Little White Lies

Little White Lies is a brilliant, independent film magazine which also has a newsletter and interesting blog. They describes themselves thus-ly; 


'LWLies is a bi-monthly, independent movie magazine that features cutting edge writing, illustration and photography to get under the skin of cinema.

Because movies don’t exist in a vacuum, we venture beyond the boundaries of the big screen, exploring the worlds of music, art, politics and pop culture to inform and illuminate the medium we love. Bold, beautiful and unique, LWLies is a magazine on a mission – to reshape the debate across the movie landscape.' 

Go to www.littlewhitelies.co.uk to check it out. 


I particularly enjoyed their recent blog about the new generation of film makers http://www.littlewhitelies.co.uk/blog/the-rise-of-the-pop-culture-child-13025 


Emily x

'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.' - Ferris Bueller

John Hughes: A Profile

This is the second of my director’s profiles but this man is just as much my favourite director as David Fincher, maybe even more so. John Hughes was a genius. He created the Brat Pack, gave the American teenage audience of the 80’s an identity and wrote some of the best children’s films I’ve seen. I’m not even going to hide my admiration for this writer, director, actor and producer.

The Breakfast Club

Hughes began his career writing in television but his first film came in 1984, it was called Sixteen Candles. It starred the little known Molly Ringwald as the fifteen year old who has a huge crush on the popular boy at school but can’t escape the geekiest boy (Anthony Michael Hall) who loves her. When her family forget her Sweet Sixteenth due to her older sister’s wedding she experiences the worst, most embarrassing week of her life. It put Hughes on the map as a writer and director who really knew what it felt like to be an awkward teenager at high school. It was the release of The Breakfast Club however in 1985 that began the huge popularity of the Brat Pack. It became an American phenomenon as the five stars, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy, were launched into the spotlight following the film’s release. The Breakfast Club depicts a day in the life of five high school students, each from different backgrounds and different heights of popularity. They are forced together for Saturday detention where they dance, smoke drugs, talk honestly and emotionally about their lives and it is slowly revealed how they all came to be there. The film spoke to the teenage population and inspired Hughes to write other great high school films such as Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful.

Hughes broke away slightly from the teen angst with Weird Science, a more sci-fi / coming of age film. One of his biggest hits was also Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It starred Matthew Broderick as Ferris who decides to feign illness in order to take a day off school and the boy can do no wrong. Bueller has all the luck in the world as he evades detection from his parents, teachers and sister even convincing the entire student body that he is severely ill. The farcical comedy is hilarious from start to finish; spawning t-shirts you can still buy today saying ‘Save Ferris’.

Hughes and Broderick

John Hughes wasn’t just a teen-angst writer but also penned some classic children’s films. They included the Home Alone and Beethoven films. Although he may have released two sequels too many for both sagas these films have become classics for 90’s children everywhere. A Christmas doesn’t go by without me watching the first two Home Alone films! He also penned the screenplays for Flubber, Maid in Manhattan, 101 Dalmations, Miracle on 34^th Street and Baby’s Day Out.

Home Alone

Hughes died suddenly and tragically in 2009 of a heart attack aged only 50 years old but his films live on as a brilliant representation of 1980s America. The actors who made their name due to Hughes paid a fitting tribute at the 2010 Academy Awards Ceremony - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvmVYNr0lk0.

So if you’ve never seen a John Hughes film I would recommend, my personal favourite, The Breakfast Club and definitely Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to follow!

Emily x

What's that about Harry Potter?

So obviously we are both very excited for the next installment of Harry Potter!! With it being released today I felt we couldn't let it go past without a mention.


We have neglected the blog a bit recently but you can expect lots more interesting articles in the next few weeks including a review for Harry and his pals I'm sure. 


You can watch a run down of all the premier excitement here - http://www.youtube.com/harrypotter?x=gb 

Emily x

'We lived in farms, then we lived in cities, and now we're gonna live on the internet!'

The Social Network

Facebook is a global phenomenon. Whether you use it or not, love it or hate it, you know about it. It makes life public, relationships a ‘status’ to be updated and to Facebook someone a verb, so why not make a film about it?

Some of my friends thought this to be the worst idea in the world, asking why would anyone go and see a film about Facebook? But The Social Network revealed itself to be about much more than stalking the fit bloke you met last night. As it detailed Mark Zuckerberg’s epiphany or his stolen idea, depending what side you fall on, the film manages to discuss the price of friendship, intellectual property and the unique exciting inventions our generation can produce. It begins with Mark being dumped by his girlfriend for his condescending and degrading attitude. He comes off as socially inept and too smart for his own good by then going back to his campus to ‘blog’ about the break up and creates his own girl comparing website called facemash.com. We are not meant to ‘like’ Zuckerberg seeming like a misogynistic immature teen with too much time on his hands despite his Harvard education but he does appear to be quite funny. He crashes the Harvard network and it is this angry drunken experiment which gets the attention of the school board and the Winklevoss twins. The boys have an idea for a social network exclusively available to the Harvard network. They pitch it as a kind of dating website as ‘girls want to date Harvard guys’. Zuckerberg agrees and the inception of Facebook is placed into flashbacks as we begin to see the two ongoing legal battles involving Zuckerberg and co-founder Eduardo Saverin and the Winklevoss brothers. The web of Facebook history is slowly unravelled whilst friendships disintegrate and Napster creator Sean Parker, played by Justin Timberlake, shoe horns his way in.

Mark Zuckerberg is played intelligently by Jesse Eisenburg who portrays him as a boy frustrated that people don’t think as fast or as uniquely as him and manages to hold the audience between love and hate during his rise (or demise) into billionaire status. Justin Timberlake is perfectly slimy and opportunistic as the enemy of the music business and the home grown Andrew Garfield holds the break out performance for me, whose naivity you can’t help but sympathise with and gives a brilliant comic performance with his overbearing girlfriend played by Brenda Song. David Fincher has certainly put his stamp on the film and one of highlights is the boat race scene in which Fincher blurs the edges of the screen, making the Thames look like a miniature town and the race seem frightening and tense. I particularly enjoyed the use of Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King or more commonly known as the Alton Towers music! This however is the longest single portion in which we can recognise Fincher’s usual traits. The film is primarily a character drama, in sunny picturesque settings and very different to the directors previous films. I would also say the nature of the films setting, being in an American college with such prestige as Harvard, will make it harder for the audience in the UK to relate to their politics of social status. The characters can come off as spoilt, privileged and inaccessible at times particularly within the legal settings as Americans do love to sue one another!

Despite these flaws I did however thoroughly enjoy The Social Network. I found the subject matter poignant and intriguing without letting too much seriousness take over as the humour was pitched correctly and with perfect timing. I would recommend it to anyone who is intrigued by the Facebook legal battle, fans of David Fincher to see the possible change of direction for him and for anyone who enjoys deconstructing the ludicrous nature of the obsession with the internet particularly Facebook and the nature of friendship versus business.

Emily x

'Jackass 3D' Trailer HD

This got a massive response on my FB, so I thought I would post on here also, for more info on the film, see Emily's news post.

Kayleigh xxx

'Do you like scary films Sidney?'

Kayleigh’s Top 5 Horror Film recommendations for the Halloween weekend.

If you’re not the (undead) life and (damned) soul of the party this weekend then I have a few horror film recommendations that will make your heart thump in your chest and your blood run cold. As a massive fan of horror, I have belligerently trawled through sequel after sequel for the ultimate scare; here are just a few of my favourites.

5. The Amityville Horror (2005) Directed by Andrew Douglas, starring Ryan Reynolds.

The story begins with George (Reynolds) and Kathy (Melissa George) Lutz and her three children from her previous marriage looking for a dream home. 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York is on the waterfront and is a massive, beautiful home coming in under below market value, so what’s the catch? As the estate agent explains the house was a scene of a brutal murder – Ronald DeFeo Jr shot and killed his parents and three younger siblings three years before claiming voices in the house had persuaded him to do it. The story is based on a novel by the same name which documents the alleged true experiences of the Lutz family after they moved into the property. Almost immediately the family becomes subject to unexplained and supernatural goings on. What ensues is a clever and scary film, George becomes the main target spending most of his time in the basement hearing voices…Ryan Reynolds turn here is brilliant, a stark contrast with the characters he plays in films like Blade: Trinity. The children are subject to seeing all sorts of ghouls and both babysitter and priest get a nasty surprise. This film will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end, with a disturbing clip at the end of the credits.

For fans of: House On Haunted Hill, The Haunting, Jeepers Creepers.

4. Drag Me To Hell (2009) Directed by Sam Raimi, starring Alison Lohman.

Loan officer Christine Brown (Lohman) is desperate for a promotion and in rivalry with another member of staff refuses a loan to an old gypsy woman Mrs Ganush, demonstrating her ability to make tough decisions. What proceeds is one of the funniest yet still disturbing fight sequences I have seen, as Christine makes her way to the parking lot beneath the bank, Mrs Ganush is waiting for her. After this violent fight, she curses a button from Christine’s coat. Christine and her boyfriend Clay Dalton (played by the brilliant Justin Long) visit a fortune teller who informs her that she is being haunted by a spirit. Over the next three days Christine experiences genuinely frightening attacks by the spirit, disgusting nightmares and faces a very large decision if she wants to rid herself of the curse. Again as a staple with many horror films, the massive twist at the end of the film assures the uneasy feeling lingers with the viewer. Alison Lohman is amazing as the long suffering Christine trying to make a name for herself at work, be accepted by her boyfriends parents and ultimately wanting a marriage proposal. The film also has moments of comedy genius, a staple of Sam Raimi’s early work in The Evil Dead films.

For fans of: The Evil Dead Trilogy, ‘The Dark Age’ Episode 8 Season 2 Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Jennifer’s Body.

3. Final Destination (2000) Directed by James Wong, starring Devon Sawa.

Not the sequels or the 3D version, I’ve gone with the original and best film in this series. Alex Browning (Sawa) has a premonition that the flight he is about to get on will end in not only his death, but also the deaths of his graduating class. When the events in his premonition begin to play out in reality, commotion ensues and Alex plus a teacher and a handful of students are left behind, only to watch the plane explode into flames from inside the airport. This film is one of my favourites as it was original; the idea that death has a plan intrigued me. Although this film is gorier than my previous choices, ten years on it is still very affecting. The opening sequence is one of the most terrifying moments in horror. As the film progresses each of the survivors is bumped off in elaborate ways (see teacher Valerie Lewton) but Alex and friend Clear (Ali Larter of Heroes fame) aim to try and cheat death, figuring out the sequence of who’s next from Alex’s premonition and saving both Carter and Alex from near death experiences. Another classic horror ending ensues with a fright and the assurance that death wins in the end.

For fans of: Saw I, The Butterfly Effect, White Noise.

2. The Omen (1976) Directed by Richard Donner, starring Gregory Peck.

Although there is an excellent remake of this film - The Omen 666 released in 2006, I have chosen the original as a stand out scary film. Now I’m not a particularly religious person but as I was brought up as a Catholic anything to with the devil still has the ability to play with my mind. I first saw this film when I was about fourteen at a sleepover. These sleepovers basically consisted of what can we rent from Blockbuster that will scare us the most? The Omen fitted the bill perfectly and we all felt rebellious watching it. The story is of an American Ambassador to Britain - Robert Thorn (Peck) who adopts a child in Rome without his wife’s knowledge shortly after his own child dies during childbirth, they name the child Damien. Mysterious events start to unravel from Damien’s fifth birthday, his nanny hangs herself, priests who warn the ambassador are burned or killed and after too many coincidences, he finally decides to go looking into Damien’s past. His discoveries lead him to believe that Damien is the antichrist. A striking and unforgettable score from Jerry Goldsmith (who won an Oscar for his work on the film) adds to the evil undertones of the film, every look by Damien is punctuated with foreboding Latin chants - "Sanguis bibimus, corpus edimus, tolle corpus Satani" Latin for "We drink the blood, we eat the flesh, raise the body of Satan", interspersed with cries of "Ave Satani!" and "Ave Versus Christus" Latin for "Hail Satan!" and "Hail, Antichrist!". As with the previous three films, the tale never ends well….

For fans of: The Exorcist, Sphere, The Exorcism of Emily Rose.

1. A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) Directed by Wes Craven, starring Heather Langenkamp.

For my top choice, I’ve gone with a film that is very close to my black heart, again viewed at a sleepover when I was about twelve, this film left a lasting impression on me. Forget the sequels, comic strip and awful rap song and just concentrate on the first film in the franchise. This film transgresses the boundaries between reality and dreams. If you die in your dreams then you die in real life, whom of us hasn’t had a dream that felt so real you jolted awake and feared to fall asleep again? Following in the vain of John Carpenter’s series of Halloween films, A Nightmare On Elm Street concentrates on teenagers and the morality around teenage promiscuity. A burned man with a hand that has knives for fingers tortures the inhabitants of Elm Street, stalking their dreams and Tina (Amanda Wyss) tells her friend Nancy (Lagenkamp) about these dreams, only Nancy has experienced them first hand. When Tina is brutally murdered her boyfriend is blamed and the teenagers fight to keep their sanity and stay awake. Nancy is an excellent protagonist; she is a strong willed girl that knows to look deeper than what is on the surface and finally uncovers the horrible truth about the burned man – Freddy Krueger. The success of the film is keeping your villain under wraps, Freddy is more of a threat half seen in the shadows dragging his knives along pipes in his boiler room (which subsequent films failed to recreate) than a tumult of blood and gore. I would suggest this film as an excellent introduction to horror and also the version released in 2010 as it is more of a re-imaging than a remake, Jackie Earle Haley is excellent in the role of Krueger.  You all know by now that the ending will never satisfy the audience as a Disney film would and this never fails to disappoint and after the first viewing, a few titters at the nineteen eighties effects. All of this however adds to the charm of the film, to this day I still get chills if I hear a scraping or rapping on a window, images of Freddy always come to mind.

For fans of: Halloween, The Grudge, Thir13en Ghosts.

Other horror you might enjoy:

Zombies – Dawn Of The Dead, Shaun Of The Dead, Resident Evil.

Serial Killers – Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Creep, Urban Legend.

Supernatural – Pitch Black, Cabin Fever, Carrie, IT.

And just to cheer when Paris Hilton dies – House Of Wax (2005).

Kayleigh xxx

News!!

• British Baggins

Martin Freeman has reportedly been cast in the role of Bilbo Baggins in the fourth film of The Lord of the Rings saga, The Hobbit. I am a big Freeman fan, particularly after his turn as Dr. Watson in the recent BBC adaptation of Sherlock Holmes.

• Paul

A new trailer has appeared online for sci-fi comedy starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as two best friends travelling across America in search of UFOs. The film also features Jason Bateman, Sigourney Weaver and the voice of Seth Rogen. With a cast like this the film should tick all the boxes but I'll reserve judgement until I see it! 

Source: Empire Online - http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=29230

• Jackass?

Jackass 3D has broken records at the US Box Office, earning $50 million on its first weekend of release.

Other News;

• Keith Richards is confirmed to join the cast of Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

• Mike Leigh has pulled out of a trip to Israel after they passed a law which ‘requires non-Jewish immigrants to pledge loyalty to a "Jewish and democratic" state’ - http://www.imdb.com/news/uktopnews

• The Guardian’s website is including a top 25 in each genre for its film season, the first is comedy at http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2010/oct/18/the-comedy-25-have-your-say

All news obtained from http://www.imdb.com/and http://www.empireonline.com/

All pictures from Google Images www.google.com

Emily x

Tamara Drewe

Based on the Graphic Novel by Posy Simmons, Directed by Stephen Frears and starring Gemma Arterton.

I really like Gemma Arterton, granted her turns in Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time were very similar, but she plays the part of the ethereal princess so well! I was in two minds about whether to see this film but was gently persuaded by my parents and sister, you see I have a little aversion to very ‘English’ films. I don’t want the rest of the world to think we all live in the countryside or London. I am all for English films and was appalled to hear of the plans to scrap the British Film Institute because of funding. The confusing thing is it’s funded by the Lottery, but I suppose that’s what you get when the country goes conservative, it’s bled of colour and creativity, but I digress. When I found out that the film was based on a graphic novel, my interest was further sparked because if you haven’t guessed already I’m a very literature motivated person!

Tamara Drewe is the story of a young woman who is a journalist and has to return home to the small village she grew up in, in order to renovate and sell her family home. Before we meet Tamara however we meet some of the local characters. Beth Hardiment and her award winning crime writer husband Nicholas run a writers retreat where the film begins, as an inspiring writer I was pleasantly surprised at this part of the sub plot and immediately could empathise with writers struggling to compose and be published. Throughout the film there is a strong sense of inspiration, Nicholas bases his characters on his neighbours, the quintessential American Bill Camp is inspired by the scenery and Tamara is inspired to write a semi-autobiographical novel from her own experiences. Even the hilariously funny Dominic Cooper as Ben Sergeant is inspired to write songs about the women and fans he comes into contact with, I cannot emphasise the importance of music in film. One of the stand outs in this film is a fan of Ben’s; Jody Long played by Jessica Barden is the epitome of a teenager in love with her idol. Her obsession with Ben will stir memories in any woman about her crush on an idol - from Robbie Williams to Robert Pattinson.

Although Tamara is central to the plot, the film does not revolve around her. Many of her actions cause the other characters to act on feelings of want, jealousy and lust – mainly the male characters! They are all linked to Tamara and her past in one way or another. However you don’t feel as if the entire plot is waiting on Tamara. As a viewer you become fond of Ben and his oafishness but like any good romantic comedy fan you also know that he and Tamara are not meant to be, that spot is reserved for the first love/ex-boyfriend Andy. This is not without its mishaps and one of the pleasures of this film is that Tamara is a very real character, a real person who makes mistakes.

The comedic relief is rife,  with the writers providing much of it – a lesbian crime fiction writer, a man struggling to write about Thomas Hardy, countless unpublished writers and the incessant line of women who come to the retreat for Nicholas and his ‘crime writing weekends’. All the credit goes to Tamsin Greig in her turn as the long suffering Beth, she portrays the character as vulnerable yet not without a sense of humour, after finding her husband has been cheating she begins to cry but can only say ‘I’ve stood in the cake mix!’.

All in all I think Tamara Drewe is a very well written, entertaining British film. It shows Gemma Arterton’s talent in an understated yet moving performance and highlights how many under the radar amazing British actors and actresses we have. However, I do feel that the end of the film was a little rushed, Tamara never fully revealed herself and we didn’t get a grand reconcile between her and Andy, just a quick smooch on the doorstep. I hoping the open ending means a sequel is in the works….

Kayleigh xxx

News!!

(Does what it says on the tin).........

• It seems to be the year for 25th Anniversary’s although it seems hard to believe that means 1985 and some of my favourite films as an 80’s addict! The first is possibly my favourite film. It is The Breakfast Club and was written and directed by the god that was John Hughes (I'm not biased!) whose untimely death only came to remind us all of his greatness. You can expect a blog posting in the future featuring me gushing about his greatness! 

The Guardian has a slideshow and pictures of the reunion screening (but employed someone pretty unfunny to write the captions) http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/gallery/2010/sep/22/breakfast-club-reunion#/?picture=366940019&index=9 .

• The second is the not so timeless but still amazing Back to the Future. This time travelling comedy shot Michael J. Fox to stardom and made the DeLorean a global phenomenon. To celebrate its anniversary it is to be re-released in cinemas on the 1st October and I’m quite tempted to see it on the big screen.

• Sacha Baron Cohen is to star as the late great Freddie Mercury in a biopic of his life. But don’t get too excited as the film hasn't even been written yet but Cohen seems a good choice considering his ability to change appearance (and ethnicity in some cases) and his vocal talents portrayed in Sweeney Todd.

*

Cohen? / Mercury? 

• Michael Douglas made it to the premiere of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps this week despite announcing he is battling throat cancer. He didn’t speak to reporters but looked surprisingly well with Catherine Zeta Jones. His co-stars Shia LeBeouf, Josh Brolin and doing for the Brits, Carrie Mulligan (I like to think of her as Sally Sparrow) were also there and I am really looking forward to seeing the film if the trailers are anything to go by.

**

Douglas and Jones

• It has been reported that there is to be a spin-off television series of Goodfellas, the 1990 Martin Scorsese gangster film starring Ray Liotta. Don’t know if I like the thought of this, the film stands alone as a brilliant retelling of one gangster’s entire life in the mob. Let me know what you think!

• Lastly a new Harry Potter trailer was released today; I have nothing to say but eeek!  - http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=28994

* http://flashyourstache.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/sasha-barron-mercury/

** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/gallery/2010/sep/21/wall-street-money-never-sleeps#/?picture=366905981&index=2

Emily x

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

‘You're pretentious, this club sucks, I have beef. Let's fight.’

A review of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

Directed by Edgar Wright starring Micheal Cera.

For a film based on a graphic novel, Scott Pilgrim has a lot to live up to. For the general consensus, Scott Pilgrim will be put in a league with all the other comic book/graphic novel adaptations from the last few years. However, Scott Pilgrim delivers a KO right to the jaw of the likes of Iron Man 2, Spiderman 3 and Ang Lee’s adaptation of The Incredible Hulk.

This comedy/action film is based on the comic book series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley and directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead/ Hot Fuzz fame. We are thrown straight into the middle of Scott’s life from the outset of the film, much like the latter films mentioned. The audience meet Scott’s new high school girlfriend when his friends do, Knives Chau played beautifully naïve by Ellen Wong, as well as being introduced to Scott’s band Sex Bomb – omb. This sets the precedent for the fast paced dynamic of the film, accompanied by a pumping, bass filled soundtrack with songs written by Beck. Music is an important theme throughout the film, with three of the evil ex’s being defeated by Scott and his bass. Soon Scott meets the girl of his dreams (literally as she turns up in his dream on roller blades) in Ramona Flowers – all kooky and dry wit and breaks up with Knives who is devastated. From Sex Bomb – omb’s first round in a battle of the bands contest, Scott learns in order to be with Ramona he must defeat her ‘seven evil exes’ who have formed an allegiance. Beginning with Matthew Patel as a strange combination of pirate/bollywood star, we as the audience also learn it’s not going to be easy for Scott. He defeats Matthew and we get a small snippet into Ramona’s past life containing many a battle.

My personal favourite ‘evil ex’ is Lucas Lee played by Chris Evans of Not Another Teen Movie fame. Lucas is a cocky mixture of Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis, with a Christian Bale esque gravely tone. His team of stunt doubles attempt to do the most damage to Scott, however Lucas reaches his demise when demonstrating a dangerous skateboard stunt Scott tricked him into because, ‘There are a lot of chicks here’. The most telling part of Scott’s story is through the defeat of Ramona’s next ex. Todd Ingram is also a bassist and dates Scott’s ex-girlfriend Envy Adams, who cruelly dumped Scott when famed called for her. Her name is telling of a range of emotions Scott felt when she was discovered before his band and also the betrayal he felt through Envy and Todd’s relationship. However through the defeat of Todd, though not plain sailing, Scott realises he can finally put Envy in his past. The most telling part of Ramona’s story is through her next evil ex Roxy Richter, the battles are taking their toll, Scott causes their relationship to falter somewhat as he is unable to process her dating history.

For any fan of old school gaming this film will bring back a sense of nostalgia, so many of the graphics made me feel like a kid again playing my Sega Mega drive, especially in the final acts of the film. Scott harnesses the ‘Power of Love’ and the ‘Power of Self Worth’ – with the help of a huge sword provided by the 1 Up life he gained from defeating the Katayanagi twins, Ramona’s five and sixth evil ex’s during another round of the battle of the bands. Unfortunately for Scott, Ramona’s final evil ex is G Man-Graves, the sponsor of the battle, Sex Bomb-omb sign with him and Scott is forced to quit the band with the excellent Young Neil (played by Johnny Simmons) replacing him on bass. The final act of the film sees Scott alone and ready to win Ramona back whilst defeating Gideon ‘G Man’ Graves at his new super club Chaos Theatre – which isn’t really chaotic at all. A very video game ending follows with Scott able to resolve his issues throughout the film.

Michael Cera is ‘that guy’, the character he plays so well, geeky but loveable. In Scott Pilgrim however his edge of arrogance adds a new layer to his repertoire, mirroring his excellent turn in Youth In Revolt. The fact that Scott is somewhat a super hero only adds to Cera’s credence whilst he continues to help the geek chic revolution of smashing stereotypes (thank you Tobey Maguire).

Kayleigh x

Is This England?

I recently decided to sit down and watch Shane Meadows This is England. Partly because I’ve wanted to see it for years and also because Channel 4 were about to start showing a four part drama spin-off set years after the film ended. It tells the tale of a troubled young boy growing up in Grimsby, mourning the death of his father in the Falkland’s war and trying to find an identity for himself. He finds solace in a chance meeting with some skinheads and is taken under the wing of their leader Woody. With the help of the boys girlfriends Shaun transforms from flare wearing prey to bullies into a skin headed, tough lad with an older girlfriend. However, when Combo (an old friend of Woody’s) turns up after a stay in prison, this happy existence takes a turn for the worse when he brainwashes Shaun with racist views reflecting the National Front organisation.  Portrayed unflinchingly honestly is Shaun Meadows experiences of growing up with the racism and violence under the Thatcher government. The film is able to communicate this because of its low budget and amateur although brilliant actors. The film mixes in real footage of rioting and unrest making the claustrophobic and almost desperate nature of England at that time apparent. This was unrest which would affect the entire nation and must not be forgotten.

It reminded me of a film I was shown in 6^th form called Made in Britain. This Film was made for TV and therefore similarly on a small budget in 1982. It starred a very young Tim Roth as Trevor the Skinhead who spends his time stealing cars and breaking out of his detention centre. The authorities try to make him conform in the most demeaning, patronising and abusive manner and therefore are unable to get through. This theme of youth gone awry did not start in the 80’s but is reminiscent of films such as A Clockwork Orange (1971), although fictional, and Quadrophenia (1979) which both portrayed the dangerous nature of gangs and division due to difference in the UK. This theme will always be apt as we still have debates over class (e.g. the recent election), race, sex and gender.

Therefore I would definitely recommend This is England, not only for its brave message but also for Thomas Turgoose who plays Shaun who is an amazing little actor and amazingly cute! Once you’ve seen it find the recent rebirth on Channel 4 which you can view on 4OD now. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXDNsPRTANw

Emily x

Big Brother

(I know this a TV entry but I wanted to write about it and we will be putting up entries on our favourite TV in the future)

And so the time has come to say goodbye to Channel 4’s Big Brother. After eleven series and over 1000 episodes, how will Channel 4 and E4 respectively fill the massive gap left by the program?

When the show started I was thirteen and thought it was an interesting concept, put eleven people in a house for a ‘social experiment’ to see if they could work and cohabit together successfully, whilst being watched 24 hours a day, seven days a week by camera’s and in the case of the first series, 4.5 million people on average. I immediately fell in love with the show, as an avid people watcher in every day life; it was so interesting to watch how people react under the demands of Big Brother. Who can forget the stand off between the housemates and Nasty Nick? With BB1 winner Craig taking the helm to confront Nick on his nomination methods.

I couldn’t wait for the next series to begin and in those early days the housemates had it relatively easy, no ‘evil’ BB, cases taken in when they entered the house and even a chicken coup for fresh eggs. The house’s décor was improved but the format remained the same, bringing us such gems as Helen ‘I like blinking I do’ Adams and the irreplaceable winner of BB2, Brian Dowling who has an extremely good chance of winning the current Ultimate Big Brother.

What set Big Brother apart from other reality TV programs is that is was the first of its kind in the UK. As the series has progressed, we as viewers have seen a variety of changes made. The third series had a new house, the rich/poor divide, Jade Goody and the highest average of 5.8 million viewers as well as the first female winner in Kate Lawler. Most importantly the characters that enter the house drive the show and the viewing figures. For the first four series’ the housemates were relatively ‘normal’ but after the snooze fest that was series four with Cameron Stout a devout Christian winning we entered the faze of ‘Big Brother Turns Evil’.

The house was changed to a confined environment, claustrophobic living space, intense décor and promoted as ‘Black Friday’. Mattresses were removed as housemates were evicted and the prize money was reduced every time they failed a task. Big Brother was criticised for the choice of housemates in this series, controversially choosing Nadia Almada, originally from Portugal and post op transsexual, however this theory was soon turned on its head when the nation feel in love with Nadia and chose her as the winner. However the tension and characters in the house, as well as Michelle and Emma’s knowledge from a residence in the bedsit next door to the house, culminated in the notorious fight night of BB5 when they re-entered the house. Scenes of aggression and violence followed and the live feed was cut when security were forced to enter the house and resolve the situation. In the aftermath a psychologist on the show resigned, claiming that his warnings to Endemol of their deliberate selection of housemates were likely to cause conflict and lead to a fight went unheeded.

The next five series were produced in a similar vein, personalities chosen because of the potential to clash with others and cause drama, characters such as Makosi, Kemal, Saskia, Science and Maxwell from series six consistently broke rules and had physical altercations with each other. Series seven, or as I like to call it ‘The One With All The Water’ also controversially chose a tourettes sufferer in Pete, who just like Nadia started as an underdog but ended up winning. This series also introduced us to the delights (ahem) of Nikki Graham, ‘Who is she?’ became THE quote of summer 2006.

Series eight began with all an all girl cast, which inevitably digressed into many arguments, mainly involving the poisonous Charley but the series also highlighted the importance of the BB fan. The winner Brian Belo had been a fan since the series began and through his love for the show and questionable intelligence he came out on top, kind of ironic for a series which didn’t have any men until day 17! To me, the format fell flat during series’ nine and ten and I watched very little. The people who entered all wanted their fifteen minutes to extend further and the show that had started as social experiment had turned into a circus.

When Channel 4 announced in 2009 that 2010 would be the last series of Big Brother I was heartbroken, for all my ‘I’ll never watch it again, it’s tired’, I still couldn’t imagine my TV viewing without it. The excitement to see who they put in, would there be a fitty for me to obsess over all summer, who would I hate? I wasn’t disappointed with the fourteen housemates picked by BB, especially the one who looked like David Beckham! There was unrequited love between women, a crazy old minister with very strong opinions, scary robots and the nicest Bristolian who I took a shining to straight away. For me Josie was a winner from day one, BB was made for this down to earth girl who defied stereotypes, was loyal but would stand her ground when tested. Along with Brian Dowling, Kate Lawler, Pete Bennett and Brian Belo she can be proud to be a BB winner with dignity.

We’ll have to wait and see who is crowned Ultimate Big Brother winner tonight and I’m sure there will be plenty of familiar faces and reminicising to do, I may even shed a tear. In the immortal words of Davina McCall ‘Big Brother house, this is Davina, please do not swear’.

Kayleigh xxx

The Third Kind

 Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, starring Milla Jovovich.

'There are four kinds of alien encounters. The fourth kind is abduction.'


The film 'The Fourth Kind' concentrates on the town of Nome in Alaska and the sleep deprevation that the majority of its inhabitants suffer with. Psychologist Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) notices the similarities between many of her patients symptoms, the white owl that sits outside of their homes, never moving or changing. She sets out to discover what is traumatising them, these discoveries lead her to a disturbing truth, that there maybe something other wordly terrorising the town.


Now that I've set up the story for you, I can be honest, this film leaves a lot to be desired! For Milla Jovovich to announce at the beginning of the film that it is based on real events and contains real footage immediatley sets off alarm bells. The advertising campaign carried out for this film is very much like the massive internet advertising campaign carried out by the makers of The Blair Witch Project. Their campaign managed to capture our imagination and drove millions of us to the box office, 'The Fourth Kind' however lacks the originality produced by The Blair Witch Project. The 'real footage' seems contrived and scripted, with an unconvincing performance from the 'real' Abigail Tyler, if she even exists. Also, for the director to put himself centre stage is narcasstic, Alfred Hitchcock he ain't.

All of the three slightly scary moments in the film you will have already seen in the advert. Don't get me wrong, these moments do make you feel uneasy but also a little jipped when, convieniently, the interference obstructs your view of the fourth kind. Oh and the alien's speak an ancient language which is only half heartedly translated for us, leaving us all the more perplexed as to who these alien's are and what the purpose is for abducting these people.

Thank God for Milla Jovovich, her performance is convincing and heartbreaking. She never fails to keep you in the moment and you do genuinely feel her frustration at the lack of understanding and mainly fear from the police of the town.Unfortunatley we have two annoying children to contest with, a 'wise beyond his years' son and a daughter who's blind (queue sympathy). The character of fellow psychologist and friend of Abigail Tyler, Abel Campos (Elias Koteas) could be seen as symbolising the audience's voice, he attributes every incident to something based in reality eg. hallucinations, dementia. Where as Abigail Tyler is quick to believe the alien theory, he is more cautious.

The film ends with both Milla Jovoich and the director Olatunde Osunsanmi leaving the decision to us. We have be shown the facts and footage, now it is the audiences turn to choose whether to believe or not.

My advice? If you believe in aliens, it would probably be better to watch War of the World's again and feel your heart sink as Tom Cruise survives.

Rating: K K - That's just for Milla's performance!

Kayleigh x

'I felt like destroying something beautiful'

 A Profile of David Fincher


For my first post on our blog I decided to write about something or I should say someone I feel I know very well. When I first began to look at films as a student, studying film studies at sixth form, we were asked to pick one director to profile for a presentation. I, on a whim, chose David Fincher as the director who I just happened to have seen and owned most of his films. This project turned me from an accidental unconscious fan of his into someone who loves his films and the work he creates. I purposefully now go and see anything he is involved with, which is unfortunately quite few and far between.

David Fincher always wanted to be a director. He loved Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as a child and at the age of 18 gained his first job in the film industry. He began his directorial career directing adverts for companies such as Coca Cola and big budget music videos for artists such as The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson and Madonna’s Vogue. His directorial debut in feature films was Alien 3 but Fincher first gained critical attention with 1995’s Se7en. It tells the story of two police officers investigating a serial killer whose motivation for murder follows a pattern of the seven deadly sins. It contains what would become auteur like trade marks noticeable in all of Fincher’s films. For example his lack of geography often setting films within an unknown ‘cityscape’, the weather is often awful throughout with torrential rain and storms and many other editing techniques such as flashing up single frames in the middle of a scene, a most important feature within Fincher’s second film with Brad Pitt, Fight Club. Now a cult classic, Fight Club was originally panned by critics but now appears in the top 10 of many journalistic film lists. It is based upon Chuck Palahniuk’s book of the same name about an insomniac office worker (Edward Norton) who opens up a bare knuckle fight club with a mysterious acquaintance Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). Fincher’s other notable films are 2002’s Panic Room starring Jodie Foster and 2007’s Zodiac continuing his choice of thriller based storylines which best suit his technical choices discussed above. Although both films were successful in terms of box office figures and critical consideration Fincher did not gain international recognition until The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The Film was nominated for thirteen Academy Awards including best director and is based on the short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Brad Pitt, in his third film with the director, starred as Button, an extraordinary human who ages backwards.

Fincher's next film The Social Network is released on the 15^th of October. It tells the story of the creators of the internet social phenomenon Facebook and the subsequent problems they faced. Nothing could be more apt a subject, particularly for people of my age. With Facebook taking over the world, people’s lives been documented on the web and whether someone is ‘in a relationship’ or not seeming to be determined by your relationship ‘status’ this film is set to be a must see. Fincher, I feel, is bound to have a long and successful career so try him out and see to his back catalogue because with such quality of stories you will not be disappointed.

View the trailer here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5TvbyvYeGc

The Social Network (2010).

or go to -http://social-network-movie-trailer.blogspot.com/



Emily x