The Stories of H.P. Lovecraft – The Duke St Workshop feat. Laurence R. Harvey. Mayhem’s 2016 schedule kicked off with an innovative, atmospheric performance of two classic H.P Lovecraft stories, accompanied by a live performance from The Duke St Workshop. Presented in association with Kino Klubb, the legendary author’s work was performed by The Human Centipede 2 & 3 star Laurence R Harvey, married to the eerily commanding sonic presence, creating a tense, emotive and unsettling presentation of From Beyond and The Hound. Ashley Carter.
Raw. If you’ve been following the horror press you’ll have heard about Raw causing people to vomit and/or faint at theatres across the globe. Now, while I’m sure that some people will hate by the blood and gore in the film honestly I was more shocked by people’s reactions. As was rightly mentioned in the intro to day one’s second film rightly noted, this is no A Serbian Film for shock factor. In fact, Raw is a lovely little coming-of-age story, if you’re cool with the main character craving the taste of human flesh.
Raw is a beautifully rendered indie that drips with cool uni students, great parties and a beautiful exploration of relationships – between both Justine (Garance Marillier) and her family and the boy she likes. The only slight fault I could pick with the film is the portrayal of the hazing, the catalyst to Justine’s unique cravings. While for the most part it is depicted well, with aggressive older students forcing the newbies to do ridiculous things and causing all manner of annoyance, the scene were Justine is forced to eat something she really doesn’t want to falls a little flat.
For a first feature length, writer and director Julia Ducournau shows that she is already a master of her craft. The actors are brilliantly cast for their roles, bringing a real dark humour to a script that could easily become hammy in the hands of lesser talent.
All-in-all, Raw is a gem of a film, which I hope gains acclaim in a similar way that one of last year’s favourites, the similarly blackly comic Nina Forever, did. Penny Reeve.
Headshot. After being found washed up on a beach, a young man - Iko Uwais (The Raid) -wakes up from a two month coma with no recollection of his past life. As he starts to rebuild his life, with the help of his attractive young trainee doctor, it becomes apparent that he is a master in kicking ass and may have a dark past. This Indonesian action movie is a two hour exercise in extended fight scenes, sped-up action shots and ridiculous plot. That's not too say it isn't fun - if a little cheesy in places - it's just the right amount of daft and incredible in its build up to the boss fight at the end. Leave any notion of what the human body can withstand when you get your ticket checked, Python's Black Knight had nothing on these guys. Ali Emm
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