Directed by : Anton Corbijn

Written by: Deborah Curtis Matt Greenhalgh

Starring: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton and Craig Parkinson

“Someone take these dreams away,

That point me to another day, A duel of personalities,

That stretch all true realities.”

Ian Curtis

Control is a moving, magnificent and beautiful film directed by musical video legend Anton Corbijn. Through striking black and white photography, it presents the biography of Ian Curtis, Joy Division’s iconic lead vocalist and lyricist. From the begging, we learn he is an isolated young man from Macclesfield, England who spends most of his time in locked his room writing poetry while listening to David Bowie. However, unlike other teenagers, he is a genius. He writes mesmerizing lyrics and has an irresistible baritone voice. One day after a Sex Pistols gig he tells his mates they are going to form a band: Joy Division. They become an instant hit. During this period, something pivotal happens. Ian marries his girlfriend Deborah, brilliantly played by Samantha Wilson (In America). They were just 19 and 18. It does not take time these babies have one of their own. This is when Ian has to battle constant wars; being famous, being faithful and a being a devoted father. He starts loosing control. To make things worse, he discovers he is epileptic. Everything goes to a downward spiral. Even though he loves his wife, he constantly has sex with a Belgian groupie. Even though he has epileptic attacks on stage, he drinks heavily and doesn’t to take his medicine. [SPOILER ALERT] At the end, like many other rock legends before and after him, he commits suicide. [SPOILER ALERT]. What makes Control so memorable are the astounding and haunting performances. Sam Riley gives a superb portrayal of Ian Curtis. You experience his pain, loneliness and desperation because he cannot control his life. Also, Deborah Curtis, (Ian’s actual wife) was seriously involved in the film. She co-wrote and co-produced the movie. Anton Corbijn himself worked with another musical genius, who like many others, decided to end his life at an early age: Kurt Cobain. (**** Available on Netflix)

Trailer:

Love Will Never Tear Us Apart video:

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Over the past year the UK has produced excellent movies, featuring the dark world of the hooligans and gangs. I chose 3 really good ones. Check the story and trailer below. All are available on Netflix.

Neds (1972) 

In 1972 Glasgow, Joe enters middle school and is ostracized for his intellect and brother Benny’s fierce reputation. Joe follows in Benny’s footsteps and becomes a NED — a non-educated delinquent — transforming into a vicious thug to survive. ***

This is England (2006) 

Set in 1983, this semiautobiographical drama from writer-director Shane Meadows follows a lonely 11-year-old boy named Shaun as he grieves over the recent death of his father, who was killed fighting in the Falklands War. When he falls in with a gang of young skinheads, Shaun’s pain and anger make him susceptible to carrying out the group’s hateful agenda, exposing a dark side of modern Britain not often seen in the movies. ***

Rise of the Football Soldier (2007) 

Rise of the Footsoldier follows the inexorable rise of Carlton Leach from one of the most feared generals of the football terraces to becoming a member of a notorious gang of criminals who rampaged their way through London and Essex in the late eighties and early nineties. ***1/2

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Moving, inspiring and original. Check this jewel from Bollywood 

This charming Bollywood comedy and drama tells the story of Ishaan, an eight year old boy is thought to be lazy and a troublemaker, until the new art teacher has the patience and compassion to discover the real problem behind his struggles in school.  Available on Netflix. ***

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Turn on the volume and you’ll hear the stunt men bones crack!

Don’t you dare to blink throughout the movie! Amazing stunts! Eye-popping fights! And incredible camera work. Check this jewel from Indonesia that tells the story of a SWAT team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs. Available on Netflix. ***1/2

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWlmhMSnVdM

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Don’t mess with this sick boy!

Revenge or vigilante movies are not a new thing in Hollywood. We have seen a variety such as Super, Kick-Ass, Defendor and even Death Wish. No matter the costume, the violence or age of the vigilantes, “Boy Wonder” is better. It’s a more serious and darker movie. The cornerstone is Celeb Steinmeyer. He flawlessly plays the part of Sean Donovan, a young introverted teenager, who as a kid witness his Mom getting murder by a gang of thugs. Years later, we see him in high school. He’s a straight A student, keeps to himself and not popular with the girls. But he has an unbearable itch to find his Mom’s murders. Almost everyday he hangs at the police station to see if he can identify a mug shot. As the movie progresses, he starts pummeling bad guys late at night. Until eventually he discovers a frightening secret. You just have to see the movie to find out. Available on Netflix. (***)

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Kongen av Bastøy 2010 (available on Netflix) (***)

This Norwegian thriller tells the true story or Bastøy Island. A reformatory school for troubled boys circa 1915. The movie starts as our hero Erling/C-19 (Benjamin Helstad) is admitted. We don’t know much about him. He worked as a whale hunter and he might kill someone. From day one, C-19 wants to prove he’s not a follower and he’s unbreakable. This rocks the system. The anal retentive and not-so clean School Director (Stellan Skarsgård) wants to set up an example. So he tells a model inmate Olav/C-1 (Benjamin Helstad) if he doesn’t institutionalize him, he might not sign his release papers. Also he instructs head-guard Bråthen (Kristoffer Joner) to keep an eye on him.  Maybe the first act of the movie might seem a little slow-pace, but the director sure knows how to grab our attention. How? Through beautiful cinematography and extraordinary performances.  The kids are amazing. (spoiler alert) And Kristoffer Joner character is more chilling that the actual weather in Bastøy Island. When we learn he is a pedophile, who abuses little kids and mentally challenged students, you really want to kill him. Besides sexual abuse the boys are submitted to brutal beatings and inhumane physical labor. You wonder how much this can last? Not much. So at the end, the kids revolt. They start hitting their teachers almost The Wall or Lord of the Flies style.  I really recommend this movie. You might think it has elements from Bad Boys (Sean Penn) or even Taps. But “King of Devil’s Island” is far more original.

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