Sneak Freek 1: Low Budget - High Thrills!

Hello my sugar-coated freeklates!

Are you one of those who reads up a movie preview/synopsis only to yawn at its more than obvious plot? Have the run-of-the-mill plots feel like regurgitated insanity to you?

Then you a true, freeking FREeK my friend, and in an attempt to rekindle your long lost romance, that feeling of unexplained freekishness when you first fell in love with celluloid, the Film Freek presents to you a sneak peek at some outstanding bits of forthcoming cinema, who are way of the freeking radar, well then ladies and (who cares about the rest), get ready for...

SNEAK FREEK :

a) PONTYPOOL:

Having spent part of my growing years (yes, where the growing was vertical, as opposed to the middle expansion that I indulge in now!) in a remote town near Alaska, the premise of the little Canadian horror flick was eerily close to comfort for me! In an freekative interpretation of the Zombie genre, Pontypool directed by Bruce McDonald merges the claustrophobia (Cave, Descent, Dog-Soldiers) and the Zombie Genre (28 days later, 28 weeks later).

(click, on the pic for the trailer!)

The plot revolves around a shock-jock (that's a radio host who makes controversial statements, not electric underwear!) who is carted off to the non-descript town of Pontypool ( which really exists!) as a result of his on-air shenanigans, only to find to receive freeked out on-air callers describing bizzare incidents, about crazed people attempting to rip-out the tongue of passerbys, burning down the town school, and slowly losing the ability to communicate comprehensibly! Is it the imagination of the coked-up jockey? a town-wide prank? or more to this than meets the eye (or the ear in this case?) Pontypool takes an innovative swipe at the horror genre, and is an outstanding example of how thrills, chills, and umm..spills? do not necessarily involve high budgets, or marquee stars!

B) INK

Given the blitzkrieg of visual imagery that we are subjected, our rarely do our saturated craniums sit up and take notice of the beautiful vision that cinema can provide us, from the epic storytelling of Lawrence of Arabia to the Hirsteque (yes, i made that word up!!) imagery of Tarsem Singh's THE CELL . Cinema has provided us with some though provoking, and in the case of that scene from the CELL; seat wetting visuals! and promising to join the ranks of the visual treats; is this little indie gem from Jamin Winans, while the other movie in this article dealt with the concept of "sound" in exploring the psycho-horror genre, Ink undoubtedly deals with the fears that one perceives in one's dreams (yes, that uncharted territory) Ink, is set in a freekesque world of nocturnal beings that create sweet dreams that share an uneasy peace with similar beings that create nightmares...and what happens when such peace is shattered over a tussle for a little girl's dreams! is your freek-sense all tingly?...well click on the pic below, to watch this genre-bending trailer for...INK!

Ink, is then a shining example of how a measly budget, unknown stars and a freekingly gifted director can churn out such amazing cinema!

The fReEk

extra freeky: Ink is the new BLAIR WITCH! (you heard it here first!)

FREEKs ON FILM: SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE!

Hellos, my freeky fellows!

Back by popular demand...tonight's post is another venture into celluloid murkiness for another episode of:

FREEKS ON FILM:

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE

There have been Vampire films..about old count Dracula, teenage vampires, and even a little girly vampire (that we covered in a previous entry here), and just when you thought they'd sucked this genre dry (get it?..vampire ...suck dry? never mind!) comes along this little gem of a genre twister.

Imagine if you will, the shooting of the german classic horror movie Noserferatu, in the 1920s, with the cast and crew on a remote island, complete with an creepily authentic castle and nothing or no-one for miles..what if (yes, here's where the freek-o-meter goes into overdrive!) the actor hired to play the vampire, actually WAS A VAMPIRE!!

yes my freek-a-lings, The Shadow Of The Vampire directed by E. Elias Merhige is a freektionalised account of the shooting of Noserferatu, with John Malkovich playing the harangued movie director W.Murmau who, in a desperate bid to achieve movie authencity has sold his soul (or rather that of his lead actress) to an obscure German performer called Max Schreck (played freeking awesomely by Willem Dafoe) who is an actual vampire!


Dafoe - As Max Schreck - the Vampire

The movie is as much about the difficulty that the crew faces in shooting the movie in Schreck's remote castle lair, as it is about Schreck's increasing thirst for blood, which results in the director allowing him to "dispose" of those actors and crew whose services are no longer as the movie progresses! As a final reward, Murmau has promised to Schreck, the..ummm...neck of his statesque lead actress Greta (played by the yummy Catherine Mccormack)

Can Murmau hold of Schreck's blood-lust till the end of the movie? Will the cast eventually get a hint of the actual nature of their extremely talented lead star?? don't get your unmentionables in a twist, and go on to watch this little masterpiece. and fret not, oh yes, you can click on Dafoe's cutesy grin above, for the trailer!


A FREEKING MUST-WATCH!!

Extra Freeky: Dafoe was nominated for an Oscar, for his biting performance (get it...vampire..biting? argghh!!)

A Time to Team!

Hello my mellow freeklings!

The new year has laid out a sample of its fares (of upcoming movies that is!) and from the looks of it, "teaming-up" seems to be the new mantra to hit box office gold.

Do the idea of cinematic extravaganzas that feature, teams of rag-tag do-gooders that take on insurmountable odds (i.e. the summer box office!) and hopefully come out triumphant, tickle your orifices? then fret not my freckleberries..for the box office doyens have concoted for your viewing pleasure not one, not two..(ahh who cares, you will read on anyways!!)...

here then are the team-up extravangzas that will hit your silver screen this summer, may the best team win!!

Team # 1: Inglourious Basterds:

What it is? :Yes, the title's a cuss word, and yes my freeklings it is spelt incorrectly! This long-in-the making feature from Quentin Tarantino is his tribute to the old-fashioned team-up movies of yore (e.g. the Dirty Dozen, Guns of Navarone etc.) the plot pays tribute to the Dirty Dozen movie, and involves a group of american convicts who are recruited by the infamous Sergeant "Aldo Raine" to assasinate a German Commander as he watches a movie in a remote swiss town! The script (you can read the review here) has been developed by Tarantino for a while now, and has already gathered rave reviews!

Who it is?: The movie features Mr. Jolie (otherwise known as Brad Pitt) as the infamous "Aldo Raine" other quirky performers such as Simon Pegg and of course Tarantino's BFF - Eli "Hostel Roth"

Freek Peek:


click above for the first teaser trailer, and a glimpse at Brad's freeking mustache!

Extra Freeky: Micheal Madsen was at point chalked in to play a character in the movie, called "Babe" Buchinsky - in tribute to Charles Bronson's character in Dirty Dozen of the same name!

Team #2: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen!:

What it is? : Micheal Bay, Megan Fox, Shia Leboeuf and yes two teams of Giant Robots that can also change into some pretty nifty vehicles ( and who are fighting with each other for some reason, that you will never bother, once you have glimpsed at Megan Fox's cleavage on screen!)

Who it is? - Big F***king Robots and Megan Fox's cleavage! (enuff said!)

Sneek Freek: take ur eyes away from meg's gratituous goodies, and click on the pic to watch the mucho-awesome trailer!!

Extra Freeky: That huge-ass Robot that appears in the above trailer..and makes Optimus Prime look a like a pea....is the DEVASTATOR!..comprising of at least 3 autobots (evil robots) FREEKING YEAH!

Team #3: G.I. Joe

What it is?: The All American elite commando team finally gets its on screen time, with this version directed by Stephen "the Mummy" Sommers, be prepared for some bloodless violence, harmless bad-guys with over-elaborate schemes to take over the world, and yes some great summer entertainment!

Who it is: If you have been a GI Joe freek ( as I admittedly have, for a very, very brief period) you will cherish Dennis Quaid as Hawk, Tatum Channing as Duke and the Mummy himself..Arnold Vosloo as Destro!

Sneek Freek: click above to watch the best dressed solider squad ever!

Extra Freeky: check out IGN's excellent video-clip detailing the various cast member in the Joe and the Cobra team!
Yo Joe?

Team # 4: THE EXPENDABLES!

What it is? :The revenge of the steroid pumped, oiled, coiled gun-toting heroes of yore!
that's right peeps, this is Sly Stallone's low-budget -high on testosterone -take on that much abused classic Dirty Dozen!
Who it is: Sly has already chalked up ...Jet -Li, Jason Statham, mickey-Rourke, Randy Couture, Dolph "Ivan Drago" Lundgren, and yes a cameo by Ah-nuld Swchwartznegger himself!
Are ur unmentionables tingling with glee? then hold onto them, as i reveal the less than meagre plot about a group of mercenaries ( can a stallone movie be about anything else?) sent in to overthrow an evil durg-lord in some south american country! plot-schmot! who cares, this movie's gonna have more chest on show than an entire season of Baywatch! With the return to the visceral form that Sly displayed in the last Rambo offering, this should be getting all us fan-freeks of the 80s action genre giggly once again!

sneak freek: sorry folks, sly and co. are still pumping at the neighbourhood chemist...errr..gym, and weren't available for any pic!

extra freeky:Sly writes, directs, and yes acts!!!! and yes...there's Ben -gandhi-kingsley too!!!


So there u have it my freekles, this summer's buffet of team-em-ups! which one's ur fav? the robotic might of the transformers? the oiled up chests of the expendables? or the-all american joes?

rave, rant or generally keep in touch at: thefilmfreek@gmail.com

till next time....

Stay Freeked!!

Freeks on Film: Mr. Brooks

Hello my yellow (and other coloured) Freeks, is time again for us to visit our famoulsy fiendish friends ( yes, yes i have alliteration diorrhea!) on silver screen, time for yet another episode of "FREEKS ON FILM"

Episode III: Mr. Brooks

(click me for the trailer!)

Mr. Brooks (directed by Bruce Evans) starts off with an innocuous enough premise, that of a loving family man, good natured neighbour, and lauded community businessman bearing a much darker side to his personality (much...much darker!!!) Yes indeedy, Kevin "dances-with-wolves" Costner plays the said goody two shoes, who harbours a "murderous" addiction, which he is trying desperately to kick to the extent of joining an Alcoholics Anonymous Group for the same!

What makes Mr. Brooks, succeed in sending that cold tingle down our spines ( besides the quirky casting (imagine the all american costner as a killer!!) are the little twists that the films throws up as it proceeds.

Two become one!

An inspired twist is the casting of the always brilliant William Hurt who plays, wait for it..Costner's muderous alter ego (yes freekies, in effect both these actors play different sides of Mr. Brook's mind!) the moral debate that these two engage in prior to Costner's embarking on each of his murderous escapades is creeeepy to say the least! Other deft touches include the clinical manner that Brook's (in his murderous avatar called "The Thumbprint Killer") embarks on his killings, in a manner mirroring the clinical way that he otherwise goes about being a good husband, father and neighbour.

The Freekiness meter goes off the chart in the movie's successive reels when Brook's character becomes obsessed with the life of the hard-nosed police detective (played brilliantly by the long-forgotten Demi Moore) and is blackmailed into accepting an accomplice (played by the comedian Dane Cook) , lastly and certainly not leastly is the return of Mr. Brook's daughter who may be more like daddy dearest than meets the freeking eye!!

If this sounds like more twists and turns than your neighbourhood roller-coaster, then fello freekies it most certainly does!!! and this is perhaps where Mr. Brooks has its undoings in trying to pack in more scare than the average movie Freek's belly can handle.

Nevertheless, Mr. Brooks, remains an under-rated gem, and surely Kevin Costner's finest performance in a looooong time!

A Freeking Watch!!

Freek

A Little Freaky: Costner once mentioned that Mr. Brooks was intended to be part of a trilogy, can't wait!!!

Let Sleeping Slumdogs Lie!!!

Hello fellow freekies,

is been a while that I have been visiting these pages...is a new year, a time for new beginning, and from the media buzz screaming at you from every rooftop, it is the year of the dog or rather the SLUMDOG!!

That's right fellow Freeks, Slumdog Millionaire, seems to ready to topple "Gandhi" as the most widely watched movie, that ever featured us Desis!! (umm, there was that little number called Monsoon wedding).

Given its fast frenetic and unapologetic pace, Slumdog has come in for equal amounts of pace and criticism including some from that aby-baby sr. himself! (perhaps he is miffed upon being caricatured in the film?...surely Mr. Bachhan, u are aware that imitation is the best form of flattery! )

Adapted from the Vikas Swarup novel "Q&A" (which ironically had its share of sales increased in no small amount by who else, but slum kids peddling it across traffic signals; the movie features the twists, turns and trysts (yes, i alliterate quite well , thank u!) of Mumbai slum-kid Jamal Malik (voiced in a Brit accent by the otherwise earnest Dev Patel) who has to come to terms with his winning the jackpot in India's version of "Who wants to be a millionaire!" , all the while trying to win back his ladylove Latika (played by the lithe Freida Pinto!!) from the clutches of the stereotyped Mumbai king-pin (played by Mahesh Manjrekar) the movie also features crackling cameos by Hollywood's favourite Indian Irrfan Khan, and yes, Anil "jhakaas" Kapoor!

The movie, in an uncanny way bears semblance to Boyle's other masterpiece "trainspotting" in its frenetic pacing, wicked dialogue, and yes that scene involving a toilet (or well at least the indian slum equivalent of it!) .

To give the devil (or in this case, the slumdog) its due the movie, has its share of flaws, the very very least of what could be the stark portrayal of the Mumbai street-life; and the alleged "stereotyping" of Mumbai's poverty by a "firang" or "gora" aka white director, but then is it such a raw deal? for mountains of trash, and shit that dot the mumbai slums in which the protagonists thrive, can only be portrayed as well...mountains of trash and shit, and isn't our own bollywood guilty of stereotyping the "gora" as either the foreign business-man or drug lord out to rob Indian treasures, or ravage the modesty of the buxom bollywood beauty - only to be thwarted in his plans by the son-of-the-soil hero! ask our very own Bob-Christo (yes click on the link!) or Tom Alter who have paid their bills for years in playing such stereotyped roles. And in resting my case, isn't the aforesaid Mr. Bachhan guilty of at the very least, of all such stereotypes in just of his movie masterpieces called "MARD!"

So , fellow Freekies flush away your frets , for beneath all its sheen, and wisecracks, Slumdog is at its heart, a coming-of-age movie, and nowhere is this more evident than in the scene where the street kid of today (Dev Patel) sits across the host of "Who wants..." played by Anil Kapoor.

yes that very Anil Kapoor who has played the street-element in several movies of yore (Tezaab, Mashaal, Loafer and even Parinda, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the latter portion of this movie), this fellow freeks is a passing of torch moment from the old street "tapori" to the new "slumdog" the new breed of Mumbai's street-smarts who are not just content with running the local gambling-den, or flirting with the grocer's daughter, but are gunning for the big-time, the prize-money, the girl, and yes the celebratory dance at the end of it all!!

"JAI HO!"

Everyone loves a comeback!!

Before we jump into the slime that is today's post, let us take a minute to salute all those brave officers, policemen and security personnel that lost their lives while protecting us, during the recent tragic events that befell our beloved city of Mumbai.You will be remembered always.

COMEBACK KIDS:

While we wait our beloved city to recover and make a comeback from the dastardly wounds recently inflicted upon it, the Freek ponders upon comeback kids, that have managed to stage a comeback in real and reel life!
1. John Travolta

That's right folks, the Mr.-Bust-a-move himself suffered a crashing setback in his film career after the above pictured legendary movie role. Johnny boy was shoved in the deep basement of forgotten popculture trivia right along with that that shiny disco ball, and that polyester suit. And while he featured in such sappy crap such as Look Who's talking and its innumerable sappier sequels (yes, yes I've seen them all!! and so have you!); he could never make up for his lost glory until.....

That's right peeps, It was this frenetic razor-witted ensemble piece of a movie which depicted John as Vincent Vega - a fast food addicted, assassin who wants to do the tango with his boss's wife played by the saucy Uma Thurman - that bought back Mr. Travolta in the limelight.
There are more classic scenes in this one than the Freek has warts, so i'll keep this a surprise, and let you check out my fav, by clicking on the picture above. enjoy!!!

Mickey Rourke:

What can I say about the Mick..starrer of such classic manly-man movies like Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (click on the poster to watch the coolest opening scene...well of 1988 at least!!) Mick, also was the subject of my pre-pubescent idol worship for getting Kim Basinger to beg, swallow and..yes strip in that much paused, and rewinded movie of the eighties: Nine and a Half Weeks!

(go on and click on that title you perv..and thank me later!!) The Mick went on to make some very wierd career and personal choices, including pursuing a professional boxing career and even joining the Hell's Angels!

The downward spiral had just begun for Mick who lapsed into a severe drug habit that left him looking like......talk about ageing gracefully!!

All seemed lost, until...

Bruised, battered, steroidal..and totally badassed (I'm talking about Mick here!) Mick's porrtrayal of the vengeful Marv in the comic-book-to-screed adaptation of Frank Miller's "Sin-City" (yes,yes click away!!!) The Mick fit right in this film-noir ensemble piece...and has never looked back!! As we speak, Mick and his latest cinematic offering The Wrestler is gathering serious oscar buzz!! (click away on the title for the trailer) See you at the awards Mick!!!

Robert Downey Jr.

When you have scored two of the year's biggest blockbusters, it's hard to believe RDJ has been through the career turmoil that he has gone through of past..drug addiction, rehab, and more office disasters than the zits on my left cheek have frequented this man's past. It is his drug addiction that cost RDJ his promising role in the overtly weepy, yet hugely popular Ally Mcbeal (click on the title to watch RDJ clear his vocal chords on the said show!) While he made a comeback of sorts in the hugely underrated Kiss-Kiss -Bang-Bang starring the other under-rated Val-Kilmer, it was not until RDJ decided to don a bit of red-and-gold and go the summer blockbuster route..that he hit block office gold!!!

Propped up as the Marvel's answer to that lesser known superhero called Dark Knight, RDJ's impact can be seen in the fact that he even featured Marvel's next superhero offering: the Incredible Hulk - click on the title to watch the Hulk trailer featuring who else..RDJ!!

Not content with just one box-office goldmine, RDJ let loose, in the amazingly satirical

Tropic Thunder - check out the hilarious trailer right there!! RDJ in a tribute/kick in the pants to all "method" actors plays Kirk Lazarus (click on the title to see his faux website...heelaareyous!!) a five time oscar winning, australian actor, who undergoes plastic surgery to take on the role of a african american platoon sergeant named Lincoln Osiris! soon enuf, Lincoln is required to disguise himself as a chinese drug trader, which leads him to lead this marvelous dialogue..

"I'm just a dude playing a dude, disguised as ....a dude!!"

Whatever he be playing today, RDJ is sure to hit pay-dirt!!!

So there you have it folks, comebacks are all around us, and if I have inspired you freeks to be inspired to put you fears away, and help get this wonderful city back to its crazy buzz, then i'll consider it a post, well done!!

Freek

a little freeky: Mumbai's the best!!!

(Un)Holy Trinity 2: Duvall Times Three

Hearty Hellos, my freeky fellows!!!

I have to admit, that it hasn't been that long since the first (Un)Holy Trinity Column was unbleashed upon you but then, as any good Hollywoodian (is that even a word?) will tell you, one good outing, surely deserves a sequel, and so here it is...

Episode 2: Duvall X 3:

I'm sure you will freeking agree, that while we tend to associate movies, with their leading stars , the buxom leading lady, or the poster -boy leading man, ever so often there comes along a freekingly talented actor that manages to steal the show, no matter who is pitted against him, or what the larger palette of the movie is. One such talented freek, is the legendary Mr. Robert Duvall, who as you will read later in this post, has not only managed be part of some legendary cinematic ventures, but to leave an indelible mark through his talent...and so without freeking ado:

1) To Kill a Mockingbird:

If there ever is a movie, that leaves a veritable lump in your throat on every viewing, a movie that reminds you of the need to stand for what is good, moral and just in this world, a movie whose lead character : Atticus Finch, is repeatedly voted as the greatest cinematic hero of all times, in several fanboy polls; well it the cinematic portrayal of Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird". And while Greogry Peck's masterful portrayal as Atticus deserves due praise, it is Duvall's portrayal of the reclusive, mumbling hick:

BOO RADLEY, that deserves a special mention! It is this very character that the Finch children (from whose perspective the book/novel is based) mention in hushed terms as an urban legend, and it is this very character that acts as an unlikely guardian angel to these kids, from the enemies that their righteous father unwittingly makes!! So convincing is Duvall's performance that you'd never guess the range of his roles that were to follow....

2.Apocalypse Now:

My cup of freekyness flloweth over!!! an all star-cast (read: Brando, Sheen, Harrison Ford), a rebel direcor (Coppola at his best!!), this movie has freeking classic written all over it!! while urban legends hiss about the director and his stellar cast, being high on all sorts of hallucinatory substances while making this film, Duvall's character in this stellar piece can be enjoyed throroughly, without any recourse to any freaky "substance" all together!!!

Duvall plays a battle hardened surfing-fanatic : Lt. Kilgore, who meets up with our heroes, in their quest to find the reclusive rebel...played by Mr. Brando. It is at Kilgore's whim, that a horde of attack helicopters. bomb the freeking hell of a vietnamese village, (click on the link for a piece of freeking movie awesomeness!!!) - imagine truckloads of napalm hurled near a river-bed, all, so that Mr. Kilgore can manage to indulge in his favourite pastime: surfing!!!

It's the same Mr. Kilgore, that puts across one of the greatest cinematic one-liners ever....

"I LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING!!"

(click on the freeking link already!!!!)

3.THE GODFATHER:

My! is that strawberry hand-lotion i smell?

Yes, yes, u freeks have heard of this one, and yes it's about the Corleone boys, their daddy dearest, and more coolness than you can offload in a dumpster! but then the Godfather is also (in parts) the story of a German-Irish homeless boy, who is brought up by the Corleone family, and grows up to become Don Vito Corleone's consigliori. This boy; Tommy Hagen, is mellow enough to put a baby to sleep, check out the scene where is sent by the Don to negotiate Johnny Fontane's Hollywood contract, with big-shot producer Jack Woltz, and while verbally lashed at by Woltz, Hagen still congratulates Jack on his movie-making skills, and manages to execute, the most vicious threat ever put on cinema...

Imagine the Laundry Bills!!

(click on the pic, for the awesome scene...)

Duvall playing Tom, in the sequel gives another glimpse ofawesomeness; check out the scene pictured below, where he suggests to Salavatore Tessio (to the left of Duvall in the pic) who has betrayed Michael that he commit suicide, if he would like his family to be untouched!!

It is about Tom Hagen, that Michael Corleone gives the subtle, yet resonant commendation: " he is a good consigliori, not a siclian, but a good consiligori!" - understated? maybe...but they come from a man who succeeds none other than Don Vito Corleone, in becoming the most feared Don in his time!

It is interesting to note the interplay of Tom (Duvall) and Sonny's (James Caan) characters (i.e. a clash of their introspective and hot-headed natures) which comes to fore, when the Godfather is shot in cold-blood, Sonny's itchy trigger finger is kept on on hold by the persuasions of Tommy, till such time Michael (Al Pacino) decides to join the family business.

While Duvall lent an subtle yet stern presence in the first and second Godfather movies, his character was undeservedly killed of in the box office failure: Godfather III...rumour is that Duvall demanded ( and i beleive rightly so) equal remuneration to that of Al Pacino to reappear in the third part, and while Coppola's original plot dealt with a clash of ideology between Tommy and Michael, Duvall's increased fee demand, led to his character being written off..and a sub-standard (is compared to the other parts) plot being in place....so there you have it folks, it was not the mafia, or the cops that bought the Corleone family down ( at the box-office at least) it was the lack of their stellar consigliori, played by Duvall!!!

So, there you have it folks 3 legendary movies, 3 amazing characterisations...and one hell of a freeking actor - Robert Duvall!!

Freek

An extra freeky: Duvall was honoured by the US President , Bush, at the White House in recognition of his acting skills! Kudos sir!!