We. Have. Sun! Many of you reading this outside of the UK may not be suffering the woes of our useless British summer, yet here in Blighty we're finally getting the scorchers we've been waiting for. And with a Wimbledon win from Andy Murray it's good to be a Brit again.
And it just so happens that the majority of the reviews I covered in June were for English speaking films too, where I would usually traverse the globe to foreign climbs, alternating each picture's native language each time.
It was also filmbore's birthday in June. On the 2nd June 2012 the first welcome post was presented to the world, with my first review for the incredible Spanish movie Cell 211 going out on the 8th June 2012. Looking back at it, I've clearly improved as an amateur critic since them (I hope you'll agree) and I do tend to write a few more words now...in a way, to be said, matching much closer to my personality and verbal diarrhoea to those that know me!
So, let's remind ourselves what pick-of-the-weeks we had for June, remember once again the passing of one of cinema's most important and legendary craftsmen and let me tempt your views with a special post-birthday article on its way to you very soon...
Pick of the week - Recap
Before staying strictly English for the rest of June, I also discussed a small indie film from Argentina as recommended from my own mother, Julia (thanks Mam!) who's a film buff like myself. Let's take a quick look over June's reviews:
The small and heart-warming Argentine tale of Juan and his new found canine friend in Bombón: El Perro is one of those great light-hearted comedy dramas that just slips under the radar. It's a wonderful journey for two lost souls, one trying to find his place in the world, the other trying to get back his mojo. And maybe, together, they might be able to do it.
Tim Roth like you've never seen him before. Made In Britain, his feature film debut, is a gritty low budget TV film that has gathered great momentum over the years as a cult Brit-flick. From Roth's performance here it's clear to see his natural talent and that the career he's mapped out for himself is a deserved one. Pure acting brilliance!
In a similar vein, this Irish drama also features excellent performances from young actors. What Richard Did delves into the perplexing and suffocating world of guilt and fear. Another hidden gem, our lead is involved in an act that terrorises him internally, as he questions whether he's been to continue on his current path or be righteous and sacrifice his future.
The final English-speaking drama of the month was the US-based Frozen River. Oscar winner Melissa Leo stars in this understated, beautifully shot and tenderly executed story of the lengths a parent will go to forward the life of their family. It taps into cultural difference, instinct of motherhood and a sense of justice of a chosen "profession".
Farewell Ray Harryhausen
Last month I paid tribute to this hero within the May overview, which you can find here. In an alternate angle to the standard memorials online, I've taken a, typically filmbore-like, left field approach and commented on some of his unusual cameos and some of the homages to this fine man. Please take a look at the article and leave comments.
Happy Birthday filmbore!
On a lighter note, last month filmbore turned 1. Still a toddler, and with many years to go to reach maturity, it's been a fantastic first year. I have great passion for my site and I hope I've managed to put that love and devotion into the articles that I've produced for you all.
I also want to thank all of you who have supported my over this last year, to those who have taken the time to leave comments, to those who have promoted my site further through Facebook and Twitter and to everyone who has clicked on a link and taken a little peek at my attempt at journalism. I aim to improve even further over the next year, and spread my wings further, and I wouldn't still be doing this today if it wasn't for each an every one of you. Thank you.
Also, to celebrate this anniversary, I will soon be launching a special Top 10 to honour the films reviewed so far. Firstly, it will be a Top 20. Secondly, the content to consider is every film that I have posted as filmbore pick of the week from 8th June 2012 to 31st May 2013.
The list is simple. Of these 52 pictures that I have reviewed, which are the best? They cross multiple genres, from all different countries and have different success rates. But which are the best? I'll be piecing together the Top 20 on my own personal opinions, but if you can put forward a case for any of these films to be included in the list then comment below, comment on the filmbore Facebook page, or tweet me @filmbore. If I'm convinced enough, I will consider including them in the Top 20 if not there at my choosing, or if they already are then I may move them further up the list. And the films to consider are:
May 2013
- Run Lola Run (Germany)
- The Imposter (UK)
- Let The Right One In (Sweden)
- V/H/S (United States)
- A Tale Of Two Sisters (South Korea)
April 2013
- Switchblade Romance (France)
- Grabbers (Ireland)
- Berberian Sound Studio (UK)
- Amour (France)
March 2013
- Sightseers (UK)
- Tales Of The Night (France)
- Beasts Of The Southern Wild (United States)
- Rust And Bone (France/Belgium)
- Twin Town (UK)
February 2013
- Holy Motors (France/Germany)
- Dead Man's Shoes (UK)
- Searching For Sugar Man (UK/Sweden)
- JCVD (Belgium)
January 2012
- Bronson (UK)
- Goodbye Lenin! (Germany)
- The City Of Lost Children (France)
- The Secret In Their Eyes (Argentina)
December 2012
- Timecrimes (Spain)
- Brick (United States)
- Wild Bill (UK)
- Breathing (Germany)
November 2012
- Hidden (Austria/France)
- Battle Royale (Japan)
- Infernal Affairs (Hong Kong)
- Pi (United States)
- Once Were Warriors (New Zealand)
October 2012
- The Raid (Indonesia)
- Down Terrace (UK)
- Avalon (Poland/Japan)
- The Kid With A Bike (Belgium)
September 2012
- A Room For Romeo Brass (UK)
- The Devil's Backbone (Mexico/Spain)
- Headhunters (Norway)
- Waltz With Bashir (Israel)
August 2012
- Bunny And The Bull (UK)
- Brotherhood (South Korea)
- Das Experiment (Germany)
- Intacto (Spain)
- Neds (UK)
July 2012
- Troll Hunter (Norway)
- Primer (United States)
- A Town Called Panic (Belgium)
- I'm A Cyborg, But That Okay (South Korea)
June 2012
- Tell No One (France)
- Kill List (UK)
- Tyrannosaur (UK)
- Cell 211 (Spain)
I will listen very intently to your views on these, so get commenting!
Don't forget to leave comments below, tweet me @filmbore or post on my Facebook page here.
Or, you can email me directly at overview@filmbore.co.uk.
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