Film Review: Saved!

"Alright! Alright! Who's down with G-O-D?"

I've been asked to write DVD group study notes on this cool film... for the UK Bible Society's REEL ISSUES - it's going to be interesting to see what feedback I get...

Saved! (12a)

Dir Brian Dannelly

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

You may or may not have heard about the controversial teen comedy film ‘Saved! - which features the most prominent ‘Christian subject matter’ film since The Passion of the Christ.

The plot is as follows; all round ‘good girl’ Mary (Jena Malone) and her domineering best friend, Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore), are in their senior year at the American Eagle Christian High School, activities include prayer groups, worship and a strict adherence to biblical values. All is well until Mary’s boyfriend tells her he thinks he might actually be gay, this coincides with Mary having a ‘vision’ of Jesus urging her to "do everything she can to help him." After a naïve desperate liaison with her boyfriend, to her horror and shame, she ends up pregnant. Suddenly, Mary begins to question everything she’s believed in, and Hilary Faye and her devoted “disciples” turn against her. After all, how can there be a place for a young unmarried mother named Mary in a Christian environment?

Writer/director Brian Dannelly says Saved! came about as a result of his own diverse background. “As a kid I went to Catholic elementary school, Christian high school, and a Jewish summer camp,” he says. “The biggest lesson I learned from my experiences became a line in the script: ‘They can’t all be wrong and they can’t all be right.’ I wanted to write a movie based on that.”
Which is all very well but the film has caused outrage in the U.S. where Christian commentators such as Ted Baehr, founder of the Christian Film & Television Commission, called the movie "a sad, bigoted, anti-Christian movie that mocks the Christian faith."

Producer of the film, Michael Stipe - the singer/songwriter of the band R.E.M., is however adamant about the film’s positive stance on religion. “I don’t think this film in any way mocks Christianity,” he says. “I come from a very religious family, and I would not insult them or the people I grew up with by working so hard on something I thought was insulting. This film presents things the way they really are. He also said: “My personal belief is that Christianity and spirituality in general need a little bit of a push into the 21st century, particularly from the point of view of a teenager.”

In discussing the potential controversy raised by Saved!’s subject matter, the cast have also been quick to point out that the main message of the film is one of love, one of inclusion and acceptance of all religions and beliefs. Mandy Moore said: “I think it’s inspirational to see my character, a Christian who tests her faith and finally decides to come back to it because it’s what she believes in.” This is echoed by Jena Malone who said: “In every young person’s life, there is a point when you have to question your foundation before you start building the walls for your own house.”

I can see why the film will anger many Christians but on reflection I believe that it does not really criticise Christians, religion, or faith. And unfortunately it may be those who condemn Saved! the loudest that might be those who most benefit from the messages knocking the intolerance and inability to even consider how Christianity can appear to the outside world.

Darkmatt Rating: öööö (essential viewing for all believers - and non believers actually)

Click here to read: Matt Adcock's Other Film Reviews

Film Review: Hostage

"takes no prisoners"

Hostage (15)
Dir. Florent Siri

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

There will be no negotiation, Bruce Willis is back, back doing what he was born to do – run around looking worried whilst stylishly blowing baddies away and I for one am very happy!!

Ever since Die Hard (incidentally my favourite film), Bruce Willis has been the ‘everyman’ action hero of choice. If you’re in a jam with serious bad ass criminals, be it robbers, assassins or even intergalactic tyrants he’s the ‘the guy’ you’ll want on your side. So if your family were ever to be taken hostage by scumbags and it looked like gunplay would be necessary, Bruce should be the only call you make.

So here’s Hostage, the first English language film of hotshot French director Florent Siri. You might not have seen his last film ‘The Nest’ - it was a tense action thriller that covered similar themes (fear, mental suffering, empathy, cowardice). Anyway, Hostage is another deliciously dark tale of crime and retribution – you know how it goes – dumb but dangerous kids take family hostage, then realise that they may have gotten over their heads when it turns out that the dad is actually the accountant for a seriously shady bunch of crims. Bruce plays local Sheriff Jeff Talley who used to be a hostage negotiator but was dismissed for letting a young family get butchered by one of the kidnappers he failed to ‘talk down’.

Things get more complicated when the shady crims take Talley’s family hostage and force him to try and retrieve something from the under siege house. It’s a good set up but it wouldn’t have worked as just a standard Hollywood ‘production line’ action film. This is why Siri is directing – he’s definitely ‘one to watch’ because he lovingly creates a film that oozes style, brutal violence and has characters that you can’t help finding interesting.

I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I found it refreshing to see baddies who are prepared to actually follow through on their actions without stopping to worry if they’re upsetting the viewer. Hostage must push the boundaries of what can be allowed in a 15 certificate film, nobody is safe: Friendly black female cop? – shot repeatedly in the back as she tries to crawl away. Cute kids being held at gunpoint? – BANG BANG, not any more… The only limit on the perps behaviour here is that the main psycho (Mars) played superbly like some demented Crow wannabe by Ben Foster is a more of a gentleman than many deviants might be when obviously attracted to the teenage daughter he has tied to a bed. But hey, it’s violence not sex that Hostage brings to the party and it does it with style.

From the first second of the credits I just knew that I was going to enjoy Hostage (I’m a bit of a credit freak and get angry when I see lazy title sequences) – the opening titles here are presented a Sin City comic book style - the camera zooms around, in and out of a stand off scene. They are the best I’ve seen for a long time and really worthy of note. And then from the moment that the happy hairy (and old looking) Bruce is replaced by the charismatic bald avenger hero Bruce, the film never looks back. Willis is great and he works here without one of his usual weapons, his trademark one-liner funnies. But don’t be alarmed; Hostage really isn’t the place for glib off the cuff banter, everything that goes down is meticulously crafted to further the dark mood that envelops the action like a particularly dark night.

Credit should go to most of the cast, Foster delivers an iconic teen psycho, 17 year old Michelle Horn lives up to her name as the daughter in peril and Kevin ‘voice actor from Ewoks: The Battle for Endor’ Pollak is good as the dad. But this is Bruce’s film and he should be proud of it, he should also work with Siri again if he gets chance as the guy is quality and I can’t wait to see what he does next!!

Finally – this all bodes well for SIN CITY which is still my tip for film of 2005 (and yes I know there’s Kong, Sith, Narnia, Potter and Batman out there!!)

Darkmatt Rating: ööööö (tasty violence - welcome back Bruce)

Click here to read: Matt Adcock's Other Film Reviews

"hey Bruce, you're 50 - can I be a new bloody action star?"

Astronomers find star-less galaxy

"it's just gas man"

The BBC reports that "Astronomers have discovered an object that appears to be an invisible galaxy made almost entirely of dark matter.

The team, led by Cardiff University, UK, claims it is the first such object to be detected.

A dark galaxy is an area in the Universe containing a large amount of mass that rotates like a galaxy, but contains no stars. It was found 50 million light-years away using radio telescopes in England and Puerto Rico.

Very little is known about "dark matter", even though there is much more of it in the cosmos than "normal", or baryonic, matter, which constitutes the visible material from which stars and planets are built.

We only know of dark matter's existence because of its influence on ordinary matter.

Scientists can infer its presence by looking at the rotation of galaxies and measuring how fast their visible components are moving."

HHhhhmmmm... I have this theory...

Darkmatters Fiction: Cleric gets mugged

Darkmatters

by Matt Adcock

Nobody saw this coming, our ungrateful brains rebelling so vigorously against the subliminal code words that changed our lives. CHATTER, the name given to the unfortunate side effect - now a mass epidemic - the collapse of everything rational and the regression of our human form; back to beast, further back still beyond animal.
Where were the safety standard enforcers?
How could we have done this without a safety net?
It looks like we have been left to destroy ourselves thoroughly and without hope of redemption.

This is how it started…
There is Cleric walking, his strides smooth and perfectly in time to the technologically enhanced music pounding inside his head. See him descend some stairs, watchful of the grimy ancient foot tunnel ahead; a stereotypical crime scene, complete with flickering antique neon tube lighting and murky water coursing down one of the walls. Cleric’s Social Rating™ blinks from "** Chilled" to “***** Very Pissed Off”, there is frantic reality betting taking place involving death, very possibly his, in the near future.
There’s nobody about, not even a token loitering begga or vendorbot. Cleric surprises himself by going ‘on guard’ in a way only those with I.F. training can - it's been years since he acted like this...

“Nice try”, he calls, drawing both his guns, a wry smile playing across his features.
Cleric’s musical choice is an thrash tech fusion reworking of a long lost band once referred to as ‘Pixies’, it makes a fitting soundtrack as the camera pulls back, suspense building with every step.
‘I’m digging for fire’, Cleric lipsyncs, checks the ammo indicators on his guns and then slowly creeps forward. It is a dark and dingy in the tunnel, exactly what the cliché doctor ordered for this all too obviously bad situation.
Cleric is smiling grimly and looking closely at the shadows at the far end of the tunnel.
Some shuffling can be heard but still nobody can be seen. A heat sensitive scan however shows three people and possibly a gunbot hidden around the far corner, from what you can make out from their stances, they are average assailants just doing their criminal thing, waiting for Cleric, waiting to strike.

Cleric walks slowly and confidently along the dim tunnel his guns held casually but the camera zooms in and we can see there is tension in his arms. As he approaches the end corner he pauses and casually swaps one of his guns for a nerf grenade. In one smooth motion he arms it and rolls it forward. It seems to take an eternity to roll to the end of the tunnel where the droid has sensed the incoming device and the three men are already leaping out and opening fire on Cleric who is no longer standing where they thought he was.

Cleric is somehow already crouching behind an air duct, tight to the wall and invisible to the assailants. He opens up with both his guns at waist height. In the hyper momentum of the attack the three are caught with multiple bullets to the groin and then head as they scramble to try and reach the grenade. The grenade detonates from just behind them and blows them off their feet, actually the condensed shrapnel shockwave blows off their feet if you want to be technical about it, slumping their falling bodies directly back into the path of the heavy gunfire that Cleric is delivering. The assailants die squealing as the hollow rounds Cleric is pumping into each of them blossom before exploding out the other side of their flesh leaving fist-sized holes. An unpleasant and rather messy way to go all things considered.

The gunbot however has been waiting and now makes its move. It is covered with the blood and gore fragments of its compatriots and looks like some kind of demented undead metal midget as it lumbers around the corner.
“Just pathetic”, Cleric says and fries it with a single shot to head.
He carefully steps through the scene of carnage; blood is everywhere, steaming gently from the walls, and floor into another cold, dark L2 night. Cleric kicks the guns from the dead hands of the unfortunate attackers. “Picked the wrong guy to jump pal,” he mumbles.

Each of the dead crims has a similar headchip implant, low level, nasty street tech – but unusual for punks like these. As cleric makes his way up the steps, leaving a trail of slick red footprints the air in the tunnel shimmers, and for a second it looks like a hidden doorway has opened in the air itself.

Other extracts from Darkmatters the novel by Matt Adcock:

Film Gunfight

Fear of Death

Cleric Shows Up

Test Subject #30022

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

"The elephant man of the robot world? No, but he is paranoid!"

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... one of my favourite books is arriving soon as a big screen movie, I am cautiously optimistic about it - especially as it stars Martin 'The Office' Freeman as Arthur Dent.

If you don't know Hitchhikers - here's a quick plot synopsis:

Mere seconds before the Earth is to be demolished by an alien construction crew, journeyman Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

I can still remember having my copy of Hitchhikers confiscated in French class in school where I'd been reading it under the desk. "Good book" the teacher said as she took it away - I later spotted her reading it in the staff room...

Bad Dudes Birthday remix!!

"Matt had the muscles but Mike had the shades"

MIKE, one of my oldest and dearest friends (actually he’s only 34 but hey) sent me this excellent piece of nostalgic artwork – complete with our heads morphed onto the Bad Dudes bodies…

Player One: MATT (likes to shine his bulging biceps when not reviewing films)

Player Two: MIKE (tech wizard and dark genius awaiting his moment of glory)

Ah, 80’s side scrolling beat em ups eating money faster you can say ‘insane difficulty level’. Now available to all thanks to the wonder of Mame rom downloads on a PC near you… And as you can see from the screenshot below, whilst it might not have PSP rivalling graphics, for sheer ‘blast from the past’ fun there are few things better!!

Actually if anyone out there is developing a Mame rom emulator for the PSP... let me know!!

"Hey those guys in the other screenshot are just so much better looking!!"

Film Review: Hide and Seek

"coming ready or not..."

Hide and Seek (15)

Dir. John Polson

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

I have new friend named Charlie, we play all sorts of games but his favourite is Hide and Seek. Of course nobody can see Charlie, but that’s okay, because, what’s that Charlie? He says he doesn’t like me talking about him too much in case I give something away…

Yes we’re lost deep in clichéd horror movie land here with Robert De Niro playing traumatised psychologist David Callaway who awakes one evening to find his wife dead in their bathtub. So he does what any caring father would and moves to a huge scary house in the countryside so that he and his daughter Emily (the awesome Dakota Fanning from Man On Fire) can try to rebuild their lives. Only unfortunately it’s not just the house that’s scary. Firstly there’s the neighbours – a creepy bunch who are over friendly in a Rosemary’s Baby way and may or may not be child-abducting menaces. Then there’s the Sheriff who has a severe dislike of newcomers, and the estate agent who looks to have stepped out the pages of serial killers monthly. Add some nicely eerie surrounding woods that just reek of foreboding – note that dodgy looking cave entrance just out of sight of the house. And of course Emily’s imaginary friend Charlie who seems like such a great friend at first but does have a tendency to get angry, homicidally angry actually – sorry Charlie but I have to warn the readers…

Hide and Seek is competently made by John ‘Swimfan’ Polson, he slow burns the tension and build it up nicely to the point where you’ll be freaking out. Every staple horror film device makes an appearance – family pet liable to jump out at unexpected moments? Check, heh, nice pussy, don’t be scared. Large house that creaks, groans and has plenty of dark shadows? Check, complete with hidden doorway to the basement… Disturbed kid has an alarming habit of mutilating her dolls? Check – Fanning may only be 10 years old but she acts De Niro off the screen. And stormy weather, just when the action kicks off and the terrifying truth about Charlie is revealed? Oh yes, it’s all here – so if you’re after some quality chills and thrills, and don’t mind that fact that most of the plot devices have been used many times before, Hide and Seek is the film for you.

Oh and the killer twist? Sorry, Charlie says that I can’t tell you or he’ll be angry.

Darkmatt Rating: ööö (red rum)

Click here to read: Matt Adcock's Film Reviews

"Look at me, 10 years old and spooky as hell!"

Film Review: Hotel Rwanda

"Western Government's - hang your head in shame"

Hotel Rwanda (12a)

DIr. Terry George

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Hotel Rwanda is one of those films that should be universally seen – like Schindler's List or The Pianist, it deals with a true-life story of one man faced with an unimaginable situation when war sweeps through his country. Don Cheadle plays Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who risked everything to house and protect over a thousand Tutsis refugees from certain death during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. While the world looked on but failed to intervene – almost a million people were killed in less than 100 days. Hotel Rwanda is not an easy film to watch, especially here in the West, it is a stark reminder of a situation where news of the men, women and children being massacred in their homes barely registered until after the fact.

Director Terry George’s powerful political melodrama is an emotional distillation what made one man who stand up and make a difference. Rusesabagina was one of many ordinary people that became heroes through their actions of courage, love and compassion, in stark contrast to the UN, the government and even actions of the churches. The ongoing investigation into the war crimes committed in the name of sectarian hatred continues to unearth atrocities amongst Rwandans (60% of the country are Catholic), and it has been found that the Catholic hierarchy in Rwanda had close ties to extremist politicians in the run up to the genocide. One recent example is the trial of parish priest, Father Athanase Seromba, accused of directing a massacre of 2,000 Tutsis from among his own congregation.

The fact that this genocide was allowed to rampage unchecked across the land while the UN were ordered to stand by and then withdrawn altogether is well captured and presented. Nick Nolte has the thankless role of Colonel Oliver, the UN commander who can only bluster on the sidelines as the corpses of the innocent stack up in the roads. There is an effective build up to the all out madness, we get to see life at the hotel where all appears normal, but something is very wrong just under the calm surface. Whilst the rich and powerful white tourists enjoy the facilities, tension is growing amongst the staff and viewers get to hear the malicious propaganda being broadcast over the airwaves. The fuse on the powder keg of hatred has already been lit and before the viewer can get used to the ‘normal’ life presented, we are in the thick of the bloodshed.

Hotel Rwanda is a necessary wake up call to all those who pay little heed to what is going in other countries. Can we simply turn a blind eye to outrages and injustices inflicted on our fellow man, and then pray for the survivors? Surely God wants people to stand up and make a difference – even from afar? As one of the journalists in the films says when asked what people will do when the see the news footage he has filmed: “We'll watch it on TV, say 'that it's terrible,' and go right on eating our dinner.” I for one don’t want to be one of those people.

Darkmatt Rating: ööö (challenging)

"thanks for the lack of military protection... assholes"

Darkmatters was BLOG OF THE DAY!!

"one small step for Matt..."

artwork 'Darkmatter' by Sabin Corneliu Buraga

BLOG OF THE DAY

Darkmatters made 'blog of day' back on the 24th Feb.

Here's a link to their site - which is a cool place to find blogs of interest...

Blog of the Day

Birthday Film Review: Man On Fire

"you have to get the DVD - if only to see the original 'Kaboom!!' ending, it is very very satisfying"

Man On Fire (18)

Dir. Tony Scott

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“A man, can be an artist in anything. In food, whatever... it depends on how good he is at it. Creasey's art is death... and he's about to paint his masterpiece...” So says Christopher Walken about Denzel Washington’s character ‘Creasy’ in Man On Fire and it pretty much sums up the plot.

Man On Fire is a pulse pounding, nitro injected, ultra violent revenge thriller directed by an ‘on fire’ Tony Scott. It is a story of two halves; in the first you get a wonderful relationship study as the broken and dispirited Creasy is slowly won over and taught how to feel again by the little girl named ’Pita’ who he is paid to protect. Needless to say that things do not go to plan and this sets up the second half, which is where Creasy dishes out some seriously heavy-duty retribution on the scumbags who abduct his new friend.

Pita (played by superstar in the making Dakota Fanning) is a cute pixie who would melt any washed up ex marine’s heart and when she is abducted you are right there with Creasy urging him on as he makes those who hurt her suffer. And it does get very grim at points – it’s not an 18 certificate for nothing – Creasy cuts off the fingers, shoots, stabs and blows up most of the criminal underworld of Mexico in his one man quest for revenge. But he does it with style and although much of it is undeniably gratuitous – it also feels ‘right’ thanks to Denzel’s authority and unswerving commitment to his task.

Both Washington and Fanning really sparkle here – you feel that she is the daughter he never had and that chemistry is an absolute joy to watch. Denzel delivers possibly his best ever performance and could well bag another Oscar to go with his one from Training Day. Fanning also deserves serious praise (she’s already an accomplished actress and she’s only 10) – I can't help but predict big things for her so look out for her in Spielberg’s War Of The Worlds!
Man On Fire is a very classy film, I’d say it’s a ‘must see’ (providing you have a strong stomach) – but even if the thought of violent retribution leaves you cold I recommend going to watch the first half!!

As Creasy says of his enemies: “Forgiveness is between them and God. It's just my job to arrange the meeting.”

Amen brother…

Darkmatt Rating: öööööö (ultimate)

"Thanks for wiping out all those scumbags Mr Creasy"

Matt Adcock Meets Denzel Washington

"hey, I think you're on fire"

Matt Adcock Meets Denzel Washington (2004)

Dazed and impressed having just witnessed a press screening of Man On Fire, I get to meet Denzel Washington at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane.

“Great film, possibly your best performance to date?” I start with (always one to try and play it cool when meeting cinematic superstars like Mr Washington).
“Thanks,” he replies with a generous smile and I immediately feel like this interview is going to be fun and good-natured. I ask Denzel about the fact that he doesn’t like to over expose himself as a ‘celebrity’ - mostly letting his powerful (Oscar winning) performances do the talking…

“I don’t expose myself, it’s true!” He laughs. And although he has two new films opening over here in the next few weeks – firstly the dark revenge thriller ‘Man On Fire’ and then brainwashing conspiracy ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ he is quietly confident that they will do OK – obviously an interview with the Herald & Post never hurts though…

Man On Fire is very violent; I ask him if he has any issues with violent films?

“When you sit and you watch them, you know how much it's manipulation, you don't really see anything. There's the suspension of belief. So, it's never as violent to me, because I know how it was put together.
“There's nothing in my humble opinion in Man on Fire that says: 'Go out and do this, and you'll be cool like Denzel.' Other than that saying: What would you do if it was your child?”

He’s got a point there, I think any parent will relate to his desire to avenge the kidnap and murder of an innocent like that of the little girl Pita in the film.

I ask him if Dakota Fanning who plays Pita was fun to work with as they seem to have excellent on screen chemistry?

“I was really impressed with Dakota,” he replies, “not only her acting skills but she also shows great maturity. She says she’s only 10 but I think she’s at least 40! Her parents have done a great job with her.” He goes on to say that he even found it hard at the start of the film to be frosty with her because she was just so friendly.

What about working with director Tony Scott?

“Man, he’s so passionate about his films, he has so many ideas that it’s a great experience. He was concerned that I wouldn’t be right for the part because it’s quite a ‘dark’ character but I think my role in Training Day convinced him that ‘I can do dark’.”

And Christopher Walken – playing a good guy?

“It was an honour to share the screen with Chris, it’s not script work with him it’s improvisation – I don’t think we said anything from the script in our scenes! But it always helps you to raise your game when working with great actors like that.”

Denzel certainly loves his job and when I ask him what’s next for him he says, “maybe a comedy, I am tempted by the thought.”

That and “spending more time behind the camera.”

For now though I’d urge you go and see him in Man On Fire because Denzel’s performance certainly lives up to the title and is in my view one of the best you’ll see!

Other interviews by Matt:

SAMUEL L JACKSON
DUSTIN HOFFMAN
JIM CARREY
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR
WILL SMITH

Birthday number 34 - Game over man?

"Happy Birthday Matt"

It happens I'm told, getting old - in fact I count myself blessed to have reached 34 having faced down a life threatening illness, spent (some would say 'wasted') stupid amounts of my life playing games and watching films. What else? Oh, you know, reading books, trying to write a book, writing over 200 film reviews and I haven't even mentioned the most important thing... My family. The looks of unbelievable excitement on my boys faces this morning as they got to play PSP before school were things of wonder (of course I then confiscated the PSP and went and watched an episode of Family Guy on it whilst eating breakfast etc...) and my gorgeous wife who makes my life complete (and is going to whack my high score on Lumines any second).

Thanks God...

Anyway - blogging must go on so here are my Birthday top 5 Darkmatter posts to date (in no particular order) :

Photos and reaction from PWEI gig

Meeting Samuel L. Jackson

Pi - a film everyone should watch

When I met Sarah Michelle Gellar

Darkmatters Fiction: Cleric Shows Up

Film Review: Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence 

Dir. Mamoru Oshî

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

"If the dolls also had voices, they would have screamed, 'I didn't want to become human.'" 

When machines learn to feel, who decides what is human...

In the stunning opening sequence of Mamoru Oshi's follow-up to his acclaimed anime Ghost in the Shell, we fly over a glowing, futuristic cityscape before descending into its labyrinthine streets. Here, hero cyborg Special Agent Batou (Akio Ohtsuka) pursues a murderous gynoid (a robotic sex doll - seeing as you asked) into a narrow alleyway. In an explosive confrontation, the doll attacks him, then self-destructs - and it all looks absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

So many scenes in Ghost in the Shell 2 could be framed and hung on the wall as acclaimed works of art - I can honestly say that I've never been quite as entranced by a film's looks... ever. You really should seek this film out, if only to witness the five-minute 'parade' scene' (the sequence took a year to create), and is a tapestry of ornately decorated dragons, glowering demons, giant elephants and lion dancers. Beneath this massive cutting edge CGI spectacle scurry the hand-drawn figures of human spectators, dwarfed by the parade's Byzantine grandeur. The scene is utterly otherworldly, a space that is alive and yet nearly devoid of human presence as the hailstorms of confetti blend in the shadowy, inky reflections on the windscreens and windows of cars moving through future Tokyo (now a lawless city of sun-scratching spires, complete with a gothic cathedral that appears built out of old computer parts). And don't get me started on the villain’s lair, it is a Tudor manor constructed entirely of stained glass, where people, birds, and even fire are frozen in time.

Many films have looked at the increasingly blurred distinction between human, and machine. Innocence, takes this further and adds animals into the mix - a helicopter looks and sounds like a wasp, an airplane flaps its mechanical wings like a bird, and a submarine 'swims' through the deep with like a giant dolphin. Obvious references to Blade Runner and a host of sci fi specialities abound but there are also quotes from the bible, Milton, Confucius... There’s as much here to entertain your mind as your eyes. Plus some kick ass shoot-outs and a convoluted mystery.

What else can I say? This is essential viewing for anyone with a brain (be that human or machine)...

Darkmatt Rating: öööööö (ultimate) 

"hey mullet man, like my ponytail?"

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click below to find out in my dark sci-fi novel...

Matt Adcock Meets Samuel L. Jackson

"I'm the $6billion man!"

Matt Adcock meets Samuel L. Jackson

In strolls Samuel L. Jackson – the epitome of cool and still looking very good for his 56 years. Moments before he arrives at the Dorchester Hotel in London I am told that he has this month (Feb’ 05) become the highest grossing actor in the world, having overtaken Harrison Ford to take the top spot with combined film grosses of over $6billion – a truly staggering achievement.

So how does he feel about that?

“You know, it’s a kind of dubious honour, but hopefully it will mean something. I don't think it's going to make someone pay me more money, but it kind of cements my place in cinema history.”

Master of the understatement then, he’s in the UK to promote his new film Coach Carter, based on the real life tale of the basketball coach who worked to inspire his team to achieve academically as well as on the court (and locked the team out of the gym when they let their grades slip). I ask if he had any of his teachers in mind when playing Ken Carter?

“Young men need teachers that challenge them to perform and I certainly had those. There is a good feeling that comes from having a teacher tell you ‘You did a job there, you did well’ – that is a great feeling of satisfaction. Making my teachers proud made me feel better so that was an important part of it.”

And are you like the real Ken Carter at all?

“Well we’re both snappy dressers! That guy coached basketball in a shirt and suit – so I played it like that although I guess his suits probably didn’t cost as much as mine. We kept his flamboyant taste in ties though.”

How did you feel about the film’s message?

“The message that life is more than just about winning is important – kids need to be inspired to enrich their lives with education so that when the winning is over you still have something. The community in Richmond who opposed Carter were more interested in the immediate gratification of their team winning. But having said that, winning is important. I went to a Liverpool football game, it ended 0-0 and people were like ‘yeah!’ – what’s that about, a game should be won or lost right?”

You have another big film opening in a couple of months – how was playing Jedi Mace Windu?

“It’s wish-fulfilment stuff. It's rousing and I got to keep my light sabre. I asked George if I could keep it and he said ‘of course’. The guys from the props dept even inscribed the letters BMF (Pulp Fiction reference) on it at the end of filming.”

Nice, and whilst on other topics, I’ve heard that you like British TV?

“I love ‘The Office’ and have that series on DVD. Actually I’m going to be doing an episode of ‘Extras’ while I’m over here” (Extras is Ricky Gervais’ new TV show about people who work behind the scenes in show business). Gervais apparently said: "Tell him Ricky Gervais wants him. The weather here is bad, we're really badly paid and I make things up as I go along - if he doesn't jump at that, then he's a fool!"

But Jackson is nobody’s fool and it is surely his willingness to make such a diverse range of films and TV shows that is the reason he’s the world’s no.1!!

Click here to read: Matt Adcock's Film Reviews

DVD Review: Ginger Snaps 2 - Unleashed

"the girls with serious facial hair problems are back"

Ginger Snaps 2 - Unleashed
Dir. Brett Sullivan

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

I've always been a fan of monster films and werewolves are a staple of the genre. Alas their films have spanned the extremes of the brilliant (American Werewolf In London - benchmark for all hairy movies) to the utterly piss poor (Howling VII: New Moon Rising, which was a combination horror-film/country-western-musical!?).

Anyway, Ginger Snaps was an interesting teen girl becomes werewolf effort from 2000 - it became something of a cult classic (and if you see it you're unlikely to ever forget the sight of cute teenager 'Ginger' with the stub of a tail growing out of her back erruughhh...) Now the sequel picks up the story of Ginger's sister Brigitte (Emily Perkins) and it tries hard to be unsettling but is hamstrung by crappy monster effects - see below...

Apparently there's a prequel out now too which might be interesting and talk of making part 4 set on the moon...

Darkmatt Rating: öö (that girl is a dog... literally)

"Dougal's brother wasn't a sweet natured sugar eater"

PSP - Better than I dared hope!!

"DarkMatt's Birthday present 2005"

Extravagant, stupid, unnecessary... probably, but hey, it's my Birthday this week and thanks to being married to the sexiest, coolest, most understanding wife ever I now have a PSP (Playstation portable) and it is a thing of rare beauty.

Fresh from the Hong Kong, I immediately unwrapped my new baby and although not supposed to officially have it until Friday 25th - I just had to check it was working by:

Playing Ridge Racers (just awesome Darkmatt Rating: ööööö),

and Lumines (seriously cool and worryingly addictive Darkmatt Rating: öööö).

Watching Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence - from the 1Gb memory card - will review film in detail soon but the PSP has jaw dropping audio and video quality)...

Recording and playing back some MP3's from Feeder, Carter USM and Killers (again - sound quality to make my wife's ipod blush).

Finally copying some favourite jpegs onto it - see photo above...

I'll be writing more about this soon but have to say that my first impressions / 10 hours of usage have been very positive, PSP, Mmmmmmm!!

"adrenaline overdose... at your fingertips"

Film Review: Coach Carter

"yes I am 'the man'"

Coach Carter (12a)
Dir. Thomas Carter (no relation)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our dark that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people don't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same.” This pivotal quote in Coach Carter – from Marianne Williamson (internationally acclaimed author and lecturer) is the essence of the whole movie.

This is a powerful and inspirational account of controversial high school basketball coach Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson). Carter caused some serious differences of opinion when he made national U.S. news for locking his undefeated team out of their gym and cancelling all their games because they were failing academically.
On screen (as in real life), things get incredibly tense – in Richmond for some of the kids, basketball is all they have, with the options pretty much being drugs, crime and prison. So Coach Carter’s ideology of “it’s not just about winning a basketball game... it’s about being a winner in life,” was as ambitious as his hard nosed methods of enforcing it were radical.

Yes, cinema is knee deep in sporting films – and they are certainly a mixed bunch – but when they work, as Coach Carter does, they can inspire an excellent sense of human spirit, achievement and endeavour. The message that “being good at sport is not enough” is an apt one for an age when our fickle society is often happy to bestow hero worship on semi-literate, good looking “athletes” – at least as long as they perform.

Coach Carter delivers a heady mixture of teen angst, noble sentiment and exciting basketball action (and I don’t even like watching basketball). A lot of the praise must go to Jackson who brings his unique blend of authority and charisma to the part of Carter, the real Ken Carter must be delighted with his on screen depiction.

It’s manipulative and worthy, but the message is so positive that this should be enforced viewing for teachers and sports coaches throughout the land. Remember; it begins on the street. It ends here…

Darkmatt Rating: ööö (see me after class mofo)

Read some more of: Matt Adcock's Film Reviews

Trashbat messiah: Nathan Barley

"it's well weapon"

Chris Morris is a genius, a sick and disturbed one maybe, but watching his latest creation Nathan Barley (26, a webmaster, guerrilla filmmaker, screenwriter, DJ and in his own words, a "self-facilitating media node") on a Friday evening is an absolute blast...

Barley is convinced he is the epitome of urban cool and therefore secretly terrified he might not be, which is why he reads Sugar Ape Magazine - his bible of cool. Dan Ashcroft writes searing columns for Sugar Ape. He's considered astonishingly cool, but only by those he despises. He is surrounded by idiots and practically worshipped by Nathan (whom he considers to be their king). He is 34. Why has he failed to move on? Claire Ashcroft, 27, is Dan's sister. Like Dan she despises "cool". She hasn't met Nathan yet, but like him she is a film-maker. Unlike him she despises novelty, trash, irony and gadgets. She is furious that no one will fund her hard-hitting documentary about a choir of reformed junkies.

If you like your comedy at the cutting edge - there is no substitute, keep it foolish, yeah?

"Totally mexico"

Birthday Doom

"Matt's nearly 34 and we're doomed!!"

Yes, if your PC's too weak to pump out acceptable Doom 3 framerates - or you're just getting too old to cope with game-series' ever more frenetic and bloodthirsty pace, this might be the answer: the Doom boardgame...

That's right, as one of my (hopefully many... cough *PSP import* cough Birthday presents) here is the chance to fully embrace my inner geek because long after digital pastimes like the original Doom crushed demand for the more traditional cardboard creations that inspired them, it seems old-style entertainment requiring a little imagination on the part of the player might be making a comeback on the back of their erstwhile nemesis.

So I'll soon be knee deep in dice, corridor cards, weapon tokens, wound markers and door boards with which two to four players can act out ultra-violent battles without the... er... violence...

Bring on your 6 sided gunslinging space marines and I'll tear you apart with my hellspawn attackers!!

Wait, no, come back...

DVD Review: Cold Mountain

"chilling a pile of crap doesn't make it cool"

Cold Mountain
Dir. Anthony Minghella

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

"Epic"
"Awesome"
"An excellent adaptation of a superior novel"...
None of these are things I would say about Cold Mountain.

Widely acclaimed as it was - CM left me cold, cold and annoyed that I'd wasted my time watching such unlikeable characters struggle to such little dramatic effect. I'm not a huge fan of Anthony 'Ming the mercy-less" hella. English Patient was OK, Ripley was watchable but CM I found offensive in just how little actual enjoyment there is to be had. Normally the sight of Nicole Kidman's gorgeous naked backside would cut the film it's in some slack from me (Eyes Wide Shut for example) but Cold Mountain - I'd happily shoot in the head.

Yes the scenery was very nice and a couple of the war scenes almost worked but I think if you slightly adjust the best line in the film it pretty much summed up what I thought:

They call this FILM a cloud over the land.

But they made the weather and then they stand in the rain and say 'Shit, it's raining!'

Darkmatt Rating: ö (cold bollocks)

"the independence day bar-be-que got a bit out of hand"