Human Traffic

If you mentioned John Simm to anyone who has heard of him, they will probably most closely associate him with Life On Mars. But over 10 years ago, after his 1995 movie breakout role in Boston Kickout, he starred in the 1999 independent cult movie hit Human Traffic, a film about, life, love, partying and heavy indulgence.

Written and directed by Justin Kerrigan, Human Traffic stars John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Danny Dyer and Nicola Reynolds. The film revolves around 5 close friends as they enjoy a drink-and-drug-fuelled Friday night out in Cardiff. It explores the connections, relationships and conflicts that arise and develop over the course of the weekend. There's so many things to enjoy in this film, so let's not waste any time.

The start of the film introduces our central characters, and is narrated by Jip (Simm), the main character. He's depressed with his mundane, uneventful job, and the fact that he has had little sexual success as of late.
Koop (Parkes) is a record store retailer who is increasingly jealous of his promiscuous girlfriend Nina (Reynolds). She is annoyed because, after screwing up a college interview, she is forced to work in a fast food outlet where she is constantly harassed by her slimy boss.
Lulu (Pilkington) has become tired of relationships with men since the last 3 she dated cheated on her.
Moff (Dyer), the newest member of the group, lives at home with his oppressive dad, and makes money for the weekend by selling small amounts of cannabis.

The films follows their day-to-day lives, including Nina quitting her job, Lulu dumping her 3rd philandering boyfriend, Jip being approached by one of the women he 'failed to satisfy', Koop visiting his dad in a mental hospital, and Moff being hassled by his dad for being unemployed for such a long time.

When the weekend finally arrives, the group meet up in a nearby bar, bring Nina's brother Lee, so he can try Ecstasy for the first time. They head to a club called The Asylum, where they all 'drop' E, and enjoy the music. After the club, they all head to a massive house party, where events take an unusual and unfortunate turn after everyone is hit with a drug 'come down'.

This movie is like a journey, told through the eyes of an idealistic, fun-lover who just wants to go out with his friends and embrace the excess and exuberance of youth. It's a film that someone manages to encapsulate the spirit and feelings of an entire generation: Rebellion, alienation, angst, and the love of freedom and hedonism, kind of a like a movie rendition of 'The Catcher In The Rye'. We get such a great insight into the lives of these people, and how they just try to get a long and enjoy life, even when things never seem to be in their favour. On top of that, the movie has the music, the atmosphere, the vibe, all the elements that culminate in what 1 critic called "The last great film of the nineties".

Jumanji

Robin Williams is, undoubtedly, a great actor. Good Morning Vietnam, Good Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire, all great films that showcased not only his comedic talent, but also allowed him, in certain scenes, to reveal his serious side, and connect emotionally with the audience. Well another classic film in which we get the Robin Williams Yin and Yang is his mid-nineties supernatural romp Jumanji.

Under the direction of Joe Johnston (Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, Captain America: The First Avenger), Jumanji was released in 1995 and was met with almost perfectly average reviews, but was a box office success. It stars, of course, Robin Williams, alongside, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce. The story follows a board game that has serious repercussions on the people who play it and the world around them. It's immersive, well-paced, has an authentic feel, and is a hell of a lot of fun.

The movie opens in 1869, where 2 boys bury a chest, hoping that no one will ever find it. But, would you believe it, exactly a hundred years later the chest is found by a young boy named Alan Parrish, the son of a shoe factory owner. Inside the chest he finds a board game called Jumanji, which he decides to play with his friend Sarah Whittle. They both notice the game's strange behaviour, such as the pieces moving on their own, and cryptic messages appearing after each turn. After Alan's turn, he is pulled into the game, and Sarah flees in terror.

26 years later, 2 kids called Judy (Dunst) and Peter (Pierce) and their Aunt Nora move into the Parrish house. Judy and Peter discover the Jumanji game in the attic and start playing, soon realizing that every move they make unleashes something dangerous into the world. When Peter rolls a 5, Alan is released form the board game, where he been trapped in the jungle for over 2 decades. According to the game, the only way to restore everything is by completing it. Alan is initially reluctant, but is eventually coaxed into co-operating. Unfortunately, 1 more player is required to finish it, Sarah Whittle. Upon seeing the game, she freaks out, stating that it pretty much destroyed her life. But eventually, the four of them unite to complete Jumanji. This leads to riots, monsoons, wild hunters, poisonous plants, killer spiders, crocodiles and earthquakes.

What a film! I don't think there is a single boring moment in it. It keeps you hooked from the opening scene, right up till its climax. With more and more terrors emerging from the game the action and suspence increases exponentially.

Robin Williams gives a great performance as the protagonist forced to confront his greatest fears, and Bonnie Hunt is a great supporting actress, having witnessed Alan being sucked into the game and being forced to complete it to make all the horrors go away. The kids Judy and Peter are great too, mainly because they don't whine and complain like most children do in films like this, and they play an intergral part in the story, they're not just there to look cute.

If, like me, you grew up in the nineties, you would almost certainly have seen this film. If not, you have to. It's funny, exciting, investing and is just as enjoyable every time you see it. Miss at your peril.

Idle Hands

I'm going to open this review with a question: Have you ever heard of Devon Sawa? Probably not. But have you ever seen him. Probably. He was the human form of Casper in the eponymous movie, Alex Browning in Final Destination, and played Stan in Eminem's music video of the same name. Yet in 1999, he appeared in one of his most famous roles, a film called Idle Hands, which almost nobody seemed to notice. Well, the truth it is, underrated films are often pretty damn good, and this one is no exception.

Directed by Rodman Flender (The Unborn), and starring Devo Sawa, Jessica Alba, Seth Green, Elden Hensen and Vivica A. Fox, Idle Hands tells the story of a teen whose right hand becomes possessed by a demon that forces him to kill as many people as possible, before dragging a soul down to Hell. But please don't let that morosity put you off, it's very tongue-in-cheek.

The story begins with Mr. and Mrs. Tobias, the parents of our main character, getting killed after seeing a message on their ceiling. We then meet our hero, Anton (Sawa), a lazy stoner who spends all of his time flunking out of school to smoke weed, watching TV and hanging out with his equally sedentary friends Pnub (Hensen) and Mick (Green). They inform Anton that several people have been murdered in the last few days, and that, coincidentally, Anton has not seen his parents recently. During this scene, he notices the girl who lives across from him, Molly (Alba), dropping her lyrics book, so he awkwardly tries to return it to her.

Upon discovering that his parents are dead, Anton also finds out that he is responsible, but before he can do anything about it, his right hand attacks and kills both Pnub & Mick. But they don't stay deceased for long, and come back as the undead, since they were too lazy to approach the white light at the end of the tunnel. No, that's no a joke, it's literally the explanation they give.

We then meet Debi LeCure (Fox), a priestess that has sworn to fight the evil that has apparently possessed Anton's hand. She tracks Anton down, and tells him exactly what has happened to him, and how little time they have to stop it.

                                                           One of those morning huh?

It's not what you'd call a spectacular movie, or even a great movie. It's a pretty rudimentary stoner comedy. I enjoy the funny twist they put on what other films would portray as a very serious supernatural phenomenon. It also has very lovable characters, especially our layabout hero, who tries so hard to have the most idyllic and eventless life that we can't bear to see him get up off the couch, let alone fight an evil, homicidal power.

One of the most surreal additions to the film is the school band who play at the Halloween dance, who just so happen to be The Offspring, one of my favourite bands. They play their own song 'Beheaded' and a cover of The Ramones song 'I Wanna Be Sedated'. Both great songs, but the best part comes when Anton interrupts their performance to warn everyone about the hand. Dexter, the bands lead singer, shoves him aside, recites a single line, then gets graphically scalped by the hand. It's a hilarious moment, just a shame that his 1 line is about as a hammy a recital as you would expect from a non-actor.

But I'm digressing. Idle Hands is a very enjoyable flick. Like any stone comedy, it's easy to watch, and easy to like. Nothing more, nothing less.

East Is East

Racial differences can be a very touchy subject, one that people tend to give a wide berth to. Today's film deals with this issue, an pulls it off in a light-hearted and funny yet also deep and often shocking manner. It's the BAFTA Award-winning movie East Is East.

Directed by Dominic O'Donnell (Heartlands, Inside I'm Dancing), East Is East tells the story of the Khan family, living in Salford in 1971. The family consists of a Pakistani father and an English mother, and their biracial children. The film follows the family as the contrasting ethnicities within the household cause increasing tension between family members, especially between the father and the others. The film stars Om Puri, Linda Bassett, Jimi Mistry, and Raji James amongst others. So let's see what this movie is all about.

The movie opens with the arranged marriage of George Khan's (Puri) eldest son Nazir, who appears uncomfortable with the set-up, and his father's insistence that he is proud of him adds further pressure. With the entire family dressed and prepared for the Muslim wedding, Nazir, unable to go through with the ceremony, runs away, much to the shame and embarrassment of his father, who swiftly disowns him.

Some time later, George is further distressed to find that Sajid, his youngest son, has not been circumcised, as is traditional in Muslim culture.  Not wanting to make a big fuss, Sajid's mother Ella (Bassett) agrees, simply to placate George. But afterwards, she wonders if she should have stood up for herself and the children, who often behave in a manner that George does not agree with. Examples include eating meat, not dressing conservatively and being reluctant to embrace Islam. Deciding that he needs to restore the families 'honour' after Nazir's departure, George meets up with a Muslim family in Bradford, and arranges for his eldest sons Abdul (Raji James) and Tariq (Jimi Mistry) to be wed. The boys are initially unaware of this, but find out later when Sajid overhears George telling Ella about the wedding  negotiations.

From here on, we see George becoming increasingly hostile and domineering as he feels that his family are turning against him. He threatens several of his children verbally, and even physically assaults his wife when she finally stands up to him.

Pretty grim huh? The film depicts how 2 essentially contrasting lifestyles have trouble co-existing under 1 roof. George is determined for his family to be raised under his religious beliefs, but Ella is unsupportive of this idea. She doesn't force her beliefs on the family, she simply wants what is best for her children, and doesn't think that George's oppressive ideology is healthy for their upbringing.

While the film is essentially very serious and relevant with regards to modern society, it has, as I mentioned earlier, some very funny moments, usually revolving around the witty quotes from the children. Even George draws out a smile now and then. What we get is an often facetious but also serious and gritty film dealing with a very real and ever-present issue. I actually found myself hating George at times, and feeling nought but empathy for his long-suffering family. If you get a chance to see it, don't pass it up.

Full Metal Jacket

The movie world has seen countless war films. Lawrence Of Arabia, The Bridge On The River Kwai, The Deer Hunter, Saving Private Ryan, all great films that defined the genre. They were everything a war films should be: Intense, emotional, powerful, and filled with great action scenes. While these are all important, 1 element that is rarely abundant in a war film is humour. But today's movie has more of it than every other war film combined; none other than Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam war saga Full Metal Jacket.

Released in 1987, Full Metal Jacket stars Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Arliss Howard and Vincent D'Onofrio. Filmed almost entirely in the suburbs of London, the movie follows the dehumanising process that turns men into emotionally removed killers, ready to be dispatched to Vietnam, and their subsequent exploits once they arrive, and are faced with the reality of combat. While it does cover a lot of issues of war such as tragedy, comradeship, moral dilemmas and so on, the reason this movie appeals to me is it's comedic side, let's find out why.

The film opens in the Parris Island Marine Corps. Recruit Depot, where we find a batch of new recruits about to begin their training. Their senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (Ermey, a real-life Drill Instructor) wastes no time in laying into them, shouting insults, screaming commands and endowing them with nicknames, including 2 of our main characters Joker (Modine) and Cowboy (Howard). Hartman puts the recruits through their paces, using his acid-tongue to encourage them and ensure that nobody dares slip up. As his training regime intensifies, the strain begins to show for one of the neophytes, Leonard Lawrence, a.k.a Gomer Pyle (D'Onofrio), an overweight and mentally slow individual, who finds that he can't live up to Hartman's expectations.

Infuriated by Pyle's shortcomings, Hartman pushes Pyle harder and harder, and when he teams him with Joker, he seems to become a model Marine. But Joker believes that Pyle is actually a 'Section 8' ie, mentally defective.

After their training is completed, we cut to Vietnam, where Joker has become a combat correspondent for Star and Stripes, stationed in Da Nang. He and his associate Rafterman are dispatched to Phu Bai after the Tet Offensive, where he meets up with Cowboy, and becomes engaged in combat, witnessing the horrors of war first hand.

                                                     You will not laugh, you will not cry!

Now when I said this film is hilarious, I was actually referring to the first 40-odd minutes, when Hartman is toughening up the recruits. Undoubtedly, Hartman is one of cinemas all-time greatest characters. As I mentioned earlier, Ermey was a Drill Instructor during the Vietnam war, and as such, what we get is not a performance by an actor, but an authentic depiction from a real-life veteran. His performance is so intense, so edgy and yet so hysterical that I simply can't take my eyes off it. Roughly half of his dialogue is ad-libbed, and the rest of it he wrote himself, both extreme rarities for a Kubrick film.

His insults are hilarious, his timing is flawless, and his presence is spectacular. But after his time in the film is done, I'll be honest, I tend to lose interest. The rest of the movie isn't bad, but it just feels like a sub-standard war movie. It's like 2 movies, 1 comedy and 1 war film, spliced together. As a result, it feels quite disjointed. When watching the second half of the film, it's almost as if the first half never occurred at all, which is a real shame.

I won't lie and say that the second part of the movie isn't moving or even affecting, but when you compare it to other Vietnam movies such as Platoon and The Deer Hunter, it feels pretty below par. But the first 40 minutes are a laugh-riot, and leave me in stiches every time. It's a movie on it's own, and it never disappoints.