Triple 9 Review

The Plot

A gang of criminals and corrupt cops find themselves resorting to increasingly desperate measures to meet the demands of a scheming mob mistress. With increasingly limited options, planning their biggest heist yet might mean they have to cross the ultimate line and kill one of their own..

The Good

Director John Hillcoat has a celebrated pedigree for bleak and distinctly violent drama. His work in adapting The Road and box office hit Lawless demonstrated a knack for balancing stark brutality with emotive storytelling. In Triple 9 he has assembled a host of talented and very familiar faces to bring a world of ruthless corruption to life. The film’s dirty visual flare matches the mood of the subject matter well. Likewise the film succeeds in injecting tangible senses of urgency into its frequent action sequences.

It’s hard to fault a cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet, Casey Affleck, Aaron Paul, Norman Reedus, Anthony Mackie, Clifton Collins Jr and Woody Harrelson. The film even throws some casual eye candy from Gal Gadot and Teresa Palmer at audiences. The cast all deliver committed and earnest performances that make the very best of the by the numbers action thriller material.

Chiwetel Ejiofor deserves particular credit for playing viciously against type, likewise recent BAFTA winner Kate Winselt for lending her award winning class to a decidedly trashy mobster role. Woody Harrelson and character actor Clifton Collins Jr add some typical flamboyance to proceedings while a convincingly heroic Casey Affleck gives audiences at least one good guy to root for.

Indeed Affleck’s success at establishing himself as an honest cop and likeable young family man is key to the film maintaining tension when his life quickly comes under threat from the corruption that surrounds him. The film at least tries to offer some depth and motivation for each character in its ensemble cast but Affleck’s rookie cop is at the centre of almost everything.

The Bad

Despite an impressive cast and acclaimed director Triple 9 struggles at times to distinguish itself from the rest of the increasingly saturated genre of heist thrillers and ‘dirty’ cop action flicks. It’s particularly hard to avoid obvious comparisons to films like Training Day and The Town. This film combines many elements of both those contemporary classic, largely treading across overly familiar ground no matter how competently it struts.

The film’s mostly bleak narrative and frequent bouts of violence won’t appeal to everyone of course. Audiences seeking the uncomplicated escapism of a blockbuster action film won’t welcome the effort to inject serious melodrama into satisfying mayhem. Likewise those mistakenly anticipating the latest thoughtful Kate Winselt dramatics won’t appreciate having a shotgun frequently brandished in their face by gang members & crooked cops.

The Ugly Truth

Triple 9 is a violent crime drama elevated from countless similar films mostly by an impressively assembled all-star cast. Though far from feel good the film remains at least compelling from its opening moments till its final shot.

Review by Russell Nelson

Arrowhead Review

The Plot

An interstellar Jekyll and Hyde, Arrowhead tells a tale of survival set amongst the distant stars. Kye is a prisoner of war caught between two armies, neither of whose ideology he believes in. When offered an opportunity for freedom, Kye sets out on one last rescue mission only to become stranded when his ship crash lands. Kye soon realises that the deadliest creature on the desert moon is himself.

The Good

Shot on a micro-budget in just 22 days in a remote corner of the Australian outback Arrowhead actually delivers a sincerely impressive production quality.

The film’s plot is built around several classic science fiction elements; namely galactic civil war, mysterious Alien dangers and strange anomalies in time & space. Taking those potentially overly familiar themes Arrowhead tires to actually focus on a more personal and metaphysical journey for one character dealing with the transformative effect of isolation. For ardent science fiction fans, it’s reminiscent of cult Dennis Quaid favourite Enemy Mine or more recently Duncan Jones critically praised Moon.

Leading the human cast Dan Mor manages to keep mercenary castaway Kye interesting and likable. With large portions of the film focused on his isolated existence and metaphysical anxieties the film could easily have struggled with a less emotive pair of eyes staring back at audiences.

Arrowhead also does a surprisingly good job of creating an expansive alien landscape, by re-imagining the barren Australian wilderness as a hostile and strange desert Moon. The simple addition of a couple of giant looming planets to the naturally vast skyline is a well-executed VFX trick that instantly gives the film a much needed sense of scale.

Likewise the film delivers a very convincing robotic sidekick for marooned hero Kye, thanks to a simple combination of practical effects and brief CGI additions. Mostly embodied on screen just by a glowing red light and a flickering computer monitor,  REEF is superbly brought to life by the vocal charms of Australian comedy veteran Shaun Micallef. It’s a character clearly crafted in the classic tradition of 2001’s infamous spaceship computer HAL. REEF’s detached and pleasantly placid tone of voice is ominous and amiable by equal measure. In many ways REEF serves as an emotional center for the film, alongside being a convenient tool for providing useful explanations of key plot points.

The Bad

There are a few moments where weaker VFX shots and a sparsely populated cast might be an unwelcome reminder for audiences of the time and budget restraints the film was admittedly made under. But in the context of low budget science fiction it’s fair to say countless other films have definitely achieved much less having squandered far more time and money.

Arrowhead has flashes of true class, showcasing some inventive practical effects and paying homage to great genre classics, though ultimately the film’s plot struggles to maintain focus particular in its later stages. Mutant monsters, galactic conspiracies and time travel are a lot for audiences to contend with simultaneously. So as the film makes its way through a series of plot twists and reveals it’s not entirely clear what the big picture is really supposed to mean.

It’s hard to entirely avoid the sense that the unanswered questions the films leaves and the meager human cast are both a result of budgetary constraints rather than conscious storytelling choices.

The Ugly Truth

Arrowhead is a proud piece of inventive small scale science fiction the makes the very most of a modest budget and some big ideas. Those mistakenly expecting blockbuster action should be aware this isn’t Starship Troopers or Avatar, but genre fans will enjoy a watchable film that mixes occasional action with metaphysical musings.

Review by Russell Nelson

Arrowhead is available on DVD and VOD from 22nd February 2016

BAFTA Launch 3 Day Guru Live Festival

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) today announced a brand new three-day festival that will give aspiring creatives the opportunity to meet and learn from leading names in the film, television and games industries.

BAFTA’s Guru Live will run from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly in London, and will feature masterclasses, panels and keynote talks by professionals including BAFTA winners and nominees. Tickets for individual sessions will cost £6, and professionals with at least six months’ experience will have the chance to purchase one of 150 all-access ‘Guru Pro’ tickets to the event, which include a day of bespoke one-to-one meetings and round tables with top industry speakers.

Guru Live is an extension of BAFTA Guru (www.bafta.org/guru), BAFTA’s online resource that shares advice and inspiration from the best creative minds working in film, television and games. Each day will focus on a different one of the three industries that BAFTA represents, and will comprise: a ‘Creative Keynote’ talk from a highly acclaimed figure; sessions covering specific craft skills and areas such as finance and distribution; case studies showcasing recent success stories; examples of cross-sector working; and networking events.

Speakers confirmed to attend include: games producer Dan Gray (Monument Valley); film producer Mark Herbert (This Is England, Submarine); games writer Meg Jayanth (80 Days); talent agent for film and television Sara Putt; and games creators Luke Whittaker and Katherine Bidwell (Lumino City).

Tim Hunter, Director of Learning and New Talent at BAFTA, said: “Guru Live brings our successful BAFTA Guru online channel to life, giving emerging talent the chance to learn first-hand from some of the leading figures in the moving image industries. Film, television and games can be among the hardest industries to break in to, so this opportunity to meet and engage with BAFTA members, nominees and winners is a brilliant way to help break down the barriers new talent may be facing. Guru Live also offers a chance for attendees to network with peers at a similar level, which is essential for career starters.

“We’ve already seen huge success with our previous industry-specific events Generation Next for television, Filmmakers Forum and Inside Games, and we’re looking forward to Guru Live streamlining the best elements of those events to create a new BAFTA flagship festival for anyone hoping to build a successful career in film, television or games.”

Applications for Guru Pro tickets, which cost £40, are open now at http://guru.bafta.org/live/pros and close on Wednesday 23 March. Bursaries will be available to support expenses. General admission tickets are priced at £6 per session and open for bookings on Monday 29 February. To book, go to:http://guru.bafta.org/live.

Guru Live has received funding from generous individuals and BAFTA partners supporting ‘Give Something Back’ – BAFTA’s campaign to support emerging talent from all backgrounds to enter the film, television and games industries.

Highlights from the event will be available on the BAFTA Guru website: www.bafta.org/guru.

High-Rise Poster & Interviews

Studiocanal has proudly revealed the final main poster for Ben Wheatley’s highly anticipated HIGH-RISE. Based on the novel by J.G. Ballard and starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss the film finally arrives in UK cinemas on 18th March. Official synopsis and exclusive interviews with Tom Hiddleston, the cast and Director Ben Wheatley below:

1975. Two miles west of London, Dr. Robert Laing moves into his new apartment seeking soulless anonymity, only to find that the building’s residents have no intention of leaving him alone. Resigned to the complex social dynamics unfolding around him, Laing bites the bullet and becomes neighbourly. As he struggles to establish his position, Laing’s good manners and sanity disintegrate along with the building. The lights go out and the lifts fail but the party goes on. People are the problem. Booze is the currency. Sex is the panacea. Only much later, as he sits on his balcony eating the architect’s dog, does Dr. Robert Laing finally feel at home.

Grammy Awards 2016 Key Winners List

Here’s the full list of the notable winners at the biggest night in the music calendar, the 58th Grammy Awards 2016.  Lady Gaga performed an elaborate tribute piece to musical icon David Bowie at the star studded ceremony, but the night belonged to Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar. Swift won the album of the year award for the second time while Lamar won five awards, the most for any individual artist at this year’s event. Full details below of nominees and winners for key categories out of the 83 actually awarded. 

Record of the year

Really Love – D’Angelo and the Vanguard
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars – WINNER
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Blank Space – Taylor Swift
Can’t Feel My Face – the Weeknd

Album of the year

Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes
To Pimp a Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
1989 – Taylor Swift – WINNER
Beauty Behind the Madness – the Weeknd

Song of the year

Alright – Kendrick Lamar
Blank Space – Taylor Swift
Girl Crush – Little Big Town
See You Again – Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran – WINNER

Best new artist

Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor – WINNER

Best pop solo performance

Heartbeat Song – Kelly Clarkson
Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran – WINNER
Blank Space – Taylor Swift
Can’t Feel My Face – the Weeknd

Best pop duo/group performance

Ship to Wreck – Florence + The Machine
Sugar – Maroon 5
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars – WINNER
Bad Blood – Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar
See You Again – Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth

Best pop vocal album

Piece By Piece – Kelly Clarkson
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence + The Machine
Uptown Special – Mark Ronson
1989 – Taylor Swift – WINNER
Before This World – James Taylor

Best dance recording

We’re All We Need – Above & Beyond featuring Zoë Johnston
Go – the Chemical Brothers
Never Catch Me – Flying Lotus featuring Kendrick Lamar
Runaway (U & I) – Galantis
Where Are Ü Now – Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber – WINNER

Best dance/electronic album

Our Love – Caribou
Born in the Echoes – the Chemical Brothers
Caracal – Disclosure
In Colour – Jamie xx
Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü – Skrillex and Diplo – WINNER

Best rock performance

Don’t Wanna Fight – Alabama Shakes – WINNER
What Kind of Man – Florence + the Machine
Something From Nothing – Foo Fighters
Ex’s & Oh’s – Elle King
Moaning Lisa Smile – Wolf Alice

Best metal performance

Identity – August Burns Red
Cirice – Ghost – WINNER!
512 – Lamb Of God
Thank You – Sevendust
Custer – Slipknot

Best rock song

Don’t Wanna Fight – Alabama Shakes – WINNER
Ex’s & Oh’s – Elle King
Hold Back the River – James Bay
Lydia – Highly Suspect
What Kind Of Man – Florence + The Machine

Best rock album

Chaos and the Calm – James Bay
Kintsugi – Death Cab For Cutie
Mister Asylum – Highly Suspect
Drones – Muse – WINNER
.5: The Gray Chapter – Slipknot

Best alternative music album

Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes – WINNER
Vulnicura – Björk
The Waterfall – My Morning Jacket
Currents – Tame Impala
Star Wars – Wilco

Best R&B performance

If I Don’t Have You – Tamar Braxton
Rise Up – Andra Day
Breathing Underwater – Hiatus Kaiyote
Planes – Jeremiah featuring J Cole
Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey) – the Weeknd – WINNER

Best R&B song

Coffee – Miguel
Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey) – the Weeknd
Let It Burn – Jazmine Sullivan
Really Love – D’Angelo and the Vanguard – WINNER
Shame – Tyrese

Best urban contemporary album

Ego Death – the Internet
You Should Be Here – Kehlani
Blood – Lianne La Havas
Wildheart – Miguel
Beauty Behind the Madness – the Weeknd – WINNER

Best R&B album

Coming Home – Leon Bridges
Black Messiah – D’Angelo and the Vanguard – WINNER
Cheers to the Fall – Andra Day
Reality Show – Jazmine Sullivan
Forever Charlie – Charlie Wilson

Best rap performance

Apparently – J Cole
Back to Back – Drake
Trap Queen – Fetty Wap
Alright – Kendrick Lamar – WINNER
Truffle Butter – Nicki Minaj featuring Drake & Lil Wayne
All Day – Kanye West featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom and Paul McCartney

Best rap/sung collaboration

One Man Can Change the World – Big Sean featuring Kanye West and John Legend
Glory – Common and John Legend
Classic Man – Jidenna featuring Roman GianArthur
These Walls – Kendrick Lamar featuring Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat – WINNER
Only – Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown

Best rap song

All Day – Kanye West featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom and Paul McCartney
Alright – Kendrick Lamar – WINNER
Energy – Drake
Glory – Common & John Legend
Trap Queen – Fetty Wap

Best rap album

2014 Forest Hills Drive – J Cole
Compton – Dr Dre
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late – Drake
To Pimp a Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar – WINNER
The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj

Best country solo performance

Burning House – Cam
Traveller – Chris Stapleton – WINNER
Little Toy Guns – Carrie Underwood
John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16 – Keith Urban
Chances Are – Lee Ann Womack

Best country duo/group performance

Stay a Little Longer – Brothers Osborne
If I Needed You – Joey+Rory
The Driver – Charles Kelley, Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay
Girl Crush – Little Big Town
Lonely Tonight – Blake Shelton featuring Ashley Monroe

Best country song

Chances Are – Lee Ann Womack
Diamond Rings and Old Barstools – Tim McGraw
Girl Crush – Little Big Town – WINNER
Hold My Hand – Brandy Clark
Traveller – Chris Stapleton

Best country album

Montevallo – Sam Hunt
Pain Killer – Little Big Town
The Blade – Ashley Monroe
Pageant Material – Kacey Musgraves
Traveller – Chris Stapleton – WINNER

Best compilation soundtrack for visual media

Empire: Season 1
Fifty Shades of Grey
Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me – WINNER
Pitch Perfect 2
Selma

Producer of the year, non-classical

Jeff Bhasker – WINNER!
Dave Cobb
Diplo
Larry Klein
Blake Mills

Best music video

LSD – A$AP Rocky
I Feel Love (Every Million Miles) – The Dead Weather
Alright – Kendrick Lamar
Bad Blood – Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar – WINNER
Freedom – Pharrell Williams

Best music film

Mr Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown – James Brown
Sonic Highways – Foo Fighters
What Happened, Miss Simone? – Nina Simone
The Wall – Roger Waters
Amy – Amy Winehouse – WINNER