"One night, a small boy, David MacLean (Jimmy Hunt), sees a flying saucer land near his home. His scientist father (Leif Erickson) goes to investigate; when he returns, there is an unusual mark on the back of his neck and he behaves in a different, cold and hostile manner. Gradually, David realizes that there is a conspiracy in which the people of the town are one by one becoming cold and inhuman."
"Its November 1999, and five days are about to rock the world as tens of thousands of demonstrators take to the streets of Seattle in protest of the World Trade Organizations Ministerial Meeting. Among them are Django (Andre Benjamin), Sam (Jennifer Carpenter), Lou (Michelle Rodriguez) and Jay (Martin Henderson). Each has a unique story, but they're united in a common desire to be heard and to make a difference in the world. For these four protesters, this is very personal and the stakes are higher than mere politics."
Battle in Seattle is perhaps one of the most radical Hollywood movies I've ever seen. How this ever got made is beyond me as it overtly political in a way that mainstream movies almost never are. The fact that it has a budget greater than Tom Cruise's catering tab and stars actors who you've heard of (Charlize Theron, Ray Liotta, Woody Harrelson) makes the film all more unusual.
Having seen the riots in Greece in December and January and witnessed first hand what happens when demonstrations turn violent I would say that the film captures the energy and sense of being in such a situation accurately. It reminds me of the style and approach of the Battle of Algiers and Bloody Sunday in the sense that it mixes documentary and movie making aesthetics.
Also Battle in Seattle also deals with issues such as the role of the media in portraying such events, police violence and the use of agent provocateurs in protests.
To find out more about the background to the movie check out;
A horror horde of crawl-and-crush giants clawing out of the earth from mile-deep catacombs!
"Nuclear tests in the desert result in the growth of gigantic mutant ants who menace cities in the American south-west as a team of investigators and the army search for a way to control their spread in this Cold War-era monster film."
Once again I went back to my new favourite site, Flash-candy.com in order to see the 1962 Brit sci-fi classic, Day of The Triffids. I think I saw this when I was young but thankfully couldn't remember how it eneded so keeping me in suspence. The strangest thing was a feeling of deja vu as I kept on saying but I've seen this somewhere else. Then it hit me that much of the plot and imagery was re-cycled in 28 Days Later, Danny Boyles London based zombie thriller. Streets devoid of life, a few scattered survivors, even the upturned red double decker bus are to be found in both films.
However, as Day of the Triffid is a very English sci-fi movie even the the mass blinding of virtually every person in London doesn't lead to mass panic or despair. Indeed, people manage to say please and thank you after every polite request to the few sighted people left.
"Oh dear, we seem to be in a bit of a pickle, what with the collapse of civilsation as we know it and our imminent demise due to starvation. Darn it. Now who wants a cuppa?"
Actually, both movies were extra scary as they take place in, what to me at least. is a very familiar background. Instead of monsters tearing up New York or aliens menacing LA the idea that terrible things can happen in seemingly dull British suburban street seemed to add to the believability.
Even the movements of the blinded survivors of the meteor shower seemed to anticipate the zombie movies from later in the sixties and beyond. Apparently the BBC is making a new TV series based on John Wydham's book so expect to see Day of the Triffids once again hit the headlines.
Actually, I think a Greek version set in Athens would be super scary as well. I was wondering why no one has thought of it. Still, as the price of film making and special effects drops even further I wouldn't be surprised to see something coming out via the internet in the near future.
'Faithful to its annual date with cinephiles, the 49th Thessaloniki Film Festival, Greece's grandest and most prestigious event for the 7th art, opens its doors on November the 14th, 2008, bringing about the transformation of the city of Thessaloniki to a youthful hive of life and creative association.
Multi-awarded Belgian auteurs Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, heretical Japanese actor and director Takeshi Kitano, unconventional English director Terence Davies, internationally renowned and two-time Academy Award winner Argentinean composer Gustavo Santaolalla and Brazilian director Walter Salles are only a few of the big names of modern cinema that are expected to honor this year's festival with their presence.'
This idea, like so many great ideas, is so simple that you kick yourself for not having thought of it first. "Last night in one of the classes that I taught here in the Community College, I put students in pairs and asked them to choose two letters of the alphabet. Then the pair had to use those two letters to make a movie title. For example a team might choose M and T. They could make a movie title like, "Murder Train." Then I told them to make up a story line for that movie."
I'm a teacher, originally from England, now living in Northern Greece. I also blog, photograph and tweet about the current economic and refugee crisis.
