The Shape of Water
This wonderful fantasty fairytale like period drama with a science fiction edge was one of the best films at LFF 2017 and will most likely be one of the best films this year. My review is over on VultureHound which you can read
HERE. 5/5
Brakes
Meant to be the anti Rom-Com, the idea of seeing nine couples at the end then at the start is an concept that sounds fascinating on paper but on a micro budget, even with great British talent, it falls short of funny and more bitter and sad. My review is over on VultureHound and can be read
HERE. 2/5
78/52
An entire documentary discussing and analyzing
the shower sequence in Hitchcock’s Psycho seems like overkill at first, but
listening to the insights of directors, writers, actors, editors and scholars,
there is far more to this documentary that meets the unblinking eye.
Released in 1960, Hitchcock’s Psycho, based
on the novel by Robert Bloch, was a step away from his previous thrillers. It
broke barriers with its characters, story and inspired countless homages and is
considered a prelude to the slasher film genres of the 70s and 80s. Hitchcock
wanted to shock his audience, give them something new to talk about and cause
uproar. Through just one scene, the Master of Suspense choreographed the
infamous shower scene where a mystery killer murders his lead character.
Cutting between interviews, archive footage
and reenactments of ‘Psycho’, the scene is dissected and discussed in great
detail, speculating why choices were made, if these were for cinematic or story
purpose. The admiration that those being interviewed have for Hitchcock and his
stylized murder is surprisingly enthralling. Drawn in by the blood hitting the
bathtub, the quick deeps cuts, Mrs Bates in shadow and the Janet Leigh’s
terrified last look as the camera zooms into her eye, every inch of the three
minute scene is analyzed.
Hitchcock achieved his purpose of scaring
his audience to the point of screaming with fright. The combination of the
violent death and music so unbelievably perfect, anyone who hears it
automatically feels the hairs on the back their neck stand on end. With just
seventy-eight shots, fifty-two cuts, and a scene that inspired an entire film
for other filmmakers to theorize was something that Hitchcock would never have
fathomed. ‘Psycho’ will always be treasured as a classic horror and one of
Hitchcock’s best films, as both box office sensation and art house film, it is
a film which reveals secrets as well keeping them, only making the film more
infamous. 4/5
Band Aid
Having waited for feels like months to see Zoe Lester's directorial debut which she also wrote, co-produced and starred in, I hyped myself up for it watching the trailer, clips and music videos quite frequently, but the film delivered on its comedic and tragic moments in equal measures. About a married couple both grieving in different ways after a miscarriage, they continue their age old arguments until they decide to sing about their fights. Finding a new release in creativity, they slowly mend and confront their issues. The songs and scenes are perfectly executed, as Zoe Lester and Adam Pally make an excellent on screen couple. Another refreshing portrayal of the couple is that in no way do they flirt or consider an affair with anyone else, which is usually the way these stories about a marriage go. It's fun, sad and honest which is not seen in quite a few films of this genre. 4/5
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig has had quite a bit negativity thrown her way in the past, saying she plays the same role in all her films. She gained recognition for 'Frances Ha' and 'Mistress America', co-writing and acting in both and with the semi-autobiographical Lady Bird, I feel that this is Gerwig's time to show what she can really do. Set in 2002, Christine, insisting she is called Lady Bird, lives in Sacremento but dreams of moving to New York. In her last year at school before college, she explores acting, falls for two very different boys, lies about her life, fights with her mother and goes behind her back to apply for colleage on the East Coast. On the surface the story is simple but underneath an indepth look at a character, a teenage girl with so much determination and hope, that I personally find easy to relate to. Even though I'm not American and I didn't experience every exactly how it happens in the film, I felt at ease with the characters, enjoying the effortless flow of time and especially the pains of going to a Catholic all girls secondary school. That s**t never leaves you. 5/5
The Square
Art in all its hideous glory. The winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, The Square is a hilarious look at the everyday and observations in what is art. I reviewed this for VultureHound which you can read
HERE. 5/5
Black Panther
This isn't just the next installment in the Marvel (ever expanding) Universe, its groundbreaking on so many levels. Picking up soon after the events of Civil War, now King of Wakanda, the secret super advanced country in Africa, T'Challa mourns his father and begins to take his place and fulfil his role as Black Panther. With an intro into how Wakanda was formed and the arrival of vibranium, crashing to Earth, sets the audience up for look at and celebration of African culture as well as a great story. After the celebrations and intro to the main city, the story turns to revenge, red herrings and the confusing return of a CIA agent (could have been someone else right?). The revenge story starts out strong but rather goes off road with a somewhat one dimenstional villain BUT the amazing cast more than make up for this. As much as I enjoy watching Chadwick Boseman fighting his way through the story, its the women of the film who are the real weapon of choice and reason to watch the film. The warrior women serving as T'Challa's bodyguards, Nakia; a spy and multi talented fighter and T'Challa's sister, Shuri, who is technologygenius. All these characters are inspirational and don't feel like an add-on, much like many of the other female characters in the MCU. 4/5
