Change Your Image
wan-ed
Reviews
Touching the Void (2003)
A true story about two young British men who climb a remote Peruvian mountain. A gripping tail of survival and human nature.
This outstanding film manages to be more than a tail of survival; it touches your very sole. The feeling of isolation and helplessness is beautifully portrayed through the daring camera work, the haunting music and the tense narration by Joe Simpson, Simon Yates and Richard What's-his-face. The mountains seem to have a godly presence verging on evil. As Simpson describes his first night alone in the mountain you realise that his struggle is not just for his life but also his sanity. He and Simon Yates make very honest and thought provoking comments about what happened to them up there. A simple look into each others eyes is described with dread and horror as they begin to accept their situation. Their predicament forces you into questioning yourself. Simpsons epic efforts to get off the mountain and to be with someone is awe inspiring and to hear it told from the horses mouth is fascinating.
I enjoyed the film so much that I have since read 4 of Joe Simpsons books. I have no intention of climbing any mountain but Touching the Void puts you right on the west face of Siula Grande. I.M.D.B have recommended watching K2, if you like this one. Well Simpson walked out of the cinema shortly into it. It's not that kind of movie.
The Quiet Earth (1985)
The Quiet Earth
This movie sticks in your mind for days. The opening scenes immediately pull you into this eerie, lifeless world as we see our hero driving around ghost towns, looking for signs of life. A terrifying concept that hooks you. There are classic moments throughout the first half of the movie as we witness the various states of madness our hero goes through before he accepts his situation and takes control. It's this part of the movie that made it a cult classic. As soon as the plot starts to thicken and the focus is taken away from his desolate existence, the magic starts to ebb. However, you are still left on the edge of your seat until you get an answer to any of the questions the story line produced. The end scene, is beautiful, perplexing but I've got to say, a bit of a cop-out. However, its' lack of answers keep you guessing. A superb, off the wall film, that stays inside you.