Marc Fennell knows a thing or two about movies, having reviewed them for both ABC and SBS for over a decade. In his current gig as host of The Feed, he regularly interviews big name guests, and also presents cult films old and new, every Wednesday in SBS 2's Movie Mayhem.
When it comes to choosing a movie, "I like variety," he says.
"That’s my favourite thing about binging on movies. I need each film to act as a sort of palate cleanser for the last, so here now I present you with an array of films with big characters, big laughs, crisp chills, spine-tingling cinematography and - most importantly - surprises. I live for the moment when you lean in on the edge of your couch and think 'This is not going where I expected it to'. I promise you that each one of these films will give you that moment. Enjoy."
Source: SBS Movies
Sharknado
(Anthony C. Ferrante, 2013)
This production of The Asylum, which specialises in straight-to-video "mockbusters", ponders what would happen if you combined that monster of the deep - sharks - and the meteorological phenomena of tornados. This metaphysical question had the twittersphere in a frenzy when the movie first aired in the US.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
(Tobe Hooper, 1974)
This gruelling account of young hippies who fall prey to three homicidal brothers and their cannibal grandparents left a big gory mark on all the horror films that followed. It was crafted to be a nightmare for a new generation returning from the Vietnam War and it succeeded.
Source: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Wu Xia
(Peter Ho-sun Chan, 2011)
In Wu Xia - also known as Dragon - martial arts legend and movie star Donnie Yen is an ordinary guy living in a small village with his wife and child back in 1917 China. Only when a couple of bandits try and hold up the local store is his inner-badass revealed.
[link title="Wu Xia Review" url="node/5522"]
Troll Hunter
(André Øvredal, 2010)
Blair Witch Project but with Giant Trolls instead of the occult. So black, so funny, so cleverly executed.
[link title="Troll Hunter: André Øvredal interview" url="node/633"]
Source: SBS Movies
Rabies
(Aharon Keshales, Navot Papushado, 2010)
In this effective Israeli slasher flick, the first of the genre in the country, four teenagers on a road trip are hunted down in an isolated forest. By the way, don’t bother looking for infected dogs in the film. Rabies is kind of a metaphor here for how violence infects humanity.
[link title="Rabies Review" url="node/5590"]
Source: SBS Movies
[REC]
(Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza, 2007)
In Barcelona, a television reporter and her unseen cameraman become trapped in a building with biting, blood-lusting monsters. The first installment of the Spanish REC franchise is a taut thriller of the found footage horror genre with a religious flavour.
Source: SBS Movies
Brick
(Rian Johnson, 2005)
The film noir detective story transported into the modern american highschool with some of the most delicious cinematography and editing in some time.
Source: SBS Movies
The Guard
(John Michael McDonagh, 2011)
Obese Racist Irish Cop is somehow adorable. Don Cheadle Being Cool. Enjoy.
[link title="The Guard: John Michael McDonagh interview" url="node/670"]
[link title="The Guard Review" url="node/5531"]
Don Cheadle and Brendan Gleeson in ‘The Guard’. Source: SBS Movies
The Band's Visit
(Eran Kolirin, 2007)
An Egyptian police band spend one night in an Israeli hick town. The result is spontaneous, warm, heartfelt and incredibly awkward. Beautiful little film.
[link title="Dinner and a Movie: The Band's Visit" url="node/47043"]
[link title="The Band's Visit Review" url="node/4487"]
Source: SBS Movies
JCVD
(Mabrouk El Mechri, 2008)
Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Jean-Claude Van Damme apologising for every bad act ever committed by Jean-Claude Van Damme. This is a very meta movie.
[link title="JCVD Review" url="node/4567"]
Source: SBS Movies
