Ferocious Bloodaxe: Part II - 2 Ferocious 2 Bloodaxe Review

It's been a while but we're back.  A few updates to announce:

We're looking into changing from this ye olde blog and actually create a website for all your Bloodaxe needs.  This should hopefully happen over the next month or so.

The script for Bloodaxe: Part III is shaping up and we hope to shooting end of March/April time.  All we can say is that it's going to be epic.

We're looking into getting a screening soon for Ferocious Bloodaxe: Part II - 2 Ferocious 2 Bloodaxe, so do keep your eyes on this space.

Finally, our dear friend @nolanzebra3 gratefully accepted our invitation to review Ferocious Bloodaxe: Part II in a preview.  You can read his thoughts and findings here.

Peace

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1...

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE

(Joss Whedon, 2012)

So, here it is, the film that appeared on most lists.  Yes, we were just surprised as you were.  Apparently this is the best film ever made...according to you guys.  This movie surprised everyone.  The fact that it worked was a miracle.  Many feared that it would be a mess, similar to Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 (2007) and then it blew us all away.  Certainly not without its faults, there is a large amount of cheesiness that goes along with it, it is nevertheless a great blockbuster.  It was handled with care by Joss Whedon, who we all know can handle large groups of characters, and made some of the less successful characters (Captain America) fun!  Tom Hiddleston as Loki steals the show and the humour plays great with genuinely poignant and sad moments the film squeezes in during its 142 minute runtime.

So, there it is.  The Top 10 Films of all time, as voted by you.  Thank you all so much for participating and hope you enjoyed the ride just as much as we did!  If your choice for the greatest film didn't appear, neither did ours.  Ferocious Bloodaxe: The Movie was only on our list!

2...

THE DARK KNIGHT

(Christopher Nolan, 2008)

And on to the final two.  We have Christopher Nolan's Batman epic The Dark Knight.  Batman Begins (2005) surprised everyone and Nolan made Batman cool once more after the Joel Schumacher's horrible and unforgiving take on the Dark Knight, Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997).  Where Batman Begins has Nolan's trademark use of non-linear narrative, The Dark Knight was a linear, almost classical crime epic.  It is debatable if this truly is the best incarnation of Batman (many find it to be a crime film with Batman characters in it) and although not without its faults, it remains one of the best sequels, and blockbusters, of all time.  The performances all around were solid and though there was much hesitation about Heath Ledger portraying the Joker, all worries were laid to rest.  Of course, much publicity went into the fact that Ledger was emotional and mentally exhausted whilst researching and performing the role, he sadly passed away just before completion of the film.  He was rewarded nonetheless for his efforts, receiving posthumously a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.  It will remain one of cinema's true losses.  You guys voted for it and it's your second favourite film of all time.

3...

THERE WILL BE BLOOD

(Paul Thomas Anderson)

Paul Thomas Anderson came out of the '90s boom of independent filmmakers taking on Hollywood.  being a contemporary to the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderberg, Anderson has matured with each of his projects.  His first film, Hard Eight (1996), received little distribution due to friction between Anderson and the producers.  It remains an underrated, and underseen, gem.  His next project looking at the porn industry of the '70s, Boogie Nights (1997), brought him to the public's attention as well as receiving solid critical notices.  It is considered one of the strongest films to come out of the '90s and put Anderson on the map.  His next film, Magnolia (1999), an epic, multi-narrative drama focusing on the intertwined lives of residents in the San Fernando valley, was a critical success and has found a strong audience since.  His assured direction and skill at maintaining a large narrative has made him a darling of critics and audiences alike, and it came as a surprise that he went for a small-scale comedy starring Adam Sandler, Punch-Drunk Love (2002) following the epic structure of Magnolia.  Punch-Drunk Love became a cult hit and was successful in Europe, with Anderson shaping a commendable performance out of Sandler.  His next was an epic in both scope and theme: There Will Be Blood.  It became an instant American classic, with Anderson slowing things down and focusing on the complex, and deeply troubled oilman Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he develops a rivalry with the almost insane preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano).  Many view it as a horror film and it's hard not to find the reasons why.  Plainview's decent into madness is similar to Jack Torrence's demise in The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980).  It is one of the greatest films ever made and we're glad it made the list.

4...

THE GODFATHER

(Francis Ford Coppola, 1972)

Considered by many to be the greatest crime film ever made, Coppola's masterpiece still continues to seduce and dazzle, taking us in to the world of organised crime through the Corleone family.  Adapted from Mario Puzo's pulp novel, Coppola remained faithful to the source material, managing to chop off sub-plots that took us away from the Corleones.  It was a major risk for Paramount.  Coppola was not their ideal choice - he hadn't made anything that brought substantial box-office up to that point - and his choice for playing Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) was deemed as too much as a risk as the actor was notorious for being troublesome.  Of course we can't imagine the film without the two being involved.  It took the Oscars by storm, winning in the major categories, and it was inevitable that a sequel would be in the works.  In 1974, we got Part II, which is often considered to be the greatest sequel ever made.  You guys voted for this and it is a solid choice.

6 & 5...

6. THE EXORCIST

(William Friedkin, 1973)

One of the greatest horror films ever made, it continues to scare and fascinate viewers to this day.  Film critic Mark Kermode stands by that it's the greatest film ever made and more and more film-makers reference it as a key influence on their work.  You can now no longer look at a film that has anything to do with possession without thinking about this.  It's been parodied, spoofed and ripped-off so many times, but it's still able to hold viewers from its enigmatic start to its harrowing ending.

5. JAWS

(Steven Spielberg, 1975)

A favourite of many, it is one of the greatest films ever made.  The direction, script, acting, editing - it all works.  Its hellish production is almost as famous as the film itself, with Spielberg being driven insane from studio pressure and malfunctioning mechanical sharks.  It kick-started the summer blockbuster but has yet to be equalled.  A true cinematic masterpiece.

8 & 7...

8. UP

(Pete Docter & Bob Peterson, 2009)

This is the only Pixar/Disney film to reach the top 10 but what a choice.  The opening 10 minutes stand as a harsh depiction of shattered dreams that had many in tears even before the story got into full swing.  It is a brilliant film and a mature effort on behalf on Pixar.

7. MULHOLLAND DR.

(David Lynch, 2001)

David Lynch's masterpiece baffles viewers every time they watch it.  It is an extraordinary effort from one of cinema's true originals.  It's a haunting, and at times, horrific depiction of Hollywood dreams that has been interpreted in numerous ways.  It's a puzzle that may never be solved but it sure as hell needs to be experienced.

Number One...

We thought we'd give y'all the chance to guess what the Number One film is before we reveal the Top 10 Films of all time (as voted by you) and, yes, it was surprising but it was what YOU wanted.  So, have a guess, then tweet us your answers (@thebloodaxe).  If you want, we can put up honorary lists 'cause we're that nice.  It won't impact on the overall tallying but if you want to share your film tastes, get in touch.

And, no this picture is not a clue!

Peace

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100th Post...

It has been a while since we've posted anything and how apt that we publish our 100th post without much to say.  We are currently in the process of tallying up all Top 10 Films lists to give you what you consider the greatest film ever made.  It may thrill you, it may shock you, it might even horrify you but that is how this process was designed to work.  This was a great project and we are thankful that y'all decided to be part of it.

In other non-news, we're looking into revamping the blog with more pages so we can collate all relevant news in separate pages, maybe even have a video page.

We're looking into screening Ferocious Bloodaxe: Part II - 2 Ferocious 2 Bloodaxe about October time when everyone is back together, so we hope you can join us.

K Bargie, which you can now follow him separately on Twitter (@k_bargie) has started writing film reviews which you can read here: www.whitecoffeemagazine.com.  He's also writing articles for www.staticmass.net, so have a look at those if you want.

Peace

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Kyle's List...

And now to finish off we have K Bargie's Top 10 Films list.  You can follow him direct on Twitter (@k_bargie).  He's regularly getting reviews publish thanks to www.whitecoffeemagazine.com and has articles published on www.staticmass.net.  Enjoy the list!

10. Bride of Frankenstein (James Whale, 1935)
I was introduced to the classic horror films of the '30s by my grandparents and they've stuck with me ever since I was little.  I loved Frankenstein (James Whale, 1931) but every time I watch this superior sequel I get more from it.  Expertly directed, acted and the score is one of the best ever recorded.  A true gem and prime example of the genius of cinema.

9. The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982)
This terrified me when I first saw.  The special effects were so gruesome that I just couldn't shake the visceral impact it had on me.  The more I watched it the more I got from the fantastic performances, the solid script and the flawless direction.  I think I embraced this more because it was reviled at the time of its release.  Carpenter considers this as his greatest filmmaking effort.  He's not wrong.  It is one of the greatest films ever made.

8. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (David Lynch, 1992)
Huge fan of the show and when I got round to watching the film I was stumped.  It is an enigmatic work, almost as mysterious as Eraserhead (David Lynch, 1977) which I will admit to being a better film.  However, every time I watch this I'm fascinated by it.  I'm repulsed, humoured and most of all mystified.  It is Lynch's most imaginative work.  He blends different worlds, planes of existence to show the dark, troubling tale of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) as she battles her demons, both internal and literal in the form of BOB (Frank Silva), one of cinema's truly underrated villains.  A flawed but deeply interesting film.

7. Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro, 2006)
A beautiful, gothic masterpiece.  Toro hit all the right notes that he's been exploring over his career and developed them into his greatest work.  A devastating portrait of a troubled girl's imagination.  Set during the Spanish Civil War, Toro weaves grim reality with gorgeous, imaginative sequences that are truly suspenseful to watch.

6. Goodfellas (Martin Scorsese, 1990)
Scorsese, at his peak, transformed cinema and became an influence on filmmakers for decades.  This work stands out as he began to change his style.  He's always been a referential filmmaker, particularly taking shots and techniques from European directors.  Here he blends it all, manages to break all the rules and gives us a true cinematic masterpiece.

5. Crimes and Misdemeanors (Woody Allen, 1989)
Woody Allen is one of the most prolific filmmakers of all time.  With a career spanning over 40 years, he's had his hits and misses.  I could've picked the truly hilarious and brilliant Annie Hall or the bitter-sweet Manhattan but this blends the best of his drama with his best comedy.  Martin Landau as the guilt-ridden lead is one of the greatest performances ever committed to the screen.

4. Dawn of the Dead (George A. Romero, 1978)
Night of the Living Dead is one of the greatest films ever made.  It transformed the horror genre and gave inspiration for aspiring filmmakers that they could make their own, well-made films.  How did he top it?  He made this.  A gore layered feast with social commentary that, at times is hilarious, harrowing, gruesome and playful.  It is an epic and still the greatest Zombie film ever made.

3. Magnolia (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999)
Pretentious, epic, fascinating and brilliant.  Magnolia is what Anderson considers to be his true masterpiece.  He wasn't far-off.  He managed to get everyone involved to give their absolute best.  The performances are flawless, particularly Tom Cruise.  The direction is superb, echoing Scorsese and Robert Altman.  The soundtrack is brilliant and it's one of the best scripts ever written.

2. Mulholland Dr. (David Lynch, 2001)
I'm aware I've got two Lynch films in this list but he really is one of the best directors ever.  He breaks the rules, reinvents narrative and completely reverses any expectations you have about the characters of  this film.  A deeply mysterious film where as soon as you think you've got it figured out, the rug is pulled from beneath you.  It might take me the rest of my life to figure it all out but I'm going to keep watching it.

1. There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007)
I haven't stopped thinking about this film since I first saw.  It is an incredible piece of work.  Anderson moved away from his multi-character narratives for something much more grander in a classical sense.  Daniel Day-Lewis playing the deeply disturbed Daniel Plainview is one of the greatest performances I have ever seen.  He's intimidating, at times over-the-top and, most of all, terrifying.  He has a true heart of darkness.  This broke all the rules.  We're given a protagonist who is more like a villain.  We've barely got anyone to root for.  Paul Dano as the greedy, demented preacher Eli Sunday holds his own.  He's just as deranged as Plainview and watching them develop a rivalry is simply superb.  The script challenges any notions of a conventional narrative and Anderson was able to create sequences, such as the now infamous 'Milkshake' scene, that is now part of popular culture.  The ending was even parodied in South Park!  A true masterpiece and my personal favourite of all-time.

Fionn Reilly's List...

For the last day of our Top 10 Films project we have (@FDReilly) Fionn Reilly's list and a short bio!  Enjoy!

Fionn Reilly is writer, musician and actor.  Keep an eye out for You, Me and the Devil Makes Three (with Declan McKay) - Coming Soon to a stage near you.  He will be on stages not-so-near you (unless you're in Continental Europe) at the end of the year with Texas Pete.  Keep an ear cocked for his in-progress radio project - more to come.  He's performing later today, so he better get some rest.  Hopefully he'll stop referring to himself in the third person.

The Aviator (Martin Scorsese, 2004) - Scorsese's biopic of Howard Hughes, his incredible successes and struggles, both public and private.

Das Boot (Wolfgang Petersen, 1981) - Jürgen Prochnow gives a career defining performance as the captain.  A must-see, even if war movies don't usually interest you.

Delicatessen (Marc Caro,& Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 1991) - A delightfully dark and post-apocalyptic setting for this madcap, surreal tale.  Jeunet and Caro have created some other strange and beautiful films but I really love this one.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Joel & Ethan Coen, 2000) - The Coen brother's retelling of Homer's Odyssey, set in the Deep South, in a glorious sepia tone with an unmissable soundtrack.  Beautiful.

In Bruges (Martin McDonagh, 2008) - Far more than just a black comedy.  Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes are fantastic as always.  And so is Colin Farrell!

The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius, 2011) - A love letter to Hollywood's Golden Age.  I adore it more and more every time I watch it.

The Fall (Tarsem Singh, 2006) - One of the most visually stunning films ever made.  If you only see one film this month, see this.  The plot is quite fantastic too.

Harvey (Henry Koster, 1950) - Just watch it.  James Stewart at his finest, with a giant invisible rabbit as a co-star.

There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007) - A dark tale of greed, religion and lust for power.  Great performances from Paul Dano and Daniel Day-Lewis.  A masterpiece.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981) - My childhood favourite and still the benchmark for any adventure film.  Harrison Ford's finest hour.

Honourable mentions: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom & Inidana Jones and the Last Crusade (Steven Spielberg, 1984 & 1989), Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942), The Usual Suspects (Bryan Singer, 1995)

Bon Voyeur's List...

Next we have @LaBonVoyuer's list, a photographer and artist, and a brief write up on her choices.  Enjoy!

I could have written about 20 lists of exceptional films based on cinematography, humour, acting skill, artistic merit, and ability to transport the viewer.  Instead I opted for films that are personal favourites.  Every film here is a masterpiece of their creators, transport the mind, and are consummate performances from the actors:

10. Hallam Foe (David Mackenzie, 2007)

9. Valmont (Milos Forman, 1989)

8. Stealing Beauty (Bernado Bertolucci, 1996)

7. Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock, 1954)

6. A Single Man (Tom Ford, 2009)

5. Kill Bill vol. 2 (Quentin Tarantino, 2004)

4. Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola, 2003)

3. True Romance (Tony Scott, 1993)

2. Cat People (Jacques Tourneur, 1942)

1. The Pillow Book (Peter Greenaway, 1996)

Mark's List...

Today we have Mark Cousins, film critic and filmmaker, who has graciously donated his list.  You can follow Mark on Twitter (@markcousinsfilm) and be sure to check out his columns in Sight & Sound!  You can also catch the list as well as Mark's comments by clicking here.  Enjoy!

NOTE: The list was created alphabetically which may or may not reflect the intended chronological order.

1. The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960)

2. Come and See (Elem Kilmov, 1985)

3. Distant Voices, Still Lives (Terence Davies, 1988)

4. Eureka (Nicolas Roeg, 1974)

5. The House is Black (Forough Farrokhzad, 1962)

6. The Insect Woman (Imamura Shohei, 1963)

7. Kaagaz Ke Phool (Guru Dutt, 1959)

8. La Maman et la Putain (Jean Eustache, 1973)

9. Minamata: The Victims and their World (Tsuchimoto Noriaki, 1972)

10. A Moment of Innocence (Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 1995)

Grant's List...

Today we have Grant (@grantmcdonald92), an actor and Bloodaxe supporter.  Enjoy!

10. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)

9. Wayne's World (Penelope Spheeris, 1992)

8. Napoleon Dynamite (Jared Hess, 2004)

7. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Adam McKay, 2004)

6. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Edgar Wright, 2010)

5. Avengers Assemble (Joss Whedon, 2012)

4. (500) Days of Summer (Marc Webb, 2009)

3. Shawshank Redemption (Frank Darabont, 1994)

2. Kick-Ass (Matthew Vaughn, 2010)

1. The Dark Knight Rises (Christopher Nolan, 2012)

L Bargie's List...

We have Lee (aka L Bargie) and his eclectic list.  Remember and please comment!

10. Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954)

9. Castle in the Sky (Hayao Miyazaki, 1986)

8. Avengers Assemble (Joss Whedon, 2012)

7. The Lion King (Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff, 1994)

6. Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks, 1974)

5. Die hard (John McTiernan, 1988)

4. Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, 1982)

3. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)

2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Peter Jackson, 2001)

1. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (Irvin Kershner, 1980)

Susan's List...

Today we have Susan's list, a Bloodaxe supporter.  Remember and comment on the lists as they come in.  We will be doing an overall Top 10 starting in September and we'd appreciate everyone's thoughts on the different lists.  Enjoy!

10. East is East (Damien O'Donnell, 1999)

9. Meet Me in St. Louis (Vincente Minnelli, 1944)

8. Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir, 1975)

7. National Lampoon's Animal House (John Landis, 1978)

6. Sideways (ALexander Payne, 2004)

5. Muriel's Wedding (P.J. Hogan, 1994)

4. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Stephen Elliott, 1994)

3. The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972)

2. The Godfather: Part II (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974)

1. JFK (Oliver Stone, 1991)

Anne's List...

Today we have Anne, a Bloodaxe follower, and her list.  You can add her on Twitter (@momsfilms).  Enjoy!

1. Kind Hearts and Coronets (Robert Hamer, 1949) - This is my favourite film due to the acting of Dennis Price, Alex Guiness and Joan Greenwood.

2. The Enforcer (James Fargo, 1976) - I like any film with Clint Eastwood, but this is my favourite of him as Dirty Harry.

3. Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981) - Go, Indy, Go!

4. I Know Where I'm Going! (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, 1945) - Poweel and Pressburger, do I need to say more?

5. All About Eve (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1950) - Love the acting of Bette Davis and Anne Baxter.

6. Some Like It Hot (Bill Wilder, 1959) - For Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn.

7. Dan in Real Life (Peter Hedges, 2007) - Just love Steve Carell in this film, and it always lifts my spirits.

8. Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock, 1958) - Love any film of Hitchcock!

9. Ocean's Eleven (Steven Soderbergh, 2001) - I like most of Soderbergh's films, but I like this one due to the cracking soundtrack by David Holmes.

10. House on Haunted Hill (William Castle, 1959) - Can't beat Vincent Price in this creepy film.

Emma's List...

We now have author Emma Kathryn's video of her Top 10 Films.  Inspired by Amanda Palmer's Kick-Starter video, she takes us through her choices.  You can see Emma's blog here: Beware and follow her on Twitter (@girlofgotham).  Enjoy!

Peter's List...

Film critic Peter Bradshaw has graciously donated his Top 10 Films list to be included in this project.  You can find his reviews here and follow him on Twitter (@PeterBradshaw1).  Enjoy!

1. The Addiction (Abel Ferrara, 1994)

2. Andrei Rublev (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1966)

3. Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)

4. Black Narcissus (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, 1947)

5. Hidden (Michael Haneke, 2004)

6. I am Cuba (Mikhail Kalatozov, 1964)

7. In The Mood For Love (Wong Kar Wai, 2000)

8. Kind Hearts and Coronets (Robert Hamer, 1949)

9. Raging Bull (Martin Scorsese, 1980)

10. Singin' in the Rain (Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 1951)

Steve's List...

Next up is Steve Mooring's (@SteveMooring) list.  Add comments if you agree with the list!  Enjoy!

1. Jaws (Steven Spielberg, 1975)

2. Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004)

3. Dawn of the Dead (George A. Romero, 1978)

4. The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982)

5. An American Werewolf in London (John Landis, 1981)

6. The Fifth Element (Luc Besson, 1997)

7. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Tomas Alfredson, 2011)

8. Avengers Assemble (Joss Whedon, 2012)

9. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Adam McKay, 2004)

10. 28 Days Later (Danny Boyle, 2002)