Film Preview: Casa de Mi Padre

It's Will Ferrell but as you've never seen him before, Casa de Mi Padre is a Spanish-language comedy film which pays homage to the over-dramatic Mexican soap operas that are frequently aired in the US. Ferrell even learnt Spanish to be able to play the role of Armando Alvarez and said it was the hardest role to prefer for with having to speak another language for the whole film.

Armando Alvarez (Will Ferrell) worked on his fathers ranch all his life and is due to take over the whole estate from his father before they run into financial difficulties. His brother Raul (Diego Luna) appears with his fiancée Sonia (Génesis Rodriguez) to pay off all the debts of the ranch but it turns out the money he made is less than legitimate. Everything goes wrong when a Mexican drug lord comes looking for his money and when Armando falls in love with Sonia.

The film is released on Friday 8th June 2012 in the UK and the trailer is embedded below:

Film Review: Blue Velvet

Director: David Lynch

Unfortunately when it comes to reviewing another of David Lynch's films, I feel it's only fair to admit that I am hugely biased when it comes to his films. He is without doubt my favourite director and will always look at his films expecting something amazing which coincidentally is true about Blue Velvet. A story about the seedy underside of what seemed to be the perfect and idyllic town of Lumberton in America. This film followed on from the commercial flop that was Dune, it lead Lynch to go back to his roots and make a film he was more comfortable so we move back into the slightly more surreal.

Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper) inhaling gas and abusing Dorothy (Isabella Rossellini)

Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) returns to his hometown after his Dad suffers a stroke but on the way home from the hospital finds a severed ear in a field which he reports to the police. Believing that Dorothy (Isabella Rossellini, a surprise choice but is superb) is connected to the case he sneaks into her apartment but is caught hiding in the closet. Before anything else can happen, Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper with one of the great acting performances I've seen) arrives and inflicts his bizarre sexual interests on her which include inhaling gas and sado-masochism. Jeffrey continues to get into more trouble as he tries to uncover the mystery behind the missing ear and the link between Frank and Dorothy.

Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) finds a severed ear in a field

As with all of Lynch's films, Blue Velvet is filled with imagery starting with the deep red tulips show against the white background of the picket fence and a perfect blue sky symoblising that this perfect little town is about to be disrupted. This is also shown when the perfect lawn is shown to be crawling with insects underneath when the camera zooms in showing the dirty underside to the dream town. The camera zooming in and entering the ear is showing the start of the nightmare for Jeffrey and the camera doesn't zoom out again until the mystery is solved.

Dennis Hopper was insistent that he played the character of Frank Booth despite being Lynch's third choice and I think he showed he was the perfect choice. His combination of aggression, sadness and pure intensity is quite simply superb and is one of the best acting performances that I have seen. Hopper's performance is reflective of the film itself in being shocking and unrelenting. The scene where Frank psychologically intimidates Jeffrey to the words to ''In Dreams'' by Roy Orbison is deeply unsettling and one of my favourite cinematic scenes, I will certainly never view that song in the same light ever again.

Ben (Dean Stockwell) lip syncs Roy Orbison's ''In Dreams'' 

Over time the film has increased in appeal and has been viewed more favourably by critics especially when revisited after his later works like Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive. The scenes of sexual violence caused outrage at the time and are still shocking to this day which really speaks volume about the acting and direction. The only criticism is the lack of background surroending Frank Booth, why is he such a psychopath and was sexual violence the only reason for his actions against Dorothy? Seems we will never know.

4/4 superbly dark and unnerving, another Lynch masterpiece.

This week's releases

The Cold Light of Day: Will Shaw (Henry Cavill) heads to Spain on a boating holiday but gets entangled in a plot that sees his family kidnapped and he has to go on the run from special agents who are after a suitcase that he has acquired into his possession. Bruce Willis adds a big name to this action thriller that already looks like it is going over the usual action clichés.

Headhunters: From the best selling novel by Norwegian Jo Nesbo comes Headhunters, a crime thriller with many clever plot twists. A film I have been massively looking forward to ever since I finished reading the book.

The full preview for Headhunters can be found here: Headhunters preview

Mirror Mirror: A fairytale comedy which sees Julia Roberts play an evil queen which is supposedly the untold adventures of Snow White. Lily Collins the princess gets the help of the seven dwarves to regain her crown and topple the evil tyrant who has stolen it.

Titanic 3D: A more cynical person would say that the distributors are cashing in on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic by re-releasing this in 3D. It's a film that everybody is familiar with which sees Jack and Rose enjoy the unlikeliest romance on board the Titanic before it famously hits the iceberg and sinks. Is there any reason to pay to see this in 3D rather than just re-watch the DVD? Answers on a postcard.

Film Review: Festen

Director: Thomas Vinterberg

Festen is a Danish film released in 1998 which translates to mean The Celebration but the original Danish name was kept for the UK release as was the original dialogue meaning that there are subtitles added. It is known in Europe for being the first Dogme 95 film which is a manifesto on limiting production to reduce costs as a protest against the rising costs of Hollywood film production. The entire film benefits from being filmed on a handycam without it being too shaky or jumpy like with many found footage films that have been released recently.

The party

A family gets together to celebrate the 60th birthday of Helge (Henning Moritzen) at a hotel that is run by the family. This is all after the suicide of Linda at the hotel who is Helge's daughter and the twin sister of Christian (Ulrich Thomsen). We are also introduced to the despicable Michael (Thomas Bo Larsen) who repeatedly berates his wife and attacks a waitress who he had an affair with after she makes disparaging comments about Helge. The whole celebration is cut short when Christian makes a shocking revelation to the family that brings up mixed emotions and much arguing about whether it is true.

This is where I could possibly spoil the film so if you intend to watch it don't read on, the film tackles issues like racism and sexual abuse with unwavering honesty. The shocking treatment of Helene's boyfriend Gbatokai who is an African-American who only speaks English so doesn't even know he's been racially abused as the family sing a racist song to him in Danish which is being led by Michael. This is just a secondary plot within the family party as well as more revelations about the childhood of Christian and Linda, who committed suicide, are uncovered. The behaviour of some members of the family who deny everything without even knowing what happened is equally shocking.

Christian (Ulrich Thomsen) is thrown out of the party

At times it's a tough film to watch but builds towards a fascinating end which feels just as hollow as the rest of the film, no matter what the outcome was nobody was coming away from this happy. It could have possibly looked into this more deeply but the final scene where Christian is dreaming that he is hugging his dead twin sister Linda is a particularly moving scene.

The filming style means that the films is more about the acting performances and not about special effects or shock value, again the film benefits from this. The denial of the family and the fact they just carry on with the party as if nothing has happened is quite surreal and the early stages of the film are quite strange to follow. The kitchen's staff behaviour is just plain odd at times but this aside you are left wondering who is worthy of your hatred most out of Helge and Michael?

2.5/4 a deeply troubling film handled in a slightly strange fashion

Film Review: Into the Wild

Director: Sean Penn

Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer, it follows the nomadic travels of Christopher McCandless as he travelled around North America slowly preparing for his trip to live off the land in Alaska. The book is a great read and worth looking at before the film but that's not to say the film doesn't do it justice. Into the Wild came after two other directing successes for Sean Penn and certainly proves to be a directing masterpiece if only for the stunning shots of the Alaskan wilderness.

Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) in front of the bus which he called home in Alaska

The story follows the real life adventures of Christopher McCandless, or Alexander Supertramp to use the name he gives himself, (the excellent Emile Hirsch) who after graduating decides not to follow his career path to Harvard Law and sends all his savings money to OXFAM claiming he won't need it anymore. He then embarks on a trip around American whilst preparing for his ultimate destination: Alaska where he will live off the land miles from anyone and enjoy the solitude. Along the way he makes quite a few friends despite his strange outlook on life and hippyish looks before finally arriving hugely unprepared and naive about the challenge in front of him in Alaska.
French cameraman Eric Gautier is also due a lot of credit for his filming of the journey that McCandless takes that not only includes Alaska but a kayaking trip through California down into Mexico with some stunning views of the canyons. Emile Hirsch is brilliant and convincing as the awkward nomad on his travels, the scale of the weight loss needed for the filming of McCandless in Alaska in winter is phenomenal and probably hugely damaging to his health. There is also a good turn by Vince Vaughn as Wayne Westerburg, a wheat farmer in South Dakota who gives Chris a job on the farm.

Stunning Alaskan wilderness

Added to the visuals is the atmospheric bluesy soundtrack written and recorded by Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder which also helps to superbly capture the mood. It could be easy to dislike McCandless' outlook on life and to criticize him as a free-loader taking money from good people when he gave his own money away but this certainly isn't the case. It is a lesson in stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing people you might normally shy away from.

I can only recommend this film but only after you've read the book first

3.5/4 stunning visuals and a bitter sweet story

Film Preview: Prometheus

Ridley Scott returns with a prequel to the Alien franchise called Prometheus, despite being the story that precedes Alien it will not be directly connected to them. With the huge success of the Alien franchise, especially the first two films, the pressure is on for this film to live up to the high standard. Scott has already said that a sequel could be possibly due to unanswered question arising from this film.

In the late 21st century, two superpowers control earth that are fighting for the solar systems natural resources which causes one to try and colonize a planet for humans. On further investigation they realise that the planet is home to bio-mechanoid killers that threaten the existence of the enture human race.
The film is released on 1st June 2012 in the UK and the trailer is embedded below:

Film Review: Cloverfield

Director: Matt Reeves

Cloverfield was also produced by J.J. Abrams who has shown before his abilities in this genre of film making. The film is presented in the found footage style and is all filmed with a hand held camera which can make you feel quite nauseous, especially if you watch it lying down like I did. It was originally marketed as being called '01-18-08' before the final name was decided and has become a cult favourite with fans. There is a sneaker trailer available for a sequel but no news as to when it will be released or indeed what the film will be called.

Cloverfield - The monster attacks Manhattan

The film follows six young people from New York who are throwing a going away party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David) who is moving to Japan (surely a reference to Godzilla) with work. The party continues with the drama ensuing about Rob having slept with previously platonic friend Beth (Odette Yustman) and not wanting his current girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas) to find out but then the city is rocked by what seems like a massive earthquake. The friends rush out of the building to see what looks like a massive hand smashing its way through a building, the friends decide they need to escape Manhattan before the monster destroys everything.

The ensuing chaos is brilliantly produced and gives you just long enough inbetween to catch your breath, it is an intense and exhilirating ride. It could possibly be viewed as a post 9/11 story due to the nature of what happens and the location but obviously the film isn't going to say that itself. It is one of the more original found footage films and is boosted by good performances by the cast especially lead actor Michael Stahl-David who acts like any normal man would rather than some super hero.

Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David) and Beth MakIntyre (Odette Yustman) hide from the monster

My main criticism is the fact you see close up what the monster looks like and this takes away a lot of the tension and intrigue about what the monster is like. It is certainly scarier when you have little idea what it is. J.J. Abrams said the idea came about in a Japanese toy shop for the monster and that he was inspired by the movie poster for Escape from New York which showed the severed head of the Statue of Liberty crashed in the street. Ever since many people have had theories about the monster being two different monsters due to the difference in looks at different points in the film and where it came from, the only clue I would say is at the end when we see footage on the ferris wheel. WATCH THE SKIES!

3/4 amateur footage and real characters add to the tension and scare factor