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Mouth to Mouth (2005)
The wrong film in the wrong hands
This film is based on an interesting idea which in the right hands could have been a wonderful film. Its an indie film, of course it is, but I have seen a good few indie films and this really hits rock with the director. I mean Alison Murray, I'm sure she knows a lot about being a teenage dropout but she doesn't know much about making a gripping film.
Its got some pretty good casting, about six of the people cast were okay actors and that includes Ellen Page, it didn't really push her the way a film and a good director should, as as we have all seen - she can do a lot better! The film was shot as though Murray read about every effect you can do with a camera and thought - I'm gonna use them all! It went light for no reason, it didn't accentuate a feeling or to show an emotion, it wasn't intimate or innocent it just was and in my experience, ever shot should be justified, from the first to the very last.
The sound track was good, I'll give you that. And some of it was quite hard hitting, but I find it difficult to believe that I just watched a film where people died in the course of an anarchist group trying to find freedom and I don't care about them. It wasn't believable, no grief, no despair, no anguish. I wasn't reeled in, I didn't feel their pain and so I didn't believe in its reality.
It is that typical film made by someone who wants to tell their 'incredible story' and just got out of art school. It tries to fit too much in to the plot when a good film can focus on both plot and the dimension of the characters. The ending was excruciating and I cant believe I just spent £15 on this film.
The Garden (1990)
An interesting perception of the media on religion and sexuality
I wrote my analysis on this so I think its fitting to place it here, I don't think there are any spoilers but just in case there is one someone notices I gave the warning. It does hint at other parts in the film:
The scene depicts the humiliation of two gay men, portrayed through the main sections of the New Testament. This segment I have chosen is rich in colours, symbolism and religious imagery and contains religious iconography. The deceased Derek Jarman was a well known director and screenwriter of unusual and challenging films, which were often longstanding stories that had been warped or had changed perspective.
The second section is set in what looks like a sleazy massage parlour. In it are the clear divisions of authority and power, shown in terms of colour and grandeur and their performances, shown in confidence and gesture. The two men, as seen in the scene before, have been found. It is clear that they are unhappy about this, since their freedom is no longer possible and so they cower into each other in the middle of the room. They are in the middle of the room to show that they are the centre of attention, the objects towards which the rich and powerful men are projecting their intimidation. As it is, they do not seem to be rejecting their sexuality, but staying true to themselves, which is what Jesus did. The first shot is of a dripping wet, hairy adult leg which is raised and a finger bounces off a point of his foot, the point where a nail is driven through in a crucifixion, this may be a reference to the amount of torture that is to come, the fact of their impending death. In the massage parlour there are a number of highly unattractive older men walking around half naked and rubbing each other with oils and sponges, laughing and joking, acting as if they is nothing more pleasing than to humiliate and taunt the two men standing before them. The main man which I presume to be Pontius Pilate is wearing a grand red dressing gown and nothing underneath but for a pair of small gold pants. The reason for this presumption is that half way through, when he washes his hands in the water with the other men. He sings 'down to the river Jordan' as he does so. The river Jordan is the river which was known then as the river that fed the 'garden of God' and, in the New Testament, Jesus was baptised in it. This image and act of washing his hands is reminiscing of the section in the New Testament 'I wash my hands of you.' Gold and red: The colours of wealth and power. The other men are wearing an odd assortment of garments including a drawn on paper crown, a towel, a gold dressing gown, a gold fan and sunglasses. All of these garments and objects give the men higher status; they are comfortable, assured of their wealth and power. They prance around stupidly with great confidence in themselves, laughing along with their acquaintances in a casual façade and make-believe happiness. The lovers, standing there, enduring their laughter, their flaunting. Perhaps thinking wistfully of before when they were able to be alone together, something that riches and power and status would not have allowed. Taking a different perspective, this scene could portray a kind of hell. One where the devil is the man implementing the basin as a drum and going wild. His mental abuse of the men is challenging them, each deranged, primitive scream saying 'stand up for yourselves!' The parlour would be a taunting, strange sexual fantasy invading them, taunting them. As though the parlour is in their heads and it is just the devil and them, the great illusion, the temptation or allurement. The capricious nature of the devil defies all previous conviction of him being merely evil; it is depicting him as a primitive, impulsive being that transcends evil. His actions become almost bestial.
Overall I find it and enchanted and fascinating picture from an artistic visionary - I loved it, but you should make up your own mind, this film is not for everyone.
My Boy Jack (2007)
Thought provoking hopeless tragedy
I found his very interesting, not least because it fascinated me, one who generally finds programs about war repetitive, distasteful and untrue of reality. This film seemed so hopeless because you know he has no chance but really it is not about the boy in many ways, it is about the father and his conviction and his choking pride that takes precedence in the film. Daniel Radcliffe, unfortunately, did not play a totally convincing role as Jack, the son, but since he was much younger and far less experienced in the world of serious acting I think he was simply out performed.
The main character of the film was Rudyard Kipling and everything you feel is aimed at his loss and guilt for pushing his son to do something where he was destined to underachieve in, due to his "disability" (poor eyesight). I think this rigid but heartfelt performance was brilliant. The score was orchestral and built up atmosphere and sadness throughout, while the camera-work was inventive, intuitive and well shot throughout, including some rather experimental frames.
I think that the film as a whole really captured the feeling of grief and guilt that many must have felt at that time, the sense of irretrievable loss of something so precious. I think this is a great achievement as a film. I recommend anyone should see it who is interested in any aspects of film, it gives its best in all areas.
Harold and Maude (1971)
Sad in the most beautiful way it could be
I think that this film is very touching in that it is the most true love story ever created. I say this because most love stories that are told are sloppy and there is nothing more than physical lust attached to it but this is so much more, its about love no matter what, Harold is risking his reputation and his family name and forsaking all boundaries just to be with Maude because of his love for her. They are each others release in some ways: Maude needs Harold because she needs to know what it is to be young again and Harold needs Maude for him to see how beautiful everything can be if you just live. Harolds unhealthy obsession with death is never 'cured' as such but it is modified, changed, if you will, because of the effect Maude has on him. They make a beautiful pair.
My favourite quote in the movie is:
MAUDE: I think much of the worlds sadness comes from people who are this (she holds up the small ordinary flower in her hand)
MAUDE: But allow themselves to be treated as that (she indicates all of the other flowers of the same species around them)
I give this a rare ten because it is beauty in a movie so intense and concentrated that the only thing you can do is laugh while crying.
Hard Candy (2005)
Love it!
F'king incredible - loved it, one you can only watch once but that stays with you for years. Well worth a watch if you can face it - its heavy material and not for the faint hearted or weak stomached or people who cant hack intellect :) It starts very simply and goes one way then bam it flips over and the defence attacks, its chilling for the most part because it is so unpredictable. It is hard to see what is bullshit and what is not. Then there are some strange twists which keep the suspense going.
When the end finally arrived I was not quite sure who was worse. It keeps you thinking and drawing your own conclusions - you'll need an hours break after watching it to let your mind settle.
All in all, it is an amazing film and well worth every minute :)
Happy Gilmore (1996)
Dodgy in parts but a rounded movie that deserves acknowledgement
Some jokes that aren't funny and dodgy acting but an all round Adam Sandler film. With its cast of highly unemotional actors and a cringe-worthy 'happy place' containing a midget on a bicycle, that I think is meant to crack some laughs, Happy Gilmore has a rather bizarre feel to it. The 'bad guy' is just ridiculously bad and the good guy is all too naive and innocent. Not to mention 'Happy's reaction to the death of a good friend is acted as if he had merely scratched his thumb. But a movie that deserves its own category 'the Adam Sandler' it is rounded and i believe that all movies deserve to be watched, so watch this movie with a very open mind. Enjoy.