Reviews

Against the Wall is another one of those movies that just slipped away. Its about the true story of the take-over of Attica Prison by the in-mates in 1971 and is seen through the eyes of a novice prison warden (Kyle MacLachlan).

Although made for cable, what make this brilliant movie different from the others are the incredibly brutal prison scenes and unsettling violence (one scene has an unlucky wardens' head slammed between two iron doors) and the brutality of the film, along with the nudity, may turn off some viewers.

The acting is some of the best I've ever seen. The characters are not stereotyped and are actually quite believable. Samuel L Jackson, in particular is a highlight as a black inmate while Kyle MacLachlan is just as good as a sympathetic warden. These performances give the film a lot of depth and the bonding between these two is very powerful.

John Frankenheimer direction is incredibly good and that sets the mood for this powerful and sad movie. Check it out but be aware that this is not a happy movie. ***/****

Bullet in the Head focuses on three friends as their friendship and loyalties are put to the test. Throughout the movie, we find out what motivates each one of them and who are willing to die for each other.

The film is also action-aplenty and consists of a lot of trade-mark John Woo slow-mo scenes, male bonding and brutal bloodshed. The POW scenes borrows from The Deer Hunter (8/10) and are just as intense and nerve-wracking.

Bullet in the Head is an achievement in both war, drama and action genres and I highly recommend you see it if you are a fan of Hong Kong action movies, John Woo, or are just sick of all those pointless mainstream action movies. 8/10

Eraserhead is one of the most difficult movies to categorise into one genre. David Lynch's cult directorial debut is a disturbing, thought-provoking, bizarre and scary tale of a depressed and lonely man named Henry (brilliantly played by Lynch regular Jack Nance) who is forced into marriage after his spastic girlfriend gives birth to a premature "baby" who craves his attention.

The plot sounds simple enough except it isn't. It takes so many different topics (original sin and forgiveness, premarital sex, suicide) and moulds it into a well-crafted "experience" full of over-the-top symbolism, scary sound effects and Jack Nance's crazy hair. Nothing is pretty in this brilliant movie. Plus it is also filmed in gritty black and white to enhance Henry's nightmarish world.

A lot of people don't like this movie. Some say it's makes no sense, others say its way too disturbing. I believe it isn't supposed to make any sense, and for all those people who don't like disturbing movies can go back to mainstream Hollywood films.

If you haven't seen Eraserhead (and view yourself as a serious movie watcher) I highly recommend that you do. It is a monumental achievement in modern film history. And when you do, watch it by yourself with no distractions, in the dark, late at night with the volume turned high. This is the best way to experience this movie.

10/10