Monday 2 September 2013

An overdue overview!

Two overviews for the price of one!

Wow. Okay. It's been an entire month of filmbore since July, but due to some hectic happenings in my personal life it's been a struggle to get to the keys and talk through the articles at hand. So, to make up for it, this is a double overview...July and August in one sitting...that's two for the price of one!


So let's look back at what's been happening on the site for the last two months, starting with July...

The usual four reviews blessed this summer month, covering some very original film-making, plus I commenced the countdown to the ultimate list; for the Top 20 filmbore picks from June 2012 to May 2013. The first 52 reviews are there for you to vote for, while recaps on each month of filmbore's inaugural year have been posted for you to comment on.

Moving on to August, not only did the Top 20... posts continue, but due to some lucky timing we also got five reviews. Nothing like a bonus film to boost a hot summer month!

So, without further ado, let's skim over the picks and get back to action:


Pick of the week - Recap of July

http://profondeurdechampsdotorg.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/incendies_04.jpgA powerful and movie film started off July, with the Canadian-French masterpiece, Incendies. Addressing deep-rooted ties to an emotional struck family, it spans over two generations, with two siblings on the hunt for a long lost brother and a father they thought die, with some incredible reveals.

A huge change in tone cam in the following week with Takeshi Miike's brilliant samurai epic, 13 Assassins. A solid remake of a classic chambara, with tones of Seven Samurai thrown in for good measure, it's a breathtaking thrill ride, with inventive set pieces and some wonderful performances from the ensemble cast.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTOYRnTSEHU/UHqFBl-eR8I/AAAAAAAADEA/R4HqSDW6t4M/s1600/UNTOUCHABLE_FRENCH_FILM.jpgBased on a true story, Untouchable is wonderfully sweet while bravely challenging comedy-drama of an aristocratic paraplegic employing a boy from the french projects to be his carer for a month. It's rare to see how unusual friendships grow in such a rich and touching way in cinema, but this movie manages it effortlessly, thanks to the astounding portrayals from our leads.

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The final film of July couldn't be more different from these. Wheatley's most recent foray into his experimental realm is A Field In England. Experimenting with camera lenses and ripping apart the conventions of storytelling allows for a bizarre and exhilarating ride into the psyche of this genius director...one for the UK to be proud of! 


Pick of the week - Recap of August

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Pix/pictures/2009/9/25/1253881076403/Le-Donk-001.jpgAs August popped up, we kept it British with Shane Meadows' awesome mockumentary about an arrogant roadie and his protege emcee, Le Donk & Skor-zay-zee. With Paddy Considine finally putting his troubling meddler on camera after years of mucking about on set, it's a genuine piece that will reach any of you.
http://s.mcstatic.com/thumb/10188807/26648259/4/flash_player/0/1/7_days.jpg?v=1
Back to Canada again, with another French speaking piece, 7 Days. This hard-hitting, emotionally challenging movie digs deep into the lengths you could go in order to seek revenge, where there's not turning back even for a chance at redemption. 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I0L2iMziVjw/S9Kt0yR777I/AAAAAAAAFAo/7fEJ15enAbE/s1600/lebanon+film+gamil+above.jpg
The claustrophobic world of the tank soldier came next in the incredibly well shot Lebanon. On a tiny budget, very little stimulus and even less space, Samuel Moaz has crafted a truly energetic war film that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The clever camera work and moving performances elevates this film from great to excellent. 

http://doubleexposurejournal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pic4.jpgKeeping the tension up but adding plenty of the fantastical, I selected the fantastic South-Korean romp, The Host. One of the most exciting and superbly executed creature-features you are ever likely to see, it combines action, thrills, humour and drama in a refreshingly perfect balance. This is a film for anyone.

http://kriofskemix.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/delicatessen.jpgAnd finally, the bonus film. And what a choice. The feature length debut of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, Delicatessen is so beautifully unique it's difficult to forget. The quirkiest post-Armageddon piece you will ever see, it's sensationally lighthearted for a story so full of horrific desires for "interesting" meat and its apocalyptic setting.


filmbore wants you!

The other major work over the past two months is collating recaps of the first twelve months since the birth of filmbore. Each of the films selected for pick of the week, like those above, from the months of June 2012 to May 2013 are candidates for a special Top 20 listing the best of the best. But, this list is not just by me...
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DNCduYFEb6o/UdxgA61ki6I/AAAAAAAAAVM/Rx7hZ5DhHRk/s1600/FBWY.jpg

That's right...filmbore wants you! You're involvement is key, so cast your vote on the films up for the cup. There's no limit to how many you choose, you just need to add a line or two as to why you want the movie to be considered.
 
Your views are important and I value the support you've all given me over the last year. If you comment on why you feel a film should be on the list, I will take serious consideration to your vote. You can add your points in the comment box below, email me on Top20@filmbore.co.uk, tweet me @filmbore, or post on the facebook fan page here

And any opinions are welcome!
 
So, as a reminder before the final summaries to come through, here's the full list of candidates. Get voting!


May 2013

  • Run Lola Run (Germany)
  • The Imposter (UK)
  • Let The Right One In (Sweden)
  • V/H/S (United States)
  • A Tale Of Two Sisters (South Korea)

April 2013

  • Switchblade Romance (France)
  • Grabbers (Ireland)
  • Berberian Sound Studio (UK)
  • Amour (France)

March 2013

  • Sightseers (UK)
  • Tales Of The Night (France)
  • Beasts Of The Southern Wild (United States)
  • Rust And Bone (France/Belgium)
  • Twin Town (UK)

February 2013

  • Holy Motors (France/Germany)
  • Dead Man's Shoes (UK)
  • Searching For Sugar Man (UK/Sweden)
  • JCVD (Belgium)

January 2012

  • Bronson (UK)
  • Goodbye Lenin! (Germany)
  • The City Of Lost Children (France)
  • The Secret In Their Eyes (Argentina)

December 2012

  • Timecrimes (Spain)
  • Brick (United States)
  • Wild Bill (UK)
  • Breathing (Germany)

November 2012

  • Hidden (Austria/France)
  • Battle Royale (Japan)
  • Infernal Affairs (Hong Kong)
  • Pi (United States)
  • Once Were Warriors (New Zealand)

October 2012

  • The Raid (Indonesia)
  • Down Terrace (UK)
  • Avalon (Poland/Japan)
  • The Kid With A Bike (Belgium)

September 2012

  • A Room For Romeo Brass (UK)
  • The Devil's Backbone (Mexico/Spain)
  • Headhunters (Norway)
  • Waltz With Bashir (Israel)

August 2012

  • Bunny And The Bull (UK)
  • Brotherhood (South Korea)
  • Das Experiment (Germany)
  • Intacto (Spain)
  • Neds (UK)

July 2012
  • Troll Hunter (Norway)
  • Primer (United States)
  • A Town Called Panic (Belgium)
  • I'm A Cyborg, But That Okay (South Korea)

June 2012

  • Tell No One (France)
  • Kill List (UK)
  • Tyrannosaur (UK)
  • Cell 211 (Spain)


I look forward to your choices.




Don't forget to leave comments below, tweet me @filmbore or post on my Facebook page here.

Or, you can email me directly at overview@filmbore.co.uk.
 

 

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