Before Sunrise (1995) with Trailer

Linklater's simple yet highly enjoyable film where the two main performers are the key to the films success. Before Sunrise is another one of Richard Linklater's experimental films where the dialogue and performances are the main focus and the usual filmic techniques (like multiple edits, shots and angles) are abandoned for a more free form and relaxing capture of what genuinely feels like a blossoming relationship.

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are two strangers who meet on a eurorail heading towards Vienna. An argument between a German couple provides the excuse/reason for Celine (Delpy) to sit adjacent to Jesse (Hawke). Jesse takes this opportunity to talk to Celine. They sit together and share stories from childhood and the spark of a budding relationship begins to form. When the train finally stops in Vienna, Jesse plans to get off whereas Celine is suppose to be heading on and return home. Jesse decides to take a chance and invites Celine to spend a day in Vienna with him. He has no money for a hotel/accommodation and proposes that they spend the night exploring the city. With conversation flowing, it is clear that neither are ready to say goodbye, so with very little hesitation Celine departs the train with Jesse and we follow them as they wander through the streets of Vienna.

For those of you expecting dramatic action or dialogue, you are watching the wrong film. It goes from one conversation to another. It's set at a very leisurely pace as the two of them walk the streets of Vienna where they discuss things that come to mind. One scene has them being tracked through the streets in one continual shot which is marvellously done as both leads talk so naturally it feels like we are listening in on a private conversation. Their exchanges of conversation are not at all pompous or overly intellectual but consist of amusing observations, anecdotes and quirky ideas (like reincarnation and monkeys!)

There is one particular scene in the music store where they stand in a booth and listen to some music, quickly glancing at one another hoping for the other not to catch them looking. It's all too cute, touching and refreshingly genuine. This feels like a poignant moment in the film where as a viewer you finally allow yourself to hope and believe that from this chance encounter true love will in fact blossom. Unlike most romantic tales, this film doesn't hide the obvious attraction between the pair. There is no premise of unrequited love or denial of true feelings with the purpose of the film to show how against all odds this is overcome. The film purely relays all conversations shared from past experiences, ideals and opinions on everything no matter how insignificant, or obscure and from this their relationship grows. It's these little things that gives this film it's beauty and provides enjoyment. As their relationship unfolds it becomes more and more naturalistic and believable. Can two strangers meet and fall in love in one night? For those of you who hold some romantic notion/ideal then the answer would be yes, but for those cynics out there, you will probably think this is all too convenient. 

The two leads are extremely likable and very easy on the eyes, with a completely believable and very genuine look at two people falling for one another and with the film finishing with both characters promising to come back and reconnect, the film is left for us to imagine whether their love can truly blossom such is the way of the spirit of the film, very invigorating, imaginative and joyful to watch.

Acting 4.5/5

Technical Merit 4/5

Narrative 4/5

Entertainment 4.5/5

17/20

Cube (1997) With Trailer (contains a lot of plot points which may spoil ones enjoyment)

A group of strangers wake up to find themselves trapped in a never ending maze of rooms which all look identical but differ in colours and with some sprung with traps....That's all there is to it, to this simplistic yet highly inventive science fiction flick. Shot on a shoestring budget where each room is in fact just one room, lit and filmed in such a way, where our perceptions are skewed and the reality of thousand rooms seem possible.

Each person seemed to be picked at random where no one remembers how and why they were put in this giant maze. With the first character we come across merely on screen for a matter of minutes, is soon getting sliced and diced into a million pieces, we know it probably won't end well for the remaining people in the cube. The people that are left include a cop, a maths student, a doctor, an office worker, an escape artiste and an autistic adult. Each display the usual genre traits found within a film like this. A conspiracy theorist who suspects everything from the government to aliens, to a driven and angry man who will do anything to get out, a pessimist who see no point, to a maths whiz who may have the answer to solve the puzzle of the cube...which leaves our idiot savant. They all have a part to play in escaping to the real world and the only way they will do it, is by working together.

It's an original and obsorbing idea where the reason and logic of why they were ever put there isn't the driving force of the narrative or the most important thing. The questions are bought on by the characters when they bicker and argue about the purpose and reasoning behind the cube. The unravelling of each character is the main focal point and the inventive use of the rooms drives the film forward. As time goes by,  more secret is revealed. It's a study of the hidden side humanity and psyche.

Great use of low angle shots and tight close up provide a great sense of claustrophia which reflect in the characters' actions and repsonse to each other. As time wears on and hope begins to wan you already know where things are leading up to. A film not without faults though with such great ideas and vision it's hard not to like it's concept. Sure, some of the characters may seemed like they've just rolled off the factory line at villians r us but overall the characters are fully explored with each

given clear personality and purpose within the narrative.

Simple yet very effectively woven story with many clever ideas which pulls them off successfully and leaves you wanting more. With all small successful independant films though you know sequels will be made and made they were. They're not a patch on this original concept. Cube 2: Hypercube believes more is better and Cube Zero (a prequel)  tries to explain the unexplainable. Watch only to remind yourself what a great film this is, otherwise avoid.

Acting 3/5

Technical Merit 4/5

Narrative 4/5

Entertainment 4/5

15/20

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

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) with Trailer

A modern interpretation of an old western classic (Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo), it is a tense and tightly movie directed by the master of horror John Carpenter. It uses the old classic formula of a siege film done with a really small budget and shot in a relatively small amount of time (20 days I believe).


This re-make is relocated to modern 1970s LA and the action is set primarily in a soon to be abandoned police precinct. The narrative is very simplistic but very effective. The screenplay is so efficient no action is played out without pushing the narrative further. Every little detail placed within the film allows the film to flow without any unnecessary dialogue.

Napoleon Wilson (Darwin Joston)

The film starts off with the mysterious and menacing street gang wandering through an alleyway where they are ambushed by the police and are shot and killed. The remaining gang members forge a blood pact and aim to take no prisoners for the consequences of the slaying of their fellow gang members. The whole set up is done very quickly thereafter. We are introduced to the hero, Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker) and the archetypal anti-hero Napoleon Wilson (played with glee by the late Darwin Joston) in the first 10 minutes. Other characters come on screen and within minutes we can follow their preordain destiny. The father and daughter's path is on a collision course with the gang and the near abandoned police station is the setting for the unrelenting siege by the gang ready to kill any and all who get in their way.

The build up to it, is very expertly handled and the emotionless and remorseless gang move with such determination and purpose they become almost inhuman in their actions. Almost zombie like. There is hardly any dialogue and when they are shot and killed they barely make a sound and die lifelessly. It bears a remarkable similarity to The Night Of The Living Dead, what with both having black actors as their main leads and both being about the struggle and their ability to handle the unrelenting siege from the masses..

Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker)

It is without a doubt a remarkable achievement from John Carpenter and his gift as a composer is apparent (as with majority of his features) and is very effective at conveying a sense of dread and suspense. You can always tell if it's a John Carpenter movie just by listening to the atmospheric ambiance and his adept nature in efficient story telling. The acting isn't always great but what the film lacks in dramatic acting it makes up for suspenseful action. Always enjoyable to watch and one of Quentin Taratino's favourite films (but that shouldn't be the only reason to watch it). Search it out and you will not be disappointed. Oh and please try not to confuse this with the recent re-make starring Ethan Hunt and Laurence Fishburne, even though its has a bigger budget and bigger stars doesn't make it a better film... I'll just leave you this comment....Got a smoke...?

17/20