about
You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
Green Street
the one line review:
Frodo gets an attitude
the overview
It's not surprising. After you play the lead role in an epic (let alone a series of epics) film like Lord of the Rings, where you're an elfy hobbity thing, you're bound to get a little typecast. As soon as you see Elijah Wood appear on the screen, you're immediately thinking typical lines such as "Preeccssszzious... whherree's mmyyy preeeczsssious" and you're dancing around the room on all fours like a moron.
Which is a shame in the case of this film, because it's fucking awesome.
the plot:
Matt (Wood) gets booted out of Harvard University when his coke using roommate fingers him for the drugs they found in the dorm room. He moves to London to stay with his sister where he gets wrapped up in the life of the GSE (Green Street Elite) - the hooligan/thug arm of West Ham United football club. As he manages to get himself accepted to the club, he learns how important football is to English people and just how serious the football-gang culture really is. As a series of events lead to some horrendous outcomes, Frodo, er, I mean, Matt learns what it means to have friends who will always be there for you.
the verdict:
First of, I'm not a football fan. I've been to a couple of big stadiums once or twice, but that's about it. I don't spend Saturday afternoons getting wankered in a pub before watching the footie and then beating the shit out of someone. But as someone who lived in Southampton for long enough to know that Southampton on derby day (Southampton v Portsmouth) is NOT a nice place to be.
This film is all action, no holds barred. The language is short, curt and straight to the point. The violence is spot on - weapons, punching, kicking and gang beating. (Not gang banging. That's an entirely different lifestyle choice).
Charlie Hunnam as Pete Dunham, the second lead role, is spot on. He's hard, and dirty, but with the streak of integrity. Brave beyond compare and so on.
This is one of the best films I've seen in a long time, but it will only appear to a select crowd of people. If you like some good old British violence, then it's a must-see.
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