Paul’s view of the Oscars 2009

So, the Oscars are over for another year. What did everyone think? How about that film Slumdog Millionaire eh? Eight wins out of nine nominations. Absolutely fantastic and what a result for Britain and India eh? In one of the first Anglo-Indian collaborations (well, the first since Bend It Like Beckham), they really knocked it out of the park, and all of the hype was deserved too, as yes, it is a really good little movie. When I say little, compared to the $100 million plus budget of the other favourite The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, it’s miniscule. And to this that the movie almost went direct-to-DVD following original distributor Warner Brothers closing their indie label Warner Independent. What an achievement, and well done to Danny Boyle, best director. I was a fan back when you were directing for the BBC man. Superb.

RIP:VHS

VHS 1977-2008

After three decades of bringing us the best in home entertainment, the VHS tape has finally been retired. The format was, up until recently, still being bought and shipped by just one US company, but now even they have layed the, let’s face it, pretty crappy, tape to rest.

Reelshow International Italian Student Festival Shortlist

Reelshow International Announces:
The  Italian Student Filmmakers Festival Shortlist: Click here  to see the finalists.

The Voting Room is now open and will remain open until 10th January 2009.
Ten amazing films have been selected to go through to the final.
As well as our panel of judges,all members have the chance to vote for their favourite film.The shortlist consists of ten films by young and emerging Italian filmmakers and spans fiction, animation and documentary genres.
Click here for the Voting Room. You have to be a reelshow member to vote. Registration is free.

The Top 5 Alternative Christmas Films

There is just over a week until the big man makes his way from the North Pole and down our chimneys, so being in a slightly seasonal and festive kinda mood, I decided to take a look at my top five Chrismas flicks. Now, this isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste, and you will not find It’s A Wonderful Life or Miracle on 54th Street on this list. The alternative Reel Show guide to Christmas films.

Let’s kick it off.

No.5: NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989)

My favourite Lampoon series features the talents of the legendary Chevy Chase as Clark Grisworld, head of the Griswold family. This is the third movie in the series and possiblt my fave (apart from European Vacation – “Big Ben. Parliament.” Beverly D’Angelo stars as Mrs Grisworld and a very young Juliette Lewis plays daughter Audrey. The film was actually written by 1980’s comedy genius John Hughes who wrote that other Christmas movie, Home Alone, as well as Pretty In Pink and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – so it has good pedigree. This is one of the films that I roll out every Christmas, and this year will not be any different.

BEST BIT: Anything with Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie. 

No.4:  SCROOGED (1988)

Bill Murray as Scrooge. The classic Dickens story is updated for the eighties generation and here Murray stars as a troubled TV executive who is visited ‘one holiday season’ by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Richard Donner, who has directed every Lethal Weapon movie, helms this classic.

BEST BIT: The “Put a little love in your heart” singing medley at the end.

No. 3: THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1998)

A more recent film, and a wonderful film from the mind of Tim Burton. This stop-motion animation piece has it all, a great story, great characters and superb ‘traditional’ animation. It all revolves around Jack Skellington who leaves doomy, gloomy Halloweentown and discovers the joys of Christmas Town, where he decides that he wants Santa’s job.

BEST BIT: All of it. I love this movie!

No. 2: DIE HARD (1988) 

The ultimate blokes Christmas movie and I really cannot believe that this hasn’t made the number one position. Bruce Willis is the New York cop, caught in a Los Angeles skyscraper on Christmas Eve. Alan Rickman and his European bad guys hold everyone hostage and blow Mr yakamoto’s bonce off. Not very festive like eh? I love everything about this movie, from Argyle, Sgt. Al Powell, and even Ellis. The creep.

BEST BIT: Yippe-Kay-Yay! 

No.1: GREMLINS (1984)

The number one film on my ultimate alternative Christmas movies is another from the 1980’s. It’s the Joe Dante classic that is Gremlins. This is Crimbo magic. From the opening scene where Mr. Peltzer first discovers Gizmo, all the way through to the arrival of the Gremlins themselves. George Lucas, cartoon legend Chuck Jones and executive producer Steven Spielberg all pop in cameos. 

BEST BIT: The magical opening scene where Mr. Peltzer discovers Gizmo. 

How will the Credit Crunch affect filmmaking?

The precarious economy is unnerving many in the film and entertainment business with even Bond star Daniel Craig expressing concern that MGM may not be able to raise the cash to produce another 007movie any time soon. In an interview in a UK paper, Craig said. “As far as the next film’s concerned, there is nothing scheduled. … Economically the world is in quite a lot of trouble so who knows if we can afford to do another Bond movie anytime soon”. Not everybody is in agreement with Craig but it is evident that Studio’s shares are down and they are not taking the risk on making many films other than surefire blockbusters. The real concern here is the effect the current economic climate will have on independent films. It is widely thought that extremely low-budget and student made films will mostly be unaffected and it’s the mid-range movie that will have to be fought to be protected.

Unfortunately, I think we will see fewer of the quality indie/European films with enthralling stories, and Hollywood will stick to the safe Blockbusters. On the plus side as the saying goes ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’ and sometimes a tightening of resources within the film community is met with an abundance of creativity.  Let’s hope the movie industry  focuses on quality and weeds out a lot of the chaff, and we’ll still see some real independent gems.

by permission Reelshow International