Step back in amazement. In among all the Simpsons quotes and boring Transformer philosophising, D+CFilm actually has some real news!
Yes, according to Cinema Business magazine, the 71-year-old FilmCentre building in St Austell is set to be demolished and replaced with a brand-spanking new cinema as part of a £100m town centre redevelopment.
Apparently, the new four-screen cinema will be run by local WTW Cinemas, the company which has run the FilmCentre for the past 29 years.
Perhaps the revamp will offer WTW the incentive to offer more arthouse fare, rather than Shrek The Third and Pirates Of The bloody Caribbean on every screen. Or perhaps not.
We went to see Transformers on Saturday and found it unexpectedly dull - especially given it’s a movie about massive robots directed by Michael
bloody Bay.
Still, the two hours wasn’t entirely wasted. We enjoyed two scoops of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (yum!) and formulated a convoluted thesis about why the film was made.
It goes thusly: Transformers (which, let us not forget, first appeared during the Reaganite years) is all about ‘the enemy within’. Robots (ie, terrorists or commies) in disguise. You have to be extremely vigilant to spot them as they move among us. Heck, they’re even turning ‘our’ technology against us. The good guys have to beat the enemy at their own game by donning disguises themselves or acquiring more weaponry. And though they claim they won’t hurt ‘humans’, it’s acceptable for them to injure innocent people as collateral damage. The good guys rationalise this by winning the hearts and minds of decent American folk, while demonising the so-called baddies and emphasising the greater good. They spin tales about how the baddies cannot be trusted and how they have consistently messed things up on their home ‘planet’. Frankly, if they’re not reined in, the war will spread to other ‘planets’…
Winner of loadsa awards, including Best Film and Best Director at the Milan International Film Festival, Ari Taub’s The Fallen is released on DVD today through Scanbox Entertainment.
This World War II epic has already been hailed by Time Out as ‘remarkable’, by LA Weekly as ‘excellent’ and by New York’s The Reeler as ‘even better than Saving Private Ryan’ - which is damning the movie with faint praise,
quite frankly.
Still, you’ll probably wanna click here to watch a clip. Oh, and is that Seann William Scott in the tank?!
You want to work in films? Well, not everyone can be the next Danny DeVito, and there are other ways to contribute to a movie’s success. D+CFilm got in touch with Luke Windsor, PR guru of Tartan Films. Oh, and he went to school and college in Redruth, Cornwall too.
What is it that you do?
Luke Windsor: I look after all the publicity for Tartan Films’ releases – be that press, TV, radio or online – which happens outside of London, and outside of the national media. I also handle our films’ BAFTA and awards campaigns, set up interviews, run junkets, and take care of the talent.
How did you get into it?
I studied advertising at Bournemouth Uni, but didn’t really fancy working for an agency. Mostly out of curiosity, I sent my CV off to a load of film companies and amazingly I got offered a runner job at Tartan. I’ve since worked my way up into the PR department.
Do you need special training, or is it more ongoing experience?
A PR degree would not have hurt, but it seems to me that few of my colleagues studied publicity. Most people studied film. I’ve learnt on the job – you become familiar with the journalists through repeatedly battering them with emails, and everyone tends to socialise in the same circles at film festivals, screenings and numerous film parties!
What’s the natural progression for your career path?
In terms of PR, regional tends to be entry level, followed by graduation to national publicity. After that would be department head, and then who knows! Many move onto higher management, or even across into production. One of our upcoming films, Crazy Love, is directed by an ex-publicist (PR veteran Dan Klores - click below to watch trailer).
Have you made, or have an inklings to make, films yourself?
I haven’t made my own films, but have acted in a quite a few shorts! I studied drama at college and university, as well as teaching acting to American kids at a camp for three summers, so I love to perform – but definitely as a non-professional!
What’s your favourite part of the job?
The opportunity to travel a lot, and to meet and work with some interesting characters! I’m off to NYC twice in August, for example, and have worked with the likes of Paul Verhoeven, Cate Blanchett and Julie Walters. It really is a lot less glamorous than it sounds though – the hours can be long, particularly during festivals.
What’s your least favourite?
I’m certain my boss will read this, so I must say I can’t think of anything I’d improve. Witness PR in action!
What are the tips you’d give to anyone wanting to get into the industry?
Watch a lot of films, both arthouse and mainstream, study the marketing campaigns that surround a film’s release, read reviews, and get a degree in a film or business study. Then send your CV to everyone you can (find out who the MD is and send it direct to them) and offer to work for very little cash! Vacancies are few and far between, but persevere as they are out there.
Exeter Spacex’s beezer Summer Screen Programme kicks off today (Saturday), boasting two weeks of artists’ films and a series of related workshops.
There’ll be rolling series of moving image works, featuring the likes of Phil Collins, Christian Marclay, Sarah Morris, Grace Ndiritu, Anri Sala, Matthias Müller, Christoph Girardet, Veli Granö and Eeva-Mari Haikala.
Here’s a taste of some of the japes on offer (in our very best purple prose).
Special screening, August 11, 2pm, free: Join artists Maddy Pethick,
Vicky Smith and Gillian Wylde for a screening of their work followed by an informal yap.
Lights, Camera, Action workshop, August 9, 10.30am-4pm, nine to 12 year olds, free: Workshop with artist and filmmaker Vicky Smith - bring a wild imagination, a well stocked dressing up box and a camera!
The Peep Room Project: Maddy Pethick presents an installation of contemporary ‘peep boxes’ which utilise the very basics of cinema –
the combination of light and image.
Take part in the Peep Room Project Workshops: July 31- August 3, 10.30am–12pm, drop-in, free: Find out more about pre-cinema optical entertainments and make your own peep box to add to the exhibition.
Booking is essential for all events unless marked ‘drop-in’. Get on the blower and call Hannah Reeves for more details, or email education@spacex.org.uk
This week, to celebrate the release of The Simpsons Movie, we’re bringing you the 20 best movie references from The Simpsons (that’s four a day, Number Johnny Five!). Here’s the last four. Phew! Click here to watch the trailer.
17. REAR WINDOW
In Bart Of Darkness, a broken leg leaves Bart isolated in his room with nothing but a telescope for company. Spying on his neighbours, he comes to suspect one of them (Ned Flanders) of murder – just like James Stewart in the Alfred Hitchcock classic Rear Window. Other Hitchcock movies referenced in The Simpsons include The Birds, North by Northwest, Vertigo and Psycho.
Classic quote: (Bart Simpson): “He’s going to kill Rod and Todd, too! That’s horrible… in principle.”
18. DOUBLE INDEMNITY
Billy Wilder’s classic film noir from 1944 forms the basis of Dumbbell Indemnity,
in which Moe attempts insurance fraud in order to support a ‘high maintenance’ new girlfriend. Homer takes the rap for his crime, causing Homer to plot
his revenge.
19. POLTERGEIST
Bad Dream House, a segment of The Simpsons’ first Treehouse of Horror Halloween special, is loosely based on Poltergeist, in which a family moves into a haunted house built on an Indian burial ground. It’s a veritable gold mine of movie references, including The Exorcist (Maggie’s head turning all the way around), The Amityville Horror (blood running down the walls), Psycho (the shape of the Simpsons’ new house) and The Fall of the House of Usher (the house’s ultimate collapse).
20. INDECENT PROPOSAL
As might be suspected from the title, the 2002 episode Half Decent Proposal is a parody of the 1993 film in which Robert Redford offers Woody Harrelson a million dollars for one night with his wife, played by Demi Moore. In the Simpsons version, Marge’s one-time prom date Artie Ziff has become a dot-com billionaire, and offers Homer a million dollars for a weekend with Marge.
The Simpsons Movie is in cinemas around Devon and Cornwall from today.
This weekend sees a coupla events for younger fans of Harry Potter (yes, we said younger fans - not the old-enough-to-know-better idiots you see making a big show of reading the books on the bus).
The hi-jinks kick off today (Friday) at Princesshay Square in Exeter from 11am to 3pm with a magic class. Kids will have a chance to learn spells and take part in the ‘School of Magic’ shows.
Hogwarts will be teaching three sessions in the Princesshay shopping quarter at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm and stilt walking wizard Mad Dominic (not literally mad we hope) will also be there to arse about on sticks.
Mini muggles can join the team at Hogwarts at 3.30pm and enter the fancy dress competition to dress up as their favourite character from the books. There will be special prizes for the best look-alikes and most original outfits and props.
Then, tomorrow (that’ll be Saturday), why not go along to the first ever Saltram Wizard School? Lessons will be taught by Professor Wizzywozzy, who will demonstrate his advanced and entertaining wizarding skills.
Lessons will be taught down in the cellars and at the castle, and will include a variety of subjects including levitation, vanishing objects, mind reading and dragonology (you got an ology?!).
Younger children will get to create their very own special wand and an enchanted money box that looks empty even when it is full of gold. Yes, D+CFilm could do with one of those.
Turn up any time between 12pm and 4pm. Hang on a second, wasn’t the movie released last week?!
This week, to celebrate the release of The Simpsons Movie on Friday, we’re bringing you the 20 best movie references from The Simpsons (that’s four a day, Mr Nash!). Here’s numbers 13 (ooh, unlucky for some!) to 16. Click here to watch the trailer.
13. CRIMSON TIDE
In the 1998 episode Simpson Tide, Homer joins the Naval Reserve, and subsequently seizes control of a nuclear submarine and causes an
international incident – all of which parodies the Jerry Bruckheimer/Tony Scott film Crimson Tide.
14. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Wes Craven’s classic chiller is spoofed in a segment of the Halloween episode Treehouse of Horror VI entitled A Nightmare On Evergreen Terrace, in which a stripey-sweatered Groundskeeper Willie terrorizes Springfield’s children in their sleep – just like Freddy Krueger.
Classic quote: (Principal Skinner): “There’s no mystery about Willie. Why, he simply disappeared. Now, let’s have no more curiosity about this bizarre
cover-up.”
15. THE JAZZ SINGER
The 1991 episode Like Father Like Clown is loosely based on the 1927 ‘talking picture’ The Jazz Singer, in which the son of a Jewish Cantor, Al Jolson, defies his father and his faith in order to pursue his showbiz dreams. In the Simpsons’ version, it is Krusty the Klown (aka Herschel Krustofski) who earns the wrath of his father, a rabbi, by becoming a clown.
16. PLANET OF THE APES
The Simpsons loves its Planet of the Apes references. In A Fish Called Selma, actor Troy McClure – whom you may remember from such films as Dial ‘M’ for Murderessness and Give My Remains To Broadway – is cast in a musical production of the 1968 sci-fi classic. In another episode, Deep Space Homer, Homer claims that the only danger of his upcoming space mission is if he lands on “the terrible planet of the apes.”
Classic quote: (Homer Simpson): “Wait a minute – Statue of Liberty. That was our planet! You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you! Damn you all to hell!”
We told you about Elizabeth-Jane Baldry and the Chagford Filmmaking Group’s latest film back in May. Based on a Cornish fairytale, Cherry of Zennor was due to start shooting at the end of this month.
Dodgy weather is apparently hampering efforts somewhat but Elizabeth doesn’t appear to have let things get her down any. She got in touch with D+CFilm to point us in the direction of something interesting on YouTube.
She said: ‘If you need cheering up on this wet wet day, don’t miss this three minute film of a crazy prop we have made for our latest film! It’s hysterical. Please share it with your friends to help us raise the profile of the film.’
Well, we dunno about ‘hysterical’ so much as ‘bloody scary’. Click below to have a look.
Check out the fairytalefilms website for more details or click here to read D+CFilm’s short interview with Elizabeth-Jane Baldry about the making of her previous film Childe Rowland (nothing to do with that guy from Grange Hill).
This week, to celebrate the release of The Simpsons Movie on Friday, we’re bringing you the 20 best movie references from The Simpsons (that’s four a day, durr brain!). Here’s numbers nine to 12. Click here to watch the trailer.
9. MARY POPPINS
In the 1997 episode Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala-D’oh!-cious, the Simpsons hire a British nanny named Shary Bobbins, who floats down from the sky holding an umbrella, and appears to possess magical powers – just like Julie Andrews’ character in the 1964 Disney film. The episode also references Mrs Doubtfire, as Homer tries to prove one of the nanny applicants is a man by yanking on the poor woman’s hair.
Classic quote: (Homer Simpson): “Your mother seems really upset. I better go have a talk with her – during the commercials.”
10. 101 DALMATIONS
There’s more Disney-related fun in the 1995 episode Two Dozen and One Greyhounds, in which Santa’s Little Helper, the Simpsons’ family dog, gives birth to a litter of 25 greyhound puppies. They have trouble giving them away – until Mr Burns decides that the one thing he doesn’t own is a coat made from greyhound fur, just like Cruella DeVille’s dalmation obsession in 101 Dalmations.
11. CITIZEN KANE
The 1993 episode Rosebud, in which the megalomaniacal Mr Burns’ attempt to reconnect with his youth via his beloved childhood teddy bear Bobo, is loosely based on the classic Orson Welles film Citizen Kane, complete with Xanadu-like mansion house and a scene in which Mr Burns smashes snowglobes. The title of the episode is the name of Kane’s beloved sledge, and the source of his mysterious yearning.
12. PULP FICTION
Among the many multi-stranded stories told in 22 Short Films About Springfield is a parody of Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction, in which two Springfield cops discuss McDonald’s hamburgers, and Chief Wiggum and local criminal Snake wind up bound and gagged, like Marcellus Wallace and Butch Coolidge in Tarantino’s film. The title of the episode is also an homage, to 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould.
Tune in to D+CFilm tomorrow for numbers… oh, work it out for yourself.
This week, to celebrate the release of The Simpsons Movie on Friday, we’re bringing you the 20 best movie references from The Simpsons (that’s four a day, clever clogs!). Here’s numbers five to eight. Click here to watch the trailer.
5. THE SHINING
Another Halloween special, Treehouse Of Horror V, parodies the movie based on Stephen King’s bestseller. Homer is hired as caretaker for a haunted hotel, and when deprived of his two greatest loves – TV and beer – he goes berserk and tries to kill his family, echoing Jack Nicholson’s murderous rampage in
The Shining.
Classic quote: (Mr Burns): “This house has quite a long and colourful history. It was built on an Indian burial ground and was the setting for satanic rituals, witch burnings and five John Denver Christmas specials.”
6. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST
Another classic Jack Nicholson film is parodied in So It’s Come To This: A Simpsons Clip Show. Homer is in hospital after a prank in which Bart shakes up a can of Duff beer with an industrial paint mixer, putting Homer in a coma. Barney’s attempt to put Homer out of his misery by suffocating him, and Homer’s subsequent escape from the hospital, are straight out of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
7. BASIC INSTINCT
In the second part of the classic two-parter Who Shot Mr Burns?, Groundskeeper Willie is arrested for the attempted murder of Mr Burns. The interrogation is played exactly like the notorious scene from Basic Instinct – except that no one wants a peek up Willie’s kilt!
8. WESTWORLD
In the 1994 episode Itchy & Scratch Land, the robots at the Itchy & Scratchy theme park break their programming and run amok on a murderous rampage – just like the cowboy robots in Westworld, the Yul Brynner film based on the Michael Crichton novel. Crichton’s other theme-park-gone-wrong bestseller, Jurassic Park, is referenced in the same episode, as Professor Frink attempts to warn the park’s owners that the robots will go out of control due to
chaos theory.
Classic quote: (Professor Frink): “Elementary chaos theory tells us that all robots will eventually turn against their masters and run amok in an orgy of blood and kicking and biting with the metal teeth and the hurting and shoving…”
Tune in to D+CFilm tomorrow for numbers nine to… oh, we’re lost already.
Where does the time go, eh viewers? The final deadline for the 2007 Cornwall Festival is 6pm tonight (Tuesday). Yeah - already.
So get yourself along to the Festival Office at The Old Grammar School asap, with £25 in your sweaty fist for administration. Be warned - any films received after 6pm will be thrown in the bloody dustbin.
Oh, and don’t forget your application form either - download one offa the festival website right now. If you have any questions, get on the blower and call 01209 204655. What are you waiting for? Make haste!
This week, to celebrate the release of The Simpsons Movie on Friday, we’ll be bringing you the 20 best movie references from The Simpsons (that’s four a day, Poindexter!). Here’s the first bunch. Click here to watch the trailer.
1. GOODFELLAS
Martin Scorsese’s seminal gangster flick formed the basis of the 1991 episode Bart The Murderer, in which Bart Simpson begins working for the ‘Legitimate Businessmen’s Social Club’, the crime syndicate led by Fat Tony and his ‘business associates’ Legs, Louie and Joey. “Supoib.”
Classic quote: (Chief Wiggum): “Fat Tony is a cancer on this fair city, and I am the… uh… what cures cancer?”
2. CAPE FEAR
There’s more Martin Scorsese in the classic episode Cape Feare, in which the Simpsons are pursued to ‘Terror Lake’ by former Krusty the Klown sidekick Sideshow Bob, recently released from prison and out for revenge on the person who put him there: Bart Simpson.
Classic quote: (Bart Simpson): “But who’d want to hurt me? I’m this century’s Dennis the Menace!”
3. THE GRADUATE
In the episode Lady Bouvier’s Lover, Bart’s grampa Abe Simpson interrupts the nuptials of Jacqueline Bouvier (Marge’s mom) and Mr Burns, in a scene directly taken from the 1970s classic starring Dustin Hoffman. The episode continues the homage as Abe and Ms Bouvier escape on a minibus to the strains of a Simon and Garfunkel’s Sounds Of Silence sound-alike.
4. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
Every Halloween, Simpsons fans are treated to a Treehouse Of Horror, in which normal programming is replaced by horror stories featuring the Simpson family. One of the first features an segment entitled Dial ‘Z’ for Zombie, in which Springfield is overrun by zombies who emerge from the grave to devour the living – just like George Romero’s 1968 classic Night Of The Living Dead, the daddy of all zombie flicks.
Classic quote: (Bart Simpson): “Please, Lisa, they prefer to be called the
living-impaired.”
Tune in to D+CFilm tomorrow for numbers five to, um, whatever (we’re not big on the ‘math’).
The Exeter Picturehouse is not just a house showing, um, pictures, y’know. It’s also gone a bit poet-y.
It’s hosting an evening with Exeter performance poet Matt Ashford, free in the bar from 8.30pm tomorrow (Tuesday).
There will be poetry, stand-up, music, drama and more, as Matt enlists the help of some of the city’s most talented artists and performers to provide a memorable night of varied performance entertainment.
Then, on Wednesday, Exeter poet and novelist Alexi Lykiard will launch his new collection, Judging by Disappearances.
From 7pm to 11pm he’ll sign copies and read extracts (hopefully for us all
to hear).
The Guardian liked the book, the Independent on Sunday liked the book and the blurb says ‘intelligent, insightful and lyrical’.
Admission’s free, but the book costs £7.99, published by Bluechrome (there are no discounts as yet for D+Cineastes - maybe we should ask).
