Review of 2007

As we reach the end of 2007 I thought I’d look back at a few of my professional highlights.

I’ve been lucky enough to interview some amazing talent over the year; Jessica Alba and the cast of Fantastic Four, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Franka Potente, Joe Anderson, Jena Malone, Claudia Karvan and director Jamie Blanks among many more have all made wonderful company. Set visit wise I’ve headed to Queensland to visit some amazing locations; in particular the beautiful mountain ranges of Carter Smith’s The Ruins. The filmmakers of Acolytes and Daybreakers both also made me extremely welcome and the film’s themselves show incredible promise so I’m very much looking forward to seeing those next year.

My ties with Shivers and Smoke & Mirrors magazines have gone from strength to strength and I still regularly contribute to Filmink and Film Review magazines aswell as reviewing DVDs for http://www.cinephilia.net.au/ and http://www.digital-retribution.com/. I’m particularly proud of my recent Danger Diabolik article in the wonderful Cinema Retro and my regular blog at http://www.frightfest.co.uk/.

I became a producer on Eastside 89.7FMs Cinemascape Show and have loved the challenge of putting the show together on a regular basis. The show has also put me in that wonderful position of seeing far too many movies this year.

Talking of which my top ten of the year is; in no particular order…..

No Country For Old Men
Pan’s Labyrinth
This is England
Eastern Promises
Priceless
Control
Black Sheep
Lucky Miles
Little Children
Death Proof

A special mention to Juno and The King of Kong which aren’t released down under until next year but will surely be in my top ten of 2008.

Anyway, that’s it for 2007 so Happy Christmas to everyone reading and see you in 2008!

Evel Knievel makes his last jump

Very sad to hear that Evel Knievel, the man who inspired the Seventies greatest toy has passed away. The death defying stuntman, renowned for his taste for adventure took motorcycle jumping to the masses; he tried to jump the Grand Canyon, headlined London’s Wembley Stadium and crashed into the fountains of Caesar’s Palace after flying 45 metres through the air. He broke almost every bone in his body, had 15 operations and starred in the motion picture Viva Knievel with Gene Kelly! Stars like Evel Knievel just don’t exist anymore, he’ll be missed. Here's some incredible footage of the great man's visit to Wembley.