Rambo: Last Blood (2019) - FilmReview

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John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone).
Source: Official website

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"Rambo, John J. Born 7-6-47 in Bowie, Arizona. Of Indian-German descent - that's a hell of a combination. Joined the army 8-6-64. Accepted special forces, specialization: light weapon, medic, helicopter and language qualified. 59 confirmed kills. Two Silver Stars, four Bronze, four Purple Hearts. Distinguished Service Cross and Medal of Honor" — Major Marshall Roger T. Murdock, Rambo: First Blood Part II

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Our favourite son is back!

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Sylvester Stallone returns as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo in the fifth instalment of the popular action franchise and it certainly doesn't hold back on the carnage.

When last seen in Rambo 4 (2008), J.R. was returning home to the family ranch in Bowie, Arizona. Eleven years later and Rambo: Last Blood catches up with him as he manages that very same horse ranch, originally owned by his father until his death. On the surface Rambo looks to have found peace; but below ground he broods in his maze of tunnels, surrounded by his past: military medals, rifles and knives, and photographs. He's clearly still haunted by demons and suffers with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his time in the Vietnam war; we saw flashbacks of the brutality he suffered as a POW at the hands of his captors in First Blood (1982). In one scene from R:LB we are shown bottles of prescribed medication with "John Rambo" and "Bowie, AZ 85605" printed on the labels, clearly to help him cope with his mental health.

Before we get to the main plot, the opening scene gives us a severe storm and rescue teams searching for three missing hikers in the forest and hills. One volunteer on horseback braves the worsening weather to locate them: John Rambo. It's a well written moment that reflects his compassionate side, risking all to try and save total strangers. Surprisingly, some regions didn't get to see this 10-minute opener with the flash flood at all.

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It's all about family...

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Little is known of John Rambo's family, though we do learn that his father was simply referred to as "R. Rambo" (the rusted mailbox seen at the end of Rambo 4 our only clue); also, in the novelization of Rambo: First Blood Part 2 John's mother is named Marie Drago and it is said that she was abused by her husband, who drank often and would fly into fits of rage.

Importantly for Rambo: Last Blood, Maria Beltran (played by Adriana Barraza) has worked on the Rambo farm much of her life and is considered as "family" - certainly she thinks of John as a brother-figure. When Rambo returns to Bowie, Arizona, in Rambo 4, he most likely meets young Gabrielle Beltran, Maria's grand-daughter, for the first time. Whether he knew about Gabrielle via letter writing beforehand is unknown.

And so Rambo spends the next many years running the ranch and working as a rescue worker. It is likely during this period that he dug out the tunnels that would be so important to him, a place of refuge for his tortured soul.

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...both good and bad

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When Rambo's adoptive niece decides to go to Mexico to visit her father and find out why he left her and her mother (now deceased), things don't exactly go to plan. Betrayed by her "friend" Gizelle, Gabrielle is drugged, abducted and given to human traffickers. The saddest part is that she was warned by Rambo not to go to Mexico, telling her that it is far too dangerous.

Realising that she is missing, Rambo leaves the ranch to find his niece. This is where things take an even more brutal turn. Confronted by gang members of the traffickers, Rambo is beaten, his ID taken and a photo of Gabrielle is found.

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Rambo and adopted niece Gabrielle Beltran (Yvette Monreal)
Source: Rambo: Last Blood

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Sadly this means that the young girl has now been "noticed" and will be made to pay for Rambo's attempted involvement. Over time she is abused and injected with heroine. It's a heartbreaking story. Meanwhile, Rambo is taken to the home of journalist Carmen Delgado and cared for until he is well enough to stand on his own two feet. With newfound determination, he vows to rescue his niece.

One of the criticisms of Last Blood seems to be the level of violence. It's been described as "grotesque" and "genuinely horrific". Well I don't know what people were expecting from a Rambo movie - just take a look at Rambo 4 and tell me that that is any less violent? In all honesty, anyone going into this with no knowledge of who or what Rambo is should stay well clear if they're sensitive to scenes of violence and decapitation.

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Rambo creator feels "less a human being" for having watched Last Blood

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Even First Blood author David Morrell has criticised the film, saying such things as, "I agree with these RAMBO: LAST BLOOD reviews. The film is a mess. Embarrassed to have my name associated with it" (Twitter, Sep 20, 2019). In an interview with Newsweek, the bestselling writer commented further, "I felt degraded and dehumanized after I left the theater. Instead of being soulful, this new movie lacks one... I felt I was less a human being for having seen it, and today that's an unfortunate message."

In another tweet he compares Last Blood to Richard T. Heffron's 1976 exploitation film Trackdown.

I respect Mr Morrell's opinions but don't agree with them. Having read First Blood (first published in 1972), I found the novel to be a put off showcasing a character with no redeeming qualities; he wasn't just broken - he was psychotic and a killer! However, in Ted Kotcheff's 1982 masterpiece Rambo is depicted as a victim of sorts, someone who you can relate to. This is indeed the same character we see in Rambo: Last Blood, a man who's new life is torn apart by others and is forced into making decisions that others would recoil from. He goes all "Rambo" on them. I've even checked "Rambo" online at Cambridge Dictionary and it describes the word as, "someone who uses, or threatens to use, strong and violent methods against their enemies".

As for the comparison to Trackdown, I do see it, but what doesn't borrow from everything else these days? I've not even seen Trackdown; but I've seen Rambo: Last Blood, and it was enjoyable.

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Rambo: Last Blood is racist?

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This is one accusation I have real trouble accepting. Yes, the timing of the movie has "President Trump" written all over it but the film isn't deliberately depicting all Mexicans as villains. This is a gang, you know, like ones you get all over the world, who prey on children and the vulnerable, who kill indiscriminately and sell drugs on the streets. If Rambo V had been set in China then there would still be accusations of racism. In fact, both Maria and Gabrielle are Mexican and Rambo loves them like family — and they're living with him on the ranch in the US with no sign of immigration authorities anywhere...

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Final thoughts?

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It took Rambo: Last Blood years to make it into theatres, as a project it had been on and off for so long that it didn't look likely to happen at all. Various plots had been mooted including a killer creature and the title Rambo V: The Savage Hunt, based on the novel Hunter by James Byron Huggins. That in itself would have felt like a Predator-type story that I'm sure would have been pointed out by some. There was even talk of a prequel television series where someone else would have played a young Rambo.

I'm just grateful we got a proper blood and guts Rambo, with Stallone still in the iconic role. He's older, a little slower, but still capable of dispatching the bad guys. If this is the end, then what a journey it has been.

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The Secret of NIMH (1982) - FilmReview

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Just what is the secret of NIMH?

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"One animation that did capture my imagination back then..."

Oh, rats! It's the Secret of NIMH. And what a nice little secret it is, too. It's strange how my childhood was blessed with some animated feature films while others scarcely made an impact on me at all. For example, movies such as Pinocchio (1940), Dumbo (1941), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) failed to win a place in my heart; whereas Robin Hood (1973), The Black Cauldron (1985), The Fox and the Hound (1981), Yellow Submarine (1968) and Watership Down (1978) firmly planted themselves into my all time list of favourites. Oh yes, and Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) - no Christmas is complete without a viewing of this particular gem! I'm uncertain why some just didn't make the grade for me. One animation that did capture my imagination back then was a dark feature called The Secret of NIMH. Having a look at the cast list just now I'm surprised by some of the names attached: Derek Jacobi, Wil Wheaton and Shannen Doherty are three that jump out at me.

The film was adapted from a story by American author Robert C. O'Brien, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, first published in 1971. I've never read the book, and so this article focuses solely on the movie. I've also discovered that a follow up to the 1982 animation titled The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue had been released in 1998, but I'll likely ignore this fact; also seeing as original director Don Bluth wasn't even involved in this second project, it makes ignoring the sequel that much easier. So what was I talking about again?

Oh yes, The Secret of NIMH. Though a children's adventure, there is a far more serious subject matter in NIMH's DNA for grown ups: mental health. This is how I remember the movie as a kid: a little lady mouse meets a clumsy crow, her son is ill and so she needs medicine, and there are some mean rats; there was also a magical amulet.

Now from my adult perspective: A mouse called Mrs. Brisby needs medicine for her ill son (who has pneumonia) and so visits Mr. Ages, a friend of her now dead husband. During her return journey home, Brisby encounters a very clumsy but friendly crow named Jeremy, who is all tied up and in need of a little help to get untangled. This is the first time we encounter a cat named Dragon, which belongs to the owners of the farm, as he attempts to attack them both. We learn that Brisby and her family must leave their house before the farmer, Mr Fitzgibbon, starts plowing. With Timothy, her son, sick, he needs time to recover without being moved. The farmer, however, brings his plowing forward and so Brisby needs help. This is where the rats come into the picture.

Mental health and NIMH

Through a backstory we discover how both her husband and the rats became intelligent: they all live a relatively Human-like existence now, and steal much of what they need from the Humans. Electricity and other technology is becoming common place in their lives. Ever wondered what NIMH refers to? National Institute of Mental Health. It seems that the rodents were "lab rats" and that the experiments boosted their intelligence so greatly that they developed the ability to understand and reason. Following an escape from the laboratory, they built homes and a new way of life. As with any society, there is both good and bad, and one character who you'll love to despise is Jenner, a ruthless, power-hungry rat.

It's nice that The Secret of NIMH received widespread critical acclaim, and has remained in the hearts of many fans over the decades. It's been applauded as a wonderful adaptation of the original book. It even won a Saturn Award for Best Animated Film of 1982.

Keeping it in the family...

Though Robert C. O'Brien died in 1973, his daughter Jane Leslie Conly penned two sequel books: Racso and the Rats of NIMH (1986); and R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH (1990). Thankfully, neither of these are connected to the 1998 The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue animation. Just me? Well I'm happy to say that the majority of critics and fans disliked director Dick Sebast's version; it's been described as missing its predecessor's "heart or craft". Another absence from NIMH 2: TTTR is the remarkable musical talent of Jerry Goldsmith. Let's face it, the man behind compositions for films such as Alien, Rambo, Star Trek, Explorers, Poltergeist, Gremlins, Capricorn One, Logan's Run and Planet of the Apes will always be a hard act to follow.

Heartwarming and magical, The Secret of NIMH not only had a talented director, composer and voice cast, but it is also timeless. I love it as much today as I ever did in 1982 and beyond.

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Ghosts of Mars (2001) - FilmReview

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Can they survive the ghosts of Mars?

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Escape From Mars

Director and writer John Carpenter's work has given us some of the best movies in the last forty years. A master of scifi and horror, who can forget Halloween, The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, Starman, or They Live. Sadly, Ghosts of Mars was seriously underrated by critics and fans, failing to earn enough at the box office and being heavily criticised for being "distressingly amateurish" and an "embarrassing disaster". But is it really that bad?

In truth, it isn't the best movie in Carpenter's catalogue. That said, I do enjoy it for what it represents: a fun and violent action flick that doesn't take itself too seriously. I couldn't disagree more with the "poor set designs" and "hammy acting" accusations. The setting is a simple one, kept to a minimum for maximum impact, and the acting isn't meant to be serious.

I have read that the script was originally intended to act as a Snake Plissken sequel, Escape From Mars, but the idea was changed due to the failure of Escape from L.A. to make a profit.


"Let me put it this way. Maybe I'd sleep with you if you were the last man on Earth. But we're not on Earth"

The film is set on a terraformed Mars in 2176 AD at a time when the planet has long been colonised by Humans. "640,000 people now live and work at far-flung outposts all over Mars, mining the planet for its abundant natural resources". The problem is, during one of these mining excavations, an alien tomb is unearthed and Martian spirits belonging to a now dead warrior race are free to possess the living. Miners who aren't taken over are butchered and beheaded.

Lt. Melanie Ballard (played so brilliantly by Natasha Henstridge) is on an assignment to collect a criminal known as James "Desolation" Williams (Ice Cube) from a cell in a Martian mining town, Shining Canyon, and deliver him into the hands of the authorities. She isn't alone in this task, however: joining her are officers Sergeant Jericho Butler (Jason Statham), Commander Helena Braddock (Pam Grier), and rookies including Bashira Kincaid (Clea DuVall). Sergeant Butler spends most of his time either coming on to Ballard or unlocking doors.

A gypsum (a soft sulfate mineral) mine near Albuquerque, New Mexico was chosen as the location for filming. To give it that Red Planet look, colouring had been used on the mine's rocks.

Upon arriving at the colony, Ballard and her colleagues are at first greeted by a ghost town. Instead of a bustling community, there is nobody in sight. Eventually the team locates a number of decapitated bodies and heads on spikes. It isn't long before they are attacked by a possessed army of miners who have mutilated their own flesh. In a style similar to that of Carpenter's Assault of Precinct 13, we end up with a siege as the newly-arrived officers and a bunch of survivors - which include "Desolation" Williams and three of his associates who came to Shining Canyon to rescue him - attempt to survive the onslaught and escape.


The drugs do work...

One of the things we learn is that when a Human host dies, the Martian spirit will seek a new body to possess; this happens often, and at one stage Ballard is consumed by one of the ghosts, forcing the other survivors to take her outside for their own safety. Sergeant Butler, however, gives her a goodbye gift: he places a pill in her mouth, one of the narcotics she carries around with her in a little silver locket. This trip seriously screws with the alien presence inside of her, allows Ballard to see through the eyes of the spirit and understand the history of these Martian warriors. The drug also helps the young woman to repel the invader, and it exits via her mouth as a red mist before dissipating.

This gives Ballard a chance to rejoin her group and make contact with the train that will lead them to safety.


Love for Ballard

It's been said that Michelle Yeoh, Famke Janssen and Franka Potente were originally considered for the role of Ballard, yet they all turned down the role. The part eventually went to singer and actress Courtney Love, although she departed the project due to injury. In my opinion Famke Janssen would have been an excellent choice. As it is, Henstridge's casting is a welcome one, the Species star is one of the best things about Ghosts of Mars.


What followed after Mars?

It is a shame that this movie was a box office financial failure, a sequel starring Henstridge would have been incredible, perhaps leading a group of men, women and children through Martian landscape in a quest to find a safe zone from the Ghosts. Mars has been quarantined, so no help expected from Earth. Even the thought of leaving the Red Planet is a risk - what if any of the Ghosts escape with them? So many possibilities...

As for the director, John Carpenter took a break from regular film-making after Ghosts of Mars. His next big project would come in 2010 with The Ward. When asked in an interview why such a long gap, he replied, "Man, I was burned out. Completely burned out. I just couldn’t do it anymore, I had to stop. I looked at myself and said you know, I’ve been working constantly. I’m like a drug addict — I need a little bit more of a life. It stopped being fun, it stopped being glorious. I’d fallen out of love with cinema. So I had to rekindle it".

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Critters (1986) - FilmReview

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Brad (Scott Grimes) hiding from the terror

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Gremlins From Outer Space

You could easily accuse screenplay writer Domonic Muir of copying the success of another creature feature movie released in 1984: Gremlins! However, a screenplay for an early version of Critters had already been around a few years earlier than Joe Dante's own masterpiece. If anything, because Gremlins reached audiences first, the script for Critters had to undergo some changes to reduce similarities between the two movies. They are different enough to enjoy.

What I really liked about Critters is that it sets the scene perfectly by introducing an asteroid prison in deep space where the last eight of a vicious carnivorous species called Crites are waiting to be transferred. Unfortunately the mischievous monsters escape from the facility in a hijacked spacecraft and flee. Two shape-shifting bounty hunters are assigned to track them down. The destination: Earth!

I had watched this as a teenager, so decided a new viewing was needed. It made for a fantastic trip down memory lane. Firstly, I realised that actress Dee Wallace (Mary in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial) was playing the role of Helen Brown; wife to Jay (Billy "Green" Bush), and mother to Brad (Scott Grimes) and April (Nadine van der Velde). They're a normal family living on a Kansas farm. That is, until something lands nearby and Critters begin eating cattle and attacking local residents. For the rest of the time this becomes a siege movie, as the Brown family tries to keep the alien beings outside of the farmhouse. The father is badly bitten at the beginning but manages to stay alive. In addition to this, a second extraterrestrial ship arrives and two strangers search for the escaped Crites.


...one of my absolute favourite movie memories...

It's certainly a fun movie, with excellent practical effects and a team of puppeteers to bring the Critters to life. They also look different enough from Gremlins to work well. One critic at the time said of the film, "Critters isn't a memorable or even very slick movie, but it is good fun. What it lacks in substance it makes up for with a perverse kind of charm". I disagree. Critters remained one of my absolute favourite movie memories from years past, a delightful low-budget sci-fi and horror flick that shouldn't be taken too seriously but will leave a smile.

Another face that I recognised during my fresh viewing was that of actor Ethan Phillips, known to many as Neelix in Star Trek: Voyager, playing a police officer. His role in this was a short one, but still a very nice surprise.


Nothing-Face

Out of the two bounty hunters, actor Terrence Mann played the lead as Ug, the one who takes on the appearance of a rock star called Johnny Steele. During the space flight, Ug had studied television signals, latched onto a rock concert and copied the eighties singer to make mingling in with Human society a lot less suspicious. Too bad, then, that his companion, Lee, blew up everything in sight and caused panic in the town of Grover's Bend. After reading Critters Wiki I've learned that these bounty hunters are known as Nothing-Face until selecting a "species facial identification". While Ug had no problem in assimilating an appearance, fellow hunter Lee didn't seem to find anything suitable, thus copying three different Humans during the story.


"They eat so fast, you don't have time to scream"

The Critters themselves have a Porcupines look about them, with the ability to shoot poison barbs as projectile weapons that can stun a victim. They also have razor-sharp teeth, and enjoy munching into an arm or two - or worse! Like the Gremlins, they are intelligent, though the level of that intellect varies from creature to creature.

There are some lovely nods to other movies: in one scene a Critter encounters an E.T. vinyl plush toy (in acknowledgement of leading lady Dee Wallace's 1982 role), the logo on the back of bowling uniforms will clearly be noticed by fans of Ghostbusters, and a toilet scene is reminiscent of Ghoulies (1985).

Charlie McFadden, portrayed perfectly by Don Keith Opper, is the local joke, a mechanic and drunk who receives information of alien abductions through his fillings; he will eventually become a familiar character within the franchise. Critters also features an early appearance by Billy Zane as Steve Elliot, April's boyfriend, who will regret wanting to have sex with her in the barn.

Critters spawned a number of sequels, and a web television series called Critters: A New Binge. The latest movie, Critters Attacks! (2019) sees Dee Wallace return in a different role to the one she plays in the first chapter. We do have to wonder why they keep churning out new versions/sequels/reboots, but... if something can be milked dry...

Thankfully, this first one is an absolute dream.

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Ewoks: Battle For Endor (1985) - FilmReview

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Terak, the Sanyassan warlord who seeks all power

As reviewed previously, 1984 Star Wars spin-off Caravan Of Courage: An Ewok Adventure left a vastly positive impression on my childhood. I was in love with Ewoks, owned most of the Kenner action figures in the 1980s and do consider Return of The Jedi to be my favourite of the original trilogy. The funny thing is I recall seeing Ewoks: The Battle For Endor, the 1985 television movie sequel to Courage, on VHS cassette in a video rental store back in the day. For some reason it wasn't picked up and taken home for a viewing. Perhaps my father refused to rent it out - I never received any pocket money so always had to rely on parental generosity on occasions such as these. In some ways I am now grateful the events of The Battle For Endor were unseen by my younger eyes. How heartbreaking would it have been to witness Cindel Towani, recently reunited with the parents she helped rescue from the Gorax lair in Courage, become an orphan and lose her older brother Mace (Eric Walker) in a Marauder attack on the Ewok village? Cruel, and so unnecessary, clearly bruising the happy ever after nature of the previous installment's conclusion, in my opinion. Still, I promised myself a fresh look at this fantasy sci-fi classic and so DVD disc at the ready...

Escaping the Sanyassan Marauders (who have already captured many Ewoks and are transporting them to their castle), Cindel and Wicket meet up with Teek, a tiny furry rodent-like, simian creature with a faster than light drive installed in his rear - in other words, he can move with incredible speed thanks to an accelerated metabolism. The friendly but mischievous creature leads them back to the hut he shares with Noa Briqualon (Wilford Brimley), a shipwrecked space trader. At first the old man refuses to let his new guests stay, but eventually shows a softer side. Think Heidi (another orphaned little girl created by Swiss author Johanna Spyri) and you get the idea. Besides, who could resist Cindel's porridge and muffins?

One morning the young girl hears a song, the very song her mother used to sing to her, coming from somewhere close by. Investigating, she encounters a beautiful young woman with a white horse. It is, of course, a trap - the woman transforms into Charal, a Nightsister and witch who serves as second-in-command to the Sanyassan warlord who ordered the attack on the Ewoks. Cindel is taken to the castle also as a prisoner. Once there, she learns that Terak (the warlord) wants her to activate a crystal oscillator from a wreckage, believing it will bring him great "power". His lack of knowledge regarding general technology proves him to be an ignorant savage. One wishes a Jedi Knight would rise to show him what true power looks like. Neither Cindel or Charel are able to meet his demands, and are both imprisoned with the Ewoks. Noa, Wicket, and Teek make a daring rescue by scaling the walls and infiltrating the heart of the Marauders.

Heidi and her grandfather. Sorry, Cindel (Aubree Miller) with Noa (Wilford Brimley)

The rescue storyline is comparable to its predecessor though clearly lacking in similar scale and ambition. The Marauders make a poor army and the overall direction feels clumsy. Directors Jim Wheat and Ken Wheat fail to really bring anything new to the table - at least Caravan had the Gorax, evoking thoughts of those early monster features that displayed Ray Harryhausen's work. Hard to believe that the Wheat brothers would go on to write the screenplay for Pitch Black (2000), one of my favourite movies starring Radha Mitchell. I am also a little surprised by Wilford Brimley, who I adore in Cocoon (1985) but fail to enjoy in the role of Noa, he just doesn't feel right in the part. Perhaps it has more to do with the feeling that the character isn't particularly significant, the film instead needing a much stronger Obi-Wan Kenobi-esque hero to lead. Imagine Alp-Öhi (Heidi's grandfather) with a lightsaber. In an interview with Eon Magazine, Ken Wheat said of the movie, "Lucas guided the creation of the story over the course of two four-hour sessions we had with him. He'd just watched Heidi with his daughter the weekend before these took place, and the story idea he pushed was having the little girl from the first Ewok TV movie become an orphan who ends up living with a
grumpy old hermit in the woods. We'd been thinking about the adventure films we'd liked as kids, like Swiss Family Robinson and The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, so we suggested having space marauders, which was fine with George - as long as they were 7 feet tall, of course! The rest of the brainstorming was done along those lines. Joe Johnston (the production designer and second unit director) and Phil Tippett (the creature supervisor) were involved in the second day's story session, and they contributed an assortment of bits and pieces".

Undoing the good of the first instalment to fit Cindel into the Heidi role is very unfortunate, as they could have easily cast a new young actress for an altogether newer role. That said, Aubree Miller is a sweetheart and it is rather nice to see her again, especially as Cindel's friendship with Wicket the Ewok continues to grow. Wicket W. Warrick has been played (in costume) by Warwick Davis in all three Stars Wars movies to feature him, but did you know that it was Darryl Henriques who voiced Wicket in the two Ewok spin-off films? The actor is best known to sc-fi fans as the Romulan Ambassador Nanclus in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). Personally I'm still wondering why Lucas had Wicket talk at all, you don't have to understand a pet dog to be its friend and life companion.

There are many Star Wars fans who loathe Ewoks and their movies, who feel Return of The Jedi (1983) would have been a much better chapter without them. So perhaps I'm in a minority for liking the residents of the Moon of Endor? I just can't help embracing fond childhood memories. The fact that Battle For Endor was not part of that nostalgia might explain my dislike for the story, it's entirely possible.

Remember Daffy, the cross-eyed Gremlin from Gremlins 2? Well Teek quite reminds me of him. There's always one goofball who steals the show, though there isn't anything particularly stupid about him. He's clearly intelligent and loyal, playful and kind. Originally intended to be a puppet, the character was eventually portrayed by Niki Botelho. Actor Brimley had refused to work with a puppet and the quick decision was made to fit someone into costume - sixteen-year old Botelho was chosen from set.

Ewoks: The Battle for Endor premiered as a television special on 24th November 1985. It saw a limited UK theatrical release in the Spring of 1986. It was later released on home video in 1990, and on DVD in 2004 as a double feature paired with its predecessor Caravan of Courage. Neither film are considered canon since Disney's reorganisation of the franchise, I believe, which is a shame. Ewoks: A Star Wars Story would go so nicely with the company's current run of spin-off material. At the very least they should be given a re-release on bluray. I am sure many would rather see old copies burn alongside the body of Anakin Skywalker on his funeral pyre. That's the fun thing about fandom - we are all different...

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Alwyn Ash
Alwyn is a genius with the pen. Give him a keyboard and he's in heaven. He lives in Chester with his personal collection of books, movies and a pocket Universe.
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Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984) - FilmReview

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Cindel and Wicket - the cutest couple in Hollywood.

Originally published on the /G-f website to celebrate Ernest Cline's Ready Player One.

I am one of the lucky ones, I fell in love with Ewoks from their first appearance in Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, and owned most of the action figures - my collection needing only the Ewok village to complete an otherwise fun set. "You'll live the adventure... You'll love its heroes." The tagline for George Lucas’ 1984 spin-off made-for-TV film promised excitement and adventure, and it certainly delivered. I was ten years old, and Star Wars crazy. Honestly, I was likely crazy about a great many things being so full of wonder with that twinkle in my eye, but the space opera in a “galaxy far, far away...” was unlike anything I’d seen before, or since.

The Caravan of Courage took me further into a world I had briefly experienced through the eyes of rebel soldiers as a last stand against the Galactic Empire took hold. Now, in An Ewok Adventure, we got to explore the forest moon of Endor with two children, Mace and Cindel Towani, who are separated from their parents following a crash landing; unbeknown to them, their mom and dad (played by Fionnula Flanagan and Guy Boyd) have been taken by the Gorax, a giant of a beast that keeps them caged in its mountain lair. It is these very kids that are found by Ewoks and taken back to their village. Mace, being the protective older brother, is temporarily regarded as a threat and bound after he tries to overcome the furry warriors. Thankfully trust is gained and medicine is given to his young sister, who quickly develops a friendship with Wicket, the lively Ewok from Return of the Jedi.

After consulting Logray, the wisest Ewok, Mace and Cindel go on the very adventure promised in the film’s title. They are joined by Wicket and other Ewoks who wish to help reunite the Towani family and defeat the monstrous Gorax. What follows reminds me of Dr Who & The Daleks, the feature length movie that had Peter Cushing’s Dr Who join a group of Thals to infiltrate the Dalek city; both even share a deadly lake. Then again, same could be said about Krull. No wonder I geek out on these films!

The Towani family and Ewoks. They're all furry (very) photogenic.

Caravan of Courage was filmed on a much smaller budget than that available to the original Star Wars trilogy, and it shows. It’s safe to say that the effects haven’t aged well. That aside, it remains a beautiful piece of television history that is just as warm and cuddly as the Ewok animated series that aired the following year. Director John Korty works well with a screenplay by George Lucas and Bob Carrau, and the inserted narrative featuring the voice of Burl Ives gives the film a nice storybook quality perfect for children. Without doubt the true stars of this feature are Eric Walker as Mace, Aubree Miller as Cindel, and Warwick Davis as Wicket. Though Walker and Miller aren’t perfect child actors they do get the job done and manage to deliver touching performances nonetheless.

It is nice to finally explore more of the world’s terrain than just forest, as we get to experience a desert of acid pools and dry lakes, and the treacherous mountainous regions.

Lucas understandably had full control over each step of production, not wishing this to become a second Star wars Holiday Special, which has never been positively received by critics, Star Wars fans, or Lucas himself. Even a TV ad featuring Walker in character to promote the movie was prevented from airing because Lucas disliked it so. There is also the question of the films continuity within the franchise, it has been said that An Ewok Adventure takes place between events depicted in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, but that plausibility doesn’t quite add up – as time progresses, Wicket learns to speak some English thanks to his blossoming friendship with Cindel (as we see in Ewok sequel The Battle For Endor), and yet his encounter with Princess Leia in Jedi clearly projects him as a creature without that ability. It is more than likely that the Ewok movies follow events in the original trilogy, it would also explain why there are so few Ewoks present in Caravan. No? Well, it’s always fun to speculate, and it doesn’t truly matter either way, I’m just glad to experience its light-hearted magic.

What I do find discouraging is the way in which the film has been treated in recent years regarding international release: though a double feature DVD was greenlit to include the sequel, there has been no attempt since at restoring either movie for blu-ray. Whether regarded as canon or not, it would be a shame to overlook the beauty and simplicity of Caravan of Courage – the Star Wars universe is full of wonder, and some of it can be found on the forest moon of Endor.

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Alwyn Ash
Alwyn is a genius with the pen. Give him a keyboard and he's in heaven. He lives in Chester with his personal collection of books, movies and a pocket Universe.
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Salvage (2009) - Filmreview

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Neve McIntosh faces a new horror in Brit flick Salvage. "Fear cannot be contained"

It would be easy to believe that Salvage was a final episode of popular British soap opera Brookside, set in Liverpool. Not only do the interior sets look untouched like something out of the Mary Celeste but the exterior location, too, was used in filming this low budget horror movie.

Honestly, Brookside itself became so gritty and far fetched by the end of its 21-year run that you could almost imagine anything was possible plot-wise, including a series of horrifying killings at the hands of a mutant. Big spoiler aside, Salvage does have some things going for it besides the famous setting. Starring Neve McIntosh (The Hound of the Baskervilles, Doctor Who) as Beth and Shaun Dooley as Kieran, we arrive at the cul-de-sac as a newspaper boy overhears an argument between an Indian couple. The man, Mr Sharma, sees the boy peering through their window and chases him. The boy flees into the wood behind the close, where he is murdered by an unknown figure. We are then introduced to teenager Jodie (Linzey Cocker) who is expected to spend Christmas with her estranged mother Beth (McIntosh). Brought to the Close by her father, Jodie takes a Key from a flower pot and lets herself in. Who needs a Grinch when you have a terrible mother? The young girl, disgusted to find Beth having sex with a stranger upstairs, leaves the house to seek comfort with a friend across the way. Beth follows but is refused entry by the friend's own mother (played by Coronation Street actress Debbie Rush).

And then all hell breaks loose...

We are now firmly in Phil Redmond (Brookside creator) territory for those who remember the 20th Anniversary of Brookside and its over-the-top siege storylines featuring Terry 'Psycho' Gibson and his antics.

Except... drug dealers are replaced by an unseen killer who terrorises residents and eliminates special force team members sent in to contain the situation. The majority of the film now focuses on Beth and her one-night stand Kieran as they attempt to make sense of sudden developments. Residents are ordered by soldiers to stay in their homes. Beth, however, is more concerned for her daughter, who remains at the friend's house. If there is one positive about Salvage then it has to be Neve McIntosh's strong performance, whose character refuses to give in and wait it all out - instead she remains at the center of this tense thriller directed by Lawrence Gough.

Kieren is convinced they are victims of an al-Qaeda terrorist threat, a suspicion seemingly confirmed by an injured special ops soldier who they bring into the safety of Beth's home. Beth, though, discovers the truth after overhearing the soldier, Akede (Kevin Harvey), on his radio to a colleague. This is where the movie has the potential to deliver further but ultimately fails. The true "threat" is boasted to be the perfect killer, an "uncontrollable" monster. Could this explain why Akede's unit is failing? So, perhaps we're in Alien or Predator territory? No, not really. As the plot reaches its conclusion, so does the thrill. Beth is reunited with her daughter but is attacked by the mutant; the victim of a military experiment, it turns out. Fleeing in terror, daughter Jodie reaches the front garden of the house when the monster goes in for the kill, having followed...

Salvage marked Lawrence Gough's film début in the director's chair, he has since gone on to work on shows like Cold Blood, Hollyoaks, and Atlantis. The feature was also one of three projects chosen for the Digital Departures filmmaking initiative launched in 2007 to celebrate Liverpool's Capital of Culture status in 2008; the other two being documentary Of Time and the City (writer/director: Terence Davies) and film Kicks (director: Lindy Heymann - written by Leigh Campbell - original title: Starstruck). All three projects each secured a £250,000 budget.

McIntosh won two awards for her performance, at the International Fantasy Film Award and Fantastic Fest. It is easy to see why she accepted the part, "I was attracted to the script because Beth is the main protagonist – I’m covered in bruises from all the chasing and clambering. My last job was a film with Joe Fiennes about a Jewish family hiding from the Holocaust, so it’s very different" - Liverpool Echo.

On a personal note, I do wish there had been more screen time between Beth and Jodie, and that more of their relationship had been established. I'm sure McIntosh and Cocker would have given the piece just that extra bit of emotion in an otherwise emotionally charged drama. Thoroughly enjoyable, for fans of horror or Brookside.

Purchase Salvage via amazon.co.uk.

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Article author: Alwyn Ash

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Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) - FilmReview

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"Hello, I'm going to be responsible for helping to eliminate the Jedi."

It had to happen! Following on from my review of Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones comes a look at how it all began: Midi-chlorians included!

Back in 1999 I had been excited at the news concerning brand new Star wars; George Lucas was a Hollywood God in my eyes, a man who could do no wrong: he had given my childhood an amazing gift, one that I am eternally grateful for, so no "He's ruined my childhood" comments in this article! I was 25 years-old when the eagerly awaited Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace was released, and there was so much excitement it could barely be contained in one body. Thankfully I didn't explode. But witnessing the birth of a new trilogy in the Star wars saga was almost like discovering a single rare crystal leading to a pool of treasure. My first taste of this new movie wasn't at the theatre but on VHS cassette - yes, I was yet to embrace the beauty of the DVD player! And so, crystal in hand, I sat to watch this magnificent piece of cinematic magic...

Trade dispute? Strange-looking aliens out of lip sync? Not exactly the beginning I was looking for, but still... plenty of promise... Then come the Battle droids, not exactly Stormtroopers, are they? So we are introduced to the Trade Federation. I guess the main issue with TPM is just how political it becomes, and how we witness Senator Palpatine's manipulation as a shadow threatens to engulf the Senate. We already know that it is Palpatine who ends up playing such a vital part in the "original trilogy", and that he is actually Sith Lord Darth Sidious. But it seems we must learn just how he becomes so powerful politically. And we get to meet a young Anakin Skywalker, portrayed by Jake Lloyd (who has gone on record saying that the film actually did ruin his childhood, and acting career - I've seen "Jingle All The Way", so I can honestly say George Lucas can't be completely blamed).

Of all the actors to star in TPM, Ewan McGregor is the most interesting, a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, apprentice to Liam Neeson's Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Originally played by legend Sir Alec Guinness, Obi-Wan remains an intriguing character, whose eventual escape following Order 66 (Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith) leads him to live as a hermit on the planet Tatooine. In "Episode I" he is young and impatient, more reflective of how Luke Skywalker appeared in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back. That said, the "prequels" are less about the heroes and more about how Anakin Skywalker becomes the evil Darth Vader. Young he may well be but Anakin is already showing signs of being exceptional, even if he does ask the strangest questions: "Are you an angel?" No, she's co-star Natalie Portman aka Queen Padmé Amidala!

"Meeza fan!"

I find it fascinating how any actor can claim that a movie either destroyed their career, or nearly did so, and Portman is another reported to have made such a statement. Personally I rate her highly, and have enjoyed performances in movies such as Léon (1994), V for Vendetta (2006), and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008). To step away from near disaster and actually make good is a sign of a talented actor! I like Padmé very much. And though she doesn't have the strong character of Leia Organa, her presence in TPM is a vital one, giving warmth to an otherwise lifeless world. Considering how the next two instalments connect the Queen of Naboo and a future Sith Lord romantically, it certainly would have been far more consistent for Anakin to have been represented by someone older than Lloyd, too - I find it odd how we leap from Lloyd to Hayden Christensen in the first two films.

Just imagine if, for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, we had had someone other than Mark Hamill to play a young Luke Skywalker, only for Hamill to take the reigns in TESB (The Empire Strikes Back).

Much is made of the mystery surrounding the Sith Master (Palpatine) and his apprentice (I shall come to Darth Maul in a moment), just as TPM seems obsessed with suspicion and plot: it could almost be a futuristic Guy Fawkes feature, with the Jedi Council stepping in for Parliament. If it had morphed into a sci-fi thriller then okay, I'm totally fine with that, but George Lucas' script fails to satisfy any need for true suspense or drama. Instead, everything feels convoluted and in need of strict editing. The Battle Droids make for a weak nemesis. Even the Jedi never live up to expectations - "For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire." If Ben Kenobi's mention of this ancient "religion" felt exciting and mysterious then going back to a time when they were still present only goes to show them as lacking in greatness. Sad but true! Only Nute Gunray, viceroy of the Trade Federation, seemed wary of them. There is also so much going on in this movie, including the Battle of Naboo, that most Jedi are off "investigating", it seems, or sat around pondering. After doing some research into Jedi mythology, I am amazed by its richness, something that is never truly realised onscreen.

Many fans have taken dislike to both the Midi-chlorians explanation regarding the Force, and the introduction of Gungan Jar Jar Binks. The latter is fine with me, a character that brings light relief. Let's face it, the original trilogy had enough light-hearted humour to entertain, such as the Ewoks, Chewbacca's Tarzan antics, and most of C-3PO's scenes. Is a native of Naboo (Jar Jar) really that big of a deal? And I certainly don't get the racial caricature allegations: he's an alien from a galaxy far far away, not a Jamaican... He certainly doesn't deserve to be described as "the most hated character in cinema". How wude!

Alistair Crighton writes an interesting article on Star Wars stereotypes for Aljazeera. On a personal note, all I see are characters whose motivations have nothing to do with the real world - it's called escapism...

So, back to the film. If TPM delivers an ace from up its sleeve then let's take a look at Sith apprentice Darth Maul, whose presence is severely lacking and needed much development. For the most part he skulks, only fully engaging in the movie twice: both times to clash lightsabers with Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson). The climax sees both Qui-Gon and Maul killed, but what a waste of an opportunity to extend the latter's legacy - it could have been him instead of Christopher Lee's Count Dooku who faces off against Yoda in Attack of the Clones and is eventually executed by Anakin (at Palpatine's invitation) in Revenge of the Sith after he outlives his usefulness, marking a path for the new Galactic Empire (and Darth Vader's rise to power within). Just like Vader, Maul is portrayed by two people: Ray Park and Peter Serafinowicz (the latter for the voice). It is a crime that this Sith wasn't given more to do other than looking like a model for a toy line. Yes, in the end it's all about profit but let's make the character earn his money, shall we?

As Qui-Gonn is cremated on a funeral pyre, Yoda says, "Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice." We know the answer. But the mystery remains for the Jedi, as the Clone War approaches. Thankfully by then C-3PO will be less "naked"; Jar Jar will appear less frequently, and Anakin will have grown to fancy his "angel". Sadly, Samuel L. Jackson's look of boredom will continue. At least Mace Windu has something exciting to do in the sequel, with a purple lightsaber...

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Article author: Alwyn Ash

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A Life For A Life: The True Story Of Stefan Kiszko (1998) - FilmReview

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Article author: Alwyn Ash
"At the right time, in the right light, everything is extraordinary"

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"Maudsley's career began with A Life For A Life. He was the perfect choice for the demanding role."

The murder of 11 year-old Lesley Molseed, born Lesley Anderson, would reach its ultimate conclusion thirty years later, in 2007. She was killed in 1975, by comic book store owner Ronald Castree. The question raised: why did it take so long for her murderer to be brought to justice? Well, for many of those years an innocent man had been jailed for the crime instead. Stefan Ivan Kiszko, a tax clerk, was to become a victim of injustice and gross negligence.

In 1998, his story was told via a brand new televised drama, entitled A Life For A Life, directed by Stephen Whittaker (who had once appeared in the 1968 Doctor Who serial The Web of Fear). Actor Tony Maudsley (Benidorm) starred as Kiszko while American actress Olympia Dukakis was cast in the role of his mother Charlotte.

If I could compare the heartbreak of this case to another, then it would be that of 10 Rillington Place and Timothy Evans, who was hanged for murders committed by serial killer John Christie. Though Kiszko wasn't hanged, the terrible incarceration he endured was so cruel that it is difficult to forgive those whose actions - or lack of - made it possible for the 10-2 verdict in 1976 at Leeds Crown Court. Had certain evidence been produced at his trial, it is clear that Kiszko's innocence wouldn't have been in question. He wasn't guilty, pure and simply.

It didn't help that Kiszko was both mentally and emotionally challenged. During police questioning he wasn't invited to ask for a solicitor, and a request for his mother to be present was refused. While most of us would never admit to a crime we didn't commit, Kiszko believed that if he admitted guilt he would be allowed home. It was a naive attitude but one that fitted in with his way of thinking. Sadly, those who wished to secure a conviction took advantage of his naivety.

Maudsley's career began with A Life For A Life. He was the perfect choice for the demanding role. I dare anyone to watch this film and not feel something for Kiszko. Reviews for the drama have been positive. At the time of broadcast I was living in Northwich, and I remember clearly the emotions that it aroused: I was sick with anger and sadness, not just for Kiszko but for his devoted mother, too! Ultimately, two lives that were destroyed because of a miscarriage of justice.

At time of writing this review, the DVD is difficult to get hold of, having been discontinued for so long. Thankfully I had been fortunate to purchase from a private eBay seller. At last glance someone was selling a copy for £199.99 on Amazon UK!

Lesley Molseed's murder should never be forgotten. A Life For A Life does contain scenes that are upsetting, as we learn much about how she died and graphic descriptions of the crime scene (Rishworth Moor in West Yorkshire) and body. Forensic testing produced results that proved irrefutably that someone other than Kiszko had ejaculated over her clothing, however this crucial evidence was never submitted in court! So, while an innocent man was being railroaded, the girl's true killer remained free.

Kiszko's life in prison was harrowing - in addition to physical assaults from fellow inmates he suffered deteriorating mental health and schizophrenia. He received little sympathy from guards, who believed him to be a child killer. One can only try to imagine how he must have felt. On the outside his mother never gave up fighting on his behalf, even though she came up against indifference from politicians and the legal system in general. Eventually Charlotte Kiszko was put in touch with solicitor Campbell Malone (portrayed by Tony Pritchard). This would be a turning point in the case, which was reopened in 1991. Inconsistencies were established, and previous evidence from teenage girls who had accused Kiszko of exposing himself to them, in 1975, admitted lying in court saying they thought it fun at the time to make up such stories.

He was released in 1992, having spent 16 years behind bars. But this was not to be the end of a sad story: Kiszko died of a heart attack the following year, he was only 41 years-old. His mother Charlotte passed away four months later. They are buried at Rochdale Cemetery, Lancashire.

A Life For A Life is both outstanding drama and a touching portrayal of Kiszko's survival through madness. Considering it was released in 1998, there is no mention of Ronald Castree. Perhaps, if it ever sees a re-release, an accompanying documentary updating the case would be the perfect addition...

Writer Peter Berry won the 1998 RTS (Royal Television Society) award for "Best Screenplay"; while Maudsley won the RTS award for "Network Newcomer - On Screen". Further reading, check out Picture Palace.

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Follow @AlwynAsh on Twitter. Image source courtesy of Celtic Films Entertainment/Picture Palace. Article © Alwyn Ash 2015. Quotes (if applicable) used for publicity purposes only. No infringement of copyright is intended.

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Robocop (1987) - FilmReview

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Article author: Alwyn Ash
"At the right time, in the right light, everything is extraordinary"

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After viewing the most recent 2014 remake by director José Padilha, I knew it was time to revisit Paul Verhoeven's classic affair.

The horrific memory of seeing a deadly ED-209 (Enforcement Droid Series 209) gunning down an innocent OCP (Omni Consumer Products) employee still lingers; a legendary moment in cinematic history that deserves status alongside the likes of the famous shower scene in Psycho (1960), the revelation that was "I am your father" in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), or the first Sarah Connor kill in 1984's The Terminator (poor Marianne Muellerleile). There is so much more to Robocop. First off, the casting of Peter Weller and Nancy Allen is just too perfect, a pairing that works well. Though my knowledge of Weller's career is limited, Allen has been a favourite of mine with a catalogue of movies such as Carrie (1976), The Philadelphia Experiment (1984), The Gladiator (1986), and Poltergeist III (1988). In Robocop she plays Officer Anne Lewis, opposite Weller's Officer Alex Murphy (aka Robocop).

Interestingly, American actress Stephanie Zimbalist was originally intended for the role but a commitment to television series Remington Steele meant that she had to opt out, instead allowing Allen to take the part. It is now difficult to imagine that Arnold Schwarzenegger, too, was believed to be in line for the lead role - how different this vehicle would have been with Schwarzenegger and Zimbalist firmly in the hot seat.

We now live in an era of over-the-top CGI, so it is good to look back at the stop motion visual effects of yesterday. The ED-209 was designed and built by Craig Davies, whose other work includes Willow (1988) and Jurassic Park (1993). The themes of Robocop are as significant today as they were in 1987. Though set "In the near future", the movie explores crime, privatisation and capitalism, and its use of media manipulation is to be applauded - we exist in a world of greed and exploitation. As for the former, plans are afoot to bring control back to the streets in the form of a cyborg. "Serve the public trust, protect the innocent, uphold the law". If the scene with ED-209 malfunctioning and slaughtering an OCP board member was terrifying, then how about the death of Alex Murphy? One can only watch, open-mouthed, as criminal Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith) and his sociopathic gang callously blast the officer multiple times, severing limbs and leaving him for dead. Partner Anne can do nothing but secretly watch this heartbreaking assassination, or risk being murdered! Later, Murphy is rushed to hospital; he is later pronounced dead.

"He doesn't have a name. He's got a program. He's product". And so the dead officer is selected for the Robocop programme. A new law enforcer is in town. It is clear, however, that Robocop is far more than a "machine". That is another of the themes I find fascinating: identity of self... should a cyborg that contains Murphy's brain, and memories, consider itself to BE Murphy? Or, is everything that made the man now just a stream of data? What exactly makes us who we are? The conflict is obvious.

During the course of the movie we learn that Boddicker (the man involved in Murphy's "killing") has connections to OCP senior president Dick Jones, who is knee-deep in corruption and murder. And so, passionately, we rally for Robocop to bring justice against those whose own lives have brought terror and death to others. Anne Lewis, discovering that her partner is "alive", seeks to help him, even if it means risking her own life and career. This is where the bond between Weller and Allen develops, two buddy cops whose sense of right from wrong are maintained - it is perhaps a miracle, in such an unscrupulous world, that anyone is still capable of preserving a code of honour. The film might be called "Robocop", but it is as much about comradeship and duty; and Anne plays an active role in securing the outcome - let's face it, Murphy's sidekick could have been another male protagonist. I'm so glad it wasn't!

Did you know that Robocop was part inspired by Ridley Scott's Blade Runner? Well, it's certainly a nice idea. Writer Edward Neumeier, who also wrote the screenplay for 1997's Starship Troopers, stated that it was Blade Runner's concept that sparked his thinking of developing a robot cop; Scott's plot involved a cop hunting bioengineered androids referred to as "replicants". Another influence, for Robocop, was Mega-City One's Judge Dredd. And so, with writing partner Michael Miner, Neumeier developed the screenplay.

Robocop was a success, receiving positive reviews and is considered to be one of the best movies of 1987. Feminist author and journalist Susan Faludi went on record saying that in many war and action films of the 1980s "...women are reduced to mute and incidental characters or banished altogether". Personally, I cannot agree. Allen's character was far from incidental, in my opinion; Anne remains an important foil to Weller's character, the one human link that can be relied upon when the whole world turns against him. Without Allen there would have been far less heart in the film. Undoubtedly, Weller, too, should be admired for his portrayal of Robocop. Finding the best balance is not easy, and a lesser actor would have come across as far too... well... robotic. Weller, however, portrays both programme and emotion with such focus and depth that one feels drawn to Robocop's plight. One scene where he revisits his family home to find it empty, both wife and child moved away believing him to be dead, brings anger for a life lost. If this is, indeed, Murphy and not just a database of programming, then his new existence feels very cruel - how better to have just died at the hands of Boddicker?

I always remembered Robocop being extremely violent, mirrored by its adult rating. Perhaps I was shocked back then. But there was also fascination, for a future in which someone still believed in law and order. After all, why build Robocop unless you are seeking to change the way of things? How naive I was back then. Must we forget that a man who should have been given respectful burial was, instead, violated and recycled just like the OCP "product" they believed him to be... Never trust the corporations! If you have never seen the original Robocop, then now is the time to do so.

"Excuse me. I have to go. Somewhere there is a crime happening."

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Follow @AlwynAsh on Twitter. Image source courtesy of www.imdb.com. Article © Alwyn Ash 2015. Quotes (if applicable) used for publicity purposes only; no infringement of copyright is intended.

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Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of The Clones (2002) - FilmReview

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Article author: Alwyn Ash
"At the right time, in the right light, everything is extraordinary"

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"There is unrest in the Galactic Senate. Several thousand solar systems have declared their intentions to leave the Republic."

It has been ten years since the battle on Naboo, and yet there is still much to discover regarding the Sith and its plans. Following a failed assassination attempt on the life of Padmé Amidala (former Queen of Naboo and now a Senator of the Republic), Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker are assigned to protect her. It is during a second attempt that they chase after a female shapeshifter assassin named Zam Wesell (Google is a wondrous creature) through the city, finally confronting her; she is, however, quickly silenced by her accomplice, a bounty hunter later to be revealed as Jango Fett (portrayed by New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison), who fires a toxic dart before fleeing the scene. Meanwhile, there is much unrest as war threatens to take hold of a galaxy so close to the brink...

What began with "The Phantom Menace", in 1999, George Lucas' extended vision has been in danger of tarnishing what had preceded it all those many years ago. For fans who lived through the original trilogy, this new installment was far from what had been expected. If Episodes IV-VI gave us adventure, and hope, then "Episode I" (Phantom Menace) tore through the very fabric with politics and conspiracies, a formula that neatly repeated itself in the second chapter of this prequel trilogy. I will, however, let you into a little secret - after fresh viewing, I am now prepared to look favourably upon Lucas' prequel trilogy. Perhaps the passing of time has made it easier to relive the films without anger or frustration; an awkward acceptance, if you will. But, in truth, there really are some good moments in "Attack of The Clones" that make worthy contributions to the Star Wars Universe.

Getting this out of the way early, it is still a major gripe that the over-used CGI regarding battle scenes and alien lifeforms should have been religiously employed by Lucas - far too much feels artificial and digitally contaminated. That said, the world of Naboo is beautifully recreated and realised, as Padmé and Anakin's relationship develops; it is just a shame that actor Hayden Christensen (who was still a better choice for the role than young Jake Lloyd, from the previous film) doesn't rise up to the occasion (so to speak) during what could have been some truly heartfelt scenes.

I will say this for Lucas, when he does get it right there can be no doubt of his creative talent. Obi-Wan's arrival on Kamino, for example, is a wonderful moment. An ocean planet, Kamino conceals a secret: an army of clone troopers being grown and trained for the Republic. The tall Kaminoans are a sight to behold, and have to be one of the most magnificent CGI creations in the film series. Even the Jedi Knight's first encounter with Jango and a very young Boba Fett in their room in Tipoca City on Kamino works well, later resulting in a fight sequence between Obi-Wan and the bounty hunter on a landing platform, only to follow on into an exciting space sequence as Jango attempts to destroy the Jedi and his ship after the latter planted a homing beacon to the outer hull of Jango's craft.

If Christensen does manage to steal any part of this installment then the death of Anakin's mother, Shmi Lars (née Skywalker), and the resulting execution of the Tusken Raiders ("Sand People") who held her captive and tortured her, truly demonstrates that the actor wasn't entirely miscast. With a vengeful look in his eyes, opening his soul to the dark side for the first time, Anakin raises his lightsaber and cuts them down, slaughtering the tribe, women and children. It is this loss of a parent that will ultimately send him on a path to seek the power to prevent death. For now, he mourns for the woman he loved but could not save: his mother. It may have been a brief role for Swedish actress and screenwriter Pernilla August (reprising the role from Chapter I), but Shmi's final moments are played beautifully.

The final act of "Attack of The Clones" certainly makes up for some of the earlier slower pieces, as Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor's excellent portrayal of this maturing Jedi should be applauded), Anakin and Padmé fight for their lives in an arena against grotesque monsters. They triumph, but face an execution squad of droideka (battle droids). This is when an appearance by various Jedi Knights leads to one of the most impressive lightsaber battles in Star Wars history. It is breathtaking, a visual feast of action and well-structured choreography. Even actor Samuel L. Jackson as Jedi Master Mace Windu gets to join in. By comparison, the lightsaber duel between Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) and Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) is a little bland and stilted, including the "Force lightening" and object manipulation scene as the Sith Lord tries to crush his opponent. Perhaps this is as a result of there being an actor verses CGI character, opposed to the powerfully realised duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in "Return of the Jedi". It should be noted that Vader's similar moment in "The Empire Strike Back", use of the Force to manipulate matter in a sequence against Luke in Cloud City, holds much more skill of direction, emotion and drama, however.

So, to the end. And the sight of a Clone army, preparing for battle... The final scene falls on Anakin and Padmé, in a nod to the closing seconds from "The Empire Strikes Back". It gives hope for a third chapter, as something dark approaches. A war. And, just as in the original trilogy, nothing will ever be the same again. As a fan, I can now put to rest one ghost: though deeply troubled, "Attack of The Clones" does at least manage to impress far more than "Phantom Menace" ever could, both in story and set pieces. There are glimpses of the original trilogy style in the mix, though more would have been better.

Final thought on actress Natalie Portman. Padmé Amidala is clearly no Leia Organa. They share a determination, but the latter reveals a fiery nature, stubborn and easily frustrated. By comparison, Padmé is patient, a romantic with ideals. Portman's performance works well considering the shortage of great dialogue or direction. Sadly however, Padmé serves to be a less memorable character than Leia. That said, I do like her. And was that actress Rose Byrne (Insidious) in a brief scene as handmaiden to Padmé in this feature?

"Attack of the Clones" certainly has its problems: one example, C3PO is suddenly a rather too flexible-looking CGI in one of the factory scenes on the planet Geonosis, making him look like a computer game character rather than something in a big budget motion picture - a major problem with much of Lucas' prequels. And please don't get me started on Anakin and Padmé's assembly line shenanigans! Still, there is much to be thankful for, and revenge is just around the corner, as "Episode III" waits to work its magic. Or does it?

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Image source courtesy of lucasfilm.com. Article © Alwyn Ash 2015.
Quotes (if applicable) used for publicity purposes only; no infringement of copyright is intended.

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Contracted (2013) - FilmReview

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Samantha (Najarra Townsend) unaware of the dangers to follow.

"Contracted" is one horror movie that explores the zombie story from an altogether different perspective, using sex as the source of the infection. Unsure whether this really was something worth a viewing, I decided one night to take the plunge. By the end, I was both shocked and impressed. We are all used to the generalised ways in which a zombie film progresses, with the undead rising to kill the living, in most instances devouring their victims. But how about the story of Samantha (Najarra Townsend) who, after a rape, becomes infected by something unknown, and gradually decays? This is no routine zombie feature. It is more an observation in slow motion, as a woman "dies" during the course of the movie's run. The sexually-transmitted disease angle does bring chills, as we are all too aware of the threat of HIV and Aids. And the final scene doesn't fail to impress... For some, though, "Contracted" might lose their loyalty after the first half hour. So, to the review...

For a low budget affair this horror thriller (distributed by IFC Films) works well, with leading lady Townsend working hard to capture the essence of the character and disintegration of her world - 10/10 for the special effects makeup and visual decay. Director and writer Eric England gives an "experimental" feature whose script took about 2-3 months to write, with filming also short. There is no doubt that "Contracted" is slow, and takes some dedication to really stay with it, but it does become an intriguing study of both sex and the consequences that derive from such an act. And if you believe this is likely to be purely an Aids or HIV-related portrait, think again. There is nothing regular about what is contracted here...

The movie opens with a mysterious man, only referred to as "BJ", as he engages in necrophilia with a corpse in a morgue. Later he meets Samantha at a party and, while drunk, she is taken advantage of (we discover that he had used Flunitrazepam in her drink). Later, unbeknown to her, some terrible virus has infected the young woman. This is the part where her universe collapses, and we are given an insight into one of the most horrifying and sickening transformations in the history of cinema! I was not prepared for what was to follow...

If there is one criticism regarding "Contracted" then it is simply this: there are some who fail to respond to her predicament realistically. Personally, if I had a daughter or friend whose physical appearance altered so radically in such a short space of time, I would be in hospital with her, demanding she be seen and tests be taken. Surprisingly, with countries on alert for acts of terrorism, including biochemical, would a medical practitioner really just allow Samantha to go home after seeing the state of her health? "Do not come into contact with anyone until we can determine what it is we're dealing with." Perhaps this film would have been bigger for exploring such a possibility, but I can understand the limited finances.

Sammy lives with her mom (portrayed by Caroline Williams, who was cast in Tobe Hooper's 1986 horror "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2") in Los Angeles, after splitting up with girlfriend Nikki (Katie Stegeman); she works at a restaurant as a waitress; and one of her male friends, Riley (Matt Mercer), fancies her. A normal life, you would think, but one that changes following the rape. What starts with hearing issues leads very quickly to blood and stomach pains. At this stage there is plenty of realism, with sympathy aplenty for the character. I am sure we would all worry if suffering symptoms that are first shrugged off as a "head cold and a rash". One can only describe it as rotting from within, leading to external complications. I do like how it is believed Samantha's condition to be drug related, which she denies. By the time we reach "Day 3", her "illness" is heartbreaking, as the corrosion gathers pace.

The least sympathetic character in this feature is Nikki, for being the most obnoxious person I have ever spent 84 minutes with. Well, perhaps not "84 minutes" but it sure does feel like it! Stegeman plays her well, and you can only wonder how on earth she and Sammy got together in the first place - talk about chalk and cheese! "I'm not into you any more!" Even her final encounter with her ex-girlfriend does nothing to redeem. Just what does she think is happening to Samantha? Is her physical deterioration not obvious enough? In truth, Nikki does not care, and has obviously never cared about the young woman's feelings.

If you can survive the first half hour then it is best to stay with the movie - the climax is most definitely rewarding! All it needs now is a sequel ("Contracted:Phase II") and director England's vision can expand into other areas... "Contracted" is ultimately Townsend's song, with a powerful performance that not only requires respect but admiration for such a human story. With "The Toy Soldiers" (2014) raising her profile further, there is plenty of reason to watch out for this young lady...

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Image courtesy of imdb.com (Matt Mercer © 2013).

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Article © Alwyn Ash 2015.

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12 Years A Slave (2013) - FilmReview

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Article author: Alwyn Ash

"Days ago I was with my family, in my home. Now you tell me all is lost. 'Tell no one who I really am' if I want to survive. I don't want to survive, I want to live."

Adapted from the memoirs of African American Solomon Northup, director Steve McQueen ("Hunger", "Shame") tells of kidnapping and mistaken identity, culminating in abuse and slavery. Though Solomon was born free in New York, he was abducted in 1841 and sold, forced to work on plantations in Louisiana. For twelve years he suffered cruelty, both physical and emotional, and witnessed the suffering of others just like him, as the law gave no protection - they were simply "property" to their masters. It is ironic that he was a learned man, intelligent and of standing within his own community, and yet during his imprisonment this knowledge was kept concealed from those who abused him. Mistaken for another man, he worked hard, endured pain and humiliation, but remained focused on the day when he would be free again, and return home to his family...

It has to be said that all the cast play their parts not just well but perfectly balanced and expertly embraced, credit going to everyone involved in this fine production. Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor gives the most warming performance as Solomon, with actress Lupita Nyong'o tugging at the heart strings portraying the role of Patsey, a fellow slave at one of the plantations where Solomon eventually ends up. It appears director McQueen cannot put a foot wrong with his selection of films; he has won awards, and been nominated so many times for his achievements that it is an honour to watch a master at his craft, experiencing the finest of cinema.

If you haven't already read the cast list then there are some nice surprises. First up is English actor Benedict Cumberbatch ("Sherlock", "Star Trek: Into Darkness") as kind plantation owner William Ford, who is so impressed by the slave's idea of transporting logs across a swamp that he gives Northup a violin as a gift. Of course, even here, tensions are high as Northup is targeted by Over-seer John Tibeats, who clearly despises him. After a short altercation the slave is almost lynched, and he is sold to new owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender). This is where the story takes a far more sinister turn...

At this point the plot really steps up as God-loving Epps and his wife Mary (powerfully played by Sarah Paulson) demonstrate such cruelty towards their "property", the former inflicting beatings for failure to reach expected cotton production targets: 200 pounds daily. Patsey's hard work in collecting 500-plus is applauded by her owner, who not just rapes her regularly but develops an obsession with the young slave. This eventually leads to persecution from Mary, who both humiliates and physically attacks her. McQueen certainly does nothing to shy away from the brutalities of slavery, with scenes of lashings that will likely upset. It could be argued that the director wished simply to produce an accurate portrayal of life during the early to mid-1800s for the average slave, and he manages it with stark honesty.

Another welcome casting comes in the form of Brad Pitt (also producer in this feature), whose performance as gentle laborer Samuel Bass works well in contrast to the hard and unforgiving Epps. Northup and the newcomer strike a close bond while building a gazebo, and the latter learns of the slave's true story - how he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. The scenes between Ejiofor and Pitt are touching and well-written, as are those between Ejiofor and Nyong'o; you can appreciate why Nyong'o won the "Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress", her acting certainly brought a tear to this reviewer's eye!

"12 Years A Slave" is visually breathtaking and stunningly-shot, rich in colour and depth, making everything of John Ridley's screenplay. The time period is splendidly reproduced. After an initial meeting, McQueen and Ridley were keen to develop a feature that would focus on slavery in America. It was thanks to McQueen's wife that Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir came to light. The director commented in an interview (NPR), "I read this book, and I was totally stunned. It was like a bolt coming out of the sky; at the same time I was pretty upset with myself that I didn't know this book." I can fully understand the passion felt for this feature, having not been so emotionally affected by a single movie since Steven Spielberg's 1993 historical drama "Schindler's List". You cannot help but feel empathy for the slaves, and Northup's plight, rage toward Epps and his jealous wife, and an overall sense of appreciation for what those in slavery had to face during those harsh times.

Just like Spielberg's masterpiece, McQueen delivers a painful but insightful biopic, thought-provoking in ways I had not expected. It is even more poignant when you consider that racism is still existent in the modern world, and not just a warped attitude from a bygone era. Such mindsets are heartbreaking, and with "12 Years A slave" we get to see racial cruelty and tragedy in all their forms. Finally, no film is ever complete without its music score, and composer Hans Zimmer ("Crimson Tide", "Inception") excels at his art, achieving the right mixture to compliment the sentimental tides that each scene produces. I highly recommend this deeply powerful and moving drama.

Purchase 12 Years A Slave from the Store:
DVD / Blu-ray - Running time: 134 minutes

Picture: 12 Years: Official website

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Byzantium (2012) - FilmReview

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Article author: Alwyn Ash

"My story can never be told. I write it over and over, wherever we find shelter. I write of what I cannot speak: the truth. I write all I know of it, then I throw that pages to the wind. Maybe the birds can read it."

I have been a fan of Saoirse Ronan's work for about two years, after seeing the Irish actress in 2009 fantasy "The Lovely Bones". Since then I have enjoyed further performances from her in "Hanna" (2011) and "The Host" (2013), and so "Byzantium" is one of those movies that excites. Directed by Neil Jordan and written by Moira Buffini, the tale also stars Gemma Arterton and Jonny Lee Miller. It is a British-Irish affair focusing on mother and daughter Clara (Arterton) and Eleanor (Ronan), both vampires who have accompanied time through the ages. Based on the stage play "A Vampire Story" (Buffini's creation), this feature explores vampires for the modern age, no longer grotesque fanged parasites but people with a burdened past, and feelings. Eleanor has a story to tell, one too impossible to share, and so she writes it, never likely to free herself of the hardship.

There has been a surge in vampire offerings of late, in both film and print; there are likely to be some people who are tired of this phenomenon. However, I always welcome fresh takes on the vampire legend, and "Byzantium" does just that. Forget fangs, these vampires pierce their victims with a sharp fingernail, which can extend and retract in the same way as their toothed-cousins. It is clear that Eleanor is just a young girl (well, perhaps in body but not in mind) who longs for some kind of normality. Her companion, Clara, is the more dangerous of the two, a predator who's morals leaked away the day she was first inducted into prostitution, during the Napoleonic Wars - we get to see both their backstories. It is clear that Clara is determined to keep their whereabouts a secret at all times, from who we discover further into the story. And she has reason to be vigilant. Arterton's character is a survivor: selfish, cold-hearted... though her protectiveness over Eleanor redeems any negative qualities she possesses.

Irish filmmaker Jordan revisits the world of vampirism after his successful adaptation of Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire", released in 1994 and starring Tom Cruise as the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt. His collaberation with English-born Producer Stephen Woolley is legendary, both having worked on "Byzantium" and "Interview with the Vampire", along with other works including "Mona Lisa" (1986), "High Spirits" (1988), "The Crying Game" (1992) and "Michael Collins" (1996). It is a union that works well.

The introduction of an island that gives birth to vampires, and the guardians who protect its secrets, is intriguing, a step away from the more familiar making of a vampire process. Eleanor's own transformation is, of course, Clara's doing, but in a bid to save the young girl's life from venereal disease following rape at the hands of a vengeful Captain Ruthven (Jonny Lee Miller). This is what ultimately leads the two of them to go on the run: breaking the code of the vampire brethren for a second time - the first being Clara's own unsanctioned transformation! The island is sacred, and their disregard for ancient protocol a disgrace to all who uphold the legacy. Such a crime is punishable by death.

Actor Daniel Mays ("Made in Dagenham", "Saddam's Tribe", "Mrs Biggs") plays the role of Noel, owner of the once thriving but now forgotten Byzantium Hotel. Of course, being a loner, he is the perfect candidate for Clara's plans, who seduces him before moving in and converting the hotel into a brothel. Eleanor, in the meantime, befriends Frank (portrayed by American Caleb Landry Jones), a young waiter who she encounters at a restaurant where she plays a piano; they establish an instant bond. As the story progresses we learn of Frank's own personal destiny and feel for the two love birds as fate steps in to keep them apart, including Clara's inability to trust any outsider for fear of discovery. This paranoia also includes Noel, dare he become a threat in any way to the continued survival of these two timeless creatures. You do feel Clara's darkness, and know only too well that, unlike her daughter, she is a natural cold-blooded killer - the thought that she will only take out "pimps" and "johns" (clients of prostitutes) doesn't totally convince...

Having read a little about "Byzantium", I am surprised that gaining financial support can be difficult for a film whose leads are female, as gender inequality still plays a major role in decision-making. When asked, even Arterton agrees, "Yes, it's true. Very much so, unless you get someone properly famous in the lead role. We are talking very, very famous." Renowned actress or not, the film industry needs to do more to let some great cinematic experiences through: it is by no means a mistake that Sigourney Weaver, then relatively unknown, had been cast in "Alien" (1979) to influence an otherwise male-dominated genre - and Ronan's own performance in "Hanna" is nothing short of brilliant - proof that it is a script, and not female actors, that should be judged for finance backing.

If there are any negatives about "Byzantium" then it is the male characters of the piece - neither are established properly, or their relationships with either Clara or Eleanor explored efficiently. Perhaps, if Jordan had produced a love story, and examined the true destructiveness of a Human's relationship with a vampire... In the end, this is a tale of mother and daughter, lone travelers through time, restless for a place to remain without constant vigilance. For the latter their existence is a burden, secrets that must be shared but can never be, yearning for some kind of connection with anyone other than her mother, whose dominance makes any "normality" seem impossible.

What this feature shares with its predecessor "Interview With A Vampire" are the beautifully-shot flashback sequences for the two protagonists, as "Byzantium" steps back 200 years. If I am to be honest, this is where the movie works best. Though not a regular tale of vampirism, this fresh approach does take a look at what it is to be immortal Humans on the run, constantly unable to put down roots. Without the "vampire" tag, they are serial killers. And even with it, they are still more Human than any vampire in cinematic history...

Purchase Byzantium from the Store:
DVD - Blu-ray - Running time: 118 minutes

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