Thursday 30 November 2017

You're a Dangerous Girl

For the past 12 weeks I have been on a course for those interesting in film programming. I did post up earlier this month about a screening event my group and I were holding at Deptford Cinema. We had a modest turn out and the quiz went off without a hitch! It was has been a rollercoaster 12 weeks with some amazing speakers from different organisations and freelancers alike, all very inspiring and helped to get the creative film related juices flowing.

Part of the course was to create a programme for a festival/season of films that we'd like to 'put on'. Mine was hypothetical as I made up dates, location (I had dreamed that the Prince Charles Cinema wanted to host the events) and guests for panels and Q&As. I put it all together into a zine (getting the hang of these) and shared it with the class. Here it is in all its glory, well the best I can do anyway.














 Maybe one day it will become real...

For more information about the course, check out Screen/Play over at Cinema Forver HERE.


 

Wednesday 29 November 2017

Prequel to Sequel But After That Prequel


It was huge news once upon a time a few weeks ago, but snippets of information has been released every week which makes it still relevent to me, especially as I'm a huge fan of the ultimate epics that only came out in 2001/2/3. Its still a new-ish trilogy award winning critically acclaimed, addored by fans and the world alike so why do another adaptation of Tolkien's epics? The quick answer is, Amazon studios are absolute idiots!

It all seemed to begin with murmurings of Amazon wanting to cash in on the Game of Thrones hype (even though its winding down with one more series to go, I'm ignoring the spin-offs) and they wanted something similar for themselves. Except partly the reason why GoT worked so well was due to there being nothing like it on TV. Trying to make a GoT-esque show isn't going to win favours. Then the articles started arriving earlier this month saying 'Amazon to make LOTR TV show' and most people saying 'er why? The epic award winning masterpiece only came out recently (2001-2003, but still). It's too soon if not not actually needed at all'. Reaction has been on the whole...bad and that's not just because I think its a terrible idea, like making a live action CGI Peter Rabbit film, oh wait, they've done that and Beatrix Potter is turning in her grave.

The latest stories that have come out are saying that the show will in fact be a prequel to LOTR. So... The Hobbit then? Oh wait, that's also been done! The TV series will apprarently take place between the events of The Hobbit and LOTR, or better known as peace time. Great. Not only is this happening but theres a multi season deal going on. More bad news.

If Amazon are so desperate to make a show in Middle Earth (I hope Amazon is banned from entering New Zealand) then why don't they adapt stories worth telling such The Silmarillion. Although it doesn't exactly scream out to be made into a TV series, it is rich with stories such as 'Of Beren and Luthien', The Fall of Gondolin' and stories about Melkor, Sauron's mentor! These names and titles would be more relevant those who read the book or endured the Martin Shaw audiobooks, but my point is that there are other stories to tell and share. But alas, this doesn't seem to occur to Amazon.

“The Lord of the Rings is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Scripted Series at Amazon Studios. “We are honored to be working with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line on this exciting collaboration for television and are thrilled to be taking The Lord of the Rings fans on a new epic journey in Middle Earth.” (Deadline, Amazon Studios even acknowledges that everyone loved the films, again, so why do we need a TV series? 

Continuing the news, its been said new storylines will be explored, taking place before The Fellowship of the Ring. BUT there are also some restrictions that have come from the Tolkien Estate on what can and can't be done in the series. This gives me a slither of hope but still not much. Speculations will continue no doubt and more news and rumours filtered out. Seeing as the £250 million rights bought has only happened recently, a TV series won't be in the next year so theres time for a positive spin on this (not in this post though, I really hate Amazon studios right now) and maybe the studio will see the error of theor ways and look once more to The Beginning of Days (another Silmarillion reference).

When is a prequel not a sequel, when its remake from Amazon Studios.

Thursday 23 November 2017

TMP Television Edition: Workplace


I think I jumped the gun on this post as its next week's theme...


The IT Crowd
A show about three people banished to the basement of an office building for a random company, two are IT 'nerds' and one is a clueless 'manager' all created by Graham Linehan, writer of the almighty Father Ted. This sitcom, spanning 4 series and enjoying cult status, it launched the careers of Chris O'Dowd and Catherine Parkinson as well as elevating Richard Ayoade's. Luckily a US version was avoided twice I believe and hopefully won't be attempted again. Its a superb hilarious show with classic moments, its fine the way it is.

Parks and Recreation
Love this show so much I rewatch it all the time. A fantastic cast of characters from the department of the same name in local government, exploring the many lows of working in governement as well as the hilarious highs of being part of Team Knope! I miss this show so much. 

30 Rock
This is my favourite show of all time (well this Spaced and Green Wing) is a show I hold dear to my heart and have done since 2007. An appreciation post will be released upon the world in due course. Tina Fey created a show like no other with a cast or amazing stereotypes that didn't matter that they were really stereotypes. Poking fun at current events and everything from politics to fast foods (cheesyblasters) featurig the finest cast including Jimmy Moop and Tracky Jon-jon! True fans will get that weird reference.

Ugly Betty
Another old favourite of mine, I used to get so excited to see an episode of the show. I'm not 'into' fashion but I loved the passion Betty had, plus everyone was so over the top and dramatic. Betty, recent graduate starts working as a PA for the editor of one of the biggest fashion magazines in the world. Out of her depth she struggles through nasty treatment from co-workers sneering at her appearence but Betty is wonderful and talented, bouncing back each time. It is one of the mant adaptations around the world, its bizarre! The storylines for some characters were slightly bungled at times but no matter over all it was brilliant. A perfect open ending in London was the icing on top of the cake too. There are hopes of seeing a film but it all seems rumours. 

The Newsroom
Underated show in my opinion. A mixture of hard core Sorkin with a dash of melodrama, especially in Season 2. I still need to watch Season 3 but I like the characters and what better place than the newsroom to find great stories as well as deal with personal ones.


Don't forget to check out where it all started over at
Wandering Through the Shelves

Sunday 19 November 2017

Princess Cyd - BFI London Film Festival



The last film I saw that was part of the London Film Festival. What with work, short holiday and the course, things have slipped behind. But couldn't let this film go without a mention. Full review is over at VultureHound and can be read HERE.

Thursday 16 November 2017

Thursday Movie Picks: Adaptations You Want to See/Female Characters


I missed last week's theme and I had some picks I'd like to share so this week its double whammy!

Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov
I have Déjà vu about this theme as I recall picking this book as something I'd like to see on the big screen or small screen even...strange. Anyway, a story about a struggling writer who has a depressed pet penguin and is hired to write obituaries of famous people who mysteriously start dying is an odd, sometimes unnerving but delightful. Its a murder mystery ganger spy friendship drama that takes place in Ukraine post-Soviet society. I think this would make a great film or TV series as there is a sequel.

Fables by Bill Willingham / Mark Buckingham 
One of the best things I have ever read, the Fables universe could rival Marvel and DC put together its so intricate. Spanning the old world and the new populated with fairytale, folklore and sometimes characters from literature from all over the world, the possibilities are literally endless. The first book or collection of issues focuses on a community in exile, hiding in plain sight in New York city having been driven from their Homelands. As this is such a intricate universe that has spawned 22 collected volumes, three spin offs, 4 stand alone graphic novels, a video game, a novel and an art book as well as its own encyclopedia, this comic would be best suited to a TV series as there is way too much to include in a movie or too and anyway, a movie would not do it justice. I know way back when the powers that be wanted to make a TV show with ABC then there were rumours not long ago about a film. I hope the film is scrapped and TV back on the table, especially with all the success of other comic to TV adaptations.

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
 My wish is coming true for this one. Last time I checked the project was in development hell but Peter Jackson saves the day! Principle photography has already begun on the film so hopefully next year I'll be writing about it rather than dreaming. I read this in two days (not the sequels) I was hooked. Set in a barren wasteland, aka Earth, years after 'the 60 minute war' where North America was pratically destroyed, technology hasn't been able to evolve. Cities are mobile, built with engines to roam the land devouring smaller cities. Set in London, a conspiracy is uncovered after one of the leaders is almost assassinated. The story definitely has cinematic scope and would be marvelous on the big screen. Decent looking cast and Jackson at the helm I have faith it will be worth watching.

-----------------

I don't like the term 'strong female character' as I find it diminshes female characters. I've gone rogue and picked a bunch of characters I believe are well written, excellently performed and all round are inspiring.

Wonder Woman (of course)

Princess Leia Organa (aka rebel!)


Imperator Furiosa

Agent Peggy Carter

Lisbeth Salander


Mulan


Paikea Apirana (aka the Whale rider)


Margo Channing


Heather Mooney


Don't forget to check out where it all started over at
Wandering Through the Shelves

Tuesday 14 November 2017

POOOOORGS: A Thoughts on Star Wars Post


Everyone has gone crazy for these cute little creatures that look like a penguin, puffin, seal and owl all mushed into one. The Funko Pops are out, the toys are out and pop culture pins are out! There is no stopping them. I'm just hoping that just because they are adorable doesn't meant they get their own animated spin off series or holiday special. Otherwise BB8 would have its own Netflix show by now. Porg distraction over for the moment and lets get down to Star Wars talk.


So I know I said in another post sometimes the best films are the ones you don't expect to like, well in this case I love Star Wars so I think I'm going to love in some way no matter what. But I think it works that the films you love or expect to love are really hard to dislike if you've hyped it up so much in your mind. And the internet has done the same. Does that make sense?

This post was supposed to go out when the new trailer for The Last Jedi was released upon us all but, time makes fools of us all. Like everywhere else, I wanted to break down the trailer piece by piece but when that's done, you loose the excitement. The same way a novel looses its meaning when you analyse it too much. The clues I think we were all looking for were about Luke, the resistance and what the deal with Reylo is. We got a bit of everything but in some ways, I get the feeling the only clue we all really got was Luke saying 'this isn't going to go the way you think'. In fact, cast members were also saying this too. Opening up to theories galore, I read a few and most seem tame enough for me to handle but I'm still disturbed and really angry at something I read months ago about the plot. Don't worry I'll keep my mouth shut. All I'll say is it better not go that way as it was a terrible idea. THE END.


Moving on to happier thoughts, as a keen Reylo shipper, yes its out there, I think its safe to say now especially as Dame Judy Dench herself asked about it, I'd also like to know what the deal is. I thought it was just an internet thing BUT no, it goes way beyond fan art and tumblr accounts of specualtion. They are afterall the balance, light and the dark, at least, that's my theory anyway. But that massive teaser at the end of the trailer, Reylo with the light from the fire on one side and the next shot of Kylo Ren holding out his hand, they are obviously two different scenes. Lighting does not match. This may just be a tease though, to shut down the shippers.

My other concern is sadly not for the original rebel herself, Leia, as we can all guess how this goes, but it is for our buddy 'big deal' Finn. He's in First Order uniform, undercover presumably then he's scene fighting Phasma, but I feel a disturbance in the force. My thinking is betrayal is on the cards, maybe not Finn, maybe another key player.

There is also lack of reveal of new characters entering the fold. No sign of Rose, resistance member or Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro's characters either. More familiar to bring people back and then hit them with the fantastic!


Gad dammit! Why is everyone wearing red cloaks? Is anyone thinking back to The Village where the cloaks worn by the people are yellow, the good colour and the cloaks worn by the 'beasts' are red, aka the BAD colour? Might just be me. The red is not a good sign in my eyes, its some kind of oman. The new postsers seem odd to me, as if there are all conforming, dressed in same colour. It also reminds me of the Mockingjay outfit from Part 2, Katniss Everdeen is wearing red and we all know how that turned out (if you haven't seen all the Hunger Games films or read the books, just ignore this last thought).

With a little over a month to go before its release, I have been squealing with excitement everytime the trailer plays before a film at the cinema. My excitement cannot be contained. As I did with The Force Awakens, I will hold off my reviews until after a suitable time and so that I can see it again.

I'll leave you with this thought but the resident grump of Skellig Michael.


 

Wednesday 8 November 2017

Around the World: Norway


It's been a bit quiet on the 'Around the World' challenge, but slowly slowly I'm picking up again.

This was a festival pick I just didn't have time to see when booking tickets and wasn't at a great time during press screenings, so I was lucky enough to cover it for its cinema release. My full review of this supernatural awakening story is on VultureHound HERE.

Next up... check out all the films HERE
#AroundtheWorldin80Films

Tuesday 7 November 2017

Child's Eye View


Since September I have been taking part in a course, Screen/Play, for film programmers. So far we've had the opportunity to meet film programmers, festival creators, innovators across the board of film just to name a few, freelancers working on the commercial side, Curzon Cinemas, London Film Festival, Bechdel Test Fest, Flat Pack Festival with presentations about how to programme, what to programme, who the audience is and how to apply for funding. We've also been looking at the theory as well as practical side of programming as well taking on two major tasks. One is a personl project (more on that another day) the other is a group project.

As a group, working with Deptford Cinema, we have created a season based around films from a child's perspective but aren't children's films. Our season is 'Child's Eye View' and we will be screening 4 films over 4 nights at Deptford Cinema 16th-19th November.


My team is screening the almost 10 years old movie modern classic 'Son of Rambow'. What's not to love about two kids, outcasts for different reasons who decide to make a movie together? Set in 80s, Will, part of a religious family, who's Dad has recently died, isn't allowed to watch TV of any sort, due to religious reasons, meets literally misunderstood troublemaker Lee. Making friends and bonding over the only film Will has seen, First Blood. They decide to make a film together inspired by what they see, but when then new 'cool' French exchange student hears of the film, friendships are challenged and their film they bonded over is in danger of never being completed.

Starring a young Will Poulter and Bill Milner is their first lead roles, you can see the beginning of a couple of great actors in the making.

If you're in London come along to see some 80s nostalgia and a few laughs. We'll be screening a short film before the feature and we'll be hosting an 80s themed quiz after, with chances to win some great prizes.

To book tickets, head over to Deptford Cinema - http://deptfordcinema.org/new-events/sonoframbow





Monday 6 November 2017

October/November Watch List



Blade Runner 2049
At first I thought of this film as an unwanted nostalgia trip in the 80s which never seems to end (when is the 90s nostalgia trip going to start?) but after seeing more of the trailers, it seemed like a familiar world with new stories to tell. With the stark landscape and scarce amount of characters, it felt like the original but from a new perspective. With two previous phenomenal movies (Sicario, Arrival) under his belt, director Denis Villeneuve has an eye for visual beauty as well as dramatic intense bulid up, be it a feeling of danger or something profound, he knows how to steer his story. 30 years after Deckard and replicant Rachel met and fell in love, times have changed. New replicants have been made, advanced, more human like than ever. Agent K (Ryan Gosling) is a replicant, working for the 'police' finding and disposing of retired replicants, but when a a beyond amazing discovery is found, the police, the new Tyrell on the block, weird inventor Wallace, want this new information buried and all evidence with it. But curiosity gets the better of K who goes looking for his own answers to a conspiracy that could change everything. I loved this slow paced mystery science fiction story. The protests after I saw it about how female characters are treated in this film is rather obvious and hard to miss but within the story, it doesn't matter so much at least not to me. I just wanted to enojoy the amazing film in front of me. 4/5

All I Wanna Do
This sometimes silly story from the late 90s starring all your favourite 2000's actresses about a group of girls at prestigious boarding school for girls set in the 60s scratches the surface of bigger issues and wishes to dig deeper than it does. I rather enjoyed their weird insults and clapped with glee at some of the girls' ambitions as well as their group name, D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Ravioli). The recommendation came from my favourite zine of all time 'Filmme Fatales' and they always know where to steer me. 3/5

Thor: Ragnarok
I was sceptical at first because I felt precious about Taika Waititi (director of my favourite film last year) and worried that he was too good for the big bad blockbuster BUT he proved me wrong magnificently. The film is almost laugh a minute after from two rather emotional moments (Odin saying goodbye and near the end) but even these had comedy injected into them. With a host of new characters, new revelations, new effects, new arcs we probably didn't need, the film packs a massive techni-coloured punch of engery into the Marvel universe. As Guardians of the Galaxy had some more emotional issues to deal with the laughs were left up to Thor and the new gang and oh my it paid off. With Thor (newly broken up from Jane (remember her?)) he has been having visisons of Ragnarok and goes on a quest to stop it. On his way he exposes his brother Loki pretending to be Odin, crash lands on a planet run by The Gamesmaster (an excellent Jeff Goldblum). He meets fellow Asguardian, the tough former Valkyrie warrior (an excellent Tessa Thompson) and gets to fight an old friend from work. Not only that, but he gets to find out about his deadly deranged sister, Hela, Goddess of Death. Its a whirlwind of a film that pokes fun at itself and more the better for it. Its about damn time this happened. 4/5

Murder on the Orient Express
Lets get this straight, Kenneth Branagh is NOT Hercule Poirot, he will never be able to out Poirot David Suchet. That aside, he is a good director. The story is not so simple murder mystery. A murder on a train in the middle of the night, 12 passengers, all suspects, only Poirot can save the day. The film has been accused of being the Branagh show and it is. He manages to insert himself everywhere, exaggerating Poirot's characteristics and spouting word-y speeches that doesn't suit the moment or the actual character. He plays him very theatrically, which is shame as everyone else is brilliant even in the smallest of ways. The passengers on the train are given their time to shine in several ways, mostly during questioning, showing vulnerability as well as cold hearted exteriors. The story, is actually rather tragic, with the murder connected to another story about a family's destruction torn apart, affecting more people than is considered. It is an overwhelming revelation no matter if you know the story well (loved the TV episode, much dark than this adaptation) or if you are brand new to it. Poirot, known to keep his emotions in check and quite reserved cannot comprehend at first but this is what saves the film from becoming just like any other murder mystery. This is a famous story for a reason and worth the pain of Branagh looking at himself in the mirror several times. 3/5

The Death of Stalin
In all honesty, I never watched much of 'The Thick of It' and I only saw some of 'In the Loop'. Political orientated shows sometimes go over my head in that I get bored. But what I did see was funny. It was the cast and hilarious trailer that made me want to watch the latest from Armando Iannucci more than anything. Big fan of Steve Buscemi so couldn't say no to it. Whilst there were a great amount of dark comedy jokes happening, I found at times I couldn't laugh, mostly at insinuations about women and jokes at women's expense or at the sheer horror of the situation. Apart from these scenes, I could see the ridiculous side of things and enjoyed the film for the slapstick, insults and the fact everyone has theie own or exaggerated accent. 3/5