calshank1980 Reviews

AKA (2002)

Working class boy deceives the rich (and the audience) - lost opportunity

[1/10 · 22 June 2010]

I have avoided this film after seeing D Roy's Dorian Gray - which has to possibly be the worst film that has ever had the misfortune to see the light of day....anyone who put money into that film should be unbelievably ashamed of Roy's profligate waste of hard invested cash....not to mention the audience's money being flushed down the drain the moment the first frame appeared....dreadful dreadful dreadful.

I digress - AKA - another disaster. The split screen device only serves to demonstrate that this film was seeking a way to save itself. It didn;t work.

There is a fantastic story in this film somewhere and a google of D Roy reveals that like his alter ego in the film he too is a little bit of a fantasist - interviews reveal a somewhat arrogant personality (as was evident in the comments he made about Elizabeth Hurley)....sadly arrogance only masks insecurity and this in turn clearly underpins his lack of skill at being able to make or direct a good story. It is clear that this director neither trusted the actors nor people around him to write a credible and direct a worthy entertaining script.

I think this film is a tragic lost opportunity. It casts suspicion on the near faultless direction of his film Clancy's Kitchen which was a fun well made featurette. I am not sure this director will ever eclipse that little success.

Release (I) (2010)

Extremely Original

[10/10 · 2 May 2010]

Just caught this film at the End of the Pier International Film Festival, Worthing.

It is a highly original film with some very contemporary and 'hot topic' issues raised in it's dark and twisted narrative.

Father Jack is in prison for a crime that becomes apparent only after his clandestine relationship with a prison officer takes hold and blossoms into a honest and trustworthy love affair. His fellow detainees, however, believe he's a paedophile. The prisoners driven on by a mad prisoner who clearly controls more than just harden criminals inside the prison walls, is determined to bring about 'prison' justice on the Priest.

It is tense and atmospheric and full of surprises. There was a palpable collective desire from the audience to see Jack leave prison and start a new life with the prison officer.

The prison is shot and directed masterfully with imaginative edits and dialogue that keeps you hooked. Religious hypocrisy is everywhere in the prison. The use of candles - right up until the end of the credits, is a device used with skill and a cleverness - as it links the turmoil of questioning ones faith with the iconography of the burning flame representing Christ's light in the Church that Jack once belonged to.

The performances are superb, Daniel Brocklebank, Bernie Hodges, Garry Summers all bringing believable characters and the situation that they find themselves in to life.

The film won Best UK Feature Drama - and deservedly so. It was a mixed audience and the debate about the film's content and it's meaning carried on out on the pavement outside the cinema afterwards.

Great stuff from indie Brit film makers.

Shank (2009)

Disturbingly Real..

[10/10 · 2 May 2010]

As a gay man I can understand why other gay men have found this film difficult to watch. It is disturbing.

It depicts a very real story that looks at a young gay gang member hiding from his fellow hoodlums his sexuality whilst engaging in dangerous and at time's very unsafe sexual practices without their knowledge.

Only a chance encounter (and subsequent love affair) with a victim of the gangs abusive streak arrests his spiral and descent into the hell of the ultimately bored undereducated unemployed subculture that does hang out on Britain's street corners intimidating all those who appear to have more to their lives than they do! This betrayal turns the tables and lives change - forever.

Whilst I agree that some of the acting is clunky and requiring more schooling - it is all very valiant in effort. I haven't marked the film down for this as the direction, script and editing and urban soundtrack (balanced with some lovely score) keep you hooked to the last. The first frame of the film is carried with you to the last reveal and this satisfies the viewer considerably.

This is a brave film, unique when set against the volume of gay films that are being released that have nothing new to say and tread well worn clichéd paths. I genuinely applaud it. It's unique interwoven story deserves at least a 9 out of 10 on its own.

It might not be comfortable viewing for many but it packs a punch that resonates for a long time afterwards - a mark of a good film. Quite rightly it reminds us that despite more liberal legislation of late gay life is still uncertain, insecure and gay men are still very vulnerable from fearful attitudes.