Event Horizon

 Year of Release:  1997

Director:  Paul W. S. Anderson

Screenplay:  Philip Eisner

Starring:  Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, Sean Pertwee, Jason Isaacs, Richard T. Jones, Jack Noseworthy

Running Time:  92 minutes

Genre:  Science-fiction, horror

In the year 2047, the rescue vessel Lois and Clark is on a mission to retrieve the experimental spacecraft Event Horizon which vanished on it's maiden voyage seven years previously and has suddenly reappeared above Neptune.  Upon investigation it turns out that the Event Horizon is intact, but the crew have been brutally massacred.  It soon becomes apparent that the Event Horizon's revolutionary new gravity drive which allows the ship to travel vast distances by using a sort of artificial black hole to bridge two points in space.  However, the ship has travelled further than was ever planned and has brought something back with it.

This gruesome blend of science-fiction with supernatural horror is an enjoyable slice of "B"-grade hokum.  very heavily influenced by Alien (1979), The Shining (1980) and Hellraiser (1987), as well as Don't Look Now (1973) and Solaris (1972).  The plentiful special effects haven't aged well, the storyline is very derivative and the dialogue is pretty cheesy, however it does have some impressive production design and strong performances from a solid cast.  The film had a difficult production history, was heavily cut by it's studio, and was a critical and commercial flop when it was first released in August 1997, however it has had something of a reappraisal since and is now a major cult film.  It's a consistently entertaining film, which moves quickly and never gets dull.  For some gory late night escapism, this really does the job.  

     Event Horizon

Dr. No

Year of Release:  1962

Director:  Terence Young

Screenplay:  Richard Maibaum, Johanna Hawood, Berkely Mather, based on the novel Dr. No by Ian Fleming

Starring:  Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman, Jack Lord, Anthony Dawson, Zena Marshall, John Kitzmiller, Eunice Gayson, Bernard Lee

Running Time:  109 minutes

Genre:  Thriller, action

British secret agent James Bond (Connery) is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a diplomat and his secretary in Kingston, Jamaica.  Quickly becoming a target himself, Bond's investigations lead him to a mysterious private island owned by the sinister Dr. No (Wiseman).

This adaptation of Ian Fleming's 1958 novel Dr. No has a place in cinema history as the first film to feature British super-spy James Bond, and the inaugural instalment of one of the most influential and popular film franchises in cinema history which has chalked up 25 films to date.  Produced on a low budget the film's mix of action, adventure, high living, exoticism and a dash of eroticism made it a huge hit with British audiences in the grey early 1960s. Mixing charisma, intelligence and sex appeal with a strong thread of ruthless brutality, Sean Connery became the quintessential James Bond, and is arguably still the best, and "Bond Girl" Ursula Andress has one of the most iconic entrances in cinema coming out of the tropical sea clad in a bikini.  Unlike most of the later Bond films, this is relatively faithful to Fleming's novel, and, even though the series didn't really hit it's stride until the third film, Goldfinger (1964), it does introduce sone of the elements that would become hallmarks of James Bond, including the trademark "gun barrel" opening, the rousing theme by John Barry, stylish title sequence, elaborate secret lairs for the villain, and the flirtatious banter between Bond and secretary Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell).  As with most of the Bond films, this is a bit problematic by today's standards, and it also suffers from having a fairly bland villain in Dr. No, who barely appears in the film.  It remains a hugely enjoyable adventure film though, and a fantastic slice of escapist entertainment.

     Bond... James Bond:  Sean Connery in Dr. No

Emma.

 Year of Release:  2020

Director:  Autumn de Wilde

Screenplay:  Eleanor Catton, based on the novel Emma by Jane Austen

Starring:  Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Josh O'Connor, Callum Turner, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart, Bill Nighy, Gemma Whelan

Running Time:  124 minutes

Genre:  Period, comedy-drama

In Regency-era England, the wealthy young Emma Woodhouse (Taylor-Joy) enjoys meddling in the love lives of her friends, while having no intention of getting married herself.  Emma soon learns, however, that despite her best efforts, her matchmaking plans often make things far worse.

This film is based on the 1815 novel by Jane Austen.  I have never read the book and so can't comment on how faithful this adaptation is.  The film opens with Emma being described as "handsome, clever and rich", which is a perfect description of the film.  Visually it is sumptuous with every frame practically looking like something you could clip out and put on the wall, while the stories direction and the ultimate end is never really in doubt, it is a witty script, and the whole thing feels like a gorgeous cinematic confection.  Anya Taylor-Joy is perfect in the lead, giving a captivating, spirited performance.  Johnny Flynn as Emma's foil Mr. Knightley, the only one who challenges her on her schemes.  Mia Goth gives depth and heart to her role as Emma's friend, and accidental victim of her schemes.  There s also good support form established British comic actors such as Miranda Hart, Bill Nighy and Gemma Whelan.  I'm not sure how Jane Austen fans will feel about the film, but I found it a hugely enjoyable diversion.

Mia Goth and Anya Taylor-Joy in Emma.

Metropolitan

 Year of Release:  1990

Director:  Whit Stillman

Screenplay:  Whit Stillman

Starring:  Carolyn Farina, Edward Clements, Chris Eigeman, Taylor Nichols, Allison Parisi,  Dylan Hundley, Isabel Gillies, Bryan Leder, Will Kempe

Running Time:  98 minutes

Genre: Comedy, drama

Over the Christmas season in New York City, middle-class socialist Tom Townsend (Clements) accidentally gets mixed up with "The Sally Fowler Rat Pack", a group of wealthy, young socialites, who spend their time going to debutante balls, endless afterparties and trying to hook up with each other.  Despite his initial objection to their conspicuous wealth and materialism, Tom soon finds himself drawn into the circle.

This marked the debut of writer-director Whit Stillman, who became quite a shining star on the American Indie scene during the 1990s.  This is basically F. Scott Fitzgerald updated to the 1990s.  Not much really happens plot-wise, one of the group falls in love with Tom, who doesn't reciprocate her affections because he is in love with someone else.  Everyone is young, beautiful, rich and witty.  Although it does gently satirise it's characters, how much you enjoy the film will really depends on how much you can connect with these extremely privileged, white, one-percenters.  The film is funny in places and the Oscar-nominated screenplay is quite clever, and the mostly unknown cast do well.  I kind of liked it, but it could have done with more bite.

Welcome to The Sally Fowler Rat Pack in Metropolitan

Dad's Army

 Year of Release:  1971

Director:  Norman Cohen

Screenplay:  Jimmy Perry and David Croft, from an idea by Jimmy Perry, based on the television series Dad's Army created by Jimmy Perry and David Croft

Starring:  Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, John Laurie, James Beck, Arnold Ridley, Ian Lavender

Running Time:  95 minutes

Genre:  Comedy, war

During World War II it looks increasingly likely that the Nazis will invade Britain, and so the British Government create a volunteer militia made up of those men who are unsuitable for drafting into the regular Army, mostly due to age (hence they were nicknamed "Dad's Army" by regular troops).  They were originally dubbed the Local Defence Volunteers, and later the Home Guard.  Their job was basically to be a last line of defence in the event of an invasion.  At the small town of Walmington-on-Sea, on the south-east coast of England, the local Home Guard, under the command of pompous bank manager George Mainwaring (Lowe) make up in enthusiasm what they lack in equipment, skills and common sense.

The television sitcom Dad's Army ran for nine seasons between 1968 and 1977 totalling 80 episodes, and to this today is still one of Britain's most beloved TV shows, and is repeated regularly.  It was inevitable that it would be brought into the 1970s vogue for adapting popular sitcoms as low-budget feature films.  This fares better than most, mainly because it doesn't stray too far from it's TV origins.  In fact the early part of the film is almost a remake of the first episode, and the things that fans expect are largely present and correct.  The main difference between this and the TV series is that there is a planned Nazi invasion of Walmington-on-Sea, which really only comes into play in the last quarter of an hour, and seems to be there just to give the film an ending.  The film is very episodic and feels like a kind of TV special rather than a feature film.  However the cast are all talented comedy actors and by this time their roles fit them like gloves.    Fans of the TV series will enjoy it, and if you've never seen the show than it is a good introduction.  The film was very popular, and as equal was planned but never made.  However the series was again adapted into a film in 2016 called Dad's Army, with a mostly completely different cast.

Don't panic, Mr. Mainwaring: Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier in Dad's Army
 

Manhattan Murder Mystery

 Year of Release:  1993

Director:  Woody Allen

Screenplay:  Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman

Starring:  Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston, Jerry Adler

Running Time:  107 minutes

Genre:  Comedy, crime

Married couple Larry (Allen) and Carole (Keaton) befriend their elderly neighbours Paul (Adler) and Lillian (Lynn Cohen).  They are shocked when they learn that the seemingly perfectly healthy Lillian has suddenly died of an apparent attack, and are further disturbed by Paul's cheerful demeanour immediately afterwards.  Carole becomes convinced that Paul murdered Lillian, and begins to investigate with the help of her friend, playwright Ted (Alda).  Larry however is convinced that there is no mystery to solve, until it turns out that Lillian might not be dead after all.

This darkly comic mystery film was made at a very difficult time in Woody Allen's personal life as his relationship with Mia Farrow was collapsing among allegations which continue to dog Allen's reputation to this day.  This was an intentionally light, playful film which Allen made to take his mind off things, and reunites him with close friend and regular co-star Diane Keaton, and other Allen regulars Alan Alda and Anjelica Huston.  The film was originally conceived as a subplot in Annie Hall (1977), but was excised from the final script.  The film really hearkens back to Allen's "early funny ones", lacking the introspection and philosophical themes which dominated Allen's films throughout the 1980s and early 90s.  The film is overly long, and the murder plot is very convoluted, but it is funny and the chemistry between Allen and Keaton really sparkles.  The mystery plot is a welcome addition to the typical wisecracks and one-liners, and the climax is really quite exciting.  Alan Alda and Anjelica Huston provide reliable support.  The film also marks the screen debut of Zach Braff.  This is one of Allen's most purely enjoyable films, but there is an emotional core about Larry and Carole's marital difficulties.  Woody Allen fans will  certainly enjoy it, and it should appeal to newcomers as well.

Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are embroiled in a Manhattan Murder Mystery

You Only Live Once

Year of Release:  1937

Director:  Fritz Lang

Screenplay:  Gene Towne and Charles Graham Baker

Starring:  Sylvia Sidney, Henry Fonda, Barton MacLane

Running Time:  86 minutes

Genre:  Crime, drama, romance

Eddie Taylor (Fonda) is a convicted bank robber who is released from prison and tries to go straight with his new wife, Joan (Sidney), secretary to the Public Defender who represented Eddie at his trial.  However hard he tries, Eddie comes to feel that he can't catch a break, and finds himself drawn back to his old life with violent and tragic consequences.

Director Fritz Lang had made his reputation in Germany with such classics as Metropolis (1926) and M (1931) before emigrating after the Nazis came to power and eventually ended up in America.  His first American film, Fury (1936), attracted praise from critics but was severely tampered with by the studio.  This film, loosely based on the exploits of legendary outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, is an early example of what would become known as "film noir", a bleak crime drama, with a doom-laden atmosphere, and desperate characters who, despite their best efforts, are destined for nothing but a bad end.   The film also has a still pertinent message about the difficulties of ex-prisoners to find a place in society even after serving their sentence.  The film features a powerful, haunted performance from Henry Fonda and a great performance from Sylvia Sidney as the one person who stands by Eddie, even after her world starts to crash down around her.  Lang was a consummate visual stylist who honed his craft during the German Expressionist movement, and the film features some startling images, notably a jailbreak sequence, shot with thick rolling smoke and stark, bright shafts of light, with minimal sets.  Despite concessions to the censors of the time (Lang was forced to cut fifteen minutes from the film before it could be released) this is still a shocking and troubling film.

Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda are on the run in You Only Live Once