FilmThinkTank

Just got gifted a Polaroid sun 660, still in working order but...

Sat, 25 May 2013 20:01:25 -0400

Just got gifted a Polaroid sun 660, still in working order but in need of a new film. Vintage delight!

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu’s previous film ‘4...

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:09:48 -0400

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu’s previous film ‘4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days’ won him the 2007 Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival, but his latest feature ‘Beyond the Hills’ won Best Screenplay at Cannes in 2012 for it’s narrative about an Orthodox convent in Moldavia, as inspired by a 2005 Orthodox exorcism. The narrative follows the daily life inside the convent and how life changes after an old orphanage friend visits the protagonist. It’s hinted that their friendship developed into love as themes of trust, religion hysteria and isolation all blend together in a drama that places emphasis on the lead character. There’s long takes galore give the film it’s style, whereas a deliberately neutral and open narrative denies the placement of blame on any of the characters. The result of an incident is traumatic but passes as a fly on the wall event wherein the audience isn’t invited to decide responsibility for that actions or consequences. Unless you’re in the mood for a good ponder, it’s a bit lengthy.

TIFF’s A Century of Chinese Cinema Series: Hero (2002) | Next Projection

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:52:00 -0400

TIFF’s A Century of Chinese Cinema Series: Hero (2002) | Next Projection: My review of...

Disney revisits the ever popular fables of the land of Oz in...

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:18:38 -0400

Disney revisits the ever popular fables of the land of Oz in it’s latest live action feature ‘Oz The Great and Powerful’. Starring James Franco as the man of mystery himself, there’s a lot of independent space for a spot of creative narrative altering without taking away from the much loved classic. Plenty of characters are revamped and given more of an angle, but as the events here happen before the twister that brings Dorothy in from Kansas, there’s a comfortable level of explanation and character expanding developed. Making it clear that the wizard is nothing but a travelling circus sideshow act, much of Franco’s performance is cheesy showmanship and womanising, but as it’s Disney morals prevail and everybody learns a lesson. Perhaps a little too overt in the love triangles and feminist thinkers I’m sure would go to town on the representations of the women in Oz (all witches I might add). CGI is as made for 3D glasses as it gets and the landscapes are suitably multicolored and garish in keeping with Disney extremes and candy sweet fantasies. The one element that gets my thumbs up is the use of black and white for the first section of the film, which transforms into full colour without so much as a gasp from the audience. A skillful ploy on the fantasy genre’s behalf and a wonderful case to be made for those who proclaim audience demographics as set in stone, and something ‘The Artist’ shook the foundations with last year. Somewhere along the line, the creators have had fun with this film, and it’s as family friendly as Disney promises.

‘In The House’ is Francois Ozon’s most...

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:04:55 -0400

‘In The House’ is Francois Ozon’s most literary narrative yet. A wonderful approach to storytelling within film making that takes the power of narrative itself as the main theme. When a fed up teacher notices some writing potential in a teenage student, he encourages what becomes a dramatic essay series of revelations and intrigue. A seemingly harmless writing exercise on what happened last weekend quickly escalates into an intense study on his friends family life. Sucked in by the possibility of outcomes, as a teacher where should he draw the line? An exploration on the desire to gossip and weave extended truths with white lies that takes some interesting turns. ’In The House’ is a narrative about relationships and understanding, freedom of expression, and how far you’ll go for an escape from the everyday life you lead.

‘Good Vibrations’ is the story of...

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:56:05 -0400

‘Good Vibrations’ is the story of the independent record shop in Belfast city center during the 1970’s. As most people are well versed, this period of Northern Irish history is referred to as ‘the troubles’ and wasn’t the best time to be setting up shop in the frequently bombed capital. Terri Hooley is the legend of the punk scene in Belfast’s musical history, most famous for releasing ‘The Undertones’ single ‘Teenage Kicks’, this is a film about the man, the legend and his determination to not give up on an alternative Ulster. Drawing in critical acclaim and well received on the festival circuit, ‘Good Vibrations’ speaks to the rebellious nature of any music fan and has an overwhelming appeal in its sense of personality and dramatic events.

‘The Princess of Montpensier’ made it to the Cannes...

Sat, 04 May 2013 19:34:18 -0400

‘The Princess of Montpensier’ made it to the Cannes selection in 2011. It reminds me a lot of ‘A Royal Affair’ and it’s not fair to compare them as they are different styles of narratives, but the content is driven in a similar fashion of drama suspense over relationships and trust. Lavish and lush sets and costume set this film on par with the bigger Hollywood period pieces. Lengthy and indulgent in parts, but overall a well rounded historical romp.

Best post I receive: new Sight & Sound features...

Sat, 04 May 2013 16:08:33 -0400

Best post I receive: new Sight & Sound features ‘Byzantium’ as the cover image. Gemma Arterton & vampires!

Sorry about the French subs, it did well at Cannes 2012 so...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 10:19:29 -0400

Sorry about the French subs, it did well at Cannes 2012 so I’m guessing this is why. It got a steady UK theatrical release and is a brilliant film about relationships. ’Broken’ features Tim Roth as suburban living solicitor and daughter of pre-teen diabetic Skunk. Skunk is witness to the not so perfect or quiet life of their happy English middle class cul-de-sac, neighbours who are out of control and events that spark disastrous consequences, then she’s got high school to contend with. A film as much about growing up as it is about being an individual and understand the strange nature of what family means. Cillian Murphy plays a school teacher who gets caught up in accusations and violence, and gives another stellar performance. Stealing the show is young Lily James with a performance that is sure to define her career in the next few years. A British classic in the making.

Ken Loach is hailed as one of the great British film-makers, so...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 08:37:11 -0400

Ken Loach is hailed as one of the great British film-makers, so it makes sense that he delves into political history and rediscovers the social spirit of the year 1945. In ‘The Spirit of ‘45’ the focus is on the state of the country politically and economically, as much as the message is about society’s attitude to pulling together, being country proud and solution solving the socialist way. Found footage accompanies interviews, life stories abound and as the live streamed Q&A from the Ritzy in London revealed these issues are clear in contemporary minds. An interesting project, tilting to the left too obviously, but a great discussion point.

‘Despicable Me’ short ‘Banana’ shows the...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 07:18:42 -0400

‘Despicable Me’ short ‘Banana’ shows the minions at their cutest and best.

Another ‘Despicable Me’ short ‘Orientation...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 07:17:19 -0400

Another ‘Despicable Me’ short ‘Orientation Day’. Possibly my favourite as it self-reflexively references film as a medium.

‘Despicable Me’ short ‘Home Makeover’....

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 07:12:38 -0400

‘Despicable Me’ short ‘Home Makeover’. Huge fan of the film, can’t wait for the next feature this summer, but in the mean time, there’s lots of these little gems to keep me giggling!

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Disney and...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 06:49:18 -0400

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Disney and animation is probably my favourite film genre. ’Wreck-It Ralph’ is their latest offering and the topic is retro gaming. Although most audiences will be too young to get all he fantastic references and jokes with 80’s/90’s games like Pac-Man and Street Fighter, the older audiences will revel in them. Pixar were one of the first companies to devise narrative contents openly geared towards the older audiences, whilst retaining their U/PG ratings and remaining family friendly, but more importantly funny at the same time. Now that this demographic has been established, this trait is the norm, but ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ reinvents the inclusion of this targeted audience in a different format. This is not a Pixar film, it’s a Disney Animation Studios production, which is interesting given the skin of the teeth similarities between the two companies production values and of course Pixar is co-owned by Disney. Bright and colourful with lovable characters, typically a Disney production in essence. Animation style and graphic depth is key to Pixar’s stunning films, but here Disney have given them a healthy dose of competition, perhaps too close to home in hindsight though.

‘Stoker’ is by a mile, my favourite film so far in...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 05:12:12 -0400

‘Stoker’ is by a mile, my favourite film so far in 2013. Park Chan Wook’s first English language feature hasn’t compromised his style whatsoever. The South Korean director is best know in the Western world of film for ‘Oldboy’ (which if you haven’t seen, you just need to check out asap). His beautiful mise en scene, stunning cinematography, haunting narratives and disturbing characters are all exceptionally well formed and presented in ‘Stoker’. My biggest hope is that it introduces a new audience to the director. Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode and Mia Wasikowska in roles that define them as thrilling actors with the ability to curb their own stamp on sinister, it’s all about the family values. Sort of ‘Adams Family’ in those terms, but largely unique in content of themes. Not the theatrical release trailer that made its way around the UK screens, but a great edit…prepare to be thrilled.

Belfast Film Festival staff t-shirt joins my QFT shirt for the...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:04:56 -0400

Belfast Film Festival staff t-shirt joins my QFT shirt for the next few weeks (at Queen’s Film Theatre)

‘Robot and Frank’ is a charming film about a retired...

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:50:54 -0400

‘Robot and Frank’ is a charming film about a retired jewel thief and the carer robot his family insist lives with him. At first completely against the idea, seeing the situation as too space age for his liking, Frank slowly warms to Robot after he forms a conversational relationship with the house tidying machine that handily cooks as well as listens. In Frank’s present mental predicament where memory doesn’t function as it used to, there’s much familiar humour from Frank’s contentment of social isolation that’s quickly combated by his new found sci-fi friend. A narrative about family’s growing up and moving apart that tackles ageing with as much understanding as ability to relate delicate emotional issues. Delightfully the audience demographic has hit somewhere between the regular art-house crowds, the newly defined retired matinee crowd, and the irregular mainstreamers occasional outsourcing. Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon and Liv Tyler bring the star factor as well as subtle and realistic performances. Robot proves that sci-fi narratives don’t have to involve laser beam fights and galaxies far away, instead focusing on the regular everyday functionalities of human needs. Sundance festival favourite.

‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ reveals a surprisingly...

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:58:13 -0400

‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ reveals a surprisingly good performance from Elizabeth Olsen. When a teenage girl lands up in a sort of hippy commune her way of thinking changes as much as her emotions and through the powerful persuasion of those around her she begins to loose grip on who she was before she came here. Running away she finds her sister, and after Martha was thought to be missing for two years, her sister and brother in law take her into their lives. Martha seems to be more than they bargained for, now confused and socially damaged, Martha’s behaviour steadily worsens as her life on the commune hunts her. A tense narrative brings the mental state of Martha to the foreground, but at times it’s hard to decipher what is real and what is trauma induced. Engrossing and socially twisted, not an easy evenings viewing, but not very complicated either. The pace is enough to carry the drama and the theme of power of mind and mentality is the big intrigue.

'Admit One' Film Poster Art Exhibition

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:54:00 -0400

'Admit One' Film Poster Art Exhibition : The walls of the Queens Film Theatre Belfast are mostly...

‘Lore’ took me by surprise and has become an instant...

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:47:05 -0400

‘Lore’ took me by surprise and has become an instant favourite in the so far this year category. The fictional story about a group of brothers and sisters in 1945 who make an incredible journey from the Black Forest to Hamburg through a divided Germany. Father fought as an Nazi military officer and Mother was a dedicated wife, teaching the children that Hitler would soon rule the world. When the Allied troops closed in the family fled to the Black Forest and when the Allied troops won the war and liberated the camps, Father went missing and Mother was forced to turn herself into the trials. Abandoned, the eldest takes charge and the knowledge of family in Hamburg is what pulls them through starvation and many terrifying situations. Their faiths and understandings are tested and the main meditation at the core of the narrative is the bigger question of how do you even begin to cope with the aftermath of war. Excellent drama with some new stars in the making.