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.

Clubbed: 24 Hours to Go

You know, sometimes — just sometimes — I manage to get through two movies in the course of a Friday and Saturday.

And — just as sometimes — they are two VERY different films.

Last night … ?

Saw Kevin D, his wife, Sarah and I happily — possibly — sitting down with a copy of Hamlet 2.

And, you know, I’ve got to confess, I’m still fairly unsure about Hamlet 2.

Hmmm …

At any rate, Movie Night Adrian and I managed to sit ourselves down with something very different, tonight …

The 2008, Neil Thompson directed, Geoff Thompson written, film, Clubbed.

And when I saw different, I mean very different … !

You see, where Hamlet 2 is a comedy, Clubbed is a gangster film.

One without Steve Coogan, which is possibly a good thing.

Set in the 1980s, Clubbed sees Mel Raido as Danny, a divorced factory worker, who — in an attempt to give his life some meaning — starts training at a local gym.

And eventually joining the gym’s owner and trainer-in-chief, Louis — played by the ever versatile Colin Salmon* — as a doorman at a local nightclub.

And, this being the 1980s, this isn’t the easy option you’d imagine.

Rather the reverse, in point of fact.

Very definitely the reverse.

‹‹‹•›››

Now, I could go on for hours, about Clubbed, I really could.

Seriously …

But I’m not.

Partly because it’s late.

But mostly because little indy Brit-flicks come along very rarely, these days. That alone wouldn’t necessarily make it worth mentioning.

The fact that Clubbed is an emotionally absorbing little film, with sympathetic characters and a engrossing plot … ?

THAT makes it worth watching … !!

* Who, along with Tom Baker and Avery Brooks, of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fame, has one of the most beautiful male speaking voices I’ve heard.