Piranha 3D: Sun, Sea, Sex & Spoofs

Where have we seen that poster before?
Image courtesy of filmshaft.com

The year is 1978, Grease is the word that you heard, Superman saved the world, and just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water... everyone's favourite great white shark swam back onto screens in Jaws 2. But there was another fish-film swimming around at the time, a comedy parody by the name of Piranha. Capitalising on the success of the ocean-peril movie, Joe Dante (dir. Gremlins, Small Soldiers) directed the comedy horror about a school of murderous fish, unleashed downriver and wreaking havoc on all in their path. So far so spoof, right? Well 32 years have since passed, and in that time Piranha has seen a sequel, a mid 90's remake and now, thanks to Alexandre Aja (dir. The Hills Have Eyes, Haute Tension) the B-movie franchise has been granted a place in the modern day gimmick leagues, with a 3D revamp of the series, coincidentally titled Piranha 3D.

Right, let's get down to the nitty gritty. The problem that I have found people to have with films like Piranha 3D, is that the trailers do not explicitly imply that they're comedy horrors. Sure, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that Piranha 3D isn't going to be on par with [REC] but unfortunately people do make these mistakes. I've heard The Bride of Chucky get slated for not being scary before (I mean... come on people). The film itself surprised me, I wasn't expecting any miracles but it did exceed my pre-conceptions. The 3D gimmick was pretty much unnecessary (as is the same with most films that have '3D' in the title), but there were a few nice moments, the rippling water effects were aesthetically pleasing at times, but there wasn't much more than that... unless three dimensional mammary glands are your thing? They may well be for all I know. There's no 2D alternative for this one, but it doesn't feel like there's enough in there really showcasing the gimmick to not deliver a 2D version. Plus there were moments where it was a tad confusing as to what was going on, namely during some of the shots of the piranhas feasting on their victims.

Ving Rhames in a very Braindead moment
Image courtesy of dreadcentral.com

3D gimmick aside though, the film could've done a lot worse when it came to casting. Offically the fish-film veteran Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, Close Encounters) makes an appearance, alongside familiar face Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction, Dawn of the Dead) and the horror movie poster boy himself, Eli Roth. And on top of this there's the un-aged Christopher 'Emmet Brown' Lloyd who plays more or less the same character from his Back To The Future days, but he still does it with that same finesse that he did back then. There's also a very twitchy Jerry O'Connell (Sliders, Stand By Me) in there. Also stepping up to the plate, there's the pride of Britain, the beacon of intelligence and the pinnacle of acting talent, Miss Kelly Brook (she has boobs, not that the film would dare exploit that... ahem). Though I wouldn't bother making yourself too acquainted with the cast, there's not too much in the way of character development before a large percentage of them get slaughtered by hungry fish in a selection of hilarious and in some cases relatively brutal ways.

The Verdict

Overall, the film is great for a laugh and although I was too busy in convulsions of laughter to notice them, there were a few jumpy moments taking their toll on people around me (if you must attempt to be scared by this film). So if you like cheap laughs, overly excessive gore, breasts and killer fish then this is definitely one for you. Though with the 3D movie price-tag looming, you can be excused for missing out on this one. 5/10.

Free Films? Yes please.

I'm sure there are more than enough of you intrepid cinema fans out there who are always looking for a new film to watch, right? I know I'm absolutely correct, 'cause I've been doing exactly the same for a very long time now. So I figured that I'd share with you some great sources of cinema without having to risk getting in trouble and destroying the film industry by downloading movies, can't be bad now can it?

YouTube Logo
Courtesy of firepowerministry.org

1) YouTube Movies (http://www.youtube.com/movies)

When someone mentions YouTube it is understandable that you'd be unable to shake the thought of bizarre rants from internet junkies, videos of monkeys defecating on one another, the most ridiculous community of commenters and all sorts of other user-content. But one thing that people often neglect is the Movies section of the ever popular video site. Presenting us with several categories to choose from (from Bollywood to Horror) there is a wide array of free-to-watch films on offer after only a few clicks! Now selection of films is predominantly weak*, but with enough looking there are some real gems on offer such as Night of The Living Dead and Animal Farm. Plus there are some great documentaries too, a particular favourite of mine being Bob Dylan - 1966 World Tour: The Home Movies. 


2) National Newspapers

One of the Elvis movies on offer.
Original image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

One for the Brits, though I'm sure there are plenty of similar offers overseas. It's always worth checking the national newspapers for any decent film giveaways. Most of them only require taking a token into somewhere like Tesco or WHSmith and some will just give you the movie flat out free in the supplementary magazine or when you pay for the paper. If you're a Daily Mail reader they're in their second week of free Elvis movies, which I've been making sure I get a copy of despite my hatred for the paper. Though there's plenty of other papers giving similar offers at different times, through this method I have picked up copies of the Buena Vista Social Club, Brassed Off, Take The Money and Run and Highlander to name but a few of the wide variety of films you can pick up if you look around. So check out the national papers for anything that might tickle your fancy!

ShowFilmFirst
Image courtesy of cultureseekers.org

3) ShowFilmFirst (http://www.showfilmfirst.com/)

Websites like SeeFilmFirst are a fantastic way to get hold of tickets to advanced screenings of movies before everybody else. They offer their members chances to get absolutely free tickets to films at cinemas up and down the country, and as far as I know there are similar services offered to the US. They operate on a members-only basis, and after a quick sign up they will e-mail you screening codes for prereleases that are being screened at cinemas in your local area. You then head onto the website, enter your code and book your tickets. Codes can also be claimed from magazines and other websites too, and with past screenings of Alice In Wonderland and recent Mark Kermode DVD pick Legion then there's a chance you'll have some great opportunities to see some really great films before they hit the mainstream. The site also offer competitions, a review section, a VIP membership option and a preview guide. All in all it's a great, user-friendly system with some real worthwhile opportunities and is well worth a look at for you avid cinema goers!


So there you have it, my three top choices for ways to get hold of cinema new and old, when you can't afford a movie ticket or a new DVD. I'd recommend checking out all of the above at some point in the very near future, and it will barely cost you anything, which in these times of recessions, credit crunches and everything else, a film might be just what you need to lighten your spirits, enjoy!



*by weak, I mean absolutely bloody terrible.

One to Watch: This Is England '86

In 2007 we as a nation were treated to a fantastic piece of British cinema in the form of This Is England. An intimate look at 'Skinhead' culture in 1983, by none other than seminal Midland's director Shane Meadows. The film is a rites of passage story of Shaun (allegedly loosely based on Meadows himself), played by Thomas Turgoose (Somer's Town, Eden Lake). It was renowned for it's very close, realistic and intimate look at violence, racism, culture and the passionate, emotional lives of the people in Britain during the early 80's. The movie was a popular hit for the Brit-film scene and garnered a great reputation throughout the country, leaving lots of us eager for more. Well, now we won't have to wait much longer...

The Gang return 3 years on, just in time for the World Cup in Mexico '86
Image courtesy of shanemeadows.co.uk

3 years later comes 'This Is England '86'. It's a four part follow-up TV series to accompany the film, directed partially by Shane Meadows and partially by Tom Harper (MisFits) allowing us to once more look into the lives of Woody, Shaun, Lol (plus a few new additions) and all of the other wonderfully colourful and well written characters. There have also been promises made that the series will not be a carbon copy of the film, but it will in fact be quite different, with it's subject matter changing and moving on with the times- three years have passed, people have changed and I'm sure it will be absolutely riveting to watch. Hopefully with that should come promising new storylines and character backgrounds and hopefully plenty of laughs, tears and everything in between. (Plus the soundtrack should be pretty damn good too - Ed).

Though I for one can't wait to see the fantastic Stephen Graham (Snatch, The Damned United) reprising his role as National Front fanatic 'Combo', it'll be interesting to see how he has changed since the film, and I'm fairly confident he'll be responsible for causing his fair share of drama, which I'm incredibly excited about. So, UK viewers - look out for 'This Is England 86' coming sometime in September to Channel 4, it's definitely my one to watch for the coming month.

And if you're wanting more to keep you occupied until the series' release, then head on over to show's official webpage and check out trailers, information, behind-the-scenes footage and more! Just click the link to be taken straight there.

All's Quiet on the Western Front.

Just a quick apology for the complete lack of posts over the past week or so. We at MGNC have been busy with other commitments, but hopefully we'll be back on track in the coming days!

Apologies for any readers' inconvenience, we won't do it again, we're really sorry.
Don't hate us, we still love you.

Nathan & Alex

Best of British: The Waiting Room

The Waiting Room (2007)
Image courtesty of Amazon.co.uk

For the first of our reviews on British made movies, my girlfriend Sarah and I sat down and chose to watch 'one for the couples', and we both found love in 'The Waiting Room', the cinematic debut by television director Roger Goldby about the chance meeting of two people and the impact it has on their lives. Call me soft, but I thought the film was absolutely wonderful, at heart I'm a romantic, so a tale of love at first sight done well will do more than enough to keep my attention. The film follows the lives of Stephen and Anna and gives us an intimate look at what goes on behind closed doors. Anna is a single mother having having an affair with her next door neighbour's husband, he's infatuated with her but she is ultimately lonely in life. Stephen lives with his girlfriend and works at a care home for the elderly, everything seems sweet between them until his girlfriend suggests the idea of having children and with his uncertainty about the idea comes the cracks in their relationship. Then one otherwise normal day, Stephen and Anna are brought together in the waiting room of a train station and instantly make a powerful connection, from this moment onwards we are shown how this meeting effects their lives and the people involved with them. Still interested? I definitely was.

At approximately 101 minutes long, the film was an absolute treat to watch and didn't outstay it's welcome, although I couldn't shake the vibe it felt a little more like I was watching a TV series as opposed to film, but this wasn't a big problem and it shouldn't be for anyone else watching it either. Ralf Little (The Royle Family, 24 Hour Party People) plays the role of Stephen, the troubled  but loveable nice-guy, something which he does very well. There are some very touching scenes involving him and his care-patients, some of which, thanks to some beautifully 'real' writing, tugged at my heartstrings and admittedly I did shed a tear on a few occasions. For me though, the show was stolen by Anne-Marie Duff (Shameless, Nowhere Boy) in the role of Anna. She, in my opinion is an incredibly underrated British actress who I am yet to tire of watching. She's beautiful on screen, and always gives an incredibly natural and emotional performance. Her and Ralf form an excellent pairing, really aiding the film's sense of reality and even moreso, giving the viewer hope that the fabled 'love at first sight' really can happen in a world where life doesn't seem to deal you the best of hands all of the time.

Ralf Little and Anne-Marie Duff cross paths in 'The Waiting Room'
Image courtesy of Guardian.co.uk

The film has an incredibly warm feel to it, set under the bright skies and cool temperatures of the English Autumn, the colors on show are vivid and very comforting. When combined with stylish shots and a truly beautiful overlaying score written by Edmund Butt, the film's atmosphere is completely enveloping. With the right balance between subtle humour, heartwarming dialogue and thoroughly touching moments it's a must see for anybody who isn't afraid of love and it's many complexities. Plus it is proof that you don't have to turn to big budget hollywood hits filled with impossible gestures for romance, this is just as real if not moreso than some of the big RomCom names out there. Us Brits do romance very well, and this movie is all you'd need to convince anyone of that.

The Verdict

I'm giving 'The Waiting Room' a 6/10. It was a thoroughly pleasurable experience to watch, well written dialogue and fantastic acting all round, although more interaction between Little and Duff would've been much appreciated and that 'TV Show' vibe did niggle at me. The soundtrack is perfect for the film, and the setting is just right too, creating a really authentic 'feel-good' atmosphere. Definitely a must-see for any of you old romantics out there. So if you're interested in this delightful story of love, loss and everything in between then take my advice; Take a night off, buy a bottle of wine and a copy of 'The Waiting Room', then settle down on the sofa with your other half and simply enjoy this superb film, it has a much more general appeal to both genders unlike some of the key players in romance, so men needn't be afraid of watching this either. It's a perfect couple's retreat for the evening.

The Last Action Heroes? I think not.

'The Expendables' is, for many people out there, the balls-to-the-wall action flick that the world has been waiting for. The unholy union of some of cinema's hardest henchmen, heroes and notorious movie bad guys, doing what they know how to do. From the very first moment I heard news of this film's production, I've been pining to see it - and honestly, I think it was worth the wait.

Directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone, the film follows a group of bizarrely named mercenaries ('Hale Caesar' ...I kid you not.) doing the CIA's undercover dirty work for substantial sums of money. After the opening scenes they get sent over to a place called Vilena to overthrow the malicious powers that be. Save the country, get the girls, settle the scores, get paid. So far so Segal, right? Well yeah, you'd be absolutely correct in saying that- but I'm in no way insinuating that its a bad thing. Surely by now, anybody with half an ounce of sense is not going to expect written miracles from this film or any other in it's genre, and they'd be right saying that too, and again,  I don't think that's a bad thing. So fine, this is nothing new or ground breaking and it's more than likely not going to stand up to the iconic films of years gone by, but one thing's for certain, the film is bloody good fun.

Mickey Rourke tattoos Sylvester Stallone
Image courtesy of releasehour.com

What this movie lacks in intricate plotlines, script and CGI (the severed limbs let the film down), it makes up for in sheer manliness. Motorbikes, tattoo parlours, auto-shops, guns, explosions, knives and Charisma Carpenter. Everything about The Expendables suggests screams of "Man Movie!" cried from the tops of the highest mountains, whilst punching the sky with almighty force. Even the soundtrack is predominantly made up of steroid injected instrumental pieces, and with the occasional glimmer of classic rock of course (there's a nice and scenic flight segment with 'Mississippi Queen' playing over the top). This amidst the angered expressions, gun fire and explosions makes for a great addition to the high energy atmosphere of the film, psyching you up for the next glut of carnage around the corner.

Charisma 'Eye opening Google search' Carpenter
Image courtesy of bangmarrykill.com

The film's main selling point isn't the soundtrack though, it is of course the no less than stellar cast. Featuring some of the biggest names in action movies both new and old, we're treated to a truly muscular collaboration of actors from all walks of cinema. For a taste of nostalgia we are given Sylvester Stallone (who appears to be melting with age), Dolph Lundgren (a man who hasn't developed any further English language skills with age), Jet Li (a man who simply doesn't age) and Mickey Rourke (...ahem.). There are also brief cameos from action connoisseurs Bruce Willis and the Guv'nor himself, Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger - who with the help of Sly totally obliterates the fourth wall. And as for the new age of real life action men, we're treated to a knife-wielding show from the Cockney thug himself Jason Statham. And in the blue corner... representing the sportsmen-turned-actors front, UFC legend Randy 'The Natural' Couture features alongside the WWE's very own 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin (I grew up on wrestling, so I really loved seeing him on the big screen despite his slightly stilted acting ability). The Dark Knight's mobster Eric Roberts also appears playing out the a role that isn't exactly alien to him, as a suited, money-driven, fiendish, power-behind-the-drama, he's right at home. And if that isn't enough, then fittingly named Charisma Carpenter brings the sex appeal, with help from little known Mexican actress, Giselle Itié. Overall the casting choice for this film is nigh on perfect for the subject matter, whilst there were a few pivotal figures missing (Van Damme anyone?) the line up we're given is no less than phenomenal at showing us how they do what they do best- dealing out huge amounts of collateral damage, racking up the bodycount and flexing their arms. Luckily there's no scenes where they all stand together, I don't think any size of wide-angle shot could fit in the combined mass of those biceps.

My personal favourite moment aside from the Willis and Arnie scene though, came at the very end of the film. The opening chords of Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back in Town' blare out around the room as the credits begin to roll. Quite possibly one of the most fitting uses of a song for a movie that I've ever seen. The thing is though, I don't think it's a question of whether these boys are back, in fact, I don't think they ever went away.

The Verdict

I'd give the film a 6/10 for its fantastic cast and fun feel. I love a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, and this is one of them, with talks of weapons and one liners what dialogue we are given is enjoyable although at times I found it a tad difficult to decipher some of the things being said by Sly and Lundgren. But I didn't pay to see this for the dialogue, I paid for action and got my money's worth. If you don't manage to catch this at the cinema then a copy of the DVD during a lad's night in would definitely go down a treat, as this isn't really one for the girls. Overall it's a fun, adrenalin filled ride, but unfortunately it won't cater to everyone's tastes. But for you anarchy junkies out there, it's better than The A-Team and it should be just enough to tide you over until Machete...

Que Cera, Cera

Michael Cera is a name that everybody knows, popular Canadian actor, and frontman of the new-age band of awkward-actors (alongside Jesse Eisenberg on guitar, Kat Dennings on bass, Kristen Stewart on drums and their bearded tour manager Zach 'The one from the Hangover' Galifianikis )*.

 'vs. The World' star, Michael Cera
Image Courtesy of movies.yahoo.com

Since first coming into his own as George Michael Bluth in the underrated American comedy Arrested Development in 2003, Cera has since come leaps and bounds into the hearts of his fans. With the axing of the show in 2006 things could've arguably been looking pretty bleak for an actor like Cera, but a year on and after appearing as socially awkward teen Evan in Superbad, his movie stream is yet to stop running. Soon after Superbad he graced our screens yet again in Juno where he played socially awkward teen Paulie Bleeker. He then followed this performance up, with Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist where he played socially awkward teen, Nick. I'm sure you can see a pattern emerging here without me having to talk about Year One (...Thank God).

It's safe to say that over the years Cera has mastered the art of playing mild-mannered characters with an air of sanity and humanity about them. Now don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Michael's, I think that using his stuttery-voice-cracking shtick he makes a great comedy actor (although for some it can get tiresome) and on occasion he can be equally as good at some of the more serious scenes he is expected to perform in, take Juno for example. But what I'm here to consider today is how well he will play out his lead role of Scott Pilgrim in the cinematic adaptation of cult comic book series Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

The internet has been abuzz lately with discussions about whether he's cut out for the role of Scott, a 23 year old Canadian slacker and bass player in the band Sex Bob-Omb (and the video game references don't stop there). He matches the nationality, definitely looks the part and is only a year off of the written age, so what's the problem? Realistically, there shouldn't be one. Speaking as a fan of the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley, I can see there are definite similarities between the two. Scott Pilgrim has the same air of real-world sentiment about him that Cera's acting style does, they're both based on the idea of an almost normal guy trying constantly to grapple and cope in a world surrounded by sarcasm and bawdiness. So, surely this is the perfect role for Canada's boy-wonder? You may say yes, but for the sceptics, this is where the cracks start to show.

Edgar Wright and Michael Cera
Image courtesy of Wired.com

Cera is rather relentlessly the nice-guy, winning the hearts of his female (and male) fans far and wide, with his 'cute' characteristics. Scott Pilgrim on the other hand, is more than just that. Aside from the similarities between Cera and himself, Scott is a prolific fighter, something of a ladies man and a wannabe rock-star. He has an arrogant machismo about him alongside all his other traits, something that judging by the some of the footage I've seen so far, Cera doesn't quite seem to be pulling off. I'm not one to pass early judgement though and I believe everyone deserves a fair trial, so I'll wait and see the movie for myself before preaching anything set in stone. Truthfully, I'm not sceptical about it though, I have faith in Michael and even more so in director and Brit-comedy legend Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz). If between them they can work out a middle ground between Cera's portrayal of Youth in Revolt's bad-boy François Dillinger and his usual bumbling Everyman persona, then we're most definitely in for a treat and quite possibly the perfect silver screen rendition of a comic book character. I'm a huge fan of the series, so this performance could really have an effect on how I (and many others) perceive the Canadian actor we all know and love, so let's hope he pulls it off.

Unfortunately I have to wait until the 25th for the UK release, damn.

*Disclaimer: This is not a real band, just a metaphor for the purpose of comparison, shame.

Review with a Vampire (Slayer)

Sarah Michelle Gellar as 'Buffy'
Image courtesy of Vampires.com

Vampires. Most definitely one of the world's most iconic fiendish horror stars, without argument. Since 'Nosferatu' first graced our screens back in 1922, through the leather clad bikers in 87's 'The Lost Boys' and right up to 2008's Swedish romanticised frightfest 'Let The Right One In', our eyes have never been neglected as far as images of blood-sucking, neck-biting beasts are concerned. They're a staple character in cult media, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

But with time, things change. And in this day and age of the highly sex-driven adult vampires of 'True Blood' and the diamond-skinned, emotional and brooding palefaces of Stephanie 'disregard vampiric lore' Meyer's 'Twilight' setting teenage girl's hearts aflutter, it's not hard for the nu-age vampire fan to overlook one of the late 90's best TV gems. Surely you've guessed it by now, it is of course none other than one of Joss Whedon's finest televisual outputs, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer'.


It's hard to believe that it's been almost 14 years since Sarah Michelle Gellar and her Scooby Doo style group of teenage friends graced our screens in the 7 season run of the creature feature that many of us know and love. But even today, the program has aged fantastically and although it only garners a 6 am slot on 'SyFy' for us UK viewers, it's still a real corker of a series. One which I'd solidly recommend to anyone, vampire fan or not. I'm yet to find anyone who doesn't get suckered in to the love/hate relationship between Buffy and spin-off star Angel, or anyone who doesn't fall in love with James Marsters ever charismatic performance in the role of Spike.

'The Gentlemen'
Image courtesy of bbc.co.uk

But for me, the main reason I've fallen in love with the 'Buffyverse' (as the fans call it), is of course the vast array of freaks and villains that our intrepid slayer and her gang of monster hunters have to contend with from the truly terrifying to the downright cheesy, Whedon has created a compendium of brilliant baddies up for the slaying. But it doesn't just stop at vampires, Buffy encounters a whole host of adversaries over her time appointed as Slayer, including demons, spirits and the undead, some of which stand up quite well as legitimately scary co-stars, such as the suited-booted-and-shrivelled 'Gentlemen' (left) from fan-favourite episode 'Hush' (Season 4, Episode 10). Another notable favourite villain of mine is the demonic Peter Stringfellow, 'Der Kindestod' (below) who spends his time haunting hospitals and killing children like all good demons should do. He can be found in the episode 'Killed by Death' (Season 2, Episode 18). And as for some of the more cheesy creatures, look no further than the Creature from the Black Lagoon inspired 'Gill Monsters' from 'Go Fish' (Season 2, Episode 20), not the greatest of episodes - but look out for an appearance from a young Wentworth Miller before breaking out of prison was his bag. They're just a few examples of many of course, so other than a few wild cards here and there, the standard of monster is really quite high for any of you monster maniacs out there.

Peter Stringfellow and Der Kindestod - Spot the difference.

Even though at times it follows a very paint-by-numbers format, with each episode featuring a beast of the week, coupled with an overall story arc, the show seems to just flow. With each episode running at around 40 to 45 minutes a pop, it never outstays it's welcome, and with an alt-rock soundtrack that's straight out of the 90's there's very little not to love for viewers both new and old. So if you're tired of Twilight's deadpan teens and tragic warping of what vampires really are, then make sure you check out Buffy as soon as possible. I speak for both myself and Alex when I say that it's a TV favourite here at MGNC, and I'm sure that given half a chance it will be one of yours too. And if that's not enough to sell you, they even did a musical episode too, y'know.

This Week On Eastenders

Steve Macfadden is an utterly faultless thespian, let's just get this fact out of the way first. Since 1990, Phil Mitchell has waddled around our screens on BBC1 with his gravelly (no, not so much gravelly - it's more akin to a fully operational quarry in his throat) voice causing ruckuses throughout Walford in a whirlwind of alcohol abuse and womanising.

Steve Macfadden as Phil 'Crack-whore' Mitchell (copyright BBC)

It'd be no surprise for a casual viewer to turn on Eastenders at the moment and finding Steve doing what he does best (I hope to God it's not method acting; for then I fear for the Macfadden man dem); which is basically acting drunk in the wake of the loss of his children. But, alas, the scriptwriters clearly wanted to challenge his acting prowess and have written in a crack addiction for Phil to cope with (surely fathering Ben would have that effect on most people? - Ed) - making Phil Mitchell and his accomplice Rainie Cross the Doherty & Winehouse of Albert Square.

After merely three days on crack cocaine, the Mitchellite's flat already looks like a leftover set from Danny Boyle's Trainspotting (what is it about drawn brown curtains and creating an instant nicotine-stained addict mis-en-scene?) and viewers have already forgotten about Lucas-gate. But what else has been happening in Walford-the-place-to-be? Well, there's Janine and Ryan getting engaged and a sleazy mysterioso trying to buy the Vic - not the most action-packed week on the Square, but I'm sure next week will entertain with an episode set entirely within Phil's David Lynch-esque subconcious during a bad trip - Inception meets Requiem for a Dream with a cockney vibe.

Bat-Fans!

We here at MacGuffin and Cheese are huge Batman fans. We love DC's caped crusader and colourful villains just as much as the next guy, from comic book to TV to cinema, there's little about the Bat that we don't like, but for now let's focus on the cinema.

Now we've always been fans of the Batman movies that have now since passed (despite the fact they aren't necessarily critically acclaimed). And now Christopher Nolan has brought to us a take on Batman that people are much more accepting of since the days of Tim Burton. We're very thankful for that, but one thing that Nolan's Batman and more specifically Ledger's Joker have spawned is something of a dismal community of homages and Halloween costumes. Until now, that is.

Our luck has finally changed! After every man and his dog's YouTube videos of Joker impressions, we've finally been given something worth watching. 'Tell Gordon Hello' is a fan-made video created by Morgan Rodner and Casey Schendel of Start Picture Productions. It's just over 10 minutes long and features a fantastic portrayal of the Joker, in talks with a hostage. It's an incredibly well produced piece of work, with spot-on camera work, a very will written script and top drawer make-up. A must-see piece for amateur movie makers and Batman fans alike, go check it out now!

You can find the video on the official website for the film, alongside details on the project and the filmmakers either by clicking the following link: http://tellgordonhello.com/

You are cordially invited to...

(Image Courtesy of Oscars.org)

The 'MacAdamey' Awards 2010

Over the coming months we will be bringing to you our reviews of some of the biggest hitters in cinema, showcasing our picks from the winners of 'Best Picture' at the Oscars! We will be looking at the winners from a range of ceremonies since the presitgious first show in 1929 all the way up to the 82nd awards show of 2010, and with some careful planning this should lead us nicely in to the 83rd Academy Awards of 2011. So make sure you keep tuning back in to see our look at some of the films heralded as the best of the best, including familiar titles such as 'No Country For Old Men', 'Silence of the Lambs' and 'The Apartment', and some of the first ever winners which you may be yet to see, such as 'Wings' and 'Cavalcade'. So, keep your eyes peeled for our reviews and criticisms, and in some cases we'll even look at whether the winners really did deserve their awards...

Coming Soon!

Greetings Travellers...

Welcome to MacGuffin & Cheese.

We're an up and coming blog dedicated to bringing you reviews, news and so much more about films, television and books both new and old. Our mission is to bring to you interesting, entertaining and informative posts detailing our recommendations and what's hot or not in the media we love to consume so much.

We'll be presenting a wide array of articles and posts to you on a regular basis, including:

> Genre-themed days, weeks and months, where we will showcase some of the biggest hitters and unsung heroes of the all the areas available to us, look out for 'Action April' and our 'Christmas Countdown' and many more in the near future!

> Director devotions, looking closely at our favourite directors and their iconic works, including Kubrick, Tarantino, Del Toro to name but a few.

> Posthumous Praise, our monthly segment, devoted to some of the greatest actors and actresses of all time, who are sadly no longer with us, including Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando and Heath Ledger.

> Indie Sundays, our weekly look at some of the best in independent cinema that may slip under your radar, because the mainstream isn't everything after all!

> Literature Lives, giving you in-depth looks at some of the biggest names in written masterpieces, alongside creatively written reviews on their works and well-researched but consumable information on some of the books that we believe everyone should read.

> ...And much much more over the coming months, so watch this space!

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