Blu-Ray Review: The Exterminator

Directed By James Glickenhaus

Starring: Robert Ginty, Christopher George, Steve James, Samantha Eggar

Synopsis:

Scorching the streets clean...

Flamethrowers ready as the alleyways of skid row are set ablaze with the brutal vengeance of one man... The Exterminator!

John Eastland has been to ‘Nam and he’s seen things... Things you wouldn’t believe. Surviving torture and witnessing the brutal deaths of his friends, John returns home to a tough neighbourhood in New York and his loving family. But when some local thugs take a crippling dislike to his best friend Mike, leaving him paralysed, something snaps in John. Did he fight the Vietcong for this?

Taking the law into his own hands, Eastland sets out to clean the streets of every low life, good for nothing gang banger, mobster and ghetto ghoul across the city in director James Glickenhaus’ (McBain) brutally violent vigilante classic.

Review:
The 70s spawned a wealth of gritty, sombre vigilante action movies. The most famous of these was the Dirty Harry series, (Ok, he was a cop but the style was more of a vigilante thriller than cop drama), and Death Wish. In fact the success of these movies paved the way for cheaper and sometimes, livelier, cash-ins.

Unlike some of its peers, The Exterminator escapes being 100% cheese by casting an actor in the lead that wasn’t a recognisable face or built like a brick out house. The softly spoken Robert Ginty wasn't your archetypal action hero but perfect for the role of a killer avenging an attack on his best friend, and then finding he likes taking out New York sleaze bags. It was almost an early Punisher film as the characters share some similarities and so do the set ups.

Glickenhaus was responsible for the silly but fun 1991 movie McBain and the also fun buddy cop thriller from 1988: Shakedown (known in the UK as Blue Jean Cop). Both McBain and The Exterminator show Viet Nam flashbacks. I prefer the over the top style of The Exterminator’s opening sequence; full of huge explosions and a memorable and grisly decapitation (courtesy of Stan Winston).

The audience is treated very much as an observer in The Exterminator. Glickhaus seems reticent in drawing the audience in, as if he wants to distance us from the actions of Ginty's John Eastland. After all, he does go about business in a particularly brutal and sadistic manner.

Christopher George (who you might recall from City of the Living Dead) is entertaining, but his scenes with Samantha Eggar seem superfluous and incites to the viewer to call for more brutal action. Steve James is woefully underused and it would be films like American Ninja that showcased his fighting skills and likeable personality. He died far too early at age 41.

I can't help thinking that Glickenhaus' vision wasn't quite met by the budget as the movie seems to be building towards a huge action set piece that doesn't get realised. This shouldn't put you off, The Exerminator is still worth watching.

The Picture and Audio Quality is much sharper than previous releases, although I much prefer the audio on the Synergy DVD release. However that release was a 4:3 ratio. The movie appears uncut but I think that it's missing a grisly image of two bad guys with their faces being eaten by rats. I can't get confirmation if it actually exists. 

Summary:
Ok, so seeing the softly spoken Ginty dispatching the bad guys with ever increasingly inventive ways seems a bit far fetched but if you want a cold hard real look at killing, this movie isn't it. If you want a fun revenge flick with dark overtones then this is the one to get hold of. Judging from the pack shots, Arrow have provided the standard
With Arrowdrome having released McBain, I can only hope they release other Glickenhaus movies, like The Soldier. Blu-Ray releases of Shakedown and the Jackie Chan vehicle, The Protector, would be very welcome.

The DVD or Blu-Ray contains:
- Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork
- Double-sided fold-out artwork poster
- Collector’s booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by critic David Hayles

The Blu-ray contains:
- Introduction to the film by director James Glickenhaus
- Fire and Slice: Making The Exterminator - An interview with James Glickenhaus
- 42nd Street Then and Now: A tour of New York's former sleaze circuit from director Frank Henenlotter
- Audio commentary with Mark Buntzman, producer of The Exterminator and writer/director of The Exterminator II, moderated by Calum Waddell.

Original Art by The Dude Designs

In original 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Original Uncompressed LPCM Mono Audio
Feature and extras 1080/24p Region ABC playable worldwide

Available now from all good stockists.

Blu-Ray Preview: A Lonely Place To Die

After closing Frightfest 2011 and enjoying a nationwide release, A Lonely Place to Die comes to DVD & Blu-ray 26 December with a whole host of extras.

Starring Melissa George (Triangle, 30 Days of Night) and directed by Julian Gilbey (Rise of the Footsoldier) the film centres around a group of five mountaineers who are climbing in the remote Scottish Highlands when they make a horrific discovery: a young girl buried in a small chamber, with only a small air pipe to the surface keeping her alive.

She is terrified, dehydrated and half-starved.  Deciding they must get her to safety, the group embark on a dangerous and nerve-racking descent.

Unwittingly, they’ve taken charge of a valuable bounty and are being hunted down by the girl’s ruthless kidnappers, who have everything at stake and nothing to lose.  Caught up in a terrifying game of cat and mouse, they are in mortal danger and there’s no easy way out.

Described by Total Film as hitting “like a bullet between the eyes”, this is the ultimate uncompromising and brutally realistic pursuit thriller.

ON DVD & BLU-RAY

26 DECEMBER 2011

Directed by

JULIAN GILBEY

Starring

MELISSA  GEORGE
ED SPELEERS
EAMONN WALKER
KAREL RODEN
SEAN HARRIS
KATE MAGOWAN

Extras:

The Making of A Lonely Place to Die – 70 mins approx (High Def) 

THE CHALLENGE OF THE ALPS  - Director Julian Gilbey attempts The Matterhorn and The Eiger – 17 mins approx (High Def)

Director’s Feature Length Audio Commentary

Theatrical trailer

Available at all good stockists from 26/12/11

Movie Preview: Villain

Villain

(CERT 15)

 

A film by Lee Sang-il (Hula Girls)
 

NOMINATED for 15 Japanese Academy Awards

 WINNER of 5 Japanese Academy Awards including:

 Best Actress, Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor and Music Score

WINNER ‘Best Actress – Eri Fukatsu’ – Montreal Film Festival

WINNER ‘Best Actor – Satoshi Tsumabuki’ – 53rd Blue Ribbon Awards
WINNER ‘Best Japanese Film of 2010’ – Kinema Junpo

 

Starring: Eri Fukatsu (The Magic Hour, Bayside Shakedown)

Satoshi Tsumabuki (Tokyo!, Villon’s Wife, Pandemic)

Hikari Mitsushima (Love Exposure, Death Note, Sawako Decides)

Masaki Okada (Confessions)


 

UK DVD RELEASE DATE:  5 December 2011

DVD EXTRA FEATURES:

Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer with 5.1 Surround Sound and optional English subtitles

1 Hour long ‘Making Of’

Discussion between director Lee Sang-il and actor Satoshi Tsumabuki

Theatrical Trailer

 

With over twenty companies bidding for the film adaptation rights, and many of Japan’s top directors vying for the project, Lee Sang-il’s adaptation of Shuichi Yoshida’s award-winning novel Villain was one of the most hotly anticipated films of 2010.  A critical hit at festivals both at home and abroad, Villain swept the board at the Japan Academy Awards, receiving fifteen nominations in thirteen categories, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Score, and winning awards in all four acting categories.  Villain was also selected by the famous Kinema Junpo critics’ organization as best Japanese film of the year.

Directed by Lee Sang-il, whose inspirational and hugely popular Hula Girls (2006) won Best Picture at the Japanese Academy Awards, Villain boasts a stellar cast headed by Tsumabuki Satoshi (“The Magic Hour”) and Fukatsu Eri (who won the Best Actress award at the 2010 Montreal World Film Festival for her stunning performance), with support from Mitsushima Hikari, (“Love Exposure”), Kiki Kirin (“Still Walking”), Emoto Akira (“April Bride”), and Okada Masaki (“Confessions”).  The music is composed by world-renowned
Joe Hisaishi, who has scored many films by Hayao Miyazaki and Takeshi Kitano.

Yuichi (Satoshi Tsumabuki) is a construction worker who has lived his entire life in a dreary fishing village. With no girlfriend or friends, he spends his days working and looking after his grandparents, with no enjoyment in life other than his car. Meanwhile, Mitsuyo (Eri Fukatsu) also lives a monotonous life pacing between the men’s clothing store where she works and the apartment where she lives with her sister. When the two lonely souls meet using an online dating site, they immediately fall in love with each other. But there’s a secret Yuichi had been keeping from Mitsuyo: Yuichi is the one suspected of killing the woman whose body was found at Mitsue Pass only a few days before...

As Yuichi and his new lover try to elude the police, the events that led up to the murder and its aftermath are revealed. We learn the stories of the victim, the murderer, and their families - stories of loneliness, love hotels, violence and desperation, exposing the inner lives of men and woman who are not everything they appear to be.

A heart rendering story with electrifying performances from the two leads, Villain works both as a powerful character study and as a gripping thriller with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. 

Villain is based on Shuichi Yoshida’s novel of the same name, which sold over half a million copies in Japan. It has just been translated to English and was released by Random House publishing on August 18th, 2011 – a day before the theatrical release of the film.

 

Certificate:  15; Running time:  140 mins; In Japanese with English subtitles; Colour/35mm and Digital release 

Blu-Ray Review: The Outsiders

Directed By Francis Ford Coppola

 

Starring: C Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane , Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, Leif Garrett

 

Synopsis:

 Teen rivalry in a small Southern town sets the stage for this dramatic interpretation of the novel by S.E. Hinton. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Outsiders tells the story of the ongoing conflict between the Greasers and the Socs in rural Oklahoma. C. Thomas Howell stars as Ponyboy, the youngest of three orphaned boys who pal around with the local hoods known as the Greasers. When Ponyboy and his friend (Ralph Macchio) get into a deadly confrontation one night, the two go on the run from the cops, and they grow up quickly and soon realize the insignificance of their petty posturing. Matt Dillon stars as the tough-as-nails leader of their group and Patrick Swayze appears as Ponyboy's oldest brother. A host of other 1980s Brat Pack celebs fill out the cast.

 

Review:

It’s been a great month for Coppola fans, thanks to StudioCanal, with The Conversation having made its Blu-Ray debut, and now The Outsiders. Based on the novel by S. E. Hinton, the movie is a coming of age drama with so much more to offer. This version is longer, has more of the book’s content and has replaced the score with songs from that period.

 

I have to admit, I ignored this movie when it came out. There was too much emphasis on “The Brat Pack” and it made the movie look more like a “chick flick” than a movie I would be interested in. This is a shame because I would have enjoyed it had I seen it. Instead, in 1983 I was watching movies like Risky Business, Lemon Popsicle and any video nasty I could rent. So, that comes some way to showing where my head was at, in 1983.

 

The stand out performance for me is from Patrick Swayze. He is as cool as he is in Dirty Dancing (yes, it’s a “chick flick” but Swayze is cool in it), Point Break and Roadhouse, but with a bit more emotion. He does far better with his emoting in The Outsiders than in Road House, when he finds Sam Elliot lying dead on the bar. The Swayze plays one of three Curtis brothers who, through awful circumstances, have had to live on their own. The pressure of working and providing has taken its toll on Darrel Curtis. Rob Lowe plays Soda Pop Curtis, with C Thomas Howell playing the youngest; Ponyboy. Howell puts in a powerhouse of a performance that eclipses most of the cast. There are no let downs in this film, but Howell does such an excellent job. Matt Dillon is also very good but plays to type. Matt Dillon always plays characters that you want to slap and he doesn’t disappoint here. That said, the climax of the movie is very moving thanks to Dillon’s turnaround and sympathetic performance as his character Dallas breaks apart. Ralph Macchio also tugs at the heartstrings with his performance as the fated Johnny Cade. Emilio Estevez is his usual cheeky self and provides some light relief at one point, which was needed. Although the movie looks as if it should be upbeat, it’s anything but. It’s contemplative and thought-provoking.

Tom Cruise is in this; young, dumb and full of…odd teeth. Yes, this movie was made before the Cruise-meister had his teeth done. He looks kind of like the backwoods redneck that he doesn’t look like in any of his other movies. (Unless he looks a little like this in All the Right Moves. I don’t think I’ve seen that). Mercifully, for the older, better looking TC, he doesn’t take up too much screen time.

The cinematography is outstanding and sometimes resembles the scope of Gone With the Wind, the movie based upon the novel that Ponyboy and … loved so much, especially the sunset. This, of course, all looks great on Blu-Ray. The picture quality is very good. Zoetrope Studios have treated the movie with understandable care.

 

Summary

Despite the film being set in 1967, it is still easy to identify with the characters in the movie. They’re well fleshed out in this version of the movie and although we don’t see enough of how the “Socs” live their lives (it’s very much about the “Greasers” as the title refers) we can see the tragedy behind the segregation of two opposing cultures in many things. The Blu-Ray looks and sounds great for a movie from 1983. This is a great movie for parents to watch with children in their early teens, or simply for adults who know the movie and want to see it in it’s best presentation.

 

Score: 8/10

 The Blu-Ray is out now from all good stockists.

CD Review: The Reasoning Live In The USA: The Bottle of Gettysburg

Most people think when I'm talking about The Cohens that I'm talking about The Coen brothers; the Directors of some fine classic movies like the constantly quoted The Big Lebowski. I'm actually, usually, talking about one of my favourite bands: Cardiff based, The Reasoning. They've been through some turbulent times but always come through it with spirit and the urge to go one better than before. This has inspired the following that this band have got. It's infectious, and this first official live album captures this spirit, perfectly.

My earlier crap joke aside, The Reasoning is the sum of it's parts;

Rachel Cohen: Vocals and Percussion
Owain Roberts: Guitar
Tony Turrell: Keyboards, Piano & Vocals
Matthew Cohen: Bass & Backing Vocals
Jake Bradford-Sharp: Drums & Backing Vocals

Rachel's vocals immediately show why she's won the Classic Rock Society's Best Female Vocalist Award for four years running; she really has the voice of a (Dark) Angel. She also owns the stage and mesmerises both men and women. It was a brave choice of the band to include "geeky" introductions, though. I now take a nap during those moments.

Owain has no credit for vocal but I'm sure I've heard something issue from that mouth of his. Anyway, he more than makes up for it by making the guitar sing, and sing sweetly it does, when need be and roar when it should. Along with John Mitchell, Owain is one of the most exciting and inventive young guitarists around. (I say young, compared to Steve Howe anyone is young).

Tony Turrell was an inspired addition to the band and has proven he can not only fill in for vocals but also add some synth in at the right moments to embellish existing tracks. It's the new arrangements of some tracks that help make The Reasoning exciting to watch and listen to. Tony plays keyboards the old fashioned way too, not just hitting buttons on a computer.

Matthew Cohen is the soul of the band; the backbone through his construction of bass lines through to the hard working promotion of the band, with the maintenance of friendships. Not entirely sure about the vocals but he gets the job done.

Jake Bradford-Sharp is one wiry, mean drummer and great to watch. His skills improve at each gig. A band like this need a strong drummer and they've got in Jake.

The tracklist of this live album is a good collection of past and present tracks:

Intro
Diamonds and Leather
Fallen Angels
The Nobody Effect
Shadows of the Mind
The Thirteenth Hour
How Far TO Fall?
Chasing Rainbows
14
Dark Angel
Aching Hunger

Diamonds and Leather is a storming way to open a gig. This live recording evokes precious memories from High Voltage 2010, when The Reasoning opened the Sunday on the Prog stage. Fantastic!
Ending with Aching Hunger, The Reasoning's anthemic interactive crowd pleaser, this is an album for those that enjoy good solid live albums. If you like live music, you'll want to uncork The Bottle of Gettysburg and Rock!

Buy the album right here: http://www.thereasoning.com/shop.php

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Blu-Ray Review: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Directed By: John McNaughton 

Starring: Michael Rooker, Tracy Arnold, Tom Towles

Synopsis:

Henry is an irredeemable psychopathic killer, a faceless, random murderer who targets mainly women. He ends up living with Otis, an ex-con acquaintance, and Otis’ young sister Becky, who’s just moved out to the city herself. In the course of his murder spree, he ends up taking Otis under his wing, while Becky becomes ever more enamoured with Henry’s stories of violence. Meanwhile, Otis’ lustful feelings for his sister start to become more apparent...

Review:

1986, when this film was made (it wasn’t actually released until 1991, not that it matters a great deal), there were no TV shows like Dexter where a serial killer is akin to a hero with everyday problems like looking after a child and wondering how I stop my sister from finding my blood samples. There was no CSI or Criminal Minds putting forth pop psychology soundbites on a serial killer’s motivations. In the movies we had Manhunter, where Francis Dolahyde is clearly given a back story that tugs at our sympathies until we witness, through his eyes, how he sees his world. So, when John McNaughton made this movie where we are complicit in the actions of the killer and seeing things in the same way as he does, it was a new concept: Because we are complicit in Henry’s life, and because the movie is so realistic, it’s not a nice place to be.

With the violence, there is nothing in Henry that’s any worse than in a good episode of Criminal Minds but it’s the grimy world in which Henry inhabits that makes the content less palatable and the way that it is presented.

McNaughton could have killed his career in making this movie, similarly to Michael Powell when he made the 1960 movie Peeping Tom, luckily, Henry was better received. The critical acclaim didn’t convince the MPAA or, initially, the BBFC. Henry went out unrated in the US . This is the kiss of death for a movie in the US . In the UK we got a slightly edited version. It’s the movies lack of apparent morality that troubles people the most. Yet, unlike movies like Silence of the Lambs (for example) there is no glorification of the subject matter.

The performances are raw and uncompromising. It was clear from this movie that Michael Rooker was a talent to be reckoned with. I recall, at the time, feeling the same about his performance as I did the entire movie; was it a bit too real? It didn’t hurt Rooker’s career. I last saw him in the first season of The Walking Dead and assume that we will see him again some time later in the story, perhaps as The Governor. We don’t get to learn what, if anything motivates Henry into killing the way he does. He is a true psychopath as in he feels little about it, whereas Otis is creepier because he should know better. Otis appears to get a kick out of it. 

Chicago is a character in the movie too. McNaughton shows us the seedier side of the city. Along with the rest of the movie, it’s dirty and grimy. Henry does for Chicago ’s tourist industry what the Texas Chainsaw Massacre did for Austin . Unlike cities portrayed in some films, I didn’t think “Ooo, I must visit Chicago next time I’m in the US . No sir. 

The Blu-Ray Picture Quality is what you should expect from this movie; grainy and grim. That said, it's still the best way to watch it. Everything is sharper than previous releases and it does help with a movie shot in the gloomy realistic style that McNaughton adopted.

Summary:

The ending is suitably chilling and downbeat. This is no feel good movie and is all the better for it. The honesty and frankness of the story telling is refreshing but only in that for the duration of the film you feel like you’re in a dirty, nicotine stained bubble and when the movie ends, you’ve gone out in the street and breathed in country air. This isn’t just another exploitation film despite the way it’s been treated. McNaughton’s film is something else entirely. It was a movie way ahead of it’s time and I truly believe that most people are ready for it now, even if it still has the power to shock, and make viewers uncomfortable. 

Score: 8/10

Blu-ray Extra Features

• Commentary with Director John McNaughton
• Portrait: The Making of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
• The Serial Killers: Henry Lee Lucas
• Interview with Director John Mcnaughton
• John Mcnaughton in conversation with Nigel Floyd
• Censorship History
• Deleted Scenes and Outtakes with Commentary by John Mcnaughton
• Stills Gallery
• Original Storyboards
• Trailer

The disc is available now from all the usual retailers.

For an alternative view, Mike has reviewed this on Flash-Bang:  Mike's Review

James Bond 23: Skyfall Speculation

From the Press Conference we know that there are three characters whose names are shrouded in mystery. Naomie Harris has stated she is to be called "Eve". But is this a code name for Miss Moneypenny out in the field? One of the main set pieces could well be a chase on foot throughout London's Whitehall area.

The plot talks of personal cost. As some of the movie is being shot in Scotland, could Albert Finney be playing Bond's Dad, Andrew Bond who was from Glencoe according to Fleming. Maybe he faked his death? Sam Mendes said that Skyfall is not based upon a Fleming property, so perhaps they've decided to change Bond's mythology somehow.

Whatever the full details of the plot are, Skyfall is sure to be an entertaining movie.

Bond 23: Skyfall Press Conference

Thanks to www.DarkHorizons.com for the image

I've just come away from watching the fairly short Press Conference, on Sky News, announcing and confirming the title of the new James Bond movie. The 23^rd Bond movie is called "Skyfall". According to Barbara Broccoli, the title has an "emotional context" that will be clearer once the movie is completed and up on the big screen. The story will not involve the Quantum organization this time.

Everyone was excited and honoured to be part of this franchise. Sam Mendes said that he would be open to filming another, if his current enthusiasm still existed in 6 months time. When asked if the series was going to be higher brow, given the cast and director, the press were told that the emphasis was on making a great Bond film. With regard to the pedigree and Oscar winners making the movie, a member of the press asked if Mendes was looking to achieve Oscars for this film. Mendes said "That's not the reason you do a Bond movie, it's for the audience".

The producers promised that the budget would be reflected on the screen and that nothing was being cut back on, despite the current economic crisis.

Daniel Craig's intention is to make "the best Bond movie" and "is incredibly proud to be part of it". When asked about worries of typecasting, Craig stated that he was happy to be working and didn’t take that into account. He also said he would be happy to continue for a few years, if the producers allowed. Broccoli spoke up confirming that they’d be happy for him to continue.

Overall, during the press conference, all made clear that they couldn't talk much about the plot and three characters names are even secret at the moment. When asked if the names were being kept secret because Bond fans might recognise them, Same Mendes replied: "Maybe, maybe not" We've been promised "lots of surprises" in this movie.

Bérénice Marlohe is to play a glamourous character named 'Severin' and Naomie Harris a field agent called 'Eve'. That could, of course be a code name for Miss Moneypenny. Both actresses had to undertake the requisite stunt training along with weapons training.

The producers were asked what was going to be done to celebrate the 50^th anniversary, next year. It was confirmed that a special documentary was being made and anything else would be announced later. 

Despite internet rumours, various artists were being looked at, to provide music for the movie but none chosen so far, it seems. It is assumed that David Arnold will be providing the score.

Skyfall starts shooting today using Pinewood Studios in the UK along with large amounts of filming around the London Whitehall area. Other locations to be used will include Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland.

Well done to London Tonight for identifying a scene from Tomorow Never Dies but saying it was from The World Is Not Enough. Get your research done by better staff next time eh? Muppets!

Update: The Skyfall Facebook page has added this information:

Release date	October 26, 2012

Plot outline	In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Starring	Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Ben Whishaw

Directed by	Sam Mendes

Screenplay by	Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan

Produced by	Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli

Competition Winners

Congratulations to Stuart Mitchell (Scotland), and Stuart Ball (Buckinghamshire) who have each won a copy of a Straw Dogs Blu-ray. More competitions will be coming soon. Keep your eyes open....

Movie Preview: Strippers Vs Werewolves

For the UK (forget the date on this teaser poster courtesy of www.blogomatic3000.com) 2012 will be the year that Werewolves are the new zombies.

Synopsis: When werewolf chief Jack Ferris is accidentally killed in a strip club the girls who work there have until the next full moon before his bloodthirsty wolfpack seek murderous retribution 

Directed By: Jonathan Glendening

Written By: Pat Higgins, and Phillip Barron

Starring: Robert Englund, Barbara Nedeljakova, Steven Berkoff, Billy Murray, Joe Egan

Why watch it?

For genre fans who like their movies with a heavy does of trashy comedy, this looks to tick all the boxes. From the trailer, it looks well made and well thought out. 

The cast is instantly recognisable to both us movie nerds and the general public. Mr Englund needs no introduction. He was in the recent Zombies Vs Strippers, so seems to be following a theme. 

Barbara Nedeljakova is notable for being in Hostel as the lure, Natalya.She has also appeared in a number of genre flicks. 

Steven Berkhoff is a well respected and experienced actor who isn't afraid of dabbling in projects that you wouldn't expect him to appear in. My favourite of these is Beverly Hills Cop, with Rambo: First Blood Part 2 coming in a close second. Berkoff is an established director and writer. He has a superb screen presence and I look forward to every one of his performances. 

The charismatic actor Billy Murray is recognisable from his roles in both The Bill and Eastenders, but has also been seen in the excellent zombie comedy Doghouse, as The Colonel. 

Martin Kemp, the famous singer from Spandau Ballet (hopefully, they get a song in the soundtrack somewhere) is also known for his role in Eastenders, but has also been in the very entertaining Waxwork II: Lost in Time, 

Some of you might recognise Joe Egan from his role as Big Man in Sherlock Holmes. 

Two fan favourites of mine also turn up in this: Sarah Douglas who was the original ass-kicking babe, Ursa, in Superman II, and Lysette Anthony who was Lyssa in Krull. 

If that isn't enough, the gorgeous Lucy Pinder makes an appearance. There's a lot to love in this film.

With this pedigree, Strippers Vs Werewolves could well start off 2012, with a howl lot of fun. (Yes, I'm here all week).

Check out the trailer, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQlEpTM4abw

Some images from the movie (or related to):

 Lucy Pinder, in case you're unfamiliar with her

 One of the characters, knocking one out

 There might be an injoke, here. Can you spot it? Mine's a Magners, by the way

 Someone's got some cleaning up to do

I'll settle for a Mojito, if you're offering

Movie News: British Independent Awards

NOMINATIONS AND JURY REVEALED FOR THE MOËT BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS

The nominations and jury members for the 14^th annual Moët British Independent Film Awards were announced today, Monday 31 October at St Martins Lane, London by Helen McCrory.

Joint Directors, The Moët British Independent Film Awards’ Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said: “This year’s nominees really highlight the immense wealth of British talent in this country today.  We are incredibly proud that the Awards have grown to a level that garners attention worldwide, helping to bring British talent and independent filmmaking to the international stage.” 

The highest number of nominations this year goes to three films, Shame, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Tyrannosaur, all with seven nods.  All three titles are battling for the coveted Best British Film Award, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor or Actress awards.  We Need to Talk About Kevin and Kill List each receive six nominations with Submarine following closely with five.

Nominations for Best Actress go to Rebecca Hall (The Awakening), Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre), MyAnna Buring (Kill List), Olivia Colman (Tyrannosaur) and Tilda Swinton (We Need To Talk About Kevin).  Leading men hoping to take home the Best Actor award include Brendan Gleeson (The Guard), Neil Maskell (Kill List), Michael Fassbender (Shame), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Peter Mullan (Tyrannosaur). 

Directors who have delivered dynamic debuts this year and are fighting for the Douglas Hickox Award are Joe Cornish (Attack The Block), Ralph Fiennes (Coriolanus), John Michael McDonagh (The Guard), Richard Ayoade (Submarine) and Paddy Considine (Tyrannosaur).

Elsa Corbineau, Marketing Director Moët & Chandon commented: “Moët & Chandon is thrilled to continue to support the Awards this year.  There are some truly remarkable films in today's nominations which reflect the talent of the British filmmakers.  We look forward to celebrating all of the nominees and winners on 4 December."

The Raindance Award nominees for 2011 include: Acts of Godfrey, Black Pond, Hollow, Leaving Baghdad and A Thousand Kisses Deep.  This Award honours exceptional achievement for filmmakers working against the odds, often with little or no industry support.  Elliot Grove, Founder Raindance Film Festival and Moët British Independent Film Awards added:  "Delighted to see that this year's nominations prove that once again British independent filmmakers have risen to the creative challenge of making astounding movies in the midst of economic chaos."

The Pre-Selection Committee of 70 members viewed nearly 200 films, out of which they selected the nominations, which were decided by ballot.

The winners of The Moët British Independent Film Awards are decided by an independent jury comprised of leading professionals and talent from the British film industry.

The Jury for 2011 includes: 

Josh Appignanesi (Director / Writer), Lucy Bevan (Casting Director), Edith Bowman (Broadcaster), Mike Goodridge (Editor), Ed Hogg (Actor), Neil Lamont (Art Director), Mary McCartney (Photographer), Molly Nyman (Composer), Debs Paterson (Director / Writer), Tracey Seaward (Producer), Charles Steel (Producer), David Thewlis (Actor), Ruth Wilson (Actress) and Justine Wright (Editor).

The winners will be announced at the much anticipated 14^th awards ceremony, which will take place on Sunday 4 December at the impressive Old Billingsgate in London.

The Moët British Independent Film Awards is proud to announce the following nominees for this year’s awards:

BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM

Sponsored by Moët & Chandon

SENNA

SHAME

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

TYRANNOSAUR

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

BEST DIRECTOR

Sponsored by The Creative Partnership

Ben Wheatley – KILL LIST

Steve McQueen – SHAME

Tomas Alfredson – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Paddy Considine – TYRANNOSAUR

Lynne Ramsay – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR]

Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios

Joe Cornish – ATTACK THE BLOCK

Ralph Fiennes – CORIOLANUS

John Michael McDonagh – THE GUARD

Richard Ayoade – SUBMARINE

Paddy Considine – TYRANNOSAUR

BEST SCREENPLAY

Sponsored by BBC Films

John Michael McDonagh – THE GUARD

Ben Wheatley, Amy Jump – KILL LIST

Abi Morgan, Steve McQueen – SHAME

Richard Ayoade – SUBMARINE

Lynne Ramsay, Rory Kinnear – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

BEST ACTRESS

Sponsored by M.A.C

Rebecca Hall – THE AWAKENING

Mia Wasikowska – JANE EYRE

MyAnna Buring – KILL LIST

Olivia Colman – TYRANNOSAUR

Tilda Swinton – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

BEST ACTOR

Brendan Gleeson – THE GUARD

Neil Maskell – KILL LIST

Michael Fassbender – SHAME

Gary Oldman – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Peter Mullan – TYRANNOSAUR

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Felicity Jones – ALBATROSS

Vanessa Redgrave – CORIOLANUS

Carey Mulligan – SHAME

Sally Hawkins – SUBMARINE

Kathy Burke – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Michael Smiley – KILL LIST

Tom Hardy – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Benedict Cumberbatch – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Eddie Marsan – TYRANNOSAUR

Ezra Miller – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER

Sponsored by STUDIOCANAL

Jessica Brown Findlay – ALBATROSS

John Boyega – ATTACK THE BLOCK

Craig Roberts – SUBMARINE

Yasmin Paige – SUBMARINE

Tom Cullen – WEEKEND

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Deluxe142

KILL LIST

TYRANNOSAUR

WEEKEND

WILD BILL

YOU INSTEAD

BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Chris King, Gregers Sall – Editing – SENNA

Sean Bobbitt – Cinematography – SHAME

Joe Walker – Editing – SHAME

Maria Djurkovic – Production Design – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Seamus McGarvey – Cinematography – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

BEST DOCUMENTARY

HELL AND BACK AGAIN

LIFE IN A DAY

PROJECT NIM

SENNA

TT3D: CLOSER TO THE EDGE

BEST BRITISH SHORT

0507

CHALK

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

RITE

ROUGH SKIN

BEST FOREIGN INDEPENDENT FILM

ANIMAL KINGDOM

DRIVE

PINA

A SEPARATION

THE SKIN I LIVE IN

THE RAINDANCE AWARD

Sponsored by Exile Media

ACTS OF GODFREY

BLACK POND

HOLLOW

LEAVING BAGHDAD

A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP

THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film)

Sponsored by Working Title

To Be Announced

THE VARIETY AWARD

To Be Announced

THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE

Announced at the Moët British Independent Film Awards on Sunday 4 December.

Proud supporters and patrons of The Moët British Independent Film Awards include Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Samantha Morton, Michael Sheen, Trudie Styler, Tilda Swinton, Meera Syal, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone and Michael Winterbottom.

The Moët British Independent Film Awards would like to thank all its supporters, especially: Moët & Chandon, The British Film Institute, 3 Mills Studios, BBC Films, Deluxe142, The Creative Partnership, Exile Media, M.A.C, Raindance, Soho House, Studiocanal, Swarovski, Variety, Working Title and Zander Creative.