Competition - And Soon The Darkness DVD

A couple of weeks ago we mentioned the imminent DVD release of And Soon The Darkness, a horror-thriller starring Amber Heard and Karl Urban about a vacation that goes oh-so-wrong.

We have three DVDs of the film burning a whole in our, admittedly, large trousers. For a chance to get your hands on one, answer this question correctly.

Amber Heard recently popped up on UK screens in which 3D action romp?

1) Unknown

2) Drive Angry 3D

3) Big Momma: Like Father, Like Son

Please email your answers to:

brwc@me.com

by March 14th for a chance to win one of three copies. Good luck.


EDIT - Here's clip from the film.

Flash

Flash

#Oscars #OnLineOSCAR

On the left is BRWC's feed on twitter, as we will be liveblogging during The Oscars!
So keep checking this all evening!

Below is the complete list of nominees, and my picks are in blue.

Film Review with Robert Mann - I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four **½

The massive financial success of both the Harry Potter and Twilight franchises has prompted movie studios left, right and centre to go on the hunt for the next literary property that they can turn into such an uber box office success as both of those film series. The spoils of this hunt have been a very mixed bag and to date no film has managed to replicate the phenomenal popularity of Harry Potter or Twilight, such wannabe franchise starters as Jumper, Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief and Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant distinctly failing to impress at the box office with the likelihood of any of them actually receiving sequels being slim – even with the possibility of follow ups having being mentioned for both of the former films – and none of them doing much better in terms of a critical response or word of mouth.

Wild Wild West Sussex?

Writer-Producer Nicholas Sercombe has signed Richard E Grant to direct his off-the-wall spoof western, In With The Outlaws.


The US$10 million dollar production will be shot entirely on location in West Sussex, in the South of England, with an anticipated Q2 start of principal photography.

Review: Drive Angry 3D

Well, well, well, well, well.  I was not expecting this!  The trailer was enough to get my interest, ladies, fire, guns and muscle cars. There was some discussion after as to whether the film makers and cast had taken it at all seriously, I hope they didn't.

The film is all sorts of crazy, man escapes hell to avenge daughters death and save granddaughter from satanists, whilst driving cars, fast, and shooting guns, loud. Cage is by far the only man that would sign up for this and give it his maniacal best.

Amber Heard is a truly stunning woman and can swear and fight with the best of them. William Fichtner is so close to being Christopher Walken in his role as 'The Accountant" that he almost steals the film. If this film was made by the guys behind Crank then we'd have a sure fire hit, all be it a frowned upon one.

However it wasn't, and as much as i liked it and laughed at the absurdity of it all, sex-scene-slo-mo-gun-fights and dodge chargers being slung sideways every 3.7seconds, I felt that we were laughing at the film not with it.

Films like this have to have heart or at least a nod to say "yeah this is nonsense, but it's our nonsense", Piranha 3D and Crank 1 & 2 are these films. Drive Angry isn't. In short it tried too hard to be mental, and did a good job but not a great job.

Film Review with Robert Mann - No Strings Attached

No Strings Attached *

With the 2011 awards season in full swing and numerous actors and actresses in line to see their careers gain a major shot in the arm as a result of their nominations and/or wins at the big awards, there is one star who seems to have gained more than most – Natalie Portman. The combined commercial, critical and awards success for Black Swan has seen Natalie Portman suddenly transformed into one of the hottest properties in Hollywood and her follow-up film to Black Swan has proven to be a major beneficiary of her increased popularity. Released in the states in January, No Strings Attached – for which Portman also gets an executive producer credit – had been virtually written off as a flop before it had even been released by its studio and it isn’t exactly hard to see why.

Flatley My Dear I Don't Riverdance

Yes!  It's what we've all been waiting for!

Tickets are on sale for the ground-breaking new movie project from the original Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley. The hotly anticipated LORD OF THE DANCE 3D uses pioneering 3D technology to give cinema audiences the opportunity to experience the show as never before.

Film Review with Robert Mann - Smoke

Smoke ***½

The product of Polish filmmaker Grzegorz Cisiecki, Smoke – or to quote its original Polish title, Dym – is the latest short film I have been sent for review and it also probably one of the strangest. The synopsis for this film reads “the story of the person who becomes the captive of surrealistic madness” and surreal this film certainly is.

My Soul To Take

Ahead of the hotly anticipated finale of the nightmarish Scream franchise, Wes Craven  invites us to witness his latest terrifying offering that promises to make the skin crawl and the heart race. Get ready to be plunged into a terrifying, paranoid frenzy.

My Soul To Take is a terrifying tale of the Riverton Ripper, who legend has it, swore he would return to murder the seven children born on the night he died.  Now, 16 years later, people are disappearing again. 

Whatever Happened To Pete Blaggit - Review

On first viewing Whatever Happened To Pete Blaggit I thought I must have dozed off.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I was bored, quite the contrary, but the previous ninety minutes of my life had been so odd that a strange and twisted dream seemed like the only plausible explanation.

Return To Babylon

Now, this looks really interesting...

Shot in black-and-white on a vintage hand-cranked camera, Return To Babylon is a satirical, sexy, and silent look at the scandals that rocked Tinseltown during the 1920s. The cast includes Jennifer Tilly, Debi Mazar, Maria Conchita Alonso, Ione Skye, Laura Harring, Marion Ramsey and Tippi Hedren.

Film Review with Robert Mann - Gnomeo & Juliet

Gnomeo & Juliet 3D **½
Gnomeo & Juliet 2D **

Gnomeo & Juliet is the latest computer animated feature to be released by Disney – almost anyway. In a rare turn of events, this family animated movie does not carry the Walt Disney Pictures logo at the start, rather being released through their sister company Touchstone Pictures, the part of Disney that usually handles the release of more grown up films as opposed to family ones. Why is this the case?

Altitude

Kaare Andrews’ imaginatively named Altitude tells the story of a group of American teenagers who decided to take a small private air craft on a weekend away with, you’ve guessed it, disastrous consequences.


If you enjoy watching eye meltingly beautiful kids deal with a mixture of pent-up teenage angst and fast-paced mortal peril, (see Final Destination, Donkey Punch, Jennifer’s Body, The Faculty etc etc etc), then this hair raising, special effects-jammed farce of a movie is for you.

Film Review with Robert Mann - Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son *



It’s official – 2011 has a major case of sequelitis, this year boasting the highest number of sequels ever to ever be released in a single year – 27 of them in fact – with 9 second movies (Sherlock Holmes 2, The Hangover Part II, Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda 2, Happy Feet 2, Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules, Johnny English Reborn and Piranha 3DD), 5 third movies (Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Paranormal Activity 3, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Madea’s Big Happy Family –

Film Review with Robert Mann - Yogi Bear

Yogi Bear 3D ***
Yogi Bear 2D **½

It’s the February half term holiday again (has it really been a year already?) and, as usual, Hollywood has a barrage of family films lined up to try and cash in on the inevitable onslaught of families looking for something to do while the kids are off from school. This year’s offerings, however, are somewhat less inspiring than those of recent years, as evidenced by the first of this year’s half term releases, a live action movie based on the classic animated TV series The Yogi Bear Show created by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna which ran from 1961 –

The Devil's Double

Following the successful international launch at the Sundance Film Festival and on the eve of the film's European premiere at this year's Berlinale, Corsan World Sales today confirmed Icon Film Distribution will distribute the highly sought after, multi-million dollar production THE DEVIL'S DOUBLE in the UK. The UK deal was brokered by Corsan World Sales president Pascal Borno, Icon UK Group Managing Director (Distribution) Ian Dawson and Icon Head of UK Acquisitions Toby Hill.

Film Review with Robert Mann - The Red Room

The Red Room ****

Last year I reviewed the excellent short film Henry John and the Little Bug written and directed by J.T. Mollner and starring Mikos Zavros. That film, which received much attention following its premiere at the Hollyshorts Festival in Hollywood on August 8th 2010, was Mollner’s third short feature following horror Sunday Evening and thriller The Red Room. Now, thanks to star Zavros, I have been awarded the opportunity to view The Red Room which premiered at the SoCal Independent Film Festival in September 2008 and was the first of the three films to be shot on 35mm film.

Film Review with Robert Mann - Paul

Paul ***½

Following the breakout success of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, British comedy legends Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have teamed up once again to storm onto cinema screens for a third time, this time embracing Hollywood’s current obsession with all things extraterrestrial, their new film, Paul, being just one of many alien themed films being released this year. Not only that but, with them heading stateside –

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never - REVIEW

Justin Bieber has a movie out.  The lovely Natalie Hinman attended the European premiere in London yesterday evening. Here is what she thought...

I cannot stress enough how skeptical I was about seeing Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. 

As someone initially apathetic and, in truth, attempting to avoid the inexorable Bieber-bandwagon, I was expecting a sycophantic, precocious and somewhat nauseating account of the Canadian child’s rise to stardom. I will only tell you ‘One Time’ – see it for yourself before you judge.

DVD Review: Amer

Amer is... odd. Inspired by Italian 'Giallo' films from the 1970's, it is a richly sensory and complex film; one that your average cinema goer may find more than a little challenging.


Conceived by two directors - Héléne Cattet and Bruno Forzani, Amer takes place over three chapters, following a young girl called Ana as she moves from childhood to her teenage years and then on to adulthood.

Classic Trailer - Sex Madness

Being the week that is supposed to inspire love in all its forms, I think it's important that before there can be any hanky panky of any sorts that we should all take a moment to view this serious public service announcement.

Quote of the Week : GO (1999)

"Wow, i didn't know we'd become such good friends, because if we had, you'd know that i give head before i give favors and i dont even give my best friends head, so your chances of getting a favor are pretty fucking slim."

My Funny Valentine - Wall-E

Happy Valentine's Day, whether your happily with someone or you're one of those people that shuns the day, proclaiming yourself to be, and always, will be a lone wolf. Coincidentally that's how I used to act until I found someone, funny that. It is, of course, the main day of the year when it seems customary to watch some kind of romantically themed movie. It will probably be a comedy, it will probably involve two people who hate each other, who then start to fall for each other, then they'll hit a bump in the relationship before realizing they were meant to be. There's quite a lot of them about so you won't be spoilt for choice. Distribution companies have made it even easier now by putting rom-com's in pink boxes so that we don't even have to read, we simply have to register the colours!

BAFTA 2011

The BAFTA's took place last night in wonderful rain-soaked Covent Garden, London. Somewhere between all the fashion magazines scrambling over themselves to ask Emma Watson who did her hair and the presenters fluffing their auto-cue, some awards were given out.

Film Review with Robert Mann - Just Go With It

Just Go With It *

Another year, another Adam Sandler comedy, and yet again it’s directed by Dennis Dugan. From this statement you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect from Just Go With It, the latest in a string of Adam Sandler disappointments starting with 2007’s I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and including films from the three subsequent years including You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Funny People and Grown Ups, all of which (apart from Funny People, a Judd Apatow film which suffered from an odd blending of genres and the co-starring of Seth Rogen) saw Dugan directing and failed to even come close to being decent, with the possible exception of Grown Ups which managed to be okay.

Film Review with Robert Mann - True Grit

True Grit ****

Film remakes tend to have a bad reputation. Often viewed as a shameless cash in on the good name of great movies and an indication that Hollywood is all out of original ideas, the mere mention of remaking a beloved classic film will generally be considered sacrilege by the original film’s devoted fans, sometimes out of the belief that a shoddy remake might tarnish the reputation and integrity of the film it is a remake of. So, it’s entirely understandable that many have been extremely apprehensive over True Grit, a remake – or perhaps reimagining, it is somewhat difficult to tell which these days – of the 1969 western of the same name directed by Henry Hathaway and starring John Wayne in the leading role.

DVD Review - Pelican Blood

Pelican Blood

Dir: Karl Golden

Wri: Chris Cole

Starring: Harry Treadaway, Emma Booth, Arthur Darvill, Christopher Fulford, Ali Craig

Run Time: 90 mins

Distributor: Icon Entertainment

As it begins, Pelican Blood, feels like it is going to be something very different from the norm of British-drama. Nikko (Treadaway) is an OCD racked, suicidal, bird watcher. We first meet him paying a cursory visit to his mum's funeral before setting off with his friends Cameron and Bish to go bird watching. Having tried killing himself before rather violently with a blade, where he also stabbed his unlucky sister, Nikko's new plan involves spotting 500 birds.

Panic Button

Movie Mogul Fund are proud to present the first official Panic Button trailer. This is a very low budget independent feature film, which aims to make its mark.


Here's the bumpf...

Virus

Virus is the horror inspired music video of Cape Town based female-fronted Industrial-Metal band TERMINATRYX.

Originally in October 2009 a werewolf transformation promo clip was produced by Paul Blom & Sonja Ruppersberg for their South African HORRORFEST Film Festival (est. 2005).  It was directed by Paul and starred Sonja.

Here is the finished clip.

Exorcismus: Review

Oh those teenage years are full of troubles. You're never allowed to go to the gigs you want to, you have to spend half of your free time doing your French homework (pourquoi?!) and your parents never believe you, especially when you tell them you're possessed by the devil.

Film Review with Robert Mann - Just About Famous

Just About Famous ****½

Here is a film that has played in and been part of the official selections for no less than 14 film festivals to date, including the Sarasota, Indie Memphis, Hot Springs Documentary, Sidewalk Moving Picture, San Diego, DC Shorts, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Gasparilla International, HollyShorts, Doc Miami International, Dam Shorts, Iron Man Comedy Series and Black Maria Video + Film film festivals, and will also be playing in the upcoming Cleveland International Film Festival.

DVD Review: The Reef

Joining the surprisingly well populated ranks of the 'film about scared people floating around in water' genre is The Reef, a new shark-horror from Australian director Andrew Traucki. Ostensibly based on true events, the film sees five mates setting sail to Indonesia, only to have their boat capsize. They decide to swim for land, but soon find out they're not alone in the water.

And Soon The Darkness Trailer

A contemporary remake of the cult 1970 British thriller directed by Robert Fuest (The Devil’s Rain; The Abominable Dr. Phibes) and written by Brian Clemens (Bugs; The Avengers; creator of The Professionals) and Terry Nation (Dr. Who; creator of the Daleks; creator of Blake’s 7), And Soon The Darkness, director Marcos Efron’s debut feature, stars Amber Heard (John Carpenter’s The Ward; The Stepfather; Zombieland; All The Boys Love Mandy Lane), Odette Yustman (The Unborn; Cloverfield; Transformers) and Karl Urban (Star Trek; The Bourne Supremacy; The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King).

Kevin Macdonald & Bob Marley

Academy Award® and BAFTA® winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald has boarded the Tuff Gong Pictures / Shangri-La Entertainment Bob Marley documentary MARLEY. Director of two of the most acclaimed documentaries of recent years, ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and TOUCHING THE VOID, Macdonald will join with the Marley family, Chris Blackwell and Steve Bing to direct what will be the ultimate, authorized documentary film on the life, legacy and global impact of a true legend, one of the most influential singers, songwriters, musicians and activists in history. MARLEY marks the first time ever that his family has authorized the use of their own private Bob Marley archives.

Film Review with Robert Mann - The Fighter

The Fighter ****½

It was only a couple of years ago that Mark Wahlberg’s career seemed to be in a downward spiral from which he would not be able to escape with 2008 film The Happening and Max Payne failing to deliver a response to be proud of in terms of box office takings or critical acclaim. It’s amazing how much things can change in two years, isn’t it.

Alien Vs Ninja: Review

A group of Ninjas are stalked by an Alien in a forest. Hilarity ensues! That's it, if you thought the title left little to the imagination you should try giving up the 90min or so I did watching the thing. Films like this should be better, AvN had a lot of charm, effort had gone into it. The wire work in the fight scenes, especially the odd zombie-ninja-controlled-by-alien in the last act, was pretty good. The gore was thrown in great pink and red handfuls as Ninjas and Aliens alike were cut, stabbed, gutted, slashed, punched, dismembered, and ridden like a rodeo pony....that needs to be seen to be believed. The 4 main characters were typical of these films, the angry one, the quiet one, the tubby comic relief and the woman. Who was plagued by not only aliens but by crash zooms on her bum and at one point an amorous alien infatuated by her bosom. The Alien itself was a direct Ridley Scott rip off, apart from having the head of a dolphin and gummy sweets teeth. If your going to have inhabitants be terrified and screaming then at least have an alien with the goods to do so. I wanted this film to be so bad it was good but a horrendous script, shoddy humor and a production budget that was at least £2.38 meant what little charm it had at the opening power rangers meets kill bill fight scene was all dried up by the credits. I will say this though before tonight I'd never seen an Alien fight a Ninja.

Classic Trailer - The Devil's Rain

In a small rural town a group of satanists hope to unleash hell... whilst melting your face!

This little gem of crappy 70s horrors falls is one of those great examples where you watch it and ask "when's it going to get scary". People go missing, satanists are supposedly responsible, Ernest Borgnine acts weird then seems to turn into a goat, that pretty much covers it. Oh and when it rains "the devil's rain" everyone's face melts because... that's what the devil's rain does.

The Rebound: Review

Ok. So. This film? Was surprising. I am a big lover of romantic comedies. All but three of my DVD collection are romantic comedies. But when I saw who was in this film; Catherine Zeta Jones; I shrugged my shoulders. I'm not the biggest fan of her films. Not because she's a bad actress, I just don't warm well to what she's played a part in. I started off watching this with the intention of me turning it off. 95 minutes later and I'm balling my eyes out at the ending. It's bizarre, funny, awful, messy, loving and uplifting. I cringed at a certain part of the film. The cliche ''kid finds mum & stranger having 'dirty-nothings' on the sofa" scenario. I laughed at other parts. The children in this film are quite genius. Obviously ''too old for their age'', and just too cute. Then there was the ending where, yes, I cried. The part where many years later the couple find themselves in, oh wait, yes, the same restaurant. The guy has been off on a journey of self discovery and returned with a child he's picked up. (Who by the way is also adorable). And then somehow, everything is fine again, and I'm assuming everything starts back up again. It's your average romantic comedy. But with a twist. A bizarre twist, of a lady in her 40's and a guy in his 20's who inevitably fall in love. We all know what's going to happen. ''Hello, this is weird, oh wait this is happening, oh gosh i've fallen in love with you, oh no this can't happen, i'm leaving, uh oh i've found you again''. But without a doubt, films like this just seem to work, and make you feel warm inside, even if you can't stand the lead actor/actress. If you don't like romantic comedies, but your other half wants to watch it, really, don't watch it. But if you like romantic comedies and your curious, just give it a go. Even I was surprised at the end.

Quote Of The Week : The Green Mile (1999)

On the day of my judgement, when i stand before God, and he asks me why did i kill one of his true miracles - what am i gonna say ? That is was my job ?

Film Review with Robert Mann - Sanctum 3D

Sanctum 3D **½
Sanctum 2D *½

“From executive producer James Cameron, creator of Titanic and Avatar” – these words have been plastered all over the marketing for Sanctum 3D and the simple association of Cameron with the film will undoubtedly create a certain level of expectation as to the standard of filmmaking that is on offer here. Do not be fooled though – this is NOT a James Cameron movie.

The Reef

So here's the trailer for The Reef... 

Come Rain, Come Shine

Just as the colour of the sky gives us plenty of warning of what's to come, the existing work of director Lee Yoon-ki provides us all with significant clues that something good is about to happen in Korean film. Indeed the director's latest release, Come Rain, Come Shine follows a number of successful films, most notably the critically acclaimed This Charming Girl which attracted awards and recognitions like foil attracts magpies.

Fertile Ground Trailer

There's spooky doings a transpirin' in this new haunted-house horror from Adam Gierasch director of Night Of The Demons and Autopsy. Nate and Emily Weaver move into their "dream" house - where else would they live? - only to discover it has a dark past and an unspeakable evil present.

Pelican Blood Trailer

Out on DVD March 7th Pelican Blood is the humorously dark story of the relationship between Nikko and Stevie, who happened to meet on a suicide website.

The film deals with their break up, Nikko's journey to find something to ease the pain and the couples eventual reconciliation. Yay! Ah but is it all for the best?

Exorcismus Trailer

Exorcismus is the new terrifying film from the production company of the hugely successful REC and REC 2. Fifteen-year-old Emma Hawkins seemed like a pretty typical teenager. Suddenly, Emma's life changes in an unexpected way. She starts having frightening fits. Although her parents attribute her behaviour to psychological problems, Emma senses that something much darker is hiding inside her, waiting for it's time to break into the world...

Seconds Apart Trailer

Here is the trailer for Seconds Apart, which stars Orlando Jones (Drumline, Magnolia, Evolution), Gary Entin ( Rest Stop, The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising, Devolved) and his twin brother Edmund Entin (Rest Stop, The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising, Rest Stop: Don't Look Back). It's directed by Antonio Negret (Towards Darkness) and written by George Richard.

Classic Scene : Animal Kingdom (2010)

"If your as smart as i think you are, you'd know to walk right on by me like we'd never seen each other before in our lives."

The film that should of made the Academy's selection for best picture of the year, not only easily but by a country mile.

Film Review with Robert Mann - Lovers Jump

Lovers Jump ***½

Originally hailing from the small town of Newcastle in Northern Ireland but now living in London, rising director Mark McCombe has recently finished his first short film, Lovers Jump. Starring up and coming actor Laurence Fuller, who has been under consideration for (although not actually cast in) roles in several high profile mainstream movies – among them The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, The Hobbit, Judge Dredd and The King’s Speech – the film’s premise is simple: