Look Sharp

I spoke to Dizee Rascal recently He’s pretty hilarious, or should I say his taste in films is pretty funny…what do you think? Oh yeah and if you listen closely you can hear my son in the background.

Can You Feel It?

Phew! Okay, we’ve put together a real bumper issue for you…get yourself down to your local WH Smiths and other worthy stockists!

Top 5 Films…

Coming to a future issue of TOUCH is top rapper Joker Starr’s selection of DVD’s that make it into his top five of all time…if he were stranded on a desert island. If you don’t know about this guy then you’ll get your chance in 2008. He’s one to watch.

5. Delerious – Eddie Murphy
coz I would be in that mind set

4.Wutang DVD
Coz its Wutang

3.Cuties with Booties
Some Porn. Aint no women about…

2. Crank.
Coz it would be something to remind me of how short life can be in my slow wait for help or death

1. American Gangster (pirate copy).
Just so if anyone came along I remember to kick their ass and steal they vehicle.

All Grown Up

After visiting the set of Adulthood the incredible sequel to last years incredible movie Kidulthood I think you’ll get excited when I tell you it’s got a pretty impressive cast attached. Adam Deacon, Red Madrell and Femi Oyeneran are joined by Wil Johnson who took time out to talk to yours truly.

Heroes II

Ok so I’ve been watching Heroes Season II for a while now and this is my plea to NBC Universal..”Guys, you really need to make this into a movie really quick”

Oh yeah erm…the tenuous link is kinda obvious if you look a bit closer at the photo obtained from JFX online of a certain young Spock on the set of the brand new Star Trek movie currently filming.

Talks to Me

Talk to Me by Director Kasi Lemmons is brilliant. I defy you not to cry whilst watching the revelation that Dr Martin Luther King has been assasinated.

Here she talks to me (get it now?) about her favourite movies of all time.

Keep In Touch

More forthcoming copy from TOUCH…here is a teaser.

A slew of films came, conquered and indeed took our bleeding money. So where did our hard earned coinage go to and do we feel we got our moneys worth? Here we take a look at what 2007 dealt us and what 2008 has in store.

Best of 2007

Last King of Scotland
Starring Forrest Whitaker the big guy managed to bag an Oscar for his portrayal of the tyrannical dictator Idi Amin. Ably supported by James McAvoy as his doctor Kerry Washington was on hand to cut through the testosterone and provide some eye candy.

The Pursuit of Happyness
If you didn’t shed buckets over this tale of rags to riches then you’ve had your tear ducts removed. Will Smith again proving that he is way past the buffoonery of his Fresh Prince days. His son Jaden gave him a run for his money proving he is definitely destined for big things.

Childs Play

I know this is a bit random but I’m a sucker for kids and turntables. Now when you put the two together I’m hooked. It’s nearly my son’s first birthday and maybe…just maybe if I brought him a couple of turntables and a mixer he might be as good as these two who incidentally are 5 and 8!

WAZ

What’s it about?
A serial killer with a penchant for torturing victims is on the loose and grizzled cop Eddie Argo (Stellan Skarsgard) is closing in. What he doesn’t know is that he is an integral part of the sadistic killer’s grander plan.

Is it any good?
Yes. It’s very rough and rugged which for an indie flick is mandatory. Whilst many may say it’s unoriginal with it’s direct references to the Saw franchise I would beg to differ. It features a group of well known actors which must have been some feat given the overall budget for this clearly doesn’t run into the millions.

You’ll remember this bit:
It also features Ashley Walters in what at first looks as though he is playing to type. However, on closer examination and as the character’s complexity unfolds you find that there is a little more to the role than meets the eye.

E.T.A: 22 February 2008

Well Strike a Light

So it’s slowly emerging that the cast of Warner Brothers’ epic superhero outing Justice League are due to be unveiled anyday now. One character I’ve had my eye on for a while now, The Green Lantern, will be played by none other than the top rapper Common.

So folks what do you think? Personally I stil feel Djimon Hounsou would have been an excellent choice.

Now that’s gangster pt III

Now what do you think would happen if Tony Montana ever met Nino Brown? Cheers Emerson, this is brilliant.

Glory(ous)

By popular demand I’ve set out my full review of American Gangster which if your new to this site you will not have seen as yet.

The telling of this extraordinary tale based on the true story of 70’s drug kingpin, Frank Lucas who uses his incredible business acumen to forge a criminal empire that rises above the mafia, is relayed in an almost steamroller like fashion. Firstly the movie is directed by Sir Ridley Scott, secondly it features a masterstroke in casting in that it stars Denzel Washington as Lucas and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts the Detective who will ultimately bring him down.

Whilst the tale could have been heavily weighted towards Lucas as his story of how he used the coffins of dead Vietnam soldiers to transport heroin into America is fascinating in itself, Scott chooses to segue between the lives of the two main characters. Their backstory is expertly told and we quickly establish that whilst they might be on opposite sides of the law both Lucas and Roberts have many things in common. Relentless, ambitious, quick witted and focussed are several traits they share and as scenes are introduced they paint a picture of two men who like them or love them are ultimately flawed.

The opening scenes serve as a taster of the carnage that will ultimately ensue as we are given several pointers as to Lucas’ frame of mind. After setting ablaze (a subtle nod to Man on Fire perhaps?) an adversary who has been bound and gagged Lucas is determined to do a thorough job and so empties his gun on the unfortunate recipient. However, it is the chilling warning that Lucas issues to a family member that underlines his ruthlessness when Lucas warns him not to double cross him as he’s a very busy man who has little time to attend the funerals of relatives.

Crowe delivers an equally mesmeric performance and his portrayal of Roberts is understated to the point of brilliant. Essentially a good cop, a fact underlined by his refusal to pocket part of a million dollars in drug related money both he and his partner stumble upon he does also reveal flawed aspects of his character as he works his way though several women in the first 45 minutes of the movie whilst trying to hold onto a relationship with his son and estranged wife.

There are several set pieces and obvious nods to various movies of the same genre the most obvious of which is Scarface. The movie features an incredible soundtrack which is well used and never dominates each scene. What was refreshing to see, however short, were the superb performances from Brit actors Chiwitel Ejiofor and Idris Elba both of whom are used exceptionally well. Cuba Gooding Jr, is superb and, against type, delivers a flamboyant interpretation of drug merchant Nicky Barnes.

Fans of both Crowe and Washington will not be disappointed as the movie, like their performances, is flawless. Michael Mann’s Heat with it’s showpiece scene in which De Niro and Pacino face off in a diner is also deconstructed here. Instead of just paying homage both Crowe and Washington seek to reset the bar which they do to great affect. American Gangster is a master class in acting, pacing and story telling my only criticism would be at 156 minutes perhaps it could have been a little longer.

No Country for Old Men

What’s it about?:
Extreme violence and murder ensue after a hunter (Josh Brolin) stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of drugs and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande. Unbeknownst to him a hit man has been dispatched to recover the cash. Ruthless, meticulous and deadly this cold blooded killer will not relent until he has the cash in his hands. Cue high body count an assortment of executions delivered in the traditional black humour of The Coen Brothers.

Is it any good?
It’s brilliant. As the killer closes in tracking Brolin’s every move your sense of unease is ratcheted up whilst the futility of his attempts to outrun the hit man become more apparent as they trade bullets at increasingly close quarters.

You’ll remember this bit:
The dialogue is on par with one of Tarrentino’s best. One of the most memorable being when Brolin prepares to return to the scene where he has stolen the money saying to his wife “If I don’t return tell my mother I love her” to which his wife replies “but your Mother’s dead” deadpan Brolin quips “I’ll tell her myself then.”

E.TA: 18 January 2008

Touchy subject

Snippet of a forthcoming article I’ve penned for TOUCH

Worst of 2007

Rocky Balboa
Dumb as hammers and as lifeless a punching bag this is one franchise that should have stayed down on the canvass long after the count. Whatever next Rocky fighting from behind his Zimmer frame?

Magicians
Nothing magical about this waste of two hours. Did I like it? Not a lot, not a lot. Message to messers Penn and Teller your jobs are safe from these two pricks who couldn’t conjure up an atmosphere if it were handed to them in a sealed plastic bag.

New Issue out early December…

It’s gonna be a Hit man!

Hey rush over to the Take Ten section of this site to ensure you’re in with a chance of collecting one of three fantastic goodie bags filled with merchandise from the forthcoming action thriller Hitman.

Wulf in sheeps clothing

BEOWULF

What’s it about?
Using the latest CGI trickery Director Robert Zemekis retells this story of the irripressible warrior Beowulf who, after slaying the demonic Grendel, finds that is just the beginning of his problems as Grendels mother is even more terrifying with an agenda that will haunt our hero for years.

Is it any good?
Computer renditions of Ray Winstone in the title role, Anthony Hopkins and a near naked Angelina Jolie…what’s not to like? Beowulf is incredibly innovative, well paced and features some of the best lines Winstone has uttered since Scum.

You’ll remember this bit:
Not meaning to labour the point here but the lines are exceptional, my favourite being “I am the ripper, the terror, the slasher. I am the teeth in the darkness! My name is strength! And lust! And power! I AM BEOWULF!”

E.T.A:
16 November 2007

The winner is..

Nicki…If you could get in touch as you have won the exclusive t-shirt sponsored by Urban Species.

Look out for next weeks competition it’s going to be bigger.

Fine Line: Scarface

“You wanna waste my time? Okay. I call my lawyer. He’s the best lawyer in Miami. He’s such a good lawyer, that by tomorrow morning, you gonna be working in Alaska. So dress warm.”

So come on tell me what your favourite lines from Scarface are?

Cry Wulf

Off to the press screening and press conference for this later this week…it’s going to be big.

Not the woollen kind…

Samuel L Jackson as the bad guy…what’s not to like.