Rubber (2010)

Rubber (2010) IMDB Link

Writer/Director Quentin Dupieux has managed to create one of the strangest films I have seen in a long time with Rubber, a film that has “no reason”. It’s a film that really has to been seen to be believed or understood but is also one that I would trouble recommending to anyone.

The plot is just ludicrous; an inanimate car tire comes alive just outside a small desert town. The tire discovers that it has telepathic powers and begins to kill and destroy anything and everything in its path except one particular woman that it seems to become obsessed over. Meanwhile there is a group of people observing the “film” from afar by using binoculars to watch the tire on its rampage.

Yes you did read that right; this is primarily a film about a killer tire. It’s so silly that you would think that Rubber could only be a B-Movie but it’s anything but. I would have to classify it has an art house film due to how strange the plot is. Take the killer tire part and you are still left with group of people observing from distance with binoculars thinking they are watching a film and a cop that is trying to play along in order to entertain the audience. Really it’s impossible to explain it’s that strange, so strange in fact that how anyone could consider it entertaining is beyond me. There are plenty of good things about Rubber though, it has great effects and plenty of gore as the tire blows up plenty of heads. The cinematography is great and the plot is entertaining at times. In the end though it’s just too strange and the pace can be very slow with long drawn out shots of the tire rolling through the desert.

Rubber is a film I would never recommend to anyone because it’s just too weird but if you’re ever in the mood for an art house film about a killer tire then give it a go. It’s without doubt the best killer tire film I have ever seen.

5/10

Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus (2010)

Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus (2010) IMDB Link

The Asylum production company hit on the perfect mix of B-Movie ridiculousness and so bad it’s good filmmaking with their ludicrous 2009 film Mega Shark Vs Giant Octopus. It turned out to be a surprise hit allowing them to rush out this sequel in order to cash in on the originals success, it’s just a shame that this sequel has none of the elements that the original so much fun.

The film’s title tells almost everything you need to know about the plot, the Mega Shark that defeated the giant octopus from the original film is still alive and kicking and wanting to kill a few more people. Another prehistoric animal has been accidentally released from a cave, a giant crocodile named Crocosaurus and it is also intent on killing as many people as it can. This leads our scientists and military personal with no choice but to get the two to fight each other to death.

The fact that I watched this film only a couple of days ago and have nearly forgotten every single aspect of it tells you all you need to know. Gone is the over the top ridiculousness of the original, this sequel is bafflingly played out in a much more serious tone. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still extremely silly but not in the good way. The effects are as terrible as usual, as is the acting and even the usually fun action scenes are mostly gone. It seems as if the formula for success that was the original film was stumbled upon by accident and they are unable to reproduce it.

Extremely disappointing sequel as it finally looked as if The Asylum were starting to make those silly over the top B-Movies that everyone loves. Very poor with very few redeeming features, this matchup is not even deserving of an under card spot.

3/10

Beneath Hill 60 (2010)

Beneath Hill 60 (2010) IMDB Link

Many people seem to forget that Australian soldiers played a huge part in the outcome of World War 1 with them being involved in nearly all of the major battles. Beneath Hill 60 tells the story of one of the lesser known battles of the war but one in which the Australian soldiers were the key members in winning, and one that would ultimately change the course of the war.

The film tells the (mostly) true story of the battle for Hill 60 and focuses mostly on the life of Oliver Woodward who left his new found love to go and fight on the western front. Woodward joined the secret platoon of Australian tunnelers who were tasked to dig and defend tunnels deep underneath German lines. This leaking labyrinth was packed full of high explosives by the Australians in order to defeat the Germans and claim Hill 60, an important strategic point, as their own.

There is no doubting that an immense amount of research went into making this film, mainly due to the story being it being a hugely successful one for Australian soldiers. All of the sets and costumes look excellent and give a real authentic feel to the film. The effects are also excellent for the most part with realistic depictions of war despite the comparatively small budget. The story itself is also an interesting one but the problem with Beneath Hill 60 lies with the telling of the story. The script is just too muddled at times and it is never really explained exactly why they soldiers are so intent on capturing Hill 60. If the hill was such an important strategic point in the war then it should have been explained as such but instead we have to work it out for ourselves to due to the sheer lack of background information about the battle. Everything else is very good with strong performances throughout and well filmed war scenes; it’s just a shame at the lack of information surrounding the battle which would have elevated this film beyond being merely good.

A solid war film that’s well made, it lacks the depth of information to really make it a classic. Still it’s an interesting story that World War 1 enthusiasts especially will find an entertaining watch.

7/10

The Town (2010)

The Town (2010) IMDB Link

Ben Affleck first burst onto the scene in 1997 when he won an Oscar along with matt Damon for writing Good Will Hunting. This proved that he had what it takes to help create excellent films but unfortunately he spent the next 12 years as a pin up actor starring in a slew of average films. 2009 finally saw him back to making films with his brilliant directorial debut Gone Baby Gone. Now with The Town, a film he both directs and stars in, proves that Affleck is a serious director with the talent the make brilliant films.

The Town tells the story of a bank robbery gang based in Charlestown, Boston. After one of their jobs doesn’t go to plan and they are forced to take a hostage, one of the members named Doug MacRay is tasked with getting to know the hostage to make sure she has no information on them that can take them down. He starts to fall for her though leading to complications between himself and his childhood friend James. As he plans his next job to get him out of the robbery game, MacRay must try and keep the gang and his love life together; all the while an FBI agent is trying to take him down.

There is no doubting that the town lacks originality and contains almost every cliché in the book; namely the bank robber doing just one last job in order to start a new life with the woman he loves. What makes The Town standout though is how well written and directed it is, Affleck has got the direction spot on; the pace of the film is perfect, there is just the right mix between drama and action and he has gotten great performances from all of his cast, including himself. Even though it is nothing new, the main plot is well written and will have you engaged in the characters from the off. The action scenes are wonderfully shot with some incredible shoot outs that will have you on the edge of your seat. The ending is also very well done despite the cliches and works well with everything that came before it.

The Town is such a good film that it’s probably the best bank robber film since Heat which is a huge compliment. Affleck has proven that Gone Baby Gone was no fluke and he has real talent as a director. Everyone should check this film out and I can’t wait to see what Affleck chooses to do next.

9/10

The Last Lovecraft – Call of the Cthulu (2009)

The Last Lovecraft – Call of the Cthulu (2009) IMDB Link

There is something charming about a low budget film that is not afraid to use practical effects, so much so that the monsters consist of men in rubber suits. This is exactly the case with The Last Lovecraft – The Call of the Cthulu, an extremely low budget horror comedy film that’s a homage to work of H.P. Lovecraft and both funny and entertaining throughout.

The plot is pure B-Movie fun; Jeff is ordinary guy stuck in a job he hates and living a boring life with his comic book loving mate. His life is turned upside though when an old man bursts into his house claiming that he is the last descendent of H.P. Lovecraft whose horror stories were not fiction but based on fact. He must protect one half of an ancient relic from falling into the hands of the Starspawn and his followers who are intent on reuniting the relic and resurrecting the Cthulu from the depths of the ocean.

This film is extremely silly from start to finish but it’s all the better for it due the fun way in which it’s filmed. Done on an extremely small budget, the cheap practical effects give it a real old school feel and also add to the comedy effect of the film. In fact the comedy element is probably its strongest feature as it is genuinely funny throughout due to some good writing and strong characters. The action is silly due to the budget constraints but is still fun and the story all comes together in a perfectly silly B-Movie ending that will leave you with a smile on your face.

The Last Lovecraft – Call of the Cthulu is an extremely cheap B-Movie that certainly won’t be to everyone’s tastes but if you sit back and enjoy the silliness of it all then there is plenty of fun and silly entertainment to be had here.

7/10