Galaxy Escapes

"The first step - especially for young people with energy and drive and talent, but not money - the..."

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:07:00 +0100

“The first step - especially for young people with energy and drive and talent, but not money - the first step to controlling your world is to control your culture. To model and demonstrate the kind of world you demand to live in. To write the books. Make the music. Shoot the films. Paint the art.”

- Chuck Palahniuk (via manylifetimesblog)

Fear of Writing, Fear of Everything

Sun, 19 May 2013 21:03:00 +0100

Last month I attended the Screenwriting Flash Lab at Sundance Film Festival (I’ve been distracted from posting lately hence the delayed review). The panel consisted of Tony Grisoni (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Tideland, In This World, Death Defying Acts), Lynn Shelton (Touch Feely, Your Sister’s Sister, Humpday) and Peter Straughan (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, The Debt, Men Who Stare at Goats). In an eye opening discussion, I heard successful and talented writers express their reservations and fears when it comes to writing as well as their anxieties during the transition of a screenplay through the filmmaking process. I guess it brought home some perspective that fears and anxieties are experienced at all levels of success.

An interesting thread to the talk concerned the act of risk taking in writing. As a new and unestablished writer, it is tempting to think about what an audience would like to read/watch as oppose to what you would actually like to write about. Every random idea I have for a short film concerns a subject that I am interested in. However, I cannot say that I would necessarily watch films on that subject myself as my fascination may have developed from a different form. For example, a real life experience or even a book. So by writing for yourself you might be taking an important risk in honest expression.

Naturally, human beings consciously or unconsciously want to be liked, whether it be for their creative productions or otherwise. This ‘validates’ their work but is it at the expense of authentic expression? On the other hand, giving your existential thoughts too much time may create self-indulgent rubbish. But then maybe all art could be considered self-indulgent by someone. Then plays the part of interpretation. Let’s just conclude that it’s a conflicted process!

I don’t think that there is a definite way of ensuring that your writing is unapologetically honest. Even when writing on this blog, I try to write continuously and honestly without going back and editing my natural flow. Though I’m not sure whether my subconscious concerns seep into my posts.

And now for the ‘fear of everything’ portion of this discussion; I will just accept that there are worries and anxieties in any situation where one might be assessed or evaluated by others. And that’s ok. I keep hoping that this subsides as we get older. But to be honest, I don’t know whether that is just another one of my delusional hopes for the future.

I will leave you with some wise words from Mike Myers. He said this when responding to a question from an acting student, but I think it applies to every craft:

‘You’re unconsciously incompetent and then you become consciously incompetent and then you become consciously competent and then you become unconsciously competent… what’s impossible becomes hard, what’s hard becomes easy and what’s easy becomes beautiful… In that diagram, the unconsciously incompetent judge harshly the consciously competent. So the people who don’t even know what they don’t know judge harshly the people that know that they don’t know’.

Mike Myers, Inside the Actor’s Studio

“We reduce ourselves at a certain point in our lives to kind of solely pursuing things that we...

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:58:00 +0100

“We reduce ourselves at a certain point in our lives to kind of solely pursuing things that we already know how to do. You know, because you don’t want to have that experience of not knowing what you’re doing and being an amateur again. And I think that’s rather unfortunate. It’s so much more interesting and usually illuminating to put yourself in a situation where you don’t know what’s going to happen, than to do something again that you already know essentially what the outcome will be within three or four points either way.”

Brandon Lee

10 Films That Made Me Love Film

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 01:40:00 +0100

….in no particular order. These are the films that I watched during my childhood and teens that triggered an obsession with films and filmmaking which I have never been able to shake off. I initially thought about making a list of my favourite films but it was just too difficult. I honestly can’t think of what my favourite film might be, there are too many greats to choose from. So instead I thought it might be an idea to think back to those early movies that made escapism possible:

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Whilst at primary school, my ‘to do list’ consisted of: go to school, watch The Wizard of Oz. A simply great film that resonates with every young generation. Because when you’re young, you believe in magic!

Goodfellas (1990)

I first watched this in my early teens after secretly purchasing it with my pocket money. Probably the first time that a film COMPLETELY BLEW MY MIND! Scorsese teaches the greatest lessons in the storytelling potential of film. And he sure has great taste in music.

The Goonies (1985)

Watching this made me feel like I was on a treasure hunt. I always wondered why my childhood group of friends never had an experience like The Goonies. I still wonder why I can’t go on a similar treasure hunt today.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

My dad used to watch a lot of Clint Eastwood westerns during my childhood. This old video (remember VHS?) was played on repeat quite often so I guess it was only natural that I would become a Clint Eastwood fan. This was when the bad guy was quite clearly the bad guy in a movie.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

I’ve wrote about this film before, so I will now just say that it will show you what happens when life and fate knock you down forcing a reaction.

Gladiator (2000)

Admittedly I first watched this when I was too young to fully appreciate it. I then re-watched it a few years later and was left in awe! This film is carried by its big lines, epic screenplay, MAXIMUS and the most emotional soundtrack that you will ever hear!

Platoon (1986)

I was definitely too young to watch this the first time I saw it. I cried, lost faith in humanity and later bought other films about the Vietnam war. I wanted to learn about the history of the cold war. I didn’t understand why the tragedies and horror of this time were not taught in History classes.

Legends of the Fall (1994)

Seriously emotional! I went through half a box of tissues the first time I saw this! Not to everyone’s taste but I request that you see it.

Batman Begins (2005)

This is more recent. But I was a Batman fan long before Christopher Nolan embarked on his Batman journey. Before this film was released, I always had various imaginings of this classic character but Christian Bale’s representation is definitely the closest to the Batman I envisioned. Naturally, these films became HUGE and had an excellent build up of marketing. But despite all of that, they are perfect!

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

A family film that creeps out the kids a little. I mean the dude had giant weapons for hands. But the sweetest nature. Got to love him.

Other films that came close but didn’t make the cut are: Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Back to the Future (1985), Good Will Hunting (1997), Mary Poppins (1964), Zoolander (2001), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), The Lost Boys (1987), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989).

Looking back at the films I used to watch makes me wonder if I grew up too quickly, with exposure to some serious subject matter. But I guess that was balanced with the 80s classics. I’ve always been aware that I’m quite an ‘old soul’ for someone my age, but that is not solely because I watched some grown up films at a young age. Are there are any films that made you wise in your childhood/teens?

Side by Side (2013)

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:33:00 +0000

The documentary film about filmmaking. This is a must see for anyone interested in filmmaking as well as anyone curious about how films are made. It introduces the basic make up of film production whilst providing us with mind blowing expert opinion. Keanu Reeves is the interviewer of Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Robert Rodriguez, David Lynch, Steven Sodergergh and Danny Boyle, to name a few!

There are many debates within this film. I will cover what stood out to me but it will not be comprehensive. The central discussion concerns the seeming demise of photochemical film, which brings with it the rise of digital film. The greatest credit to this is film is that we hear the opinions of filmmakers themselves. It was especially eye opening to hear from cinematographers, colourists and editors. These are the technical creatives who are so heavily involved in perfecting films, but unknown to the average cinema goer.

The film vs digital battle was divided. There was much support for the structure that shooting on film imposes on the acting process. Actors are allowed a cut (and a break) whilst the new film is inserted. It also allows directors and cinematographers to take a step back and gather thoughts. On the other hand, shooting digital allows for continuous extended scenes to be filmed with no need to stop. Like all digital technology, digital cameras allow for convenience. There is no need to stop, no need to transport rolls upon rolls of film and editing is a dream. Not forgetting that dailies have become ‘immediatelies’.

But what is preferred of the general ‘look’ of a film? Digital films are perfect, glossy and wrapped in glamour whereas film provides a ‘grainy’ texture which many interviewees supported. I remember going to the cinema as a child and seeing the screen littered with lines and dots. It was the projector that made me feel like I was in a cinema. This is what epitomised the cinema experience. I have come across more and more digital screens in cinemas over the past few years and their number is rapidly growing. Although I am impressed by the high definition perfection of digital films, I am nostalgic for older cinema days.

As Robert Rodriguez put it: ‘technology pushes the art and art pushes technology’. So it’s not the first time that technology has shifted a creative process. The invention of the camera meant that portraits could be taken without need of a paint brush. However this did not mean that people stopped painting. The old creative process can live on.

The quality of recent films was also discussed. The digital rise has allowed for anyone to access a DSLR camera at an affordable price and well, start filming! Does that mean that quality films will be harder to come by? I don’t think so! Just because digital filming is accessible to more people, does not mean that the potential for great filmmaking will be tarnished. The film highlighted the fact that great films are based on great storytelling. As long as we have genuine human stories to tell, we will have great films. In addition to this argument, accessibility to a creative process has occurred in a range of different art forms without compromising the art itself. When the general public were able to purchase a photography camera at an affordable price, the potential of photography still lived on. And so will the art of film, whether it be in 35mm or otherwise.

Anyway, I need to wrap this up now because the Oscars are about to begin! Exciting!

"I’m just telling you off the bat that I don’t know anything. And if there’s one..."

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:05:00 +0000

“I’m just telling you off the bat that I don’t know anything. And if there’s one thing that characterises my writing it’s that I always start from that realisation and I do what I can to keep reminding myself of that during the process. I think we try to be experts because we’re scared; we don’t want to be foolish or worthless; we want power because power is a great disguise.”

- Charlie Kaufman

The Grey (2011) - and the intrigue of wildlife filmmaking

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:12:00 +0000

One word, WOLVES! I was horrified to learn a lot about wolves! Maybe I naively expected a little more existential conversation between characters in this film but it was ultimately dark, tragic and nothing like the romantic wilderness exploration of Into the Wild or Legends of the Fall.

A plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness results in the ultimate challenge for survival for a group of oil workers. These remaining survivors were forced to face the most instinctive characteristics of their humanity. The presence of wolves in the surrounding wilderness presented an almost horror movie villain for an underdog group of men. The barbaric capability of the wolves is quickly established and Ottway (Liam Neeson) declares fearlessly that they ‘must kill them, make a stand’.

Ottway faced the situation with logic and compassion, leading the group on an epic hike in the hope of escape and rescue. And with his expert knowledge of wolves, it would have been suicidal for any of them to reject his leading voice.

Despite the unbearable animal violence, The Grey was perfectly balanced with human emotion. A group of rugged men displayed fear, vulnerability and absolute bravery. This unexpected situation resulted in a support system that was intuitively built between them. With Ottway leading the way, belief and trust was their only chance at survival.

Whenever I watch something about human survival within nature, I wonder whether I would have the same inner strength to logically escape such a situation. You would have to overcome your nerves very quickly in order to take risks. Bear Grylls and Ray Mears have taught us all the necessary practicalities, but I’m sure that my initial thought would be PANIC! However once the initial adrenalin rush is over, I hope (really hope) that I would calm down enough to take practical steps. For example, making a warm toasty fire:

It’s films like The Grey that also encourage my fascination with wildlife/nature filmmaking (although the wolves in The Grey were clearly computerised and not at all wildlife documentary-esque). It combines the challenge and beauty of nature’s extremities with the passion to film.

An inspiration is wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan, who has filmed some stunning wildlife documentaries. Most recently, Polar Bear Family & Me was an epic study of the endurance of polar bears in Svalbard. Also reminding us of the cost of environmental damage on their habitats and chances at survival.

you are not working hard enough. you are not entitled to success. you need to read and educate...

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:46:26 +0000

you are not working hard enough.

you are not entitled to success.

you need to read and educate yourself more about your craft.

you need to be humble and recognize you are not the best at what you do.

you need to be more enthusiastic and passionate about your work.

you need to stay in on weekends.

you are not working hard enough.

5 minute snippet of Charlie Kaufman’s 70 minute lecture...

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:06:00 +0000

5 minute snippet of Charlie Kaufman’s 70 minute lecture for BAFTA’s Screenwriters’ Lecture Series.

He knows us better than we do so I find myself re-playing this lecture again and again. Insightful stuff for January!

Youthful Musings - Into the Wild (2007)

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:15:00 +0000

You may have noticed that I write a lot about the anxieties of growing older and finding oneself in the 20s. This comes from watching films on the subject matter (aka therapy). I’m afraid that this is a theme that I remain fascinated by and will probably continue to explore until I turn 30. Surely the 30s will bring there own bits of panic (e.g. biological clock ticking, expectation that you must have settled down by now etc). Isn’t over thinking such fun?! :-)

I think part of the confusion comes from working out what you want to do, whether it be in relation to a career or otherwise. There is the obvious argument that you should pursue your interests and passions. Then there is an opposing (more boring) view that you should chase a ‘profession’ and enjoy your hobbies outside of it (given that you have any time left). The latter might just be a solution to dealing with the situation where people ask: ‘so what do you do?’ I don’t know the answer yet… Run away!

Nevertheless, I am remaining positive this new year and am actually looking forward to some of my ideas and plans. Every new year brings with it a sense of confidence that is able to obliterate the previous year’s worries. It gets better! Must hold on to that thought (with a kung fu grip)!

After reading Jon Krakauer’s excellent non-fiction under the same title, I thought that it was about time that I watched Into the Wild (2007). I was left with the same depth of thought, amazement and sorrow that I felt after putting the book down. Definitely Sean Penn’s most outstanding directorial work. The fragmented sequence in which the story was delivered created a unique pace that I found myself adapting to. It differed from the detailed and solid storytelling of Jon Krakauer’s book but works in visual delivery.

It was refreshing to see a protagonist who had no care for the ‘normal’ ambitions of young graduates. Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsh) had no interest in money, materialism or a career. I mean, the dude gave all of his $24,500 savings to Oxfam before setting off on an epic travel. Having been influenced by writers such as Jack London, Chris had a plan to live in the Alaskan wilderness by simply ‘living off the land’.

It is clear from the outset that Chris does not have the same priorities as others. His parents buy him a new car as a graduation present to which he responds that he does not need a new car. He then continues to rant that people are obsessed with ‘things’, arguing the immorality of materialism.

One of the most interesting internal debates of the film was whether living in society is healthy. Although Chris has a cynical view of human relationships and interaction, he may have been valid in his argument that societal pressures are enough to drive one insane or at least very tired. Chris claimed that the idea of a career is a ‘20th century invention’ forcing us to comply with an unsettling path.

Chris McCandless: ‘Society, man!… Cause, you know what I don’t understand? I don’t understand why people, why every fucking person is so bad to each other so fucking often. It doesn’t make sense to me. Judgment. Control. All that, the whole spectrum.’

In his youth, Chris was ignorant to the importance of human relationships. He could even be described as selfish and narcissistic, especially in relation to his disregard for his parents and their worry in not knowing where he is. But his strong moral compass was demonstrated in his meetings with fellow travelers before finally arriving in Alaska. I can understand the temptation of being reclusive when answers to certain life questions are impossible and those around seem unhelpful. But sometimes we must endure the people in our lives, both in situations where you care and where you might be annoyed with them.

I’m sure that almost every young adult thinks of traveling for a long period as an answer to confusing times (myself included). I am especially intrigued by the mystery of natural wonders. The temptation is that ‘the freedom and simple beauty is too good to pass up’. Jon Krakauer’s Into The Wild reminded me that despite it’s beauty and wonder, nature is a powerful force capable of destruction where a traveler is unprepared.

‘If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed.’ - Chris McCandless.

Do you agree?

New Year's FILM Resolutions 2013

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 16:21:00 +0000

Happy New Year! I make resolutions every year and normally end up keeping less than half. The cynics might say ‘what’s the point? When you know that you will forget about them anyway’. Well, I believe in the possibility that things can happen every year!

So this year, I will not declare them all as this adds pressure and will make me feel like I’ve failed on the ones that don’t make it. Instead I will declare some small film goals that I KNOW I can do! Oh yea, that’s the new year confidence speaking!

1) Get a DSLR for filming HD video - I have been thinking about investing in an affordable video camera for a long while. After reading various buying guides and the blogs of other filmmaker’s, I know that a DSLR is the best affordable option. No more reliance on the old phone camera.

2) Finish those short film scripts - then film them! Just do it!

3) Watch Woody Allen’s entire filmography.

4) Film my year’s travels - documentary style. This links to another resolution.

5) Watch films. Then watch more.

6) Look forward to the escapism of Oz: The Great and Powerful….

Photo

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 01:48:00 +0000

Young Adult (2011)

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 02:30:00 +0000

I’ve been heavily distracted by life lately hence my absence from writing, so I’m attempting to get a post in before 2012 comes to a close.

I began watching Young Adult on a dark winter’s day in the same pyjamas that I woke up in. This was in fact very apt for a film led by a moody character who maintains a lazy work at home lifestyle. I felt ever more down and lethargic after watching this film and I wonder how I would have reacted in a different weather environment. I usually blame my phases of moody thoughtfulness on the fact that I am in my 20s, musing that all people around my age are confused and working shit out. Maybe that is all an excuse. A contributing factor may be the winter blues, but that’s usually my excuse for bad moods for half of the British year.

Mavis (Charlize Theron) is an abrasive character with a tone of bitchy teenager. A teenager in her thirties who is not willing to accept that people are happy in the basic presence of their new and growing families. The biggest question that the storytelling deals with is whether our home town is what’s best for our well being. The film begins as she receives an email celebrating the birth of her former high school boyfriend’s baby with his wife, this causes her to pack a bag and leave the city in her typically impulsive way. However as the story progresses, it is apparent that going back to her home town of Mercury is not free of disappointment.

Mavis is able to capture the thoughts of a teenager as the ghost writer of a young adult fiction series. Unfortunately for her writing career, the series is coming to an end. This does not hold Mavis back from bragging about the success of a diminishing book series. Her self-involved presentation is quickly noticed by girls from her old school who still refer to her as ‘prom queen bitch’. Mavis even looks upon her ex boyfriend who is seemingly content in his new family and claims that ‘it’s like he’s a hostage’. Ignorance allows her to create a story in her head that fits in with a narcissistic plan.

Whilst staying in Mercury, Mavis remains on a path of stubborn self-destruction and humiliation, believing that she can win back her ex boyfriend who is now married with a baby. It is only in the final scenes that she confirms ‘I’m crazy’.

I think many people feel the need to escape home at some point in their lives which is sometimes a necessary and significant step. There is not just the urge to escape our home towns, but also escape our every day routines, the people we know, the people who know us too well. We are conventionally fed the idea that a home town is where one belongs. Not necessarily true, we sometimes leave a place for the reasons of risk, challenge and progression. Young Adult is a film of this opinion. Mavis did not belong in Mercury.

I am always most interested by art that expresses the basic and ordinary. In Young Adult, I was entertained by Mavis’ lazy daily routine. This included drinking Diet Coke for breakfast and watching hours of repeats of the Kardashians. The work from home writer’s lifestyle is presented as similar to that of unemployment. Nothing like the cosmopolitan writer’s life of Carrie Bradshaw. The film perfectly presented the mundane steps of every boring day with Mavis surviving on junk food and attitude alone.

Age is a Magic Number

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:50:00 +0100

‘The thing about you kids is that you’re all kind of insensitive. I’m glad I grew up when I did cos your parents were too perfect at parenting- all that baby Mozart and Dan Zanes songs; you’re just so sincere and interested in things! There’s a confidence in you guys that’s horrifying. You’re all ADD and carpal tunnel. You wouldn’t know Agoraphobia if it bit you in the ass, and it makes you mean. You say things to someone like me who’s older and smarter with this light air… I’m freaked out by you kids. I hope I die before I end up meeting one of you in a job interview.’ - Roger Greenberg, Greenberg (2010).

Hmm am I really part of a generation that is too confident and interested in things? Well I can’t relate to the confidence thing. Young people have the same insecurities as generations before, if not more (think youth unemployment figures).

Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) is a pretty miserable character but he raises some intelligent yet debatable points. Whilst recovering from a nervous breakdown, he is house-sitting for his brother in LA. The film trails the theme of struggles to accept age. In Greenberg’s case it is middle age. There is resentment against those members of the younger generation. This is heightened when Greenberg gets involved with his brother’s assistant, Florence (Greta Gerwig) who happens to be a younger soul.

This short character-driven film puts Ben Stiller in a serious light with greater depth of character. Although the film has a poetic end, we must view a cynical protagonist throughout. As a fan of these dialogue heavy indie films, I was left with my usual provoked thought - this time it concerned age!

Another birthday passed me by last month and it certainly takes time to adjust to a new age. I have never quite understood why birthdays are associated with celebration. It is merely something as mundane and ordinary as the day you were born. Inevitably, having a birthday in your 20s conjures up a charge of reflective thought, emotion and panic. I’ve seen enough films about youth/growing older to understand that patience is important, the 20s are a time of uncertainty and that all the pressures and anxiety of growing up will eventually pass. However, I continue to dwell on the exact pressures and anxieties that I KNOW will one day flake away. WHY? It’s like being aware that there is a shortcut to work but deciding to take the long stressful route with multiple interchanges instead! Inevitably this latter journey will make you late, flustered and embarrassed.

Then similar to Roger Greenberg, we will go through the above again at middle age. Then retirement.

Having said that, I do believe that every year makes you chill out a little bit more… regards the whole life thing. We come closer to pursuing the things that we actually want without care of expectation.

Perhaps Greenberg was right about one thing and we are ‘too interested in things’ these days. I will point the cliche finger of blame at the media and internet with their instant access to information. I do sometimes feel that I am trying to consume every cultural and creative element in London in what seems to be a marathon race with no end…. (Must finish that novel, must read more than one article in The Guardian today, must finish watching that TV series, must see new gallery exhibition, must see that band, must watch tennis match, must write, MUST WATCH FILMS, MUST MAKE FILMS). Is it just the character of city living or is everyone chasing their every day hopes?

Then there are those larger conceptual marathons….. must see the world, must contribute to humankind, must find a more soulful job. Hmm I won’t worry about that today because I have to finish that novel first.

‘Dear Starbucks, In your attempt to manufacture culture out of fast food coffee, you have been surprisingly successful - for the most part. The part that isn’t covered by “the most part” sucks’ - Roger Greenberg.

totalfilm: 50 Greatest Gangster Movie Moments With the...

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:16:00 +0100

totalfilm:

50 Greatest Gangster Movie Moments

With the Olympics, Paralympics and continuously re-watching The Dark Knight Rises, I haven’t made time for posting in quite a while. As I catch up with writing stuff about films, check out the above list and see if you agree. I think moment 2 should have been moment 1.

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 01:31:00 +0100

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:54:00 +0100

In conclusion, the legend ended in epic perfection!

ENUNCIAYTUH!

5 Broken Cameras (2012)

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:51:00 +0100

Documentary films have the potential to provide a raw insight into the world’s buried and distant situations. Moreover this type of film making can be the most exposing, genuine and sincere form of visual truth. 5 Broken Cameras delivered all of the above.

The film follows Emad Burnat, a Palestinian farmer living in the town of Bil’in. He bought his first camera in 2005 in order to film the growth of his son Gibreel. Incidently, filming becomes a sort of obsessive habit and Emad additionally documents non-violent protests by his friends against the Israeli army and the settlements that are urging closer. The political situation is something that we are already aware of but 5 Broken Cameras has a multiplicity that goes further than the highlighting of injustice and inhumanity. We are able to follow Emad’s family, the growth of his children and the dynamics of a friendship group. This is a personal story of a family man and the normality of his everyday life.

One of the most striking things about this film was the absolute positive energy and relentless determination of Emad and his protesting friends. Especially Adeeb, who seemed to get knocked down continually but always came back the next day with a new idea for a demonstration. Not only were the demonstrations peaceful but even playful. There was a community feel which allowed people to pick up where they left off after every abrupt obstacle.

Another element that stood out was how ordinary it was for children to see soldiers and guns on a daily basis. For children as young as three, this was the world that they were familiar with and unsurprised by.

Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi have managed to produce a touching documentary which can also be appreciated as a work of film art. The filming and editing seems to have been absolutely perfected.

After watching something that raises a humanitarian issue, I always feel the same sorrow/guilt which reminds me that I’m just another selfish ‘busy with personal stress’ western individual who will go back to work tomorrow and stare at a computer screen in absolute boredom! I used to feel that I need to push myself to attend all protests that I believe in, give more money to charity, go to developing countries etc! I’ve come to realise that anything that avoids ignorance is a good place to start. Thus you can start by watching a film that raises your awareness of injustice. At the very least, you could watch the trailer to this film here.

Sam Raimi’s Oz: The Great And Powerful will land in March...

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:31:00 +0100

Sam Raimi’s Oz: The Great And Powerful will land in March 2013. James Franco will star as the main man in this supposed prequel to The Wizard Of Oz (also known as my favourite childhood film so I’m expecting something great).

Cosmopolis (2012)

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:36:00 +0100

I predicted a slick analysis of corporate life in a big city. Cosmopolis turned out to be a lot more than your average Wall Street movie.

As Eric Packer (Robert Pattinson) was introduced to the audience, it became clear that this film would require absolute concentration and focus. It was uncomfortable to watch but that was precisely the point. Cronenberg does not make films with a view to generating positivity. Thus we are left with a dialogue heavy film that intellectually dissects the capitalist world around us. In fact, I would not watch this film again. Rather I will read the script and devour every thought provoking question presented.

The film follows billionaire finance king, Eric as he travels through Manhattan in his stretch limousine, aiming to get a haircut. Along the way, he meets with various people each of whom are aware of his outstanding intellectual curiosity. Most conversations occur in the surroundings of the luxury limousine. Thereby, questions of self destructive capitalism are allowed to flourish as glossy touch screens blink.

Following anti capitalist protests in the city, the film takes a visual turn and conversations slip away from raw finance. The limousine is suddenly covered in graffiti and Eric gets a pie in the face. His clothes become disheveled and his environment is a greater danger to him. Discussions turn to that of human loneliness, loss of direction and paranoia. Nevertheless ComopoIis does not develop any emotional tidings, it remains true to it’s intrinsic graphic reality. I remain questioning whether Eric deserves our sympathy. Is he a ruthless corporate robot or a lost little boy? Or maybe he is neither, and just a guy who wants to get across town to get a haircut.

Cosmopolis was part film part postmodern philosophy lesson. Pattinson puts on a shockingly great performance of human frustrations, power and intellectual vulnerability. The film is based on Don DeLillo’s 2003 novel.