Still not the weather peeps! Nor is this about a belated Christmas payout! But don't get me wrong...to finally swear in long awaited UK Summer with a pocket full of cash wouldn't go amiss right now, but alas I have not had this fortune.
However, I have had the luck of getting a new job (I was out of work for a wee while) starting a new era for myself, making me very busy and giving me back some much needed self esteem. Also, this meant a delay in the overview of last month and overlooking a deserved farewell to a much loved effects genius, which I have made up for with a note below.
So, without further ado, lets remind ourselves of what happened in May:
Pick of the week - Recap
Not only did I finish off the horror season with some uniquely brilliant films, but timing has worked in our favour again to give us 5 reviews instead of the usual 4...
Continuing the scare-fest I needed to pick something from the Asian contingent. Ignoring the obvious J-horrors I opted for the beautiful Korean thriller A Tale Of Two Sisters. Based on a Korean folk tale, this stunning piece will move you and chill you in one sitting. Breathtaking!
Portmanteau films next. So, I braved the recent collaboration by a number of lesser-known filmmakers, V/H/S. I was pleasantly surprised. Fair enough, it is for true horror fans, but it's difficult to ignore how brave some of these tales are, and the originality in some of the vignettes.
To end the season and comment on my disgust of like-for-like remakes I had to write about Let The Right One In. One of the finest films of the last decade, Tomas Alfredson's sweet delving into the psyche of a bruised and lonely child is so touching, while still embracing it's dark chills.
Back to basics, and the documentary The Imposter felt like the right fit. The near unbelievable true story of a man who seeks a new identity and takes it too far will shock you. It's a startling insight into the minds of families and loners, and a tale you won't forget quickly.
And a bonus review for May. Run Lola Run was very fashionable on its release in 1998 but it deserves re-approaching for its humour, thrills, scenery and fascinating story mechanism that'll hook you in on the first twist and keep you up with the pace until it's enjoyable ending!
And with a Top 10, the horror didn't stop there!
But where can I go from there...well, missing out on my favourite horror sub-genre, Zombie flicks, I had to look down that route. Then began the long, drawn out affair of deciding who the Top 10 Zombie killing humans are. And it was difficult, I have to tell you.
I'm happy with this final list, however, and await your comments and jibes on the selection.
In memory of Ray Harryhausen.
On May 7th 2013, the world of cinema lost one of its great. Ray Harryhausen pioneer numerous methods over the decades, all in the name of wowing and amazing us. But of course, he is most famous for creating a new technique of stop-motion animation, "Dynamation".
Learning from the godfather of stop-motion, Willis O'Brien, Harryhausen fell in love with the technique after watching his soon-to-be-master's work on the legendary King Kong (1933). After succeeding as the protege to O'Brien, he went on to break further effects barriers with incredible outputs throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's.
For the movie-educated among you, you'll be familiar with his astonishing and iconic work in the Sinbad movies (50's - 70's), Jason And The Argonauts (1963) (who can forget the skeleton army!) and of course, Clash Of The Titans (1981). His genius in animation still floods and empowers methods that are still used to this very today, and he has had such influence on some of the biggest directors around, such as Spielberg, Lucas and Cameron; testament to his impact on the cinematic landscape.
Now, there are numerous tributes to Ray Harryhausen, chronicling his landmark effects moments. But, as this is filmbore I want to do something a little different. His favoured view in the movie world has birthed some wonderful homages to a man who has influenced many, and has allowed him to experience some joyous cameos (like Beverly Hills Cop III and Burke And Hare, to name a couple), especially in the latter years of his life. Below, I've listed a few of these for your entertainment, in order to demonstrate how loved he was by others and to illuminate the lighter side of a man who was always behind the scenes - but with his character, should have always been in front of it!
In a season 8 episode of The Simpson, they reference the surprising shot that Harryhausen animated in Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers...
One of the more popular scenes of 80's Chevy Chase and Dan Ackroyd comedy Spies Like Us is the moment our bumbling agents are introduced to a number of doctors, one of which and you'll notice is played python-ite Terry Gilliam. But also, looming tall amongst them is Ray Harryhausen as Dr. Marston.
If you have anything else to share of Ray Harryhausen, please add your thoughts in the comments section below.
And don't forget you can tweet me @filmbore, post on my Facebook page here or you can email me directly at overview@filmbore.co.uk.
I'm happy with this final list, however, and await your comments and jibes on the selection.
On May 7th 2013, the world of cinema lost one of its great. Ray Harryhausen pioneer numerous methods over the decades, all in the name of wowing and amazing us. But of course, he is most famous for creating a new technique of stop-motion animation, "Dynamation".
Learning from the godfather of stop-motion, Willis O'Brien, Harryhausen fell in love with the technique after watching his soon-to-be-master's work on the legendary King Kong (1933). After succeeding as the protege to O'Brien, he went on to break further effects barriers with incredible outputs throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's. Now, there are numerous tributes to Ray Harryhausen, chronicling his landmark effects moments. But, as this is filmbore I want to do something a little different. His favoured view in the movie world has birthed some wonderful homages to a man who has influenced many, and has allowed him to experience some joyous cameos (like Beverly Hills Cop III and Burke And Hare, to name a couple), especially in the latter years of his life. Below, I've listed a few of these for your entertainment, in order to demonstrate how loved he was by others and to illuminate the lighter side of a man who was always behind the scenes - but with his character, should have always been in front of it!
UFO homage
In a season 8 episode of The Simpson, they reference the surprising shot that Harryhausen animated in Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers...
Above is a still from the original scene. And to the left, The Simpsons riff...
The voice of the Polar Bear Cub in Elf
With a small influenced stop-frame animation during the first act of the hilarious Christmas romp Elf, the North Pole wildlife bid farewell to their human-statured little helper. The polar bear cub is voiced by none other than our beloved Harryhausen, still having impact on animated effects in a new way.
The new pay homage to the old
Even major animation house Pixar respect the animating auteur. Mike "Googly Bear" Wazowski takes birthday girl Celia to a restaurant, where he famously finds the little human girl they call Boo.
And the name of that restaurant?...Harryhausen's!
Tim Burton, of course...
Clearly, from the material that we've seen from Burton over the years, you can that beyond the gothic he is purely a fan of stop-motion animation. He lets us know that we a secret message early in his film Corpse Bride. Look closely and you'll notice the brand of the piano he plays early on has the brand "Harryhausen"
Doctor, Doctor, Doctor....
One of the more popular scenes of 80's Chevy Chase and Dan Ackroyd comedy Spies Like Us is the moment our bumbling agents are introduced to a number of doctors, one of which and you'll notice is played python-ite Terry Gilliam. But also, looming tall amongst them is Ray Harryhausen as Dr. Marston.
Ray Harryhausen (1920 - 2013) R.I.P.
If you have anything else to share of Ray Harryhausen, please add your thoughts in the comments section below.
And don't forget you can tweet me @filmbore, post on my Facebook page here or you can email me directly at overview@filmbore.co.uk.
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