Essential June '10

Essential viewing this June:
- You'll have to look long and hard before finding a more idiotic title for a film than Hot Tube Time Machine. So already, you know you're probably in for a treat. This outrageous comedy is the directorial debut from Steve Pink, long time writing partner of star John Cusack. Filthy, naughty and everything in between this is a fun ride that comes off both refreshing and comedically honest in this season of billion dollar blockbusters. The title itself is the filmmakers doing you a big favor, if you're willing to accept that you're going in to see a film called Hot Tube Time Machine (I'll admit, I love saying it), you need to leave both your sense of logic and taste at the door. It could easily do with a few cuts here and there, but all in all this is one of the funniest movies of the summer. Sneak in a few beers if you can.
- After enjoying a nice spell of supporting roles over the past few years it is an absolute joy to see Michael Caine back in a leading role. The film is Harry Brown, a brutally realistic story of a small town community being terrorized by juveniles. Caine is Brown, the lone pensioner who after the loss of both his wife and best friend decide enough is enough and takes matters into his own hands. It is a morally chilling story, but Caine brings meaning to every single part of it and it is truly a thrill to see him go head to head with the young thugs. The film does paint everything a little too black and white, but it is still a challenging and thought provoking experience.
- One of the most pleasant surprises in a long time is Everybody's Fine, the third film from British director Kirk Jones. It hasn't done much business stateside but I fear that is because of a poor ad campaign, also the film seemed to be promoted as a comedy when in fact it is more of a family drama. Robert De Niro plays the widower who goes travelling across the country in attempt to reunite with his children, and along the way finds out things are very different inside his own family from what he believed. De Niro is wonderful and plays down his own part so much you could be fooled to think it was lazy, but he has created a strong and familliar character that might just be his best work in years. A great supporting cast featuring Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale makes this one of the best ensemble pieces in a long time and it is a shame it has failed to reach a bigger audience. Thank heavens for DVD.


Essential listening this June:
- New Jersey rock band The Gaslight Anthem return this summer with American Slang, their third studio album. After the success of 2008's The '59 Sound they've got their work cut out for them, but thankfully the result is another great sounding rock & roll album. They still wear their inspirations on their sleeves, but at least their honest about it and it never stops being refreshing to hear a band that is simply out there just to make great rock songs and make you wanna jump around. The lyrics of leading man Brian Fallon are still about girls that got away, fighting your way out of that small town and the thought of one day making it big. That tune might have to change in time for the next album. A great rock record. Can't wait to catch them live in August.
- This next one might just as well have been listed under "viewing" since a Bruce Springsteen concert is just as much about what you see as what you hear. And in his latest concert film London Calling: Live from Hyde Park you get the Boss and his E-Street Band at the top of their game. A three hour rock show that never slows down and moves from a sunny afternoon in London (it's Springsteen's first concert filmed in daylight) and well into the evening of one of Englands biggest music events, the Hard Rock Calling Festival of last year. With a recording career that spans close to forty years now, you get songs from the very beginning all through his most recent album Working On A Dream (2009). Wheter you're a Springsteen fan or just love good music performed by top class musicians, you simply cannot go wrong with this release. And if you still haven't gotten the thrill of seeing this rolling show live, this is a rock solid reminder that should ensure you claim your tickets the next time the man comes around.
- The Drums are a young band from New York who play catchy pop songs with a few hints of 60's nostalgia. Their self titled debut album is filled with great tracks that are both original and refreshing. Terrific lyrics and a strong lead singer in Jonathan Pierce makes The Drums one of the most exciting bands of the year and if their next album manages to impress as much as this one, they will surely be a fun act to follow.

Upcoming Treats # 2

Summer is as always the season for huge Hollywood blockbusters, but there are other American films on the horizon that should be just as exciting as any Iron Man, Robin Hood, A-Team or whatever vampire themed teenage franchise being released this month. So with that in mind, here are five upcoming treats that should be well worth a look upon arrival over the next few months.

- Inception is the new film from Christopher Nolan, the brilliant British director who has risen to fame through the latest Batman installments. And even though the budget for his latest flick still looks decent, the themes and the ensemble cast of character actors could seem more like his first films such as Memento (2000) or Insomnia (2002). This is Nolan's first feature where he is the sole screenwriter and he still wants to be original and push the envelope while never letting the story suffer. Every single teaser and trailer looks incredible and I can honestly say I can not remember being this excited about a movie since... well... ever.
http://inceptionmovie.warnerbros.com/

- Even though many directors working today started out making music videos there are not that many that have actually established themselves as serious filmmakers. One man who is looking to do just that is Anton Corbijn. This Dutch director has made memorable videos for bands such as Metallica and U2, but it was his 2007 biopic of Ian Curtis and Joy Division, Control, that really caught the eye of audiences and major production studios as well. This September sees the release of his newest film The American, starring George Clooney as the lone assasin out on that one last job. Sure, you may have heard that tagline before but with Corbijns sober and seductive style and George Clooney in a played down and attention shy part, this could prove to become one of the finest films of the year. With the cool retro style classic poster (see above) and a great trailer there is no reason to fear the arrival of cold autumn.
http://focusfeatures.com/film/the_american/

- Michael Winterbottom's latest The Killer Inside Me has already raised some eyebrows on its journey through various film festivals around the US and Europe. Based on the controversial novel by Jim Thompson it is a dark and gritty character piece with a rumoured very strong leading performance from Casey Affleck. There are scenes of violence and abuse that have been talked much about, but underneath there should be a chilling and interesting drama. Winterbottom has never feared the use of extremes to achieve an emotional reaction from his audience and though this certainly seems to be no different, there looks to be a rewarding experience for those who can stand to take it all in.
http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/the-killer-inside-me

- After the smash hits Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, there was only a matter of time before Brit director Edgar Wright would be calling his shots in Hollywoodland. His first American feature Scott Pilgrim vs The World should offer more of Wright's clever and dry humour, filled with intense photography and snappy editing. The trailers have been more and more revealing and the latest one makes this look just as much as a video game as an actual movie, but Wright has earned the right to be given the benefit of the doubt. And the fact that it stars the always brilliant Michael Cera just adds to the already rapidly growing excitment.
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/scottpilgrimvstheworld/

- A film that has been hard to read from its trailer is The Adjustment Bureau. The directorial debut of George Nolfi stars Matt Damon, which is no surprise considering Nolfi has served as screenwriter on films such as Ocean's Twelve and The Bourne Ultimatum. It looks and sounds interesting enough, with a touch of surreal reality and a romance at the core. Based on a short story by sci-fi guru Phillip K. Dick it is bound to have enough qualities to keep you tuned in, but it is a dangerous line between sci-fi and love story to walk, in particular for a first time director. But it is intriguing enough to earn some attention, and with a Matt Damon who can do no wrong with his career apparently, we're willing to give it a try.
http://www.theadjustmentbureau.com/