Dir. Joe Cornish. 2011, 88 mins. 35mm. With Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega, Franz Drameh, Nick Frost. An unlucky woman and a gang of tough inner-city kids form an unlikely alliance to defend their South London apartment complex against an alien invasion in this sci-fi, action, and comedy mash-up. It is no surprise why screenwriter Joe Cornish’s directorial debut has become such a cult favorite over the last few years. Attack the Block is packed with dynamic action and boasts a hilarious and inventive script that shines thanks to the film’s charming, relatable cast of familiar faces like Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), and soon to be pop culture heavy hitters like John Boyega (Star Wars), Franz Drameh (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), and the Thirteenth Doctor herself, Jodie Whittaker.
About Disreputable Cinema:
Some of the most distinctive and beloved works of cinema exist well apart from the mainstream. Often called cult or underground, these films comprise a subculture of hidden gems and alternative classics that often challenge the norms of art and entertainment. The new monthly series Disreputable Cinema will celebrate unusual films that both exemplify and challenge various notions of genre, from grindhouse manifestos to foreign fringe frenzies to bold new re-imaginings and mashups. Resistance to mainstream acceptance or approval remains part of the appeal for these works of disreputable cinema, yet the series aims to welcome both fans and discoverers, the diehards and the curious.