Darth Stujitzu's Reviews

30 Days of Night
2007 Directed by : David Slade

Based on the graphic novel of the same name this is no ordinary vampire movie. The premise is simple, what would happen if vampires came to the remote Alaskan town of Barrow, a town that undergoes a yearly month of darkness?

This was one of the few films I actually managed to see in the cinema last year, there were four main reasons, firstly, I loved the graphic novel and it's premise,secondly, it opened on my birthday, a rare day off for me, thirdly because Danny Huston was cast as the main villan, and lastly because of Director David Slade whos debut feature, Hard Candy I'd enjoyed so much.

So, what's on offer here, well as stated it's not your typical vampire movie, the vampires are more like a savage, feral hunting pack or gang, they speak in sounds more than words, and are totally ruthless with no redeemable human behaviour.

The film borrows heavily from claustrophobic epics like the Thing and Alien, there is an imminent feeling of dread and foreboding right from the start, and although the pace is not as unrelenting as other siege type films, there is enough on offer to keep the viewer happy.

Danny Hutson is fantastic as Marlow, the leader of the vampire pack, he is one of the few actors working today that seems capable of unrelenting high standards of performance, even here where there is little dialogue, he still excels, his unearthly pale shark like appearance adds to the air of menace surrounding him.
Josh Hartnett and Melissa George are also fine, but for me the other real standout was Ben Foster, another actor, whos work I always look out for.

Taught, suspenseful and intelligent, the film stays clear of becoming a gore fest and a barrel load of cheap frights, and in its place we are left with an intresting cat and mouse type thriller.

David Slade in my book is one of the most intresting directors to come to my attention in the last few years, this is yet another well directed piece, and I look forward to his next film.


Rating 4/5. A clever twist on the genre, well worth a look for horror or thriller fans.

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Hey Pepe, would you say I have a plethora of presents?


Toga, toga, toga......


Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour?

Yeah! Even I'm pinned and you have more posts then me, plus my reviews just suck lol


anyway, nice reviews you liked 30 Days of Night better then me will have to check it out again

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I used to be addicted to crystal meth, now I'm just addicted to Breaking Bad.

I guess it's just one of those films that will divide people, I think most people expected a total gore fest, I personally thought it was more intelligent than the recent plethora of splatterfest movies.
Tension and claustrophobic over cheap frights anyday!!!

I had a look at that when gathering ideas for the new Movie Club poll. It'll definitely get a rent now.

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"Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how the Tatty 100 is done, they've seen it done every day, but they're unable to do it themselves." - Brendan Behan

You guys.......
Couldn't find my review thread, then I noticed I had regained my place at the top table, I'd like to thank the Academy, Tacitus, Yoda & Jesus for helping me through my review wilderness before returning me to snuggle at the bosom of Mofo's review board.........
Cheques are in the post!!!!

I'm thinking about making my new sig: Will crusade for money

Now I'm off to count the votes in Zimbabwe. Toodle-pip!

After the Wedding
2007 Directed by : Susanne Bier


Jacob Petersen ( Mads Mikkelsen ) manages an orphanage for street children in India, plagued by a lack of cash that will ultimately see the orphanage close, Jacob is offered $4 million by a mysterious Danish businessman Jorgen.
Firstly he must return to Denmark where he is invited to spend the weekend at Jorgen's daughters' wedding, what awaits him there will ultimately change his life with a stunning revelation about his past.


I had never heard of After the Wedding, despite it being nominated for an Oscar for best foreign film last year, indeed it took a job with the film's Director of Photography, Morten Soberg, to bring it to my attention.

This is one of those films that keeps you guessing up until the twist, and just when you think you've understood everything, along comes another well handled and crafted twist.
It's a very engaging film, and in a lesser director's hands it might have slipped into over the top melodrama, but thankfully the performances are underplayed, and the film's pace and reveals are executed well.
Along with Mikkelsen, there are great performances from Rolf Lassgard as the mysterious Jorgen, and Sidse Babett Knudsen as his wife Helene.

Not for everyone, it's a tad slow in places, but as an insightful drama that keeps you intrigued and guessing it ticks all the right boxes, and Mads Mikkelsen ( Le Chiffre in Casino Royale ) appears to be an actor whos star is very much on the rise.


Rating 4/5




Hopefully Darth will be working on his next movie, the epic Viking movie, shot in Scotland this summer, Valhalla Rising, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn ( Pusher ) along with my new pal, the excellent DOP Morten Soborg, keep your fingers crossed my fellow Mofos.

I Am Legend
2007 Directed by :Francis Lawrence


Years after a viral plague wipes out most of humanity, Dr.Robert Neville still seeks a cure to reverse the disease which turns its host into a feral zombie like creature.

Ok, firstly lets get one thing off my chest, I hate CGI, its' crap and lazy filmmaking, and I've yet to see footage that is truely believeable.
The biggest downfall of this movie is said crap CGI, the zombies/vampires are truely woefull, think crappy cartoonish visuals and you're half way there.

The saddest part for me is that I genuinely feel that this is a huge missed oportunity. Will Smith gives a very decent performance of a driven man who's conviction and loneliness has driven him to the edge of sanity, but I found it nigh on impossible to feel any real sense of dread or danger at the cartoon baddies.

Based on Richard Matheson's brilliant novel, I am Legend has been kicking around Hollywood development hell for decades, indeed at certain points, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise have tried to get the film made, and whilst I have been desperate for someone to finally green-light the film, this is far from the film I had in mind.

Unfortunately, I am Legend falls short on many levels, I highly recommend the book to anyone that likes the vampire genre. The book is full of twists and turns, and challenges Neville in many more intelligent and soul destroying ways than the film, indeed apart from Smith there is very little to recommend, it is better than the Omega Man, but not by much.



Rating 1.5/5 For the love of God, somebody please tell Hollywood that CGI is a waste of time!!!!!

Not in LOTR...

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Please tell me the battle scenes didn't seem like the actors were running through a cartoon, and as for that scene with Legolas killing the mamoth then almost winking at the camera.............

Gotta agree with the Croatian Firebrand here - the LOTR films had some of the best CGI I've yet seen (compare that with Jackson's later film, with the same effects house, King Kong - some of the shots in that were embarrassing) and they totally fitted the genre of movie. The mammoth/wink scene was ruined by the director, not the special effects, no?

That said, CGI is not something I generally like as a whole - Look at that other Will Smith sci-fi vehicle, Who Framed Roger Robot? (that was the title, wasn't it? ). Tragic.

I didn't notice the wink, if I ever watch this trilogy again (saw them for the first and last time on the big screen) I will keep my eye on Legolas's and see if it bugs me too. I will say I didn't like the siege scene in Two Towers where he surfs around on a shield, though I'm not sure if I have a categorical complaint about it. The corresponding scene in the book (Gimli and Legolas crack wise while competing to rack up the highest body count) was embarrassing to begin with.

The Nines
2007 Directed by John August

Three seemingly random stories are interlinked by the one man, each story seems to reveal a different alternative lifestyle for the man which will ultimately lead him to understand what exactly is going on.

Donnie Darko is a film that I really enjoyed, the plot was a little confusing and ambiguous at times, but it was obvious from its subsequent cult following that there would be a slew of copycat films.

The Nines is nowhere near as intelligent or engaging as Donnie Darko, its a confusing hotchpotch of a film that rarely kept my attention and as such I can find little to recommend about it.

I'm still slightly confused as to what it all meant, but if the truth be told, I can't be bothered giving the film too much time and effort, it's a poor effort that will be instantly forgetable experience, indeed a rather bizarre pseudo musical moment left me in a state of disbelief.
Rating 0/5 Poor effort, not worthy of your time.

You Kill Me
2007 Directed by John Dahl


Sent away to dry out in San Francisco, Polish hitman Frank discovers new beliefs and a new zest for life and love after attending a local alcoholics anonymous meeting.

A dark comedy in the mode of Prizzis Honour, there is much to recommend about You Kill Me, it's well directed, acted and has bucket loads of dark twisted humour.

The quirky romance at the heart of the movie is a slight push, but fine performances from Ben Kingsley and Tea Leoni never make it feel too contrived or totaly unbelieveable, and they are abely assisted by Luke Wilson, Dennis Farina, Bill Pullman and Philip Baker Hall.

The films not perfect, but its an enjoyable piece of escapism for those that like dark comedies about hitmen.


Rating 3/5

The Bridge
2006 Directed by Eric Steel

This documentary deals with the topic of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and why it is the most popular suicide destination.

Firstly let me state that this documentary shows actual footage of suicides from the bridge, and as such most people will probably be well advised to give this film a wide berth.

The crew filmed the bridge from two different camera positions for the whole year of 2004, recording all of the two dozen or so suicides, and preventing several others.

On release the film was given a bad press for cashing in on peoples ultimate act of misery, and for being exploitive, but if you can handle some very haunting and heartbreaking scenes, the documentary is well worth a watch.
The film also explores why so many people choose the bridge as their final act, it deals with the families and friends of jumpers and tries to give an insight into why perhaps the jumpers had chosen to end their own lives.

The director has made a concious decision not to make any judgements or rash insights into why people choose to end their lives in such a public place and what drives them to do so.

This is an intelligent and compassionate attempt to spark lively debate on a taboo subject, it will not be to everyone's taste, but its a haunting piece of filmmaking that has never really left me, indeed any time I see the Golden Gate Bridge it reminds me of the film and the sadness I felt after watching it.


Rating 4.5/5
Thought provoking, haunting, heartbreaking and fascinating, without being exploitive and preachy.

Strange film. I thought it would make a stronger impact than it actually did. I'm not sure if that says something about me or the society we live in today.

ohyeahsure. blame it on society.
You know it's you.

I rented this yesterday (told you I would!) and while it's definitely not in my comfort zone I was pleasantly surprised.

Melissa George has always been a sweetheart and she coped admirably with all the running around. Josh Hartnett, when he's in the mood, can out-wooden Keanu Reeves and Clive Owen combined but he's definitely found his level in this genre of film. Congratulations Josh.

All in all, I concur, worth a watch even if you're not a horror buff, and Danny Huston is great (as are all the other vamps). Interesting.

Well, two and a half years later I finally managed to get my hands on this and just wanted to thank you for recommending it (this is where I first heard about it), it was absolutely hilarious. 3 and a half hours of laugh out loud fun. Great guy...