2009-07-30 First clip from 'G.I. Joe', featuring Destro, as played by Christopher Eccleston.
Have A Think #4: Permanent Solution
Probably everyone had a film recommended to them by a friend, or perhaps watched something for experiment's sake. And yet there are films you'd prefer not to get involved with - and many more you're indifferent to. Chiclit wonders this week about some of the films she'd seen that have the only thing in common - they star Chris Eccleston.
"I know that I never would have sought out 'Anchoress', but loved its starkness and thought about it for days. I would never have discovered 'Death and the Compass', but I found the final scenes thrilling and fun - and am convinced Chris Nolan had them in mind when he developed the recent Batman. 'Othello' was great, watching a Shakespeare drama re-purposed as a modern treatise on friendship and race (timely in the middle of our recent Presidential campaign) - but not sure I would have seen it if I hadn't been following the Eccleston filmography."
So, what movie (or television show) has Christopher Eccleston led you to that normally you would never have watched? How did it affect you? Did it convert you into a fan of a certain genre? Encouraged to learn more about one director or other? Made you see Eccleston's other films in different light?
"I know that I never would have sought out 'Anchoress', but loved its starkness and thought about it for days. I would never have discovered 'Death and the Compass', but I found the final scenes thrilling and fun - and am convinced Chris Nolan had them in mind when he developed the recent Batman. 'Othello' was great, watching a Shakespeare drama re-purposed as a modern treatise on friendship and race (timely in the middle of our recent Presidential campaign) - but not sure I would have seen it if I hadn't been following the Eccleston filmography."
So, what movie (or television show) has Christopher Eccleston led you to that normally you would never have watched? How did it affect you? Did it convert you into a fan of a certain genre? Encouraged to learn more about one director or other? Made you see Eccleston's other films in different light?
2009-07-28
'A Doll's House' - Videos
Videos of the cast discussing production of and performing 'A Doll's House' can also be viewed at the Donmar's site here. Chris Eccleston played Neil Kelman.
The Audiences at the Donmar
Characters and Plot
Character Evolution
What Makes A Doll's House a Classic
Bleakness, Hope and Redemption
Rehearsing
©Donmar Warehouse
Have A Think #3: A Bout Of Tourism
After a week's break - finishing the reviewing - another topic to think about. This time, a simple subject with a twist. Inspired by this postcard for 'Manchester Reads' project, let's take a look at the films we almost know too well from a different angle.
Write a postcard from any Chris Eccleston film you like (ca. 70 words) - that affected you most as a whole, that has a character you find special, or just the last one you saw.
Like this: A postcard from 'Strumpet' by Danny Boyle.
Write a postcard from any Chris Eccleston film you like (ca. 70 words) - that affected you most as a whole, that has a character you find special, or just the last one you saw.
Like this: A postcard from 'Strumpet' by Danny Boyle.
Dear viewer,
Smashing night. Met local cause célèbre, Strayman, - the artiste helped himself to my chips, obviously, but his pack was docile, for a change. He promptly absconded, muttering he has to write something down.
Karaoke was a killer. Tie a yellow ribbon! Bought Strayman a pint for the poetry attack. I wish Cooper Clarke paid a visit and connected Strayman with them right people who'd help him break through for real.
A.K.
2009-07-21
CE Films - Part 16 - 2007-2008
22 Jan 2007
TV series | By Tim Kring
S. 1, ep. 12: 'Godsend' dir. Paul Shapiro, wr. Tim Kring
ep. 13: 'The Fix' dr. Terrence O'Hara, wr. Natalie Chaidez
ep. 14: 'Distractions' dir. Jeannot Szwarc, wr. Michael Green
ep. 16: 'Unexpected' dir. Greg Beeman, wr. Jeph Loeb
ep. 17: 'Company Man' dir. Allan Arkush, wr. Bryan Fuller
Role: Claude (invisible man).
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Alex: "Sci-fi series, which development of quality has been discussed to death, but we're interested in the well-crafted first season. CE plays Claude – the invisible man. He appears briefly in several episodes as a tutor to another character, teaching him to control his powers, and then, a little more extensively, in the episode 'Company Man', which gives a glimpse into Claude's younger days."
Chiclit: "The series was a critical and popular hit in the United States in its first season, generating a lot of buzz – Eccleston joining 'Heroes' for 5 episodes was a nice surprise for a lot of folks. The series is known for casting sci-fi icons in guest roles; indeed during CE's episode one also gets to see George Takei of 'Star Trek' fame, and, for real Doctor Who fans: CE's character also shares scenes with Eric Roberts (who played the Master in the 1996 'Doctor Who' movie to Paul McGann's Doctor number Eight). Eccleston even gives a 'shout out' to his Doctor character – reportedly his own idea – by using a familiar word."
A: "Claude is played in an extremely engaged manner by CE, and it feels as if he was very comfortable with the character, and for the viewer it is easy to respond to him. Claude is a hobo with murky past, using his invisibility for, among other classified things, his kleptomania hobby and stalking people in their homes. He is charismatic, impressive in where-the-wild-things-are manner, nifty in his undertakings, and it's easy to be enticed even by his cynical views and sociopathic ways."
C: "What Alex is alluding to above, is that quite simply, CE dominates every scene he is in. Effortlessly. It's not only fun to watch the character, it's nice to see Eccleston – as usual – making the dialogue pop and inspiring those sharing screen time with him to their best performances."
A: "And then you're also presented with Claude's previous, idealistic, self, and it couldn't be further away from his current 'people suck' and 'everyone's like the rest' persona. As you learn more about him, his reasons, you come nearer understanding him – but you never get the full picture.
"It's possible to only watch these 5 episodes on their own, although you might need to read up a little afterwards. There's also a probability that you'll feel inclined to get familiar with the whole first season. The biggest problem with the series is that it simply doesn't have enough Claude."
Conclusion: Outstanding cameo role.
Extra materials can be accessed via this post.
'Heroes' is set to get a reboot as 'Heroes Reborn' in 2015. Indiewire article rooting for Claude.
DVD Notes:
2007 "Universal" Regions 2, 4, 5 (Series 1, Part 2). English SDH subtitles. Extras: Deleted scenes; Commentaries; Profile of artist Tim Sale.
THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING
4 Oct 2007
TV series | By Tim Kring
S. 1, ep. 12: 'Godsend' dir. Paul Shapiro, wr. Tim Kring
ep. 13: 'The Fix' dr. Terrence O'Hara, wr. Natalie Chaidez
ep. 14: 'Distractions' dir. Jeannot Szwarc, wr. Michael Green
ep. 16: 'Unexpected' dir. Greg Beeman, wr. Jeph Loeb
ep. 17: 'Company Man' dir. Allan Arkush, wr. Bryan Fuller
Role: Claude (invisible man).
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Alex: "Sci-fi series, which development of quality has been discussed to death, but we're interested in the well-crafted first season. CE plays Claude – the invisible man. He appears briefly in several episodes as a tutor to another character, teaching him to control his powers, and then, a little more extensively, in the episode 'Company Man', which gives a glimpse into Claude's younger days."Chiclit: "The series was a critical and popular hit in the United States in its first season, generating a lot of buzz – Eccleston joining 'Heroes' for 5 episodes was a nice surprise for a lot of folks. The series is known for casting sci-fi icons in guest roles; indeed during CE's episode one also gets to see George Takei of 'Star Trek' fame, and, for real Doctor Who fans: CE's character also shares scenes with Eric Roberts (who played the Master in the 1996 'Doctor Who' movie to Paul McGann's Doctor number Eight). Eccleston even gives a 'shout out' to his Doctor character – reportedly his own idea – by using a familiar word."
A: "Claude is played in an extremely engaged manner by CE, and it feels as if he was very comfortable with the character, and for the viewer it is easy to respond to him. Claude is a hobo with murky past, using his invisibility for, among other classified things, his kleptomania hobby and stalking people in their homes. He is charismatic, impressive in where-the-wild-things-are manner, nifty in his undertakings, and it's easy to be enticed even by his cynical views and sociopathic ways."
C: "What Alex is alluding to above, is that quite simply, CE dominates every scene he is in. Effortlessly. It's not only fun to watch the character, it's nice to see Eccleston – as usual – making the dialogue pop and inspiring those sharing screen time with him to their best performances."
A: "And then you're also presented with Claude's previous, idealistic, self, and it couldn't be further away from his current 'people suck' and 'everyone's like the rest' persona. As you learn more about him, his reasons, you come nearer understanding him – but you never get the full picture.
"It's possible to only watch these 5 episodes on their own, although you might need to read up a little afterwards. There's also a probability that you'll feel inclined to get familiar with the whole first season. The biggest problem with the series is that it simply doesn't have enough Claude."
Conclusion: Outstanding cameo role.
Extra materials can be accessed via this post.
'Heroes' is set to get a reboot as 'Heroes Reborn' in 2015. Indiewire article rooting for Claude.
DVD Notes:
2007 "Universal" Regions 2, 4, 5 (Series 1, Part 2). English SDH subtitles. Extras: Deleted scenes; Commentaries; Profile of artist Tim Sale.
THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING
4 Oct 2007
Film | Dir. David L. Cunningham | Wr. John Hodge & Susan Cooper (novel)
Role: The Rider.
Trailers - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Chiclit: "I think this movie was a bit of disappointment to those who followed the books it was based on (Susan Cooper's 'The Dark Is Rising'), but if you take it for what it is, it's a good family movie for those who like 'Harry Potter', so if you are looking for that CE family movie this is it.
"Chris plays a dual role, gets to be both geeky/comic and malevolent, so you get to see a CE sampler of skills, and he rides a big horse."
Alex: "The horse is called Rusty and delivers a believable performance in the unwholesome climate of Romania.
"Looking specifically at CE's character, The Rider (manifestation of dark & evil on Earth menacing a boy with ancient powers), you do not have to be merely polite to say that it is an absolutely professional product. The duality, glimpses of tangible anger. The main problem is the laziness of dialogue writers and butcher-job of sound editing. For the latter, compare 'And now with the darkness comes the cold' and any of the earlier utterances.
"The idea of the lord of darkness as a continuity announcer might be rather entertaining in itself, but is no excuse to make it into a knife, cutting the strings that hold the film together – and it's not the worst film in history. It is fully capable of creating a nice atmosphere, and the effects are often enticing, so it is indeed a pity they failed to use all the aces they were handed. Positive things, like the scene with shopping mall security guards – great promises that come to nothing – weights of lead in a paper ship.
"Certainly, the readers and fans of the original novels might be overzealous in their critique, but it is not ungrounded. If you have read the story, you can clearly see how it has been translated into a film. A job honestly performed that created problems via namely the thought-out approach. Certain clumps of narrative or imagery had been successfully transplanted, but when it comes to the holding structure, its replacement is laughable. While in the book the logics of magic are both the explanation and the catalyst, the film's version is just feeble excuses. In the commentary for the deleted scenes the director admits they'd been dumbing the film down to reach a wider demographics of younger children. Need I say more?"
C: "This film could have been good, the source material, the casting were certainly there. This is part of what is wrong with Hollywood – this project has the feel of something produced by multiple sets of people not on the same page. Too many people got to give 'notes' on the screenplay in order to try to have a film that was all things to all demographic groups, and as a result the strong elements of the story are completely diluted."
A: "Of course, still a good film for an evening with kids – provided it causes further discussions on the light & the darkness, or even reading of some books."
Conclusion: Well, occasionally.
DVD Notes:
2007 "SF Film" Region 2. English HOH & Scandinavian subtitles. Extras: Making-of (brief CE inter); VFX; Deleted/extended scenes w/ optional commentary by D. Cunningham.
Role: The Rider.
Trailers - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Chiclit: "I think this movie was a bit of disappointment to those who followed the books it was based on (Susan Cooper's 'The Dark Is Rising'), but if you take it for what it is, it's a good family movie for those who like 'Harry Potter', so if you are looking for that CE family movie this is it."Chris plays a dual role, gets to be both geeky/comic and malevolent, so you get to see a CE sampler of skills, and he rides a big horse."
Alex: "The horse is called Rusty and delivers a believable performance in the unwholesome climate of Romania.
"Looking specifically at CE's character, The Rider (manifestation of dark & evil on Earth menacing a boy with ancient powers), you do not have to be merely polite to say that it is an absolutely professional product. The duality, glimpses of tangible anger. The main problem is the laziness of dialogue writers and butcher-job of sound editing. For the latter, compare 'And now with the darkness comes the cold' and any of the earlier utterances.
"The idea of the lord of darkness as a continuity announcer might be rather entertaining in itself, but is no excuse to make it into a knife, cutting the strings that hold the film together – and it's not the worst film in history. It is fully capable of creating a nice atmosphere, and the effects are often enticing, so it is indeed a pity they failed to use all the aces they were handed. Positive things, like the scene with shopping mall security guards – great promises that come to nothing – weights of lead in a paper ship.
"Certainly, the readers and fans of the original novels might be overzealous in their critique, but it is not ungrounded. If you have read the story, you can clearly see how it has been translated into a film. A job honestly performed that created problems via namely the thought-out approach. Certain clumps of narrative or imagery had been successfully transplanted, but when it comes to the holding structure, its replacement is laughable. While in the book the logics of magic are both the explanation and the catalyst, the film's version is just feeble excuses. In the commentary for the deleted scenes the director admits they'd been dumbing the film down to reach a wider demographics of younger children. Need I say more?"
C: "This film could have been good, the source material, the casting were certainly there. This is part of what is wrong with Hollywood – this project has the feel of something produced by multiple sets of people not on the same page. Too many people got to give 'notes' on the screenplay in order to try to have a film that was all things to all demographic groups, and as a result the strong elements of the story are completely diluted."
A: "Of course, still a good film for an evening with kids – provided it causes further discussions on the light & the darkness, or even reading of some books."
Conclusion: Well, occasionally.
DVD Notes:
2007 "SF Film" Region 2. English HOH & Scandinavian subtitles. Extras: Making-of (brief CE inter); VFX; Deleted/extended scenes w/ optional commentary by D. Cunningham.
NEW ORLEANS, MON AMOUR
10 Mar 2008
Film | Dir. Michael Almereyda | Wr. Michael Almereyda, Katya Apekina, James Robison
Role: Dr. Henry (surgeon).
ATBN page - Trailer - Gallery - IMDb - Get: On-demand DVD
Chiclit: "I am not sure 'New Orleans, Mon Amour' starring Christopher Eccleston and Elisabeth Moss is the most brilliant movie I have ever seen, but it is certainly interesting, thought provoking, and will stay with you even as the credits unexpectedly roll." Read full review.
Alex: "Reading synopses since 'New Orleans, Mon Amour' was first shown at a festival I wasn't prepared for what I actually saw. At all. And in my disarmed state I must say, the film has, without doubt, fascinated me with its take-it-or-leave-it logic and imagery." Read full review.
Conclusion: Interesting, haunting, left-field film.
DVD Notes:
Info and review.
THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM
20 Nov 2008
TV series | By Sarah Silverman, Rob Schrab & Dan Harmon | Dir. Wayne McClammy | Wr. Jon Schroeder
S. 2, ep. 14: 'I Thought My Dad Was Dead, But It Turns Out He's Not'
Role: Dr. Lazer Rage (hero).
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1 [also on iTunes], Region 2
Alex: "This appearance gained quite various reactions even before the episode was shown. The programme is a satirical sit-com, and Rob Schrab, one of its creators, is also responsible for 'Robot Bastard' and is a fan of 'Doctor Who'. Mixing these universes, Dr. Lazer Rage, an intergalactic hero, was born: Short extracts from a fictional series about him were inserted into the episode."Despite the short screen time, they are very memorable (and not only in an ironic sense). Lazer Rage goes from being a sellout, making a coin for his creators, to revealing his real situation – it's a sober look at the action heroes, both funny and making you stop and think for a sec. Thanks to CE's well-calibrated performance the character of Dr. Lazer Rage manages an improbable balance between the over-the-top, cheesy sci-fi bravura and honest sensitivity. Seeing this appearance only as a dig at a certain fictional figure is pointless limitation, but it's surely one of the aspects. Cheeky theme tune included."
Chiclit: "Only someone without a sense of humor or nuance would see this brief series as making fun of an iconic character and his fans. Indeed it is a work of love – it's funny, but poignant. CE pitches his performance perfectly – and deserves a lot of credit for doing the part – in a shiny spacesuit. There is a behind the scenes video detailing just how much of a 'Doctor Who' fan producer Rob Schrab is, and some shots of CE doing stunts – at one point, he quips "No CGI here!" while shooting his blaster and appears to be having a great time."
A: "I do not find the Sarah Silverman series particularly interesting, but this fragment is worth checking out, not least because it's healthily different."
C: "Parents and those with delicate sensibilities – or even love of standard narrative – are strongly cautioned. Sarah Silverman's shows contain scatological humor and surreal storylines, but it's worth sitting through this episode to see Eccleston as Lazer Rage (also some bonus Lisa Loeb if you like that sort of thing)."
Conclusion: Very interesting cameo in dubious series.
Extra materials in this post about Dr. Lazer Rage.
PART 17
CE Films - Part 15 - 2005-2006
PART 14
DOCTOR WHO
26 Mar 2005
TV series | By Russell T. Davies
Ep. 1: 'Rose' dir. Keith Boak, wr. Russell T. Davies
ep. 2: 'The End of the World' dir. Euros Lyn, wr. Russell T. Davies
ep. 3: 'The Unquiet Dead' dir. Euros Lyn, wr. Mark Gatiss
ep. 4: 'Aliens of London', ep. 5: 'World War Three' dir. Keith Boak, wr. Russell T. Davies
ep. 6: 'Dalek' dir. Joe Ahearne, wr. Robert Shearman
ep. 7: 'The Long Game' dir. Keith Boak, wr. Russell T. Davies
ep. 8: 'Father's Day' dir. Joe Ahearne, wr. Paul Cornell
ep. 9: 'The Empty Child', ep. 10: 'The Doctor Dances' dir. James Hawes, wr. Steven Moffat
ep. 11: 'Boom Town', ep. 12: 'Bad Wolf', ep. 13: 'The Parting of the Ways' dir. Joe Ahearne, wr. Russell T. Davies
Role: Doctor Who.
Site - Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Conclusion: Recommended, especially 'Dalek' and 'Father's Day'.
Watch related videos here on the blog.
DVD Notes:
2006 "2 entertain" Regions 2+4 (The Complete First Series). English SDH subtitles, audio description. Extras: Commentaries by R. T. Davies, B. Piper, J. Barrowman, M. Gatiss & S. Callow; B. Piper’s video diary; R. T. Davies inter; M. Gatiss video diary; Extra 'Doctor Who Confidential' disc with cut-down behind-the-scenes for 13 episodes + 'The Christmas Invasion'; Featurettes: 'Destroying the Lair', 'Mike Tucker’s Mocks of Balloons', 'Designing Doctor Who', 'Laying Ghosts – The Origins of The Unquiet Dead', 'Deconstructing Big Ben', 'The Adventures of Captain Jack'; BBC Breakfast inter with CE; Trailers.
PERFECT PARENTS
PERFECT PARENTS
28 Dec 2006
TV film | Dir. & wr. Joe Ahearne
Role: Stuart (father).
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1 USA, UK
Chiclit: "I actually really liked Chris in this domestic role, playing the loving overprotective father, who is willing to both become his daughter's home school math tutor and de-fraud the Catholic Church. It's a message movie, and reunited Chris with one of his 'Doctor Who' directors, Joe Ahearne."
Alex: "Lucy's father, having learnt about dismal conditions at her school, attempts to find a solution, and his actions ultimately become the best example of what happens if you build a DIY nuclear power station when you just need to change the batteries."
C: "I particularly liked the fact that the daughter and what she wanted/was willing to do, her strong family bond with her mother and father were key parts of the story – maybe it's my American eyes, but I thought if the story had been set in the US, the daughter would not have figured so prominently or in the same way that she did in 'Perfect Parents'. The story point about the daughter being in on the deception and being such a part of it, seemed very foreign to me. An American made for TV movie just wouldn't go there."
A: "Depiction of the family life is clearly the strongest side of the film. The father and his daughter are the main focus points, as two parallel progressions, two characters who are undergoing the biggest changes not only in plot development sense. Stuart is actually interesting in himself – he works in a garage, but he is well-read, he has strong views which might be fact or ambition fuelled, and you wonder what his life choices had been.
"Other sides are more problematic. The Catholic theme was what initially disturbed me, because it seemed it was only necessary to make everything more black and white. The film though is not anti-religious, and once you realise that, it's obvious that the writer was just exposing human nature; religion, like any institution/system, provides perfect means for corruption. After this exercise I was able to say that I do like this film, it's paradoxically topical depiction of ordinary family's life."
C: "I liked it as it is actually pretty rare to see CE in a modern-day domestic family man role in Region 1. I thought there were a couple of strong messages about the current state of schools in the UK and of course Catholicism/religion. I thought the casting was exceptionally strong, the performances were all lovely and accessible; the story had some predictable points and a Lifetime Movie Event feel, but also some unusual turns."
A: "I wish the narrative depended less on the drive-in controversies and had more trust in its psychological side – it's durable enough, and portrayals of characters are already strong enough. The film seemed unsolved stylistically, with flash-backs tacked on, there were some easier ways taken, and there were rather unusual technical problems with indoors lighting. Having said that, I must also add that CE makes it worthwhile, his character is indeed convincing."
C: "Given that it's one of Eccleston's first post DW efforts, I think he chose the role for a variety of reasons, but was drawn to the dual nature of the character who could appear so moral and politically correct and then abandon all principles and bring his daughter along with him on the path to hell. All the while making acting choices that have us believe and relate to the decent motivation of his character through a couple of more obvious plot twists.
"I would certainly recommend this film to Chris Eccleston fans, especially those who want to see him in quieter, lovely moments, because I thought the film had several."
A: "And moments like those make this film definitely worth watching. I always remember a silent scene between the father and the daughter – first some time later I realised they haven't said a word to each other."
Conclusion: Good film with some problems.
DVD Notes:
TV film | Dir. & wr. Joe Ahearne
Role: Stuart (father).
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1 USA, UK
Chiclit: "I actually really liked Chris in this domestic role, playing the loving overprotective father, who is willing to both become his daughter's home school math tutor and de-fraud the Catholic Church. It's a message movie, and reunited Chris with one of his 'Doctor Who' directors, Joe Ahearne."Alex: "Lucy's father, having learnt about dismal conditions at her school, attempts to find a solution, and his actions ultimately become the best example of what happens if you build a DIY nuclear power station when you just need to change the batteries."
C: "I particularly liked the fact that the daughter and what she wanted/was willing to do, her strong family bond with her mother and father were key parts of the story – maybe it's my American eyes, but I thought if the story had been set in the US, the daughter would not have figured so prominently or in the same way that she did in 'Perfect Parents'. The story point about the daughter being in on the deception and being such a part of it, seemed very foreign to me. An American made for TV movie just wouldn't go there."
A: "Depiction of the family life is clearly the strongest side of the film. The father and his daughter are the main focus points, as two parallel progressions, two characters who are undergoing the biggest changes not only in plot development sense. Stuart is actually interesting in himself – he works in a garage, but he is well-read, he has strong views which might be fact or ambition fuelled, and you wonder what his life choices had been.
"Other sides are more problematic. The Catholic theme was what initially disturbed me, because it seemed it was only necessary to make everything more black and white. The film though is not anti-religious, and once you realise that, it's obvious that the writer was just exposing human nature; religion, like any institution/system, provides perfect means for corruption. After this exercise I was able to say that I do like this film, it's paradoxically topical depiction of ordinary family's life."
C: "I liked it as it is actually pretty rare to see CE in a modern-day domestic family man role in Region 1. I thought there were a couple of strong messages about the current state of schools in the UK and of course Catholicism/religion. I thought the casting was exceptionally strong, the performances were all lovely and accessible; the story had some predictable points and a Lifetime Movie Event feel, but also some unusual turns."
A: "I wish the narrative depended less on the drive-in controversies and had more trust in its psychological side – it's durable enough, and portrayals of characters are already strong enough. The film seemed unsolved stylistically, with flash-backs tacked on, there were some easier ways taken, and there were rather unusual technical problems with indoors lighting. Having said that, I must also add that CE makes it worthwhile, his character is indeed convincing."
C: "Given that it's one of Eccleston's first post DW efforts, I think he chose the role for a variety of reasons, but was drawn to the dual nature of the character who could appear so moral and politically correct and then abandon all principles and bring his daughter along with him on the path to hell. All the while making acting choices that have us believe and relate to the decent motivation of his character through a couple of more obvious plot twists.
"I would certainly recommend this film to Chris Eccleston fans, especially those who want to see him in quieter, lovely moments, because I thought the film had several."
A: "And moments like those make this film definitely worth watching. I always remember a silent scene between the father and the daughter – first some time later I realised they haven't said a word to each other."
Conclusion: Good film with some problems.
DVD Notes:
2006 "Koch Vision" All Regions (sold as Region 1; check w/ your seller). No subtitles, no extras.
PART 16
PART 16
'G.I. Joe' - New TV Spots
2009-07-14 Two new TV spots hit the net. In the second one there's a glimpse more of Chris Eccleston's Destro scene (in the very beginning, with dialogue from another scene over it) than in the first.
CE Films - Part 14 - 2002-2003
PART 13
THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN
31 October 2002
TV series | Dir. Steve Bendelack | Wr. Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith & Jeremy Dyson
S. 3, ep. 6: 'How the Elephant Got Its Trunk'
Role: Dougal Siepp (manager).
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Alex: "This is a series of quite twisted black humour, and if you're not a fan in advance, you might find it rather difficult to digest. It's splendid and unique, but, depending on your tastes, it might be too unique, too out of this world and not in the right way. It's constantly gory and abnormality of the plot, as a rule, extends to physical deformities of the characters."CE has a brief cameo appearance as Dougal Siepp, cat theatre manager. He comes and goes, and though he's mentioned several times in the episode as antagonist, it's just that, five minutes of convincing smugness and vague villainy. He fits well in the TLOG universe, with his hat and van-full of cats, still, it would require some more scenes for him to really have a function in the narrative."
Conclusion: Perfect example of a peculiarity.
DVD Notes:
2003 "BBC Worldwide" Regions 2+4 (The Entire Third Series). English SDH subtitles. Extras: Commentary; Inter w/ costume designer; Out-takes & deleted scenes; Interactive featurettes; Photo gallery; Video diaries; 'The Making of Series 3' (watch very brief CE's appearance here); SFX footage; Character bios (see here).
28 DAYS LATER
1 Nov 2002
Film | Dir. Danny Boyle | Wr. Alex Garland
Role: Major West.
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Alex: "The third and, to date, last collaboration with Danny Boyle. A modern post-apocalyptic horror flick, digging deep into human nature; ecological questions and relentless digital photography included. It tells about survivors after a plague of rage swept over Great Britain, turning people into mindless creatures, driven by desire to kill.
"Major Henry West, played by CE, claims to have a solution – his radio broadcast invites the survivors to head towards Manchester, and at the blockade 42 is where his soldiers meet them. CE's melancholic and yet menacing Major is the key figure in the second part of the film. Exhibiting self-control and doing everything to preserve discipline West provides not quite the answers the survivors expected. With the comforting distinctions removed, it's no longer people fighting monsters, it's human against human that is the core of the disintegration of society."
Chiclit: "The Eccleston character, like so many he plays, seems at first to be one thing and turns out to be another. From the moment you meet Major West something seems not quite right with him or the situation, despite the outward normal appearance, and then you realize that usual military discipline has broken down, in favor of a cult of personality – and the true horror is what humans do to each other. The performance, both line readings and physical stance is nuanced perfectly to show an unraveling of this man and this little society – CE's performance rises to a crescendo – and the movie feels empty when West is gone."
A: "CE creates a very different antagonist, developing the character of the damaged Major through a combination of military frame that diminishes kickback and offers systematising, intelligent mind that cracked having calculated the formula of progress and the greater good, and perverted moral soundness in form of loyalty to his troops and his mission. West is a man turned machine, yet he was incapable to get rid of himself – and that's what affects you."
C: "This is much more than a zombie film; and takes on more timeliness in the wake of the H1N1 news, it is well worth watching and is tolerable to the non genre fan."
A: "Its messages are worth thinking about. And you're not likely to forget Major West."
Conclusion: Recommended, but remember it's gory.
DVD Notes:
1 Nov 2002
Film | Dir. Danny Boyle | Wr. Alex Garland
Role: Major West.
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Alex: "The third and, to date, last collaboration with Danny Boyle. A modern post-apocalyptic horror flick, digging deep into human nature; ecological questions and relentless digital photography included. It tells about survivors after a plague of rage swept over Great Britain, turning people into mindless creatures, driven by desire to kill."Major Henry West, played by CE, claims to have a solution – his radio broadcast invites the survivors to head towards Manchester, and at the blockade 42 is where his soldiers meet them. CE's melancholic and yet menacing Major is the key figure in the second part of the film. Exhibiting self-control and doing everything to preserve discipline West provides not quite the answers the survivors expected. With the comforting distinctions removed, it's no longer people fighting monsters, it's human against human that is the core of the disintegration of society."
Chiclit: "The Eccleston character, like so many he plays, seems at first to be one thing and turns out to be another. From the moment you meet Major West something seems not quite right with him or the situation, despite the outward normal appearance, and then you realize that usual military discipline has broken down, in favor of a cult of personality – and the true horror is what humans do to each other. The performance, both line readings and physical stance is nuanced perfectly to show an unraveling of this man and this little society – CE's performance rises to a crescendo – and the movie feels empty when West is gone."
A: "CE creates a very different antagonist, developing the character of the damaged Major through a combination of military frame that diminishes kickback and offers systematising, intelligent mind that cracked having calculated the formula of progress and the greater good, and perverted moral soundness in form of loyalty to his troops and his mission. West is a man turned machine, yet he was incapable to get rid of himself – and that's what affects you."
C: "This is much more than a zombie film; and takes on more timeliness in the wake of the H1N1 news, it is well worth watching and is tolerable to the non genre fan."
A: "Its messages are worth thinking about. And you're not likely to forget Major West."
Conclusion: Recommended, but remember it's gory.
DVD Notes:
2003 "20th Century Fox Home Entertainment" Region 2. English HOH and Swedish subtitles. Extras: Commentary by D. Boyle & A. Garland; Deleted scenes w/ optional commentaries; Alternative ending story board; Making-of 'Pure Rage'; Music video; Still & Polaroid gallery w/ commentary (see CE images – continue to the right); Animated story boards; Trailers.
Watch: CE related deleted scenes, making-of - CE compilation
THE SECOND COMING
9 Feb 2003
TV mini series (2 parts) | Dir. Adrian Shergold | Wr. Russell T. Davies
Role: Steve Baxter (Son of God).
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Alex: "You may have heard Eccleston explain how television had fuelled his choice to become an actor; not cinema or theatre. You may have found it curious, if, like me, you feel your only desire so far has been to spit on your TV that's been doing nothing but forcing debilitating drivel down your throat, be it news, drama or documentary, aiming for the base senses, trusting your brain only as far as it can be bent to decide on one more purchase. TV films like 'The Second Coming' become vital in such environment. It's up to you to treat it as a rehabilitation or a wake for television drama, but it's unmissable."
Chiclit: "Chris as the son of God, written by Russell T. Davies and co-starring Lesley Sharp – it's perfection. This is what television can do when it's at its best and we should all demand less reality programming and more work that challenges our very way of thinking. Chris plays all the emotions in this one, both small and big, his character's struggle to understand, his acceptance, the isolation. Being less of a physical performance, it's all there on Chris's face. And you believe that he believes."
A: "No matter whether you're religious or an atheist, this drama is written on far more levels than you could dismiss as irrelevant to you. It sneaks into your mind, and makes a pleasant mess – the kind that gives birth to further thoughts, and encourages to question your own stance, your understanding.
"One of my favourite scenes is 'reality on Salford Road' – that's how it feels when the scabbing falls away and you sense through your brand new skin. Overall, what adds to film's wide reach, is that while there are miracles, it's completely dissociated from any religious paraphernalia (aside from the characters' names), it won't let itself be tied down, and at the same time as picturing world wide events, it is extremely personal.
"CE holds nothing back, he invests himself 100% in the character of Steve Baxter. Ordinary bloke who experiences a divine revelation. A concept old as world, it seems, from zero to hero, trivial against supernatural. In this film though, they do not indulge in this satisfying duality, instead, they aim for the very core. Looking at the problematic through a present day filter, a study is carried out how this clash of flesh and omnipotence tackles the person in the thick of it, how it affects his physical, social, mental life – especially in the context of society around him that's been sent reeling as well.
"Being Steve Baxter, the Second Coming, is an ultimately human endeavour, the holiness notwithstanding. There's nobody you can tell to sod off, and you cannot just take it on the chin, all hero-like. You have to live it, and it encompasses a great deal more than the comforting mouldiness of the doctrines immediately hints at. You may ask to take this cup away from you and even forgive, but everything you say will be used against you. And you will consent.
"Film's success is of course due to the writing, but it would've been nothing without Eccleston, Manchester, convincing cinematography, fantastic score – it's an experience as well as a story. Television at its best."
Conclusion: A must.
DVD Notes:
Watch: CE related deleted scenes, making-of - CE compilation
THE SECOND COMING
9 Feb 2003
TV mini series (2 parts) | Dir. Adrian Shergold | Wr. Russell T. Davies
Role: Steve Baxter (Son of God).
Video example - Gallery - IMDb - Get: Region 1, Region 2
Alex: "You may have heard Eccleston explain how television had fuelled his choice to become an actor; not cinema or theatre. You may have found it curious, if, like me, you feel your only desire so far has been to spit on your TV that's been doing nothing but forcing debilitating drivel down your throat, be it news, drama or documentary, aiming for the base senses, trusting your brain only as far as it can be bent to decide on one more purchase. TV films like 'The Second Coming' become vital in such environment. It's up to you to treat it as a rehabilitation or a wake for television drama, but it's unmissable."Chiclit: "Chris as the son of God, written by Russell T. Davies and co-starring Lesley Sharp – it's perfection. This is what television can do when it's at its best and we should all demand less reality programming and more work that challenges our very way of thinking. Chris plays all the emotions in this one, both small and big, his character's struggle to understand, his acceptance, the isolation. Being less of a physical performance, it's all there on Chris's face. And you believe that he believes."
A: "No matter whether you're religious or an atheist, this drama is written on far more levels than you could dismiss as irrelevant to you. It sneaks into your mind, and makes a pleasant mess – the kind that gives birth to further thoughts, and encourages to question your own stance, your understanding.
"One of my favourite scenes is 'reality on Salford Road' – that's how it feels when the scabbing falls away and you sense through your brand new skin. Overall, what adds to film's wide reach, is that while there are miracles, it's completely dissociated from any religious paraphernalia (aside from the characters' names), it won't let itself be tied down, and at the same time as picturing world wide events, it is extremely personal.
"CE holds nothing back, he invests himself 100% in the character of Steve Baxter. Ordinary bloke who experiences a divine revelation. A concept old as world, it seems, from zero to hero, trivial against supernatural. In this film though, they do not indulge in this satisfying duality, instead, they aim for the very core. Looking at the problematic through a present day filter, a study is carried out how this clash of flesh and omnipotence tackles the person in the thick of it, how it affects his physical, social, mental life – especially in the context of society around him that's been sent reeling as well.
"Being Steve Baxter, the Second Coming, is an ultimately human endeavour, the holiness notwithstanding. There's nobody you can tell to sod off, and you cannot just take it on the chin, all hero-like. You have to live it, and it encompasses a great deal more than the comforting mouldiness of the doctrines immediately hints at. You may ask to take this cup away from you and even forgive, but everything you say will be used against you. And you will consent.
"Film's success is of course due to the writing, but it would've been nothing without Eccleston, Manchester, convincing cinematography, fantastic score – it's an experience as well as a story. Television at its best."
Conclusion: A must.
DVD Notes:
2003 "ITV" Region 2. English HOH subtitles. Extras: Commentary by R. T. Davies & A. Shergold; Deleted scenes & out-takes (CE featured).
PART 15
PART 15
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