Infinity On High

So I was a bit bored the other night, and I decided to watch a film. Being tired I wasn't in the mood for focusing too much, so I decided to throw on a film I know and love, namely Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Although I have seen this film many times, it very quickly changed from an attempt just to have a bit of background noise, to having my rapt attention for the entire of the running time. I really enjoy this film, and that is why it is one of my arsenal of films to watch whatever mood I am in. It seems like the simple of story of a young couple trying to get it together whilst ensuing on some odd escapades in the city is prime viewing for me any time of the year.

The most notable thing about the film, is it's absolutely stellar sound track. By using mainly music tracks rather than scoring, the entire film feels as if it set to a musical scrapbook of songs that describe the best night of their lives. From the upbeat tones of The Dead 60s, to the almost fairytale indie sounds of Vampire Weekend, the soundtrack aptly helps us navigate our way around the characters and plot, whilst giving a real feeling that this is the music they listen too. The diversity of the soundtrack give the entire film a feel of being genuine, and set against the back-drop of New York, really give the feeling of a bustling metropolitan world. If you are into films with an awesome soundtrack, I would definitely recommend watching this.

But a film cannot be held up by its music alone. With a series of fantastic casting, the film really has a chance to utilise some amazing characters, and although our titular heroes are the focus of the piece, the supporting cast are all truly memorable. Two of the most influential supporting members are Nick's best friends and band mates Thom and Dev. These two characters are out and proud gay men, who carefully tread the line between indie masculinity and flamboyancy. The subtle approach they both use in their portrayals of these characters saves them from becoming over the top cliches and avoids stereotyping, which could have easily been done were they not written so well. Instead they quietly keep pushing and prodding Nick and Norah in the right directions that they end up together, whilst arguing amongst themselves about an appropriate name for their band. Starting off as The Jerk-offs, they bandy about with a variety of names throughout the film, coming close to be called Shit Sandwich, only to settle on Fistful of Assholes. Their lighthearted banter and outlook on life keeps spirits high in the film, and help to provide insight into the relationship between the main characters, before the relationship has even begun.

Then there is also Norah's best friend Caroline. Acting as the catalyst which drives most of the adventuring about New York, Caroline embodies that friend that we all have, who loves getting into a drunken stupor on a night out, and generally becoming a liability for everyone else along the way. And if you feel that you don't have a friend who is like this, it most likely means that it is you. I am sorry to be the barer of bad news, but that is just that way it goes. Despite the fact that Caroline gets herself into all these outrageous and ridiculous situations, she is played with such naivety and lack of malice, that you cannot help but feel bad for her, and are vying for her to be rescued by her friends.This shows that even a character whose main role is to progress the narrative, they are played with enough depth that you still end up empathising with her.

So for anyone who is in the mood for a feel good indie rom-com, with and absolutely smashing soundtrack, this is definitely one to watch. With smooth camera shots, and beautiful cuts to New York skylines, you feel like you are there with the gang the whole way along. Very much an easy viewing film, but with enough of an edge and quirkiness about it to stand out from the norm, this while be one of my staple go to films which I am happy to watch at almost any point. Michael Cera shows he is strong once again in the role of geek/everyman whilst holding down a leading man position, and Kat Dennings heartwarming portrays an alt-girl with a chip on her shoulder, turning into the perfect object of Nick's affections. A truly modern love-story.

Happy viewing...

Starting at the bottom

So for my first proper post, I thought I would start with one of my least proud ownerships in my DVD collection; an interesting little film called Apocalypse of the Dead. Now I know what you are thinking. Surely any film that includes "...of the Dead" in it surely has to be an instant masterpiece. And in a lot of cases I would agree, mainly due to my fascination with zombie films, regardless as to whether they are good or not. I just cant resist them. It is like poking all the fresh bread at a bakery section in a supermarket. You know you shouldn't, that you are probably too old for such shenanigans, but you do it anyway hoping nobody can see you. But in this case, I feel that the "...of the Dead" canon has been let down by a very average and clichéd zombie movie.

Firstly, there is the dubbing. Now dubbed films are not necessarily a bad thing, but you expect to see such work to be imparted when the original dialogue is being spoken in a language different to the dub. Not so in this case. For some inexplicable reason, they decided to dub over several characters' voices, even though they were obviously delivering the dialogue in the same language. This lead to some appalling lip syncing, and some very dodgey action movie voices. Now this on its own wouldn't bother me too much, but in this film, there was no consitancy to the dubbing, and appeared to only apply to some characters. This can leave only the conclusion that the actors who were dubbed have terrible zombie movie voices. Maybe like David Mitchell or Woody Allen. Although to be completely honest, if that was how they originally sounded, I may have enjoyed the film considerably more if they left it that way.

The next issue I had with this film was the effects. Now when approaching a zombie movie, you have to be prepared for some fantastically hammy effects, and I feel with the lower budget films, kudos must be paid for creativity in light of this. So the standard of the effects was not an issue for me. In fact they were acually suprisingly good in comparison to what I was expecting. What annoyed me was the lack of confidence in the film makers had in their own capabilities, so that when there was an effects heavy scene, they resorted to extremely dynamic camera movements, as if trying to detract away from possible flaws, rather than showcasing one of the film's stronger areas. One particular shot of a samurai sword cleaving a head in two was a personal highlight in the effects for me. Especially in a sea of zombie movie effects where they would have settled to a quick cut to a shot of a manaquin filled with paint being hacked.

Alas, that last moment also brings me to one of my main issues with the film, and with many of the zombie film genre. The samurai sword. Agian this is nothing to do with the fact that a, quite frankly, awesome weapon is being used in a zombie film. But more to do with the fact that films of this ilk are inclined to take themselves a little too seriously, and then introduce ridiculous weapons with which to fight the hordes of undead. Now were the film to be massively tongue-in -cheek, there would be alot more room for manoeuvre to make this weapon be used ironically, and therefore alot more enjoyable to watch. But when it is used in a film of this standing, where the anti-hero of the piece just happnes to be an amazing Mexican-Samurai, it seems a little too much like indulging the film makers fantasy of how to make a zombie apocalypse as cool as possible. Now granted, were I to be caught up in such a maelstrom of a posthumus flesheating nightmare - and don't even pretend you have't had long and deep discussion with your friends about such an event - I would love to think I would be able to run about wielding a katana like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. But we all know in the harsh light of day, we would al be running around with something rubbish like a mug tree or an funky Ikea leopard print mop to protect our delicious brains from the hungry masses. So the use of such fantastical weapons in a film where the tone should not abide its legitimate use, just annoys me. Were he to accidently lop off his ear in the process of all the swinging about of said sword, I would have accepted its inclusion far more easily.

So in all I was dissapointed with Apocalypse of the Dead. But I will not let it act as a detriment to the many other fantastic low budget zombie flicks I have the pleasure of owning. Part of the thrill of buying a low budget zombie film lies in the 50/50 of if it will be hilariously bad, but loving crafted, or just another zombie enthusiasts realisation of his own fantasies, almost definitely utilising the gratuitous naked young woman zombie shot. Unfortunately this film was the latter, but here are plenty more brains in the sea.

Happy viewing...

Episode IV: A New Blog

Welcome to the world of Rory's First Kiss, as place to hear my random ramblings on whatever film I happened to have watched recently. To anyone looking for a classy review of avant-garde and 'proper' films, may wish to look away now. Although these will be looked at I will not be limited to 'Academy' films, as my viewing can range from A Single Man to Zombie Women of Satan, depending on what I'm in the mood for watching at the time. So sit back, relax, and prepare for my musings on the world film, though the medium of the ever respected Blog.

Happy viewing...