Available on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K 14/4/25 and Digital Download Now (15) 3.5 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
September 5 is less about the actual Munich 1972 terrorist attack on the Olympics. And more about how live coverage of such events were first broadcast. This is a fascinating approach to the story from nees medias prospective, although it is worth having a good knowleged of what happened to feel the full impact of the movie!!!
Con & Alex at the Star Wars Andor Sneak Peak Event!!!
Con with Diego Luna!!! (Cassian Andor)
Jason Momoa being photographed with Stormtroopers!!!
Andor Creator/Showrunner TONY GILROY, ACTORS DIEGO LUNA, STELLAN SKARSGÅRD, GENEVIEVE O’REILLY, DENISE GOUGH, KYLE SOLLER, ADRIA ARJONA, FAYE MARSAY, BEN MENDELSOHN, Producer SANNE WOHLENBERG and Lucas Film President KATHLEEN KENNEDY!!!
Star Wars Andor Season 2 Available on Disney+ 23/4/25!!!
A Working man is an action thriller movie starring Jason Statham as Levon Cade, a former covert operative who is settling down to the life of a civilian construction manager in order to get closer to his daughter. However he is forced out of retirement when his boss’ daughter is abducted by an underworld organisation.
This production has some familiar names and faces behind it, most notably Sylvester Stallone as one of the writers, Jason Statham as the main protagonist, and David Harbour making an appearance just to name a few. Locations were plentiful and did not feel confined to a fixed area (although not without their issues), really broadening the situations the characters were put in. However outside of these few points the film really falls flat…
What I found most jarring about the film was the very obvious fact it was filmed in the UK while being set in the US, whether that’s the very English type buildings to the clearly English traffic lights, to worst of all the UK plug socket with a US Travel adaptor slapped on it. I felt it ruined the immersion and has left me wondering why they didn’t just set it in the UK? They must have their reasons but I just see it as an unnecessary complication, surely it’s much more expensive to bring over US cars and bring over left hand drive cars, compared to just setting it in the UK and using locally sourced vehicles. The American Elements could’ve stayed too, with the easy vail of the characters moved there for “blahdy blah” reason.
While these elements were distracting, I did not feel entirely bored while watching the film. Something was always happening with nice gaps between action scenes which were cool to watch, but the script felt unfinished. It had potential with it’s concept but I just did not get attached to any of the characters, I could tell that the actors were trying their best with what they had but ultimately the dialogue was base level at best and some of the actions performed felt disjointed.
The film does what it says on the tin and falls within it’s targeted genres, but outside of that it’s not going to be winning any awards. If your a fan of Jason Statham give it a go, but it most certainly isn’t as solid as some of his back catalogue of films.
In Cinemas 28/3/25 (15) 2.5 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
The cast do their best to make this film work (And it’s a really good cast) – but A Working Man doesn’t really work. The script is bad and it’s really hard to belive the story is set in the US, when it’s clearly shot in the UK. It will be a must see for Stath fans. But it’s not the best of his work!
Con & Alex talk to Dead Before They Wake Writer, Co-Director and Star Nathan Shepka
What challenges come with Directing yourself as a cast member when making a film? Con
Nathan Shepka – I think sometimes I have a tendancy to be in front of the camera and focus on other people’s performances and then run round to watch the take before realising you’re on auto-pilot a bit yourself. It’s finding a balance between immersing yourself in the scene and reviewing what others are doing too. Fortunately our DOP Andy and latterly co-director is good at telling me when I can do better!
And with Dead Before They Wake we were fortunate to have so many great cast members that needed very little direction at all.
Films like Dead Before They Wake need to have intense moments. How do you create an intense feel for a scene? Con
Nathan Shepka – This one sort of builds in a way, we wanted to keep a feeling of tension and dread throughout the entire film that increases as it comes to an end. We wanted the audience to have that feeling of unease in the pit of their stomach and know things might not end well. Individual scene wise I think a lot of it happens in the writing but in one of the opening scenes where a taxi driver tries to snare a young girl waiting for a bus, the realism in the acting helped nail that.
A couple of reviewers commented that the intensity comes from the viewer knowing things like this have actually happened.
Was there much difficulty minimising reflections of the camera crew when reflective surfaces were in shot? (e.g. like the indoors scenes next to a window) Alex
Nathan Shepka – That’s a random one! It is always an issue though. Indoors and with windows and mirrors it is a bit easier because you control the light. So you can bounce light in different ways to stop the reflection as much, sometimes we use an anti-glare spray to try to help. The worst though is car door panels. They are huge and they see everything and outdoors it is more difficult to control the light!
And sometimes you don’t spot the crew until you see it in the edit suit and then it is time to get the digital paintbrush out!
Was Alex character based on any real-life vigilantes? And if not, how did you come up with the character? Con
Nathan Shepka – Not any real-life vigilantes as such, certainly not the kind you see on social media of predators being cornered in the street. Inspiration partly came from Joaquin Phoenix’s character in You Were Never Really Here. I’d always done more upbeat, extroverted characters so I thought it would be nice to play someone quiet, reserved, only speaks when necessary so he’s direct and to the point.
I also wanted to give him a sense of loneliness, a sense that he’s just existing as opposed to living in a way – again a bit like Phoenix’s character. But going beyond that I felt he needed more of an arc; someone to give him hope (the stripper/school teacher that he develops feelings for) and something to give him purpose (finding the missing girl). He’s got a real rage far below the surface though, that takes almost the entirety of the film to come out.
What was the oddest object used to create a desired sound effect for a scene? Alex
Nathan Shepka – Some of the baseball bat scenes were partly done in camera, hitting the bat off the likes of an inflatable bed and then beefing the sound up in post with wooden bats hitting a ball. Likewise with the hammer, hitting the surface of a table but then layering in squelching watermelons and such like. The one thing that’s always a challenge is knife puncturing flesh. I imagine in real life there’s very little sound but in the movies you always have to exaggerate everything.
Who do you think will enjoy this film most and what do you hope they take away from seeing it? Con
To me some films are there to entertain (popcorn action flicks), some are meant to make you think (Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas) and some are meant to be an experience (Requiem for a Dream). I suppose with this we were almost trying to do all three. Anyone who likes really gritty, dark, borderline disturbing films might enjoy Dead Before They Wake – the likes of Bull, Blue Ruin, Nocturnal Animals.
It is harrowing in places because it is based on the Rotherham/Rochdale grooming gangs so there’s a real life element and there’s a “this goes on in society every day and most of the time we don’t see it” element. I suppose the takeaway is realising that this goes on. I dare say people won’t leave this one feeling uplifted. But I also felt there needed to be a pay-off for the audience, one thing about the bad guys in this film is that they don’t get a chance to experience British justice or early release from prison – they don’t make it that far!
Dead Before They Wake Available to rent or own on Digital Platforms in the UK from January 27th!!!
YuMe Toys – Netflix Gift Box Advent Calendar review by Con
Available from all good retailers (15 Years+) 5 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
This Advent Calendar is so much fun. The classic Netflix sound, every time to open the box is a very cool touch. And the gifts representing all of the famous shows and films are outstading. This is a highly desirable and unique gift for any Netflix fan at Christmas – Highly Recommended!!!
Netflix – The Umbrella Academy Season 4 review by Con
Available on Netflix 8/8/24 (15 ) 5 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
The perfect finale to one of the best Superhero shows of all time. We’ve seen all epiosdes, so no spoilers – just sit back an enjoy a really special series. You’re in for a treat. Highly Recommended!!!