Tuesday 24 January 2012

Innerspace Volume 4: Fresh Start


Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a good one filled with happy and maybe drunken times... oh come off it I know you all drank yourselves silly! It's allowed though! I hope you had a great 2011 and I hope this year will be even better for you all. We thought to kick start Innerspace in the new year we would share some of our favourite edits. What a better way to start the new year. New years are about new beginnings and we thought that edits would be great and fit the theme. These are edits that have breathed new life into old songs. These are edits that have turned us on to great artists and producers. These are edits that just sound and feel great.

So without further or do (or is it further a do?) let's quit the gabble and get on with the good stuff. 10 delicious cuts of prime edit goodness.

1. Rio Edits- Paradise (D)
2. Kool And The Gang-  Hi De Hi Hi De Ho [dublinbusdisco edit] (P)
3. Fantastic Man- Groove With You (D)
4. Anorak- The Locust (P)
5. Check The Guns- And You Know That (JC Edits) (D)
6. Gabor Szabo-  Keep Smiling (Super Value Special Edits) (D)
7. Lovefingers- 1984 (Summer Of Lovefingers Mix) (P)
8. Marvin Gaye- Heavy Love Affair (The Revenge Rework) (D)
9. Daz Dalton- Greatest Dancer (Daz Digs Disco Re Edit) (P)
10. Yarbrough & Peoples- Don't Chop The Music (P)

So there you guys. I think you will enjoy these. Daniel and I have done a great job if I do say so myself! I hope this aids you into your start of 2012. Let's hope that this year the compilations keep coming and I look forward to providing you some great music. Hopefully, the mean SOPA, PIPA and ACTA won't stop us from sharing one of the greatest gifts, the music.

Innerspace Volume 4

Saturday 14 January 2012

Little Darlings (1980) Review

 Hello guys and girls. Today I thought I would review a film that I heard about a good while a go and only just recently got round to watching. Yes, after seeing this piece of amazing film I did slap myself repeatedly for being a big scuzzy dummy. Why do they I always seem to do this? I hear of so many great films on good authority and get round to them at a snails pace. Regardless, I am so happy that I did take the plunge and find a download of this gem that is yet to get a DVD release.


I first became of this film thanks to a good friend of mine, Robin Bougie who of course is the genius behind Cinema Sewer and reason why my pockets seem to be empty because of all the fantastic films he has turned me on to. However, that was last year. Recently on Facebook it was brought to my attention that this film was being shown on the TCM channel in America so of course being here in crappy old England we weren't able to see it so of course I had to the right thing to do and find a copy online so let me stop rambling on and actually let you guys know what I think.
 Little Darlings was made in 1980 and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell who hasn't really got that much worth mentioning to his credit aside from the T.V movie; Parent Trap 2. The stars of the show are Tatum O'Neal and Kristy McNichol who star as two 15 year old girls. Kristy plays as Angel. Angel is your typical street wise kid who likes nothing more than a good old smoke and has a smart mouth to boot. Tatum however plays as Ferris who is the cute rich kid. Both girls are being sent to a summer camp called Camp Little Wolf. Aside from our main stars there is also a strong supporting cast including a young Matt Dillon who comes into play about halfway through the film.
 The main premise of this film is basically Angel and Ferris trying to lose their virginity while at camp. The conversation comes up about virginity and a bet is made involving Angel and Ferris... a nice little betting racket, take note pre teens! Of course in typical movie fashion, our two main characters don't like each other so the bet is almost just as important for them as it is for the other girls. We also now have team Angel and team Ferris as the remaining girls try and aid their chosen competitor by giving them advice on such things as who and what to look for.
 After the girls have found their potential cherry poppers this is where their trials and tribulations begin. Ferris picks Gary who is the mature camp counsellor played by Armand Assante. Angel sets her sights on the handsome, long haired rebel Randy who is played by Matt Dillon. What happens over the next few scenes mixes between some really well written and genuinely funny banter between all the girls who you can just tell where having just as much fun in character and behind the scenes and of course the equally well written and played courtship between the girls and their chosen men. Both however have completely different success.
 With Ferris trying to get the older guy, you know already that her chances are pretty darn slim but does she give up? No way! In fact some of her actions in these parts are enough to melt any boys hearts, imagine if I saw this when I was 15... oh boy. Angel however has great success with Randy but as it progresses and comes up to the big moment you can really feel how scared she is about the big moment and you do genuinely feel for her. You feel for both characters. It's a beautiful thing when a film comes along and the majority of the characters are likeable. Not only that but I'm pretty sure a lot of you guys can relate to everyone in this film.
 I won't ruin what happens for you guys because you really do have to check this out for yourselves. One thing I love about this film is how the characters develop. Seeing the different dynamics of each character, seeing the characters evolve. Right from the start you know that Angel and Ferris will become friends but the film handles t so well that it's refreshing and not just "well she's going to do that... she's going to say this... then they will do this.." Of course there are a lot of things that happen along the way but experiencing them for yourself is part of the journey of this film. It's a great story that has been told countless times but again, the way it's handled is brilliant. Full of some great banter between the girls too. A film that has it's funny parts and it's sad parts but touching all the way through.
 Another thing about this film is the soundtrack. I'm pretty sure I heard the theme tune from The Warriors playing faintly in the background during one of the first cabin scenes with all the girls but that's not the best of it. There are songs by Blondie, John Lennon, Supertramp to name a few. It all just gells really well with the film. If you like your teen comedies then you should give it a go. Think of Meatballs mixed in with a pinch of Stand By Me and Goonies and a faint hint of Hardbodies and you have Little Darlings. It's not a teen comedy that uses dick jokes and gross out gags to get the laughs. In fact there is really none of that in this film. This is how a teen film should be like. It's got a story and characters that people can relate too. It has a real feel good mood to it thrown in with some touching, dramatic moments as if the film is almost a 15 year old kid itself.
So there you have it guys. I could say more and go in to detail but what would the point be? Why ruin the experience? All you need to know is that this is a must see. A story that deals with a lot of quite serious topics even if some are small plot points and film that really shows the meaning of true friendship. Even with it's 15 rated certificate, I do think that this film can be enjoyed by young and old a like. So if you want to laugh, cry and even be taken back to when you where fifteen or even if you want to relate to a character, this is a film for you. A great cast, great story and well directed. I could watch this film over and over again. This really does need a DVD release right NOW!

PDx

Wednesday 4 January 2012

My Top 5 DVDs and Blurays Of 2011

2011 is well and truly over. It's that time of the year when every blogger, Youtuber.... EVERYBODY does a list of their favourite films or releases of the year. I thought that since I have already done this on Youtube I would do a kind of follow up on the blog. For anyone who hasn't watched the video or any of my videos I will embed it down below for you guys to check out (subscribe if you haven't done so already or your 2012 WILL definitely be over!). In a nutshell, this year has been OK for releases. A lot of stuff didn't interest me. A lot of stuff was too expensive. A lot of stuff became hard to find but I am pretty happy with how my collection of titles released this year. They didn't make the list but one of my favourite labels this year has to be the mighty Arrow. I could have filled the list with Arrow titles but I though... EVERYONE loves Arrow so they didn't make it. So without further or do, let's get started.

5. BFI Dual Format release of Alice directed by Jan Svankmajer (1988)

This is at number 5 because I actually haven't got round to watching it yet. Yes, starting off with a title I own but haven't watched yet. Why is it on the list you ask? It's packed full of special features and short films, it looks amazing on the shelf and from the clips I have seen, it looks and sounds gorgeous. The BFI release so many great, high quality editions of some fantastic films. Everything from the Post Office documentaries of war time England to recent European gems. The BFI is great full stop and this will not be the last film I pick up from their back catalogue.

4. Camera Obscura DVD release of Libidomania by Bruno Mattei (1979)

I bloody adore this film! As soon as I found out that there was a proper release of this film coming out, I had to pre order it as soon as possible and boy was I right to do so. This is one of Bruno Mattei's fantastic mondo films and in my opinion, the greatest mondo film of all time. What makes this release so special is the love and effort gone into it. Packed full of features like deleted scenes, trailers, an essay and an amazing audio commentary. It is also one of the nicest looking packages I have seen for a while with it's fantastic contemporary looking slipcover art. The picture and sound is really nice as well, especially for a film like this. One of the greatest things I have bought all year!

3. Blue Underground 2 disc bluray of Zombie by Lucio Fulci (1979)

Another one of my all time favourites. Fulci for me is one of the greatest directors of all time. This is one of the greatest films of all time and Blue Underground have created one of the finest horror bluray's from this year. This film has never looked or sounded so good. Packed to it's undead rim with special features (most of them ported from different releases) and presented beautifully with a great cover design and an amazing slipcover. This is a must for all horror fans. Especially due to the fact that it's a multi region blu and is also on DVD so everyone can enjoy it. Take note all you labels out there. This is how it's done!

2. Distribpix 2 disc DVD of Radley Metzger's The Private Afternoons Of Pamela Mann (1974)

This is a special title for me. Not just because this was kindly given to me for review from Ste at Distribpix but because this now one of my all time favourite adult features from porn's greatest era. This is a sublime release that again, companies should take note. This is how you release a film full stop. Especially all you companies that distribute "legitimate" films. This presented beautifully. Packed again with some amazing special features (I mean come on! Porn commentary tracks!? Yes please!) and not not only that but it looks and sounds fantastic. A restoration done right. The film itself is just as amazing. A real gem in my collection and boy I can't wait for the release of Naked Came The Stranger now! Not for everyone but all my fellow classic smut fans... you HAVE to buy this!

1. Blaq Out 3 disc set of Rubber by Quentin Dupieux (2010)

That's right gang. Rubber takes the top spot. I adore this film. This film is probably the best film I have seen in recent years. Terribly underrated and horribly misunderstood by the majority of the people who watched it. I really got this film, I enjoyed the wackiness, I enjoyed the awesome special effects. I found this film genuinely funny and totally appreciated the satire and message. Not only that but it is shot beautifully and has a great soundtrack from Quentin and Gaspard Auge. If you love Oizo, then you will truly appreciate this. The edition I picked up is just amazing. It works as a great edition and also as a great design piece thanks to brilliant artwork from SO ME. This French edition totally wipes the floor with the generic American and UK release. The third disc is Quentin's first film; Nonfilm which again I love. Nice special features too including the best interview I have ever seen. Words can't describe how much I love this addition to my collection. It just had to have top spot!

So there you have it guys. There is my top 5 releases from 2011. I'd do some honourable mentions but that would take all bloody day! For anyone who is interested, feel free to check out my video version of this list. Go out and buy them all. You have to!

PDx