The Game (1997)

Note: This was initially supposed to be a review of the film in less than 100 words, but didn’t work out. It was also supposed to be edgy and funny, but that’s expecting too much of my writing. What it ended up being instead is a warning.

Visiting Uwe: The Uwe Boll Homestory

I just finished watching this 45-minute-long interview with infamous movie director Uwe Boll. Yes, it’s the video game dude. But it’s quite interesting, since it’s not about video games. It’s about movies and Uwe is his usual outspoken, controversial self. And no, he doesn’t challenge anyone to a boxing match this time around (I… think?).

The Sun Comes Up

So I’m flicking through the cyber-pages of IMDB and I come across a 1949 Lassie film called The Sun Comes Up. Having no idea how got there and feeling slightly confused (did cinema really exist in 1949?), I decide to read what few info there is about the film and- OHSHIT!?

Zombie week!

UPDATE: The Zombie Week has been rescheduled for the week of November 10th to 16th. I need more time to write these things. Sorry!

This blog has been dormant for too long, so an announcement is due: The week of November 3rd to November 9th will be Zombie Week. That means I’ll put up a review of a zombie movie every day of the week.

November also happens to be the month when Left 4 Dead will be released. For those not in the know, it’s a Valve-produced multiplayer survival horror FPS. With zombies. There’s something to make me forget about Team Fortress 2 for a while.

About that Zombie Week, then! Here’s the schedule:

Zombie Monday: Zombi 2 (1979)

Yet another member of the Romero family tree of zombie films, this fine example of Italian exploitation spawned some bad sequels and an army of devoted fans. Is also famous for some hot zombie on shark action.

Zombie Tuesday: Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Romero at his most classic. Could this be the best zombie film of them all? If it’s Romero’s best, then it should be pretty close to the top.

Zombie Wednesday: Dawn of the Dead (1979)

Or could this be his best one? Romero’s social satire and morbid humour blend together to create what’s probably the most iconic zombie flick and certainly one of the most interesting and thought-provoking.

Zombie Thursday: [REC] (2007)

A recent Spanish take on the mindless monsters. Much like Cloverfield and Romero’s own Diary of the Dead, it uses the hand-held camera feel to convey a sense of action and urgency. It is also much, much better than both previously mentioned movies and one of my personal favourites as of late.

Zombie Friday: Dawn of the Dead (2004 remake)

An unnecessary remake that turns Dawn into a mindless Hollywood film. Sacrilege? I personally see this piece of coal as a diamond among a sea of mediocre (at best!) remakes. Also: Sarah Polley’s hot.

Zombie Sunday: Shaun of the Dead (2004)

And now for something completely different. That is, the best zombie comedy you’ll ever watch. Because you’ve got red on you. I’m sorry, Shaun.

Reformat the Planet

REFORMAT THE PLANET is a feature length documentary which delves into the movement known as chip tunes, a vibrant underground scene based around creating new, original music using old video game hardware. Familiar devices such as the Nintendo Game Boy and Nintendo Entertainment System are pushed in new directions with startling results. 

Using New York as a microcosm for a larger global movement, “Reformat the Planet” maps out the genesis of the first annual Blip Festival, a four day celebration of over 30 international artists exploring the untapped potential of low-bit video game consoles. With floor-stomping rhythms and fist-waving melodies, trailblazers of the chip tune idiom descend upon Manhattan to pen a new chapter in the history of electronic music.

The trailer features music by Nullsleep (“Salvation for a Broken Heart”, “On Target”), Martin Galway (“The Neverending Story”), and Random (“Micawber’s Moan”), all composed on classic video game consoles.

The documentary by 2playerproductions serves as a very informative introduction to the lo-fi world of chiptune music for the uninitiated. It features interviews with prominent members of the scene and videos of live performances from the 2006 Blip Festival. The film explores the relationship between chiptune music and video games, provides insight on the fusion between visuals and music and ultimately demonstrates the adaptiveness of electronic music and the ability of musicians to use bits of technology completely unrelated to music as a medium of expression. A must-see if you ever liked the sound that used to come out of your video game console or home computer.

You can see the whole thing online over at Pitchfork.tv for a limited time only. There’s also a ton of videos from Blip and other live shows on 2playerproductions.com. Enjoy!