So long...for now...

Well, there we have it. 

This filmbore will (for the time being, anyway) be putting his pencil and pad in his desk draw, removing the batteries from his DVD remote and locking his film collection in his vault. For it's time to say goodbye.

For the beady-eyed, you may have noticed the recent lack of content. There have been some incredible changes in my life over the last couple of years. I married Mrs filmbore. I've said goodbye to loved ones. And I'm soon to meet my own mini-me...

I've made a little filmbore!

And now, I need to ensure that I focus my efforts on some of the next phases of my life. My unprecedented geeky-ness and over-analytical methods will be re-purposed to great effect. This does mean, sadly, that i cannot apply the bore to films in the way I have since my first film review in June 2012.

I'm not giving up the pen completely. I may venture into writing my own stories in the near future. Plus, the site will stay open. The reviews, top tens and other special features will be available for anyone to peruse. 

Also, I'm not going to leave you empty handed. I've put together one last hurrah of a Top Ten...of the most emotional goodbyes in cinema history. I hope you enjoy it.

I'm so grateful to all of you who has shared, commented and appreciated my articles over the last six years. It's been a wonderful journey, only truly enjoyable because of you. You're the real reason I do this. If there was nobody on the other side of the screen, I'd have no reason to bore you. So thanks for your patience, interest and, most of all, your support. 

It's been amazing!

Thank you

filmbore reflects - the filmbore manifesto

It's been a long hiatus. A lot has happened. 

Now the blogging recommences. Filmbore returns!

For any of you that have followed my 'filmbore reflects' posts on Facebook over the last few months, you'll be aware of the little journey I've been on. When I originally set out to do these reflections, they were meant as warm ups to a new wave of articles. I've neglected my previous pieces, so I felt a re-visit to them may reignite my 'inner-critic'. 

What's been surprising is that they've been quintessential into exploring my way of writing, where I have come out of the other side with some lessons learnt...the biggest lesson of which is how much I've missed doing this!

For example, on my last 'filmbore reflects', where I talked about my review of Paprika, I was reminded of how much I enjoyed writing these. It really shone through in the text. Revisiting my Top Ten Scary Rabbits post, I could see how I had fun being more playful with the article and it reads so much better because of it. These are important factors that will keep me invested in filmbore

I used to spend a lot more time on the articles too. My earlier postings were shorter, so easier to manage but, as the reviews got bigger, my time got squeezed. In future, it would be prudent to show patience, making sure I spend enough time fine tuning each piece.

Overall, I'm just aware of overlooking the site entirely. There are many justifiable reasons for this: 

• an over-saturation of independent and foreign cinema, leading me to watch a lot more commercial films
• catching up with lots of anime series
• playing too many computer games
• experiencing major changes in my work life
• experiencing even bigger ones in my love life
• plenty of much needed chilling

...but the biggest impact was my social life! 

Meeting and getting to know my incredible wife (that's right...there's a Mrs.filmbore now!) and spending a lot of time with my friends, I've spent the last year and half catching up with my world. Being sociable is a massive part of my life and that's not going to change, but certain elements can...

Hence the following manuscript. With a recent peak in interest in British politics, I felt the best way of presenting my new-found approach to filmbore would be through a manifesto of my own.  The following items are a list of policies, in tune with the above lessons, that I will adhere to meet in order to allow filmbore to flourish once again:

1. Reinvigorate my passion for independent and world cinema, including involvement in local projects and artists.
2. Don't let this become a chore or job. I do this because I love it. Too regimented dampens the enjoyment.
3. Actively allocate writing time for both filmbore posts and to sate my cravings for writing my own stories.
4. Less social media interaction. Great for promoting my work and getting in touch with all you lovely, dedicated followers.  However, constant checking of Facebook , for example, holds little value.
5. Ensure my focus on filmbore doesn’t impact on my social life. There's room in my life for both. Keep momentum in my social life while embedding filmbore into it. Writing-Life balance is vital!
6. Less time on games, random TV shows and anime. I love them all but I've had my fill. Less of these and more filmbore-centric stuff needed (some anime films count though!)
7. Spend more time on editing my work. Take my time. Exercise patience. Post when perfect.
8. Have a little more fun with some articles. No need to be so formal with some of these. Be creative and silly.
9. Ensure I discuss thematics of films. Not all critics do and this is something I like to explore. May not always be relevant but where it is...delve deeper!
10. Write shorter reviews sometimes. They are punchier and easier to digest. Not every article needs to be an essay.
11. Keep writing. Keep posting. Keep challenging. This is supposed to be enjoyable but there's a purpose here.

filmbore started with:

"I take pride in recommending lesser known films to my friends and colleagues. I'd like to use this knowledge to help promote indie and foreign films as much as possible. These will always be decent movies from the past and present, so please re-post this wherever you can and tell your friends on all your networks.

Let's give these films a better platform!" 

And I will continue to help give lesser known films a better platform.

filmbore's coming back!

The UK's biggest film geek returns! filmbore is stepping up and speaking out!

It's been a mighty long hiatus but filmbore has emerged from the smoke and is ready to take on the world of cinematic critique once more!

And there's plenty of content on its way to you, plus some new material to feed your filmic famine.

As usual, I'll be reviewing the best of unique movies, covering independents, small British and World Cinema. Some of you who have followed me for some time will remember these reviews arriving on a weekly basis. Well, times have to change. Re-branded filmbore picks,  these articles will appear more sporadically. This is good, however, as I can focus on bringing more quality content for the other elements of the site.

So, more News articles and more topics for the Whingebox! These areas have been neglected in the past. I'll be remedying this with juicy gossip and themes for debate more regularly in future.

And fear not...I haven't forgotten my followers' favourite, Top 10s with a difference. I'll still be compiled the most bizarre and weird lists seen on the net (Top 10 Scary Rabbits still seems to be a hit...top of Google search today!). In fact, some are on their way very soon, so feast your eyes on the looming results and keep posting your comments on the choices made.

Most excitingly though, keep your peepers on one of the new tabs, Special Features. Soon, this will receive a fresh collection of articles for filmbore, including poems, interviews, tributes and mini-review festivals. Two key pieces to come soon will be an interview with a Nottingham-based writer and a festival-in-parts on classic World Cinema.

Anyway, enough from me. Less talking, more typing! Well...less typing here and more typing elsewhere. New content coming soon peeps.

And thank you to all of you who have stuck with me so far. You keep me fuelled in this journalism game and your support means so much to me.

Okay. Back to the site. New content coming soon filmborians...

A brief delay...

Please Stand By!

A busy week and numerous other tasks are putting a bit of a delay on this week's pick from filmbore. Normal service will resume shortly. Please be patient and filmbore will endeavour to return you to a world of enthusiastic reviews on unusual films. Please stand by...

And for those of you with no patience at all, you will have to do with this cute picture of a puppy driving car. Seriously...he actually driving a car! Sayeth whaaaat!?!

Sorry...

filmbore 

The Eyelids Of Dawn Issue 2 - BUY NOW!

Round Two of Sheffield's coolest zine, inc. a little bit of filmbore too.

Issue 2 is here! Dave Stockton from Sheffield has pulled out all the stops this time to craft a beautiful looking zine, really excelling himself from the previous publication (which was still awesome in itself!).

With stories, reviews, artwork, poems and more, once again I invite you to take a trip down the wonky rabbit hole of creativity, soak in the soil of originality and bathe in the roots of uniqueness. I urge you to pick this up, and fuel your mind with something a little left field, a little dark and a little exclusive!

  

 

This time around, my contribution comes in the shape of ten reviews of an array documentary features released over the last couple of years, ranging from award winners to unknowns. There are some absolute belters in there (and a couple of rotten ones, if I'm honest) but I've tried to be as fair as I can with my critique of these pictures. Plus, just like last time, they all come tail-ended with filmbore's very own special geek rating, as illustrated here.

So, come and get your limited edition copy right now! It's just £4, which is an absolute steal when you see the quality of the content inside. For those that know me, I have a few copies available myself, so contact me by phone or facebook if you want to book one (I only have a few so act fast!). Otherwise, you can contact Dave directly by email on freq13@gmail.com to order a copy. There are prices for postage confirmed in the flyer above but I'd advise contacting him soon before they're all gone!

Thanks everyone, and continue to spread the word!

filmbore

Pick of the week moves again!

What...no pick of the week today?!?

Where's the review? Has filmbore forgotten again? This has to stop? Wait...is it stopping forever?

Don't worry. This isn't another delay. Well, it is I suppose but an expected one.

filmbore's pick of the week will now be moving to the permanent slot of Wednesday evening (UK). It's only been a few months that pick of the week has resided on a Sunday evening but, as recent weekends have proven, it has been a difficult tenure in its new home.

Happy times are ahead. By providing my unique choices mid-week it allows more time on the weekend to prepare for the review, gives you all more time to go out and do stuff instead of checking out my site and subsequent facebook posts, and finally have something to do on a Wednesday evening. Plus, if you are interested in watching the film I've chosen, you'll have the following weekend to get hold of it.

Apologies for those waiting on a review today. I know I'll be one behind now this year, so I'll make up for it at some point. However, I need to re-establish my article writing at a proper juncture while still reviewing options of how this site will be handled in the future.

Any ideas are welcome by the way, so please comment below.

Thanks to the filmborians who are still keeping with this site. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Keep reading. And keep watching.

filmbore

We're pausing...again!

Waiting....waiting...waiting...

Yet again, some unforeseen social circumstances have prevented filmbore from delivery his weekly article. So, I ask that you be patient once more my filmborians, and wait for your weekly treat of indie movie goodness.

I'll be back soon!

Pause!

Slight delay in the pick of the week tonight. Saturday into Sunday craziness has taken over. 

Normal service will resume tomorrow.

Charlie filmbore Pitt

December Overview

Goodbye 2013...

Christmas is over...but a new year arrives! And what can we celebrate over Christmas, besides family, friends, presents, bad TV, heaps of food and the odd sleep? Isn't it obvious? The farewell to Matt Smith in Doctor Who of course!

Anyway, we're not here to hear me geek out on the world's favourite time traveller. No, we're here to get all nerdy about films again. And December, even with the Christmas period throwing in some random dates and busy times, managed to give us some stellar content to tide us over the yuletide period.

We witnessed the return of the Top 10 in a roundabout way, with a special holiday themed Top 12. More on that below. Also, not only were there some cracking films to talk about (some with Christmas themes too) but due to December's timing of weekends it was one of those bonus months again. Five reviews for the price of four!

So let's remind ourselves of December...

Pick of the week recap

Five reviews this time around. Let's take a peek at what was chosen:

Acting brilliance from Frank Whaley and Kevin Spacey in Swimming With Sharks, a stripped down drama thriller about politics in the movie industry. Strip down the torturous scenes and you'll find a rich screenplay by the film's director George Huang. It received poor box office which is a terrible shame as this a real hidden gem.

My favourite film from one of the world's greatest directors. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement is a beautiful blend of genres, adorned with gorgeous palettes and lighting, delivering a breathtaking picture. Plus, there's the stunning Audrey Tautou, who'll melt your heart at every corner on her hunt to find her long last love, missing during the Great War.

Then begins a long stint in Scandinavia. The Hanks starring Captain Phillips has been making waves recently, so here's a filmbore equivalent. Tobias Lindholm reaches into your gut for A Hijacking, a raw, terrifying drama. Part of its success is through its switching from boat raid to office negotiations from beginning to end. This is one for anyone.

Staying in Denmark, and for the first Christmas themed (if tenuously!) film we have Thomas Vinterberg's Festen: the ultimate dinner party film (besides Abigail's Party, of course!). A huge family gathering is the perfect moment for Ulrich Thomsen's Christian to drop a bombshell, exposing a dark family secret. Amazing performances in the first Dogme 95 movie. 

Over to Finland for Christmas film number two, for the incredibly original and hugely enjoyable Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. It's existence is thanks to some hilarious shorts (don't watch them until after this film, due to spoilers), birthing a wonderfully dark story of Christmas and doomed mythology. Have you been a good kid this year?

 
The return of the Top....Twelve?!?

I needed to get back into doing Top Tens for you all and I promise there will be many more for 2014. December saw the return of the list with a Christmas twist.

filmbore's Twelve Days Of Christmas takes the famous song and relates each lyric with a suitable movie. Some are well connected, some a little odd, but you know how I roll people... they are Top Tens With A Difference after all!

In case you don't agree with each choice, there is an alternative at each point. And, if you don't agree with the other choice either, then let your views be known by commenting as usual. Go take a peek and let me know what you think.

And, I promise, there will be more on their way soon.

Happy New Year everyone. Hope you all have a smashing 2014!

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.

Be patient

A little Chrimble delay...

Hi filmbore-natics! Well, due to Xmas holiday duties and journeys, there will be a little break in the usual filmbore pick of the week.

I won't be posting this Sunday like I normally will do but don't fret...there's plenty of treats in store for you over the next week, so just be patient and you'll be rewarded with some nice filmic gifts.

Plus, I'll hit a double whammy of a post the following week to make up for the missing review this time around.

If you're busting for a filmbore fix, then take a walk down memory lane at last year's Top 10 Alternative Xmas films... and make sure you watch at least a few of these over the yuletide period!

So, I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and I'll catch up with you all soon.

Charlie filmbore Pitt

November Overview

Day Of The Doctor? Month of the Doctor, more like!

Wow, November was good. And why...well, Doctor Who of course!

The 50th anniversary special was superb. Exciting, brilliantly acted and full of little treasures for little Whovians, like myself. And if you're worrying that the pic above is a spoiler, then you should have watched it by now...one of the biggest global televised episodes of all time...where have you been?!

Believe it or not, with this feature length special and all of the other supported documentaries and features building up to the big event, there were actually some reviews on filmbore. In case you missed them amongst all of the Gallifreyan furore, here's a reminder of the activity on filmbore for November 2013:

Pick of the week recap

Four more cracking films for you to get your teeth into. Let's take a look...

Marjane Satrapi's brilliant graphic novel, Persepolis,  undergoes a beautiful transformation in this animated adaptation, directed by Vincent Paronnaud and the author herself. This self-biographical tale of Marji's life in Iran and parts of Europe will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Truly unique!

A stunningly interesting twist on the world of high class escort industry in Japan will surprise you in Like Someone In Love. This sweet tale of an unusual friendship is shot so delicately you may miss the techniques on display but you just cannot shake off the overall artistic gleam this movie upholds.

You can't go wrong with Mike Leigh. His roster of home grown UK drama classics are outstanding and Secret & Lies is one of the headers of the bunch. With sensational performances all round, you'll be wowed by the sheer excellence of one of the UK's finest performers, Brenda Blethyn.

Heading into darker territory with Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt we get dragged into the microcosm of a man who's victim to a child's lie. It's amazing that such sensitive subject matter is handled with the level of confidence that's on hand here. Plus, Mads Mikkelson is on stellar form.

And remember...filmbore wants you!

The final month to summarise, May 2013, was covered in November, in memory of the pick-of-the-weeks on show. Plus, a reminder was posted onto filmbore's facebook page of the entire list of the first 52 reviews of the site. Go to the facebook fan page now and search for the post (don't forget to like the page!), or message filmbore directly there, or even comment below.

And why, to put in your opinion, as it's your view that counts. I want you to choose, with reasons, which of the following films, that I wrote about in year one of filmbore, deserve to be in an overall Top 20 countdown:

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)

 VOTE NOW!

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.

A slight delay

Won't be long now!

A hectic weekend has put time pressure on filmbore I'm afraid. Therefore, there's a slight delay in releasing the pick-of-the-week. Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow for an update.

Never enough time...if only I had a T.A.R.D.I.S. ... Of course! That reminds me. Happy 50th Birthday, Doctor Who. 

 

The anniversary special was fantastic and you've made the UK very proud! Let's hope to see a 100 year special some day.

Charlie filmbore Pitt

filmbore wants you! Musings of May 2013

filmbore wants you! May 2013

Of what has become the most drawn out article this site (and probably many others!) has seen, the final recap of filmbore's first year in existence is finally here. I'll put up one final post very soon to re-list the candidates so you can get another chance to vote on the first 52 films reviewed from June 2013 to May 2013. They are all have the opportunity to enter a coveted top 20 of the best films from this initial year of filmbore's life, showcasing the best of the bunch. Without further ado then...

Let's muse over May 2013!

The second half of filmbore's horror season continued with three very different films, a further Top 10 themed from scary movies surfaced, we said goodbye to another legend, plus timing blessed us with another bonus review:

One of the most iconic names in cinema history is Ray Harryhausen. He has inspired numerous filmmakers over the years and has entered the hearts of generations of movie fans. The godfather of effects modelling and stop-frame animation, he has influenced the course of the film industry with his creative and imaginative talent. He passed away on May 7th 2013 and is missed by so many. 

Many articles were posted across the net, recalling his most famous moments. I wanted to do something more personal; something from a movie fan. Instead, I published this little number, (admittedly posted in June, but his passing was in May,hence it's presence here) highlighting a more comical collection of notes on cameos from the great man and some homages from some of the most iconic media in the industry.

Speaking of alternative articles, in order to emphasise the ongoing horror festival on filmbore, I presented a new Top 10 of the best ever Zombie Killers. Relentless, daring and sometimes hilarious, these are the warriors you want by your side when the apocalypse happens.

And finally, and what we've all been waiting for, the reviews...

Well timed weekends meant that the last month of year one for filmbore meant we had five reviews. But which sticks with you the most? Were you touched by the emotionally original and surprising beautiful horror A Tale Of Two Sisters? Did you ignore the critics and enjoy the playful, creative side to portmanteau revival V/H/S? Are you a fan of Oskar and Eli in this unusual scare-fest of loneliness and friendship in our final film from our horror season, Let The Right One In? Maybe you're a documentary fan, and were shocked, if amazed, by Frédéric Bourdin's story of identity fraud in The Imposter? Or do you just love a good experimental, art house with the enjoyable and funny Run Lola Run?

An bizarre blend from all over the globe, but you must choose. Should one, some or all of these films be considered in my ultimate Top 20 from filmbore's first year? Make your decision and comment below.

Another overdue overview!

Here's an overview...and another!

So I'm still finding it tricky to keep the momentum up at present. I've missed yet another overview from last month so I'm bundling them both up into one little package for you to enjoy. Sometimes two heads are better than one!

Time to summarise...

September saw the (long drawn out) continuation of the Top 20 filmbore picks, choosing the best pictures reviewed on the site from June 2012 to May 2013 (I promise I'll finish this soon readers!), plus we had our usual reviews.

Onto October, and things got rocky. We had another four reviews but the timing was a little out. So much so, that filmbore pick of the week has now moved to its new slot on Sunday evening (UK) instead.

Okay...let's recap in September and October's picks:

Pick of the week - Recap of September

My first anime review on filmbore had to be something special due to my adoration for this genre, hence why I had to choose Satoshi Kon's Paprika. It challenges the strengths of the boundaries between dreams and reality. Deliciously bizarre it's one of the most visually creative animes you'll ever see.

Italian crime caper goes all edgy and serious on us in Gomorrah, a snapshot of lives all centred around the Casalesi clan. It's an incredible blend of art house and drama, presenting us with some intriguing dilemmas and delivering some stellar performances from this ensemble cast.

Night Watch takes us over to Russia, with an unusual look at the horror and fantasy genre. Unfortunately misunderstood by so many, this brave picture by Timur Bekmambetov bends the rules on typical conventions for a truly alternative approach to film.

Tying up September is the beautiful tale of the months leading up to the day that Ernesto Guevara became known as "Che" in The Motorcycle Diaries. It's an enjoyable of powerful insight into the revered freedom fighter, in his final years in medicine, travelling the road of the Americas with his pal Alberto.

Pick of the week - Recap of October

Moving into October, we started with the emotional story of four Algerian and Morroccan men, who volunteered to free France with countless others in Days Of Glory. The cast are sensational in this and their story is incredibly touching. This is war film that ventures into the soul more than obligatory action. 

An Oscar nominee was our star for week two, with the thrilling drama A Prophet. Tahar Rahim and Niels Arestrup totally own the screen as our lead and supporting characters, as we see the rise of a petty felon on his way to becoming a crime overlord.

JSA: Joint Security Area was a long overdue returning visit to one of my favourite countries for world cinema, South Korea. An early venture by Park Chan-Wook, you'll be surprised at the more conventional approach taken in this beautiful tale between soldiers and borders.

Completing October is the breathtakingly shot Once Upon A Time In Anatolia. Set over a night and a day, this Turkish mystery brings together a collaboration of characters from different professions, working together with the aim of locating a missing dead body.

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.