Lava

This is a must see, you could release this movie today and it would still kick the ass of the best movies out there - done on a tiny budget but achieves so much proving a good script and good cast means everything. I laughed so much it hurt, this movie needs a re release in the Cinema's, untouched and as it was originally shot, it just doesn't need ANYTHING changing

Have I mentioned I love this movie!!

Lava has taken a long time to get to the cinemas. Unjustifiably, really. It is a funny, well-acted movie. It is hyper-violent, but most of the violence is off-camera. And Joe Tucker's Smiggy character has some inspired, loopy moments of byplay. Look out for the "You talkin' to me?" Taxi-driver hommage. Hilarious.

If you haven't been to London, you have been losing too much. If you have been to London but totally forgot to walk around, this is even worse. But to have an idea, you could certainly watch Lava. For an unknown reason, Lava gives me the feeling of London, although most of the film takes place indoors. Philip works in a supermarket. He is a quiet person, he lives with his dad and his sick brother. All he wants is to revenge on the assailant who beaten up his brother to disability. When Philip finds out about the assailant's release, he persuades his lodger Smiggy(Joe Tucker) to assist him. After buying the necessary gadgets to kill him, they set off to his girlfriend's flat to finish him off but find that he is not at home. While waiting they find out that she has stolen big amount of cocaine from a Jamaican gang. With Notting Hill carnival backgrounds, this black comedy crime film gives us a bit of a feeling of a play. That leads us to think that director Tucker's movie was made with limited resources. However, a delight to watch this small film. *** out of *****

Lava is a film of its own. When I had watched it the first time, I knew it wouldn't take long and I'd want to see it again, ...and again, ...and again! It contains an awesome sense of humor and a special way of mixing weird acts of violence with emotions lived through by the two main characters. I was stunned be the way it made me laugh and feel somewhat sad in the next moment. The colorful setting stands in total contrast to the brutal events in *lava*. The main two characters are portrayed in a strange way which makes you love them, probably this is the main reason for not wanting this movie to end. Definately a little masterpiece worth watching over and over!

Like a cross between Taxi Driver and Rising Damp, Joe Tucker's debut shows a real flair.

It has drive and energy and like most interesting Brit Flicks of the last few years (like the excellent 'Dead Babies')it suffered at the hands of terrible distribution.

At times this is difficult to watch, Tom Bell takes hideous to a new level, but it's a brave and worthwhile 90 minutes.

Well worth a rental.