April 2008 Archives

THE latest Marvel hero Iron Man arrives on Midland cinema screens on Thursday - armed with just a 12A certificate.

This means children of any age could, in theory, be exposed to some rather heavy duty violence.

According to the BBFC, the general consumer advice is simply this: 'Iron Man contains moderate violence and one use of moderate language'.

But a more detailed explanation of its reaction is featured on the link below - though do beware there may be some plot spoilers depending on how much information you like to know about a film before you watch it.

In my view, Iron Man is only suitable for children aged 12 and over.

And, really, it ought to be a 15 given some of the explosive violence.

I particularly didn't like a scene in which a man is repeatedly stamped on, just the sort of scene which alarms me more than relative fantasy gun violence.

So what does 12A mean? According to the BBFC, the brief meaning is as follows (with more detail again on the link below).

12A - Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a '12A' film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a '12' rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.

But, really. How many parents are going to be caring enough to see a film first before they then decide whether to let their children go?

My eldest child is six months short of her 11th birthday, but she won't be seeing this, never mind the two younger ones.

Although I'd advise parents to stick to the 12 in the 12A - not least because the film is relatively slow I know for sure that many won't and that they'll be all to eager to give in.

As for my verdict on the film, I'm still torn between three and four stars. Find out which way I go in this Friday's May 2 edition of the Birmingham Mail when the film will be on the cover of our bumper What's On section.

TOP American documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock is coming to Brum next week.

The director and star of Super Size Me will be in town to promote his new movie, Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (12A, 90 mins).

And the good news is that you can not only meet him but ask questions, too!

I'll be hosting a Q&A with Morgan straight after the screening of his new film which is set to begin at the flagship Cineworld Broad Street cinema at 6pm on Tuesday, May 6.

The film will be open to any cinemagoer for the standard ticket price of £5.80.

But Birmingham Mail Film Club members will be able to watch Where in the World, take part in the Q&A and stay on for our screening of Steven Spielberg's The Lost World - Jurassic Park (PG) sequel.

And all for the combined sum of... £2.50! Now that's what I call a bargain so Club members do book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

There will be full details about the combined event in this Friday's (May 2) Birmingham Mail so order your copy now to make sure you don't miss out.

And that's not all. In the Birmingham Mail on Friday, May 9, we're set to announce another amazing deal for Club members so check out how to apply on our website.

The link is:

http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/birmingham-mail-film-club/

CALLING all Birmingham Film Club members - and anyone who just loves their movies.

We're just working on a very exciting three-in-one event for next Tuesday at Birmingham Cineworld, so keep your diary free for the entire evening.

Don't forget to order your copy of Friday's Birmingham Mail and, of course, keep watching this space...

ARE foreign actresses sexier when they are speaking in their native tongue?

Or is it more exciting hearing them in English with a twist?
In the case of Penelope Cruz, she's been much better in Spanish movies like All About My Mother and Volver than English-speaking dramas like Vanilla Sky, Captain Corelli's Mandolin and the appalling Woman on Top.
The former squeeze of Tom Cruise has been around a while now, so it's surprising to realise that today is still only her 34th birthday.
Look out for Cruz this August in a film called Elegy.
Based on a novel by Philip Roth (The Human Stain) and directed by Isabel Coixet, it's about a student having a sexual effect on a teacher.
The cast is an interesting mix.
It includes Patricia Clarkson, Dennis Hopper, Deborah Harry (Blondie) and Ben Kingsley.

WOULD you dare to run across Villa Park or St Andrew's naked?

Well, that's pretty much the level of bravery that Robin Williams and Kevin Bacon would have required in order to take on their roles in two disturbing movies which are screening back to back on Channel 4 on Monday evening.

Showing from 10pm on April 28 is One Hour Photo (15), in which Williams plays Seymour 'Sy' Parrish, a perfectionist to the soles of his squeaky plastic shoes.

This is one of the most brightly lit but dark movies you'll ever see.

It's both a thought-provoking snapshot of one man's regression at the hands of corporate control and a mirror to how modern society can take potentially rewarding responsibility out of employees' hands with serious consequences.

Williams is masterful because we at once sympathise with his position at work, yet are fearful of his actions in private.

He is an Everyman gone wrong representing millions of employees in shopaholic, mall-infested, air-conditioned America. And a potentially very dangerous one at that.

In The Woodsman (15) from 11.50pm, Mystic River star Bacon takes an even bigger career risk by playing Walter, a convicted sex offender trying to reclaim his place in society after 12 years behind bars.

Now working at a lumberyard, he goes on an unexpected emotional journey with Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick/ Phenomenon).

Reminiscent of Billy Bob Thornton's Oscar-nominated Sling Blade and impressively debut directed by Nicole Kassell, The Woodsman has an extraordinary non-Hollywood edge to it.

This fabulous double bill deserves an audience thanks to its two stars deciding not to take the easy Hollywood dollar.

WHAT wonderful news that J R R Tolkien's book The Hobbit is set to be turned into a major movie by my favourite foreign director, Guillermo Del Toro.

Films already directed by the brilliant 43-year-old Mexican include The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth.

This summer he'll be releasing action sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army and he also produced recent sensational Spanish shocker The Orphanage - the best spooky movie for at least five years.

As well as making The Hobbit, Del Toro will also be making another movie currently titled The Hobbit 2 back-to-back just like The Lord of the Rings trilogy itself...

THIS weekend's explosive new film on satellite TV stars Nicolas Cage in NEXT (Saturday / Sunday, Sky Movies Premiere, 8pm).

Here's a real A-lister who probably hasn't quite fulfilled his own talent.

I still think he's capable of more, but give him time - he's only 44!

Since winning the best actor Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas in 1996, Nic's only sniff of Academy recognition has been for Adaptation in 2003 when he lost out to Adrien Brody (The Pianist).

Still, it's also been good to see such a big name being prepared to try to satisfy the popcorn market so soon and so often after an Oscar win.

But his best efforts in this direction - The Rock, Con Air (my favourite) and Face/Off - were all made a decade ago.

Disappointments since have been Gone in 60 Seconds, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Windtalkers and Matchstick Men.

National Treasure I & II were big hits but they're a bit silly for my taste.

Ghost Rider was ultra-lightweight and The Wicker Man was surely one of the most ill-advised remakes in history.

Today, Cage is as busy as ever though, with future movies including playing a hitman in this autumn's Bangkok Dangerous.

He'll also be starring in Disney's 2009 Jerry Bruckheimer blockbuster G-Force and playing a teacher in Knowing, a film about some accurate predictions that have been found in a time capsule buried at a school.

Carry on reading for my original verdict of Next, from just a year ago then decide whether to sit down for the big premiere.

If you miss it tonight (Saturday), it's back on Sky tomorrow at the same time.

Then let me know. Was I right... or was I wrong?

IT takes a certain sort of maverick to become a film director.

So, as promised earlier in the week, here's how Sutton Coldfield's Justin Edgar achieved his dream despite leaving school empty handed.

His experience proves that exam results are often not worth the paper they are written on.

It's what you do with yourself that counts....

This interview was first published in the Mail on September 15, 2001.

But, if you are dreaming of making your own movies, then the lesson about Justin's determination to overcome the odds stacked against him is as relevant as ever...

CAMERON Diaz won't be acting daft on the couch during Friday Night with Jonathan Ross tomorrow - after her father Emilio died earlier this month aged 58.

Still in mourning, she will instead be represented by Ashton Kutcher, her co-star in next month's release What Happens in Vegas.
I'm not so sure he'll be the late night tonic for female viewers that Cameron would have been for men.
Both my wife and I lost our own fathers at ridiculously young ages so we know how she feels and are thinking of her.
In general, I doubt if many people truly value their parents until it's too late.
I know that losing my dad, for example, made me grow up pretty fast.
The real positive for me was that I became a lot closer to my mother than I might have done otherwise.
And, when illness unexpectedly then cut her life short, I had no regrets.
If any good can come of this sorry story, it will be for Cameron Diaz to grow up on screen.
She should now feel strong enough to want to make the sort of mature, life-affirming dramas which her CV is currently lacking.
In other words, a film she can proudly dedicate to the memory of her father...

* Bizarrely, Cameron's current movie in post-production is called The Box which has been written and directed by Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko).
If she presses a button after receiving the gift, it will kill someone in the world who she does not know...
Spooky.

Further to yesterday's blog, a simple bit of research indicates there are more than 200 Sarah Marshalls in the UK.

And there are at least a dozen Sarah Marshalls of voting age in Brum alone.

If you are over 18, it would be interesting to read your views on the new movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall which is out on Friday, April 25.

How does sharing a name with a character of the moment affect your life?

Given that I share my name with a famous 1960s' serial killer who used to poison people with cups of tea, I'll fully understand (see the film The Young Poisoner's Handbook if in any doubt).

Cheers,

Graham

PS. I wonder how Jack Nicholson is feeling... after turning 71 yesterday. Then again, maybe he's still at the party...