In The Mouth of Madness (1994) with trailer

The last great John Carpenter film before he started to regurgitate and recycle his own movies. This is the final part of his apocalypse trilogy which started off with "The Thing" (1982), then following on with "The Prince Of Darkness"(1987) and ending with this Lovecraftian influenced story.

The story involves an author aptly named Stutter Cane (sounds remarkably similiar to Stephen King) who has disappeared on the eve of the launch of his latest masterpiece. Enter our "hero", John Trent (Sam Neill), an insurance fraud investigator hired by the publisher to locate the author and the unreleased novel. Rumblings through the press and media describe how some fans of the books become crazed and deranged by the effects the books have on them and become hysterical, eagerly awaiting the release of the forthcoming book.

Sceptical over the whole media circus revolving over the disappearance and believing it all to be a ploy to drum up more frenzy and interest for the new novel , Trent sets out to prove it as just a marketing strategy to increase sales. Accompanying Trent is Cane's editor Linda Styles (Julie Carmen), who tags along to make sure the novel is found and delivered on time for publication

Sam Neill as Trent

Over the course of the film Trent discovers not all what it seems. He tracks Cane down through his book covers which lead him a town written in his books called Hobb's End which doesn't appear on any maps and finds them driving on a freeway for hours and hours aimlessly before they suddenly stumble upon this eerie and dis-quietening town. Of course Trent still thinks that all of this is some sort of gimmick and a trick where the town and it's townsfolk are played by actors to represent the fictional characters along with the buildings and locations written in the novels by Cane. As the unexpected start to happen, Trent realises that the towns folk and the town isn't a theme park based on the books but in actual fact, reality and fiction mixing and merging where the words of the author becoming a deadly reality and leaving is not so easy.

That's the main arc of the narrative and Carpenter manages to weave the complex and interesting ideas which not all come off but manages to combine suspense with a few jumpy moments (some which are cheap and expected) but a John Carpenter film is always watchable. It's only let down by the sheer weight of the story, it doesn't finish as strongly as it starts. But that doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable film. The direction by Carpenter is by far the strongest element though soundtrack isn't one of the more memorable Carpenter compositions. The acting on the whole is good, though some actors do look a little out of place (Charlton Heston as the publisher being one) not saying the performances were bad, they just felt odd.

Jurgen Prochnow as Cane

There are some great set pieces and great build ups to some of the scenes that it makes me sad to think Carpenter hasn't had a hit or made a good film in such a long time. Like I stated at the beginning, this is the last great John Carpenter film which is cruelly unavailable in the UK (you can import the French DVD which is compatible in the UK but has French subs if you can stand it). I luckily have a copy as I was sick and tired of waiting for UK release. If you can find a copy on VHS or it scheduled to show on TV give it a go. The last great, master of suspense horror film that isn't all blood, guts and gore but a great showmanship of skill and talent from what was once a brilliant director who seems intent on tarnishing the memories of what was once a glittering career. I am holding my breath for his new film "The Ward" which is due to be released this year. Lets keep those fingers crossed....

16/20

Le Diner de Cons (1998) (Eng Title: The Dinner Game) with trailer

My expectations were not high for this French farcical comedy, but I was pleasant surprised at how funny yet simple the whole idea is. The narrative of the film is about a few upper class men who devise a little bet with each other on who could bring the most idiotic and simple guest to their dinner parties. Each one go and search for the ideal candidate to show off to the others, one of the men, Pierre Brochant (Thierry Lhermitt) believes he has found his winner....

Enter our idiot, Francois Pignon (Jacques Villeret) a tax official with a hobby of making historical monuments from matchsticks. When Pierre invites him round to examine his backing for the dinner games, he accidentally does his back in and is unable to attend the nights function. When Francois turns up, he inadvertently cause damage to Pierre, his life and his overall well being throughout the short running time of this feature.

The film tilts you to sympathises with our idiot as he comes across as this sad and lonely figure who feels flattered that he's being shown some form of acceptance that someone would be interested in his hobby and may publish his work in a book. A cruel joke which backfires on Pierre (who is also shown some brief glimpse of sympathy when everything that Francois does to help only makes matter worse!)

From mistaken identities, to a play on words and names, to ridiculous situations ranging from impersonating movie producers and hiding furniture's from a tax inspector, it's a witty and intelligent yet funny and madcap. The entire film is mainly set in an apartment in Paris and it's astonishing very well played out. The acting from both leads and the supporting cast are thoroughly solid. When you think things can't get any worse for Pierre, Francois goes ahead and tops his last effort trying to resolve or make things better for his new "friend" only for it to go from bad to worse. Even with the obvious set ups to the jokes and punchlines, it's still very funny, with the right amount of humour interlaced with unbelievable acts of buffoonery, the joke is never on the idiot but in actual fact lies with Pierre. We are invited to laugh at his ever worsening situation whilst Francois is just the innocent bystander who does and say stupid things but we are laughing with him more than at him.

The development of the characters (especially Francois) give the film it's heart. What starts out to be a film about the socially inept and idiots of this world turns out to show us that the refined, sophisticated and cultured men of this world are also idiots. They just don't show it outwardly like our films idiot!

Enjoyable and entertaining 80 minutes which I wholeheartedly recommend. It was just a shame that Hollywood has stolen this little film and remade it chuckle free starring Steve Carell and Paul Rudd (Dinner For Schmucks).

16/20

Haute Tension/High Tension (Switchblade Romance UK title) (2003)

A throwback to the old horror movies that were produce in the 70s and 80s, Haute Tension is an unrelenting, unflinching, uncompromisingly brutal and bloody affair. This second feature by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes remake, Piranha 3D) has made a film where your nerves and guts will be shredded and shaken, you'll feel so unbearable and uneasy about the whole experience that you'll wonder what the hell is going on.

The plot revolves around two friends Marie (Cecile De France) and Alexia (Maiwenn Le Besco) on a trip to visit Alexia's parents who so happens to live in a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere (as you do...). In the middle of the night a stranger rings on the doorbell and the start of their nightmare begins.


That's all I really want to say about the narrative as to say any more would ruin the film. There is an insurmountable tension to the whole opening massacre. You will feel breathless as you hold your breath to ensure the survival of our protagonist, you don't want to make a sound in case the killer is tipped off... (or is that just me?) and when you think that they can't kill a certain character, they do....animals and children are no exception to the brutality. The unnerving quietness to the countryside and the whole lack of dialogue that goes on throughout the film just adds to the atmosphere and trepidation.

The acting by both leads are what you'd expect from two terrorized characters from a horror film. There's an intensity, distressing and excruciating panic when Marie is hiding from the killer and at times unbearable. It's credit to them both that they bring so much emotion and agonizing anguish, we are rooting for them we get away from this unknown and unmotivated killer. A mention should go to the actor (Philippe Nahon) who plays the menacing killer who fills the screen up with his intimidating and frightening presences. 

Alexandre Aja calling card to Hollywood is an affective little number where gore and suspense is thrown up in equal measures. A fast paced and tightly edited, the gruesome violent deaths are handled with such extreme flair you'll forgive the final 10 minutes where the plot goes up in the air and you will be left feeling wtf? You will embrace it with open arms and think "wow was that what really happened"...or you'll be really peeved off by the whole thing, needless to say I initial found myself frustrated but, watching it back (and watching someone else's reaction to the whole thing) I fell utterly head over heels in love with it. I was so taken in by the whole tension, suspense and overall dread that the film feel creates and how we are willingly and hoping for our victims to survival the ordeal when in fact.....well, I probably said too much but you'll understand when see it.

If you can stomach the visceral effects and want to experience a gruelling, savage and terrifying film, look no further. A film that totally sucks you in and then spits you out leaving you feeling like your senses have been psychological assaulted and won't feel the same for days to come...

16/20

Slacker (1991) No Trailer but clip included

This second feature from writer and director Richard Linklater (which he also stars in) shows us the ambitious and rather avant garde techniques that can be achieved with little to no money. A (very) independent flick set in Austin, Texas, a film with no clear plot to speak of and no lead character (or big name star involved for that matter), you may be wondering what IS this film all about...well, it's more of an encapsulation of the slacker generation, the thoughts, the feelings and the general reflection of the Generation X'ers that grew up through during the 70s and 80s, living life through a disaffected 90s America ran by George Bush's presidency.

The film starts off with a character ("Should Have Stayed at Bus Station") on a bus coming into Austin and getting into a taxi.....what occurs next is a discussion (if you call a one way conversation a discussion) about alternative realities. When he gets outs the camera follows our first character where he comes across a hit and run victim on the road. As a few people gather the camera pans back and we see the card that hit the victim pull up outside his house where the action falls upon the next character ("Hit and Run Son") in this free form and free flowing narrative. To call it directionless is a bit too easy and very dismissive. It may seem like an unfocused story but it's suppose to be a snippet and quick glimpse into the lives of a group of hippies, conspiracy theorists, drop outs, bums...a whole spectrum of quirky and unique individuals. As we get passed on from one character to another we become more accustomed to the distinctive ways in which we follow the "story".

A film like this no major actors but having plenty of friends, family and amateur actors to help out, their performances and dialogue are truly varied and interesting. What comes across as random is actually a refreshing way in which we, as the viewer are never bogged down with any one character or location. We are eavesdropping into the lives of a cultural period and status in the early 90s. Not all characters are as strong as others but you're probably not expecting anything like Oscar winning performance but they do instill a sense of passion and pride in what they are doing and what they are talking about.

The topics ranging from being insightful, funny, sad, delightful, boring to very random and obscure things (such as trying to flog Madonna's pap smear). One of the funniest pieces of dialogue is between the "Traumatized Yacht Owner" and the "Happy-Go-Lucky Guy" in a cafe. This is probably one of the most bizarre yet equally entertaining lines from the film....I should know....I'm a medical doctor....

With such small scale budget comes a very unique and interesting look and capture of early 90s wasters and layabouts.A microcosm and episodic take on opinions, ideas and general thoughts about everything and nothing all at the same time. A film brimming with energy and is never confined onto one lead character, we get a sense of freedom that still feels wonderfully joyous. By no means is this any where near being a perfect film but you won't ever get bored by it's colourful characters all named after their actions or conversations.

Oh and this film influenced Kevin Smith to make "Clerks". An inspirational film for all budding film-makers out there who thinks it's too much hassle or costs too much money to make. Watch and be inspired.
(I couldn't find a trailer for this film but I have included my personal favourite scene from this movie)

16/20