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Reviews
Opera Mundi (2020)
Brilliant
I don't think there has ever been an opera with as many floor-stomping banging hits as 'Rigoletto'. I've been listening to it since I was 18 and now, 26 years later, the opera is as fresh and exciting as ever. 'Opera Mundi' captures the experience perfectly. It's sort of a remix of the opera, and the songs are used as a soundtrack to the people and events going on during the rehearsal and performance of a production of 'Rigoletto'. I loved every minute of it.
American Guinea Pig: Bloodshock (2015)
Horror brilliance
'Bloodshock' is nightmarish, tender, perfectly paced and very intense. It's not derivative at all but it did, in some ways, remind me of 'Eraserhead' and 'Le Chien Andalou'. Having seen both AGP films in a row I've noticed that they absolutely excel at sound mixing ('Bloodshock' even uses some delicate piano notes to chilling effect) and the use of textured film-stock. I was utterly gripped for the entire 90 minutes and the tension (and weirdness) built up beautifully. 'Bloodshock' is a film that I expect to be recommending to people for a long time to come - it's definitely my favourite horror film on 2016, so far. Marcus Koch (the special effects guru behind 'Bouquet of Guts and Gore') proves that he is a brilliant and visionary director. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't say anything about what actually happens in the film...but you need to see it!
Battlestar Galactica: The Woman King (2007)
Very good
This was an exciting stand-alone episode. I usually find the stand-alone episodes quite disappointing (e.g. 'Scar' and 'Black Market') as they often force characters into uncharacteristic roles in order to drive an unnecessary plot. However, I felt that Helos attitude was consistent with his character and the newly-introduced characters were interesting. It was also a very good way to show us what the Sagittarons are like and how people perceive them. Unlike 'Scar' and 'Black Market', this episode really does add to the Battlestar 'Universe' and it develops some of the minor characters in substantial ways. It is not a throwaway episode but it's certainly not the best episode (it doesn't compare with the 'Pegasus' episodes from Season 2). It is well-acted, well-written and suspenseful.
Black Sheep (2006)
The Most Frightening (and Topical) Documentary of all Time
I applaud the makers of 'Black Sheep' for their unflinching portrayal of modern Science. From the grimy laboratory with the deformed creature hanging in the middle of the room to the heartless scientists in white boots to the horrific effects of mans inability to let nature progress at its old, friendly pace, every detail is lovingly and accurately represented.
It terrifies me to think that there are scientists all over the world engaging in precisely the type of research we see in 'Black Sheep'. It scared me even more when I realized that being bitten by a genetic Mutant can lead to full bodily transformation in mere minutes. I watched in shock as decent human beings were mutilated and mutated by the creations of modern Science. I recently heard about a man who had an ear genetically grafted to his arm. And I think there was a woman who developed a small arm on her forehead after eating a genetically mutated tomato. This is happening, we can't ignore it. In the movie, we are even witness to the bone-chilling sight of a mutant sheep driving a truck while innocent human beings (and a dog) struggle to escape.
Anybody watching this movie cannot fail to see how cold the scientists are. They don't care. Even when confronted with a decent human being with sheeps feet, these scientists merely scan with their unfeeling eyes and declare that it's 'interesting'. I never realised that scientists were just in it for the 'money' (ie. the knowledge) and it is very brave of the filmmakers to expose this truth.
In stark contract to the scientists, we have a woman who speaks useful truths every step of the way. I can't remember her name, but she gives us a solid grounding in the reality of nature. Pretend to be a tree, she tells our hero as he tries to overcome his fear of sheep. Wise words. I was sceptical but I watched with wonder as this brave man made his way through a yard filled with sheep merely by pretending to be a tree. Who needs science (with its probing, sticky fingers and its cold lizard-brains) when we have this wisdom that has been distilled through many generations of earth-love? Who would have known that a candle made from geraniums would be the guiding light in an underground tunnel, filled with mutant organs? And who would have known that a mutant sheep would burst into flames at the mere touch of a spark? In our relentless quest to understand the world we need to realize that we are in very real danger of creating a flock of 'Black Sheep'. What will be your 'Black Sheep'?
GamerZ (2005)
Great!
The subject matter of this film is hilariously familiar, the story is bizarre and the relationships between the characters are believable, complex and well-written. On one level it's a superb comedy, but it also works as a drama. It was a pleasant surprise as I had no idea what to expect when I went to see it. I will be recommending 'GamerZ' to people for a long time to come.
I would recommend this film to anybody who enjoyed 'Napoleon Dynamite'. It's got a similar geeky charm, great dialogue and the pace never lags. It's a funny, bittersweet film about the small things in life, things which seem like a big deal when they happen.