The Theory Of Everything Film Response

Ah yes, The Theory Of Everything... A charming film about, to my surprise, the personal life of Stephen Hawking.

Upon going into the film, I thought there would be more of a direct approach to his working life and all the fantastic thing's he has achieved, instead, I was presented with an adorable little film about his love life, the progress of his illness and his family. The Theory Of Everything truly does depict a story of a remarkable man, but even more so, a remarkable woman. I was someone who knew less than nothing about Jane Hawking before watching this film, but it's safe to say - what an incredible woman. She was someone who stood by Stephen through thick and thin, and by the sounds of it, continues to stand by him. The way Jane is represented is very delicate, accompanied by a great performance from Felicity Jones, an actress whom i've always been a fan of since I saw her in Ricky Gervais' Cemetery Junction. An even more fantastic performance was from Eddie Redmayne, a.k.a "that bloke from Les Mis". The way that he emphases the worsen of Stephen's illness and in the appropriate, but not over the top, way he shows the illness towards the end is incredibly skillful - and will most probably turn out to be an oscar winning performance (or at least nomination).

This film is incredibly thought provoking, especially if you're someone who's in a relationship... I must admit that I spent a lot of the film wondering if I'd be strong enough to be someones 'Jane' if they got a life changing illness. It's a very emotional film that clearly shows that no matter how bad you think things are, you can always get through it. Highly recommended!

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Film Response

The Hobbit is a series that I have followed very closely ever since my love of Lord Of The Rings came about. With there being so many unanswered questions in The Lord Of The Rings, I was always confident that The Hobbit would answer my questions and fullfill my urge to put this series to bed, and it did.

With this being the 3rd and final film in the Hobbit/Lord Of The Rings franchise, they didn't hold bad when it came to special effects and over-the-top extravigancy. This film, to sum it up, is just one massive, huuuugggeeee battle sequence; which may sound drab and boring, however... Put this film into context. You've watched Hobbit 1&2, two films that build the pilot line and build tension up to a ridiculous level and then you final watch the 3rd, and all you have is nerdy, lavished and unapologetic action. As someone who is faaar from an action fan, I was surprised that I did enjoy this film so much, but let's face it, It was bad ass!

I don't normally do this but as a musician, I must dedicate at least one paragraph to the music. The music in both Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit is nothing short of a master piece. I am a big Howard Shore fan anyway but the simple way that he uses leit motifs and reoccuring ideas to remind you of a time, or a place is just brilliant. The 'hobbit's theme' with the solo flute is just one simple motif that is used repeated to ease the audience in a sense of familarity. He similarly does this in all the films when Bilbo reminises about the Shire. Howard Shore perfectly pumps up the audience for every battle sequence, but knows exactly how to calm them down afterwards, brilliant!

If I took this film away from the other 2 and looked at it as a singular film, and not part of a trillogy (or even 6 part film series) I'd say that I'm not very impressed by it. I mean, yeah, it is reaaallllyyyy cool, but that can only go so far. Once you accept the awesome-ness of it and get pasted that, there really isn't much to this film at all. However, you can say this about any film that's within a trillogy. Something that Peter Jackson does in nearly every work he works on is to make a film series work as a series, and oh boy does he. Each Lord Of The Ring film is ok, but put them together and you have, a very nerdy, but equally fantastic piece of cinema - and this is watch The Hobbit is. A fantasically, brilliantly nerdy, hyped, ridiculous, hilarious and over-the-top piece of Cinema that will always have a place in every teenager's heart.

Chungking Express Film Response

Looking back through my normal response, there hasn't really been a film that I've reviewed that I haven't enjoyed in at least one way or another - until now.

I felt that Chungking Express is a film that it's just over lavished with 'hiding meanings' for it's own good. I mean, don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the meaning and the difference between Hollywood and Chinese cinema but I found this film so difficult to watch. It reminded me of a piece of music that has no idea where it's going so the composer decides of just write thousands of notes in the space of 1 beat to compensate for their lack of structure/ideas. 

The two narrative idea can work very well as a structure, but they need to link, and the connection between each narrative was so vague that I spend so much of the film trying to work out who is who.

It also ruins California Dreamin' - The Mamas & the Papas. It just doesn't stop playing that bloody song and I don't think I could ever watch that again.

However, my confusion and lack of understanding about the film definitely shouldn't put anyone off of watching it. It's a film that's definitely worth watching, I just think it's a love or hate kind of thing. When I watched Wong Kar-Wai's In The Mood For Love, I loved it, so it's his directing style that I have a problem with, I just think it's the over the top narrative and how it seems that the director is completely obsessed and lost in that, to the point where the bare elements of the film don't seem to come through.

City Of God Film Response

I first watched this film last year and after watching it again recently, I remembered as to why it's one of my favourite films of all time.

City Of God is a film that is not only visually stunning, but it also tells a remarkable and also relatively unbelievable story. The gang crime in Brazil was something that I was relatively unaware of before watching this film and I think it does very well to telling to story in an over the top and explicit way. City Of God successfully shocks and horrifies the audience to emphasis the shocking situation in Brazil. It's this reason as to why I think it was so popular in American and here in Europe, because as the audience, we're so shocked and appalled, the only thing we can do is to keep on watching.

From a visual point of view I think it's wonderful. Just take the opening scene as an example, the close-up shots of gruesome scenes set up the audience for the rest of the film and depict a binary opposition within two character, two gangs, a way of life and an inner conflict within the first 5 minutes.

This film has been a favourite of mine for a long time and I'm pretty glad that I'm having the opportunity to study it in an in-depth level - High recommended film!

Interstellar Film Response

To cut the introduction fairly short - Interstellar is BRILLIANT.

Firstly, Interstellar isn't quite how it appears in the trailer. It's not quite as 'typical hollywood' as you'd imagine. It's just a visually spectacular experience that has a mind blowing plot. It manipulates how you we perceive science and space whilst keeping the most delicate and innocent story between a man and his daughter. It's so lovely to watch a film where there isn't a 'love interest' and there isn't a whole, boy meets girl blah blah blah, instead it explores the relationship between a parent and his children and very successfully makes it just as, or if not more, interesting as if there was a love interest.

Visually - the film is just spectacular and is such a wonderful experience to watch at the cinema. Although I didn't see it in 3D, It may be another film that successfully and truly uses 3D to it's true potential (as I've said with 'Gravity' which i reviewed this time last year). It appears that the film industry are going back in for the 'cinema experience' but what was so different and brilliant about this film is that, it is a 'cinema experience' with an incredible story!

I don't want to give away any big plot spoilers so I just want to rap this review up and say - It's a fantastic film that I highly recommend! I advise that you take the science part of the film with a pinch of salt as they do touch on subjects that are in reality completely impossible - but totally remarkable. Great film, go watch it, seriously! 

The Imitation Game Film Response

This film is an obvious example of a promising film. A good cast, a good trailer and a good story. Sometimes the clear promise that the film sets up can be mis-leading and leave you disappointed with the outcome, with that being said, I'm happy to say that 'The Imitation Game' did not disappoint.

I felt that this was a very well thought out film that had one clear objective - to tell the story of Alan Turing. As someone who knows very little about the war and even less about the story of how we broke enigma, I found the story incredibly fascinating. I enjoyed how the film wasn't lavished with interesting cinematography, it was simple and to the point - quite a refreshing change.

Before I blabber on about my opinions of the acting, I have to confess that although I like Benedict Cumberbatch, I can't say that I'm his biggest fan. It's not that I neither like nor dislike him as an actor, more... I've never really been too bothered by him. So, my observations on his performance do come from my neutral head. I felt that Benedict Cumerbatch put in a absolutely fantastic performance. He was subtle and carried out the relative obnoxious and also confused young gentleman superbly. However, a performance even better than Cumberbatch's was Keira Knightley's acting style. Once again, Keira Knightley is another actress that I've never been too interested by. When she debuted in Pirates Of The Caribbean, she played a relatively nobody role and had no style in her acting whatsoever. When I saw her recently in a film called 'Begin Again' with Mark Ruffalo, a music themed rom-com, I saw Knightly actual play a character, someone who has something about them with interesting characteristics - and I must add, it changed my opinion of her. In the Imitation Game was see how Keira has grown experience as an actress and how she's beginning to develop this quite lovely style as a character actress. This film is yet another highlight of her performance and I look forward to watching her style develop and change as she gets older.

This film is incredibly enjoyable and wonderfully tells such an interesting, and incredibly tragic, story. It's subtle, to the point and has some brilliant performances from some truly great actors.

À Bout De Souffle Film Response

Until this film I was a complete newby to French New Wave cinema and I did rather enjoy it. I felt it was quite nice to experience a relatively quirky film with altering context, radical editing and an exciting and somewhat strange plot line.

It does clearly show the director's dislike of American culture and mocks it in quite a sour way by making the two protagonist fairly American, and also making the characters fairly difficult to watch and to like as people.

I can't say that I loved the film and want to watch it over and over but I must say that I found it extremely interesting from a cinematic point of view. This is a film that I'll probably end up watching to appreciate in an analytical sense as opposed for entertainment purposes... But a classic nonetheless!

The Fault In Our Stars response

Well hi there! I haven't used this in a while but I'm pleased to announce that I'm exam free and will definitely be contributing to this blog more often! :)

So after work on Friday, a few of us decided to venture to Cineworld and watch The Fault In Our Stars. Like any other teenager with a casual interest in young adult literature, I've heard of the book (but unfortunately never gotten around to reading it) so the story line was always quite well known to me.

Overall, I really really enjoyed the film! If you're after a weepy film that rather poetically tells a tragic story then it's something you'll also enjoy. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the plot line of cancer and to label it as 'just another chick flick' but it goes far far deeper than that; especially as half of the guys i watched the film with cried a lot more than all of the girls combined! I had a feeling throughout that this would be a film that effects a male audience more so than a female audience for the simple reason that as humans, we have an innate want to protect the people around us, a commodity that is normally more apparent in men (if the alpha male in the animal kingdom is anything to go on) and this film provides a quite gritty and realistic idea that due to these ridiculous mutations such as cancer, not everyone can be protected, bad things can just happen and it's something that's difficult to understand and deal with. The approach to cancer was very very well done and the slightly abrasive attitude to the world gives it a rougher edge (a bit like the film 'Now Is Good' (2012) which has a similar tone).

The characters were captivate and just so likable and enjoyable to watch. As an audience member, i really enjoyed being in the protagonist's company and that is definitely one of the most enjoyable elements of the film. I particularly love how the protagonist's weren't squeaky clean, the equally had a slightly abrasive attitude which worked so well within the narrative.

The writing was just fantastic. Extremely poetic (something that is very distinctive of John Green) with a lovely honesty that was also at times incredibly witty.

A very enjoyable film that I highly recommend! Please don't be put off by the subject matter or the fact that it's very weepy and sensitive in it's narrative, as it's a film that can easily be appreciated for so much more than that!

The Last Seduction (1995) Film Response

Despite some rather shocking scenes and language, i thought it was a great film! A brilliant example of film noir, a genre that i'm beginning to really enjoy. However, i feel i enjoyed Double Indemnity far more. As someone that's always been quite interested in writing, the subtle language used in Double Indemnity is very clever as opposed to the quite explicit language and obvious intentions of the femme-fatale in Last Seduction. Having said that, the Last Seduction focus' a lot more on mise-en-scene elements to tell the story of the characters.

Thoroughly enjoyed the film and love the genre!

The Lego Movie - Film Response

With my boyfriend being a completely child, he insisted that we go and watch The Lego Movie on our next cinema outing and slightly reluctantly, i obliged but couldn't shake the idea of doubt that it would actually be any good.

The Lego Movie was actually brilliant! It was hilarious with use of light but also fairly adult jokes in the middle of a sickly sweet but extremely ironic narrative. It touched on very true issues to do with business and media run society. It had an AMAZING plot twist that actually made me gasp and smile like a small child full of sugar. It was just genuinely surprised at how great it was and would happily watch it 100 times over.

Just go and watch it! Seriously, just do it! 

Extremely recommended - 10/10

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) Film Response

It's needless to say that i've been extremely excited to watch this film for a long time. Life long Coen Brothers fan with an undying passion for music, especially folk, i just couldn't wait. Soooo, i deliberately throw myself out of my usual 'Vue Cinema in Eastleigh' comfort zone and ventured to Harbour Lights Picture House. After walking in the rain for about 30 minutes (good ol' England) my eagerness for the film ahead just wouldn't shift, which of course is breaking my number one rule... Never ever have high hopes before watching a film for fear of being disappointed... however, I'm happy to announce
that i most definitely wasn't, it was fantastic.

The opening scene was quite simply captivating. A wonderful close up shot of Llewyn (played by Oscar Issac) singing 'Hang Me, Oh Hang Me' at the Gaslight Cafe. With the brilliant use of dark greens and browns filling the shot to give it a lovely visual look of 60's patina, all accompanying the amazing live sound of Llewyn singing and playing the guitar, which is it's own right was terrific, was just simply lovely.

The plot was the usual Coen brothers masterpiece of intertwining ideas and recurring themes that eventually come to a possibly too abrupt ending that leaves a audience member feeling slightly confused, but if you're me, feeling completely satisfied in the idea that the plot was so undeniably finished, that it felt somewhat unfinished, but almost taking comfort in the idea that the plot lives and continues in my own mind - and this film was exactly that. The Coen brothers successful tap into the idea of a film and reply and repeat every angle they can until the plot is just so fixated in your head, you're not even 100% what happened. If there was any conceivable plot in the entire film, it would have been the cat, having said that, the journey of the cat is so wonderfully ambiguous that you don't find out it's name until the very end of the film. A name that perfectly sums up the metaphor of the cat and links very nicely to the Coen's 'O Brother Where Art Thou'.

I was a very very big fan of this film and i thoroughly enjoyed it, however, i can completely see why others wouldn't enjoy it as much. After watching it, my boyfriend's first reaction was "Well that was... umm... yeah!... explain it to me" - and was many of the audiences reactions as we left the Picture House. However, in my humble opinion, it was just classic Coen Brothers and was truely enjoyable to watch.

Highly Recommended, especially if you're a young musician with a love of Coen Brother films, like me and the sound track is a masterpiece in it's own right!

Georgy Girl (1966) - Film Response

I really did enjoy this film and i can't fully explain why. Maybe just a simple case of i found it really interesting and above everything, extremely surreal. The over-all story line was just ever so slightly, to be blunt about it, mad! And I'm not even 100% sure that i understood what happened. I feel a big contributing factor to the craziness of the film was the soundtrack, with cheesy, American sitcom-like sounds and typical jokey 'walking music' when Joss would walk through the house, It gave the impression that the film was some terrible comedy gone wrong. And yet, as much as i hated the soundtrack, i actually loved how it did accompany the film. I think it connoted Georgie's carefree attitude, but also had serious undertones and the music showed that.

The film took a great approach to the swinging sixties and showing life in reverse, showing a at heart old-fashioned woman trying to adapt to the forever changing sixties. Each film i've seen from the sixties has shown the harsh and realistic qualities of society; in fact the only film I've even known to glorify it was the comedy spoof Austin Powers (1997).

 7.5/10 - I did really enjoy the film, although it's craziness was difficult to get my head around, it took a really interesting approach to society in the sixties which i loved.

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom - Film Response

I can quite easily sit hear and explain it in every detail for the introduction, babble on about some nonsense to kick start this blog post, however, I'm going to keep this short and sweet... Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom was one of the most incredible films that I've ever seen and i cannot begin to explain how much i loved it.

Cinematography was simply stunning. Some of the camera shots that cut from the vast south African landscape to extremely intermate and close up shots of Mandela, played by Idris Elba, was just fantastic. A particular favourite (among several shots) was the opening scene of Mandela 'becoming a man' within his African tribe and the recurring theme that poses and plays within the entire story - it was just pure genius. Another favourite scene was when Mandela visits his home once again when him and Whinnie get married, the close up shots that the camera uses and the genuine intermacy of their connection was just perfect. 

Acting - sublime. Idris Elba and Naomie Harris were just wonderful and the relationship the both of them had was beautiful, and this is something i found extremely interesting within the film; the way they tell the relationship of Mandela and Winnie. The only information I've ever learnt about their relationship was my mother telling me how much of a terrible person Winnie Mandela was, and hearing how many south Africans hated her, however, in this film it clearly shows how much, on a completely unconditional scale, how much Mandela loved her. It showed how despite Mandela's imprisonment, she was just as much a victim, if not more so, then Mandela. I loved how the film didn't sugar-coat Mandela, it showed his affair in a previous marriage and i didn't show him to be perfect. It showed how prison did change him, and it showed how he openly disagreed with most of the society, black and white. It showed his own mental change and, quite emotionally, it showed the breakdown of Winnie and Mandela's relationship, and it was filmed so well that it was unbelievably heartbreaking for the audience to watch.
 
And if the overall look and visual style, acting and approach to the narrative wasn't amazing enough already, the best thing about the entire was quite simply the story it told. I grew up in the generation where Mandela was 'just some south African guy'. I'm too young to have experience the changes he made, and I'd only ever hear his name on occasion if my parents would randomly mention him. Before entering the cinema, my knowledge on Mandela was extremely limited. So when i did finally learn of his story, learn about all the challenges he faced, but still remained strong - it was just incredible... He was just incredible. And this is why Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is so fantastic and done successfully what every good film should do. It made me, the audience, experience a time, a place and a person that i had no knowledge of, and it made me feel the emotions as if i was there in person. It taught me how to think and dragged me through his struggle, yet allowed me to venture out of the other side. It gave me knowledge and an entire new approach to how i think, to how society thinks. This film opened up an entirely new realm of possibilities, methods of communication... and, as frightfully cheesy as this will sound, this film honestly took me on a long walk to freedom. It had an extraordinary and profound affect on me, and all of it was simply from learning the story, the struggles and the life of Nelson Mandela.

10/10 - Simply incredible in every single way and one of the best films i have ever seen. 

Up the Junction (1968) Film Response

This film took an interesting approach to the representation to woman, and with the use of a female main protagonist, it was definitely more positive compared to other swinging sixties films, such as Alfie.

It showed very clearly that all actions have consequences, and sometimes on very serious and dramatic proportion. The film contains a very harrowing abortion scene, something that although is not graphic or explicit, had the ability to shock me. The film also ends with neutral end of Peter going to prison over stealing a car, again showing that all actions have consequences, a bitter reality to the Chelsea-born protagonist, Poly.

This film highlights generational divides between the young and their sixties rebellion compared to the classic 50s idealism's and way of thinking from the elders. It shows a clear class divide and how in many ways, someone of a working class background can be just as quick to judge someone of a upper-class background such as Poly. I felt the use of cinemtography showing the demonlising of older buildings and building new blocks of flats was clever to represent the idea of 'out with the old, in with the new'. However, as the film tells the story of, sometimes 'new' isn't always the correct way forward.

I thought the film cleverly portrayed woman, generational and social divide and was a break through by using a female protagonist.

I would happily watch this film again, greatly enjoyed.

Alfie (1966) Film Response

This is my third time of watching the film and found it just as enjoyable. The film famously touches on serious issues and social change within the sixties, which is why it's great to analyze in the swinging sixties era.

After watching and knowing the 2004 film staring Jude Law well, i found it particularly interesting how much the films differ in story and plot, and how that's mainly to do with time period and era. The 2004 remake not only approaches the subject of abortion, but it's main focus is on Alfie and his moral feelings towards adultery, and how that affects his attitude. Whereas the 1966 film focused on social issues, from abortion to the stereotypical chauvinism of men of that time. It's not until the last few minutes of the film where Alfie realizes the mess he really is does the film fully mention him as a person, however his own morals is rarely a factor. Alfie's true feelings are forever obscured by the bigger picture of social change. And that's the most prominent feature of Alfie, and easily the most enjoyable to notice. Not only is the swinging sixties about change and conflict, it's when you compare it to past and current times do you realize the sincerity of Alfie. Emotions were always swept under the carpet and brushed away, because social issues where overriding.

Sensational acting from Michael Caine as always, and also a brilliant role from Vivien Merchant. Great use of front lense, direct speaking to the audience, which Caine masters. Though Alfie's character is ruthless and chauvinistic, It's cleverly suger-coated by his carefree and jokey way of living. Something that seems so natural to Caine, so very clever casting - easily the reason as to why Alfie is so likable.

Really enjoyed it. Great film as always.
8/10

The History Boys (2006) Film Response

After hearing so much about this film but never having the opportunity to watch it, I deliberately set out to borrow it from the library and watch it - And jeezzz did I not regret it!

I didn't really know that much about the film other then James Corden was in it, however in the opening credits i saw that it was written by Alan Bennett and i was immediately excited to watch it. I've been a big Alan Bennett fan since i stared to have an obsession with English and writing, he is a personal favourite.

The film took a really strange approach to the relationships between a pupil and it's student, particularly Hector's feelings towards pupils and at no point was he demonized because of it, one of the only films that as taken that approach to it. Also, a very casual approach to homosexuality in all-boy grammar schools.
The writing was sensational, very typical Alan Bennett in style and was 100% compelling throughout. The way he uses words and foundations of linguistics to create themes and an educated patwar between the students was simply fantastic. One of my favourite moments was when Hector and Posner are in the classroom talking about poems and there's almost a mirror line between the both of them, as if they're both reflecting eachother's feelings and how a poem is way of voicing that. About how it's humbling to know when a writer feels exactly the way that you do and how that connects all of the 'History Boys' together, even though they seem very disconnected. However, my absolute favourite moment in the film was after Hectors funeral when each student was talking about what they'd become and how each career perfectly reflected their personality. The incredibly emotional moment as you realize why Lockwood is sat there silently and doesn't say a word and Posner's almost soliloque about how Hector has effected him.

This has easily become one of my favourite films - absolutely fantastic. 9.5/10

Short Film Responses

The Forgotten Hit
The Forgotten is a short film from an undergraduate students from the Leeds film school. I thought the film was quite compelling although i felt the sound track could of been a bit more exciting. With the lack of dialog, the film heavily relied upon the soundtrack and i thought it was bland, although, the use of an effects bass-drum to replicate the sound of a heart beat was quite effective.

6/10

Indecision
I really liked the camera effects this film and the pure question of how they done it still baffles me. The effect done very well to capture the Topsy-turby feeling of being indecisive - something that i personally can relate to. I thought the use of setting how the man was in the woods and the woman was on the beach, and the contrast between those two places was very effective. The pure look of the film and the classy style was also something that was really appealing to watch.

7/10

Farewell to Charlie Power
Out of all the short films I've watched today, this one was definitely my favourite. Despite the quite sad and upsetting story line, there was something very charming about the setting in the village; also some lovely characters, i particularly enjoyed the character of the police woman. The film raised some quite serious issues about mental health and also how people react to it with some jokey and playful undertones to ease the serious and difficult issue - all of which was approached very well.

9/10

Se7en (1995) Film Response

Seven is a complex and layered plot about the seven deadly sins; Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Lust, Pride, Envy and Wrath when they over run a person's mind and drives him to kill. It's set in a grim and desolate city where "sins take place on every street corner" and it constantly raises a clever issue of how society reacts to the sins, and in particular, how the police react to it. The police force throughout the film mention about how disturbed and insane the killer, played by Kevin Spacey, is, However when the police discover the victim of 'Sloth', a drug dealer and known child molester, the polices' reaction was "he got what he deserved". That hypocrisy of the police is something that John Doe played upon, ending the film with his own death after the wrath of David Mills.

Although I enjoyed the ending, due to the clear hypocrisy of the police, i spent the entire film expecting that someone within the police force was the killer, and was rather disappointed when i was wrong. The tense music that was always played around Mills and Somerset didn't help my suspicion either. However, by not making it as i expected, the ending did shock me at the fact that it was so simple.

The whole film done exactly as it described and was indeed a psychological thriller. It made the audience guess constantly about the killer and the plot ending. It was thought provoking on how society reacts to it's other members. With fantastic acting from Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey, I really enjoyed it.
Highly recommended! 8/10

A Rant About 3D And A Review On Gravity (2013)

Despite my best attempts to enjoy 3D films... I've always hated them. I've always felt like they were a silly after thought after making a film, and a "decent" excuse for my local cinema to charge £10.20 to watch a load of pop-up book style rubbish in which invariable gives me headache... And I thought this about every film... Until Gravity (2013).

Yesterday, I made the brave jump into the land of 3D and watched Gravity, after hearing Mark Kermode's opinion, who is a 3D hater like me, of it the previous Friday; and long story short, it was brilliant and genuinely stunning. Every shot in the entire film looked incredibly realistic and the way that they used long-shot to close up shot to evoke emotion was sublime.

It opened with the title 'Gravity' on the screen and a huge crescendo of sound and almost white noise that built up louder, and louder, to an almost unbearable decibel and then quickly cut to deafening silence. Throughout the film, the simple use of sound was probably the best I've ever heard and a true pioneering example of most musician's moto... The rest and silence has to be louder then the note.

There was an incredibly interesting theme of 're-birth' and the protagonist, Ryan Stone, played by Sandra Bullock, being re-born in space and how the space shuttle became so much of a sign of saftey that it became a womb-like place. It also showed the very clever progression of Ryan Stone as a character, from a panicing child/baby into a confident woman that looked as if she could conquer the world with some cleverly used low-angle shots.

Despite a predicable plot, kudos to George Clooney, who's performance was fantastic, as always. I must admit, i've never been a big Sandra Bullock fan and never really regarded her as a proper actress, however, after this performance and fully watching and noticing her acting... She was incredible, absolutely incredible.

Fantastic film that i would highly recommend to anyone, especially film studies students. I wouldn't say it's completely changed my view on 3D, however, I think that this is the first that has ever used it to it's true potenial, and more impotantly, made a visual pleasure, instead of a 3D indused headache.

Gravity (2013) 9/10 - Brilliant!

Thelma & Lousie (1991) Film Response

After only knowing a little bit about the film after watching a Simpsons parody, this was my first time watching the actual film Thelma and Louise... And I really enjoyed it.

The film highlights the quite interesting issue that's probably popular with fugitives that once they set out on the path to destruction, they cannot stop. The film has a somewhat shocking factor of two woman taking the leading role and being the violent ones, and i think that's the idea of the film, to show their power as woman; and to also get their payback on men. Towards the end of the film they blame the men in their lives for what they'd become and how the second they got a taste of freedom, they couldn't stop.

I think the film was extremely interesting from the point of view of the roles Thelma and Louise play in eachothers lives and how the dramatically changes. Although this film has been slated and ridiculed in the past, there are few films that have tackled the issue that this film has, woman can be set on a road to destruction, and it does happen in reality.

The ending, like most films of this kind, was a mixture of feelings. Every viewer grows to like Thelma and Louise and desperately wants them to get to Mexico and for them to succeed, but eventually, reality will always catch up with them. Many people thought that the ending was a cop-out, but i disagree, i thought it was very clever. It showed that reality does catch up and luck does run out, it showed to the point that they were pushed by men and their lack in trust towards men, that;s why they couldn't trust the police officer and more importantly, it showed Thelma and Louise's togetherness and how it couldn't of been taken away, and wasn't going to be separated by anyone... particularly any man.