I often find that the best films are the ones you find by accident and are rarely mainstream (Battle Royale being the perfect example and The Matrix being the exception). I discovered another such film yesterday. Cube was made back in 1997 and although it’s low-budget it’s not low on creativity or being practically unique in it’s genre. Films which make you think and scratch your head are rare and with Cube there are no easy answers. As with the aforementioned titles this is can be viewed on many different levels giving it a depth which keeps you engaged even though this is a primarily character driven piece.
So what’s it all about? Basically a group of people wake up in a cube-shaped maze filled with deadly traps which require more than just luck to evade (in fact being clued up on math turns out to be a help!). What lies behind all this is the key to its ingenuity. As the characters ask the obvious what/where/when/why type questions the jigsaw slowly begins to come together but never enough so that we see the bigger picture - and this is a good thing. Too often we are spoon fed but here the audience is left to answer the questions. With a budget of less than $400,000 the film delivers way above it’s level and certainly deserves its cult status.
For me the idea of inherent pointlessness creating a point to a given situation which has been created by a conglomerate of abstract ignorance is what gives this film a backbone. These people are set in a seemingly impossible situation for the simple reason that they are there to fulfill its function which even its designers are unaware of. As one of the characters notes “There is no conspiracy. Nobody is in charge. It’s a headless blunder operating under the illusion of a master plan.” Is this a red herring? Maybe, maybe not. The social metaphors in here make my head hurt!
What really marks this film out is the surreal distortion of reality and the sense of impending danger in an enclosed environment where external experience and memory are no longer connected. Hence the menacing complexity of an impassive experience (whereby every room looks like the next but may or may not kill you) compels our characters to loose themselves to what might be described loosely as a form of insanity. Really it is the ultimate form of paranoia and pessimism rolled into one. Then again I could just be talking rubbish! Some of the reviews on IMDB are quite interesting so check them out if you have time.
This is not a film for the claustrophobic or phronemophobic so be warned if enclosed spaces or thinking are not your thing! Otherwise this film is the work of a conceptual genius and might just be worth hunting down for something philosophical, psychological and moreover psychotic… (8/10)
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I’ve been watching the US series “Lost” the last couple of days - it’s kind of a cross between 24 and Jurassic Park which is cool because I like both! It follows a group of survivors from a plane crash who end up on a rather mysterious island (surprise surprise) and so far each episode has focused on the story of each of the main characters. As they go Lost is pretty good in terms of production values and acting although it isn’t going to win much in terms of originality, still it’s definitely worth seeing. In the UK we tend to get the best of the US series’ (usually shown on Channel 4) although what one person describes as ‘best’ is a matter if opinion! They still endlessly repeat old episodes of the Simpson’s to the extent that I think I must have just about seen them all (twice) by now and it’s wearing rather thin!
N.B. The site is in a bit of flux at the moment please bear with me while I update various things and tweak the design a bit!
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Rome was a bit of a mixed bag of things - the ancient Roman architecture was grand and amazing but the city itself was a bit of a mess (i.e. dirt & graffiti everywhere) even though it contains some of the most expensive designer shops in the world. As always the best photos are saved for Photo.Wire.
Trevi Fountain
The Colosseum
St Peter’s
Notes on Rome: Rome Termini railway station crawls with unsavory characters (both old and young) looking to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists - take care of anything you might be carrying and empty your pockets before arrival (or someone might empty them for you!). If you visit the Vatican Museum students get in half-price just don’t forget ID. The Colosseum also has half-price entry if you’re under 25 but unfortunately this only applies to European citizens.
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I got some of my best photos in Venice (which you can see on Photo.Wire) - unfortunately this was partially restricted due to the hoards of tourists who were around every corner. Of course some of the best places are to be found when you’re lost and in Venice you’re likely to do this a lot!
Santa Maria della Salute
Piazza San Marco
Canal Grande
Burano
Notes on Venice: During the summer its busy, very busy, so be warned if you don’t like that - of course there is plenty to see away from the main attractions. Take a map or buy one when you get there, you’ll need it! Get a 24 hour pass for the vaporetto (water bus) and you’ll save yourself a lot. Try the pizza at Arca, Calle San Pantalon, Dorsoduro - it’s rather good!
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Here’s the first batch of photos from my holiday. These are the more ‘touristy‘ type ones - I’ll be posting the more ‘arty‘ ones on Photo.Wire, my photoblog, so be sure to take a look at these also!
Eiffel Tower
Sacre Coeur
Hotel Des Invalides
Notes on Paris: I’ve been up the Eiffel Tower during the daytime but at night it’s even better, go right to the top and enjoy the spectacular views! Owing to a French idiosyncrasy the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays so plan accordingly. Walking around Paris is undoubtedly the best way to see it but when you want to get somewhere far-away fast use the Metro. For a taste of real French food which won’t break the bank and a trip back in time don’t miss Restaurant Chartier (this is if you can find it!).
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