This film is essentially one long fight scene with plot delivered on the move and that's no bad thing. The set-up is quick and once it gets going the action doesn't let up. There are some incredible fight scenes in this film and the action directing and choreography are superb throughout. There are also some funny moments and the occasional nice character touch that elevates it above similar films that take themselves too seriously. I had a lot of fun with the film and think the filmmakers did an amazing job with a limited budget. It's refreshing to see an action movie that actually contains some real action and I would definitely recommend watching it for that reason.
Reviews
11 Reviews
Saint Ange
(2004)
Laugier = awesome
8 October 2009
This is a film that made me question the existence of IMDb user comments. Seeing that it was the same director as Martyrs I decided to seek this film out, but then considered not bothering when I saw how generally bad the reviews here and elsewhere were. I'm really glad I ignored them and did watch it in the end.
The problem with House of Voices is that it asks the audience to do a bit of the work. The story and the meaning behind it are not immediately obvious, there is an element of the film that is open to interpretation. It requires a bit of patience and an audience willing to think about what they're watching. For some people, the majority it seems, this clearly drains any potential enjoyment from the film. For me, and for a few others who have posted reviews here, it's not a problem at all, it's what makes the film so good.
Aside from that there is a lot more to recommend here. The film looks beautiful, the performances are fantastic and there are some very effective scares generated with the help of a suitably creepy atmosphere. It is also truly unpredictable at times - something often missing from the modern horror film.
Overall this is a bold, well-produced and interesting film that should be seen by anyone bored of films made to a formula.
The problem with House of Voices is that it asks the audience to do a bit of the work. The story and the meaning behind it are not immediately obvious, there is an element of the film that is open to interpretation. It requires a bit of patience and an audience willing to think about what they're watching. For some people, the majority it seems, this clearly drains any potential enjoyment from the film. For me, and for a few others who have posted reviews here, it's not a problem at all, it's what makes the film so good.
Aside from that there is a lot more to recommend here. The film looks beautiful, the performances are fantastic and there are some very effective scares generated with the help of a suitably creepy atmosphere. It is also truly unpredictable at times - something often missing from the modern horror film.
Overall this is a bold, well-produced and interesting film that should be seen by anyone bored of films made to a formula.
The Vanguard
(2008)
Innovative and impressive sci-fi/horror
11 July 2009
Not quite sure why this film has so many negative reviews - I knew it was a low budget film when I went in so wasn't expecting it to be perfect, but by the end I actually really enjoyed it. It's a flawed film, especially in the middle where the pace drags a bit, but there are so many entries into this genre I was just impressed to see someone trying to do something a bit different with it. The characters are interesting, Ray Bullock Jnr gives a really amazing performance as the lead and the film looks great.
While a bigger budget would've helped the size and scope of the film that's no reason not to try and tell a story like this and as far as I'm concerned I'm really glad they did. Originality is scare these days, about as scarce as British genre films, and I think it should be applauded wherever possible.
Really keen to see what the filmmakers do next!
While a bigger budget would've helped the size and scope of the film that's no reason not to try and tell a story like this and as far as I'm concerned I'm really glad they did. Originality is scare these days, about as scarce as British genre films, and I think it should be applauded wherever possible.
Really keen to see what the filmmakers do next!
Creepy, creepy film
10 December 2008
This is a slow moving film, but bear with it as the end result is quite creepy. Yes there are some problems, the main character's lack of charisma being one, but the plot and supporting cast is fantastic. Plus there are some genuinely eerie scenes, particularly the reveal of the house in the title. And it's worth sticking with it until the end as the climax is pretty scary and took me by surprise. It's a little light on gore for a Giallo but makes up for it in creepiness. The film also reminded me a little of The Wicker Man (the original, obviously) in its depiction of small town weirdness closing on around an outside. I was also reminded of Don't Look Now in places.
Recommended for fans of Giallo cinema but also if you're new to the genre, although you might be better rewarded starting off with an Argento classic such as Tenebrae or Bird with the Crystal Plumage.
Recommended for fans of Giallo cinema but also if you're new to the genre, although you might be better rewarded starting off with an Argento classic such as Tenebrae or Bird with the Crystal Plumage.
Attack of the Yakuza
(2008)
The My Dinner with Andre of action cinema
14 July 2008
That may seem like an odd comparison to make, but just like My Dinner with Andre about 30 minutes into Broken Path you realise that we're not changing location. Yes, this is essentially one long 90 minute fight and as a result feels much more like an experimental art film than an action film. Some people at the Phantasmagoria film festival where I saw the film this weekend found the superhuman resilience of the characters a bit unrealistic but I just saw it as live-action anime. The only problem I had was the character of the wife is pretty useless throughout the film, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this and found it both a challenging and interesting take on a usually formulaic genre.
Dead Wood
(2007)
Creepy and effective British horror
14 July 2008
Saw this at Phantasmagoria. It's an ultra-low budget British horror film about a group of young campers who get lost in the woods but thankfully don't get picked off by a man in a mask. Instead what starts out as a fairly standard slasher setup turns into a creepy and rather effective supernatural horror film. It's actually pretty scary in places too! The excellent writing and fantastic actors help a lot too as you really get to know and like the characters before they get into the story. But the real surprises in this film are the mind-blowing special effects used sparingly for maximum effect. The film is a real achievement and definitely one for horror fans to look out for.
Room 36
(2005)
Excellent noir-comedy
14 July 2008
Saw this at Phantasmagoria and was really impressed. It's a black comedy loaded with twists and turns despite being set almost entirely in a hotel room. The film-makers shot on a rare type of black-and-white film stock and suffered for their decision as the film took something like ten years to complete. The result is definitely worth it as the visual look of the film is stunning. The actors are fantastic throughout aided by a really tight script and there are some truly gripping sequences. The fantastic Herrman-esquire score also helps maintain a consistent atmosphere. There are also some very ambitious shots in there!
Contour
(2006 Video)
Most fun I've had watching a film in ages!
14 July 2008
Saw this at Phantasmagoria over the weekend and really enjoyed it. The action and is amazing, truly mind-blowing stuff. Given the budgetary constraints I'm surprised no one got killed! Add to that the characters are likable and there are some incredibly funny moments. The mix of action and humour really works, and it helped that the audience I saw it with was loving every minute too! It's not as polished as a lot of low budget action films and the structure is a bit off but it's a film with a lot of heart and that makes it impossible not to enjoy. Definitely one to see with a group of friends. I can't wait to see what these guys do next!
Infestation
(2005 Video)
Well done for trying!
25 January 2008
Ambitious British sci-fi/action/horror that is clearly reaching far beyond it's meagre budget, but is spirited enough to pull it off.
Tells the story of a future where society now lives in huge underground cities. A group of soldiers are sent to investigate activity on the long dead surface, but find something far worse than they expected.
It shows what you can do with no money and a lot of creativity and maybe if the British film industry actually funded projects like this we'd stand a better chance of making some half-decent films.
The actors may not be perfect, the special effects not as flashy as we're used to in films of the genre but it's got an infectious enthusiasm and a lot of heart so gets full marks for effort.
Tells the story of a future where society now lives in huge underground cities. A group of soldiers are sent to investigate activity on the long dead surface, but find something far worse than they expected.
It shows what you can do with no money and a lot of creativity and maybe if the British film industry actually funded projects like this we'd stand a better chance of making some half-decent films.
The actors may not be perfect, the special effects not as flashy as we're used to in films of the genre but it's got an infectious enthusiasm and a lot of heart so gets full marks for effort.
Soul Searcher
(2005)
Revolutionary UK horror/fantasy
22 January 2007
It's tempting to start this review with 'if you can get past the dubious acting and cheap special effects' but actually, about an hour into the film, I found myself so involved in the story that the production values ceased to be a problem. The script and the characters are what really hold the film together and the inexperienced actors do manage to bring it to life enough for the viewer to be taken along with it. The most amazing thing about this film, though, is the ambition and ultimate achievement of the filmmakers. Soul Searcher is by no means perfect, but what is impressive is that the filmmakers have not allowed the small budget and the fact that horror/fantasy is pretty non-existent in the UK define the kind of film they wanted to make. This is not for everyone, and is perhaps purely a film for filmmakers as an understanding of how much time and effort goes into making any kind of film with no money helps to appreciate what a monumental achievement Soul Searcher is (and the DVD has more than enough extra's to make this an essential part of any aspiring filmmaker's collection). At the same time, there is a well-told, engaging story here that often takes the film beyond its low budget roots into what will surely be remembered as a cult classic.
Left for Dead
(II) (2005)
First-class budget-defying British action film
19 November 2005
In the opening scene of 'Left for Dead' the low budget roots of this homegrown, self-funded British action film are painfully obvious. Thankfully the ambition and love of the genre that the filmmakers have clearly injected into the project are infectious and within minutes all its flaws are forgotten. With its straight-forward, engaging revenge storyline and numerous energetic and accomplished fight scenes 'Left for Dead' is a kick in the head for a genre that has come to rely too heavily on special effects and wire-work. Few filmmakers at this level of funding would even attempt to make such an elaborate, time-consuming and large-scale project, especially in a country in which genre films in general are a rarity, but the finished film stands as a testament to their success. The spirit and inventiveness of this back-to-basics action film puts some of the most expensive and explosive blockbusters to shame and needs to be seen to be believed.
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