, a girlfriend who is writing a novel and focusing on the good and bad in a person. Things take a dark turn for Chan when he is almost exposed as the mole when meeting with Wong Chi-shing. He somehow gets away but the Superintendent is not so lucky. It might seem inevitable how this film ends but the conclusion is anything but what you might expect.
I really enjoyed Infernal Affairs. It’s a solid and gripping thriller throughout and has a few additional elements that were absent in The Departed. At the same time, Scorsese’s film has added some things of its own too. This is actually a trilogy of films which I look forward to exploring further. Having seen The Departed first, many elements of Infernal Affairs did not surprise me and there were moments I knew exactly what was going to happen. This doesn’t mean the film should be marked down. It’s a testament to how faithful Scorsese was with the remake. As much as I love Hollywood I do think it’s a shame that the remakes of films from the Far East get more recognition than the originals. In this case some film lovers will know Infernal Affairs but many won’t. Most will be familiar with the Oscar-winning The Departed though.
Infernal Affairs, for me, is as good if not better than The Departed. This is a well crafted thriller with some great performances that relies on tension more than elaborate action scenes. I’m loving forward to the two sequels which are said to enhance the story even further.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Infernal Affairs | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
April 8, 2013
Film Review: 8½
Starring: Bruno Agostini, Anouk Aimée, Guido Alberti, Caterina Boratto, Claudia Cardinale
Directed by: Federico Fellini
Runtime: 138 minutes
Studio: Criterion
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Review: 8½
As an aspiring film buff I am frequently travelling back to try the landmarks in cinema history. Today’s lesson is to begin my first affiliation with the work of renowned director Federico Fellini who won 5 Oscars in his illustrious career. 8½ tells the story of director Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni) who is working on a science fiction film but is struggling for inspiration. Moving between relaxation at a spa and the film set, Guido is in the midst of an affair with Carla (Sandra Milo), but calls on his wife Luisa (Anouk Aimee) to come and be with him despite their marital problems. Under pressure to deliver another masterpiece, Guido struggles to deal with his personal life and having to cater for the demands of actresses, actors and his other associates. Guido turns to his past and into elaborate dreams as a means to escape but also to find the answers to his perplexing life.
Fellini’s reputation makes one expect nothing but greatness and when I started 8½ I was initially worried it wasn’t going to be for me. Thankfully, I soon settled into the film. This is considered part autobiographical and you can imagine the difficulties Fellini must have had to keep delivering masterpieces. Guido is no exception. In the early stages he appears weary of the hustle and bustle of his career. Actresses want parts in his film, producers demand progress and results, and Guido finds some comfort with a mistress away from his failing marriage. Guido and his wife, Luisa, are no longer on the same wavelength and she is no fool when it comes to her husband’s infidelities. Guido’s film begins to incorporate elements of the dreams and past he escapes into including a tough Catholic upbringing. The question is can Guido get his act together and make this latest film and can he save his marriage?
8½ initially takes some getting used to as reality shifts into flashbacks and dreams before moving back to reality once more. The film is never dull but does demand one’s attention. The cast are very good with Marcello Mastroianni excellent as the lost Guido. The film builds to a somewhat surprising ending but amdist Guido’s struggles to navigate the past, dreams and reality, we have a fascinating insight into Fellini’s world.
8½ is a critically acclaimed masterpiece, regarded as one of the finest films ever made. While my appreciation of Fellini’s film may not extend as far as that, I did enjoy this one and fully intend to go back and sample more of Fellini’s work in the near future. If you’re considering 8½ then I would recommend trying it for it is worth many of its plaudits.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: 8½ | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Film Review: Basket Case
Starring: Kevin Van Hentenryck, Terri Susan Smith, Beverly Bonner, Robert Vogel, Diana Browne
Directed by: Frank Henenlotter
Runtime: 91 minutes
Studio: Something Weird Video
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Review: Basket Case
I can remember seeing Basket Case 2 (1990) many years ago and though it showed footage of the conclusion to the original film it remains one that has slipped me by…until now, of course. The opportunity to finally tick off this low budget cult horror classic was too good to turn down. I realised that being made on a shoestring I would have to be forgiving in some respects but I wasn’t about to let Basket Case off lightly.
The film opens with the grisly murder of Dr Julius Liflander (Bill Freeman) in his home before our focus quickly switches to New York where Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) takes a room in a rundown hotel and has a basket in tow. Duane talks to the basket and even pops out to the local fast food to feed burgers to the mysterious creature inside. It turns out that Duane’s basket is the hiding place of his brother, Belial, and the siblings are in New York for some bloody purpose. Complications arise though when Duane meets a receptionist Sharon (Terri Susan Smith) and falls in love. Their blossoming romance puts a huge strain on the relationship between the brothers and Belial is one brother you don’t want to annoy.
Basket Case does show the low budget that was poured into it, particularly with scenes involving the jealous Belial trashing the hotel room in fits of jealousy as Duane romances Sharon. Such elements are forgivable based on the money that went into the film. These incidences aside it relaxes into a pretty standard horror film but with an interesting concept. Duane and Belial are targeting people in the medical profession and as the film progresses we learn a few home truths about the past and in particular the series of scars on one side of Duane’s body. The two brothers have a telepathic connection which maintains the close bond between them but proves troublesome when Duane is alone with Sharon and Belial flies into a rage out of jealousy. He wants Duane to remain focused on their task to visit a select few doctors for, let’s just say, a brief chat.
It gradually becomes more difficult for Duane to keep up the pretense that he’s a normal guy in New York. Opportunistic thieves target his money and one hapless man pilfers the basket when Duane falls asleep in the cinema. Suffice to say he’s left a tad surprised when he opens it and is greeted by Belial. The relationship between Duane and Belial deteriorates significantly as the young man pursues a relationship with Sharon. He doesn’t have to work hard to attract her attention I might add, simply finds her on reception at a doctor’s surgery and she’s head over heels in no time! Strange. Eventually Duane reaches a point where he has to decide on a future with Sharon or remaining loyal to Belial in their murderous quest.
The effects in Basket Case are forgivably poor at times but there is plenty of gore for the horror fans and the story does manage to remain interesting throughout. You may be put off owning a basket ever again after watching this but a huge cult appeal has been built around it, not to mention two sequels that have followed. The one I saw wasn’t great but this original was a significant improvement. I’m not sure I’d want to stay in the same hotel as Duane and Belial end up doing, not just the price but the general hospitality are most disconcerting.
Basket Case is showing its age and that meager budget is very hard to deny when you see some of the effects. However, the story is intriguing and the complex relationship between Duane and Belial should maintain the interest throughout the many bloody exchanges. For such a small chap that Belial packs a mean punch is all I can say, or should that be claw?
Verdict: 3/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Basket Case | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
April 7, 2013
Tweedlers’ Jukebox Song of the Week – Live it Up
Australian band, Mental As Anything, were already well established in their homeland before taking Europe by storm with this popular eighties hit. It peaked at no.3 in the UK and although the group did not find similar success on these shores after that they were still able to join the eighties hall of fame with one of the undoubted classics of that memorable decade.
Live it Up seems to be from the perspective of a man who has fallen for a woman who has suffered many wrongs in her life. She is not only sad, but lacking in confidence and there are suggestions of a bad relationship behind her which has broken her. Our infatuated narrator is incredulous that she should be so sad when she is not only beautiful but simply astounding in every way. The song is an invitation for her to join with the narrator and enjoy good times but whether she does or not we’ll never know. One of my faves from the eighties.
Tweedlers’ Jukebox Song of the Week – Live it Up | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Film Review: Paranormal Activity 2
Directed by: Tod Williams
Runtime: 91 minutes
Studio: Paramount Pictures
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Review: Paranormal Activity 2
I reviewed the first Paranormal Activity film some months back and I thought it was dreadful. The shocking ending wasn’t bad but it couldn’t compensate for everything that had gone before. This sequel is partly a prequel but partly runs simultaneously with the events of the first film. My only hope when tackling Paranormal Activity 2 was that it would be everything the first film wasn’t i.e. good.
Following a burglary where the house has been trashed but the only thing stolen is a necklace, Kristi (Sprague Grayden) and Dan Rey (Brian Boland) have some security cameras installed to keep an eye on things, especially their baby son, Hunter. Of course we know this isn’t a burglar but something paranormal and very unpleasant that wants to do harm. The security footage gives us some very revealing images of a malevolent spirit at work but what will the family do to stop this?
This film links to the first one as Kristi is the sister of Katie (Katie Featherston) who was in the first film with her boyfriend. The necklace that is stolen at the start of the film was a gift from Katie to Kristi and remains the only thing pilfered in the house though all the rooms are damaged save Hunter’s bedroom. The family foolishly get rid of the housekeeper Martine (Vivis Cortez) who tries to keep evil spirits at bay, while Dan’s teenage daughter Ali (Molly Ephraim) begins to suspect not all is at it seems, especially when she is lured outside whilst babysitting and the door is closed behind her!
The monotony of the first film is prevalent here I’m afraid. Things became so bad that whenever a new night started I found myself guessing which room of the house the security cameras would show us next! Worryingly, in the 90 minutes the film is on I learned the order! I think it goes pool, kitchen, bottom of stairs and Hunter’s bedroom but I have slept since memorising the order. There are some improvements here. The German Shepherd dog is a welcome addition, clearly alert to the malevolent presence in the house while the spirit seems fascinated by the baby but none of it is especially scary. People being dragged out of rooms and down stairs may have startled in the first film but not this time round. Even when a potentially scary moment occurs the camera is shifting round so fast you’ll just be shrugging your shoulders wondering what the hell is going on.
Although Paranormal Activity 2 has a couple of improvements on the first film you will find the whole thing less than impressive. The storyline ties up well with the first one to be fair, there is at least evidence of some thought there, but the concluding segment is very similar to the first film so it won’t shock you all that much. I don’t deny that the concept for the Paranormal Activity films is a good one but a lot of the trickery used here to deliver scares such as heavy footsteps, slamming doors and pans falling from rails are nothing new. A third film has already been made and I imagine a fourth will follow soon as well. Such reality does nothing to increase my enthusiasm. This was better than the first film but not a great improvement really.
Paranormal Activity 2 may be a superior film to its predecessor but it asks a lot of its audience to spend time with a family who are not particularly interesting. Once again, the dog is the star of the show here, brilliant acting performance, made for a very convincing dog in my opinion. The dog aside and the decent ending are just not enough. I will watch Paranormal Activity 3 at some point but hopefully not for a while.
Verdict: 1/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Paranormal Activity 2 | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
April 6, 2013
Guest Post: Kathy Steinemann
We are delighted to welcome Kathy Steinemann, author of Vanguard of Hope, who joins us to share a guest post about quality Twitter followers.
Guest Post: Authors: How to Get Quality Twitter Followers. More is Not Necessarily BetterAs a writer, you likely want to interact with fellow authors. However other groups may be important to you as well, including:
• Cover designers
• Formatting services
• Editors
• Proofreaders
• Beta readers
• Publishers
• Reviewers
Unfortunately, some tweeters are so focused on the quantity of their followers that they don’t consider who those followers are.
If you want to maintain a decently clean Twitter feed, following everyone back is not the answer. Indiscriminate following can flood you with supposed SEO experts, salespeople, financial planners, and others with agendas that do not match your interests.
Can you really pick out anything important from a feed with 40,000 followers?
Although you can use Twitter’s “Who to Follow” suggestions, I have found that the following system works better.
Be Selective:Decide what type of follower you want. Then go to the “Followers” tab on the feeds of some of your quality followers. Make each list several screens long by pressing the END key of your keyboard multiple times.
Now use the SEARCH function of your browser (in Internet Explorer, it’s CTRL-F). Type in something like “cover designer” or “reviewer” (without the quotes) and go to each match on the page. Don’t follow everyone. Click each link to see how active the tweeter is. If someone hasn’t tweeted anything in the last few weeks, skip and go on to the next tweeter.
You can do this once for each type of follower.
Create Lists:The little fly-out menu next to each tweeter’s name has several options. One of these is:
“Add or remove from lists”. Set up a separate list for each type of follower you wish to track.
Once you have a few people in each list, you can use the “Lists” link on the top left hand corner of your feed to scan targeted tweets for just those users.
Note: You can also set up lists for people you do not follow.
Unfollow Inactive UsersA free service like JustUnfollow.com allows you to unfollow based on several criteria. Select “Inactive following” to target tweeters who haven’t done anything for 1+, 3+, or 6+ months. I like to use the 3+ setting. Someone who hasn’t been on Twitter for over three months has probably lost interest.
A Pet PeeveIf anyone I follow sends me an automated email saying that I have to validate via TrueTwit validation service, I unfollow them immediately. It’s a pet peeve of mine that many tweeters share.
It Takes WorkJust as a good novel takes effort, so does establishing a list of loyal Twitter followers who post information that is of interest to you and who watch your tweets. The result is worth the time you invest.
About Vanguard of Hope (2013)[image error]LISETVILLE, 1890 – Murders are committed; homes are burned; family secrets are buried; an unexpected romance complicates lives. Amid the mystery and violence, a vigilante brigade emerges to administer justice.Flowing through the intrigue and drama is a dark undercurrent that will touch your heart as you empathize with the victims.
Amazon USAmazon UKGoodreads About Kathy Steinemann[image error]Kathy Steinemann won provincial public speaking and writing awards during her school years, wrote the school news column for the community paper, and was a regular contributor to her high school newspaper.
Her career has taken varying directions, including positions as editor of a community weekly, computer-network administrator, and webmaster. She has also worked on projects in commercial art and cartooning.
“Vanguard of Hope” is Kathy’s tenth book.
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Guest Post: Kathy Steinemann | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Film Review: Braindead
Lionel, a Mama’s boy has the unwanted honor of having to look after his overbearingly evil mother. He ends up falling in love with a local woman who believes that they’re destined together. In a moment of intentional sabotage of one of their dates, his mother is bitten by a mysterious creature that ends up zombifying her. It’s only a matter of time before she rises from the dead a powerful, bloodthirsty zombie. It’s only a matter of time before she starts infecting residents of the town and Lionel has to stop her…and them.
Starring: Timothy Balme, Jed Brophy, Stuart Devenie, Silvio Fumularo, Murray Keane
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Runtime: 97 minutes
Studio: Lionsgate
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Review: Braindead
Long before heading for Middle Earth, Peter Jackson started his career with gory horror flicks such as Bad Taste and this one – Braindead. The story focuses on Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy Balme) who lives with his domineering mother Vera (Elizabeth Moody). Romance is in the air when local girl Paquita (Diana Penalver) has her fortune read and is told a man carrying a star and moon will be her lover. This man turns out to be the hapless Lionel but love is hindered by Vera who wants her son to focus only on her. When Vera follows her son and Paquita to the local zoo, she is bitten by a mysterious creature – a rat/monkey – that she kills but is later infected and becomes a zombie. Anyone else bitten suffers the same fate. It is down to Lionel to stop the zombie infestation and stand up to his mother.
That may sound serious but believe me this film is lacking in drama and is instead heavy on the laughs. It’s also a gore fest with zombies being killed in a whole manner of disgusting ways. Lionel initially tries to keep his mother imprisoned but things get complicated when she infects Nurse McTavish (Brenda Kendall), some youths in a graveyard and even a martial arts practicing priest Father McGruder (Stuart Devenie). Lionel uses sedatives and tranquilizers to keep them in the basement back home but it’s no easy task what with Paquita wanting to spend all her time with him and Uncle Les (Ian Watkin) sniffing around for a share of the family estate.
Braindead isn’t as good as Bad Taste but it’s entertaining, funny and very gruesome. The gore may be too much for some people, with sound effects to match, but those that have the stomach for it should find a enjoyable horror film here. The cast are amusing with the hapless Lionel proving to be a memorable leading man, especially when he finds a very useful item at home to tackle the zombie threat. The film is not without its random moments though including zombie sex and even a zombie baby running around as well.
Braindead is a gory but hilarious horror/comedy, blending some amusing lines with decent effects and a simple but still engaging storyline. A lot of it is OTT but if you are not the queasy type then you should have a pretty good time with this one.
Verdict: 3/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Braindead | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
April 5, 2013
Film Review: Harry Brown
Two-time Academy Award winner and screen icon, Sir Michael Caine stars in the riveting and gritty action thriller HARRY BROWN, the story of one man’s journey through a chaotic world where drugs are the currency and guns run the streets.
Modest law-abiding citizen, Harry Brown is forced to dispense his own brand of justice as he bids to clean up the run-down estate he calls home. Michael Caine gives the performance of his lifetime as the iconic Harry Brown. Barber’s debut film is a gripping, violent thriller that’ll ‘make any Quentin Tarantino film seem like The Magic Roundabout’ (Mail on Sunday).
Daniel Barber’s first directorial feature is a shocking, brilliant and thought-provoking film which stars a strong supporting cast including Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island), Liam Cunningham (Hunger, The Wind That Shakes the Barely), and up-and-coming British talent like Ben Drew aka Plan B (Adulthood), Jack O’Connell (Eden Lake), Lee Oakes (Two Pints of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps), Joseph Gilgun (This Is England), Sean Harris (24 Hour Party People), David Bradley (Harry Potter, Hot Fuzz) and Iain Glen (“The Diary of Anne Frank” Kingdom of Heaven).
Starring: Michael Caine, Jamie Downey, Iain Glen, Raza Jaffrey, Amy Steel
Directed by: Daniel Barber
Runtime: 103 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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Review: Harry Brown
Let’s face it the streets are not a safe place to be for long, especially at night. I’m not yet 30 but in my time growing up in the UK I feel that things have got worse. The idea of seeing gangs of youths is enough to intimidate me if I am alone so the thought of such encounters when I am old is even more terrifying. Daniel Barber’s Harry Brown looks at the dark side of the UK’s streets where gangs of youths reign and the locals, old and young, live in fear of them.
The film focuses on Harry Brown (Michael Caine), a former Royal Marine, now retired pensioner who lives on a mean council state with violent gangs. Harry’s time is divided between playing chess against his good friend Leonard (David Bradley) and heading to the hospital to see his wife, Katherine. When Katherine dies, Harry is inconsolable but he has other things to worry about in the form of Leonard who is being terrorised by a gang and threatens to fight back. When Leonard is murdered, Harry’s life changes and he decides to take the law into his own hands and hit back against the gangs in the neighbourhood.
Harry’s fear of the gangs is evident at the start when he refuses to take a shortcut through an underpass as gangs often hang around there. Harry’s choice to take the long route round on the way to the hospital costs him dearly as he finds his wife has died. Had he taken the shortcut he could have at least been by her side when she did pass away. Harry only has his friend Leonard left and the two friends spend their time playing chess at a local pub. Leonard reveals he is being victimised by one of the gangs with his flat nearly going up in flames at one point following an attack. Leonard reveals a bayonet to Harry and insists he will defend himself if he has to. When Harry is later visited by Detectives Framtpon (Emily Mortimer) and Hicock (Charlie Creed-Miles) it is with the news that Leonard has been murdered. A local gang, led by Noel Winters (Ben Drew) is responsible. The death of Leonard hits Harry hard and heading home one night he is attacked by one of Winters’ gang whom he stabs in self-defence. Harry later learns from Detective Framtpon that Leonard’s murderers may be able to plead manslaughter on the grounds of self-defence as Leonard was killed with his own bayonet! Such a revelation makes Harry snap.
Harry braves the streets and takes on the local gang. First he manages to obtain a gun from a drug dealer who is watching over an overdosed girl who is being used for sex and the filming of pornography. Harry immediately takes out the drug dealer when he refuses to call an ambulance for the girl. Instead Harry runs her to the hospital himself before making a quick exit. Fully armed, he immediately begins the systematic killing of members of Winters’ gang with Winters himself the primary target but as is often the case he isn’t the easiest leader to get to. Killing the youths is no easy task for an old man of course and Detective Frampton is on the trail as bodies begin to emerge. Harry’s crusade is justified following the capture of one gang member, Marky (Jack O’Connell), who under interrogation reveals mobile phone footage of Leonard’s murder which leaves no doubt that Harry’s friend was attacked and brutally murdered despite his best efforts to defend himself. The question is can Harry complete his crusade before the law catches up with him?
This is a very hard-hitting film with some unpleasant moments but you will feel jubilation as Harry takes on the local gang. A fire fight in the underpass is a particular highlight but there is something of a twist waiting at the end as the net closes on Harry and in turn closes on Noel Winters. Caine is terrific in the lead as the pensioner who is pushed too far and draws on his former marine experience to take out some truly vile youths. Whether it ends on a happy note or sadly, I can’t say, but this is worth watching despite some of the gritty content, it holds a mirror up to elements of societies throughout the world and I can’t see the streets becoming safer any time soon no matter where you are.
Harry Brown is a well-crafted but unpleasant drama in places. The image of gangs beating people to the ground, simply because they try to protect themselves or their property, is made more terrible by the knowledge that it goes on every day throughout the world. Harry is the kind of hero we need more of, willing to stand up to these gangs but even he is on the wrong side of the law protecting himself in the manner he does. Often thought-provoking this is well worth a look.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Harry Brown | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
April 4, 2013
Film Review: Apollo 18
Directed by: Gonzalo López-Gallego
Runtime: 88 minutes
Studio: The Weinstein Company and Anchor Bay Entertainment
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Review: Apollo 18
It’s The Blair Witch Project meets Apollo 13 in Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego’s sci-fi horror. The premise is that the Apollo 18 mission was never really cancelled and actually went to the moon but things went wrong. The film is made up of supposedly discovered footage of astronauts Commander Nathan Walker (Lloyd Owen), Lieutenant Colonel John Grey (Ryan Robbins) and Captain Ben Anderson (Warren Christie) who head to the moon to place missile detectors to warn of attacks from the USSR. While Grey remains in orbit, Walker and Anderson land on the moon and soon discover that they are not alone.
I remember seeing the trailer for Apollo 18 and thinking it looked really good. The reality sadly turned out to be very different. Walker and Anderson soon find all is not well on the moon. Footage shows strange movement which disturbs the odd rock, bangs can be heard on the lunar module Walker and Anderson are sheltered in and one day they find footsteps in the moon’s surface that are not their own. The discovery of a Russian LK Lander on the moon with the interior stained with blood just adds to the mystery. The solitary Russian astronaut is found dead in a crater nearby. Some threat exists on the moon but what is it?
I found Apollo 18 to be a huge disappointment. While it begins with some intrigue this isn’t an especially engaging film and the characters are not really fleshed out enough to care about what happens to them. The film is said to be the reason why no one has gone back to the moon and the trailer suggested something very malevolent waiting for the crew of Apollo 18. It isn’t long before we discover what is there and it’s nothing original or special really. I didn’t find this as tedious as The Blair Witch Project but the ending was a let-down.
Apollo 18 really captured my interest with the trailer but the real experience is not a great one unfortunately. While you may be initially curious about what is going on the film soon descends into familiar territory and with a group of pretty one dimensional characters you won’t be especially concerned whether they live or die in the end.
Verdict: 2/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Apollo 18 | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Film Review: The Human Centipede [First Sequence]
Starring: Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, Akihiro Kitamura
Directed by: Tom Six
Runtime: 92 minutes
Studio: IFC Films
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Review: The Human Centipede (The First Sequence)
I love reviewing films as readers of my blog know and having committed to this venture there are no guarantees of quality. What I usually get is a rough idea of what I’m getting myself into. Well, the same couldn’t be said about Tom Six’s The Human Centipede (The First Sequence). Okay, from that title I had a basic idea of this being a horror film with some unpleasantness to at least two people but the reality was far worse than I ever could have imagined.
The film focuses on two American tourists Lindsay (Ashley C. Williams) and Jenny (Ashlynn Yennie) who are holidaying in Germany when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. The girls happen upon the isolated home of Dr Heiter (Dieter Laser) who is initially helpful but seizes the chance to drug Lindsay and Jenny. Rather than a helpful member of the community, Dr Heiter is a skilled but slightly unhinged surgeon who has a unique project in mind that will involve both Lindsay, Jenny and a Japanese tourist, Katsuro (Akihito Kitamura).
The films begins in typical fashion with our slightly clueless leads breaking down on a road flanked by woodland. One of the immediate issues is that the first people they meet in Germany following the breakdown are sinister. A passerby wants to help the girls initially but quickly resorts to some less than subtle remarks about what he’d like to do to them. Once this pervert has gone the girls find refuge in the home of a crazed surgeon. I realise there are some dangerous people out there but to bump into two in quick succession is just plain unlucky. I’ve been to Germany myself and would like to add they’re perfectly nice people, some of the best you could hope to meet. The girls become captives of Dr Heiter who wants to experiment with them and combine three people to form a human centipede. Now, you’ll be wondering how this process will work. Well, herein lies the heart of The Human Centipede. The theme of shitting becomes pretty central.
The opening reels of the film sees Dr Heiter take out a local driver with a tranquiliser gun. This unfortunate chap happens to be squatting in the bushes at the time but the shit theme doesn’t stop there. Dr Heiter soon realises this guy is surplus to requirements so kills him and brings in a Japanese tourist to be combined with Lindsay and Jenny. To create a human centipede involves our three tourists being on their hands and knees in just their underwear but to connect them is via mouth to anus! Yes, you heard me right the first time. Katsuro has the pleasure of being at the front, Jenny at the back, and as punishment for trying to escape, Lindsay is in the middle. Dr Heiter wants a digestive system connected across his three victims but by this point you will, of course, be wondering how this creation eats and indeed uses the toilet. Well, we are not spared the answers to this I’m sorry to say. Katsuro is fed by Dr Heiter and while the conjoined trio are being put through their paces in the garden, the unfortunate Katsuro suddenly needs the toilet. With the three tourists joined mouth to anus I shouldn’t need to tell you anymore about how this process works. As I say, this becomes the most shocking aspect of the film, just the idea of shitting, and I think it’s completely unnecessary.
The rest of The Human Centipede is pretty poor and standard horror. Dr Heiter previously joined three dogs together in an experiment but they died soon afterwards. He is determined than the human centipede will live but complications quickly arise. I certainly felt for the three actors spending the bulk of the film on their hands and knees, in their pants, no bras for the poor actresses either! There must be more fun ways to earn a living acting. By the end I was pleased it was all over. There are some bloody moments but the whole thing is plain ludicrous and not just from a medically scientific point of view. Some film fans have enjoyed this, others have hated it. I join my brothers and sisters in the latter camp I have to say. Yes, it’s got some shocking moments, but I’ve seen far worse horror in terms of gore but I found them as pointless as The Human Centipede. If you do decide to give this a try then don’t stick it on while you’re eating, you have been warned!
The Human Centipede has some shocking moments but once it’s played the mouth to anus surgery and themes of shitting there is nothing left to even try and redeem this. A sequel is due this year and it looks to be even more disturbing than this one. You wouldn’t think it was possible but sadly it’s true. As for The Human Centipede, I don’t wish to waste another breath on this horrifically bad film.
Verdict: 1/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: The Human Centipede [First Sequence] | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
