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Reviews
Down Terrace (2009)
The Royle Family Meets The Sopranos!
This low budget British crime drama is as entertaining as it is inspirational for film makers everywhere. Played by a real life father and son in the main character roles, the story revolves around the two men (shot mainly in their real life family home) as they are released from prison and set out to determine who is the police informant in their circle. It makes excellent use of a simple acoustic soundtrack, also helped by the fact that the father likes to play guitar as well and is an old hippy, who has, over the years morphed into a gangster and so is different from your usual cockney style villain. This being shot in Brighton also shows a different side to the city which is usually perceived as simply a holiday destination. The plot while being slightly ambitious is played out by the actors very convincingly and holds your attention throughout. I would encourage anyone to see this movie, apart from maybe Michael Bay!
Boardwalk Empire (2010)
Great pilot for a show that may run for many years.
Boardwalk Empire is a period piece set in Atlantic City at the start of prohibition. The pilot is directed by Martin Scorsese in what looks to be a very large budget, with locations and costumes all looking superb.
It focuses on Enoch 'Lucky' Thomson, played by Steve Buscemi, just as prohibition kicks in, and the start of bootlegging. Some would say a curious cast for the lead role as he is often best as a supporting character or just an out and out strange dude, but he glides through the first episode, with Scorsese choosing to show him as a man/potential gangster with a soft side, hinting at a meaner streak to come. The inevitable comparisons to Tony Soprano cannot be justified as it is just one episode and really a different kettle of fish altogether, although it is written by one of the Sopranos writers.
The supporting cast roles are all filled with established actors but with some great roles going to the younger set, notably Michael Pitt (Funny games), Stephen graham (This Is England) and Kelly MacDonald (Trainspotting) it gives a sense that it is going to run for many years as these characters develop.
As with all new series, it takes time to get the nitty gritty and give the audience a sense of belief and love for the characters. Some have said on here that the pilot is too slow, but in my opinion it moves along at a nice even pace with a great set up. The music throughout is also first class.
Time will tell if it can eclipse the dizzy heights of The Sopranos or The Wire, but judging by intent of everyone involved, it may just make the top 3!
2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams (2010)
Avoid avoid avoid!
As a fan of B movies, low budget horror and gore I have pretty much seen a lot of tripe in my days. But this has to be one of the worst 'films' I've seen in a very long time! And I've just watched neighbor! I won't bother with the synopsis or plot as there doesn't seem much of it to speak of. The budget must have been about $20 and it shows! Only managed to get through 30 minutes of this dung heap of a movie before switching off. Bad acting, bad script, bad direction, bad sound quality, well, bad everything really! I see the original with Robert Englund gets some favourable reviews but anyone reviewing this, even the least bit sympathetically, must have worked on the movie! Avoid like the plague!