GREAT NIGHT IN: THE FIGHTER (R2 DVD)

"It’s time to step back inside the ring with Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, starring together in this powerful true story of two brothers fighting against the odds to secure a historic title match. As is often the case, the biggest battle takes place outside the ring, as Micky and Dicky struggle to keep their feuding family from tearing itself apart. David O.Russell (Three Kings) takes to the director’s chair, bringing with him a top-notch cast that includes Melissa Leo, Jack McGee and a screen stealing turn from Amy Adams.

Struggling boxer Micky Ward (Wahlberg) has long been overshadowed by his older brother and trainer, Dicky (Bale), a local legend who is now battling his own demons. The explosive relationship they share threatens to take them both down, but at the heart of their tale is a bond of blood that may prove to be their only shot at redemption. Bartender Charlene (Adams) proves to be a worthy adversary for the Ward clan when she starts dating Micky, and it’s her influence that threatens to derail the entire family. Will Micky make it without his brother at his side; will Dicky overcome his drug addiction, and how many boxing movie clichés will go the distance in O.Russell’s sublime boxing drama?

The Fighter walks the same path as every other successful sports drama, and the outcome is obvious from the start. Every character is flawed in one way or another, and Scott Silver’s script comes with very few surprises, but that’s my one and only criticism of this exhilarating boxing drama. The performances are spot on. Bale slims down once again to play a drug-fuelled local hero, under the illusion that a local film crew are making a film about his overdue comeback. Wahlberg is restrained by comparison but no less intoxicating, though it’s Amy Adams who impresses most with a gutsy turn that should secure her a future beyond musical Disney fare and Muppet movies.

The Fighter refuses to break new ground with its familiar blend of gritty drama, stirring action and domestic chaos, but with three stunning lead turns to fall back on, David O.Russell ensures that you won’t be throwing in the towel. The Fighter, for want of a better line, is an absolute knockout."

REVIEW: DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME (R2 DVD)

Film: Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
UK Release date: Out now
Certificate: 15
Running time: 119 mins
Director: Tsui Hark
Starring: Andy Lau, Carina Lau Ka Ling, Lee Bing bing, Deng Chao, Tony Leung Ka Fai
Genre: Crime/Action/Fantasy
Studio: Cine Asia
Format: DVD
Country: China
Reviewer: Daryl Wing

In most cases, a film in the whodunit genre suffers second time round for obvious reasons – the outcome is no longer a riddle, no matter how unfathomable previously, while its twists and turns lack the thrill of the chase on repeat viewings. Therefore, it’s welcome relief that Director Tsui Hark (Once Upon A Time in China) has teamed up with writer Chen Kuo Fu (The Message, Double Vision) and choreographer Sammo Hung to add some much needed action to proceedings. But will the interesting premise of a detective story crossed with a historical actioner set during the Tang dynasty bring the audience back for more?

A series of mysterious murders involving internal combustion is seemingly going to prevent the inauguration of China's first Empress (Carina Lau). She is forced to seek help from Detective Dee (Andy Lau), renowned as the greatest investigative mind and Kung Fu Master of his generation.

Bringing him back from exile to embark on a manhunt, the reluctant Dee is helped by Wu’s loyal aide (Li Bingbing), and it isn’t long before their progress is hindered by fire beetles, creepy assassins and double-crossers, who will all go to murderous lengths to stop the coronation and destroy the empire once and for all…

With a tepid opening, including laughable attempts to set people on fire using computer generated images (it doesn’t bode well), Detective Dee is initially a bit of a struggle. Hindered further by obvious wire-work throughout and a rugged hero you would normally see sitting beneath a cashpoint in town begging for change, it’s difficult to see where the entertainment is going to come from.

It’s also hard to decide whether or not the plentiful use of CGI here is necessary. Sure, the landscapes and backdrops are dazzling, and they sit nicely with the style of the film, but at times it feels a little bit too artificial, as if we’re watching a detective story more akin to Scooby Doo rather than Sherlock Holmes. The underground city, with its ghostly villains, is the only exception, with a spooky setting that works well and manages to send a shiver or two down the spine. However, with a plot struggling to make sense of suspicions and internecine strife, it’s a relief when the action takes over and we’re catapulted into a fantasy fight-fest.

Choreographed by Hong Kong maestro Sammo Hung, the action is inventive and exhilarating for the most part, whether Dee is battling against the feisty Jinger (the film’s highlight), sparring with super-villains or dueling with a yakking deer. The latter, despite its weirdness, somehow doesn’t sit out of place, and actually offers some edge-of-the-seat entertainment when it finally kicks off. The wire-work still grates at times, but with scenes so swift and energetic, it’s hard not to get sucked into such a bizarre world; its lengthy running time barely noticeable thanks to the plot’s cracking pace.

With Tsui Hark needing to rediscover some of his early style and verve it was unlikely that his impressive cast was ever going to let him down. Having said that, they barely get a chance to endear themselves to the audience because characterization and development is ditched in favour of a speedy storyline, allowing little time to breath with set-piece after set-piece unleashed on the giddy audience. Lau will please most, especially post-shave, but at times he does seem to be strolling, longing for a meatier role, and it would’ve been more interesting to see him continue with his Jack Sparrow impersonation, rather than a fancy-footed Jack Bauer.

Western audiences will probably lap this up, and will no doubt enjoy the tongue-in-cheek vibe that complements the frenetic action, especially when Dee explores the darkly sinister netherworld during the second act, devouring its delicious villains engineering outrageous methods to inflict damage on Dee’s quest. The soundtrack more than matches the look of a film that somehow comes at a fraction of the cost of a Hollywood blockbuster and yet still feels like one.

Tsui Hark keeps the film quirky and engaging thanks to a beautiful visual sense filled with unexpected, for its genre, poetic touches and costumes straight out of a fairy tale. The whodunit may be predictable (it certainly won’t tax the brain) but it’s also ultimately pointless, and in that sense Detective Dee surprises – you won’t be bothered in the slightest as the mask is whipped from our antagonist’s noggin - you’ll just be relishing another body-busting battle instead.

Add to that the welcome twists in the final act, with the auteur embracing his “to achieve greatness, everyone is expendable” line by making sure we understand that no-one (almost) is safe, and you’ll soon forgive, or even forget, the slow opening with its poor effects and lazily sped-up rooftop action.


Detective Dee abandons the mystery its audience may expect and replaces it with gorgeous visuals, breathtaking action sequences and a few quirky touches that transform this slow-starter into a satisfying actioner worthy of your attention.

REVIEW: BLACK BELT (R2 DVD)

Film: Black Belt

UK Release date: 8th August 2011

Certificate: TBC

Director: Shunichi Nagasaki

Starring: Akihito Yagi, Tatsuya Naka, Yuji Suzuki

Genre: Martial Arts/Drama

Format: DVD

Country: Japan

Reviewer: Adam Wing

It would be easy to mistake Kuru-Obi (Black Belt) for yet another martial arts movie, until you take into consideration the presence of director Nagasaki Shunichi that is, which changes the shape of the film completely. A highly accomplished filmmaker best known for art house efforts, which suggests that Shunichi might not be familiar to a Western audience or fans of mainstream action fare.

If that’s what you’re expecting from Kuru-Obi then look away now; Black Belt is a sombre affair with art house credentials, so I very much doubt that Donnie Yen will be knocking on his door anytime soon. Kuru-Obi follows the journey of three karate experts in 1930s Japan. Giryu (Yagi Akihito), Taikan (Naka Tatsuya), and Choei (Suzuki Yuji) study karate at a reclusive dojo in 1932 Kyushu under master Shibahara (Owada Shinya).

When the military come to take over their dojo, lives take a drastic turn for everybody involved. The students resist the advancement, with Giryu making a fool of military commander Tanahara (Hakuryu) in battle. Shamed by his loss, Tanahara commits seppuku (the Japanese ritual of suicide by disembowelment) and his wife and daughter come looking for revenge.

Giryu, being a peace-loving soul, allows himself to be stabbed in an attempt to bring escalating matters to a close, resulting in near fatal wounds. Taikan, meanwhile, is forced to join the army when they return with guns, where he takes on the role of karate instructor. A tatty black belt, handed down to them by their sensei, who decided on his deathbed that they themselves must decide who will become the sensei’s successor, throws loyalty, friendship and betrayal into the mix.

The final decision rests with the weakest of the three, Choei, while the growing rivalry between Giryu and Taikan ensures an energetic finale. Taikan has grown increasingly aggressive, and his downward spiral sets him on a course, rather inevitably, toward a final showdown with former ally Giryu...

While I appreciate the technical aspects of the film, particularly the use of bona fide martial artists rather than poster boy pinups, I do have one niggling concern when it comes to karate movies – they’re just not that exciting. Any attention to authenticity should be applauded, but when it comes to action spectacle, Black Belt fails to set the pulse racing.

Kuru-Obi is a movie about karate, so don’t be fooled into thinking it’s the latest Jackie Chan film, Nagasaki Shunichi has delivered a slow-burning drama that dips its toes in occasional action undertones. It’s a movie that puts character first, drama second and beautiful scenery third. Any suggestion of wire-fu, slow-mo or flying swordsmen is frowned upon, because Black Belt is proud to wear its art house credentials on its sleeve.

The plot itself is very straightforward, if not a little unlikely in the harsh light of day. The way in which the different elements come together is suspiciously convenient, resulting in a final face-off that lacks believability. Not so much with the fight itself, that like all the battles presented here provides intense realism. In saying that, it's hard to ignore four drawn out minutes of rolling around in the mud - like I mentioned earlier, of all the martial arts studied in the world today, karate could never be considered the most cinematic.

The actors commit themselves to the task at hand, but Black Belt fails to find its feet on so many levels. Most of the supporting players are one-dimensional, and a confusing finale sees the feuding factions come together in order to gaze upon the final showdown. I’m guessing they beat the crap out of each other after the final credits roll...

Karate connoisseurs will no doubt lap up the attention to detail, but for me, Nagasaki Shunichi has delivered a wishy-washy period drama that plods along at a tortoise like speed. The occasional use of black and white suggests that I should take the film more seriously, as does the flight of a red balloon that lacks any kind of true significance, but to be completely honest, Black Belt’s moody exterior did nothing to brighten my day.

If you like your action authentic and your drama painstakingly thoughtful, Black Belt could prove to be a worthwhile venture. For me though, it’s back to the works of Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa, because when all's said and done, what Kuru-Obi really needed was a monstrous herd of ground-pounding elephants.

EIGHTIES CLASSIC: SAVAGE STREETS (1984)

"She may have her knockers but I love Linda Blair. It's something I just can't explain. Yes, The Exorcist (1973) is my second favourite film of all time but that isn't it - she was just a God-hating whippersnapper that swore a lot. And no, the poster for this movie has nothing to do with it (and if it did, her tastefully titillating scene in the bathtub would bare no relevance). The opportunity to watch her kick serious ass when a group of violent thugs rape her handicapped sister is bound to make my head spin, emitting the projectile vomiting, of course...

The plot is straightforward enough, and yet being the eighties, with not a lot of demanding roles for women available, it's refreshing to see an opening act that includes no less than a dozen women revealing their talents, some more tastefully than others, whether it be a soapy bitch-fight in the shower rooms or a knife-wielding animal whipping them out just for the fun of it.

Having said that, although there are few surprises or bursts of originality (Blair and Perle do eventually deliver), there is a desire to entertain - and on those teasing terms it works - every shot is awash with delightful imagery (Blair in her opening figure-hugging outfit a sheer joy, her final tackle trapping more than the sublimely sinister villains). It may be ridiculously trashy in places,  its Grease meets Westside Story setting a bonus, but director Danny Steinmann manages to add to a surprisingly intriguing piece of work some of the best dialogue ever ("Go fuck an iceberg" my personal favourite).

The script has its flaws - I mean, where are the parents - but it delivers its thrills in abundance, with performances that are solid enough (Robert Dryer is brilliantly unlikeable, Blair making fascinating eye candy), the action is handled well despite the film facing financial ruin after a couple of weeks, and the soundtrack - well - you can't get any more eighties than this. Hard,  brutal and cheesily entertaining, Savage Streets still manages to tickle in an extremely pleasing way - what more could you want?"

GREAT NIGHT IN: I AM NUMBER FOUR (R2 DVD)

"John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is an extraordinary teen hiding his true identity to elude a deadly enemy sent to destroy him. Living with his guardian (Timothy Olyphant), he moves from town to town in an attempt to stay anonymous. This being an American teen sci-fi movie, he also encounters his first love (Dianna Agron, TV's Glee), not to mention her resentful ex-boyfriend (Jake Abel). I Am Number Four is a new action movie directed by D.J. Caruso (Disturbia) and produced by Michael Bay (Transformers), so it's pretty obvious what to expect then.

Based on a novel by Jobie Hughes and James Frey, the first ten minutes are disturbingly bland. The opening action sequence is lost beneath a blanket of darkness and ‘voiceover guy’ insists on revealing the entire plot, removing any sense of intrigue in the process. Within minutes we are familiar with the word Mogadorian and planet Lorien, it all sounds a bit daft really.

It would be easy to dismiss I Am Number Four as another Hollywood production by numbers, the characters are all stereotypes, the plot twists are worryingly predictable, and its not until the final act that I Am Number Four develops a welcome sense of humour. Fortunately, the whole ‘worryingly predictable’ thing works in the movies favour, because I Am Number Four plays out in exactly the way you would want it to.

The action sequences are fast and frantic, the bad guys are joyously evil, plot developments are introduced at a pitch-perfect pace and the whole thing comes together in an unashamedly OTT special effects finale. Number six makes a brief yet welcome appearance, the door is left open for a sequel and Bernie Kosar steals the show with his casually cool canine antics.

Who cares if half the cast look way too old? Who cares if the addition of Sam Goode (Callan McAuliffe) is one character arc too many (at least until a sequel puts his theories to test)? Who cares if John Smith’s powers lend more to lazy scriptwriting than genuine ability? Roswell used the same trick every week and it’s not as if that show got cancelled… what’s that you say?

I Am Number Four makes all the right moves in all the right places, and I didn’t even have to mention Glee's Dianna Agron (beyond beautiful). You can rip it apart if you want to, most of the film critics did, but I Am Number Four is unadulterated escapism of the highest order. Even if it does beg the question, ‘where the hell is Number five?"

REVIEW: THE SILENT HOUSE (BLU-RAY/R2 DVD)

Film: The Silent House

UK Release date: 1st August 2011

Certificate: 15

Running time: 86 mins

Director: Gustavo Hernandez

Starring: Florencia Colucci, Abel Tripaldi, Gustavo Alonso, Maria Salazar

Genre: Drama/Horror

Studio: Optimum

Format: Bluray/DVD

Country: Uruguay

Reviewer: Adam Wing

In this day and age you need a great hook if you’re going to make an impact in the world of horror, but on paper, The Silent House reads like every other low budget thriller made in the last ten years. It’s a Uruguayan Spanish-language horror film directed by Gustavo Hernández, inspired by real events that took place in the 1940s. The Silent House is a low budget affair, filmed in much the same style as REC and The Last Exorcism, with a plot reminiscent of every Asian ghost story made since the success of Ringu back in ’98.

What sets The Silent House apart from its rivals is the fact that it was filmed in one continuous shot, which gives you 78 minutes of unadulterated terror, filmed in real time. It’s been billed as the first ever single-take horror film, which is all well and good if you’re talking about technical achievements (an achievement that remains under dispute by the way), but The Silent House should be judged on one thing and one thing alone. Will it scare the bejesus out of you?

Laura (Florencia Colucci) and her father (Gustavo Alonso) arrive at a cottage in the middle of nowhere, planning to repair it so that the owner (Abel Tripaldi) can put it on sale. Which means, rather inevitably, that they will have to spend the night in order to start repairs the following day. It’s not long before the first horror movie cliché is ticked off, as Laura hears a sound coming from upstairs.

Everybody knows you shouldn’t investigate strange noises, but we wouldn’t have a very interesting story if they didn’t, so Wilson goes to see what’s going on while Laura remains downstairs, alone, waiting for her father’s return. It’s a simple premise then, one that focuses on Laura’s attempts to stay alive, and one that we’ve witnessed countless times before.

The Silent House won’t blow you away with its uninspired approach to storytelling and characterisation; Gustavo Hernández has delivered a straightforward horror film that lacks both coherence and originality. The twists that come are interesting, but even on first viewing they don’t add up. I’m all for taking giant leaps of faith when it comes to shocking denouements, but the final reveal lacks true conviction. Perhaps I missed something, but Gustavo Hernández seems more interested in hoodwinking the audience than making a film of genuine substance. Having said that, if you can overlook the lack of closure, The Silent House more than compensates with genuine thrills and spills.

Hernández sure knows how to make a horror movie, and The Silent House screams loudest with its slow build of tension, eerie set design and snappy shocks. There’s nothing particularly original in its delivery, once again we find ourselves surfing the wave of loud noises, spine-tingling nursery rhymes and figures lurking in the dark, but it’s the effectiveness that shatters. The Silent House kept me on tenterhooks throughout, and Hernández’ timing is impeccable; keeping things moving with well timed shocks and effortless scares. Florencia Colucci impresses in the lead role, and even with little dialogue to speak of, there’s no denying you’ll feel her every heartbeat.

If that isn’t scary enough, you wont be surprised to learn that a Hollywood remake is already in production. At the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Chris Kentis and Laura Lau presented an English-language remake entitled Silent House, starring Elizabeth Olsen (younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley). For now though, catch the original movie on DVD and Blu-ray.

The Silent House starts slow, but a gentle drip feed of dread should keep your cushion occupied. It’s not perfect, but any qualms over inconsistencies are soon forgotten as the exemplary execution and efficient blend of scares kick in. Gustavo Hernández is a name to keep an eye on then, and The Silent House emerges as a horror movie worth shouting about.

REVIEW: THE PACK (R2 DVD)

Film: The Pack

UK Release date: TBC

Certificate: 18

Director: Frank Richard

Starring: Yolande Moreau, Emilie Dequenne, Benjamin Biolay

Genre: Horror

Format: DVD

Country: France

Reviewer: Adam Wing

Billed as a French horror comedy, Franck Richard’s The Pack (La Meute) rips flesh from several breeds of horror and throws them in a blender. After being hassled by a motorbike gang in the middle of nowhere, loner Charlotte Massot (Emilie Dequenne) picks up hitchhiker Max (Benjamin Biolay) for added security. When Max goes missing at the La Spack truck-stop café and she investigates his disappearance, Charlotte discovers that she’s being set up to take part in an unholy ritual. Philippe Nahon and Yolande Moreau join Dequenne and Biolay in this peculiar take on the zombie sub-genre.

Three horror movies for the price of one, that’s what you get when you spend the night with The Pack. Coming on like The Ordeal, Franck Richard’s debut introduces a familiar collection of oddball characters and quirky situations. The fledgling director laces the first act with an eerie unease that rarely strays from the lines of conformity, but his suspenseful build up remains suitably sinister and casually cool.

The second act changes direction completely, treading familiar terrain graced by the likes of Saw and Hostel, as Charlotte finds herself locked up and tortured for reasons unknown. Unlike recent French horror outing Caged, The Pack keeps its cards close to its chest. The big reveal doesn’t drag the movie down to predictable levels of humdrum horror cliché, and the second act closes with a promising twist that takes the film into darker territory. The final act plays its joker, or rather its zombie card, and Franck Richard piles on the darkness with relative success. The ending is perhaps confused, but there’s much to enjoy in this darkly comic feature debut.

Strong performances are a necessity, and Emilie Dequenne and Yolande Moreau are on hand to deliver the goods. Dequenne makes for a gutsy heroine, feisty at first but increasingly vulnerable as the shit hits the fan. Moreau utilises every inch of her hulking frame, overflowing with screen presence and subtle menace, La Spack is a memorable screen villain we need to see more of. The supporting players are a curious bunch, but they sure make the most of their limited screen time. You have to feel sorry for the French Tourist Board though, heaven knows why anybody would want to holiday in France after watching films like The Pack, even the local cop wears a t-shirt that reads ‘Fuck on the first date’, and he’s supposed to be the respectable one.

The Pack’s biggest failing is that it doesn’t know what kind of horror movie it wants to be; Franck Richard changes direction on two occasions and fully succeeds in neither. It’s not quite bizarre enough to satisfy the offbeat sect and not quite gory enough to impress the extremists, furthermore, any attempts at tension are rarely sustained beyond initial intrigue. Having said that, The Pack more than succeeds from a visual standpoint, and Franck Richard has a healthy future in horror if he can build upon his impressive camerawork and heart stopping visuals. The zombie/monster hybrids might look like they’ve been ripped from the caves of The Descent, but their welcome intrusion keeps the rotting flesh of zombie horror both fresh and invigorating.

The Pack tips its blood soaked hat to the many components of modern horror, but outstays its welcome in none of them. What it lacks in terror, suspense and horror, it makes up for in foreboding tone, absurd humour, compelling performances and disturbing visuals. It’s easy to see why some people might come away disappointed, but The Pack remains a curiously compelling experience all the same.

The results are uneven but entertaining none the less, and the new wave of French horror continues to impress with The Packs uncompromising style and offbeat sensibilities.

REVIEW: TRAIL OF THE SCREAMING FOREHEAD (R2 DVD)

Film: Trail Of The Screaming Forehead

UK Release date: Out now

Certificate: PG

Running time: Long enough

Director: Larry Blamire

Starring: Daniel Roebuck, Susan McConnell, Fay Masterson
Genre: Comedy/Spoof

Format: DVD

Reviewer: Adam Wing

Comedy. It’s an acquired taste. With that in mind, I’d like to make a few things clear - that would be me. Airplane. Not funny. Leslie Nielsen. Not funny. Chevy Chase. Not funny. Lee Evans. Funny (even if he does make me feel uncomfortable with his relentless sweating). The Mighty Boosh. Not funny. Harry Hill. Not funny. Leigh Francis. Not funny. My Family… are they even calling that comedy these days? Ricky Gervais. Funny. Steve Merchant. Funny. Michael McIntyre. Funny. Stewart Francis. Funny. Kevin Bridges. Funny. Simon Pegg. Funny. Dumb & Dumber. Funny. Steve Carell. Funny. Comedy, like I say, very much an acquired taste.

Larry Blamire, best known for cult favourite The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, returns to writing, directing and producing with a loving tribute to 60’s sci-fi movies. Lets just make another thing clear - I hate spoofs. Sorry, I should’ve gone with ‘tributes’. It’s not just a loathing for Leslie Nielsen that draws me to that conclusion, whether you want to call them spoofs or tributes, lazy writing is lazy writing. This might perk your interest though; he also directed Johnny Slade’s Greatest Hits, produced by and starring John Fiore, not to mention some of The Soprano’s cast. That’s pretty much all I have to say on the subject. I really miss The Soprano’s…

‘Terror strikes the sleepy burg of Longhead Bay when creeping alien foreheads begin attaching themselves to local townspeople and seizing their very souls - launching a vast invasion from Outer Space!’ Believe me, that last statement makes it sound so much more enticing than it actually is. By a remarkable coincidence, sexy, arrogant scientist Sheila Bexter (Fay Masterson) begins testing her theory that the forehead, not the brain, is the seat of all human knowledge. She formulates a human extract and convinces gullible colleague Dr. Phillip Latham (Andrew Parks) that with enough Foreheadazine he can become the most brilliant scientist in the world! Note the exclamation marks, makes it all sound so very exciting… doesn’t it!?!

Catastrophe reigns when the ill-fated experiment goes horribly wrong while the entire town is taken over by sinister brow-like nightmares in a terrifying cataclysm of Corpses and Chaos! There’s that exclamation mark again, time to get on with the review me thinks.

Things get off to a good start with a musical number performed by The Manhattan Transfer, that’s pretty much the only positive I have to offer on this particular review. It’s clear from the outset whether or not this is your kind of film, if lines like “Why must you always ask questions about things you want answers to?” are the kind of thing that float your boat then you’re onto a winner. Memorable exchanges include “Then you really could help me?”, “I’ll do better than that, I’ll assist you anyway I can”. It’s all very smart, and not at all tedious in any way. The characters act, talk and behave like assholes. If this were a 5-minute short then so be it, but 90 minutes of smart-arsed wordplay becomes incredibly tiresome, and if Trails of the Screaming Forehead is some kind of joke, I’m really not in on it.

For some of you, I’m talking to die-hard Larry Blamire fans here, the promise of a witty script and below-par special effects will instantly appeal. The nonsensical plot with alien foreheads will be a joy to watch, and anyone with a penchant for trashy cult cinema, not to mention so-bad-it’s-good-but actually not that good belly laughs, will find Trail of the Screaming Forehead immensely satisfying. The cast are certainly in on the joke, loving every minute of this warped, sporadically entertaining spoof of the sci-fi genre. It’s just a shame that I didn’t get the memo.

Maybe it is the best film ever made. Maybe Leigh Francis is in fact a comedy genius and My Family is in fact the best comedy show in the history of television. Maybe, just maybe. The fact that I’d never heard of Larry Blamire before this speaks volumes to me, and I doubt very much I’ll be hearing from him again. Comedy. It’s an acquired taste for sure. We’ll leave it at that.

TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE: COLD FISH (R2 DVD)

Film: Cold Fish
UK Release date: 27th June 2011
Certificate: 18
Running time: 144 mins
Director: Sion Sono
Starring: Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Denden, Asuka Kurosawa, Mugumi Kagurazaka, Hikari Kajiwara
Genre: Drama/Thriller
Studio: Third Window
Format: DVD
Country: Japan

Inspired by the Saitama Dog Lover Serial Murders that came to light in 1993, involving the exploits of Gen Sekine and his ex-wife Hiroko Kazama who would breed then sell rare hounds, killing any buyer that felt robbed by their extortionate valuations, the latest offering from cult Japanese writer-director Sion Sono (Love Exposure) swaps the lovable mutts for tropical fish. So is Cold Fish the compelling thriller it claims to be, or will we be tossing it back from whence it came?

Shamoto is struggling to run a small tropical fish shop with his second wife, Taeko, and his troublesome daughter, Mitsuko. When Mitsuko is caught shoplifting at a grocery store they meet a friendly man named Murata, who helps to settle things between Mitsuko and the store manager.

Since Murata also runs a tropical fish shop, Shamoto establishes a bond with him and they become friends. Mitsuko is offered work by Murata, who suggests she stay with him and his wife at their beautiful home, allowing Shamoto to rebuild his relationship with Taeko.

All seems well, but Murata hides many dark secrets behind his friendly exterior. Selling cheap fish to his customers for high prices with his artful lies, if anyone suspects fraud or refuses to go along with his moneymaking schemes they’re murdered and their bodies disposed.

With Mitsuko a seemingly willing hostage at Murata’s home and Shamoto fooled into becoming a business partner, it isn’t long before the mild-mannered shopkeeper has to take a stand in order to save his family, and himself...

He said: The quirky opening act pulls the viewer into a simple world, and thanks to strong performances by all the leads, we quickly empathise with Shamoto, a man as wet as the weather, and his family as they struggle to face up to their problems. At the same time we fall for the smooth-talking, charismatic Murata, and his beautiful wife, and we’re hoodwinked by his successful business, but we’re also suspicious of their motives and keenness to befriend such a disillusioned protagonist when surely they don’t need the inconvenience.

She said: Cold Fish clocks in at just under two and a half hours, but the leisurely pace does nothing to distort this thoroughly disturbing drama.

He said:  Padding out most of the running time with lessons in how to dismember a body, intercut with dodgy double-crossings, passionless poisoning and repetitive threats to make people ‘invisible’, Sion Sono fails to find a spark for the majority of a lengthy second act.

She said: Blessed with a slow, deliberate and absorbing pace, Cold Fish reels you in with its offbeat characters, dire situations and curious relationships. Despite the subject matter, Sono’s picture remains suitably restrained, and it’s only in the final act that all hell breaks loose, erupting in an orgy of violence, vengeance and bloody retribution.

He said: Uneventful in the extreme, it’s only worth watching if you plan on becoming a butcher.

She said: Mitsuru Fukikoshi makes for a captivating lead, a success in itself considering the tragic picture he paints, his is a mild mannered performance underplayed at every turn. Shamato is a mournful figure, the kind of character you really want to slap, and his weakness threatens to consume all that he encounters. You can’t help thinking he got lucky with second wife Taeko, because Megumi Kagurazaka makes for an arresting presence throughout.

He said: His wife Taeko has her knockers, her worth to the story questionable, but her fans will argue they’re all that matters.

She said: Sono takes great pleasure in the twisted, sexually depraved relationships that form, ensuring a morally ambiguous tone that disturbs and delights in equal measures.

He said: The film also suffers from an extremely negative portrayal of its female characters, whether it be Taeko’s untold hankering for a high-handed partner (the perfect excuse to give her impressive globes an airing - no doubt what attracted her star-gazing husband in the first place), Murata’s indecisive wife who gets her kicks from entrusting herself to no one as long as she gets what she wants (a good excuse to get it all out), the ungrateful daughter whom apparently hates her family yet hardly utters a word in disgust, and six other teenage disciples that work for Murata at his enormous fish emporium with no hint of backstories (a good excuse to have a bit of girl on girl action though).

She said: Cold Fish swims in dark waters but that’s not to say it isn’t funny, as with most of Sono’s work, an undercurrent of black humour makes waves at every turn. The final act is both shocking and extreme, but its beautifully played by the remaining cast members. Events spiral out of control as Shamato edges towards inevitable insanity, and the drip-feed of disillusionment ignites with style and flare.

He said: With all of its horrific activity confined to the final third, Cold Fish is therefore hard work for the most part, and when it does finally indulge in the red stuff, including a fantastic struggle through slippery entrails, you’ll still be slightly surprised by Shamoto’s sudden transformation from lifeless loser to complete fruitcake.

She said: With dysfunctional characters, distressing subject matter and a running time that could test your patience, Cold Fish is hardly a feel-good romp. Sono rewards the viewer with a meaningful, harrowing and deeply disturbing tale that can’t fail to impress.

He said: Cold Fish starts promisingly but loses its way during the bloodless flimsiness of its second act which refuses to end, or in fact add anything remotely interesting until the ruthless finale that lacks originality and isn’t as clever as it thinks it is. To quote our leading man, life is pain, and it doesn’t get much more painful than watching this.

She said:  Sion Sono cements his name at the top of the Japanese film industry, delivering a deliriously deranged denouement that unsettles and satisfies with alarming intensity, and the rest of the film isn’t too bad either. Extreme cinema without a doubt, extremely good that is, and indisputably one of the films of the year.

HAIRY LOVE-EGGS: PAUL (R2 DVD/BLURAY)

"Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) reunite for this comedy adventure as two sci-fi geeks whose pilgrimage takes them to America's UFO heartland. While there, they accidentally meet an alien called Paul (Seth Rogen) who takes them on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever...

• Click below to see the trailer and a special Play.com shout out from Messrs. Frost & Pegg!
  
  
  
  
• Extended feature
• Theatrical Feature Commentary with Director Greg Mottola and Stars Simon Pegg and Nicki Frost
• Bloopers
• The Evolution of Paul
• Simon Silly Faces
• Who the hell is Adam Shadowchild?
• Galleries
• Between The Lightning Strikes: The Making Of Paul

Forget the opening ten minutes, even if Comic-con looks awesome, because Pegg and Frost clearly didn't want to upset any of their fans (although I'm sure that the geeks, I mean nerds, could take a hit or two) and begin tamely, including an excruciating scene back at the hotel when clad in only their dressing gowns. Soon after, however, they meet Paul (Rogen is the star of the show) and it all kicks off.

Actors	Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Sigourney Weaver, Jane Lynch, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Blythe Danner, Jeffrey Tambor, David Koechner & Jesse Plemons
Director	Greg Mottola
Certificate	15 years and over
Year	2011
Screen	Widescreen
Languages	English - Dolby Digital (5.1)
Additional Languages	English Audio Description Track
Region	Region 2 - Will only play on European Region 2 or multi-region DVD players.

 

Average rating (19 reviews)

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SPACE MAN BALLS!!!

PATCHES1989 | 16/02/2011 | See all PATCHES1989's reviews (501) »

Top 100 DVD Reviewer

Another brilliant duet for Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as they are 2 geeks travelling across America to the major alien landmarks until they come across an alien called Paul voiced by Seth Rogen who arguably made the whole film come together. The comedy is fresh and to the point and make references to some great sci fi movies previously. Pegg, Frost and Rogen have great chemistry together which makes it so funny and Sigourney Weavers cameo is brilliant definately a high point in the movie...one to be watched i doubt there will be a funnier film than this in 2011. Enjoy

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"..FANTASTIC COMEDY GEM.."

sdx800 | 14/04/2011 | See all sdx800's reviews (996) »

Number 1 DVD Reviewer

The Simon Pegg and Nick Frost combination certainly does not get old, they belong together!! This movie is pure comedy gold from beginning to end with hilarity around every corner! The story is great, the supporting cast is brilliant, the jokes are spot on perfect, you really need to be a bit of a fan boy to appreciate some of them as there are a lot of lines that are geeky quotes from Star Wars, Aliens and a whole host of other sci-fi classics! The movie has a fresh originality too! The Alien Paul is brilliant and very well voiced by Seth Rogen a good choice for this part! Over all if you love a good funny comedy that also has a fun story then dont miss this!!!

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only ok

Aerosmithno1 | 10/04/2011 | See all Aerosmithno1's reviews (8) »

i had high hopes for this movie, but sadly it failed to deliver. after seeing hot fuzz and shaun of the dead i was really looking forward to this one. the only thing i can say is, its just not that good. the jokes weren't that funny, the acting was not up to simon peggs and nick frost usual standards that could have made this movie great, and i believe what really let this movie down was the fact that it was aimed at the american audience. so believe me when i say that there were cliches galore. all seems lost then a happy ending etc........... it would have been so much better if it had remained a british comedy. overall it's okay, just don't let the kids see it, as some of the language is appalling.

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amazing

StaceyD1991 | 11/04/2011 | See all StaceyD1991's reviews (2) »

saw this at the cinema TWICE, i loved it, really funny, full of nerdy comments that if you've seen alot of sci fi films you'll get them!! good balance between sarcastic british humour and american humour

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Disappointing

wonderboy | 22/04/2011 | See all wonderboy's reviews (5) »

I'm a big Frost Peggy fan and love Spaced, Hot Fuzz and of course the legendary SOTD. It's worth noting that these were all directed by Edgar Wright with their creative input.
I saw Paul at the cinema and, like everyone else expected more of the same. Unfortunately what followed was fart jokes and very flat humour, the Alien might as well have been a pixie for all the difference it made.
This was their first outing without Edgar Wright and they admitted (on Kermode Radio 5) that they had to sacrifice creative input to satisfy the money men, it cost something like $50M.
Very disappointing, worth renting but not buying.

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With our three leads all getting a goodly share in the cream of the script's sparkling repartee, and Jason Bateman coming complete with all the trappings of a textbook dastardly villian, the story is at its most interesting when the chase begins, whether it be the federal agents or the fanatical father in pursuit. The special effects make it all so believable, most notably in the creation of our alien protagonist, and the finale is a joy to watch. 

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A comedy wouldn't be a comedy without the humour, of course, and although some gags are a little bit repetitive, especially the three-titted alien (have they not seen Total Recall?), most find their target in the crudest and best possible way. There may not be the biggest plot in the world, but there are some wonderful nods to the classics, and the characters and action are diverting enough to ensure there's no time to ponder anything other than this laugh-out-loud comedy. Now, where's that space bear gone..."

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