Help Me Make Another Short Film

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In school, I made a four minute short called Goodbye To Youth (embedded below). While it was far from a masterpiece (although I did receive an A for my efforts), it did allow me to put the knowledge I’d acquired from studying A Level Film Studies to the test.

Since then, I haven’t done any filming or editing work, which is a real shame as I enjoyed every minute of that experience and was as proud as punch when it was shown alongside my classmates at my school’s mini Academy Award event Continue reading “Help Me Make Another Short Film” →

Review: Natural Selection (2011)

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Loyal Christian housewife Linda (Rachael Harris) enters into panic mode when her husband, Peter (Jon Gries), suffers a stroke. Discovering that he’s been donating sperm in secret, she sets off to find his eldest “son”, Raymond (Matt O’Leary), a foul-mouthed ex-con. Realising she’s worlds apart from Raymond in terms of beliefs and values, Linda has a mammoth task ahead of her to ensure Raymond is able to reunite with his biological father before it’s too late.

A road film of sorts, Natural Selection bathes in the encumbrances of the clashing of Linda and Raymond’s personalities, pointed out early on when Raymond Continue reading “Review: Natural Selection (2011)” →

Review: Your Sister’s Sister (2011)

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Unable to recover from the untimely death of his brother, Jack (Mark Duplass) is sent to a picturesque cabin on a tiny island by best friend Iris (Emily Blunt). Arriving at the cabin, Jack runs into Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), Iris’ half-sister, who’s taken shelter there after running out on a seven-year-long relationship.

Nursing their respective troubles over a bottle of tequila, Jack and Hannah find themselves sharing a night of passion, only to be rudely awoken by the unexpected arrival of Iris, who’s come to keep Jack company.

Utilising a part-scripted, part-improvised approach, Your Sister’s Sister boasts a Continue reading “Review: Your Sister’s Sister (2011)” →

Review: The Raid (2011)

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Hollywood action films are increasingly becoming paint-by-numbers fare with uninteresting characters and unbelievable scenarios. The Raid, Welsh born writer and director Gareth Evans’ third feature film, hits hard due to its no-holds-barred coercion, unfaltering intensity and desire to do what most action films don’t: surprise its audience from the opening moments to the final fade to black.

Tasked with taking out Tama (Ray Sahetapy), landlord and kingpin to the scum of Jakarta, a SWAT team enter the building complex in which they believe he and Continue reading “Review: The Raid (2011)” →

Is Jo Nesbo’s Headhunters Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: Part 2 In Disguise?

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Hailed by many critics as a taut, suspenseful Norwegian thriller, Jo Nesbo’s Headhunters premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival over the weekend.

And, based on the newly released UK quad’s eerie similarities with Shane Black’s seminal cult classic (they’re almost identical), Headhunters promises to be the sequel to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang you, or I, were unaware of.

While there’s no immediate problem with the marketing teams plan Continue reading “Is Jo Nesbo’s Headhunters Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: Part 2 In Disguise?” →

Natural Selection

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Natural Selection is a darkly funny road movie of sorts aided by terrific performances from Rachael Harris (The Hangover) and Matt O’Leary (Brick).

After watching the film at the Glasgow Film Festival and writing my review for HeyUGuys, this happened:

How cool is that?

Soda Pictures Acquires For Ellen, Barbara & Sister For U.K. Distribution

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Continuing their trend of bringing the best art house and independent films to our shores, Soda Pictures announced today that they’ve acquired not one but three of this year’s big festival hitters: For Ellen, Barbara and Sister.

Each acquisition represents a step forward for Soda Pictures in their effort to become one of the U.K.’s leading film distributors.

No release dates have yet been set for any of the film’s but, due to the immediate Continue reading “Soda Pictures Acquires For Ellen, Barbara & Sister For U.K. Distribution” →

A Quick Message

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You may have noticed that since The Woman In Black I haven’t written any new reviews for Centrefolds & Empty Screens. This isn’t because I’m bored of the website or have run out of ideas, but because I’m currently covering the Glasgow Film Festival for HeyUGuys.

The festival runs up until Sunday, February 26, so until then I won’t be posting as much on here, but instead focusing my efforts on ensuring the Glasgow Film Festival coverage is to the highest standard possible. Continue reading “A Quick Message” →

DVD Releases: February 20, 2012

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Real Steel (Review) 

Director: Shawn Levy

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly and Dakota Goyo

Set in the near future, where robot boxing is a top sport, a struggling promoter feels he’s found a champion in a discarded robot. During his hopeful rise to the top, he discovers he has an 11-year-old son who wants to know his father.

Available on: DVD & Blu-Ray Continue reading “DVD Releases: February 20, 2012” →

Review: The Woman In Black (2012)

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The Woman In Black is the latest release in Hammer’s modern revival, coming hot on the heels of less-than-stellar fare Wake Wood, Let Me In and The Resident. Loosely adapted from Susan Hill’s novel of the same name by up-and-coming screenwriter Jane Goldman, The Woman In Black attempts to reclaim the spark that’s been missing from modern day horror productions through an eerie atmosphere and slow-burning minimalism.

Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a solicitor and father, is sent to a secluded village on the East Coast of England to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased Continue reading “Review: The Woman In Black (2012)” →