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Notebook Reviews: MYSTERY MEN - Movies In Focus
Kinka Usher – 1999. Mystery Men is a solid and good-looking superhero comedy. It has all the right elements, but somehow they fail to come together in a truly satisfying way. This features a great cast – Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, William H. Macy, Greg Kinnear, Claire Forlani and a raft of others – and they all do good work, although you can’t help feel that some of them are a little wasted. It’s all a bit chaotic and ultimately, it probably should have tried to do a little less and delivered a little more.
Podcast Episode 71: HIPPO Star & Co-writer Kimball Farley On The Quirky Indie Comedy - Movies In Focus
Kimball Farley, the star and co-writer of the new off-beat indie film Hippo joins this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. Directed by Mark H. Rapaport, Hippo is a black-and-white coming-of-age story set in the 1990s that explores the lives of two step-siblings. The film’s quirky tone – reminiscent of the films of Wes Anderson – is complemented by Eric Roberts’ excellent voice-over, which adds depth to the narrative’s stylised storytelling. Kimball discusses the creative process behind Hippo, its unique storytelling approach, and uncovers what makes this film a standout in modern indie cinema Listen below or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Notebook Reviews: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE - Movies In Focus
Tobe Hooper – 1974. Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a low budget and quite horrific horror pic that set the template for a plethora of other fright films. The set-up is a slow burn, but once things kick-0ff, it becomes unsettling – even though much of the violence is implied rather than seen. A visceral and powerful piece of movie-making.
Podcast Episode 70: Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez On THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT's Enduring Horror Legacy - Movies In Focus
Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez, the directors of the iconic horror film The Blair Witch Project join this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast. Released in 1999, The Blair Witch Project not only essentially created the found-footage genre but it also left an indelible mark on the landscape of independent cinema. Daniel and Eduardo share their insights on the film’s production – everything from its unique marketing strategy to the challenges they faced in bringing their vision to life. This is a fascinating conversation with two filmmakers who pushed the boundaries of cinema and redefined horror storytelling. It’s an engaging discussion that will illuminate the legacy of a film that continues to inspire filmmakers and frighten audiences around the world 25 years on. that continues to inspire filmmakers and frighten audiences around the world. The Blair Witch Project Limited Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray is available from Second Sight Films on 11th November 2024 –read the Movies In Focus review. Listen below or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Blu-ray Review: THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT - Still Great 25 Years On - Movies In Focus
Horror cinema was taken to a whole new level 25 years ago when The Blair Witch Project came out of nowhere, broke box office records – and for better or for worse – single-handedly ushered in the ‘found footage’ sub-genre. The set-up is simple, but the execution is exceptionally well handled. The 1999 pseudo-documentary opens with a title card that sums up the film better than I ever could: ”In October of 1994, three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland while shooting a documentary called ‘The Blair Witch Project’. A year later their footage was found.” Stars Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard – play the young filmmakers – fictional versions of themselves who go deep into the woods during the course of their film shoot. Tensions run high when the trio get lost – and then things start to go bump on the night. The Blair Witch Project helped change film-making – and film marketing forever. It showed Hollywood that the internet was an important way to hype films, without having to spend $100 million on promotion. Audiences believed the footage contained within Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez’s low budget fright pic was real [...]
Blu-ray Review: Rutger Hauer Is On The Road To Hell In THE HITCHER - Movies In Focus
A staple of video shops when it hit VHS in the 1980s (the artwork is forever seared into my brain), The Hitcher didn’t exactly set the box office alight on its cinematic release – but its reputation grew over time and it eventually became a cult classic. The Robert Harmon directed thriller sees Jim (C. Thomas Howell), a young motorist on a cross country car trip, get more than he bargained for when he picks up Rutger Hauer’s deadly hitch-hiker. Terrorised across the West Texas plains, The Hitcher leaves a trail of death and destruction as he pursues Jim in his twisted game of cat and mouse. The kind of well-made B-movie that you just don’t get any more, The Hitcher is a tightly constructed thriller that not only features good performances – but also looks great (thanks to Mad Max: Fury Road cinematographer John Seale). Hauer was always a unique screen presence – an actor who could get across an icy cool as well as a level of intelligence and sophistication. He’s at the peak of his power here, delivering a chilly turn as the titular character – a true demon in human form. C. Thomas Howell plays well [...]
Remembering The Great Lou Reed - Movies In Focus
Lou Reed was more than a rock star. He was a street poet, a purveyor of the grit and the grime of the under-belly of New York. His music was polarizing but also deeply influential. His late 60s work with Andy Warhol’s The Velvet Underground helped shape modern music. Not in a way like The Beatles or The Rolling Stones – no – The Velvet Underground took a different route; it was musical guerrilla warfare. Stealth. 1970 saw the release of Lou Reed’s self-titled debut, while he released Transformer in 1972. It was his masterpiece. Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, Transformer featured Walk On The Wild Side, Perfect Day, Vicious and Satellite of Love. That’s a heck of a line-up – and it’s only half the album. Berlin was a soft, almost spiritual release in 1974, while Metal Machine Music (1975) was an exercise in sonic distortion. The mellow Coney Island Baby drew on his love of Doo-wop and 1989’s New York was a mid-career masterpiece (featuring the classic Dirty Boulevard). Later releases saw a double album inspired by Edgar Allan Poe titled The Raven and his most recent release was Lulu with Metallica. Movie-wise, Reed’s music has [...]