Review-Convenience 

Convenience tells the story of two life long friends A.Jay (Ray Panthaki) and Shaan (Adeel Akhtar), as they find themselves in deep with some Russian gangsters and a very limited time to settle the £8,000 debt that Shaan has racked up.
They decide the easiest way to get the money is to rob a near-by petrol garage. Unfortunately the safe has a time-lock and won’t open until 6am the following morning.


Their only option is to tie-up the manager and a customer in the back office, pose as employees and work a shift in the petrol garage.

If this ordeal wasn’t stressful enough, they soon learn there’s another employee in the stock room. Luckily for them, Levi (Vicky McClure) thinks they’re the two new trainees that have shown up a day early. They now face the challenge of keeping Levi out the office.

It’s lack of budget doesn’t show on screen. It’s beautifully shot and is held up by a great, yet simple premise. It also hosts some impressive cameos from Anthony Head (Buffy), Tony Way (Game of Thrones) and Verne Troyer (Austin Powers) they each play odd-ball characters that A.Jay and Shann encounter on their shift.
Overall, Convenience is a great example of low budget British comedies. The film manages to capture the tedium of retail work, yet is always watchable due to a great script and stellar performances from the cast.

Listen to our interviews from the press junket here

Review-Man From U.N.C.L.E

I’m a child of the ’80s and ’90s, so I grew up on a steady staple of repeats from the 1960s, I’ve since been a fan of the man from UNCLE.
The show originally ran from 1964-1968 and revolved around a network of spies who worked for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement, (UNCLE). UNCLE polices the globe from the threat of T.H.R.U.S.H. An organisation, which is erm absent from this iteration.

Henry Cavill stars as Napoleon Solo opposite Armie Hammer as Illya Kuryakin in Guy Ritchie’s and Lionel Wigram’s film adaptation.

Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” centres on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two teams up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organisation, which is bent on destabilising the fragile balance of power the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.

This is a fast-paced, action-packed, sexy and stylish international adventure, shot through with humour that is as much about the rocky relationship between two sparring super spies, as it about the job they have to do.

The cinematography is breathtaking and details everything that made the 1960s cool – from its art, fashion music and cars. Lionel Wigram and Richie once again prove to be a great team.

The one thing that always bugged me about the series, is that we never really knew how Solo and Kuryakin, became partners, or how U.N.C.L.E. was formed, Ritchie and Wigram fill in the blanks.

Overall, I enjoyed this film, however, I feel they missed a trick not having a cameo from Robert Vaughn or David McCallum.

I look forward to a sequel.

Film review-Paddington

I have a confession to make, my dear reader. When I was first invited to the premiere of Paddington, I turned down the tickets. I mean, who wants to see a movie about a talking bear who wears a duffel coat and carries a suitcase? Plus, the early images of Paddington made him look creepy, like he was about to go on a killing spree. And when Colin Firth dropped out of the film just before its release, I thought, “Well, that’s the final nail in the coffin.”

But then something unexpected happened. Word of mouth started spreading after that first screening. People were raving about the film, calling it “the best film in a decade”. I couldn’t ignore the buzz any longer. So I took my kids to see it on opening night. And I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Paddington is a delightful movie that had me grinning from ear to ear.

Based on Michael Bond’s beloved children’s book series, Paddington follows the adventures of a lovable brown bear who travels from Peru to London in search of a new home. The film strikes the perfect balance between playful slapstick and heartfelt warmth, thanks to director Paul King’s clever and imaginative storytelling. The scenes that humanise the story and characters are particularly touching, as we see Paddington adjusting to life with the Brown family in London.

Sure, the subplot featuring Nicole Kidman’s villainous character feels a bit forced and out of place. But overall, the film is a joy to watch, thanks to its excellent performances, seamless mix of CGI and live-action, and the stunning visual flair brought to the film by King.

In short, if you’re looking for a smart and entertaining family movie, look no further than Paddington. It’s a modern classic that towers above most of the other PG-rated films out there. Trust me, you won’t regret giving this charming little bear a chance.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Film Review-The Amazing Spider-Man 2

In “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” director Marc Webb demonstrates skill in crafting drama and romance, particularly in the chemistry between Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) and Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). However, the film’s action elements suffer due to a crowded plot with too many villains to juggle.

Jamie Foxx’s Electro is the primary antagonist, but his character lacks depth and fails to engage audiences. Foxx does his best to bring life to the role, but his efforts are hampered by the film’s attempts to balance multiple storylines.

The addition of Dane Dehaan as Harry Osborn falls short of expectations, with Dehaan’s performance lacking the charisma and charm that James Franco brought to the role in the previous trilogy. The Green Goblin’s appearance is also disappointing, with poorly executed makeup and design.

The film attempts to address the mystery surrounding Peter’s father, but this plot thread only adds to the cluttered narrative. The focus on Peter’s personal relationships with Gwen and Harry is more compelling and could have been developed further.

While the script and direction of the film may have left something to be desired, Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-Man is a standout performance that shouldn’t be missed. Garfield expertly captures the character’s wit, courage, and vulnerability, delivering a nuanced and multi-layered performance that elevates the film.

One particularly memorable moment is a montage of Spider-Man swinging through New York, showcasing the hero in action across all seasons of the year. This sequence stands out as some of the best Spider-Man action ever captured on film, a testament to Garfield’s ability to fully embody the character and bring him to life in a thrilling and engaging way.

The film’s most effective sequence occurs in the third act, but the subsequent final battle with Rhino feels tacked on and undercuts the emotional impact of the previous scene.

Overall, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” suffers from an overloaded plot and a lack of focus, leaving little hope for the future of the franchise. If there is an Amazing Spider-Man 3, it won’t be directed by Marc Webb.

⭐️⭐️

Listen to our review of the first film here.

DVD REVIEW-ill Manors

ill manors is the directorial debut movie from the rapper, turned actor, turned film-maker, Plan B, AKA Ben Drew. What makes this such an astonishingly impressive film, is the fact that it comes from a first time director and was shot on the extremely limited budget of £100,000. It looks like a much more polished and expensive production.

Ben Drew insists that this is not autobiographical, but is a party based on real events and local urban legends. The film plots several days in the lives of several Forest Gate residents, who are all in some way connected.
Aaron (Ahmed) is the friend and go-for, to drug dealer Ed (Ed Skrein). Aaron starts to see Ed in a new light when he forcibly pimps out crack-addicted prostitute Michelle (Anouska Mond) in order to pay for the phone, he thinks she stole.



Meanwhile, Kirby, played excellently by Drew’s godfather, Keith Coggins. Has just been released from jail. Kirby used to be the local kingpin who is now forced to work for his former go-for, Chris (Lee Allen). Kirby wants his empire back, but Chris isn’t gonna let him have it. Katya (Natalie Press) is a trafficked sex slave from Eastern Europe who escapes her kidnappers and goes to extreme measures in order to protect her baby. Apart from Riz Ahmed, the cast is made up of mostly unknown actors, which gives the film an added sense of realism and authenticity that doesn’t come with most “urban” dramas.

The direction is slick and inspired, Drew employs a few techniques, such as non-linear storytelling, as well as a mix of mobile phone footage and split-screen action, that could have felt gimmicky or clichéd, in the wrong hands. He flashes us back through the characters lives to show us their childhoods. Even though some of the characters are overly violent and unlikeable, you still care for them. Everybody in this film is a victim in some way. Drew provides the score to the film, but the tracks never feel intrusive. The music has a purpose that adds another layer to the story.

If the film has any flaws, it’s the running time. It’s just over two hours. But, that is a very minor quibble for such an impressive debut.
Plan B announced last week that he is taking a year off, I can’t wait to see what he comes back with.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

DVD Extras:

Documentary
Shorts
Videos

DVD REVIEW-FAST GIRLS

Fast Girls is a film that tried to cash in on the Olympics but was not allowed to use the words “Olympics,” “London,” and “2012.” As a result, the film revolves around a group of female athletes training for the fictional 2011 World Championships. Co-written by Noel Clarke and directed by newcomer Regan Hall, the movie is billed as a comedy/drama, but it fails to deliver on both fronts.

The film stars Lenora Crichlow (Being Human) as Shania, a talented sprinter from the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ who is approached by relay coach Tommy (Clarke) to join the team. However, she struggles to be a team player. While it is refreshing to see a British production with strong female leads, Fast Girls quickly becomes a cliché-ridden film. The romance between Shania and Carl feels contrived, and the movie falls back on the same old tropes we’ve seen in countless other films.

Noel Clarke’s performance as Tommy is rather bland, and it feels like he wasn’t the original actor cast for the role. Phil Davis has little more than a cameo as Shania’s original coach, and it’s a waste of his talent. While the film does engage the audience at times, it’s hard to stay interested when the plot is so predictable. The “feel good” climax is the icing on the cake of this disappointing film.

Overall, Fast Girls is a film with potential, but it fails to deliver on its promises. The strong female leads are refreshing, but the plot is predictable and clichéd, and the performances are lackluster. If you’re looking for a film about female athletes that delivers on its promises, this one falls short.

⭐⭐

    • Behind the Scenes: Cast Training/ Costume Design/ The Relay/ Fast Girl Championship/ Night Shoot.
    • Interviews: Lenora Chrichlow/ Lily Jame/ Noel Clarke/ Bradley James/ Regan Hall/ Rupert Graves/ Lorraine Burroughs/ Lashana Lynch/ Dominique Tipper/ Damian Jones/ Ben Rimmer/ Shani Anderson/ Jeanette Kwakye.
    • Trailer

Storage 24 MCM panel

Noel Clarke and director Johannes Roberts visited the MCM Expo last month to promote the sci-fi action flick Storage 24 which opens tonight. After the trailer played they answered questions before running a preview clip from the midst of the action.

Unable to find a deal (or a role) that played to his strengths, Clarke wrote and produced the picture in addition to playing the lead. As Clarke describes, this brought restrictions associated with any independent British film:

“What happened with this film, halfway through (this won’t give it away) we wanted some sort of SWAT team thing at the end and we couldn’t afford the sixty or so people that I wanted. They came to us and were like, ‘you can have eight in the SWAT team.’ Fuckin’ eight! Motherfuckin’ eight! That’s not a SWAT team, that’s a group of guys comin’ out of a minivan!

“So I said, what if we scrap that? I said to Johannes, what if we do THIS thing? And I told him this really cool ending. And he said ‘aw, dude that’s so cool, do that.’

Fleeing something monstrous through corridors is a familiar enough idea and the corridors of a self-storage facility are an even more common image (I’ve moved house 3 times in the past 4 years). But the menace of Storage 24 does have a difference – one worth checking out on the big screen if the preview clip was any indication.

Storage 24 opens tonight



Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg start work on ‘The World’s End’.

After being announced in 2007, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright have finally started writing their third movie, in the blood and ice cream trilogy, “The World’s End?”.

In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, the dynamic duo expanded a bit on the film’s title and gave a brief plot synopsis.
“20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hell-bent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King, a 40-year old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their home town and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub, The World’s End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realise the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries.”

Shaun of the Dead was Pegg and Wright’s homage to horror, Hot Fuzz to action films, The World’s End seems like it could be their homage to sci-fi disaster films. Could we possibly be looking at their answer to an Alien invasion movie?

The pair is scheduled to start shooting in the Autumn and are aiming for a 2013 release. I can’t wait for this movie. I’ll see you at The world’s end.



Film review-Avengers Assemble

In 2005 Marvel realised they could make their own movies, the problem was that they had sold the rights to all their A-list characters. All they had left was Ant-Man, Nick Fury, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Captain America, Twins who got their powers from unicorns and the recently acquired rights to an Iron Man film. They decided not to go with the unicorn twins, but instead with Iron Man and in 2008 they used the first “Iron Man” movie to lay the groundwork for The Avengers. Finally, in 2012 we get the most highly anticipated comic book movie of the past decade and it was worth the wait.



This is not just a Marvel movie, it’s also a Joss Whedon movie and fans of Whedon will spot his signature stamped all over it. The script is classic Whedon it’s smart, funny, dramatic, ridiculous, yet over-all brilliant. It reminds you why he was such a power-house on tv, back in the day.

The hardest challenge this movie faced was giving all The Avengers equal screen time and for the most part, they did.

Continue reading Film review-Avengers Assemble