Wallace and Gromit is an international phenomenon that has been around for well over three decades now. During that time, the British claymation franchise has had a number of spinoffs. One such spinoff is Shaun the Sheep, a charming television series that centers on Shaun, a sheep who gets into random adventures on the Mossy Bottom Farm, a a large patch of land in the northern part of England. He then spends each episode avoiding detection from The Farmer. A feature film was inevitable and this summer sees the release of Shaun the Sheep Movie, a farm-grown picture of epic proportions. The film’s soundtrack is equally epic, featuring a robust score from Ilan Eshkeri (Kick-Ass, Layer Cake).
All posts by Unger the Radar
Blu-ray Review: Woman in Gold
When war rocks the world and valuables are stolen or misplaced, said valuables need to be replaced or returned. Art is one type of valuable and in the wake of many wars, such as World War II, these pieces need to be returned to their rightful owners. The latest drama Woman in Gold focused on one such case where the famous painting, Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I was stolen from Maria Altmann’s family by the Nazis during that turbulent time. This film follows the true account of Altmann as she attempts to legally take back the painting which is rightfully her’s and her family’s. Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren and a spectacled Ryan Reynolds bring this fascinating story to life but sadly the results are a bit underwhelming.
‘Sensory Stories’ Exhibit at Museum of the Moving Image is an Absolute Delight for the Senses
Technology has always helped guide film and bring it to new heights. Since the beginning of the motion picture camera, people have enjoyed the delights of sound and image. 2015 is seeing even more advanced forms of cinematic storytelling especially at Queens, New York’s Museum of the Moving Image, which has most recently played host to an exciting new exhibition. That exhibition is Sensory Stories, a fully immersive and revolutionary film experience that not only takes audiences on a visual and auditory adventure but also stimulates touch and smell. All of the senses (with the exception of taste) are treated to a truly technological and artistic “trip”.
‘Danny Elfman’s Music From the Films of Tim Burton’ in New York City: Recap
In 1985, one of film history’s greatest and most enduring working relationships began. Not only has the partnership between these two artists inspired some of the best cinema has to offer but it has brought about some of the most exiting and tender music known to man. I’m speaking of course about Danny Elfman and Tim Burton, a musician/film composer and film director respectively who have been delivering hit after hit for three decades. People in New York were recently treated to a number of live performances of Mr. Elfman’s scores as they were played for many a pleased audience in the Danny Elfman’s Music From the Films of Tim Burton at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.
Continue reading ‘Danny Elfman’s Music From the Films of Tim Burton’ in New York City: Recap
Staten Island Summer
Saturday Night Live turned 40 this year and during those four decades, the legendary sketch comedy show has been famous for showcasing young talent and quickly ushering them to new and often exciting heights. The new Lorne Michaels-produced sex comedy film Staten Island Summer is a perfect example of this pushing of budding comedic actors into stardom. The film is overflowing with SNL cast members, both young and old. In fact, there are so many SNL players in this movie that at times, it does feel like a massive sketch put on by its players… and it essentially is, with SNL-writer/performer Colin Jost responsible for the raunchy script. Staten Island Summer is a fun, no holds barred, laugh fest that is sure to entertain many an audience.
Animal Planet’s ‘The Last Alaskans’ Shows a Human Side to Wilderness
“It’s easy to die up here… Everything else is work”, says Bob Harte, one of the few residents (and stars) of one of the world’s most desolate and at times, unforgiving areas to live. That area is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, a place where wild animals roam free and people who desire living off the grid can do so in a “simple”, rather rough manner. Animal Planet has recently aired a number of one-hour episodes which brilliantly depict people doing what they do best; survive. The Last Alaskans isn’t your typical reality show as it seamlessly intertwines true stories with actual occasional danger brought on by the harsh Alaskan elements.
Continue reading Animal Planet’s ‘The Last Alaskans’ Shows a Human Side to Wilderness
Interview: Director Kim Farrant talks ‘Strangerland’
In the new Australian thriller Strangerland, we get a story that is not only gritty and raw but eerily realistic. Focusing on a simple family whose two children have gone missing, Strangerland has an impressive cast consisting of Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes and Hugo Weaving. The film not only benefits from having a strong cast but from a highly capable director, Kim Farrant. This is Farrant’s feature film debut and it is a powerful entry in the gifted filmmaker’s budding career. Farrant recently spoke with me, here’s how that interview went:
Continue reading Interview: Director Kim Farrant talks ‘Strangerland’
Soundtrack Review: Minions
In the last twenty years, the computer-animated film genre has grown exponentially. Toy Story started things off nicely in 1995 and since then, the movie business has benefited from a bevy of charming tales and brilliant art. The latest computer-animated adventure Minions is taking the world by storm and not only is it a cute film but it features a rather fun soundtrack that, like the film itself, is perfect for both children and adults. Hans Zimmer-student Heitor Pereira is responsible for the film’s score and there are also a couple of popular songs that comprise the vibrant album.
Interview: Elijah Wood and Celyn Jones Talk ‘Set Fire to the Stars’
Elijah Wood is one of Hollywood’s absolute anomalies. He began his career as a child star in the 1990s and has blossomed into a truly talented leading man. He picks his roles carefully and almost always delivers a top notch performance. His latest film Set Fire to the Stars is based on true events and stars him and Welsh actor Celyn Jones as poets John Brinnin and Dylan Thomas respectively. It’s a sort of buddy drama and showcases both actors’ strong acting chops. I recently sat down with the actors to discuss the film. Here’s how it went:
Continue reading Interview: Elijah Wood and Celyn Jones Talk ‘Set Fire to the Stars’
Paul Feig Shares ‘Ghostbusters’ First Official Cast Photo
In the past few weeks, fans of the iconic sci-fi comedy franchise Ghostbusters have been treated to a bevy of on-set photos and tidbits from director Paul Feig’s Twitter page. The man is most best known for his raunchy comedy films 2010’s Bridesmaids, 2013’s The Heat and this year’s Spy. All films have a certain risqué flavor to them and each star Hollywood leading goofball Melissa McCarthy. The Ghostbusters reboot also stars McCarthy, along with fellow Bridesmaid Kristen Wiig and Saturday Night Live young bloods Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. The film promises to provide a fresh take on the 31-year-old franchise while at the same time, honoring the memory of Ivan Reitman’s timeless 1984 film and its 1989 sequel, both starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson.
Continue reading Paul Feig Shares ‘Ghostbusters’ First Official Cast Photo
Unger the Radar 