Search This Blog

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Maniac


Elijah Wood has been off the grid lately. Sure he appeared in the Hobbit (obviously), but he hasn't
pitched a starring role in quite a while. So when a small time trailer connecting Elijah and serial killer, I was surprised; not of his return, but his role choice.

Maniac - have you heard of this movie? you are about to, not only through my opinion, but many others. Directed by , Maniac is best described as outlandish, introducing a dark and gritty concept that takes grotesque to a new level.

An introduction of retro style music and dark scenes of mean streets, Maniac delivers a sequence of pure class upon the introduction of Frank (Elijah Wood); a deranged stalker of the streets. From the off we see this kid lacks everything except his skill for murder. Visioned through the eyes of Frank, the grotesque method is forced upon as he stalks, whispers and inevitably chases his first victim through the hallway of a hotel - BOOM - slashed in epic style, the retro music enforces the title of the movie to bolder the screen, Maniac, in thick red old school font. What I was in for? I thought I knew, I was wrong.

Tormented by his nightmarish upbringing, Frank lives in a shop occupied by mannequins; which seem to be his only company. However things change for Frank has his obsession for collecting human scalps is unwillingly put on hold as he meets Anna (Nora Arnezeder); a cute little french girl who takes a liking to the mannequins in his the shop. It is when she requests to rent the mannequins for an exhibition that sees a relationship evolve, but not the way Frank would have wanted it. Struggling to maintain his murderous obsession, Frank continues to slay the women of the streets, while trying to be a friend to Anna - which Frank knows mentally, can never happen.

Sure, people walked out of this movie and rightly so. But I on the other hand loved it. Maniac is a respected horror movie, shot using first person angles. I though that was bad ass because it provided and maintained a level of realness throughout the entire movie. We only get to see Frank in mirror reflections, which in most cases he is seen puking into the toilet as his horrendous physique gives off a shock-horror premise that pumps up the gore in every scene. Not to give too much away, but there is a scene when Frank is pursuing another female, chasing her through a train station and ending up in a car park. Thinking she got away Scott-free, we are with Frank under a car as he slashes her ankle, revealing the entire bone that just popped out of her skin!

There are moments in the movie that just spell unnecessary and down right haunting. We get a fine insight into what potentially drove this kid to insanity and yes it does include his mother in scenes that I can only describe as shock-horror. You might walk out remembering this movie for the wrong reasons. I had to overcome the fact that the deaths in this movie could of actually been the sacrifice of real humans - It is horrifically realistic.

Maniac arrived under the radar. I like those type of movies. Elijah Wood gives a brutal, yet static performance, even though the majority of sequences provide you with nothing other than his bloody hands. Was the plot logical? sure, in a way. I mean it is based on the mind of a serial killer suffering with problems bigger than female hatred. I have to agree with the poster; "a modern horror classic". We are too used to paying into movies that offer the potential of a good scare, but really, chances are, we have seen it time and time again. Maniac forcefully delivers a blender of ingredients mashed up of Michael Myers and Drive. Yes, if Drive was a horror, it would be this.

Overall: A strange movie, but one that is easy to follow. The stalking premise and grotesque scenes will send shivers down your spine. Forget ghosts and demons, Maniac has provided a window of opportunity for producers to follow a similar path.

It is a joy to watch if your squeamish...

8/10

86YWQR6NC2FU

New Wolverine Images 2013


Continuing to ignore the fact that Wolverine posed holding a samurai in the last poster; new images have been unveiled without revealing too much. For Christ sake give us a trailer already!







There is something strange about this man...Wait, the look! GET HIM!

 
 
According to Empire, Wolverine will take sail for the UK on July 25th. I assume it will be the same for us Irish. Are you looking forward to it? Well, in my opinion, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine has been played out to pieces. However, this reinvention looks to wipe the slate clean as we struggle to forget the over enthusiasm of Wolverine in X-Men origins (fingers crossed).

Friday 15 March 2013

John Rambo: An Origin of Violence



Action movies supporting the most iconic actors in the late 80s early 90s shared a particular, yet similar concept to one another; a straight forward survival premise, or a rescue mission that would inevitably lead to chaos at the highest order.

Sylvester Stallone was involved in the rise and rise of dead body counts in an era that supported many trilogies to broaden a statement of unlimited violence. There is an argument that I have ear-wigged and sometimes created that would go something along the lines of "Action movies just ain't as fun to watch now as they were in the 80s". The difference in movies now is that we see a lot more focused on a logical plot, and not so much the will to entertain the mindless. Although modern day blockbusters are evidence to show it could be the opposite way around - thanks to CGI.

Let's take a look back at a movie trilogy that signifies the actor for what he was and inevitably, what he can never walk away from. No not Rocky(an argument for another day), Rambo; which felt the need to extend and prolong the use of violence in its movies by doubling (and at times) trebling the body count.

Sly Stallone was at his best in 1982 with First Blood (before Rambo, before a name that represented violence at the highest). A simple yet effective story of survival in the woods caused by the ignorance of the towns sheriff.  John Rambo - a soldier tormented by war is up against it, making use of his tactics in the back yard of a town on full alert. Those who have seen the movie may remember that through-out the manhunt for John, one man was killed in the movie. one. Now, the movie promoted violence, just like many that followed it and although it was physical, it was necessary. Rambo turns himself in for the sake of the idiots who consistently continued to come after him. Did he do the right thing? no, but he slightly makes up for the men he could have killed in the sequel that followed.

3 years later, George P. Cosmatos directed a sequel. Rambo: First Blood 2 (1985). Freed from prison, Rambo is sent on a mission by his colonel to help rescue a bunch of POWs. Forced to team up with a female lead this time around, Rambo infiltrates a Vietnamese war camp only to find himself set-up by the authority who sent him there. The poster showcases Rambo with a rocket launcher the size of himself; automatically telling you what you are in for with the sequel - chaos. The body count goes as far as 67. Rambo is responsible for 51 of those. The sequel really expresses the killing mentality within Rambo, with his guerrilla warfare background coming back to haunt him. Sequences on the river result in 10 killings, while scenes on the camp is a laxi-daisy of 4 with the rescue mission itself adding a total of 29.

My year of birth (1988) saw the release of Rambo 3; directed by Peter McDonald. Rambo is en-rout to Afghanistan to rescue colonel Trautman who is being held captive by soviet forces. Apart from Stallone's body count rising to 72 third time around, the overall film survives on a body count of 127, with Colonel Trautman getting in on the fun with 5 kills. This one was quite weak but it's what the fans wanted. The drama we got in the original was long dead. Rambo had reached a new stage of chaos. By the time the sequel had wrapped up I think people knew where Sly and co were taking this character.

Yep, a modern day Rambo still lurks. Instead of hanging up his knife and bandanna, his age is ignored in the fourth movie.

Sly reinvented Rambo in 2008 with a fourth in the franchise. Lone hero Rambo is still surviving in his own company 20 years later; rough and ragged, with muscles just "screaming" to be pumped, as well as his murderous addiction (Don't worry Rambo, you will have your fun). Excluding Richard Crenna this time following his death in 2003, Rambo dedicates this bloody return to his former colonel and acting colleague. Located in Burma, Rambo is approached by a group of aid workers looking to be led through the jungle and into a Burmese camp. Rambo advises the "eager to die" group that;"Burma's a war zone". Like any bunch of uneducated imbeciles, they don't believe him. Although if Rambo told me he dived off a cliff and stitched himself up afterwards, would you believe him?

So they say "screw him" and go anyway, winding up hostage and slaved in a Burmese camp.

Rambo is informed by a church pastor about the capture of the group. Rambo could have said "I told them so"...but he does, and goes anyway.

Rambo travels the rivers of Burma with a group of mercenaries where death awaits and survival lurks. Rambo goes on to murder 87 people with the entire movie promoting a fatality of 247 bodies!!! (excluding fish, horses and dogs). They matter too you know? Movie insiders reckon Rambo potentially killed hundreds more when he blew up half the jungle on his way down! That's my boy!

While Sly has moved on to bigger and not so better things, he seems to always stay true to violence. Recent movies such as The Expendables and Bullet to the Head have continued to portray some epically violent sequences that are quite the entertainment if you leave your brain at home. Although Sly's gathering of iconic action stars with The Expendables (and sequel) are not enough to convince me that movies are still the same. Sure, you can throw in Arnold Schwarzenegger, Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Dolph Lundren (or some might know him as Drago), there is a level of comedic effort that has failed to work in modern day blockbusters. Plus, a 60 year old Arnie who got bored of governing California is just not the same (although he did have a kid with his maid so the Expendables might have taken his mind off things).

I do not want to see the end of iconic stars such as Sly and Arnie, and it thrills me to reflect on the Rambo franchise. But one can not ignore the illogical sense behind blockbusters today. They were not as creative in the 80s as they were today. Sure, they lacked CGI, which is not a bad thing either. They were gritty back then, almost believable and a hell of a lot more serious compared to the crap being released today. Don't believe me? Go and see Bruce Willis in A Good Day to Die Hard - a desperate attempt at reviving what was.

Actually don't bother. Do yourself a favour and watch First Blood again.








































Wednesday 6 March 2013

Rocky II (1979)


"Yea, I love yous too. I just also wanna thank God. Except for my kid bein' born, this is the greatest night in the history of my life. I just wanna say one thing to my wife who's home: YO, ADRIAN! I DID IT!"


Following the success of Rocky, Sly returned with a sequel that is far better than critics give it credit for. In relation to the history of cinematic sensations and the unsatisfying sequels that inevitably follow, Rocky II is one of the best follow-ups in movie history. As we know, the Rocky saga slowly but surely gets worse - but not just yet.

Rocky II is an immediate continuation of the path Rocky Balboa would inevitably choose to go down; one that would pave way for a sensational rematch with Apollo Creed. Confronting each other in the hospital following the bout, Apollo is abusive and typically loud mouthed regarding his demand for a rematch - a fight Rocky and Micky want no part of.

Time proves the best healer for Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) as his growing relationship with Adrian reaches a new height. Rocky convinces Adrian of potentially retiring while on the other hand Apollo (Carl Weathers) is receiving a hail of media criticism with many claiming the fight should have lasted no longer than a few rounds. Struggling to cope with such negative attention, Apollo is trying everything in his power to reel Rocky into settling the grudge once and for all. Rocky is beginning to settle into a life with fiance Adrian (Talia Shire), however the possibility of life without boxing appears daunting. With Rocky struggling to adapt to life in advertising, and a baby on the way, he begins to realise that his heart is in the ring. Rocky knows if he can get Mickey on board, he could upset the odds once again.

Mickey (Burgess Meredith) is reluctant to return to Rocky's corner, believing the underdog was "lucky" to go as far in the first bout. But Micky needs Rocky for what he never had while Rocky needs Micky for his knowledge and inspiration.

As the "gonna fly now" anthem lingers in the back ground, Mickey tapes the hands of Rocky once again in a bid to close the mouth of Apollo Creed once and for all.

I adore the return of Rocky just as much as I did with the original. I think the "beef" between Apollo and Rocky gives the sequel a more entertaining factor, with a bigger insight into the life of each boxer - while the aftermath of the fight invites you into the home of Apollo, revealing a more in depth analysis of the character and the family man he is behind closed doors. The struggle of Apollo captures a vital part in the sport, showing sequences of ambition and what he must do to satisfy himself more than anyone. On the other hand we get a delightful insight into Rocky's new life, as certain opportunities begin to open, but as much as he can easily pay the bills through advertising and factory work, Rocky Balboa is "born to fight".

There is a mash-up of beautiful scenes this time around. The chemistry between Sly and Talia is a delight to watch once again; with the snowy scene at the zoo and the wedding that follows. But there is a slight dip in the relationship due to Rocky's desire, while Adrian is pregnant. It makes Rocky's task all the more important and once again emotional. Sly gives another superb performance along with the fantastic bragging-rights of Apollo.

Burgess Meredith is mesmerising. He is involved in more emotional scenes and significant speeches: "if you wanna blow it, then damn it I'm gonna blow it with ya. If you wanna stay here, I'll stay with ya. I stay with ya. I'll stay and pray. What do I got to lose?"

Rocky II is another dramatic classic from the cast, with a plot that is more straightforward, but offers a climax better than any in the saga. Yep, a better climax than the first and a better fight. This review is not a comparison. The original Rocky received an academy award for its originality and inspiring performances. The sequel however offers nothing new; although it does supply a number of memorable scenes as did its predecessor, but maybe critics failed to find a ripe concept this time around, which is something Sly did ever so well before hand.

I on the other hand love this sequel. As I gradually progress to reviewing the third movie, unsurprisingly, the first two movies are the body to Stallone's career. The ones that follow are the limbs that hang in the balance of the mind-set of your average movie lover.


















Monday 4 March 2013

Rocky (1976)


His whole life was a million to one shot


Rocky will go down as one of the greatest movies ever made. If Sylvester Stallone's story behind bringing Rocky to the big screen is not one to go by, the movie proves just as emotional, ambitious and heavily inspiring. Let's take a trip back in time to review a movie that was scripted by Sly and nearly sold for the price of a few meals.

Pennsylvania is home to many characters stalking the gritty streets of Philadelphia, catering for the company of poverty stricken individuals on every corner. Small-time loan shark and local boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is one such resident of this area. Struggling to make a break-through with the sport he loves, Rocky gets the chance to defy all odds when heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) grants him a once in a life time opportunity to compete for the title.

Although Rocky has adapted to his own company, he looks to keep it that way, even when gym owner and former trainer Micky (Burgess Meredith); comes knocking, offering to lend a hand in helping Rocky survive the fight. With very little choice, Rocky is forced to accept the opportunity from Micky; despite years of bad blood and fall-outs relating to what Rocky could have been, but never was. On the other hand, Apollo's camp is sceptical of his chosen opponent. Apollo can only see the fight going one way. The egotistical big-mouth seems more worried about the media's build up to the fight and what the result of the fight could mean for Apollo's generosity in the future.

Despite being swallowed by a level of pessimistic perceptions, Rocky concedes a level of optimism along with the help and company of Adrian (Talia Shire); a local pet shop assistant who plays a significant role in Rocky's ambition, while an unwritten chemistry quickly evolves, leading to a love story that would carry the saga - from start to finish.

Written and directed by Sylvester himself, Rocky would go on to be one the greatest sporting dramas of our time. Rocky is critically acclaimed for its creation of mixed emotions and extraordinary characters. The fictional biopic (based on the lasting bout between Ali and Chuck Wepner) tends to suck you in from the beginning as the "rags to riches" sympathetic sensation of one man's ambition is heartfelt every time.

Watch as Rocky and Mickey battle the critics of America, sweeping aside the "underdog" perception in a bid to defy the odds. The "Take you back" introduction is one of many nostalgic sequences, even for those who were not around in the 70s (like me).

38 years down the line, Rocky continues to supply a mash up of emotional aspects and exciting sequences. Despite the interactions between Apollo and Rocky, ignoring the well rehearsed annoyance of Adrian's brother Paulie (Burt Young), taking in the memorable "blood sweat and tears" between Rocky and Micky; in my opinion, Rocky stands out significantly due to the presence of Talia Shire. Her performance brings out an ecstatic audition in Sylvester Stallone - revealing a blossoming relationship that makes Rocky a joy to watch, over and over again.

Sylvester Stallone's classical effort picked up an academy award for best picture in 1977 which has resulted in the recognition of Stallone today.

Stay tuned for Rocky 2.