H.G. WELLS' THINGS TO COME poster.
© N/A
It Landed in London!
By: Matt KamenDate: Thursday, May 03, 2007
Major and Minor cons this week.
Sci-Finding The Capital
The biggest thing in the UK this week is the sixth annual Sci-Fi London festival, taking place at the Apollo West End from 2-6 May. The event has made a name for itself by screening the UK premieres of many niche titles, from the extremely obscure (Where Has Eternity Gone?) to the cult classic (The Place Promised in Our Early Days). This year’s event continues that tradition with the UK debuts including Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society (set in the Stand Alone Complex universe), Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa and zombie-fest Plane Dead (zombies on a plane? Sounds familiar…) alongside world premieres of Exitz – a UK/Indian co-production starring Malcolm MacDowell blurs the line between virtual and actual reality – and Captain Eager, a deliberately low-budget homage to the pulp sci-fi heroes of yore, lovingly presented in hi-tech cardoscope. Cinematically, the biggest draw for true sci-fi fans will be the restored version of William Cameron Menzies’ underappreciated classic Things To Come, based on HG Wells’ 1933 novel The Shape of Things to Come. Its presentation of a dystopian future is generally overlooked in favour of the more well-known likes of Metropolis and 1984 but its scarily prophetic nature, predicting world wars and plagues, makes it somewhat more relevant than its peers even in hindsight.
ADV Films and Manga Entertainment are co-hosting Jonathan Clements’ seminar on the 20th anniversary of Japanese animation studio Production IG on Friday, where the UK’s own homegrown anime guru looks back at the founding and development of what is perhaps the most renowned studio in Japan other than Ghibli. This is followed up on Saturday by the Anime All Nighter – nine hours from midnight onwards, with all the energy drinks and coffee you need to stay awake. Other all nighters include an MST3K marathon and a selection from the vaults of Hammer Horror. As a minor digression, I do wish these all nighters were spread out over the festival though as I wouldn’t mind going to both the anime and MST3K ones, then promptly dying from exhaustion afterwards.
The festival is also a showcase for up and coming film makers, screening low budget but high concept films and offering ‘how to’ presentations on digital filming and working on a negative budget. The mix of all genres of sci-fi and all levels of production makes Sci-Fi London one of the most exciting and imaginative film festivals in the UK.
Collecting Maniacs
Also running over the course of this weekend is Collectormania in Milton Keynes. With nearly 50 celebrity guests appearing – good ones too! – it’s one of the larger events held in the UK. There are a number of late night parties planned over the weekend, including Anthony Stewart Head appearing on stage and Billy Boyd (of Lord of the Rings fame) will be performing with his band Beefcake. Look for more info (hopefully) next week.
New UK DVD Picks for 07/05/2007
Things to Come
If you missed it at Sci-Fi London or didn’t actually attend, the DVD of the aforementioned dystopian classic is helpfully available on DVD the day after. A two disc edition detailing the restoration process, alongside other extras, makes this a required addition to any film buff’s collection.
28 Days Later: Director's Cut
Released to coincide with the imminent release of 28 Weeks Later – which may or may not end up suffering from 'unwantedsequelitis' – the original non-zombie zombie movie from Danny Boyle still shines. A double disc special edition is offered here replete with oodles of stuff, as is pretty much expected.
Le Chevalier D'Eon: Volume 1
Also being released one day after appearing at Sci-Fi London comes one of the finest anime series made this century <easy to say when we're only seven years in, but still…>. Chevalier is an imaginative blend of historical figures, classic adventure and horror. The story is fast paced and uncompromising, demanding the viewer's attention. One of the latest efforts from Production IG, of Ghost in the Shell fame, it is also one of the most visually impressive shows to come out of Japan in recent years, only slightly marred by some dodgy CGI. A ton of background extras supplement this release, explaining the real world figures the cast are based on and exploring the development of the series.
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