Found Footage 3D Review
The Plot
A group of filmmakers set out to make the first 3D found footage horror movie, but find themselves IN a found footage horror movie when the evil entity from their film escapes into their behind-the-scenes footage
The Good
The slasher genre has Scream, and now, the found footage genre has its equivalent in Steven DeGennaro’s fantastically written horror which sends up the genre perfectly, yet still manages to adhere to the rules. Focusing on the making-of documentary, Found Footage 3D sees 6 budding filmmakers trek out to a lonely cabin to try and break new mould in the found footage genre by adding a 3D element. Headed by the arrogant writer/lead actor Derek (Carter Roy), the film mixes it’s film-within-a-film neatly into the storyline as Derek’s idea, titled Spectre, struggles to stay alive with its ending still in limbo and a 3D enthusiasm for its lead character stapled in as a last minute explanation for the films stereoscopic style.Where Found Footage really succeeds is in its on the nose humour and ironic approach to the rules of the genre.
It’s not all tongue in cheek though. In its heart Found Footage is still a worthy addition to the genre and is better than most of the films that are churned out of the franchise these days. As director Andrew (Tom Saporito) wisely acknowledges, a found footage film needs to answer two main questions correctly in order for it to work, first: why are we filming? and second: why are we STILL filming? While Spectre doesn’t succeed in this respect, especially in terms of the second question, Found Footage manages to find a way to answer both perfectly.
Then there’s the horror element. Most of this is done through it’s irony, with Spectre’s scenes setting up an incoming jump scare for the audience which is practically pre warned, only to jump out before the fictional cameras start rolling. In addition to this we have Derek’s on set antics in which he attempts to keep the reality of the found footage idea alive outside of the film, adding to the unease.
The Bad
While Found Footage manages to skirt around most of the problems that come with the genre, there are still some elements that occasionally seep into the film that unfortunately can’t be completely deleted. One such problem is the camerawork, most of which is fairly stable but especially in its final moments becomes much more haphazard and travel sickness inducing.
The Ugly Truth
Steven DeGennaro has struck gold with the found footage genre in the same way that Scream did with the slasher, 20 years previously. It might not be enough to breathe new life into the idea that has been done to death by now, but it’s certainly one of the best attempts in a long time.
Review by Johnny Ellis
Knucklebones Review
The Plot
A group of bored college students unleash a murderous demon while playing a dice game made from human knucklebones.
The Good
Writer Mitch Wilson’s directorial debut brings one of the most exciting horror villains to life in the form of Knucklebones, a skull-headed demon who terrorises a group of young teenagers after they decide to play with pentagrams. Which is really never a good idea when it comes to horror. Fantastically played by Tom Zembrod, Knucklebones has managed to establish himself as an iconic horror villain that takes the bloodthirst of Jason Voorhees and the darkly camp humour of Freddy Kruger and mashes it together perfectly. Whether he’s terrorising his victims with his spine-tingling stalking skills or busting out some killer gags during his kills, Knucklebones is the first success in horror icons for a long long time.
Set in an abandoned warehouse where our main heroes decide to hang out in order to cheer up Neesa (Julin) after a breakup leads to a suicide attempt. Julin brings a strong central performance to the screen with the script managing to set up the premise at a steady pace which is surprising considering the three separate introductions it offers, first in 1944 with Nazis attempting to meddle with the cursed game, then again in 1977 where a young boy gets involved with Knucklebones, before landing on present day. It might sound like a lot but Wilson’s script manages to make the time fly by.
The Bad
If you’re going in expecting a great piece of filmmaking you may feel short-changed by the time the credits roll. It’s certainly no Shining, and really should be approached with the same attitude it clearly had during filming; good gory fun.
The Ugly Truth
At its essence, Knucklebones is a love letter to the slasher films of the 80s with some clear inspiration taken from icons such as Freddy and Jason, while still managing to produce an instant icon of its own. Here’s hoping this is just the start of the Knucklebones franchise.
Review by Johnny Ellis
The Love Witch Review
The Plot
Lovelorn young witch Elaine (Samantha Robinson) uses spells and potions to bring her everlasting romantic happiness.
The Good
Writer-director Anna Biller brings the years most beautiful film to life in this lovingly created world which offers up a symphony to exploitation cinema of the 60s and 70s. Samantha Robinson `brings a stunningly evocative performance to the screen as the titular Love Witch, Elaine, who moves to a new neighbourhood after becoming widowed from her previous boyfriend, in search of new love. Biller’s script manages to mix a strong female protagonist with the dated ideals of the films that inspired it as Elaine goes through life dreaming of being the perfect housewife for a willing man, only to have her exploits cut short by tragedy each time.
Set upon a backdrop of stunning scenery and cinematography that feels like it’s been plucked from the 1960s, it is hard to remind yourself that this is a modern film. With each and every costume detailed perfectly to bring this strange and wonderfully alluring world to life, The Love Witch feels like a film that could loop on your screen forever and never lose its charm.
The Bad
There really isn’t much to say against the film as a whole, but a couple of blink and you’ll miss them references to a world much more modern than the film originally sets out to portray, can’t go unmentioned. For much of the film, the set design is an utter joy to let wash over you, however, unfortunately things such as modern day cars in the frame can feel slightly jarring. This wouldn’t be too much of a problem had it been able to have been passed off as a simple mistake during filming. But then the idea of two vastly different time periods being mixed together is confirmed once more when a mobile phone appears and is used to further the plot. Had Biller simply kept the tone of the film firmly in the past, The Love Witch could have become an instant classic to be lost in amongst the cinema of a time gone by which clearly inspired it.
The Ugly Truth
Anna Biller has created one of the most stunningly attractive films of recent years which is at times surprising to remember it was made in the 21st century. Unfortunately the illusion becomes shattered a few times with the use of modern technology which ultimately feels incredibly out of place.
Review by Johnny Ellis
Steve McQueen Awarded BFI Fellowship
The BFI and BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express, today announces that Steve McQueen, the visionary Turner Prize-winning video artist and Oscar-winning producer, director and screenwriter will receive its highest accolade, the BFI Fellowship. The presentation will take place at the BFI London Film Festival’s annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday 15 October at Banqueting House.
Josh Berger CBE, Chair of the BFI, said:
“As winner of both the Turner Prize and an Academy Award®, Steve is pre-eminent in the world of film and the moving image. He is one of the most influential and important British artists of the past 25 years and his work, both short and long-form, has consistently explored the endurance of humanity – even when it is confronted by inhumane cruelty – with a poetry and visual style that he has made his own. We are thrilled that Steve is to become a BFI Fellow.”
Steve McQueen, commented
“I first walked into the BFI library and cinema 28 years ago. To think that I will now be a Fellow and honorary member, with such a distinguished list of people, is mind-blowing. I’m humbly honoured.”
The BFI Fellowship is the highest accolade the BFI Board of Governors can bestow, and at this year’s Festival it is awarded to Steve McQueen in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture, showcased in his range of artworks and three multi-award-winning features, Hunger (LFF 2008), Shame (LFF 2011) and 12 Years a Slave (LFF 2013).
Each year at the LFF Awards Ceremony a BFI Fellowship is bestowed on a film luminary. Previous BFI Fellowships have been presented at the ceremony to Cate Blanchett in 2015, Stephen Frears in 2014, the late Sir Christopher Lee in 2013, Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter in 2012, and David Cronenberg & Ralph Fiennes in 2011. Most recently, in February this year, Hugh Grant was also awarded the BFI Fellowship.
Steve McQueen (born London 1969) is a British artist and filmmaker. In 1996 he was the recipient of an ICA Futures Award, in 1998 he won a DAAD artist’s scholarship to Berlin and in 1999, as well as exhibiting at the ICA and at the Kunsthalle in Zürich, he won the Turner Prize. In 2003, McQueen was appointed ‘Official War Artist’ for the Iraq war by the Imperial War Museum and produced the poignant and controversial project Queen and Country, which is still ongoing. He has exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Musee d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, The Museum of Modern Art, Documenta X and XI, and, as well as exhibiting in numerous Venice Biennales, he represented Britain in the Biennale in 2009. His work is held in museum collections around the world, and a retrospective of his work was recently exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Schaulager in Basel. He was awarded the OBE in 2002 and the CBE in 2011.
In 2008, McQueen’s critically-acclaimed first feature, Hunger, won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and countless other international prizes. His second feature Shame, starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, won two Best Film awards when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2011, as well as winning Michael Fassbender the Volpi Cup for Best Actor. It is the second highest grossing NC-17-rated movie in US history. His third film, 12 Years A Slave, was adapted from a memoir by Solomon Northup. Released in 2013, the film boasted a cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt. The film has received numerous prizes, most notably winning three Academy Awards including the award for Best Picture. McQueen is the first black director or producer to receive this honour.
David Brent Life On The Road Review
The Plot
A camera crew catches up with David Brent (Ricky Gervais), the former star of The Office, as he now fancies himself a rockstar on the road.
The Good
Ricky Gervais’ most infamous creation returns to our screens and is bigger and better than ever in a new mockumentary that follows everyone’s favourite manager as he attempts to make it big in the music industry. It’s been thirteen years since The Office left our television screens but David Brent is still the same hilariously cringy character we know and love. Now working as a sales rep, Brent decides to use all his savings including his pension to take his band, Forgone Conclusion on the road for a tour.
As usual, Gervais’ writing is spot on with a constant stream of laughs from the very beginning. Part of this genius is in the songs which Brent performs himself with hilariously factual lyrics such as ‘Slough’ (‘equidistant ‘tween London and Reading’) and Native American’ (‘We’re more like west eurasians crossed with Siberians’). Each song drips with Brent’s trademark awkwardness.
Where the film works best however, is in its heartbreakingly funny scenes. Brent was always a character who was just devastatingly funny and it’s no different here. Whether he’s being kicked off his own tour bus to follow behind alone in his car, or having to pay his band to hang out for a post-gig drink, Gervais manages to tread the line of humour and empathy perfectly.
It’s not all about Brent though. Doc Brown gives a wonderful performance as Dom, Brents long-suffering rapper for the band who is brought on stage to accentuate certain songs thanks to his ethnic background. Not only is Brown a fantastic rapper, he also gets plenty of chances to showcase his acting skills as he puts up with Brent.
The Bad
As fun as it is however, Life On The Road does hit some bumps along the way especially towards its final third. Gervais’ directing style tries to stay true to its mockumentary origins but often slips into certain shots that just don’t fit the aesthetic. There’s also at least one slight glimmer of Gervais projecting a touch of Derek, his last TV character which, if you manage to spot it, can take you out of the film for a brief moment.
The Ugly Truth
Gervais brings some genuinely heartwarming moments and sidesplittingly hilarious ones to David Brent’s big screen outing. While there are issues with the films overall style, the substance is often more than enough to make you forget about it pretty quickly. Frankly though, it’s worth the price of admission for the soundtrack alone.
Review by Johnny Ellis