SilverKottage

Guess you won’t mistake this for a teenage girl’s film.

Daybreakers has been building momentum over the past few months as a film that brings back the traditional Vampire genre instead of the sparkly Twilight vampire mytho. Following the footstep of Blade and 30 Days and Nights, we have a vampire film that stuck to it’s roots.

Surprisingly, this is an Australian film with a handful of Australian actors playing supporting roles with Ethan Hawke as the lead and Sam Neal as the corporate villian.

Something something something BLOOOOODDD MEEEE

Set in 2019, the film is basically about 90%+ of the world population opting to be the walking undead. But like all living things (well, they’re not exactly alive), they need to eat and their main source of food is human blood. Just like in Blade, the Vampires are harvesting humans so that supply doesn’t run out.

Have you had a dream that was so real…. and when you wake up, you’re drowned in your own blood? (How do these people shit? oh wait… I think that’s what the other tube is for…)

But unlike The Matrix, there’s no Zion to capture humans to replenish the cattle that’s died from old age. So, the Vampires need to find a new source via science and synthetic blood that doesn’t have side effects.

The film is dark and bleak with actually very little action but the pacing is fine as we follow Edward (Ethan) on his quest to make his heart beat again and see himself in a mirror instead of a video screen.

Maybe if we look into each other’s eyes long enough, we won’t get hungry.

Thumbs up to brother Directors, Michael and Peter Spierig for making a commercial viable film in Australia. I think the film will sell okay for overseas and not actually having it set in Australia (everyone has American accents) is a good thing… Screen Australia, you backed a good horse here.

Remember the time we went hunting and we shot a bunny with a bow and arrow? Well, this will hurt a lot more.

There’s nothing revolutionary here and maybe I would’ve liked the 3rd act to be not so rushed and better character development/conflict. But overall, I enjoyed the film and sci fi and vampires do mix well.

Ra ra oo la la! I want a sequel!

Oh, and Isabel Lucas of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen plays a small role too. Although it’s small, I’m sure enough Tranny fan boys will watch Daybreakers for her. Which is a good thing for Aussie films.

 
Now I’ve been in a Robot and a Vampire movie!

Going into the cinema, to be honest, I had mixed expectations to The Treasure Hunter. I wanted this film to be good but I’ve been told by others that it’s crap (though, these are the people that would rather watch badly filmed in cinema pirate DVDs).

Kill the bad guy, save the girl. All part of a days work for an action hero.

Well, I’ve finished watching the film and I can tell everyone that this film is actually enjoyable. The story structure is classic treasure hunting and the characters pretty much match the various archetypes of the genre.

Classic Character Archetypes for the action genre. Don’t forget your talking LOLKatz!

We got the hero, the mentor, the damsel, the comic relief, the serious guy. Bit like an RPG, isn’t it? There’s also definite hints of inspirations from other hollywood action films besides the obvious Indiana Jones and The Mummy, such as the Harley scene in T2.

A completely and utterly useless scene that’s only in for the special effects and bullet time action.

What didn’t work with this film is some of the pacing and also the villians of the film. Kevin Chu tries to cram a back story for most of the lead and supporting characters that the film loses momentum and has action pieces that does not forward the story at all.

Also, I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing, but he didn’t exploit Lin Chi Ling’s sex appeal. But don’t fear, there is a scene which I thought is much more effective and tasteful.

Well, if Kevin Chu doesn’t think sex sells, I’m sure SilverKottage does!

And another one for luck.

In all seriousness though, this film, although has it’s flaws, did take me on a journey. Maybe the journey had some bumps, but I’d recommend people to still take this journey as you’ll never know when the next Asian film will be up on the big screen in Aussie Land.

This film also has an ending that’s similar to the start of a script I’m writing. DAMN YOU KEVIN CHU!

This week, I have watched two movies. One based off a simple children’s book and the other, a cult Hong Kong comic.

Firstly, let me begin with Spike Jonze’s, Where the Wild Things Are.
I first heard about this film when my brother showed me the teaser trailer a year or more ago. Instantly, I was amazed by the detail of the monster characters. Later, reading that Jonze  chose to use animatronics and people in suites, I was even more amazed.

Just like the book (which I read after watching the film), is a simple story about a boy named Max that travels to his imagination. An island full of monsters. Where there are no adults or people to tell him what to do. A world that he can call his, becoming a king.

Now you can boss us around and do whatever you want…. what ever…

But unlike the picture book ending with Max leaving the island because he’s hungry and lonely. The film delves deep into the psyche of Max. Each of his emotions are represented by each monster and it is when he’s realized what his monsters are, that he realizes himself and how foolish and childish he really is.

I’d watch the sunset with my monsters too if I had some. So romantic.

The media says that this film is too dark, scaring kids. Well. They are right! But also, the kid that sat two seats next to me seemed to enjoy the ride and wasn’t fussed about it at all. This is no more scarier than the latest Harry Potter films and besides, the scenes are made to be scary. The monsters clearly tell us what they’d do if they find out Max lied to them.

So… you’re just a guy in a big halloween costume? I’m not really going crazy?

The production of the film was grand and shots were perfect. The lens flare’s throughout the movie gives the film a much more natural feel and the landscape of Victoria never looked more beautiful. Sorta makes me want to go… again.

I just hope that if anyone is planning on adapting a 10 page book to a feature film, they learn from Where the Wild Things Are.

One of my very first posts when I started writing this blog was about the Storm Riders sequel, The Storm Warriors. Back then, I was excited that one of my fav films when I was a teen was being continued and updated with the latest special effects.

The Pang Brothers weren’t wrong when they said this film is going to be 300 esque with the most digital effects that Hong Kong has used in live action yet. The pallette of the film is true to it’s comic book roots and yes, there are many moments that reminded me of 300. Should I dare to say that the film might out 300 he original 300 even in some parts.

Rice field workers get pwned by immortals wannabes.

What The Storm Warriors lacked in story and plot, made up for well choreographed fight scenes and believable Chi powers. Yes, you will think that you too can kill people with swinging your sword in the air!

Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng have both aged alright in the last 10 years. And it seems it was only last year that they took on the roles of Cloud and Wind. But unfortunately, their roles are still as stale as the first film. Both actors never have much to play with in the film. Cloud is always emo/hardcore whereas Wind, which is meant to be the more benevolent one, is a mindless robot for most of the film.

Please let me live. I want to be in Storm Chasers next year.

The usual Pang Brothers trademark twist ending is gone. Instead, we have a cliffhanger that’s trying to get people crying out for another film. But the only crying is Ekin’s bad acting… he really should stick with comedies… he seems to do alright in those these days.

Slow mo fighting is BETTER fighting.

This film could’ve been so much more. Mainly if there was a true reason for why the villains had to go to some cave and if Wind and Cloud weren’t such message dogs.

This film is no Romeo and Juliet… or is it?

I got a chance to go to an advance screening of Micheal Moore’s latest offering.

This time, Moore tackles issues of America’s economic system of Capitalism by delving into issues about the average Americans swindled into borrowing more, when they don’t have enough to pay back. The corrupt and underground workings of blue chip companies and investment firms as well as the coming of the prodigal son of the States, Barrack Obama.

With a mix of emotional interviews, stock news footage and Moore’s satirical comedic antics, this film follows pretty much the same structure as his previous films. But one aspec that I haven’t seen before was how personal he has placed his own life into this documentary by including home footage and also his Father, who portrays the average American during the good years of Capitalism.

So would you let me in if I give you a donut?

This film is a wake up call for Americans and the World that although America seems to be the leading country… deep within, it is killing itself. That society should not be run on how much one is valued, but of how important one is to society.

YES WE COULD’VE

One man could’ve saved them… but he died in the 40s… let’s hope the current man in The House knows what he’s doing.

If you read my earlier post about the Australian film industry, you know where I stand with it’s commercial ability and how it is so sad to see films not able to recoup the cost of producing it. With this trend, it won’t be long till what’s left of the industry becomes extinct.

We stole some pills that are tagged… but that’s fine, we’ll still make money from them, no one will know…

Along comes Cedar Boys to give some spark to this heart beat that’s near death. A big thanks to Luke from Cinetology for passing on a double pass to see the film! Or else I would’ve had to watch it alone or wait until the DVD comes out. 1. I think it’s sad to watch a movie by yourself, movies should be enjoyed together and 2. My girlfriend does not watch movies at the cinema unless there’s big names attached… she loves her Bradgelina!

Exclusive Sydney Clubs are such the rage now. There’s not an Asian in sight!

Anyway, onto the review.

Cedar Boys is not your average sentimental Aussie comedy film fluff, at least, not the kind that most viewers are used to. It follows the journey of young Lebanese Tarek, portrayed by Les Chantery, trying to impress the girl (Rachael Taylor) and to raise enough money to obtain a retrial for his imprisoned brother, Jamal (Bren Foster). And as you know, he and some friends score some drugs and starts living the high life. Predictably, they get found out and the rest is pretty much text book crime doesn’t pay storyline that is straight to the point.

Some people might like this, however, with Hollywood and Pan-Asian crime genre films full of twists and turns and double crossing, Cedar Boys feels a bit toned down.

From our fully sick faces, you can tell this movie is err… fully sick.

I believe that Director and Writer, Serhat Caradee did a good job at getting the film together, but it just needed that bit more conflict to it. Some parts were quite tense and it’s great that he showed what Tarek thought he’d do, but in the end, the opposite happens, just like how normal people think. The big reveal of Rachael Taylor’s character was unexpected but really wasn’t that necessary. If Caradee wanted a more powerful ending, she should’ve been to the end of the picture. Though, I wouldn’t mind visiting a private session at 88 Pitt St

Michael Bay didn’t want me in T2:RotF, so I work at 88 Pitt St now.

Even though this film wasn’t as great as I’d hope for, I still want people to see it. Locally and Internationally, I was actually really surprised to see the film’s trailer on Apple Trailers: Here any exposure that an Australian film can make is definitely a plus to our industry.

This is a fantastic start for Caradee as features go in Aus and I hope he win some awards with this film on the festival circuit (if it’s going that route), or at least some recognition. Hopefully the next project he does will be something with a bit more oomph to it. Maybe a prequel to Cedar Boys? I’m more interested in Jamal’s story on how he got into prison than Tarek’s journey of tears.

Once I get out of the slammer, the prequel is mine.

On a side note, watching Cedar Boys definitely makes me really want to push for my own crime genre film set in Sydney, White and Black. And coincidentally, the bouncer in Cedar Boys have sent me his headshot and CV earlier this year… If only I had more people backing me up… as in supporting you sickos!