
![]() Hot T-Shirts is charmless, unfunny, unsexy, has zero characterisation and a tedious storyline around a wet t-shirt contest. In fact the only positive things I can recall were a half decent disco soundtrack, the most ridiculous bar brawl I've seen in a while and lots of cheese (not actual cheese). Yet somehow it's strangely watchable all the same. Go figure.
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![]() Untouchable's box office takings, currently at over £350,000,000, have already reached those that could be expected from a Hollywood blockbuster. That it hasn't played yet in several significant countries, and given the hype surrounding it, you can be sure there is plenty of cash still to be rinsed from the cinema going public. Okay, so I found the 'rich disabled tosser, hires feckless young povo to be his carer, but they both learn a lot from each other' storyline to be a little tiresome, but as a human drama it was engaging, touching and extremely funny. Also, if you can look beyond the irritating class politics, the portrayal of the everyday challenges for a person with a severe disability has garnered it well deserved respect. Both the leading performances are excellent and if you're looking for a classic feelgood movie, you'll not leave disappointed. Out in cinemas on Friday 21st September. ![]() Sick to death of the Olympics? One irritating sponsorship advert away from a killing spree you'll end up regretting? Step away from the hedge trimmer and indulge yourself in some murder sport therapy. Whilst everyone else is watching the Closing Ceremony, why not sit back and enjoy one of the dozens of films that have turned slaughter into competitive spectator entertainment. My personal favourite is Death Race 2000, a splendidly camp offering from the Roger Corman stable. Running down pedestrians is the national sport, with extra points awarded for toddlers and the elderly. Brilliantly twisted, I really can't recommend it enough. The 2008 remake Death Race is also great fun, with the awesome Jason Statham in the lead role. If you prefer Arnie to the Stath, then you could do worse than checking out The Running Man. In the near future, prisoners are hunted down on television for the amusement of the viewing public. Hopefully Ken Clarke's not seen it, otherwise it may give him ideas. Series 7: The Contenders continues the reality TV theme. Lottery drawn contestants are handed guns and followed by fly-on-the-wall film crews whilst they pursue and shoot each other. If you can't get enough of folk assassinating each other, and you enjoyed The Hunger Games, you may like to give Battle Royale a whirl. A little more arthouse than some of my other suggestions, it nonetheless carries an impressive bodycount and some gloriously nasty violence. Let the games commence! ![]() Delinquent Schoolgirls is hardly a remarkable film but if you like scuzzy exploitation films, there's enough going on to keep fans of the depraved happy. Predictably, given the title, it is wrong on many levels. Today, unless it was a) produced by three men with a video camera, or b) put into somekind of justifiable context, you just wouldn't get a film about three escaped mental patients raping their way through a girls' school. Back in the 1970s there certainly weren't any qualms about making such a sensationalist picture. In fact, before the profitable formula for the 1980s sex comedy had gained roots, films like this one were ten a penny. Just like the over appreciated The Last House on the Left, innapropriately flippant comedic music is played over scenes of savagery and it shares a similarly squalid outlook. To be fair, unlike The Last House on the Left, at least Delinquent Schoolgirls doesn't make any pretence to deliver somekind of social statement. Kick back and delight in the misogyny, see-through swimsuits and bra sizes to put Russ Meyer to shame, and soak up the general leering nature. At the end you'll be rewarded with a striptease audition for the most suitable hostage, followed by a Kung-Fu showdown in the gymnasium. Ladies and gentlemen, this is one fucked up movie. Watching this shit can't be good for the soul... ![]() Having been unimpressed with Katy Perry's military propaganda music video Part of Me, I wasn't exactly over the Moon to be going to see the feature film Part of Me, but my niece, being a fan of her work, was keen to go. So, putting my uncley duty above common sense, I took her along. The film is fucking terrible; I don't think even my niece was massively impressed despite saying she "liked it". Katy comes across as a deeply irritating, kooky, vain and self important bore. Her break-up with Russell Brand occurred towards the end of her year long Californian Dreams Tour, presumably the year apart allowed him the time to come to his senses and realise that his life would be much improved without a zany annoyance for a wife. Also, I appreciate that Katy Perry has a hugely successful music career and countless fans but it does seem a little arrogant to make such a self serving music biopic about yourself. Another film with a music theme running through it, that just about stays on the right side of kooky retro, is Electrick Children. A couple of teenagers leave their repressive Mormon community and hook up with a group of Las Vegas skate punks. It's an agreeable if forgettable coming of age drama, that is perhaps a little too understated and slow for its own good. Katy Perry: Part of Me is out in cinemas now; Electrick Children can be seen from Friday 13th July. ![]() Office Space is a firm favourite in the Wilson household, no matter how many times we watch it, we never get bored with the disgruntled employees of Initech and their fight to regain some control over their miserable lives. As far as I'm concerned it's the best of Mike Judge's creations, and who knows, perhaps it helped influence The Office, after all it predates it by 2 years and it certainly covers much of the same ground. Amongst the many great characters is Milton Waddams, who has already featured in a series of cartoons on Saturday Night Live. However, my favourite is Lawrence, an awesome guy played by Diedrich Bader, who not only has a foam beer cooler but also sports a bottle opener on his key chain. What a dude. Throw in a great gangsta rap soundtrack, combined with laughs that come thick and fast, and you've got a movie that shouldn't disappoint. |
Tug Wilson
The editor of Now or Never! mulls over a selection on cinematic oddities for your amusement. More about Tug Archives
October 2012
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