Splice (2009)

Remember the alien big deal movie "Species" back in 1995? It did three things: introduce the world to snazzy CGI to depict gooey alien shape-shifting, made Natasha Henstridge an uberbabe, and reignited interest in the alien genre during a glut of sappy romantic comedies. It kinda changed the game for the 90s. And then as suddenly as it appeared, it disappeared (discounting the horrible Species 2 and Species 3 which not only paled in comparison but sucked donkey nuts); so for a while the movie was overrun with horror in place of terror. And now we're in the Noughties. And what do we have to make up for lost time in terms of alien / weird flesh-thing? We have Splice...

The Skinny: Two young geneticist Clive (Brody) and Elsa (Polley) accidentally become instrumental in the creation of a new sentient being after splicing human and animal DNA together. What pops out on the other side of cooking pot is Dren (Delphine), a female human/alien-like creature which changes and develops rapidly in terms of age, size, strength and finally something else altogether. Clive wants her destroyed, but Elsa does not as a bond is forged between the two. In arriving at a middle ground they bring Dren to the countryside to allow her space. Big mistake, as Dren comes to her own out there in the wilderness and fulfills her full potential. Madness, mayhem and terror ensues ... 

The Helmer: Vincenzo Natali - Paris je'taime (2006 - segment), Getting Gilliam (2005), Nothing (2003), Cypher (2002), Made in Canada: Volume 1 - Best of CFC (2002 v), Earth: Final Conflict (1998 - 1999 3 episodes TV), Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal (1998 1 episode TV), Cube (1997), Elevated (1997), Space Cases (1996 1 episode TV). 

The Casts: Adrien Brody (Clive Nicoli), Sarah Polley (Elsa Kast), Delphine Chaneac (Dren), Brandon McGibbon (Gavin Nicoli), Abigail Chu (Child Dren)

The Verdict: An intense, highly intelligent and effective sci-fi horror thriller which works on two levels: cementing the view that there are some areas mere mortals should not tread, and scaring us in the process. This movie is executive produced by the now legendary monster-with-personality maker Guillermo Del Toro. And it makes sense, as Natali is on his own is already established as the helmer of the 1997 cult classic Cube which successfully messed with millions of minds with its pre-Saw single-room terror thriller.

Official Trailer

Official Site

DVDs for the Weekend

Weekends are the great R&R of the long highway of work and life. Its time for you to hang ten, lay back and just enjoy the experience of taking it easy. And what better way of taking it easy than to kick back and enjoy with your loved ones, or alone, a collection of very enjoyable DVDs out in the market? Let these movies transport you away from the weekly working stress of earning a living ... 

Back to the Future (1985)

Hailed as one of Zemecki's better films during his career, this little gem from the 80s is a delightful punch in the face with an uplifting combination of high adventure, romance, great music and exciting moments of hilarity. Follow the unlikely adventure of skate-boarding, electric-guitar playing 17 year old Marty Mcfly as he rushes back 30 years to the past, then 30 years back to the future with a souped up re-engineered Delorean time machine to rescue and ensure that his parents kiss and start dating. Otherwise he will cease to exist...

This was the highlight of the amazing and ever-likeable Michael J Fox who proved that when the going gets tough, you slip on your Nike sneakers and jump right in. Christopher Lloyd shines as the lovable but completely insane Doc who invents the time machine, twice - in the present, and in the past. Great double team pitted against the effectively annoying Biff the big high school bully... Watch out for Hewie Lewie and the News' "The Power of Love" track, executed at the precise of moment when Marty kisses his GF in front of the town hall; amazing.

Official Trailer  


Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Academy Award winning masterpiece from Italian master story teller Guiseppe Tornatore, tells the sweeping epic love story of one boys love for a girl, and for an old cinema hall. The summary taken from imdb.com reads:    


"A boy who grew up in a native Sicilian Village returns home as a famous director after receiving news about the death of an old friend. Told in a flashback, Salvatore reminiscences about his childhood and his relationship with Alfredo, a projectionist at Cinema Paradiso. Under the fatherly influence of Alfredo, Salvatore fell in love with film making, with the duo spending many hours discussing about films and Alfredo painstakingly teaching Salvatore the skills that became a stepping stone for the young boy into the world of film making. The film brings the audience through the changes in cinema and the dying trade of traditional film making, editing and screening. It also explores a young boy's dream of leaving his little town to foray into the world outside. Written by Clarisse P."

The score for this film by Ennio Morricone expresses beautifully the innocence, the hope and the luxurious anguish of lost love, making it a perfect accompaniment to an amazing cinematic experience.  

Official Trailer  

Love Theme from Cinema Paradiso