The Super Network

Every week the people of Super Website (Super Blog) will give you a recommendation of a Film, DVD, Bluray, Book, Soundtrack or any other item for you the readers to check out.

Super Marcey Recommend’s:

The Sandlot

The Sandlot is a film I rediscovered recently, thanks to our recent podcast. This was one of my childhood favourites, the film embodies that period in a kids life where basically you want to have fun, make friends and enjoy the summer. I think no matter what age you are when you watch this film you can relate in some way to one of these kids, I know what it is like to be Scotty Smalls, most of us have been the kid who moves and has to make new friends. At that age I know I had a wild imagination, just like these kids. This isn’t a run of the mill film, it feels like it is in a league of it’s own and a timeless classic that can be revisited. Definitely one of the best and ultimate summer adventure films, and even one of the best natural sports films there is. The performances by the kids (now grown up obviously) are all fantastic, they are funny and memorable. The script is top notch, and if you aren’t quoting this baby after seeing it … there is something wrong with you. “You’re killing me Smalls!” If you have never seen this film, go out of your way and watch it right now! If you have, well go and watch it again!

| IMDB | Purchase on Amazon |

Nick Bosworth Recommend’s:

Paul

I don’t really understand why but words cannot express the level of love that I have for both Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (in a completely heterosexual way of course). These two men (along with director Edgar Wright) have provided me with some of the biggest laughs and thrills of my early adult life and I can’t thank them enough for it. Which is why I was a tad disappointed to hear that a lot of people for some reason didn’t like the new sci-fi comedy PAUL which just released this past weekend. I will say though that most people who didn’t like the movie didn’t have a problem at all with Simon and Nick as they were hilarious as always. The real problem with most people was everything surrounding them. I’m here to tell you all today folks that I do not share this opinion. PAUL portrays Simon and Nick as two British geeks who have come to the U.S. for the first time in their lives to travel to Comic-Con and to live their dream of exploring the UFO capitals of the southern states like Area 51, Roswell, etc. Along the way, they stumble across and help a real UFO named Paul who’s been on Earth for a very long time, has inspired some of our most classic alien movies, TV, etc. and is now hunted by a secret agency hell-bent on stopping him before he escapes the planet for good.

First of all, I absolutely loved Seth Rogen as the voice of Paul. Some people really didn’t think his voice fit the character at all but I disagree 100% as Seth gave a great voice performance and the look of Paul just suited him. The cursing, laughs and everything just worked for me. The movie also has some very funny supporting performances such as the beautiful Kristen Wiig who joins Nick and Simon on their adventure. Jason Bateman (who seriously needs more lead roles ASAP) also has a terrific character in the story (although I wish they had gone a little deeper into his story) as our villain who is chasing down Paul to lock him back up again. There’s also a bunch of great cameos, classic sci-fi movie quotes and also some pretty thrilling action scenes throughout PAUL that will leave a big dumb smile on your face like it did mine. All in all, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this movie to anyone that loves Simon and Nick plus anyone looking for a fun R-rated sci-fi comedy with some great action. Now take me to your leader!

| IMDB |

Bede Jermyn Recommend’s:

Animal Kingdom

In my recommendation of “Red Hill” a few weeks back, I said that I was a big supporter of Australian films and that I would check out any Aussie film that came my way. I figured for this week’s recommendation I’d pick another one from my home country. I’ve decided to choose an Aussie film that not only in my opinion was the best Australian film of 2010, but single handily my pick as the no. 1 best film of 2010 period. If you heard the “2010 Wrap-Up” episode of Super Podcast, you will automatically know which film I am talking about. This, of course, is the truly brilliant Aussie crime drama “Animal Kingdom”. This absolutely reverting film tells the story of a teenager named J (newcomer James Frechville) who, after his mother dies of a drug overdose, moves in with his grandmother Smurf (Jacki Weaver) and his three uncles Pope, Craig & Darren(Ben Mendelson, Sullivan Stapleton, Luke Ford), who all just happen to be criminals. After an incident involving the police that shook his family to the core, J’s uncles to decide to take revenge on the police. What soon follows after leaves J’s family down a path of self-destruction, which he unfortunately becomes the centre of. The only person who can seem to help him is Detective Nathan Leckie (Guy Pearce), who just happens to want J to help him to imprison his Uncles. One of the many reasons that I love about this film is, unlike most crime T.V. shows/movies, it doesn’t glamorize crime at all. Instead what we have here is a film that plays more like a modern day Shakespearean tragedy. We get involved in the lives of these characters, especially our main character J. We see this world through his eyes and how he tries to cope with everything that happening with both him and his family. The entire cast did an amazing job with their performances but the stand-out for me is Jacki Weaver. At first she may seem sweet and lovable but at the same time, you wouldn’t want to mess with her or her family. It is truly an amazing performance from her and she rightfully deserved her Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Academy Awards (IMHO I think she should have won but that’s a whole different story all together). The film’s writer/director David Michod did an incredible job both his script and direction, what surprise me the most was that this is only his first film. And believe me, it’s a fantastic debut from him. I can’t wait to see what he brings out next. I loved this film so that it actually still surprises me to this day that it knocked off “Inception” to be my favourite film of 2010. I never thought that would ever would ever happen but it did. I was completely blown away this film the first time I seen it and it just gets even better and better every time I watch it. Overall “Animal Kingdom” to me is truly a terrific film and I would definitely recommend to everyone to check out. It’s a film that deserves to be seen. Plus the fact that it’s an Australian film makes it even more special.

| IMDB | Purchase on Amazon |

Pat Torfe Recommend’s:

The Thing

Coming off of Spring Break here in Canada, I can say that I was feelin’ peckish for some John Carpenter. Why? Why not? Specifically, felt like revisiting John Carpenter’s The Thing. Why? Does there have to be an explanation? You have Kurt Russell, who really needs no introduction to John Carpenter fans (or horror/action fans, for that matter) as R.J. MacReady and his badass beard. Long story short, a group of American Antarctic researchers in the Antarctic (naturally) come upon a sleddog being chased by a Norwegian helicopter. The sleddog is rescued, the pursuers killed, and questions as to what the hell is going on remain. MacReady visits the Norwegian camp and discovers some bad mojo went down, and hurries back to the American station to find out more from the stuff they collected. Turns out the Norwegians dug up something that isn’t exactly E.T., and has the ability to absorb and take over an individual, allowing it to move undetected amongst everyone else. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil things for you, but needless to say, when you have Rob Bottin doing the effects, with special input from Stan Winston, you know things are going to be gooey and gory. Playing on isolation and fear, Carpenter crafted one of my favorite films of the 80s that still holds up well today (with some exceptions). The film also sports great acting, not just from Russell, but from guys like Keith David, Richard Masur, Donald Moffat and yes, even Wilford Brimley (sans mustache and Quaker oats). Topping things off with a great score by Ennio Morricone (and some help from John Carpenter), it’s a real no-brainer to get this one.

| IMDB | Purchase on Amazon |