Howl: The Return of the Little Indie Direct to Video Brit Flick

26th January, 2016.

OK, I think I’ve had a little success, today.

Really.

Remember I told you — a few days ago, now — I was trying to sell off my sister’s old laptop?

I managed to do so, today.

Picking up a tidy sum, in return.

My sister, Ruth, got her share: I got a fish supper and a movie.

Didn’t I just … ?

The film in question?   Was the straight to video 2015, Paul Hyett directed, Neil Marshall penned, Howl.

And ‘straight to video’ … ?   Isn’t necessarily bad.

~≈Â≈~

The Sleeping Room — Hmmm …

15th September, 2015

Hmmm … 

How long have you been following Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar?

If you don’t mind my asking?

Hopefully, it’s for as long as however you feel comfortable doing.

And, hopefully … ?   Long enough to realise I like a film or two.

And try my damnedest to tell people about them, afterwards.

I’ve had a free night, tonight.

I’ve had money in my iTunes account.

And frankly … ?   An urge to catch … something … 

The something in questions … ?   Was the crowd funded, 2014, John Shackleton film: The Sleeping Room.

And yes … I think ‘Hmmm’ is appropriate … 

~≈fi≈~

Hungerford: Interesting …

21st May, 2015.

You know, there’s something I’ve not done for a while.

No, really.

Actually … there’s several things I’ve not done for a while.

I’ve not eaten steak, to give you an example.

Played pinball, as another.

Had sex with Maria Shara … … No, forget I mentioned Maria Sharapova, would you?

Let’s just say my love life’s bleak: to non-existent, shall we?

And leave that thought, right there in the gutter, where it belongs!

At ANY rate … ?   The thing I meant to tell you I’d not done for a while?

Was catch a film.

I’ve caught one tonight: the Drew Casson penned, Hungerford.

And frankly … ?

I’m thinking it’s interesting … although I’m not sure … 

~≈Â≈~

’71 — Genius … ?

25th April, 2015.

Did I mention that, at the start of April, I watched Jack O’Connell film, Starred Up: about a young prisoner who’s life changes radically, when he’s transferred from a Young Offenders Institute, to an adult prison.

It’s a very good film, I should add: one I believe is worth your time and money, much as it was mine.

I got paid, yesterday.

On the strength of that viewing?

On the strength of that viewing, sand the money burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to rent another film, tonight: after a (for me) long day.

The film in question?

The Yann Damange directed, Gregory Burke penned, Jack O’Connell film that is … 

’71.

And, I hear you ask, IS it a genius piece of film making … ?

~≈Ê≈~

Starred Up — Intense … !

8th April, 2015.

You know, I’m a film fan.

You’ve possibly worked that out, hadn’t you?

At least, going by the number of films I’ve written about.

Saying that … ?

Saying that, I’ve possibly not seen as many as noted film critic, Mark Kermode: nor am I aiming ofr the same sort of territory as one chap I follow on Twitter: Dave B plans to watch 2500 films, and tell you about it, on his blog.

I’m nowhere near that ambitious.

Or as prolific.

No.

I just want to catch a film, every so often, and then tell you what I thought about it.

The film I saw tonight, Starred Up … ?   Is one of those films.

And boy, I think I’ve seen a cracker.

~≈É≈~

Wake Wood: Return Of The Indie Brit Flick

9th October, 2014.

You know, I don’t get much cash: I really don’t.

You’ve possibly realised that, haven’t you?   After all, I’ve made secret of the fact I'm job-hunting at the moment: and receiving benefits.

Frankly … ?

Well, frankly, life is survivable.

That doesn’t mean it’s bad, just that resources are scarce.   And that the little cash I do get … ?

Gets juggled.

Frequently.

Something I AM glad of … ?   Is that I occasionally have enough cash to — once in a blue moon — buy an iTunes gift card.

That iTunes store credit — with the kit I’ve got — can be turned into all sorts things: games, songs … 

Movies rentals … 

It’s movie rentals I’m meaning to tell you, about, to be frank.

You see, being very aware there’s little on TV I’d any interest in watching, tonight, and having some iTunes credit, meant one thing to me.

Renting a movie.

It has to be said, there was only one film that caught my eye.

The 2011, David Keating directed horror flick that is Wake Wood.

It’s not a stunner, Wake Wood.

It’s interesting, though … 

~≈◊≈~

A Field In England — A Review

27th July, 2013: A Field In England.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll possibly say it again: genius is a hard thing to define.

Especially in a field as slippery as artistic creation: where I don’t necessarily have the critical skills skills or education to back up my view.

In the circumstances, I make the best effort I can: describing my preferences, discoveries and peeves — and the associated reasoning — as well as I can.

~≈†≈~

And it has to be said, I’ve caught a couple of damn good movies, over the course of the past few days: the 2006, Pan’s Labyrinth and 2001’s The Devil’s Backbone: both directed by Guillermo del Toro, and both fantastic films.   (Although I have to admit, I preferred The Devil’s Backbone, finding that it had an emotional resonance that worked well for me.)

But I’ve caught another film, tonight: one I rented from iTunes.

The 2013 Ben Wheatley, multi-platform release, A Field In England.

And when I say multi-platform, I mean multi-platform: including a showing — on its release date, 5th July of this year — on the UK’s Channel Four.   More on that later, I think.

~≈†≈~

Exam: How to have fun with The Apprentice

Hmmm … 

I have to admit, I was bored witless, last night.

No, seriously.

Nobody around, nothing grabbing my attention on TV: and frankly, I was planning to save a good read from the library for later.

Actually, talking of the library … ?

It’s amazing what you can find in there, if you’re on a budget. 

I mean, I managed to dig up a copy of the 2009, Stuart Hazeldine directed, film, Exam.

Which maybe isn’t the greatest thriller on Earth.

But is rather entertaining.

~≈Ω≈~

Set in an alternative present, Exam sees a group of diverse candidates for an unrevealed — but seemingly high-powered — job with an unidentified company.

The eight (unnamed) people are given the rules for the Exam by an unnamed invigilator (Colin Salmon).

They can’t leave the room without being disqualified.

They can’t communicate with the Invigilator — or the armed guard on the door — without being disqualified.

And if they spoil their papers, accidentally or deliberately … ?

They get disqualified.

All they have to do … ?

Is answers one simple question.

They all have pieces of paper in front of them: to presumably write the answer on.

You’d think so, wouldn’t you?

Except for one minor detail: they — seemingly — aren’t asked the one question they have to answer.

Nasty, huh … ?

~≈Ω≈~

Now, I was saying Exam wasn’t good?

That’s very true.

On the other hand, it’s a nicely crafted, tense little ensemble piece that’s been — apparently — successfully staged in Manchester: something I wouldn’t mind seeing if the projected tour goes ahead.

What’s more … ?   One could argue that the twist at the end of the tale is guessable.

But that the film’s entertainment value — and I should stress, I believe that’s quite high entertainment value — comes from the simple fact that it draws you in with a good cast: one sympatheticly keeps you clued to you seat.

Personally … ?

I thoroughly enjoyed Exam.   Sometimes … ?

We can’t ask more than that.

Exam
★★☆☆

The clips a © 2009, of Hazeldine Film and Bedlam Productions: I believe is Fair Dealing under Sections 29 and 30 — criticism and review — of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Salvage: Little Indie Britflicks …

6th March, 2013.

You know, I’m starting to think Wednesdays are getting busy!

No, seriously.

I’m mean, a blood test, shopping, putting up the Gazette Teasers, here and on their site.

Plus finishing off some Teasers, doing the associated videos AND writing about a movie, where possible!

Actually … ?

That’s simpler than you might think.

You see, last night, I managed to rent a film from iTunes — birthday money, don’tchaknow — hook the iPod up to the TV, through my new Dock … 

And got watching … Salvage … 

~≈§≈~

Released in 2009, Salvage opens with a paperboy delivering one of his last papers on Christmas Eve: and spotting an argument at one of his drops.

He manages to get away … Only to met SOMETHING nasty in the nearby woods.

Meanwhile, events elsewhere on the street, see Jodie (Linzey Cocker) returning home to see her mother, Beth (Neve McIntosh*) for the holiday.

Arriving just in time for the street to be raided by a squad of heavily armed special forces soldiers: soldiers who’re hunting for something.

Something nasty … 

Something nasty,with a taste for random violence … 

And something that’s killing Beth’s neighbours, one by one.

~≈§≈~

Now, I’ll happily admit, Salvage is not a big-budget, popcorn movie.

A long way from it: it was, after all filmed on the exterior set that had been used for long-running soap, Brookside, after the show had ended.

But it IS a fun little romp of a horror-film: one that, considering the price it cost to rent … ?   Wasn’t bad value for money, at all.

Salvage

★★☆☆

*        Madame Vastra, in case the Dr Who fans reading this were wondering

Storage 24 — South London SciFi

12th February, 2013.

Right … 

I’m going to be honest, here: I think the older I get, the more 22:51 hours starts to look like a late night.

But I DID want to at least start on this post: to make sure I told you I’d seen the Johannes Roberts direct, Noel Clarke produced, indie Brit-flick, Storage 24.

And while it may not be the greatest movie in the history of sci-fi-horrors … ?

It IS an entertaining one … 

Right … back in the morning … ish … !

~~~~~

13th February, 2013.

Right … Back to the action: and let’s get talking about Storage 24, shall we … ?

I literally had nothing to do, last night: and frankly … ?   Frankly had just enough in my iTunes account  to rent meself a movie.

And, as you might have already worked out, the one I went for was the Johannes Roberts directed, Noel Clarke produced, film, Storage 24.

Set in the modern day, Storage 24 sees Clarke as Charlie: a man who — along with his old friend, Mark (Colin O’Donohue) — is attempting to get a few last bits from storage: after having been dumped by his girlfriend, Shelley, played by Antonia Campbell-Hughes.  (Who’s likewise supported by her best mate, Nikki, played by Laura Haddock.)

The uncosy little meeting is interrupted, however.

Firstly, by the simple fact an engineer’s in, to fix the shutter at the front of the self-storage warehouse that’s the film’s setting.

Secondly, by the military cargo plane that’s crashed in South London and triggered a military lock-down in Battersea.

And thirdly … ?

Thirdly, there’s something hideous that keeps clawing it’s way through the pipework: and leaving the occasional corpse behind it … 

Kill List: Cult is the word …

18th January, 2013.

You know, it’s not THAT often I say this, but I might — MIGHT, I stress — have to rearrange the way I rate movies.

Please notice I say MIGHT, I hasten to add,

Equally, I might not: I’m a lazy little so and so, sometimes.

The reason I mention that … ?

Is the film I’ve just watched, tonight.

It’s either punching WAY above the weight one expects its to.

Or it’s … 

No, scrub that, Paul: Kill List is out and out punching above its weight.   Even if it’s the Brit-flick equivalent of an malnourished bantamweight …

Outcast: Blood, Guts, and really OLD magic

Whoah, now, hang on a bloody minute … !

And, yes, before anyone says anything … ?

I know perfectly well I’m possibly repeating myself, there.

But I’ve just finished watching the 2010, Colm McCarthy film, Outcast, and I’m VERY impressed … 

Oh, LORDY, aren’t I just … !

Attack The Block: Innit, Blood … ?

Did I mention I slept through my alarm this morning … ?

Yes, I think I did, did I … ?

Mind you, I also admitted I had a very good excuse.

You see, I had Kevin D over, last night, for a cuppa, or two, and a movie.

And I think we’ve hit an interesting one …

The movie in question … ?

Was a recent DVD release I’d borrowed from Grub: the 2011 release that is Attack The Block.

~≈Ê≈~

Ghost Machine: A much debated Brit Flick …

Hmmm …

You know, there’s times when movie night can’t half generate a lot of …

Well …

I was going to say hot air.

But to be fair to myself, Movie Night Adrian, and Kevin, all at my place, tonight, to catch a film … ?

Let’s call it discussion, shall we … ?

And slightly odd text messaging. The three of us happened to briefly discuss Hannibal Rising, at the end of tonight’s movie: only for Kevin D to text me, once he’d got home, to tell me that the film version was on.

Mild piece of synchronicity, I think …

««~»»