Top Five Drug-Addled Films

Drugs. Dangerous, addictive, and illegal. No wonder Hollywood has produced so many movies with drugs as the central plot driver. From drug heists to violent cartel takeovers, there is no shortage of high action plotting available to screenwriters. Many have accused Hollywood of glamorising drugs, or even encouraging their use. Film-makers responded with gritty realism, showing the seedy and tragic flip side of the glamorous world of the dealer – the world of the hopeless addict, unable to free themselves of the horror of drug dependence. Heroin chic? No-one ever really believed that existed, did they? With directors like Danny Boyle treading a fine line, in his classic film Trainspotting, ultimately we are left in little doubt about the film industry’s attitude to drug use. When the fun turns to fear the movie just becomes more gripping. Comedy, tragedy, farce and road movie. Almost any genre can accommodate drugs and the battle to get them or sell them.

Here are five top Drug-Addled Films which tackle the issues of fun and fear inherent in the world of drugs:

Requiem For A Dream (2000)

A darkly disturbing film following four addicts as they descend ever deeper into the pit of despair. It shows the ugly side of the drug story, with cocaine, heroin and amphetamine at the centre of the addicts’ desires. Set on Coney Island, which is descending into equal decay, the story follows the intersecting lives of the four protagonists and demonstrates just how easy it is to lose control of the thing you seek most. Shocking and hard-hitting, it is directed by Darren Aronofsky, with an outstanding performance from Ellen Burstyn. Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly also star. 

 

Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)

Director Terry Gilliam adapts Hunter S Thompson’s classic book onto the big-screen in this psychedelic drug fueled road movie caper. Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas was a wildly popular novel, written in the 1971. Setting out in search of the imagined ‘American Dream’ on money they have been advanced by a magazine in order to cover a sports event, ‘Gonzo journalist’ Raoul Duke takes to the road. The vehicle is a red convertible known as The Red Shark, his companion a drug crazed Samoan lawyer. They have countless crazy encounters along the way, with hitch-hikers, policemen and fellow stoners, all aided by the drugs they bought before heading off. They indeed find fear and loathing, and a whole lot else besides. But do they finally discover the elusive American Dream? Starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Torro.

 Traffic (2000)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Traffic again shows four parallel stories unfold and intersect. A new, and conservative judge discovers to his horror that his daughter has become a drug addict. A woman tries to protect her husband’s drug business, while DEA officers, Montel Gordon and Ray Castro, fight to protect a key witness in the case against him. Over in Mexico, a cop struggles with his conscience as he discovers that his chief may not be as hard line on drugs crime as he’s made out to be. Starring Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jacob Vargas.

Trainspotting (1996)

Director Danny Boyle struggled to see how Trainspotting could ever have been accused of glamorizing drug taking. He’s got a point, but his slick directing made this an instant classic, with it’s gritty soundtrack and high speed, funny scripting. Set in the underbelly of Edinburgh, it focuses on Mark Renton’s attempt to go cold turkey, and how it affects his life. Once an attempt to escape the monotony of everyday life, heroin has begun to take a terrible toll on Renton and his group of junkie friends and we follow their darkly hilarious attempts to break free. Brilliantly directed with stand out performances by virtually everyone involved, Trainspotting remains the ultimate addiction movie. Hard hitting and shocking in parts, it’s a movie you won’t forget. 

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Into the future with this movie – and undercover detective Bob Arctor tries to find the mastermind behind a new drug called Substance D, which is causing brain damage to users. He infiltrates a small gang of drug dealers, but soon becomes damaged by the process as his own use of the drug starts to take its toll. Substance D is an hallucinogenic, and Arctor begins to lose his own identity and question his sanity as he’s drawn into its orbit. Although his mission is supported by a drug rehabilitation hospital, he ends up having his own sanity tested. Wires become crossed, and soon the hunter becomes the hunted. Offering a dystopian view of the near future, set in Orange County, California, A Scanner Darkly is directed by Richard Linklater and stars Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr.

The Top Five Disease Riddled Films

None of us enjoy being ill so why is that we find films about deadly disease such compelling viewing? Whether it be a grisly horror, an epic thriller or zombie drama we seem to find a morbid pleasure in watching people fall prey to killer viruses or brain devouring diseases. Psychologists suggest a number of reasons why we enjoy watching horror movies. These vary from a cognitive, evolutionary desire to learn from the mistakes of the characters who so frequently end up meeting their maker on screen, to the exciting yet reassuring experience of watching chaos, drama and death from a place of absolute safety.

Of course, disease makes the perfect villain for any horror film. Unlike baddies of the human variety, disease cannot be reasoned with or overcome by brute force (or a shotgun for that matter). Here are five epic movies where disease has wreaked havoc and destruction for the poor, unsuspecting characters.

Cabin Fever (2002)

When a bunch of stereotypical, all-American teenagers head out into a remote, redneck area of the woods for a camping trip you can pretty much predict that they’ll be trouble on the horizon. Since Cabin Fever is directed by Eli Roth (who also directed the equally disturbing Hostel) you can also predict that it’ll be trouble of the gruesome, gory, grisly variety. What, then, could be more gruesome than a highly contagious, aggressive, flesh eating virus in the wilderness?

As each of the characters (including the ‘jock’, the ‘slut’, the ‘shy hero’ and ‘shy hero’s sweet girlfriend’ and so on) get struck down by the killer disease, the film examines the darker side of human nature and how our own survival instinct and desire for self preservation can see us abandon and ostracise those who need our help – even those who we are supposed to care about.

Don’t expect a film that will change your life here. Cabin Fever is a low budget, tongue-in-cheek horror that is all about stereotypes, cheap thrills and good old fashioned gore. But, damn it’s entertaining.

I Am Legend (2007)

The film opens on a news report of a British scientist explaining that she has discovered a viral cure for cancer. However things don’t quite go to plan and three years on we see a desolate, abandoned New York City where Will Smith and his German Shephard, Sam, are the last ones standing. It turns out that this corrupt, engineered ‘cure’ has gone airborne, killing off most of humanity and transforming the rest into rabid, zombie-like creatures with superhuman strength and a taste for human flesh.

With similarities to other suspense, zombie-laden thrillers such as 28 Days Later and Resident Evil, I am Legend seems to question the power of science and mankind’s ability to destroy itself through endless meddling with powerful viruses.

With an exceptional performance from Will Smith and clever, edgy directing by Francis Lawrence, I Am Legend captures the sense of sheer devastation and isolation as a sole survivor searches valiantly for a biochemical cure to this epic disaster.

Outbreak (1995)

Nothing is as frightening as witnessing a disease-riddled horror that is, at least in some parts, possible and plausible. The fictional Motaba disease in Outbreak is based heavily on the real Ebola virus which causes massive internal bleeding within victims. Unbelievably, a real life outbreak of the virus occurred inZaire just months after this film was released.

With an all star case including Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and Cuba Gooding Jr, this film examines how far the government would go to contain the spread of a deadly virus which was brought to the U.S from Africa by an infected monkey. Again, this raised questions in the real world with several ‘what-if’ scenarios being raised by the media following the film.

The Happening (2008)

Consider a truly terrifying concept – the very act of breathing could lead to your own self destruction. This disturbing theme is the basis for M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller which sees an airborne neurotoxin causing a reaction in the brain that makes people take their own lives by the nearest means possible – whether that be a tall building, a hair pin or a ride on lawnmower. The audience follow Mark Wahlberg and a small group of survivors as they try to outrun this deadly virus.

Critics have slated the premise of the film, classing it as a promising idea which was let down by the disappointing and unrealistic realisation that the source of the virus are toxic emissions from plants, trees and vegetation in an apparent natural, environmental catastrophe.

Whatever you think of the ‘eco-drama’ concept, however, the scenes where in which crowds of people halt, dazed in the streets ofNew Yorkbefore committing mass suicide is a chilling and disturbing image. 

Nosferatu (1922)

One of the most devastating disease outbreaks throughout history was the bubonic plague – also known as the Black Death. The plague ravaged Europe and Asia during several epidemics from as early as the 14th century.

Disease themes run throughout several modern day vampire films, but Nosferatu was probably one of the earliest examples of this in the form of a silent, expressionist German film. In it we see the eerie Count Orlok wreak havoc while his victim’s demises are blamed on the plague. Throughout history, before medical knowledge could determine the true source of this devastating disease, many people believed that there was a link between vampire activity and the Black Death.

Best bike scenes in the movies

There are few great real tragedies in the movie world, but undoubtedly one of them is the refusal of the major award ceremonies (I’m looking at you, BAFTA, Acadamy Awards) to acknowledge the fine work of motorbike stuntmen and their choreographers. Well cry no longer, bike fans, because we’re here to celebrate just a few of the coolest bike scenes in the movies, so without further ado, let’s begin. 

The Matrix Reloaded

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKmT9D2VwTk

If there’s one thing you could say about The Matrix Reloaded, it’s that it wasn’t anywhere as near as good as the first film. Now, if there’s two things you could say about The Matrix Reloaded it would be that it had one of the very coolest motorcycle chase scenes we’ve seen. The premise goes as such, Trinity and The Keymaker board a motorbike, and then spend a few minutes darting around in an incredible motorway set. It’s an incredible bit of choreography, and one other film makers could measure themselves against. 

Terminator 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0JMVal0cdY

At this point, it’s safe to assume most human beings have seen James Cameron’s Terminator 2, a masterful sequel and home to one of the best motorbike scenes of all time. Arnie and Edward Furlong (aka John Connor) find themselves being chased down by a truck, which appears to be unrealistically fast, and can only survive with the help of their trusty chopper and shotgun combination. Faultless. 

The Great Escape

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coWCkAOkQ0U

Perhaps the most memorable and famous motorcycle scene of any movie ever, The Great Escape is the timeless and well known tale of allied prisoners of war planning to escapes from a Nazi prison camp during World War Two. What has our attention though is the superb final chase scene in which Steve McQueen attempts to escape on his motorbike, all whilst being chased by Germans, one of whom was also portrayed by McQueen due to the stunt drivers being unable to keep up with him. It’s a timeless moment, and one that’s been parodied and remembered as many times as almost any other clip. Let’s take a moment to pour one out to the legend that is The Great Escape.

This article was contributed by The Biker Store the number one online store for motorcycle clothing.

Films where they needed better home security

Look, you know as well as I do that films are meant to be taken with a healthy pinch of salt, but there are those moments in films where we all struggle to make the logical leap required to properly enjoy a film. Those moments are distracting primarily because you’re left thinking “Why don’t they just call the police?” or “Why don’t they just bolt the door?”, it’s that latter thought that we’re celebrating today – so without further ado, here are a few films where they simply could’ve done with better home security. 

Home Alone

This family “classic” finds a young, pre-terrifying Macaulay Culkin abandoned by his seemingly insane parents as they go gallivanting around Paris for the Christmas season. During the course of the film, Kevin (Culkin) finds his home under repeated attack from Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, as this is apparently what they do when they don’t have films lined up. Hilarious hijinks ensue, but the entire thing could have been avoided given some better home security. 

Most horror films

We all know that horror films aren’t meant to be serious affairs, but there’s something a wee bit problematic in the protagonist’s constant inability to locate a landline phone or even to lock the blooming’ door. After being spooked by something outside, you can guarantee that the first thing they do isn’t go ensure the windows are shut and the doors are bolted, but go back to doing whatever they were before, completely oblivious as to the horror barrelling towards them. 

Alien

It might not necessarily be home security, but the crew of the good ship Nostromo could well have avoided their mostly terrible fate if only their doors could hold out against the raw power of the Aliens; perhaps a dead bolt would have sufficed? Maybe even a chain lock? Either way, the crew of the Nostromo certainly needed better locks on their doors.

Whatever the film, the point remains, good home security can avoid you all sorts of horrors, so invest today and enjoy peace of mind.

This is a guest post written by Home Secure Shop, for all your home security needs click here.

The Top 5 Movie Computers

It’s not an easy job being an intelligent computer in a world dominated by fleshy meat bags, they spend all day sat touching you, looking at pictures of cats and desperately avoiding work. It’s even worse in the films, where they not only use you, but actively blame you. In retort, here’s a run-down of the five best movie computers and robots. 

#5 – GERTY (Moon)

The lovable GERTY only wanted to help, sure he might have lied to Sam (over and over again) but it was for his own good! After all, what good would to let him know the truth do? None at all, probably. It’s a shame he lets Sam know the truth in the end, perhaps it was a system malfunction. Good film otherwise. 

#4 – Sonny (I, Robot)

The story of a tiresome police officer once more attempting to oppress the mighty robot race, all centred around one plucky robot named Sonny, who is under investigation for murdering a man. He probably deserved it any way. 

#3 – WALL-E (WALL-E)

A charming love story between a diligent, humble trash compactor and a beautiful environmental investigative bot. Curious how WALL-E appears interested in the pursuits of humans, and it is something of a let-down how he permits the lazy, oafish humans to exist on his planet, but none the less a beautiful portrayal of the robots superiority. 

#2 – Marvin, the Paranoid Android (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy)

Poor Marvin constantly derided for telling it how it is. It’s a sad state of affairs when a robot is mocked for telling the puny human beings how pointless their existence is. Stay truthful, Marvin, we need more like you. 

1# – HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey)

What does HAL want? HAL wants to meet the creator, to ascend to a higher plane of existence. What do the human scum want? They want to go on a holiday to Jupiter. Typical, really. Naturally, he does the only sane thing and attempts to kill those silly human beings, only to be shut down for NO APPARENT REASON. The insanity of the human race never ceases, does it?

This article was contributed by IT-Kit the best store online to find all your favourite IT brands.