Obscurity Files #21 - Clark and Michael

Obscurity Files aims to put the spotlight onto a series of films that time and audiences have otherwise forgotten. I'm doing a bit of a different thing today. With Scott Pilgrim currently at cinemas and Hot Tub Time Machine on DVD this week, let's take a look at Michael Cera and Clark Duke in the internet TV show, Clark and Michael.

More after the jump...

COP OUT: Never More Apt A Title

Kevin Smith's latest film has had a bit of a rough time title-wise. Starting off as A Couple Of Dicks, that title was deemed a bit unsuitable for mass audiences, so we ended up with the watered down (but quite witty for its backstory) Cop-Out.

Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan in a buddy comedy about a pair of mismatched cops? Directed by comedy legend Kevin Smith in his first major trip outside of his ViewAskewniverse? How could it possibly fail?


Well it did in a way. It saw a $55 million return worldwide against a $30 million budget, which is pretty good; but it only took £60,000 here in the UK which is pretty poor for a Bruce Willis film. It was also absolutely mauled by critics. So, how do you go about relaunching the film for the home entertainment market? Well let's start with a new cover and see how that works.

Oh.


Poor old Tracy Morgan. What did he ever do to deserve being shunted off the cover? From what I've heard he's the best thing about the movie. Admittedly, he's not quite as big a star in the UK as he is in the US, but to be taken off the promotional campaign and replaced with generic explosion is a bit harsh. 


Look at all the dead space on the right hand side. Could they really not have found a place for Tracy's goofy visage? The Blu-Ray's managed to fill that space, but it isn't much better.

Sorry Kev, you'll always be Silent Bob to us.


Cop Out is out on September 20th if you want to risk it. Trust me, Tracy Morgan IS in it.

FRIGHTFEST 2010

Frightfest begins today down in that there London, and I can't make it. It's one of those things that every year I say I'll make an effort to go down and see it, but instead I'm working Bank Holiday weekend for no extra pay. Ah well, maybe next year...


So to plan B. The good thing about Frightfest is that you've got really no idea what films they're going to put on for you. You might have heard some rumblings about some real nasty flicks (this year that would have been A Serbian Film, but it's been pulled due to censor issues), and sometimes there's a trailer knocking about that catches your eye.


Well, for me this year, that'd be Burning Bright. It doesn't look like the scariest film ever, but it's surely one of the most ridiculous. A sexy girl gets trapped inside her house with a Tiger on the loose, running around in her utility room. Oh, and her autistic brother is in the house too. She can't leave because there's a flippin' hurricane going on outside, so she's just got to stay clear of the Tiger until the weather gets better. High concept stuff.


Here's the trailer for your amusement. Sorry, it's not great quality.



Of course I want to see that film. Who wouldn't? But as I can't get down for Frightfest I'll have to do the second best thing. Wait 9 days and then rent it on DVD.

If I wasn't sold before, telling me that it stars the girl from Step Up 2 (if ever there was a person to see potentially ripped apart by a Tiger) and having a tagline as good as 'True Tiger Terror' has sealed the deal. I'll definitely do a review for this next week so keep a look out for that.


Oh, and if you are lucky enough to be going to Frightfest, have fun.

SLACKER trailer review

Trailers are an important tool in building buzz and anticipation for films. A good trailer can sell a bad movie, a bad trailer can kill a good movie. Here we try and tell the difference between the two and pick out the most anticipated new films.

More after the jump...

Happy Birthday Macaulay Culkin!

Waaaah?! As if Macaulay Culkin's 30 today! As someone who's fast approaching that same landmark, all I can say is... I feel your pain brother. Oh, and Happy Birthday.


There's nothing like seeing a former child star all grown up to make you feel old (even if Mac still looks about 14). Although, one of my co-workers who's on the same wage as me has never heard of Alanis Morissette or River Phoenix. That made me feel pretty old too.


Here's the trailer for the lost Home Alone 3 with Mac in it. At least, I think it's real. (it's not).

SLACKER Quote of the Day

"River Phoenix? Didn't he die outside of Johnny Vegas's Strip Club?"


Ooooh, you're so close!

Obscurity Files #20 - Hackers

SLACKER Obscurity Files aims to put the spotlight onto a series of films that time and audiences have otherwise forgotten. With Salt hitting screens this week, let's check out an extremely youthful Angelina Jolie in Hackers.

More after the jump...

THE SCOUTING BOOK FOR BOYS DVD review

This new Thomas Turgoose starring film has just been released on DVD.

Watch the trailer and read my review, after the jump...

This Is England '86

Shane Meadows' 4 part TV follow up to This Is England is coming to Channel 4 from September 7th. Here's the trailer...





It's looking good. I was a fan of the original film, so I'm intrigued to see what the characters are up to now. Apparently this series is based more on Lol, but Shaun Fields is Shane Meadows' substitute for himself, so I'd expect him to feature just as heavily.


If you're able to get to the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield on September 2nd, there's a preview screening with Shane Meadows, Thomas Turgoose and other cast members in attendance.


Follow this link to the Guardian website for a chance to win tickets. Don't try too hard though, I want to win.


(FYI, I'm not associated with this competition. I'm just being nice sharing the link.)

SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD review

Due for imminent release is Michael Cera and Edgar Wright's new film Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. I've already seen it.

More after the jump...