Tortoise in Love DVD Review

Tortoise in Love

DVD Releases: November 2012

Rating: PG – Contains sexual references

Duration: 84 minutes 

Genre:  Drama

Starring: Tom Mitchelson, Alice Zawadzki and Tom Yates |

Director: Guy Browning (Debut feature film)

Reviewer: Diane Campbell

The Premise>> Tom, gardener at the big house, is not a fast mover with women. In fact he’s glacially slow. When beautiful Polish au pair Anya arrives for the summer, Tom falls for her catastrophically like the felling of one of the giant trees he cares for in the manicured grounds. Tom’s adviser in matters of the heart is young Harry, abandoned by the rich owners of the house to run wild in the gardens. Harry’s secret wish is for the Red Arrows to appear at the village fair: Tom’s is to win the heart of Anya. Both seem impossible dreams until the whole village decides to lend a hand.

The Review>> Imagine a place where neighbours talked to one another, looked after each other, forgave one another and celebrated together.  Alongside this, imagine a picture perfect English village in the middle of summer.  This rather charming picture is the setting for Tortoise in Love, and if you’re thinking this all sounds rather lovely it is. 

Tortoise in Love has two storylines running alongside one another, the story of a slow tortoise like romance and the other about the village coming together for their yearly fair.  The film is dubbed a romantic comedy, but unlike recent romcom’s it doesn’t have a dark side and is not overtly sexual in its delivery.  At times the story is very funny and there were many occasions where the whole theatre was laughing along with the misfortunes of the main characters.  I even did a snort laugh! As an aside the main character looks and sometimes acts very much like Hugh Grant..

The Verdict>> A delightful comedy about love and village life.  Somewhat predictable but definitely enjoyable!

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> The film was made on a very low budget. Many local companies sponsored it or gave their services for free, and many residents of Kingston Bagpuize (the main filming location) helped with production and appeared as extras.

Kiwi Flyer DVD Review

Kiwi Flyer

DVD Releases: November 2012

Rating: G

Duration: 89 minutes 

Genre:  Family  

Starring: Tandi Wright, Vince Martin and Dai Henwood

Director: Tony Simpson (Debut Feature Film)

Reviewer: Jon E Clist 

The Premise>> In Nelson, New Zealand, twelve-year-old Ben (Edward Hall) plans to build the race winning Kiwi Flyer for this year’s trolley derby. But Ben’s dream is shattered when his father is killed in a car accident returning home with the newly built trolley. When cocky class-mate Shannon (Myer van Gosliga) and his thuggish boy-racer older brother Shane (Doug Colling) who will stop at nothing to retain the trophy insult Ben’s late dad, Ben is determined to enter the race and uphold the memory of his father.

The Review>> When I first saw Dai Henwood perform, I thought he was super funny. However over time I think I just kind of moved on or perhaps some of his comedy got weaker. So I will be completely honest with you say that when I saw he was in this film I kind of started to feel as though it would be a little weak also. I am very happy to say that after watching it, I have changed my mind not only about the film but also about Henwood. Although is just one cog in the Kiwi Flyer gearbox, he is brilliantly funny in that uncomfortable nerdy way.

Now the other thing I will say is that in general NZ doesn’t do true family friendly very well. We try so hard at time to be real and gritty that we overly include adult themes, bad language and other such graphic content. I am certainly not against these things in general films where the storyline warrants it, however if you are making a film that we can feel confident in taking all ages to, then do the appropriate thing. Kiwi Flyer is a great example of how a lovely funny film can be just that when you pay attention to the target market you are aiming at. Yes at times it is kind of cheesy and a little over the top. Yet it was thoroughly enjoyable. My 11 year old daughter enjoyed it, and my ever so slightly older parents thought it was charming and very entertaining. I of course as the one right in the middle between youth and experience actually had a good time too.

It is very kiwi, and being set in Nelson has a more National and obviously kiwi feel to it. Whereas a lot of films set in either Wellington or Auckland often feel like they could have been filmed in any western world city. However this had a lovely down to earth and local feel about it.

The Verdict>> Good clean local family fun with some great positive life lessons about honesty and family, and not trusting Aussies like Vince Martin.

Ted DVD Review

Ted

DVD Releases: November 2012

Rating: R13 – Contains Offensive language, drug use & sexual content that may offend

Duration: 106 minutes 

Genre:  Comedy

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane

Director: Seth McFarlane (Family Guy)

Reviewer: Jon E Clist 

The Premise>> As the result of a childhood wish, John Bennett’s teddy bear, Ted, came to life and has been by John’s side ever since – a friendship that’s tested when Lori, John’s girlfriend of four years, wants more from their relationship.

The Review>> When you watch the trailer for this film, you can’t help but think that there is a high chance of train wreck on the horizon. It has that feel of all the good jokes are in the trailer and nothing else of value will follow. To be honest, I really don’t enjoy Seth MacFarlane’s Family Guy. I think it is the poor man’s Simpsons and lowest common denominator jokes. So I guess I really wasn’t holding out for a hero here. I am quite happy to admit that I was wrong. I actually really enjoyed this film. There were plenty of really funny moments and even a couple of extremely disguised life lessons about growing up and taking responsibility. Plus some other life lessons about still having fun in life and enjoying the ride. Or perhaps that’s just what I learnt by putting my expectations aside before the film began.

I should point out at this point that despite my 11 year old daughter thinking the trailer looks really funny and her desire to see it, this is not a film for children or even young teens. It is full of sexual innuendo, bad language and drug taking in the form of weed. It has been rated R13 for many reasons and therefore be aware before you see the bear.

Wahlberg once again shows that he is not only good at the rough action type bad boy roles, but also has pretty good comedic timing and hence can be rather funny when he wants to be. Of course Seth MacFarlane does show that he is a one voice wonder, when you realize that his character of Ted sounds pretty much exactly the same as Peter Griffen from Family Guy. However he is very funny in this role and the script is the absolute winner on the day. There is this wonderful Karaoke scene in the film where Ted belts out a classic 90’s tune by Hootie and The Blowfish, while pretty much summarizing the whole decade’s musical style with only a few cleverly funny sentences.

Mila Kunis once again shows that she is great eye candy on screen and pretty funny as the straight role in comedy. While some of her previous comedic roles such as in That Seventies Show, have her as quite an extreme and somewhat annoying role, here she is the straight man to the bent roles of Ted and John Bennett. (Not sure if this was a play on the whole Jon Benet missing girl of the past. Perhaps it was just me that wondered this when the early years of John are shown as he wishes his Teddy would come to life to be his forever friend.)

The Verdict>> Despite Seth MacFarlane making this film, it’s actually really funny and worth a look. But be warned it is heavy on the sexual innuendo, bad language and drug references.

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> First live-action project directed by Seth MacFarlane.

Various teddy bears were used as stand-ins for post-production editing. Ted’s movements were done by Seth MacFarlane through motion capture.

The “white trash girls names” scene was done in a few takes without having any cue cards for Mark Wahlberg, who wrote down a wide number of female names that sound “white trash”.

The film was originally scheduled for release on July 13, 2012, but was moved up to June 29, the original intended release date of G.I. Joe: Retaliation, which had been pushed back to March 29, 2013 for re-shoots.

Shipped to theaters under the title “Thunder Buddies”.

The Way DVD Review

The Way

DVD Releases: October 2012

Rating: PG – Contains drug use & coarse language

Duration: 121 minutes 

Genre: Genre

Starring: Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Deborah Unger, James Nesbitt and Tchecky Karyo

Director: Emilio Estevez (Bobby, Men at Work)

Reviewer: Jon E Clist 

The Premise>> A powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world. Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son (Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son’s desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn’t plan on is the profound impact the journey will have on him and his “California Bubble Life”. Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey. On his journey, Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, each with their own issues and looking for greater meaning in their lives: a Dutchman (Wageningen)

The Review>> Life is a journey, yes I know that you have heard a million people say that out loud during your journey so far. However, the amount of times that you have heard it said doesn’t change the fact that it is true. There will be great times of joy and painful times of sadness. Love and loss and sometimes not in equal measure. This film is about one of those times when the journey takes an unexpected twist, and the pain and loss overwhelms the moments of joy.

If it wasn’t hard enough to lose your son, imagine what it would be like to have to travel halfway around the world to reclaim their remains. To face the loss in a completely different country, amongst people who speak a different language. In my 38 years I have had two unrelated friends in this situation. Two families having to go to the UK to deal with the sudden and unexpected loss of a son. I cannot fully imagine the searing pain that they must have felt. For one family I was friends the deceased and I can still remember getting the phone call early one Saturday Morning that he had died. For the other family I know the father and my heart breaks for the family every time I think of what they had to go through.

That’s life though isn’t it? To love means to risk loss, and ironically sometimes in loosing someone, we truly find them and what they really meant to us. This is a story of that very journey. However it is also the story of an actual journey. Inspired by his son’s own desire to complete this spiritual pilgrimage, the lead character decides he will finish it for him. The story is so very compelling as you follow his journey not only to reconnect with his dead son but also in finding himself along the way.

The other pilgrims he meets along the way each have their own story and demons that they are running (Walking) away from. Which in turn leads to a brilliant collection of dynamic interpersonal moments of interaction. Some feel tangibly painful, while others just bring the laughter out. I think one of these reasons why the characters seem to have such an interesting and real connection, might come from the father/son team behind the film. While it’s not the first time that Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen have mirrored their own relationship on screen, the dynamic between them is so wonderfully real. Even with flashbacks we don’t see them interact all that much on screen but the tension between them is so realistic and believable. You would think that people in existing relationships could automatically take that connection and put it on screen together. However this is not always the case, for example think Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in Gigli. They couldn’t have come across more unrealistically unbelievable as a couple if they were a cat and dog. That film was certainly a dog, that’s for sure. Whereas this film is a much better film.

The relationship realism between father and son then flows through to the other relationships within the films. This is turn leads to some poignant moments between the key pilgrims that ooze raw emotion. In fact it was these relationships that drew me into the story so completely.

The Verdict>> A brilliantly written and executed metaphorical and literal journey to self-discovery movie.

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> In an LA radio interview on “The Busted Halo Show with Father Dave”, Emilio Estevez revealed that much of the inspiration he got for this film was the identical pilgrimage that his father Martin Sheen and his son Taylor Estevez made a few years before on the Camino de Santiego de Compostela in Spain. Estevez’ son, then 19, fell in love, moved to Spain, and got married a few years later. Since that trip, Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez spoke often of how they could make a film about the pilgrimage until an idea surfaced.

First time since The War at Home that Emilio Estevez plays Martin Sheen’s son.

When one takes the 500 mile Camino de Santiago, they carry a scalloped shell with them as an identity. Emilio Estevez was given such a shell by a man who made that journey six times. When he made the journey while filming the film, he kept the shell with him.

Filmed with a small crew of fifty people and a couple of cameras for filming. No trailers were used, and, as Estevez jokingly remarked, neither was a director’s chair.

After driving the length of the Camino with his young adult grandson, Martin Sheen initially suggested that a documentary be made to promote pilgrimage and honor the Camino. However, his son Emilio Estevez thought that an independent commercial vehicle would be a better way to go.

Production of the film took 40 days, and Emilio Estevez’s son, who served as an associate producer on the film, met his wife-to-be on the Camino.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter DVD Review

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

DVD Releases: December 2012

Rating: R16 – Contains Horror scenes & violence

Duration: 105 minutes 

Genre:  Sci-Fi Horror

Starring: Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell and Dominic Cooper

Director: Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, NightWatch)

Reviewer: Jon E Clist 

Special Features on the Blu-ray>> 

The Great Calamity Graphic Novel, Audio Commentary with Writer Seth Grahame-Smith, The Making of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Dark Secrets: Book to Screen

On the Set: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Vampire Hunting: Fight Choreography, The Art of Transformation: Make-Up Effects, A Visual Feast: Timur Bekmambetov’s Visual Style, “Powerless” Music Video by Linkin Park

The Premise>> At the age of 9, Abraham Lincoln witnesses his mother being killed by a vampire, Jack Barts. Some 10 years later, he unsuccessfully tries to eliminate Barts but in the process makes the acquaintance of Henry Sturgess who teaches him how to fight and what is required to kill a vampire. The quid pro quo is that Abe will kill only those vampires that Henry directs him to. Abe relocates to Springfield where he gets a job as a store clerk while he studies the law and kills vampires by night. He also meets and eventually marries the pretty Mary Todd. Many years later as President of the United States, he comes to realize that vampires are fighting with the Confederate forces. As a result he mounts his own campaign to defeat them.

The Review>> Since seeing the film The Conspirator, I have certainly gained an interest in the historical aspects surrounding the life and death of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was certainly one of the highest impacting presidents of the United States of America throughout their long and checkered history. Of course The Conspirator was not focused on the life of Lincoln but instead upon the life of his killers, which got me wondering. How many films have been made about the life of Lincoln? I was surprised to not only find that there have been quite a few but also Steven Spielberg has a Lincoln biopic in the pipeline right now, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as the high hat wearer himself. I then started to wonder, over the years who has played Lincoln in films…? Here is what I found.

Joseph Henabery: The Birth of a Nation (1915)

J. Herbert Frank: In the Days of Buffalo Bill (1922)

George A. Billings Sr: The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln (1924)

Frank McGlynn, Sr: Abraham Lincoln, The Plainsman (1936)

John Carradine: Abraham Lincoln Of Human Hearts (1938)

Walter Huston: Abraham Lincoln (1930)

Henry Fonda: Young Mr Lincoln (1939)

Raymond Massey: How the West Was Won (1962)

John Anderson: The Lincoln Conspiracy (1977)

Hal Holbrook: North and South (1985)

F. Murray: Lincoln Dream West (1986)

Robert V. Barron: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Jason Robards: The Perfect Tribute (1991)

Lance Henriksen: The Day Lincoln Was Shot (1998)

Brendan Fraser: Bedazzled (2000)

Tim Willett: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

That’s a lot of tall hats and weirdy beards! However in this case Timur Bekmambetov has taken quite the different approach. Firstly in that he doesn’t cover the assassination. Secondly, he has made Lincoln and Vampire Hunter. Yes a little creative license there to say the least.

So here’s what I thought. I loved it. Yes it was graphic, violent, extremely corny and cheesy at times, but that suited the style of the film and helped make it a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience. Of course the violence and vampires will mean that it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of O Negative, (I mean tea)

Rufus Sewell is, as always great as the bad guy and certainly knows how to come across as menacing and powerful in subtleness. Both Benjamin Walker and Dominic Cooper do great jobs playing Abe and Henry respectively, which helps you connect in a fun way with the characters. I know from talking to other reviewers, it certainly enthused us to do a little more research to find the historical inaccuracies in this film just for the pure entertainment factor. I found there were none and it’s all true… Yeah right!

The Verdict>> A fun nights entertainment, not to be taken too seriously and probably not for those who prefer their films to be just like the Notebook or Valentine’s Day.

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> Joshua Speed (played by Jimmi Simpson) was one of Abraham Lincoln’s oldest friends dating back to their days in Springfield Illinois. Although Joshua never actually came to Washington his brother James Speed was considered one of Lincoln’s oldest friends in Washington and served as Attorney General from late 1864 until he resigned in 1866.

Possible Spoiler-ish…. Seth Grahame-Smith, who wrote both the screenplay and the novel on which the movie is based, explained to Time Magazine that (contrary to many audience members’ assumptions) the man in the bar at the end of the movie (the man whom we see texting a “goodbye” message before [we assume] Henry recruits him to be the next vampire Hunter) was not meant to be George W. Bush, Barack Obama, or any other president. Grahame-Smith said, “it’s not meant to be anyone particular, it’s just meant to sort of dovetail with the earlier scene of Henry and Abe.” He also said that he himself played the texting man.

Street Dance 2 DVD Review

Street Dance 2

DVD Releases: December 2012

Rating: PG Contains Sexual References

Duration: 85 minutes 

Genre:  Dance Drama

Starring: George Sampson, Sofia Boutella and Falk Hentschel

Director: Max Giwa, Dania Pasquini (StreetDance)

Reviewer: Jodie Clist 

The Premise>> When top street dancer Ash (Falk Hentschel) is humiliated and laughed off stage by American crew Invincible, he sets off to gather the best dancers from around the world to take them on – with a dance style they weren’t expecting. With landmark locations, a spectacular fusion of dance styles and an unparalleled vibrancy, the sequel to StreetDance sees our hero fall in love with a beautiful salsa dancer as he discovers the magic, power and passion of dancing for the ultimate global dance off.

The Review>> In its purest form, this is a dance movie; therefore, I’m not going to say anything much about the plot, the acting or the characters.  After all, these things were, to me, really quite secondary to the phenomenal dancing that steals almost every scene in this movie. 

The mix of street hip hop and Latin/Salsa literally sizzles off the screen and the kick-ass sound track drives relentlessly in the background to get your feet itching to move to the beat.

These dancers really are incredibly talented and even more vivid and intense in 3D!

The Verdict>> Looking for a raw and funky dance extravaganza, an awesome sound track, and some passionate Latin sizzle, look no further. 

Safe DVD Review

Safe

Releases: 21st June 2012

Rating: R16 – Contains Violence & offensive language

Duration: 94 minutes 

Genre:  Genre

Starring: Jason Statham, Catherine Chan and Chris Sarandon

Director: Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans, Death in Love)

Reviewer: Jon E Clist 

The Premise>> Mei, a young girl whose memory holds a priceless numerical code, finds herself pursued by the Triads, the Russian mob, and corrupt NYC cops. Coming to her aid is an ex-cage fighter whose life was destroyed by the gangsters on Mei’s trail.

The Review>> Go on then, let’s get the jokes out of the way. Yes this might as well be Transporter 5 or 6, but then again surely all of his films are the same? He fights, drives fast and does some running around to save some girl. Well okay so technically that could be said to be true of this film. Statham’s character does do all those things and he even does them for a girl, however here it is not for some strumpet that he’s trying to get a leg over. This time it’s to help out a young Asian girl whose brilliant intelligence is being taken advantage of by a bunch of really not all that nice sort of blokes.

Now, having said all that… it is what it is and for the most part it is what you expect it to be. So it’s kind of pointless either trying to slam or defend it. Simply to say that if you like the first two transporter films and other such films and you love a good story where a rough and tough bad boy has to grow a conscience and help out those less fortunate via violence and stunts, then you are gonna love Safe. Cause that’s exactly what it is. Predictable? yes, who really cares? No one. Will you enjoy yourself and cheer on bad guys getting justice measured out on them? Sure will!

The Verdict>> A Jason Statham film… pure and simple…

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> The scenes at the mayor’s mansion were filmed at the Bloomfield estate in Villanova, Pennsylvania. On April 4th (less than one month before the film’s release), the garage burst into flames, starting what would eventually become a four alarm fire that destroyed most of the third floor of the main house.

Dekalb Ave subway station and Canal St station were filmed at Cortlandt St station.

Film News>> Show Me Shorts gets some Oscar love

NEW ZEALAND SHORTS TO GET SHOT AT WINNING AN OSCAR^®

New Zealand has long had a reputation for making outstanding short films. Now this has been recognised with the granting of Academy Awards^®accreditation to our major national short film festival Show Me Shorts Film Festival.

Show Me Shorts is the only film festival in New Zealand to receive Academy Awards^®accreditation.

For local short filmmakers Show Me Shorts’ accreditation means they are no longer restricted to winning an award at an international festival to gain entry to the Academy Awards^®. The winner of the prestigious Best Film award at our own Show Me Shorts Film Festival each year will now qualify for consideration in one of the short film categories at the Oscars^®.

The first short film to qualify for entry to the Academy Awards^®is ‘Night Shift’, which won the 2012 Show Me Shorts Best Film award last month. Due to the timing of the festival, ‘Night Shift’ will be entered in the 2014 Oscars^®, so we will have to wait until then to find out if it has been short listed.

‘Night Shift’ writer/director Zia Mandviwalla says, “It is such exciting news. While this opens a whole host of opportunities for ‘Night Shift’ it also raises the profile of Show Me Shorts in local and international arenas, which is so well deserved given what a great festival this is! New Zealand short films are made to such an exceptionally high standard and it feels so fitting for us to now have a local short film festival that gives our pool of talented filmmakers a shot at the Academy Awards^®.”

Festival Director Gina Dellabarca is delighted with the confirmation, “The Academy has very strict guidelines and criteria for qualifying festivals. Gaining this accreditation has been a major goal of Show Me Shorts and marks a milestone in the Festival’s evolution.”

Dellabarca goes on to say, “This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the high standard of films in our programme, and professionalism of Show Me Shorts. We have always been champions of New Zealand short films, and are thrilled to now offer the opportunity to compete for an Oscar®. It is not only a boost to the local film industry, but will help us continue to source top international short films for local audiences.”

The seventh annual Show Me Shorts Film Festival has all but wrapped after a successful 2012 season nationwide, which saw strong box office growth. There is one last opportunity to see this year’s films – in Whitianga from 3-13 January 2013. Aucklanders can also catch highlight short films from Show Me Shorts in previous years, screening before Silo Cinema free outdoor films over the summer.

Show Me Shorts screens in New Zealand cinemas nationwide every November. Entries for the 2013 Festival will open in March. See www.showmeshorts.co.nz for more information and to sign up for the email newsletter.