:: FILM

Scratch

This documentary does a pretty good job of taking you on a journey through the realm of hip-hop and turntablism. Many renowned DJs of the genre, including Mix Master Mike, DJ Babu, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist and DJ Premier theorize on how underground hip-hop has developed from its beginnings to the point that it is at today. We learn the history, from the very first scratch, invented in the home of Grand Wizard Theodore, right through to the intergalactic space scratching of modern master DJ Qbert. And along the way, the interviewees expound on true hip hop being not just about an MC and a drum machine, but also it incorporating fashion, graffiti art, breakdance, smooth rhyming, and of course DJs cutting it up on the turntables.

Scratch hopes to convince the staunch skeptics that DJs can be real musicians, and that the turntable is as much a musical instrument as a guitar or a trumpet. We learn that strenuous hours must be spent practicing for a six minute set, and that the act of record collecting alone may take months just to find a few elusive but essential beats. Simply moving your hand back and forth on a record to make funny sounds is not, we are assured, all it takes to make hip-hop.

With its dope cinematography and tweaked out sounds coming from every corner, along with phat beats dropping like bombs, Scratch is bad ass!

reviewed by Justin Spohn

From February
Dir: Doug Pray
Featuring : Grand Wizard Theodore, Afrika Bambaataa, Jazzy Jay, GrandMixer DXT, Steinski, Mix Master Mike
2001/U.S./92min.

Sweet Sixteen

Imagine taking the humour out of The Full Monty, adding junkies, criminals and bullies, and filming the whole thing with such realism that at times it could almost be mistaken for a home movie. Sweet Sixteen is not a flashy or feelgood flick in the Hollywood sense, but neither is it lacking in thrills or life. It is a bit like choosing brown bread instead of sweetened white - you taste the whole grain and it is good for you.

The story revolves around a fifteen year old kid, Liam. He is beaten up by the world and most of its inhabitants, but shows more pluck and fight than Stallone's Rocky as he scrambles toward his dream - saving his jailed mother from heroin and a scumbag boyfriend, by getting a place of his own where they can live.

Since the 60s, director Ken Loach has remained one of the best-respected social awareness drama and documentary filmakers in Europe, but has never been a populist. Sweet Sixteen, however, has something for everyone, in tune with his other recent collaboration with writer Paul Laverty, My Name Is Joe.

From February
Dir: Ken Loach
Cast: Martin Compston, William Ruane, Annmarie Fulton

2002/U.K./106min.

Bourne Identity

Action-packed and innovative espionage. An amnesiac spy evades assasins with the help of a seductive gypsy, while trying to work out who he really is. Based on a best-selling Robert Ludlum novel. See it.
2002/U.S./118min./UIP
Dir: Doug Liman
Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper

Red Dragon

Hannibal The Cannibal is back...in time to the 80s, in this unpretentious and gory new filming of book one in the Lecter trilogy (previously filmed as the even scarier Manhunter in '86). Same basic plot as the other two.
2002/U.S./125min./UIP
Dir: Brett Ratner
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes

Cypher

An action thriller about a salaryman turned corporate spy (Northam) for whom things go horribly wrong. Also starring Lucy Liu as his femme fatale teammate. Director Vincenzo Natali's best since Cube.
2002/U.S./95min.
Dir: Vincenzo Natali
Cast: Jeremy Northam, Lucy Liu

Bowling for Columbine

A shocking and downright hilarious documentary by leftist comedian Michael Moore on a quest for the reasons behind America's gun culture. Everyone should see it, and Charlton Heston should have his head examined.
2002/Canada, U.S./120min.
Dir: Michael Moore
Featuring: Michael Moore, Charlton Heston, Marilyn Manson

Rabbit-Proof Fence

The true story of three "stolen generation" half-caste Aussie kids who escape their camp and set out to trek the 2400 km home across the outback. Astonishing story, solid acting, wonderful scenery. See it.
2001/Australia/94min.
Dir: Phillip Noyce
Cast: Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan

Fear Dot Com

For most of us it's a stomach-churning early nomination for Worst Film Of The Year, but it may go down well with anime fans into bondage and mutilation. Bad acting, terrible lines, and even a stupid URL - feardotcom.com.
2002/U.S./101min.
Dir: William Malone
Cast: Stephen Dorff, Natascha McElhone

Enough

J-Lo trains in Israeli martial arts to kick the crap out of her psychotic stalker ex-husband. A noble cause, but there's little more to it than that. Likely to be popular with Tomb Raider fans and dumb feminists.
2002/U.S./1h55min.
Dir: Michael Apted
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Billy Campbell, Juliette Lewis

Unfaithful

A lonely housewife gets bored of her life with Richard Gere and messes around with a stereotypical sleezy French guy. Unless you're contemplating an affair, don't put a lot of faith in this movie.
2001/U.S./2h4min.
Dir: Adrian Lyne
Cast: Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Olivier Martinez

The Rookie

In the 80s Jim Morris emurged from obscurity to become the oldest Major League rookie pitcher in 40 years. It's an uplifting true tale full of American spirit that manages not to stike out in the schmaltz department.
2002/U.S./2h8min.
Dir: John Lee Hancock
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Brian Cox

The Lion King - IMAX/large format

The first in a series of painstakingly touched up and detail-enhanced re-releases of Disney films for IMAX/large format screens. Aladdin and The Little Mermaid are also said to be in the works. Recommended for hard-core fans.
2003/U.S./1h27min.
Dir: Roger Allers & Rob Minkof

Possession

A double couple love story/literary detective flick based on the Booker Prize winning novel of the same name. It has been dumbed down a bit by Hollywood, but enough of its charm remains. A good old romance.
2001/U.S./102min.
Dir: Neil LaBute
Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam

Ghost Ship

All the usual horror movie tricksﾉon a ship. It's based on simple gore galore (don't miss the opening cheesewire bloodbath), but has a certain class, and even a little twist at the end that half-justifies the film's existence.
2002/U.S./91mins
Dir: Steve Beck
Cast: Gabriel Byrne, Ron Eldard, Desmond Harrington