Reviews
Short films
Overview and thoughts - Change is about two young mens who both have troubles with their families. However, one is a drug dealer and the other one has a drug addicted mum. This leads to the drug dealer being held up by the other man at gun point. The importance of this is that is has already been established that this drug dealer has problems of his own and is not a bad guy, so what is about to happen is going to be a tragedy. However, the man with he gun is not a bad guy either and through their realisation of this the two actually become friends. It is a very powerful story about misconceptions and forgiveness. It builds the tension well and is set in a beautifully bleak location. I stumbled across this film after I had finished my script. However, the story line is very similar and even a lot of the ideas are very similar. So I could take a lot from this film. The dilapidated location really sets the scene well.
Themes taken from the film - The themes i have talked about already, there are two people who are inadvertently effecting each others lives, and it explores what happens when these two people meet. It also looks into the necessity to survive, the idea that a good man can be doing something bad. It is a powerful storyline and seems to be reflecting the black culture in some more poverty stricken cities in the USA.
Points taken from the film - Points that can be taken from this film is the way in which the tension is built and how i can use some of that in my particular production. The slow-motion as the two come close to meeting really helps to build the tension and the impending tragedy. The way in which the storyline worked really made you feel for the characters also and this was done using space and silence, making the characters looks isolated and miserable, creating real empathy with the audience.
Overall - I think the film worked very well. I enjoyed it an can't believe just how similar it is to my script. It is gripping and uplifting at the same time, it takes you through many different emotions and is really a fantastic piece of film.
Themes taken from the film - The themes i have talked about already, there are two people who are inadvertently effecting each others lives, and it explores what happens when these two people meet. It also looks into the necessity to survive, the idea that a good man can be doing something bad. It is a powerful storyline and seems to be reflecting the black culture in some more poverty stricken cities in the USA.
Points taken from the film - Points that can be taken from this film is the way in which the tension is built and how i can use some of that in my particular production. The slow-motion as the two come close to meeting really helps to build the tension and the impending tragedy. The way in which the storyline worked really made you feel for the characters also and this was done using space and silence, making the characters looks isolated and miserable, creating real empathy with the audience.
Overall - I think the film worked very well. I enjoyed it an can't believe just how similar it is to my script. It is gripping and uplifting at the same time, it takes you through many different emotions and is really a fantastic piece of film.
Cherries – Tom Harper (2007) http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p004ps64
Short synopsis given- A class of teenage schoolboys have a lesson they will never forget.
Overview and thoughts – This film is about a bunch of inner city rough lads to find out one day while at school that they are going to be enlisted in the national service because of the ongoing war. The army arrives immediately to take them away. The main character of the film, who seems to enjoy starting fights has a brother in the war and doesn’t want to join. One it comes down to it, it is the two that want to fight the most that want to join the least. The main character runs while the rest of the class go to the main hall to be processed. It also reflects on the teacher who reflects upon the grave news he has had to bare the injustice of it and the state of the misguided youth today. It starts with a mischievous tone then looks like it will become about teenagers fighting. When the news is broke there is a mêlée’ in the classroom. Once it has all sunk in the tone turns to sad as the audience and characters reflect on what has happened.
Themes taken from film – The themes are that of war and exploring the world on a grander scale. It is looking at how a group of teenagers eager to impress their friends are putting up a charade for when the real thing comes along. It also focuses on the teacher, to which the film ends, as he is sitting reflecting on what he has just done. It misguides the audience into believing it is a film about something it isn’t.
Points take from the film – The camera remains steady throughout most of the film. It is not until a fight breaks out or actual action happens that the camera begins to reflect the panic and chaos in the scene. The way in which the scriptwriting is done is good and layered well through many different characters. The style in which tension is built a through the use of a ball hitting the window, just to show how scared the pupils have become, or the cut to the arms trucks arriving a lot can be taken from the film for influences with in my film.
Overall – I thought the film was fantastic. I think the way the tension builds through out the whole film is truly gripping. The topic itself is an original and exciting one. The actors were brilliant and really pulled me into the story. When I first watched it, I was moved by the story and really worried that a similar thing could happen to me. It is definitely a huge influence in the way I would want to make a film.
Keel – Ian Cottage (2008) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00hg12p
Short synopsis given- A ghost story concerning obsession, friendship and a simple act of betrayal.
Overview and thoughts -The film is an odd tangle of emotions. The story appears to be about a father and daughter getting away for a holiday in a secluded house by the sea. The events that follow are unclear. The young girl seems to befriend a make believe little girl who keeps appearing to her, but is not visible to the father. She begins to see things that the father cannot, leading the audience to believe that she is warping reality somehow. However, upon playing under a boat the father and daughter pair had discovered. She get’s trapped inside when someone or something closes it on her. The father finds her and along with the original owner of the house fight to get her out. It is an intense frenzy of the two struggling to save the little girls life. Upon achieving this they head home and the little girl spots her friend one last time. The film seems to merge elements that are not real with elements that are. Making it difficult to understand what is really going on. Through out the film it becomes harder and harder to distinguish which characters are real and which are imaginary.
Themes taken from the film – It is a difficult film to understand. It seems to be exploring the relationship between a father and daughter. It could be that they are coping from a recent loss. However, this is not specifically mentioned. The genre is drama and maybe and element of fantasy, based on the choice of music and way in which the girl does not seem to see reality.
Points taken from the film - The editing was used well to cut between the daughter and father and then to what the daughter saw and what the father saw. This was also used later when the girl was alone. The camera came from low to reveal the daughters ‘supposedly’ imaginary friend, establishing her as a dominant and potentially dangerous figure. The camera was kept steady except for the scene in which the men were trying to get into the boat. It became shakier in order for the audience to feel the struggle.
Overall – It was an enjoyable and engaging film albeit confusing. Some styles of editing and camera work were clever and I feel these could influence me in the style I go for in my film. In particular the editing used to confuse the audience.
Short synopsis given- A class of teenage schoolboys have a lesson they will never forget.
Overview and thoughts – This film is about a bunch of inner city rough lads to find out one day while at school that they are going to be enlisted in the national service because of the ongoing war. The army arrives immediately to take them away. The main character of the film, who seems to enjoy starting fights has a brother in the war and doesn’t want to join. One it comes down to it, it is the two that want to fight the most that want to join the least. The main character runs while the rest of the class go to the main hall to be processed. It also reflects on the teacher who reflects upon the grave news he has had to bare the injustice of it and the state of the misguided youth today. It starts with a mischievous tone then looks like it will become about teenagers fighting. When the news is broke there is a mêlée’ in the classroom. Once it has all sunk in the tone turns to sad as the audience and characters reflect on what has happened.
Themes taken from film – The themes are that of war and exploring the world on a grander scale. It is looking at how a group of teenagers eager to impress their friends are putting up a charade for when the real thing comes along. It also focuses on the teacher, to which the film ends, as he is sitting reflecting on what he has just done. It misguides the audience into believing it is a film about something it isn’t.
Points take from the film – The camera remains steady throughout most of the film. It is not until a fight breaks out or actual action happens that the camera begins to reflect the panic and chaos in the scene. The way in which the scriptwriting is done is good and layered well through many different characters. The style in which tension is built a through the use of a ball hitting the window, just to show how scared the pupils have become, or the cut to the arms trucks arriving a lot can be taken from the film for influences with in my film.
Overall – I thought the film was fantastic. I think the way the tension builds through out the whole film is truly gripping. The topic itself is an original and exciting one. The actors were brilliant and really pulled me into the story. When I first watched it, I was moved by the story and really worried that a similar thing could happen to me. It is definitely a huge influence in the way I would want to make a film.
Keel – Ian Cottage (2008) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00hg12p
Short synopsis given- A ghost story concerning obsession, friendship and a simple act of betrayal.
Overview and thoughts -The film is an odd tangle of emotions. The story appears to be about a father and daughter getting away for a holiday in a secluded house by the sea. The events that follow are unclear. The young girl seems to befriend a make believe little girl who keeps appearing to her, but is not visible to the father. She begins to see things that the father cannot, leading the audience to believe that she is warping reality somehow. However, upon playing under a boat the father and daughter pair had discovered. She get’s trapped inside when someone or something closes it on her. The father finds her and along with the original owner of the house fight to get her out. It is an intense frenzy of the two struggling to save the little girls life. Upon achieving this they head home and the little girl spots her friend one last time. The film seems to merge elements that are not real with elements that are. Making it difficult to understand what is really going on. Through out the film it becomes harder and harder to distinguish which characters are real and which are imaginary.
Themes taken from the film – It is a difficult film to understand. It seems to be exploring the relationship between a father and daughter. It could be that they are coping from a recent loss. However, this is not specifically mentioned. The genre is drama and maybe and element of fantasy, based on the choice of music and way in which the girl does not seem to see reality.
Points taken from the film - The editing was used well to cut between the daughter and father and then to what the daughter saw and what the father saw. This was also used later when the girl was alone. The camera came from low to reveal the daughters ‘supposedly’ imaginary friend, establishing her as a dominant and potentially dangerous figure. The camera was kept steady except for the scene in which the men were trying to get into the boat. It became shakier in order for the audience to feel the struggle.
Overall – It was an enjoyable and engaging film albeit confusing. Some styles of editing and camera work were clever and I feel these could influence me in the style I go for in my film. In particular the editing used to confuse the audience.
Your lucky day (Dan Brown)
This film is about a mega ball lottery and the craziness that brings to a store when one man wins one of the highest jackpots ever. A gunman then holds him up, the gunman is shot at by a policeman at the back of the store. The gunman turns and guns the policeman down. At this point the witnesses make a pact to split the money with the robber so they can all get out alive. With the policeman being presumed dead the people in the store think it is time to start a new life. However, the policeman is not dead and so a mass shootout killing almost everyone breaks out in the store. Finally the last man leaves with the mega ball lottery ticked but is shot down by police. The reason this film has given me inspiration is not because it of its script, direction or cinematic style, but more because of it’s concept and the things that happen with in it’s convoluted narrative. The confusion of who is good and bad is clear with the audience but not so with in the film, this is the idea that I particularly like. The idea that a gunman could walk into a store kill lots of people and blame it on someone else, then how would anyone know straight away whether he was telling the truth. It has also given me inspiration in terms of change in characters attributes. In this film a man with a pregnant girlfriend who he tries to protect with his life at all times changes when she is shot dead. Realising his future has now changed for the worse and, most likely, blinded by rage he shoots the gunmen and the police officer and walks out of the store to the police, ultimately, to his demise. I think I can take a lot from the way this film has lots of twists and turns and a fantastic climax leaving the audience in a state of disbelief and despair. In my opinion, in a short film it is difficult to really establish a character to be very well liked before it is over and as a result, a well liked character is much easier to kill off to leave the audience with a haunting experience as opposed to an angry one, which may reflect on what they think overall of the film.
Feature Films
Dead Man Shoes - Shane Meadows (2004)
Short synopsis given - A disaffected soldier (Considine) returns to his hometown to get even with the thugs who brutalised his mentally-challenged brother (Kebbell) years ago.
Overview and thoughts - The film is a gruesome tale of one man's revenge. However, the main character, played by Paddy Considine, who is exacting his revenge is seen to be the 'good guy' within the film. The reason being that the people he is savaging have wronged him in the past. There is a like ability about the character who seems calm in front of victims and distraught when not around them. There are elements of comedy that are totally unexpected and very well done. An example being the men waking up with clown make up all over their faces. There is a twist in the film which is difficult to see coming which makes the tale far more harrowing, and the film climaxes with, what is in my opinion, an act or a true hero. Considine realises that by taking revenge he is not really any better than anyone else and so chooses to let the last member of the gang, who has a wife and family, kill him instead, so that this man can live on with the shame that Considine ultimately couldn't. It is a powerful movie, cleverly dealt with an beautifully shot. It's very well written having good lines for humour and tension. It is a large influence on the film that I am making, the revenge factor is a big part of what drives a character to do something crazy and this highlights it perfectly. I think the audience feels for the character and as the film goes on you begin to understand more and more about why he is being so harsh as the flashbacks continue to show what had happened to his brother.
Themes taken from the film - The main theme seems to be revenge. The idea that people can;t get way with things that they shouldn't. There is an element of forgiveness in there but also a huge amount of love. The love for a brother drives Considine to the edge of madness.
Overview and thoughts - The film is a gruesome tale of one man's revenge. However, the main character, played by Paddy Considine, who is exacting his revenge is seen to be the 'good guy' within the film. The reason being that the people he is savaging have wronged him in the past. There is a like ability about the character who seems calm in front of victims and distraught when not around them. There are elements of comedy that are totally unexpected and very well done. An example being the men waking up with clown make up all over their faces. There is a twist in the film which is difficult to see coming which makes the tale far more harrowing, and the film climaxes with, what is in my opinion, an act or a true hero. Considine realises that by taking revenge he is not really any better than anyone else and so chooses to let the last member of the gang, who has a wife and family, kill him instead, so that this man can live on with the shame that Considine ultimately couldn't. It is a powerful movie, cleverly dealt with an beautifully shot. It's very well written having good lines for humour and tension. It is a large influence on the film that I am making, the revenge factor is a big part of what drives a character to do something crazy and this highlights it perfectly. I think the audience feels for the character and as the film goes on you begin to understand more and more about why he is being so harsh as the flashbacks continue to show what had happened to his brother.
Themes taken from the film - The main theme seems to be revenge. The idea that people can;t get way with things that they shouldn't. There is an element of forgiveness in there but also a huge amount of love. The love for a brother drives Considine to the edge of madness.
Points taken from the film - The script is a clever one. It doesn't seem to be wordy especially for the main character. However, the gang members do seem to have a lot of chat between them. It seem though that is more ad-libbed or very well written and acted as they talk over each other, giggle and interrupt. The shots are at times beautiful, especially at the beginning of the film as Considine walks back to his hometown. They highlight the space well and isolation of this main character.
Overall - I thoroughly enjoyed the film and it immediately influenced me to make a film similar. There are many ideas I have taken from this film, the element of family and revenge are both in there. I think it would have been a far more successful film if it was available to a wider audience and far more critically acclaimed too.
Overall - I thoroughly enjoyed the film and it immediately influenced me to make a film similar. There are many ideas I have taken from this film, the element of family and revenge are both in there. I think it would have been a far more successful film if it was available to a wider audience and far more critically acclaimed too.
Crash - Paul Haggis (2004)
Short synopsis given - Several stories interweave during two days in Los Angeles involving a collection of inter-related characters.
Overview and thoughts - I thought this was another really fantastic film. It was also a hugely challenging film. This is because of the amount of stories that were going on in a short space of time, and of course all the stories had to interlink. There was some fantastic cinematography, really good script writing and also some amazing performances by actors. The story was all centred around racism and how the people of the city of Los Angeles are either racist, or seem racist, or have reasons for their racism and it's about how they all cope with the issues they face because of these kinds of prejudices. There are certain moments in the film that i found genuinely moving, like the moment you realised that the beginning of the film was not actually the beginning of the timeline of the film. Another example is demonstrated by the poster of a little girl trying to protect her hard working father because he had given her an invisible cloak that could protect her from monsters, and she believed it was real enough to stop a bullet. I like the idea of saying one thing in a film, taking the audience on a journey and eluding back to that statement. I think it is a powerful tool if used correctly, the risk in using it is that the audience will guess that it is coming.
Overview and thoughts - I thought this was another really fantastic film. It was also a hugely challenging film. This is because of the amount of stories that were going on in a short space of time, and of course all the stories had to interlink. There was some fantastic cinematography, really good script writing and also some amazing performances by actors. The story was all centred around racism and how the people of the city of Los Angeles are either racist, or seem racist, or have reasons for their racism and it's about how they all cope with the issues they face because of these kinds of prejudices. There are certain moments in the film that i found genuinely moving, like the moment you realised that the beginning of the film was not actually the beginning of the timeline of the film. Another example is demonstrated by the poster of a little girl trying to protect her hard working father because he had given her an invisible cloak that could protect her from monsters, and she believed it was real enough to stop a bullet. I like the idea of saying one thing in a film, taking the audience on a journey and eluding back to that statement. I think it is a powerful tool if used correctly, the risk in using it is that the audience will guess that it is coming.
Themes taken from the film - The theme is mainly racism and prejudice. It's about the misconception of people because of the way they look or even the way they are. Because there are so many stories, there are actually many different themes that are tackled. For example revenge is again a big part of the film but also a lot of the characters come to realisations about other people, that they were not who they thought they originally were.
Points taken from the film - It's a very well thought out story because of the amount of characters. It is well written as well because a risk with a film that tells many different stories is that you feel nothing for this character. However, that is not the case here. The way in which the music paints a beautiful picture and time is often slowed down give the film this feel of purpose in reality. It reflects how people feel in these moments, the music they would expect to be playing and how everything feels like it is going in slow-motion. There are silences that become deafening in situations, strategically placed where the visuals do all the talking.
Overall - I really enjoyed this film and I didn't think I would. Parts of the story were very moving, at least for me, very unexpected. Although quite different to my idea i have taken a lot of ideas from this film. Misconceptions of people being the main theme i have incorporated into my own idea. This film has taught me the importance of the details in film, the fact that a shot can have nothing going on but last a long time and that a loud scream cut out and left with silence can be more powerful. I think the director handled the stories overall brilliantly.
In Bruges - Martin Mcdonagh (2008)
Short synopsis given - Holed up in Bruges, Belgium after a difficult job, two hit men begin to differ on their views of life and death as they become used to local customs.
Overview and thoughts - This was a strange film for me. Before I had watched it I had been told that it was very very funny. When I finally came to watch it i found it quite overwhelming. However, I watched the film again about six months later without any reviews or stigma attached to it and decided it is one of the best film i have ever seen. I say this because I was expecting laugh out loud comedy and hilarious situations but that is not what happened. The script writing was subtle but close to genius in my opinion. It was shot really beautifully in the city of Bruges. Towards the end as well the action picks up and really makes the movie exciting and intriguing. There is one scene in particular in the film which is the death of Brendan Gleeson's character who nobly jumps of the bell tower to warn Collin Farrel that he is is trouble. This entire scene has one song playing over the top. It's the only real montage of music with lyrics in the whole film and i think it is used perfectly. Again it moved me. The music was powerful and it told it's own story. There were no words to be spoken, there could have been climactic music which would have given a different feel to the scene but instead there was sad folk music which set the tone from the offset. All the while the audience were never quite sure what Brendan Gleeson. This particular scene has been a huge influence on my idea for my film.
Themes taken from the film - There are themes of forgiveness and guilt. The two main characters are actually battling. Collin Farrell is struggling with the guilt he feels for killing a small child, and Brendan Gleeson is trying to get him to forgive himself. Again there is still a theme of revenge and that after while you can't just keep running.
Points taken from the film - The fact that there is revenge again is good because it actually uses a similar shot to the film 'Crash'. As the character moves forward the camera simply follows their gun and not the person themselves. this is I think is a very powerful technique and quite simply looks really good on screen. Arguable the beginning of the film can drag on and be seen as boring, i personally have not found this but know people who have, it is something that can be difficult to avoid but a good building block to see what not to do.
Overall - Again i thought this was a fantastic film. Everything about it, for me, was brilliant. the dialogue of the characters was witty and clever, the shots were always stunning and storyline was a difficult one to pull off as the main characters were in fact not very nice people. I think in a way the film is a tragedy of sorts. The characters losing their lives could all be avoided were it not for the good nature they all have inside them. The irony of this makes this film very enjoyable to watch.
Overview and thoughts - This was a strange film for me. Before I had watched it I had been told that it was very very funny. When I finally came to watch it i found it quite overwhelming. However, I watched the film again about six months later without any reviews or stigma attached to it and decided it is one of the best film i have ever seen. I say this because I was expecting laugh out loud comedy and hilarious situations but that is not what happened. The script writing was subtle but close to genius in my opinion. It was shot really beautifully in the city of Bruges. Towards the end as well the action picks up and really makes the movie exciting and intriguing. There is one scene in particular in the film which is the death of Brendan Gleeson's character who nobly jumps of the bell tower to warn Collin Farrel that he is is trouble. This entire scene has one song playing over the top. It's the only real montage of music with lyrics in the whole film and i think it is used perfectly. Again it moved me. The music was powerful and it told it's own story. There were no words to be spoken, there could have been climactic music which would have given a different feel to the scene but instead there was sad folk music which set the tone from the offset. All the while the audience were never quite sure what Brendan Gleeson. This particular scene has been a huge influence on my idea for my film.
Themes taken from the film - There are themes of forgiveness and guilt. The two main characters are actually battling. Collin Farrell is struggling with the guilt he feels for killing a small child, and Brendan Gleeson is trying to get him to forgive himself. Again there is still a theme of revenge and that after while you can't just keep running.
Points taken from the film - The fact that there is revenge again is good because it actually uses a similar shot to the film 'Crash'. As the character moves forward the camera simply follows their gun and not the person themselves. this is I think is a very powerful technique and quite simply looks really good on screen. Arguable the beginning of the film can drag on and be seen as boring, i personally have not found this but know people who have, it is something that can be difficult to avoid but a good building block to see what not to do.
Overall - Again i thought this was a fantastic film. Everything about it, for me, was brilliant. the dialogue of the characters was witty and clever, the shots were always stunning and storyline was a difficult one to pull off as the main characters were in fact not very nice people. I think in a way the film is a tragedy of sorts. The characters losing their lives could all be avoided were it not for the good nature they all have inside them. The irony of this makes this film very enjoyable to watch.
Other films that relate to my story that I have looked into although not necessarily watched.
Fish Tank
24 hour party people
Human traffic
Trainspotting
A wild, freeform, Rabelaisian trip through the darkest recesses of Edinburgh low-life, focusing on Mark Renton and his attempt to give up his heroin habit, and how the latter affects his relationship with family and friends: Sean Connery wannabe Sick Boy, dimbulb Spud, psycho Begbie, 14-year-old girlfriend Diane, and clean-cut athlete Tommy, who's never touched drugs but can't help being curious about them... Written by Michael Brooke <michael@everyman.demon.co.uk
A group of disaffected Scottish
youths turn to heroin to escape the banalities of modern-day existence. Then,
they begin to suffer the consequences and discover that there are no easy
solutions to the inherent loneliness and pain of life.
Requiem for a dream
