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Category Archives: Director
François Ozon: How French Cinema moved me
François Ozon has made this film into a visual masterpiece. The plot of the film does not have many big twists or dramatic moments but with his direction, you feel as though this tiny French fishing town is the centre of the universe and all that really matters. The emotions of the characters go from big to small and are only present in front of certain other characters which was a good decision. It let the characters preserve their feelings and let them build up to crescendos which did not always end well for them. The locations used are all picturesque and fit into ideas of life in France at the time. There are strong and bold colours without crazy patterns to distract the eye. The fashion is all time-accurate with lots of double denim and block designs. The music used also contributed to the tone and emotions of the film. His writing, while macabre at times never tipped into depressive or gory but toed the line of acceptable for a death-obsessed teenager to say. His choice to focus on Alexis and let the audience be one step ahead of him was a great way to tell the story. Continue reading
My Top 20 Films of 2020
A recent viewing for me over the Groupwatch Feature on Disney Plus. The animated version was a childhood favourite of mine so I was sad that I did not get a chance to watch it at the cinema last September. Its release on Disney Plus was a delight for me and despite some controversy surrounding its locations, I think this is an important film for Asian representation in Western culture and especially for women. Mulan volunteers to fight in the Chinese Imperial Army some one thousand years ago. In the live action version, Mulan lives in a poor village and takes her father’s place due to his ill health whereas in the original version, Mulan is a princess and takes his place to prove herself. I loved Yifei Liu’s performance as Mulan; I remember they spent a long time trying to find the right actress and I think the casting was perfect. She was able to portray vulnerability and femininity at the beginning and then brute strength and leadership as a soldier. The fight sequences were impressive and used clever techniques as well as offensive action. Scenes with the snow avalanche and the final showdown were particularly impressive as well as the general production design. It did not feel like a typical cuddly kids film and I think it was a good move to get rid of the songs, no matter how great they were. I really loved this film but it was missing that extra something that makes me give a film full marks. Continue reading
Posted in Actor/Actress, Analysis, Director, Film, Film Recommendations
Tagged Alexandra Shipp, Alexxis Lemire, All the Bright Places, Amazon Prime, Andrew Bachelor, Andrew Rannells, Andy Samberg, Anna Camp, Birds of Prey, Bong Joon-ho, Burn Gorman, Camila Mendes, Charlize Theron, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chloe Coleman, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, cinema, Cristin Milioti, Dan Stevens, Daniel Diemer, Dating Amber, Dave Bautista, DC Comics, Demi Lovato, Desperados, Disney, Disney Plus, Disney/Pixar, Eli Brown, Elle Fanning, Enola Holmes, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, Extraction, Fiona Shaw, Fionn O'Shea, Frances De La Tour, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Godmothered, Graham Norton, Harley Quinn, Harry Melling, Helena Bonham Carter, henry cavill, Isla Fisher, Issa Rae, J.K. Simmons, James Corden, Jennifer Niven, Jillian Bell, Jim Parsons, Jordan Fisher, June Squibb, Justice Smith, Karan Brar, Keegan-Michael Key, Keiynan Lonsdale, Kerry Washington, KiKi Layne, Kumail Nanjiani, Lamorne Morris, Leah Lewis, Liza Koshy, Lola Petticrew, Louis Partridge, Luca Marinelli, Luke Wilson, Madison Iseman, Margot Robbie, Marwan Kenzari, Matt Bomer, Matthias Schoenaerts, Meryl Streep, Millie Bobby Brown, Mulan, My Spy, Nasim Pedrad, Netflix, Netflix Party, Nicole Kidman, Onward, Palm Springs, Parasite, Peter Gallagher, Pierce Brosnan, Rachel McAdams, Robbie Amell, Ryan Murphy, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Claflin, Sharon Horgan, Simone Kirby, The Boys in the Band, The F**k-It List, The Half of It, The Lovebirds, The Old Guard, The Prom, Tom Holland, Tyler Hoechlin, Will Ferrell, Work it, Yifei Liu, Zachary Quinto
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Honey Boy – My Thoughts
I think it shows how rich and powerful the script and the belief in the director to have a female director narrate this story. It is from a male perspective about male relationships; father and son; roommates at rehab; an all-male AA meeting; the Big Brother programme but I think Alma Har’el added some great narrative and design choices to an already strong script. Her directive decisions elevated the film to include great visuals along with the story. I applaud the producers and studio for promoting a female director especially someone who had never done a narrative film before Honey Boy. I think this example goes to show that women are just as capable as men when it comes to being behind the camera. Continue reading
Posted in Actor/Actress, Analysis, Director, Film, Film Recommendations
Tagged Honey Boy, Lucas Hedges, Noah Jupe, shia labeouf
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Little Women
After hearing the announcement of the cast featuring Saoirse Ronan, Timotheé Chalamet, Laura Dern, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Meryl Streep I became very excited. The director Greta Gerwig is one of the only female directors to be nominated for an Oscar for Lady Bird. That was a film I also absolutely loved and it also starred Saoirse and Timotheé. As Laurie and Jo, the pair were just stunning. Every little movement and look heightened the possibility of a love story between the two. Continue reading
Posted in Actor/Actress, Analysis, Awards, Director, Film, Film Recommendations, Girls
Tagged Amy March, Aunt March, Beth March, Chris Cooper, Eliza Scanlen, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Greta Gerwig, James Norton, Jo March, Laura Dern, Laurie Laurence, Little Women, Marmee March, Meg March, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, timothee chalamet
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Knives Out – 2nd Watch Review
I saw this film for the first time the weekend after it opened. I had seen the trailer and thought it looked interesting. With the starry cast and original storyline, not to mention the acclaimed director, Rian Johnson, I was hooked. My first reaction was pure delight. I love a whodunnit murder mystery and they have faded out of popularity this century but seeing Knives Out and its updated version of the classic Agatha Christie tale was amazing. So many films these days, especially American ones are reboots, remakes, sequels, third sequels; based on books, games, apps or true stories, it was nice to see something original. Continue reading
Posted in Actor/Actress, Analysis, Director, Film, Film Recommendations
Tagged Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Christopher Plummer, Daniel Craig, Don Johnson, Edi Patterson, Jaeden Martell, Jamie Lee Curtis, K Callan, Katherine Langford, Knives Out, Lakeith Stanfield, Michael Shannon, Noah Segan, Riki Lindhome, Toni Collette
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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
I thought the film was excellent. Star Wars has a certain flavour of teamwork, rebellion, adventure, final showdowns and lasting friendships that other popular franchises haven’t really accomplished. I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the film and accompanied with John Williams’ score, the adrenaline was pumping. Having been in the last two films the new trio of Rey, Poe and Finn have settled into their roles in the films. Rey is finding herself as a Jedi, Poe has a position of leadership and Finn has found his own place in the Rebel alliance as a former Stormtrooper. Continue reading
Posted in Actor/Actress, Analysis, Director, Film, Film Recommendations
Tagged BB8, C3PO, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Finn, Han Solo, John Boyega, John Williams, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Oscar Isaac, Poe, R2D2, Rey, Star Wars, Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker
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Golden Globes 2020 – What’s Worth Watching
I am going to review the nominations for this year’s Golden Globes that I have seen at least one film in that category. It is fair to only review the films that I have seen, to give an honest opinion. I am going to focus on the film nominations as I have not seen many of the television shows due to them only being available on US TV or streaming services that I am not subscribed to. The films that are highlighted are the winners. Continue reading
Posted in Actor/Actress, Analysis, Awards, Director, Film, Film Recommendations
Tagged Best Film - Drama, Bombshell, Brad Pitt, Dolemite is My Name, Film nominations, Golden Globe Nominations, Golden Globe Nominations 2020, Golden Globes, Golden Globes 2020, Knives Out, Laura Dern, Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino, Renée Zellweger, Rocketman, Taron Egerton, The Irishman, The Two Popes
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New Year’s Eve – 31st December
This film is one by Garry Marshall who has also directed Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. As with these films, New Year’s Eve is an ensemble film following many different characters and their individual stories that intertwine with each other. … Continue reading
Posted in Actor/Actress, Analysis, Countdown to Christmas, Director, Film, Film Recommendations
Tagged Abigail Breslin, Ashton Kutcher, Chris Ludacris Bridges, Garry Marshall, Halle Berry, Hector Elizondo, Hilary Swank, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Heigl, Lea Michele, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nat Wolff, New Years Eve, new york, New York City, Robert De Niro, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Paulson, Seth Meyers, Sofia Vergara, Til Schweiger, Zac Efron
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