Jaunty2006 Reviews

Insiders (2002)

An Oddity...

[4/10 · 4 May 2006]

This film is somewhat of an oddity. It was recommended to me by the same friend who made me watch 'The Purifiers', 'Left For Dead' and 'Rollin With The Nines' (a brain deading weekend of British violence) as he was involved with two and knows some of the cast of the other.

The story, a simple cop on the run betrayed by fellow colleagues deal, was rather brief.

Clocking in at just an hour the film seems more like a low budget TV show pilot rather than a low budget action feature.

Acting wise the film is well performed (although lead seems a little too young for his roles) and has some nice dramatic moments, with a superbly crafted ending.

The biggest issue is that it just seems so small scale. The action there is, is very spread out, even for a 60 min film, and lacks the multiple and group fights you come to expect from action films (even something as torrid as The Purifiers).

So definitely worth a look but don't expect too much.

Left for Dead (II) (2005)

Action that leaves you Breathless...

[8/10 · 4 May 2006]

From Jackie Chan to Jet Li, Bruce Lee to Wesley Snipes I'll watch martial arts movies just because they are martial arts movies.

I've sat through Joseph Li movies, the best and worst of Jackie and now a few of the new crop of digital low-budget films that are appearing from all over the world.

So in one weekend I sat down at watched Rolling With The Nines (at the cinema), The Purifiers, The Insiders and finally 'Left For Dead' The order of the day hear is death, murder and high octane martial arts. And it's a dish served very sweat….

Lead actor Glenn Salvage is superb (and a little Segal like) but any film like this lives and breathes on it's bad guys and thankfully they are as bad as they come. Adam Chapman as Kincaid and the duo of Adrian Foiadelli (the scarily unhinged Taylor) & Kevin Akehurst (the deranged short fused Dylan) chew the scenery.

Perfect? Well no. Maybe too much action, some questionable acting and a few continuity issues but come on lets be honest even films made for $50million can claim to have the same.

What makes 'Left For Dead' stand out is that it has heart, soul and invention that makes up for it's small budget and DV trappings.

This film has a death toll higher than any film since Commando and with that Arnie flick being one of my top flicks of all time that's not such a bad thing.

If you want fun, death and kick arse action on a major level then 'Left For Dead' is your film. If you are expecting Hugh Grant and floppy hair... look elsewhere.

Rollin' with the Nines (2006)

Morally Dubious UK film...

[3/10 · 4 May 2006]

There is no doubt that this film sticks in the mind. But it is most defiantly a film that will split opinions down the middle. Violent and morally dubious this film turns the stomach.

The direction is confident but the rape scene will unsettle to the point of nausea, as will the frequent violence.

But there's just something else about this film. Something highly unsettling. I can't put my finger on in it but there's something that just makes you feel… dirty. And I'm no prude.

Mostly the cast is good but it's all a bit lock stock for my liking.

Special mention to Terry Stone who is very good, if occasionally over reliant on the dreaded C word but Vas Blackwood and Jayson Fleming just seem like they are sleep walking through there doubtless well paid roles.

Technically proficient, well made and with a certain sheen that most UK films lack this film has more than it's fair share of stand out moments. But as I said it leaves you feeling... dirty.

The Purifiers (2004)

A UK Bore...

[1/10 · 4 May 2006]

This film is pretty bad. Directed by 16 Years Of Alcohol's Richard Jobson this film tries hard to be a modern retake on The Warriors but ends up more like a film version of the ZX Spectrum computer game Renegade (but with worse graphics).

Getting past the glaringly obvious inaccuracies in the story, the films biggest flaw is the fact the every action scene is in slow motion. The logic behind this is baffling. It takes what would be a 40 min film and makes it clock in at a rather boring hour and a half. And even then what is left is badly put together and brings back memories of poor 80's action films (step up Don Wilson) But beyond even that no one seems to care.

Alexander sleep walks through the film, 'Lord Of The Rings' Monaghan just looks bored and the talented support cast hardly get a look in.

In short this film is just appalling and has the privilege (in my opinion) of being the worse film funded by the UK lottery fund yet… and that's saying something!