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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Something from the Archive...

Below we have some exclusive artwork done by our very own Adam.  We think it brings out the best in L Bargie.  Let us know what you think:

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Nolan Zebra's Top 10...

One of our finest followers on Twitter @nolanzebra3 has graciously donated their Top 10 Films of 2012.  You can read the choices by clicking here.  Enjoy!

Peace

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K Bargie's Top 10...

As a bit of a cheat, you can read K Bargie's article on his Top 10 Films of 2012 by clicking here.  Enjoy!  Remember and comment on how you thought last year was for film!

Peace

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Chris' Top 10...

We continue our Top 10 Films of 2012 with Chris.  Enjoy!

10. We Bought a Zoo (Camerson Crowe, 2011)

9. Cafe de Flore (Jean-Marc Vallee, 2011)

8. Life of Pi (Ang Lee, 2012)

7. 21 Jump Street (Phil Lord & Chris Miller, 2012)

6. To Rome with Love (Woody Allen, 2012)

5. ParaNorman (Chris Butler & Sam Fell, 2012)

4. Carnage (Roman Polanski, 2011)

3. Your Sister's Sister (Lynn Shelton, 2011)

2. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (Lorene Scafaria, 2012)

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky, 2012)

New Year, New Top 10...

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Have a Bloodaxe New Year, on us.  This year will see the screening of Ferocious Bloodaxe: Part II - 2 Ferocious 2 Bloodaxe as well as filming Bloodaxe: Part III.  In the meantime, we've collected some of your Top 10 Films of this year and the choices are great.  Happy viewing.

DOM'S TOP 10 FILMS 2012

10. ARGO (Ben Affleck, 2012)

9. LAWLESS (John Hillcoat, 2012)

8. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (Christopher Nolan, 2012)

7. PITCH PERFECT (Jason Moore, 2012)

6. DREDD (Pete Travis, 2012)

5. RUST AND BONE (Jacques Audiard, 2012)

4. AVENGERS ASSEMBLED (Joss Whedon, 2012)

3. LIFE OF PI (Ang Li, 2012)

2. THE RAID (Gareth Evans, 2011)

1. PARANORMAN (Chris Butler, Sam Fell, 2012)

The Next Top 10...

Since our last Top 10 project was so successful, we're looking for YOUR Top 10 Films of the year.  Granted, it's still November and many more films are on our way.  We're going to put the deadline for the 30th December, so come the New Year, we've got the lists up.

Better start hitting the cinema and, hopefully, we'll see Ferocious Bloodaxe: Part II - 2 Ferocious 2 Bloodaxe at least in your Top 5.

Peace

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Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, everybody! Or, to all our Pagan friends, Samhain!

We thought we'd give an update.  We're on our way to produce Bloodaxe: Part III, which should be happening at the beginning of next year.  We're also on the verge of revamping the blog, so keep an eye on this space.

Enjoy tonight's festivities, let us know what you dress up as and what horror movies you watch.

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.

10 & 9...

10. APOCALYPSE NOW

(Francis Ford Coppola, 1979)

This mind-blowing epic squeezed into the Top 10 and we're glad it did.  It's a dark, troubling journey into the heart of darkness.  Coppola's epic design and execution is staggering.  The troubled production is almost as famous as the film itself.  This is definitely one to track down and experience.

9. DAWN OF THE DEAD

(George A. Romero, 1978)

A cult classic and deservedly so.  The follow up to Romero's seminal Night of the Living Dead (1968) expands the zombie nightmare into a global epidemic.  A biting statement on consumerism, Romero has fun with his zombie friends as well as giving us a gross, horrific, splatter-fest, courtesy of Tom Savini's brilliant make-up.  A classic.

The Top 10...

It's taken a long time but the results are finally in.  Here are your all time Top 10 Films, all voted by you!  This will serve as the introduction and we'll put two films up at a time until we get to the top four, where they'll have their own individual post.  So, let the countdown commence...

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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Thank You...

We would just like to thank everyone for their support and contributions to the Bloodaxe Top 10 Films project, we appreciate everything y'all have done for us.  Once we've tallied up the films we'll publish your overall Top 10 Films!  There were some great choices and all the lists were surprising, from cult classics to true pieces of art.  Thank you all, again, and we hope you enjoyed the experience!

We'll be back to regular Bloodaxe activities shortly once we're all back together.  Part III should hopefully commence shooting soon and we'll let y'all know when and where you can watch 2 Ferocious 2 Bloodaxe.

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.