Identity

Alright, so I’m hanging out with a buddy of mine, browsing a DVD shelf when my friend sees a movie I was unfamiliar with, he grabs it, thrusts it into my hands so I can read the blurb and with one simple sentence, “Dan, you will love this film” it was bought, and we was back at his place with food and drinks.

10 enter, 1 will leave. FIGHT!

The movie is Identity, which you will be forgiven for not knowing as it was released all the way back in 2003. I know what you are thinking, “Dan, why are you reviewing a movie that was released nearly 10 years ago?” Well, to put simply, I love finding little gems like this, and what I love more then finding them, is sharing them with anybody that will listen to me.

Identity tells the tale of 10 strangers, a call girl, a limo driver and a 80s star, a family in crisis, a newly wed couple and a cop escorting a convicted killer, that are brought together in a run down motel in the middle of nowhere run by a nervous motel manager to escape a storm, but when they start getting knocked off one by one, they realise that each hold a secret, and that each can’t be trusted. See, I hate revealing that they are secrets and twists in this movie, my buddy did it as we was putting our feet up and getting ready to watch, I said it was a bad idea because then I begin to try and figure the secrets out, which I did…in the first 10 minutes. This didn’t spoil the experience, I still really enjoyed Identity, it is cleverly put together, and I was taken by surprise by some things the film threw at me, the characters don’t suffer from what some other movies with a big cast do, each feel fleshed out, even the ones that are bumped off straight away. The only negative thing I can say about Identity is that the murders aren’t that creative, they hide the killer in the shadows to not give away which of the 10 is bumping the others off, so the kills are either performed off screen, or through the eyes of the killer itself, but this is only me nip-picking, it isn’t the kills that is the main attraction, it is the mystery.

My friend was absolutely right, he knew I would love Identity and I did, I highly suggest finding and checking this gem out.

Danny

 

Danny@Dragoose.co.uk

Buried and Attack The Block

Thank god Ryan didn't draw a face on that mobile and start calling it Wilson

Every so often a film comes along that shows us that Hollywood isn’t just churning out shit and remakes, they still have writersand directors with unique, interesting ideas, and they can’t wait to share them with you. Well, I’m about to review two of those kinds of movies.

The first is the claustrophobic thriller “Buried”, a movie that makes you stare at Ryan Reynolds panic in a coffin for an hour an half, and one that you will love every minute off, there isn’t much that I can say about the plot that I haven’t already shared, Ryan plays Paul, a truck driver who we learn is ambushed by terrorists and then buried alive until they receive a hefty amount of money.

I have to admit, I was sceptical at first, when going into this movie, the first minute is darkness, broken up with a bit of heavy breathing and I remember thinking, how are they going to keep me entertained for 90 minutes with only Ryan in a box? Fast forward to me, minutes later, and I am gripped.

Everything in Buried is so clever, and well done, there is not one shot that is used twice, instead of cutaways to other people, they use the several sources of lights going out, and Ryan! Say what you want about the man, he is truly an exceptional actor, there are very few people that could carry this movie like he does, it almost makes up for Green Lantern.

I truly wish I had more to say about Buried, but I would just be repeating myself, I can’t praise it enough, I fully recommend you good people going and checking it out

Danny

Danny@Dragoose.co.uk

Next up on this little list of “Movies I should of caught months ago” is “Attack The Block”, the little known film that is blowing everyone away, and for good reason.

Nobody is stupid enough to attack a group of teens from the block...except aliens.

Anyone that knows me has already heard my views on Hollywood and there money grabbing sequels, honestly, it’s not the money that bothers me, or the laziness that goes into spitting out some pieces of shit we see hit our screens (Furry Vengeance, I’m looking at you.) its the fact that those kinds of films tower over unique, clever, fantastic pieces of cinema like Attack The Block.

Okay, I’m in trouble of going a little serious now, so I better get on with the review.

The “Peace” of a South London council estate is shattered when aliens crash land and start tearing shit up, a group of young teens try to stay alive by hiding out in the safest place they can find, their block, again, it’s another movie with such a simple premise, and much like Buried, I found myself asking, how is this movie going to entertain me for an hour an half, sure there are aliens, but they predominately hide in the shadows, and even when they are on the screen, they are hard to make out (until the teeth show) I guess my major worry was the characters themselves, it is very hard to warm to these kids, the first scene we see them in they are mugging the only character in the entire movie we can relate too, but watching them interact, and the genius lines that they are given, you can’t help but warm to them.

When I first sat down to write this I knew it was going to be a short and sweet review, I could go on and describe each character individually, such as the perma-frown main character Moses, a guy who gives Kristin Stewart AND Rob Pattinson a run for there money with his constant depressed look (Kristin and Rob win just in case your wondering as John Boyega, the guy playing Moses is actually ACTING!) But honestly, I can say nothing more then check this movie out, and send me more films like this Hollywood, please, we can’t all live of the hype of Saw 13, or whatever number it’s on.

Danny

Danny@Dragoose.co.uk

Chronicle



The Chronicle of a bullied teen who should

 of just put down the fucking camera!

When I first saw the trailer to this movie I though to myself, this looks A-Mas-Zing! Until a friend pointed out that movies like this tend to be really good in one act and fail in the others, this movie was already showing the first three acts quite clearly, the before, the after, and the final fight, it was the third act that I was really worried about. If you guys are having the same worries then let Ol’ Danny put those worries to rest.

The movie is Chronicle, directed by Josh Tranks, I usually don’t mention writers and directors but Josh gets a special mention for making this incredible movie at only age 26, that is an amazing feat and one that I am of course immensely jealous off (I am not that far behind you Josh and I am still writing for this site!)

The movie tells the tale of three guys who discover a strange hole in the middle of the woods that is making the weirdest of noises, curiosity gets the better of them and they venture inside, and come out with superpowers, the rest of the movie is the boys having fun with the new found powers, until one starts to abuse it, and cue jaw dropping final fight.

The three guys mentioned are Andrew, the main guy who helps the whole gimmick of the hand held camera movie by declaring that he is going to carry a camera everywhere and record everything, whereas I don’t have a problem with hand held camera movies (I love Cloverfield) this guy doesn’t help himself, it is already established that he is a social outcast, bullied and abused, and when his cousin (another guy who gets powers) tries to help him by taking him to parties, he brings a fucking camera and pokes into everyone’s face, not a tiny one either, this is a heavy, expensive professional camera. I would love to rant more about this guy but he is genially a really interesting character, and he is portrayed terrifically, all the 3 guys are as a matter of fact, the cousin is the weakest, nope, scratch that, his love interest is ( a hot girl who carries a small camera to record everything for her blog…WHY!?!?!?)

I can’t speak more highly of this movie, about any part of this movie, the director, the actors, the special effects, I love the tone of the movie (not once do they declare that they have to become superheroes), okay, you good people don’t need to read me declaring my love this movie, I sound like I’m on the verge of marrying it and “sealing the deal” of our relationship, it is a huge Must Watch!

Go spend your well earned money on it, re-watch, then buy it on Dvd and watch again, it is that good.

Danny

Danny@Dragoose.co.uk

The Grey



Liam Neeson, putting those particular

 set of skills to use again.

Am I the only person in the world who thinks that a wolf is just a demonic dog? Yes? Well go watch this movie and you'll be agreeing with me after the 2 hours are up, because these wolves are fucking vicious, and they don't give a shit, they will pounce on your ass while you are taking a leek, mid-way through dinner, or taking a nap.

The movie is The Grey, in which Liam Neeson plays a depressed wolf killing badass (when doesn't Neeson play a badass? Answers on a postcard please.) he finds himself lost in the middle of nowhere, in the freezing snow, with only a small group of guys after his plane goes down, the situation gets worse when wolves start showing up and taking out the survivors one at a time.

I give the movie huge kudos for always keeping me nervous and on the edge of my seat, this is a movie that doesn't give visual or musical cues to signify to the audience when an attack is going to take place, like I said earlier they can happen at any point during any situation making you genuinely scared, and concerned for these peoples safety. The actual characters themselves are a lot to be desired, the first couple that kick the bucket I didn't even know there names, let alone a back story or any character development, the movie doesn't have time to create that, it mostly concentrates on Neeson, not that I’m complaining, he is the reason why everyone will come to this movie. The few characters that actually do get some rounding out actually do a fine job and you do care somewhat for them, although there is one guy, and I'm going to call him out right now, one guy who pisses and moans throughout the first hour of the movie, and then has the audacity to fight Liam Neeson when he is trying to keep him alive, fuck that guy.

I say this is a pretty damn good Matinee, you won't come out disappointed but it isn't a movie I will find myself craving to see again, despite my obvious love for Neeson, it did make me want to re-watch Taken again however (which I did, and loved. Again!)

Danny

Danny@Dragoose.co.uk