Film Director WES CRAVEN Podcast on “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH,” with Special Guest Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
http://www.dvdverdict.com/mp3s/podcast1212.mp3
Film Podcast “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH“ features a uniquely Canadian perspective on the career and canon of renowned filmmakers. Released through DVDVerdict.com and available on iTunes, the podcast is hosted by the diabolical Steve Power (Newfoundland), Jon Mercer (Newfoundland), Andrew Forbes (Ontario), and Gabriel Girard (Montreal).
Each week, these Canucks offer up a hearty discussion regarding the “Good,” the “Bad,” and the “Ugly” from each filmmaker’s body of work:
The “Good” selection is often a film held in the highest esteem, for quality and enjoyment.
The “Bad” selection is more middle of the road, though NOT NECESSARILY bad! It can be a good film, but has some flaws that keep it from greatness. It can also be a film that doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the canon.
The “Ugly” selection is the true bad selection. It is considered the lesser or least of the director’s films, and can be skewered Mystery Science Theater 3000 style.
For episode #26 of THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH (Podcast #1212 on DVD Verdict) the crew invited me as a special guest, and we had a grand time looking back on Wes Craven’s oeuvre. You can download the podcast here, but BEWARE!—this 2 hour discussion is for movie geeks only:
http://www.dvdverdict.com/mp3s/podcast1212.mp3
Join Jon, Steve, Andrew, and special guest Michael McVey as they celebrate and denigrate the life’s work of director/writer Wes Craven. A Nightmare on Elm Street, Shocker, The Scream series, Red Eye, The Hills Have Eyes, The Last House on the Left… what’s not to love?
You can play along at home with IMDB and Youtube pages open, looking up the facts and clips as we go. Here is the infamous “Basketball Scene” from the 1986 cult classic “DEADLY FRIEND”—watch The Goonies‘ Anne Ramsey explode like a watermellon as Kristy Swanson does her Terminator impression:
The WES CRAVEN Playlist at Skiffleboom’s Youtube
Film Director GEORGE A. ROMERO Podcast on “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH,” with Special Guest Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
http://www.dvdverdict.com/mp3s/podcast1203.mp3
Film Podcast “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH“ features a uniquely Canadian perspective on the career and canon of renowned filmmakers. Released through DVDVerdict.com and available on iTunes, the podcast is hosted by the diabolical Steve Power (Newfoundland), Jon Mercer (Newfoundland), Andrew Forbes (Ontario), and Gabriel Girard (Montreal).
Each week, these Canucks offer up a hearty discussion regarding the “Good,” the “Bad,” and the “Ugly” from each filmmaker’s body of work:
The “Good” selection is often a film held in the highest esteem, for quality and enjoyment.
The “Bad” selection is more middle of the road, though NOT NECESSARILY bad! It can be a good film, but has some flaws that keep it from greatness. It can also be a film that doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the canon.
The “Ugly” selection is the true bad selection. It is considered the lesser or least of the director’s films, and can be skewered Mystery Science Theater 3000 style.
For episode #24 of THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH (Podcast #1203 on DVD Verdict) the crew invited me as a special guest, and we had a grand time looking back on Romero’s oeuvre. You can download the podcast here, but BEWARE!—this 2 hour discussion is for movie geeks only:
http://www.dvdverdict.com/mp3s/podcast1203.mp3
Join Jon, Steve, Andrew, and special guest Michael McVey as they celebrate and denigrate the life’s work of director/writer George A. Romero. The Night of the Living Dead series, Monkey Shines, Knightriders, Creepshow, Season of the Witch… what’s not to love? (According to the Canadians, not a whole lot.)
You can play along at home with IMDB and Youtube pages open, looking up the facts and clips as we go. Here is the trailer from the 1982 horror anthology classic “CREEPSHOW”—watch Ted Danson drown while Leslie Nielsen shrugs:
The George A. Romero Playlist at Skiffleboom’s Youtube
Knightriders Tom Savini 1981 George Romero Skiffleboom
Film Director PETER HYAMS Podcast on “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH,” with Special Guest Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
http://traffic.libsyn.com/dvdverdict/1189.mp3
Film Podcast “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH“ features a uniquely Canadian perspective on the career and canon of renowned filmmakers. Released through DVDVerdict.com and available on iTunes, the podcast is hosted by the diabolical Steve Power (Newfoundland), Jon Mercer (Newfoundland), Andrew Forbes (Ontario), and Gabriel Girard (Montreal).
Each week, these Canucks offer up a hearty discussion regarding the “Good,” the “Bad,” and the “Ugly” from each filmmaker’s body of work:
The “Good” selection is often a film held in the highest esteem, for quality and enjoyment.
The “Bad” selection is more middle of the road, though NOT NECESSARILY bad! It can be a good film, but has some flaws that keep it from greatness. It can also be a film that doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the canon.
The “Ugly” selection is the true bad selection. It is considered the lesser or least of the director’s films, and can be skewered Mystery Science Theater 3000 style.
For episode #22 of THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH (Podcast #1189 on DVD Verdict) the crew invited me as a special guest, and we had a grand time looking back on Hyams’ oeuvre. You can download the podcast here, but BEWARE!—this 2 hour discussion is for movie geeks only:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/dvdverdict/1189.mp3
Join Jon, Steve, Andrew, and special guest Michael McVey as they celebrate and denigrate the life’s work of director/cinematographer Peter Hyams. End of Days, Timecop, Sudden Death, Capricorn One, Outland, 2010, what’s not to love?
You can play along at home with IMDB and Youtube pages open, looking up the facts and clips as we go. Here is the trailer from the 1983 sci-fi classic “OUTLAND”—watch heads violently explode in the wake of Sean Connery’s machismo:
Film Director TIM BURTON Podcast on “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH,” with Special Guest Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
http://traffic.libsyn.com/dvdverdict/1175.mp3
Movie podcasts can be a lot of fun. Film Podcast “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH“ features a uniquely Canadian perspective on the career and canon of renowned filmmakers. Released through DVDVerdict.com and available on iTunes, the podcast is hosted by the diabolical Steve Power (Newfoundland), Jon Mercer (Newfoundland), Andrew Forbes (Ontario), and Gabriel Girard (Montreal).
Each week, these Canucks offer up a hearty discussion regarding the “Good,” the “Bad,” and the “Ugly” from each filmmaker’s body of work:
The “Good” selection is often a film held in the highest esteem, for quality and enjoyment.
The “Bad” selection is more middle of the road, though NOT NECESSARILY bad! It can be a good film, but has some flaws that keep it from greatness. It can also be a film that doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the canon.
The “Ugly” selection is the true bad selection. It is considered the lesser or least of the director’s films, and can be skewered Mystery Science Theater 3000 style.
For episode #20 of THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH (Podcast #1175 on DVD Verdict) the crew invited me as a special guest, and we had a grand time looking back on Burton’s oeuvre. You can download the podcast here, but BEWARE!—this 2 hour discussion is for movie geeks only:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/dvdverdict/1175.mp3
You can play along at home with IMDB and Youtube pages open, looking up the facts and clips as we go. Here is the first track off the Edward Scissorhands original soundtrack to set the mood, composed by Danny Elfman…
Film Director MICHAEL MANN Podcast by “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH,” with Special Guest Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
http://www.dvdverdict.com/mp3s/podcast1169.mp3
Movie podcasts can be a lot of fun. Film Podcast “THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH“ features a uniquely Canadian perspective on the career and canon of renowned filmmakers. Released through DVDVerdict.com and available on iTunes, the podcast is hosted by the diabolical Steve Power (Newfoundland), Jon Mercer (Newfoundland), Andrew Forbes (Ontario), and Gabriel Girard (Montreal).
Each week, these Canucks offer up a hearty discussion regarding the “Good,” the “Bad,” and the “Ugly” from each filmmaker’s body of work:
The “Good” selection is often a film held in the highest esteem, for quality and enjoyment.
The “Bad” selection is more middle of the road, though NOT NECESSARILY bad! It can be a good film, but has some flaws that keep it from greatness. It can also be a film that doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the canon.
The “Ugly” selection is the true bad selection. It is considered the lesser or least of the director’s films, and can be skewered Mystery Science Theater 3000 style.
For episode #19 of THEY CAME FROM THE NORTH (Podcast #1169 on DVD Verdict) the crew invited me as a special guest, and we had a grand time looking back on Mann’s oeuvre. You can download the podcast here, but BEWARE!—this 2 hour discussion is for movie geeks only:
http://www.dvdverdict.com/mp3s/podcast1169.mp3
You can play along at home with IMDB and Youtube pages open, looking up the facts and clips as we go. For starters, here is the “Leave Nothing” Nike commercial directed by Mann using the Trevor Jones music from “The Last of the Mohicans.”
“Predators” – Review from Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
Adrian Brody has learned to play an instument other than a piano in this year's Predators.
Predators
Review by Michael McVey
Originally published in The Irish Emigrant, July 12th, 2010
Oscar-winner Adrien Brody packs on the muscle and the firepower in Predators, a lean and mean sequel to the space hunter franchise. 1987’s Predator starred two United States governors AND Apollo Creed, one of the few men to beat Rocky Balboa in the ring. It is a towering 80’s classic, ranking among the most entertaining films of that decade. Followed by a goofball gore-fest sequel and a couple of lame Aliens vs. Predators crossovers, the franchise devolved into limp rehash. 23 years later, producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród Antal present us with a worthy successor to the original. Recapturing the tense fun of the initial slam-bang outing, Predators is a violent, testosterone-fueled action picture that delivers what the other sequels failed to: excitement! This pulpy, sci-fi tale finds a new group of human warriors hunted by the Predators. With some terse direction and a great new batch of characters/alien-fodder, this sequel is a terrific B-movie blaster. It’s fun to watch Brody growl out his dialogue, the supporting cast is terrific, it’s enjoyably gory, and best of all, composer John Debney pays proper homage to Alan Silvestri’s great original score. For fans, that alone is worth the price of admission.
What are you waiting for? Get to da CHOPPA!
Movie Review: “Five Minutes of Heaven” from Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
Movie Review:
The Intense opening scenes of Five Minutes of Heaven, starring Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt
Five Minutes of Heaven
By Michael McVey
Originally Published in the Irish Emigrant, August 31, 2009
“Trouble with me is I’ve got all the wrong feelings.” – Joe Griffin
There is a moment in Five Minutes of Heaven when the main character, Joe, is presented with a choice: He can open a door and confront his brother’s murderer – a man who waits willingly for him, three decades after committing the act. Or, Joe can exit out another door, avoiding the possibility becoming a murderer himself, but continuing to live with unbearable anger and guilt imparted to him those 30 years ago. And while the plot of the new film Five Minutes of Heaven may be driven by choices like this, the film itself is really about consequences.
The story begins in 1975 Northern Ireland. The film quickly establishes a sense of time and place by using powerful, and violent archival footage. It transitions into a fictional narrative based on a true account – the killing of Catholic teenager Jim Griffin by 16-year-old Protestant Alistair Little. The murder is made all the more shocking, as it is witnessed by Jim’s younger brother, Joe Griffin.
We cut to present day Ireland, where Griffin and Little are grown men, both en route to a television shoot. Little (Liam Neeson) spent 12 years in prison for his crime and, since his release, has been a tireless proponent of a reconciliation program, designed to help those who’ve committed violent crimes take responsibility for their past. Griffin (James Nesbitt) has since married and raised a family, but is deeply scarred by the murder. We sense his bloodlust brimming below the surface. As the TV crew plans to record the meeting, we get more than a “slight” sense that this looming confrontation may not go well.
Guy Hibbert’s script is an interesting construct – the film’s first act deals with real-life events and characters, and then proposes a fictional “what-if” scenario for the confrontation. The real life Griffin and Little have never actually met, though they gave the filmmakers their consent for this fictional narrative. Bringing an outsider’s perspective to the material, German director Oliver Hirschbiegel took particular pains not to judge the politics of the characters, while still acknowledging the complexity of the conflict. We are presented with several questions…Why do we dehumanize our enemies? How does violence affect families? Is primal instinct stronger than principle?
Neeson and Nesbitt
The filmmakers cast actors James Nesbitt and Liam Neeson against their actual backgrounds – Nesbitt was raised in the Coleraine area of Northern Ireland, and Neeson in Ballymena, County Antrim. Both actors create sincere portraits of men dealing with the consequences of violent acts. Nesbitt injects several humorous touches into his moving portrayal of the anxiety-plagued Griffin. Using voice-over, the film’s excellent sound editing weaves in and out of Nesbitt’s internal dialogue, adding extra dimensions to his performance. Neeson’s gravitas are put to good use, particularly during an interview scene (shot in one long take) that reveals deep seated guilt and uncertainty. Both lead actors create believable characterizations, steering the film away from the pitfalls of heavy-handed symbolism.
Five Minutes of Heaven is disciplined in revealing information to the viewer, and with naturalistic lighting and handheld photography, it succeeds in maintaining a realistic tension throughout. Several touches of humor add levity when needed, including a few well placed barbs at the television industry’s “sensitivity” to its subject matter. While Griffin and Little seem destined to confront each other, the outcome’s uncertainty is played for maximum effect.
The film is straightforward and dialogue heavy, but that is not a criticism. The lead performances by Nesbitt and Neeson, the intensity of the scenario, and the insight of the screenplay make for a compelling drama. Without offering any earth-shattering revelations or solutions, Five Minutes of Heaven makes convincing arguments for reconciliation, using the simplest and purest of reasons.
Movie Review: ”District 9″ from Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
Movie Review:
Sharlto Copley as Wikus Van De Merwe in District 9
District 9
By Michael McVey
This is why I go to the movies. Co-writer and director Neill Blomkamp’s debut film is an outstanding amalgam of documentary-style realism,thought-provoking constructs, and lots of hardcore, bloody action. Independently produced by Peter Jackson, the film delivers these elements in the guise of science fiction. And like all great sci-fi, the world of District 9 is a prism through which we see our own selves today.
The premise: 28 years ago, an alien ship arrives suddenly over Johannesburg, South Africa. Despite having advanced technology, the alien inhabitants are malnourished refuges, like worker bees without a queen. Unable to return home, they are met with open hostility from a fearful populace and segregated from human society in a crime-ridden slum called District 9…
The filmmakers make bold choices with casting, languages, locations, narrative structure – all of which succeed in creating something truly original. We feel the world the characters inhabit,just as we feel the characters plight, right up to the jaw-dropping, killer climax.
While not perfect (and definitely not for all tastes), this is an incredibly entertaining film. It features first-rate FX, liberal doses of intense action, and it has a lot on its mind – it is great in the way “Mad Max” and “Aliens” are great. This may end up being my favorite film of the year.
Movie Review: “The Hurt Locker” from Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
Movie Review:
Jeremy Renner stars at Sgt. William James in The Hurt Locker
The Hurt Locker
By Michael McVey
Are you an action junkie, looking for the year’s great cinematic fix? The Hurt Locker may very well be what you’re after, as evidenced by the wear and tear of my seat’s edge from watching this movie. This ultra-suspenseful Iraq War flick throws us into the middle of the most dangerous job imaginable – a U.S. Army bomb squad unit in occupied Iraq. The film features several standout performances from relative unknowns Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty. But it is lead actor Jeremy Renner as Sgt. James who owns this film. Renner delivers a dynamic performance as a bomb defuser with an adrenaline fix. This is a brutal tale, one that does not attempt to politicize the conflict, but examines what is being asked of our troops on a daily basis. The immediacy of the story and the powerful characterizations will stay with you long after you’ve seen it. Be warned – the realistic action is not for the faint of heart. In limited release.
Movie Review: “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” from Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
Movie Review:
Ron, Hermione, and Harry: Year Six at Hogwarts
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
By Michael McVey
Simply put: it is smashing! Now there are two kinds of people who will be watching this movie – those who’ve read the books, and those who haven’t. The filmmakers, lead by Order of the Phoenix helmer David Yates, thoroughly understand what makes the books so special – the characters. And while all the spectacle is intact, it’s the relationships that put this film on par with the series best (namely Phoenix and Azkaban). Those uninitiated in the books may scratch their heads at some of the goings-on, but this is not necessarily a film for them. HP and company are journeying into dark territory, and the huge box office returns should indicate they’re not alone…
Movie Review: “Up” from Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
Movie Review:
Up
By Michael McVey
If you haven’t seen this latest Pixar winner, you’d better hurry – this is one for the big screen! Up is a wholly remarkable and unconventional tale created by the master storytellers at Pixar. By centering the story around a 78-year old man (voiced by Ed Asner), the filmmakers have created an animated adventure that transcends its kiddie-film facade and resonates with some unexpected emotion. There are fairly mature themes at work here, some of which may require heavy duty explanation for the younger children (or emotional stunted adults such as myself). Brimming with wit and wonder, there is more genuine movie magic in the first 10 minutes of Up than nearly all the other studio blockbusters so far this year. Don’t miss this one!
Movie Review: “Public Enemies” from Michael McVey, Skiffleboom.com
Johnny Depp as John Dillinger
Public Enemies
By Michael McVey
Ah, Johnny Depp – if he was filmed reading the phone book for 2 hours, we’d still be riveted to our seats. Fortunately, Irish screenwriter Ronan Bennett and director Michael Mann give Johnny plenty to do in the period gangster drama Public Enemies. Fans of director Mann’s 1995 film Heat will be satisfied with this flick… a character-driven exploration of professionalism on both sides of the law. While the plot and pacing wander a bit, the pros far outweigh the cons, and I left the theater satisfied. This John Dillinger crime saga is fresh counter-programming to the regular mindless popcorn fare being dumped into cinemas this summer.
Go Johnny go.
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