Cine-Critique

There's a new Lord of the Rings film, it's anime, I really enjoyed it. 
Australia's own Miranda Otto returns as Eowyn to narrate this Middle Earth adventure and we had a conversation I hope you enjoy as much as I did. 

Miranda is part of a creative family I adore, dad Barry Otto an Australian icon and in particular actor, writer, director Gracie Otto. 

Besides LOTR, I've enjoyed Miranda in;
Talk to Me (2022) Cashmere Mafia (2008) Dead Letter Office (1998) The Portable Door (2023) Doin' Time for Patsy Cline (1997)

https://youtube.com/@movieanalystshaneadambassett?si=nZyw5fHIS4t_KgXj

Radio colleague Ben picked two of his favourite movies to discuss with me this spooky season, unmistakable influential classic SCREAM (1996) and third instalment of the SCARY MOVIE parody film series. Enjoy our fun chat, but apologies to Matthew Lillard fans, also other than rewatching the films, I was obviously unprepared compared. 

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Likely to make one think twice about having a one-night=stand. Relatively spoiler free rundown of a movie that stuck in my mind long after it had finished, Strange Darling, full of wild suspense from unpredictable situations. Excellent cast in high octane mode, fine plot threads told in non linear order enhance the wild thrills.

STRANGE DARLING 
Directed by JT Mollner
Starring Will Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Madisen Beaty, Ed Begley Jr, Barbara Hershey, Jason Patric.

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Flop environmental thriller The Happening, from M Night. Shyamalan was the beginning of a major low point of his directing career, although some may say his previous film "Lady in the Water' which I will defend, started the ball rolling until he sprung back to creative life with The Visit (2015) and beyond.

Dialogue is key to the ridiculousness here and a premise of outrunning the wind!
Enjoy my rundown of The Happening with brief look over a Shyamalan trajectory.

The Happening (2008)
Directed by M Night. Shyamalan
starring Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, Ashlyn Sanchez, John Leguizamo, 
Betty Buckley, Alan Ruck, Jeremy Strong,  Spencer Breslin

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Spooky pre-natal religious end of the world thriller is excellent retro viewing with Demi Moore commanding attention in every scene as you would expect. 
If you have a room-for-rent and Jurgen Prochnow applies, maybe say no. 

The Seventh Sign (1988) 
Directed by Carl Schultz
starring Demi Moore, Jurgen Prochnow, Michael Biehn, John Heard

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Low key young adult paranormal action thriller is mostly forgettable, the cast are at least convincing in an all too familiar and not well directed premise with an even worse soundtrack. I rewatched after not seeing it since original release, enjoy my reasonably fair rundown with minimum spoilers. 

SOUL SURVIVORS (2001)
Directed by Stephen Carpenter 
starring Eliza Dushku, Melissa Sagemiller, Wes Bently, Casey Affleck, Luke Wilson.

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Vampires in the darkness of Alaska in attack mode is solid horror viewing, never seen it until now, loved it. Filmed in New Zealand this is creepy action intensity.

              30 Days of Night (2007)
Directed by David Slade
also starring Amber Sainsbury, Ben Foster, Mark Boone Jr. 

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Rated X when first released, weird, eerie brilliance. 
David Niven as a manipulative vineyard owner leading a castle of cultists thrown into chaos when his wife & son unexpectedly visit.
Beware of flying arrows.
Dynamic cinematography, exciting cast on fire in this lesser known horror thriller. 

      EYE OF THE DEVIL (1966)
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
(also directed original Cape Fear - 1962)
 

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Movie #1 of my Halloween horror suggestion list.

1994 comedic British crime thriller SHALLOW GRAVE fits nicely into the horror genre, I love it. Flatmate friends dispose of a body to keep his suitcase of money, things go out of control for the trio. 

       Shallow Grave 
directed by Danny Boyle
written by John Hodge
starring Ewan McGregor, Kerry Fox, Christopher Eccleston, Peter Mullan, 

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Born, raised in New Zealand, international actor Simone Kessell was fabulous to talk with on Critical Incident, an impressive on-the-beat Australian police drama full of important themes. CRITICAL INCIDENT on STAN Australia (globally soon)

With an everlasting career from Hercules, to Liquid Bridge, to CSI Miami, to San Andreas, to Obe Wan Kenobi, to Yellowjackets and beyond; enjoy the chat.

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