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Top Hat 'n' Tails' first AICN UK: MATCH POINT
Hey folks, Harry here - finally got someone to tackle the UK side of things for AICN - and "Top Hat 'n' Tails" is the bloke with the beat. So all you UKers - welcome him to the team in proper style and don't act like hooligans!
Hey-ho from the dark, wintery Isles of Brit. Top Hat ‘n’ Tails here with a look at all things UK in a new bi-weekly column.
January is always a pretty hot period for flicks over this side of the pond, as we get all the stuff that’s being lauded during awards season rammed into our first month of 2006 for us to rush out and catch before the envelopes start to be torn open – or, if they’re lucky, for us to rush along to as soon as they’ve reaped their many rewards from Oscar, BAFTA, Globes and the rest.
So in the next few weeks we’ll be blessed with the delayed delights of Brokeback Mountain, Match Point, Jarhead, Breakfast on Pluto, Memoirs of a Geisha and Munich – a veritable cinematic feast for all good movie lovers (or so we’ve heard).
NEWS
British film producers Golconda Films Ltd has launched a competition alongside The Script Factory to find new horror writers for the British film industry. First prize is a £1000 advance on a script option to make a horror movie from the winning screenplay, with two runners up receiving a full script-development course from The Script Factory. More info can be found at www.golcondafilms.com
Highly commended at last year’s Edinburgh Film Festival, where it received its world premiere, newbie-director Josh Appignanesi’s SONG OF SONGS, starring Natalie Press of MY SUMMER OF LOVE fame, has been picked up for UK distribution by Soda Pictures. Even more encouragingly, Soda’s managing director, Edward Fletcher, acknowledged the number of producers in the UK who are taking big risks in the films they are making and added, “It is important that distributors take risks alongside producers to foster the growth of an alternative British cinema.” As long as “alternative” doesn’t turn out to mean “rubbish”, we’re on a winner!
BAFTA screener DVDs of Spielberg’s MUNICH have been delayed in reaching BAFTA members due to the customs backlog caused by the Christmas period, so much so that they have missed the first round of voting. It was anticipated, however, that members should have received their screeners in time for the close of second round voting on January 12th and that the flick will still feature heavily when the nominations are announced on January 19th.
Meanwhile, in slightly more bizarre news, Richard Branson, head of the Virgin empire which includes Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Trains and started with the Virgin Record stores all those many years ago, announced last week the creation of VIRGIN COMICS and VIRGIN ANIMATION. The latter will produce movie versions of the former’s products, they first of which is reputedly being created by none other than action-supremo John Woo.
AWARDS / FESTIVALS
Berlinale’s Kinderfilmfest has announced that it will open this year with the international premiere of Brit-director Peter Cattaneo’s OPAL DREAM, about a young girl’s imaginary friends becoming slightly more than imaginary and threatening her whole family in the Australian outback.
The BAFTA’s have entered their second round of voting, which runs till Thursday, with THE CONSTANT GARDENER the current front-runner with 8 nominations, closely followed by BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK AND MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA with seven a piece.
BOX OFFICE
The biggest and best news reverberating around the Isles at the moment is the Box Office results for 2005. Bucking the world-wide trend, the UK managed to come in at 1% UP on 2004 with a haul of £840.35m ($1.44bn).
The year’s top 5 biggest earners:
1. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire - £46m*
2. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith - £39.3m
3. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory - £37.3m
4. The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe £34.3*
5. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit £32m*
*still on release
As for the current trend, here’s the New Year’s Top Five:
1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
2. King Kong
3. Just Like Heaven
4. Cheaper By the Dozen 2
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
NEW RELEASES
Released in the last 2 weeks:
13 (Tzameti)
Brokeback Mountain
Exils
Jawani Diwani: A Joyful Ride
Just Friends
Match Point
Running Scared
Cheaper By the Dozen 2
Just Like Heaven
Rize
Released next week, eyes open for:
Breakfast on Pluto
Jarhead
Memoirs of a Geisha
Released On DVD Today:
Cinderella Man
Dear Wendy
Hellboy (Director’s Cut)
Last Days
Saints & Soldiers
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Island
On DVD next week, eyes open for:
Lords of Dogtown
Wolf Creek
REVIEWS
MATCH POINT
I’ve got to make a bit of an embarrassing confession for a geek here – I’ve never seen a Woody Allen movie all the way through. Some I’ve caught the start of and not made it to the end, others I’ve come in halfway through. Most of them, however, I’ve just plain not seen, save for the few scenes which come up again and again in retrospective TV shows and “Best Of’s”
Match Point, as any self-respecting film fan knows (even me), was shot in and around our fair capital and marks the first time Allen has worked here. Clearly, he liked it a lot, since he’s not long ago wrapped shooting on his immediate follow-up, SCOOP here too. Ahead of time, I’d heard that this was very much NOT a “Woody Allen film” – certainly not what you’d expect from a man who’s reputation was made from angst-y New York comedies.
Now, obviously, I’m not in much of a position to comment on that, but what I can tell you is that he’s made a very accomplished, considered European art film, set in London and starring a number of names familiar to Brits in supporting roles, alongside Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Brian Cox in the leads.
Although the dialogue often feels stilted and forced when transposed from Allen’s homeland, the performances are excellent throughout. There is a very naturalistic feel to the whole movie which really grounds the characters and the story and makes the events all the more believable and shocking.
It would be remiss of me to say more than that with regards to the plot, but suffice it to say it carries more weight than may first appear from the trailers and TV spots that have been airing to sell the audiences over here.
Clearly a departure for Allen, Match Point is a remarkably good film, provided you can put up with “European” pacing and character development. This is not, sadly, a film which will bring Allen into the mainstream, but as a move away from comedy into heavier waters, it is hugely successful.
That’s all for our first update on the UK scene, but we’ll be back looking at who’s won what so far in a couple of weeks time!
For now, I tip my hat to you all, both sides of the pond, and all over the world.
Top Hat ‘n’ Tails
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Maybe so, but how the hell would you know? You admitted you've never seen a Woody Allen movie all the way through. Come on you crazy Brit, be sensible. Although I must say that name isout of control.
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Throw out your hands, stick out your tush! Hands on your hips, now give 'em a push! Don't be surprised you're doing the French Mistake!
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Jan 09, 2006 3:04:09 PM CST
but seriously. I saw Matchpoint. very good. except for Johans
by hypeendshere
she was in over her head. seems the more i see her, the less i like her. she looked good though. kinda curvy, like something on assparade.com... anywho, the end was a little abrupt. had the climax come sooner, we could've had a nice little Hitchcock feel for a bit.
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Jan 09, 2006 3:05:55 PM CST
"Clearly a departure"...jeez, do your homework mate, even a curs
by maxcalifornia.
Here's a DVD checklist for you, guv'nor : CRIMES AND MISDEMEANO(U)RS, SHADOWS AND FOG, ANOTHER WOMAN, SEPTEMBER, INTERIORS, HUSBANDS AND WIVES, etc. I think its fair to say Mr. 'Tails' has blown his credibility in his very first column. Congrats, have a pint on me.
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Jan 09, 2006 3:21:22 PM CST
Well, MaxCalifornia, the film is somewhat of a departure for him
by lenny nero
Even the most comparable movie on your list, CRIMES & MISDEMEANORS, has its fair share of Woody humor. MATCH POINT, on the other hand, is more about plot than character, and has more of a slow burn and dramatic thriller angle than any of what you mentioned above. True, it still feels like a Woody Allen movie, but it's also the NEW Woody Allen. There is nothing here that reminds me of INTERIORS (his Bergman) or HUSBANDS AND WIVES (still very much a Woody film). This is more of his Cassavetes/Hitchcock.
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other than the BFI Film Festival in London what the fuck have we got over here? Lots and lots of taxes which are stopping film companies from coming over and is putting a squeeze on the independant filmmakers who are becoming dependant on lottery handouts. Yeah, great fucking scene we got here. Oh and quick mention on the BAFTA's. They go out of their way to shit on american films guaranteed oscars just because it'll snub british "classics" like 'Mrs. Brown', 'Vera Drake' & 'Calendar Girls'. Got nothing against these films but I ain't going to be thinking on these 20 years later. Sorry to sound so negative but this is as dumb as AICN-Downunder, bless him, where Laturo put a lot into reviewing the same films...only 3 months behind...oh and how shitty Australian's censors are. I've suddenly realised this top hat n' tails blokey is here to just replace one fluff article with another. My mistake. I'll be good and won't click here again and point out i was looking for NEWS.
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can i just express my admiration to AICN for getting a UK representative who has never watched an entire woody allen movie until match point. bravo, sirs. good to know that out of 60 million brits you managed to find someone with real knowledge of film. again, kudos.
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Great film. Fantastic ending. It's got such a huge amount of depth if you've read Crime and Punishment. I suspect more layers would be added if you knew your opera (which I don't).
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Jan 09, 2006 5:06:24 PM CST
i was thinking about annie hall being a murder mystery when it w
by s0nicdeathmonkey
it was you know...and i began to think, "gee, i wonder if match point is the movie Annie Hall started out as" think about it, they are very similar.
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It's fuckin annoying. Good to see a UK column for AICN though. Despite the whingin bastard above, there good films coming out of the UK on a semi regular basis. The Descent anyone? We also get the new Paul Walker film this week 1 couple of months before the US release. Aren't we lucky..... /endsarcasm
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I thought it was a good film with great acting from the cast minus scarlett(whom I remain unconvinced by). but compeletly disagree with you supertoylast about the ending, it was less then fantastic. It was great looking film. Jonathan rhys meyers what an actor.
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I agree with you Hypendshere about scarlett.
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Jan 09, 2006 5:50:46 PM CST
"The Descent anyone?" a piece of shit with cliche 'scares
by performingmonkey
The British film industry could be so much more than what it is. It just isn't allowed to happen. I think you're allowed to shoot for a day in the UK and then if you want any more you need more money than god, which people don't have so they go elsewhere. The only reason the Potter movies haven't left the UK is that the movies make big money. It's cheaper to shoot in Ireland.
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If the old Woody Allen was around for 40 years, this new one better hurry up and catch up with the multitude of movies that old guy made. Oh, screw this. I'm usually bored with the American AICN so I don't really know why I'm bothering to bitch about this stuff. I encourage everyone to go to IMDB and vote on Harry Potter. The goddamn Harry Potter fans have invaded the site and are currently trying to make it the Movie of the year. I'm doing my part by declaring everything in it to be the wrost of the year. Not that I hate Harry Potter, but those bastards went and made it tops. Oh, christ, Woody Allen right? I forgot. Oh well. I didn't really have anything to say. I was just wasting time.
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Jan 09, 2006 5:58:33 PM CST
If there is one area where the Blair gvt has let the country its
by emeraldboy
film. When they came to power Blair and his govt planned to write the wrongs of the tory govt. And they conspicuoulsy failed to do this. They stole Band of brothers form under the noses of the Irish Delegation by telling them they had that in the bag. It cost 50 Million to make, think what 50 million would have done to the Irish film industty(not that we have one either) Blair and his cronies promised to set a film think tank with all the top writers, producers, director and uk industry folk and they were commissioned to set up a report. But the think tank never materialised and the report was never published. There was film4 and debacle of that is another story. They use to talk about the death of the UK film industry. But when you consider that only studio that is operating is elstree, that is not much of an industry.
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It all gets released in the US 10 weeks beforehand
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The ticket prices are ridiculous with the average price (in US $) between $12 and $17. Regardless of attendance, the profits made from shortchanging the audience certainly benefit that 1% increase.
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Top hat n tails.
Cliched fuckin' much or what?
Jesus...why not "Top ho!" or "Oh, I say"
Actually, "Well hello" in a Leslie Phillips vcoice would be quite good. -
...but I say congrats to Harry for sorting out a UK column (and yes, I agree the Top Hat & Tails thing is a bit cliche). The best part of the article was the Screenplay competition announcement. I want to see more of this kind of stuff if you can, Top Hat. Oh, and welcome to teh suck!
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Excellent, just what we need are you the wally who works on Radio One.THEIR IS NO BRITISH FILM INDUSTRY, unless you count Vera Drake, and i ask you who gives a shit about Vera Sodding Drake.
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What the fuck are you talking about? I live in Glasgow and have been to the cinema three times in the past week. Prices have ranged from
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Orange Wednesdays. 2 For 1 offer on
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This film suffered from a chronic lack of an ear for the way English people actually speak. "I've got to meet my wife in the the Tate Modern." It's just Tate Modern. With a marching band in bearskin and a union jack mini in the background. I fully expected to see the Queen dancing with Austin Powers. Also, the chronic, embarrassing appearance of semi-famous league of gents, dennis pennis extras shows you the mystifying credibility this film maker still has, after tonnes of totally rubbish "returns to form". They're all still queueing up to say they've been in a Woody film. In terms of when he was last any good it's like queueing up to work with The Human League. Also, he has seriously mixed up the nature of class in the country. He has confused the mannerisms of the aristocracy with people who have actually earned some cash. Not the same thing at all. He has pulled a clever trick in relocating himself into the market where he actually makes a bit of money, ie Europe. He is going to have to do more than plaster paper thin characterisation over a new location to make a go of it. The first film I saw in the pitcures was Condorman with Michael Crawford. I would happily see it again in preference to this.
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It's hardly an act of cinematic deftness to touch on the themes of Crime and Punishment...if the central character is given a big close up as he reads...Crime and Punishment. LOOK! A THEME! A LITERARY ALLUSION! IT'S CLEVER!
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Don't listen to all these moaning losers; I've never seen a full Woody Allen film either, and as for the jibes about your name, who gives a shit? Besides, you know you've arrived on this site when you've a horde of whiners bitching in the Talkback of your article. ---- As for the ticket price issue, I'm with The Cosh:
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Jan 10, 2006 10:04:39 AM CST
I hope this is compensation from the country that gave birth to
by pumpkinsboy
Who can remember the US-UK AICN war about that piece of turd? Ah, happy days.
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While I did really enjoy Match Point Im amazed so few critics note the obvious that its a direct remake of plot A of Crimes.
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then lots of studio plants have officially 'arrived', huh? but if you're gonna write regularly for AICN, here's a suggestion: (1) don't admit to not having watched any films by a major filmmaker (yes, even one as shitty as woody allen) in your first column; and (2) don't use a nickname that makes you sound like such a complete and utter prat.
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You 've been called "gay". Well, that's it then. No more legitimacy for you in this hotbed of macho masculinity.
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And besides, since those cries now go up in just about any positive review of a film not on general release yet, it's hard to remember/believe that there are any real plants any more. And as for nicks, at least "Top Hat 'n' Tails" shows some personality. What does your throughly inspiring name mean, newc0253?
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