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 

The Other Guys (2010)

The Skinny: The lesser of the two pairs of competing cop partners get into trouble when they take on their legendary counterparts. Will Ferrel and Mark Wahlberg square off against Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson with hilarious results. This is a coming of age story of two middle-aged men...

The Helmer: Adam McKay - Vida (2010), Saturday Night Live: Just Shorts (2009 TV), Eastbound and Down (2009 TV), Green Team (2008 V), Step Brothers (2008), The Landlord (2007), The Procedure (2007), Good Cop, Baby Cop (2007 V), Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby (2006), Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004).

The Casts: Mark Wahlberg (Det. Terry Hoitz), Will Ferrell (Detective Allen Gamble), Samuel L Jackson (Highsmith), Dwayne Johnson (Danson), Michael Keaton, Lindsay Sloane (Francine), Ray Stevenson (Wesley), Eva Mendez (Sheila Gamble), Steve Coogan (David Ershon)

The Prediction: McKay has directed Ferrell in several hit comedies over the years, and I can't see why he can't do it again with this buddy cop comedy, especially with straight man Wahberg. Its also good to see Jackson in a comedic role as well, something we haven't seen in a long while. As for the Rock, he just rocks in any movie he plays in. Anyway, from the trailer, this movie seems like the hot ticket for 2010. 

Release Date: 6th August 2010

Official Site 

The Other Guys Trailer 

Valhalla Rising (2010)

The Skinny:  Scotland 1000AD. Mute fighter, One Eye escapes captivity from his owner, Norse chieftain Barde who uses him as a fighting machine. On the run, he comes across a viking ship and joins the crew but is soon face to face with other trials ... only to find out what he really is.

The Helmer: Nicolas Winding Nefn - Bronson (2008), Miss Marple: Nemesis (2007 TV), I'm The Angel of Death: Pusher III (2005), With Blood on My Hands: Pusher II (2004), Fear X (2003), Bleeder (1999), Pusher (1996)

The Casts: Mads Mikelsen (One Eye), Jamie Sives (Gorm), Gary Lewis (Kare), Ewan Stewart (Eirik), Callum Mitchel (Viking Guard)

The Prediction: A 2009 limited released indie pic which looks very very promising, with strong kick-ass possibilities. Which is always a good thing in my books, any day of the week. A cast of complete unknowns except for Mads, who played the baddie in Casino Royale helmed by the guy who gave us the Pusher trilogy (see it here), this looks like a decent action flick with an amazing backdrop.


Release Date: 4th June 2010


Official Site

Valhalla Rising Trailer

Green Hornet (2011)

The Skinny: Crime-fighting Britt Reid is a reporter by day, and a ass-kicker by night aided by his oriental ass-kicking side kick Kato. What begins as revenge for the death of someone close to his dad (who owns the SENTINEL, a newspaper), turns into a career of fighting crime. Reid dons a mysterious face mask which covers his eyes and bridge of nose, to hide his true identity and gets down to business.

The Helmer: Michel Gondry - The Thorn in the heart (2009), Michel Gondy 2: More Videos Before and After DVD (2009), How to Blow Up a Helicopter (2009), The Flight of the Conchords (Ep 1 2009), Tokyo! (2008), Be Kind Rewind (2008), Les Science Des Reves (2007), The Willowz (2006), The Science of Sleep (2006), Block Party 2005), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).

The Casts: Seth Rogen (Britt Reid / Green Hornet), Jay Chou (Kato), Cameron Diaz (Lenore Case), Edward Furlong (Tupper)

The Prediction: For those who are culturally challenged, this is a remake of a 60s TV series which starred the mythical Bruce Lee as Kato the ass-kicking chinese side kick of this gwailo who wears a mask to fight bad guys and shoot them once in a while. This is the updated version. Personally, I don't see the cultural relevance of remaking this movie. Why? Because it aint got no Bruce Lee in it, buddy.The components of this movie is strange: helmed by French weird movie meister Gondry, led by fattish goofball turned skinny goofball Rogen, supported by aging chick Diaz and less than known oriental star Chou, played out in a comedic tone I'm just curious how this will come out. I'm also wondering who approved it, put up money for it, spent time and effort making it and had hopes of making money out of it. Honestly, I think the cast could do with an overhaul. I'm just not convinced with Rogen in the lead... but hey, I'm only human I could be proven wrong. And the trailer does in a way kick ass ... I just hope they dont make it too comical, because we dont want to see another Starsky and Hutch comedic redo. Which just sucks.


Release Date: 14th January 2011


Official Site 

The Green Hornet Trailer

Thor (2011)

The Skinny: Thor is thrown out of Asgard for his recklessness and nose dives onto Earth as punishment, to live among the mortals. It is on Earth where he learns humility and the true meaning of hero-ness-ship. And he has to tangle with his evil brother Loki and the badass comes a-calling ...
 

The Helmer: Kenneth Branagh - Sleuth (2007), The Magic Flute (2006), As You Like It (2006), Listening (2003), Love's Labour's Lost (2000), Hamlet (1996), A Midwinter's Tale (1995), Frankenstein (1994), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Peter's Friend (1992), Swan Song (1992), Dead Again (1991), Henry V (1989)

The Casts: Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Kat Dennings (Darcy), Ray Stevenson ((Volstagg), Anthony Hopkins (Odin)

The Prediction: Remember the end of Iron Man 2? Where the SHIELD agent was called away to attend to something big? And we were treated to a glimpse of something half buried in huge hole in the open desert? Obviously its Thor's hammer being uncovered. Obviously Thor is the next biggie coming up. Thor as in the god of thunder who is a doctor during his working hours, and a skirt wearing do gooder with super powers during other times. So yeah, Thor is coming up, thereby enlarging the Marvel comic universe to comprise of Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, now Thor and soon after the Avengers ...Should be good, but hopefully it will not go Cridown the road of destruction, otherwise known as Ang Lee's Incredible Hulk, where they get too thespianic for their own good. What we'd like to see is pure kick-ass poetry where the Hammer does ALL the talking. Oh yeah ...


Release Date: 6th May 2011 USA

Dinner for Schmucks (2010)

The Skinny: Rising executive Paul Rudd is keen to impress his bosses and will do anything to do please them including picking an unknowing candidate to be the idiot guest for the monthly dinner for idiots, where the bosses enjoy an evening of merriment at the expense of the unknowing guest. Cue Stever Carell's Barry ... an innocent idot savant who forges an unlikely friendship with Rudd. Now, with all the cards on the table, will Rudd do the right thing? 

The Helmer: Jay Roach - Recount (2008 TV), Earth to America (2005 TV), Meet the Fockers (2004), Austin Powers in Gold Member (2002), Meet the Parents (2000), Mystery, Alaska (1999), Austin Powers, the Spy who Shagged Me (1999), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Zoo Radio (1990).

The Casts: Steve Carell (Barry), Paul Rudd (Tim Wagner), Stephanie Szostak (Julie), Jermaine Clement (Kieran Vollard), Zack Galifianakis (Therman), Lucy Punch (Darla) Bruce Greenwood (Fender), Ron Livingston (Caldwell)

The Prediction: I like Steve Carell, and I'm beginning to like Paul Rudd too since his role in Role Models, where he finally established the kind of guy he was: someone who just doesnt care. And I have a fondness for Jay Roach as well, because he made me laugh till I peed my pants with the third and funniest installment of the Austin Powers series. So yes, I believe this movie is good, and should be watched by many. Go watch it!

Release Date: 30th July 2010 USA

Official Site and Trailer