Why can't Britain make films about mass murderers? Given our social-realist roots, someone could really make a killing
It won't get its Us release for a few more months, but I'm already waiting with bated breath for Gerard Johnson's debut feature, Tony. One look at the trailer, featuring Tony – a psychopathic nerd who, like Dennis Nilsen, is so lonely he'll kill just to have someone on his couch to watch telly with – sent me off on a web hunt for Johnson's other work. I found his lean and serpentine Mug, a 10-minute short from 2004, with Peter Ferdinando (Johnson's cousin, who also plays Tony) as a mugger at large on the streets of the West End, snatching tourists' backpacks, ransacking their contents and then hitting the streets for further attacks. The influence of Alan Clarke seems very strong – there's no backstory, no psychological or sociological explanations, just a buzz-cut creep duffing people up – and Ferdinando,...
It won't get its Us release for a few more months, but I'm already waiting with bated breath for Gerard Johnson's debut feature, Tony. One look at the trailer, featuring Tony – a psychopathic nerd who, like Dennis Nilsen, is so lonely he'll kill just to have someone on his couch to watch telly with – sent me off on a web hunt for Johnson's other work. I found his lean and serpentine Mug, a 10-minute short from 2004, with Peter Ferdinando (Johnson's cousin, who also plays Tony) as a mugger at large on the streets of the West End, snatching tourists' backpacks, ransacking their contents and then hitting the streets for further attacks. The influence of Alan Clarke seems very strong – there's no backstory, no psychological or sociological explanations, just a buzz-cut creep duffing people up – and Ferdinando,...
- 1/30/2010
- by John Patterson
- The Guardian - Film News
The Debut film of director Gerard Johnson, upcoming British release Tony has already been compared with the classics Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and Taxi Driver.
Revolver Entertainment releases Tony in cinemas on February 5 and on DVD on February 8.
Unemployed and unemployable, the title character is a sympathetic recluse with severe social problems, an addiction to VHS action films and a horrible moustache.
His life is interrupted only by his nervous attempts to make friends, which are invariably rebuffed by laughter or contempt. Occasionally he snaps, and violence and murder is the result...
Featuring what's described as a star-making lead performance from Peter Ferdinando, Tony is said to be "dark, brutal, yet bleakly amusing and will stay with you long after you finish watching."
Extras on the DVD will include a commentary with director Gerard Johnson, actor Peter Ferdinando and producer Dan McCulloch; and two short films from Gerard Johnson...
Revolver Entertainment releases Tony in cinemas on February 5 and on DVD on February 8.
Unemployed and unemployable, the title character is a sympathetic recluse with severe social problems, an addiction to VHS action films and a horrible moustache.
His life is interrupted only by his nervous attempts to make friends, which are invariably rebuffed by laughter or contempt. Occasionally he snaps, and violence and murder is the result...
Featuring what's described as a star-making lead performance from Peter Ferdinando, Tony is said to be "dark, brutal, yet bleakly amusing and will stay with you long after you finish watching."
Extras on the DVD will include a commentary with director Gerard Johnson, actor Peter Ferdinando and producer Dan McCulloch; and two short films from Gerard Johnson...
- 1/27/2010
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Tony, the UK import about a London serial killer, has a brand new quad poster for you fiends to dig on, and of course we have it here. Tony is the debut feature from Gerard Johnson and is being called one of the most important and disturbing British films of recent years.
Unemployed and unemployable, Tony is a sympathetic recluse with severe social problems, an addiction to VHS action films, and a horrible moustache. Occasionally he snaps, and murder is the result...
Featuring a star-making lead performance from Peter Ferdinando, Tony is dark, brutal, and bleakly amusing and will stay with you long after you finish watching. Look for Tony at Slamdance 2010, and be sure to visit the official Tony website here for lots more.
Tony opens in UK cinemas on February 5th, followed by a UK DVD release on February 8th (pre-order it from EvilShop below), and arrives on...
Unemployed and unemployable, Tony is a sympathetic recluse with severe social problems, an addiction to VHS action films, and a horrible moustache. Occasionally he snaps, and murder is the result...
Featuring a star-making lead performance from Peter Ferdinando, Tony is dark, brutal, and bleakly amusing and will stay with you long after you finish watching. Look for Tony at Slamdance 2010, and be sure to visit the official Tony website here for lots more.
Tony opens in UK cinemas on February 5th, followed by a UK DVD release on February 8th (pre-order it from EvilShop below), and arrives on...
- 1/18/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
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