The International

Later today at 6pm on Eastside 89.7 FMs Cinemascape show I’ll be reviewing Tom Tykwer’s new Hollywood thriller The International. Starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts; the film attempts to fuse the 70s Political thriller and the director’s hyper kinetic style he developed on his breakthrough feature Run Lola Run. A timely condemnation of the banking system and how far the huge corporations will go to make money, this intriguing plotting device takes Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Watts) on a whirlwind trip around the globe, stopping of in Berlin, Madrid, Istanbul and NYC and the film’s use of locations assures the film is always visually arresting. In fact, despite the potential boredom of number crunching and banking procedures, when the film works, as in a sensational shoot out in New Yorks Guggenheim, it’s breathtaking. When it doesn’t, however, it falls father flat. The two leads try hard but are not given much to work with. Owen has played the dishevelled everyman fighting for the truth one too many times now and Watts character is given nothing to do except follow Owen’s lead. Saying that the actors are always watchable and there is enough going on to elevate The International above your standard Hollywood thriller, it’s just a shame that more of Tykwer’s Euro aesthetic didn’t shine through. For more of my thoughts tune in this evening.

Latest News

A lot has been happening over the last couple of weeks so here's an update...

I hosted the running commentary for the forthcoming DVD release of I Know How Many Runs You Scored Last Summer. I was joined by the creative team behind the film Doug Turner and Stacey Edmonds to discuss the joys of filming a cricket themed slasher movie. More news on the DVD release date soon.

My interview with actor Crispin Glover, star of Back to the Future, Wild at Heart and Willard, will appear in the next issue of Smoke & Mirrors magazine and my chat with Diary of the Dead director George. A. Romero will be featured in a forthcoming issue of Drum Media.

In terms of new interviews I recently spoke to Philippe Mora, the director of Mad Dog Morgan, The Beast Within and The Howling 3: The Marsupials and Anthony. I. Ginnane, the producer of Patrick, Turkey Shoot and Fantasm.

Lastly, all you horror fans out there should check out the new Frightfest website at www.frightfest.co.uk. The new improved layout includes plenty of new features and, of course, my regular Dave Down Under blog.