Alfie (1966) film response.

Alfie is a film about a man who is a womaniser. It was a breakthrough film, as it approached many taboo topics that had not previously been explored in British cinema. These issues include casual sex, adultery and abortion. It is very controversial in its frequent mentions of these things, and also it's portrayal of women and typical gender roles. It was released in 1966, during the height of the 'Swinging Britain' era, but shows a contrast to what we usually expect of this decade. Instead we are presented with quite a dark film; with its realistic and gritty settings and its sinister depiction of women's place in society. I thought it an interesting film, especially with its unusual technique of the main protaganist of breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience. However, I found it hard to connect to the character of Alfie because, to be frank, he's not very likeable! I also thought that overall, Michael Caine was quite dry in his portrayal of the role- if he was more charming, I feel that I may have enjoyed the film more so. I also didn't like the way they talked about women. One scene that annoyed me in particular was when Alfie kept referring to his latest lover as 'it' rather than 'her'. I understand that this depiction was made so as to establish the nature of Alfie's character, but I couldn't help but find it offensive. I do think that in some parts, the film showed great skill in how the narrative was presented, which left it with a real poignancy. One such instance of this was after Alfie helped a lover of his get an illegal abortion, and he feels remorse over it. Another element that I did like was the score- I thought it shaped the film beautifully, and was used well and sparingly. In my opinion, this film was good in a technical sense, but wasn't all that enjoyable to me. I'd watch it again, but I don't really feel compelled to.

Catching Fire Review.

So. After an agonisingly long wait, The 2nd adaptation of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series came out last thursday; and me (being the nerd that I am) made sure that I was sat in the cinema that first night. Let me tell you- I was not disappointed.

The story kicks off six months after the climax of the first film, back in Katniss' (Jennifer Lawrence) native county of District 12, a place burdened by poverty and corruption. Straight away, Francis Lawrence (the director), has shown us the story in a new life, with larger, colder locations framing our narrative. We are shown shots that emphasise her trauma after the events of the games, and it adds an emotional intensity that the Oscar winner* has played out perfectly.

We are then taken back to her home in Victor's Village, where the corrupt and menacing President Snow, played by the legendary Donald Sutherland, is waiting for her. He informs her that her previous actions have provoked rebellious behaviour in the other districts, and that she must defer the people's revolution. This acts as a premise for the rest of the story: Katniss trying to convince the nation that she acted out of her love towards Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), as well as President Snow doing everything in his power, and he has a lot of power, to ensure the fall of Katniss and previous victors. 

This drive to defeat those who defy him, leads Snow to increase punishment in the districts (by the rule of the new more brutal and terrifying peacekeepers), and also the 75th Hunger Games: in which previous victors must compete. 

All of the lead up to this is played out brilliantly in the narrative; there is a perfect balance of attention to the politics, romance and character development. The Victory Tour especially, which has many beautiful and moving moments, was a highly emotional retelling of what Suzanne Collins put on the pages. In particular, I found the moment when a little girl says to Katniss, "When I'm older, I want to volunteer just like you," extremely chilling, as it
highlights the animosity of a society where children are forced to die for entertainment purposes. Francis Lawrence highlighted this corrupt society in a much darker way than previous director Gary Ross did; and I absolutely loved the choices he made. 

We are then taken to the Capitol, and we have the lead up to the Games. We are given one or two light-hearted moments (such as previous victors flirting with Katniss), which are refreshing before the actual games. We are also introduced to some new characters such as Finnick, Johanna and Betee- all of whom play important parts in this chapter of the story as well as its finale. 

The new additions to the cast were absolutely perfect, and in my opinion, brought very vividly to life these characters I so dearly loved. In particular, I was extremely impressed by Sam Claflin's performance as the charming Finnick Odair. Finnick is a very multi-dimensional character; one minute he's flirty, then he's lethal. One minute he's cryptic, the next he is wearing his heart on his sleeve. Yet somehow, Claflin managed to play every single one of these elements with a truth and a warmth that so accurately represented his heart, and had me desperate for him to have more screen time.  

Once we finally get to the games (after 80 minutes, none of which were slow or boring), there is only one word to say. Wow! Francis Lawrence made the decision to shoot all of the arena scenes in Imax, and the decision proved to be a great one; as it pulled audiences right into the action. It was completely different to the shaky cam effect of Gary Ross' first adaptation, yet  was something much more substantial and moving. You feel as if you can not turn your eyes away for even a second, in case you miss something.

 Although the majority of the time in the arena is made up of high- speed action scenes; we are still kept reeling on an emotional level and there are many moments that are so intense that I was left on the brink of tears. Another element in which this sequel has stepped up its game- the use of special effects. To create many of the deadly aspects of this arena, cgi had to be used to create creatures such as the jabberjays and baboons. These all looked absolutely stunning whilst still conveying the realness with which the story needs to be told.

The ending of the film was just as fantastic as the rest of it. It showed us where we were heading next, whilst reflecting the journey of this story, all in one look. It just goes to show how brilliant an actress Jennifer Lawrence is. 

Other aspects of the film which impressed me was the beautiful and haunting score composed by James Newton Howard. Also, the choices made in terms of setting, cinematography and editing.
Even the closing credits were great; with the new Coldplay track summarising the story. 

Although, like its predecessor, it cut out scenes from the book which are pretty important- it stayed true to the core themes and the characterisation. It also added some extra hints, that for fans of the books, were a brilliant yet terrifying foreshadowing of what is left to come. All in all though, a pretty faithful adaptation, and a damn good film. I'm already itching to rewatch it, and I'm hoping the year long wait for Mockingjay Part 1, doesn't go too slowly!

(*2013, Academy Award for Best Actress, Silver Linings Playbook)

My Top 10 Teen films.

Recently, I was watching the 1999 film, 10 Things I Hate About You. I absolutely love the film, and was more than happy to watch it, even though I have seen it plenty of times. Watching it however, got me thinking. What are in my opinion the best teen movies? And what does the silver screen so often portray in teen flicks, to achieve box office sales. So this is my list (in no particular order) of my favourite films for teenagers. I couldn't get all of my favourites into ten, but I've taken a good shot at it!

The Princess Diaries (2001; Dir- Garry Marshall; Starring- Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews)

Most famously known as the film that introduced Hollywood to Anne Hathaway, the screen version of the Meg Cabot book series, was a hit amongst teenagers. The story tells that of an ordinary 16 year old girl, who discovers that she is princess to the land of Genovia. There was the obvious appeal, in the sense that it was your classic rags to riches story, but the film also contained buckets of charm. With all those relatable 'oops moments' (like with the gum), and a brilliant cast (Julie Andrews. Nuff said.), it's a film that resonates through my childhood, and one that I know that I will happily rewatch now.

Easy A (2010; Dir- Will Gluck; Starring- Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley)

This film is, in my opinion, hilarious! As per usual, Emma Stone shines with a fervent vibrancy and genius comic timing. The film narrates the life of Olive Pendergast, whose supposed promiscuity is the hot topic of the school, problem is- none of it is true! What's actually happening is that she is pretending to sleep with various 'nerdy' guys, so as to make a bit of money. The film is fresh, risky and so funny. The adult cast also shine, especially Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci as Olive's quirky, yet supportive parents. It is a definite watch, even if just for the brilliant musical number scene. The narrative teaches the consequences of spreading rumours, but in a fun, light hearted way. It also has references to 80s films. If that isn't perfection, I don't know what is.

Pitch Perfect (2012; Dir- Jason Moore; Starring- Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin)

Again, another comedy, but this time one with an amazing soundtrack. When Beca (Anna Kendrick), arrives at Barden university, she has one aspiration. Get through college so she can become a DJ. However, as she gets roped into collegiate level a capella competitions, the game is on. The film has more than one brilliant musical number, and that's not even the film's most redeemable feature. Rebel Wilson, of 'Bridesmaids' fame, brings humour to every situation, with her classic stupidity but also her puns. Anna Kendrick is our reluctant protagonist, and she is such a clear representation of most teenagers who hate the education system. Also, the girls' rivals, The Treblemakers- an all-male a cappella group, are brilliant as they contrast so perfectly with the 'Barden Bellas'. A film to make anyone laugh, at any age.

The Hunger Games (2012; Dir- Gary Ross; Starring- Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland)

The long- awaited adaptation, of Suzanne Collins' best- selling novel, The Hunger Games showed a cinematic maturity that most teen films don't achieve. Filmed clearly as an action film, rather than a film about some teenager, the film delivered. As a fan of the book, I should probably dislike its less than faithful adaptation, but what Gary Ross did deliver; is an amazing film in its own right. Jennifer Lawrence shines as Katniss Everdeen, who is entered for 'The Hunger Games'- a fight to the death- in the place of her sister. The narrative follows the lead- up to the games, and the battle itself. The books will live forever and this film definitely will too. One memorable technique, is the use of steady cam/ handheld camera. It was used to immerse the viewer in the action and does just that (well mostly). The film also uses unusual editing;  they actually discourage the use of continuity editing, and have a ridiculous amount of jump cuts. Maybe because it reflects the shaky nature of their society. Another creditable performance: Donald Sutherland. He is absolutely terrifying as the corrupt and menacing President Snow. With all these features, its amazing action sequences, and haunting soundtrack- I eagerly await the upcoming sequel. (Since writing this, I have seen it. Phenomenal.)

10 Things I Hate About You (1999; Dir- Gil Junger; Starring- Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph- Gordon Levitt)

The aforementioned 90s flick, is one of my all-time favourite films. The modern take on Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew', was an instant classic, with its great wit and memorable characters. Julia Stiles is very believable as Katarina- the shrew herself. Her dry humour and sarcasm is flawless, and that pitted against Heath Ledger's natural charm means that the couple have great screen- chemistry. Also brilliant is a very young Joseph Gordon Levitt, who plays that hopelessly in love Cameron. The film is clearly a 90s film, yet it somehow retains Shakespeare's charm and wit, as well as feeling new and relevant now. It is one of those rare films with more than one memorable scene that fans like to bring up: Heath Ledger singing in the stands; Kat's moving poem; The fight at prom. It is a feel-good classic comedy, in my opinion. 

 

 

 

 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012; Dir- Stephen Chbosky; Starring- Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller)

Adapted from his own novel, which is a cult classic among teenagers, Stephen Chbosky set out to adapt his novel for the big screen. He did this perfectly. As always, some changes had to be made, and some scenes had to be cut, however i think that the author made his choices eloquently.The story narrates the freshman year of Charlie, a young introvert whose depression makes life harder than it ought to be. What I love so much about this film however, is the realism. The story discusses important teenage issues, but without glamourising them. Everything is very much the reality of it. The film is shot beautiful, with interesting ciematography choices having been made to frame our protagonists journey. Also enhancing what is such an important coming-of-age story, is the soundtrack which makes use of many classic tracks such as David Bowie's 'Heroes' and The Smiths track 'Asleep'. All 3 of the main cast are fantastic, portraying their characters with such believability and depth. This is especially impressive in the case of Logan Lerman, who throws away his usual charming, cocky hero archetype we are used to (Percy Jackson, The Three Musketeers). Also, Emma Watson reestablishes herself as an important factor in the showbiz industry, with her breakout performance after the finish of the Harry Potter series in 2010.

The Breakfast Club (1985; Dir- John Hughes; Starring- Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall)

No 'Best Of' lists would be complete without this, when it comes to teen movies.The 80s hit is considered by many to be THE classic teen movie. For
those who don't know the premise, the story details the saturday of 5 teenagers, whose paths have never crossed, who have winded themselves in detention together. It is one of the jewels of the film world when it comes to character development, as we know that every single one of our protagonists leaves the film being the binary opposition of who they were at the start. As well as some beautiful heartfelt scenes, (one of the most famous actually being almost entirely improvised), the film is renowned for its many moments of humour- most of which include the bumbling teacher who is meant to be supervising them. A film that can be crude yet moving within a 5 minute gap, it is a treasure for all teenagers, and adults too. It is one of the John Hughes teen collection, along with films such as Sixteen Candles and Weird Science. In my opinion, it is the best of them. Let's also not forget the memorable climax scene, with Judd Nelson punching the air in celebration of getting the girl. Shaped by the track that launched Simple Minds in the US; the ending is one that everyone will always remember.

Mean Girls (2003; Dir- Mark Waters; Starring- Lindsay Lohan, Jonathan Bennett, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey)

Written by the brilliantly funny Tina Fey, this is probably one of the most quoted films of our generation. It tells the story of Cady (pre-crazy Lindsay Lohan), as she enters school for the first time at 16, after having been homeschooled in Africa her whole life. We see her try to navigate her way with different members of the school, in particular 'the plastics'- the aforementioned Mean Girls of the title. Although, it's not the best piece of cinema, it sure is a good laugh! It's also responsible for bringing light to talent such as Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia, Lovelace) and Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Sherlock Holmes). The film has many memorable moments and lines, which will probably be etched into teenagers brains for the rest of their lives. Although the film is nearly a decade old, its themes still seem relevant today- with its accurate portayal of teen culture and school cliques and hierachies. Ultimately- it's just a good film to watch when you're feeling down!

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986; Dir- John Hughes; Starring- Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey)

  

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." the poignant words of Ferris Bueller; which will live forever in yet another John Hughes classic. Again, a film that so perfectly captures the essence of youth and the presence of the 80s, it's as if John Hughes was a teenager himself in writing this. The narrative tells us about Ferris Bueller, everyone's favourite guy- and his wild day off school; into which he drags his girlfriend and best friend. It's fast paced, memorable, and most importantly- it's fun! Matthew Broderick is completely charming as the titular protagonist, and you too are immediately won over into wanting to 'Save Ferris'. At the same time, you feel the frustration of his sister as she tries to get him into trouble. A classic that warms everyone's hearts- Ferris Bueller is one of those iconic teen characters who will never age. I'm pretty sure that nobody will ever forget the enormous musical number in this either!

So there you have it. Some of my favourite teen films! Were I to have more options, I probably also would've given shout outs to films such as 17 Again (2009), Juno (2007), Wild Child (2008), A Cinderella Story (2004), Grease (1978) and many more. All in all, I think the key to a good teen film is something funny, heartwarming, and at the core of all these movies- must be characters that we as teenagers today can relate to.

Synopsis for Short Film

A girl meets a charming stranger. They start a whirlwind romance, but whilst on a date in a small coffee shop, the girl’s brother sees them, and it is revealed that he and the boyfriend are enemies. They are in rival gangs and have been in an intense warfare. The girl and boy plan to run away, as the boy has decided to turn away from a life of crime. However, the brother comes after them, and threatens the boy at gunpoint. Then in a suprising turn of events, the girl stabs her brother. The couple then run away. 

I've decide to not shoot it in a linear structure, but by using various flashbacks.

Short Film Responses

Today we watched three different short films. One made by students at an undergraduate level (The Forgotten Hit), and two made by students at a postgraduate level (Indecision; Farewell Charlie Power). Each film was of a different genre, and made use of different cinematic techniques.

The Forgotten Hit

This was a short mystery film. The film started with a man waking up, to find that he has killed someone. The narrative depicts him trying to uncover the events that have previously occured, and what to do next. The narrative is restricted and is told in a non-linear way; since the protagonist uncovers truths through flashbacks, and we only learn these things as he does. This created an air of tension and suspense, which I liked because it keeps you on edge. There was an enigma code, and the end used a plot twist to suprise the audience. I liked the used of sound; to create an air of emptiness in some scenes it only uses diagetic sound, then to build tension music also comes in. All in all, I thought it was an interesting plot which I enjoyed.

Indecision

This was a rather unusual film, depicting the process of a man's indecision about his love. There was two main sets, the beach and the forest, and they were used together to create a beautiful contrast between the two choices he could've made. I liked the way it was shot, using the peculiar technique of 360 degrees, over the characters. It eventually shows it like the two places are spinning on an axis and we are viewing them from one spot. The film ends with the man half in one place, half in the other, reflecting his confusion and indecision. I thought the film was rather comical, enhanced by the voiceover narration. I definitely thought it was an interesting idea.

Farewell, Charlie Power

This short film told the story of a man with learning difficulties, who inadvertently kills his father; and the aftermath of the death. I found the film, though disturbing, quite beautiful. It showed the difficulties of being mentally slow, by highlighting the character Vernon's childish nature. The film took a dark twist towards the end, where Vernon retrieved his father's dead body and brought it home. The film was shaped well by the music, and the mise-en-scene was thought out cleverly. Especially how the whole story had high-key lighting, even though the narrative had darker themes and undertones. I thought it was definitely an interesting narrative.

Narrative Theory in Se7en

• The story is told in a chronological order
• The run of time is made clear, by the seperation of the days: Each day is marked in the scenes with typography.
• Heavy use of enigma codes- throughout most of the film you are trying to work out who the killer is, then after he reveals himself; you are still trying to solve the issue of the last two  murders. 
  
• The mise-en-scene is used throughout to connote tension, suspicion and darkness
• Pathetic fallacy is used. During most of the film, outside is rainy, grey and drab. This represents the slow, painful process of the investigation. The climax is out in the hot desert, to show the rising heat of the tension, and a sense of dryness (reflecting John Doe's lack of empathy.)
• It is narrated through the perspective of our main officers, Mills and Somerset. This offers us a closed narrative; as in we only ever know as much as they do.

• This restricted narrative is a common genre convention of thrillers. As is the fast paced score.
• The main protagonist is very conventional. However, our other protagonist is an anti- Hero, as Pitt's character embodies traits usually deemed negative. Examples of this are his wrath and quick temper.

Se7en Film Response.

Se7en is a 1991 psychological thriller directed by David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. It depicts two detectives as they try to uncover the killer behind a set of murders. Each murder is based on one of the seven deadly sins.

Although the film is quite dark, I enjoyed it- It was well written and thought-provoking. Brad Pitt was in my eyes, an interesting protagonist, as he was more of an anti-hero.This is seen through the fact that some of his main character traits are anger, and the tendecy to act on impulse (which becomes important in the climax of the film).

The film's score (written by Howard Shore) was perfect, and accentuated each pivotal moment of the film. The film was quite visually graphic, and though this made it intense, it also created a poignancy.
There was a constant air of suspense which left you hanging on the edge of your seat, desperate to know and understand where the narrative is taking us. This made the film enjoyable, as it meant that my brain was constantly in action, trying to decipher the actions of the antagonist.

Once the antagonist John Doe is introduced, the story still feels like it's getting stronger. This may partially be down to the fact that Kevin Spacey is absolutely terrifying as the killer; retaining a menace, yet a tranquility at the same time. He is also scary in the fact that he sees himself able to justify his murders. He gives reasons to each one; and analyses the 'sins on every street corner'. For me, this was one of the most memorable scenes in the film, as it evoked thought about human nature, and the human condition. This always captures me, and hearing it from such an unstable character was both intriguing and haunting.

Of course, what makes the film stand out from most other psychological thrillers, is the strong climax that is delivered. It is dark, twisted, unexpected, but most of all genius. It's at the end that you realise that the writers have been foreshadowing this the whole way through the film. It's shocking and horrible; but it really makes you stop and reflect on the nature of both our protagonists and antagonist.

Overall, I thought it was a very good film, as it showed intricacies in its plot detail and the way its shot. It was dark and disturbing, but in the way that the story is told, I feel as if I could happily sit through it again.

How Figure Expression Can Create Meaning

In the film adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s novel ‘the Perks of Being a Wallflower’ (2012), the actors use their figure expression to highlight the contrast between their characters. There are 3 main characters: Charlie (Logan Lerman), Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller).

Charlie is shy and nervous; portrayed through his fidgety hands, constantly wandering eyes, and him often chewing his lip. He has slumped shoulders and almost drags himself along when he walks- reflecting his unhappiness with his day to day life and showing that he is often pulling himself through it, trying to make it to the end of the school year. His lips are often tight, his face blank, reminding us that there is lots that we don’t know about this character as his face gives nothing away.

Sam and Patrick on the other hand, are confident characters, shown in the way they hold themselves with an erect posture. They are both lively, shown in their tendencies to exaggerate both their movements and facial expressions. Sam’s confidence is often shown through her smirk. This also highlights her flirtatious nature, also indicated by her eyes. They are both more caring and gentle when interacting with Charlie.

As the narrative goes on, events occur that shake the characters and change them. Examples of this are how Patrick becomes very jittery/ shaky after his character goes through a bad break-up. Also towards the climax, Charlie goes through a mental breakdown, shown through his hands pulling his hair, his legs shaking and him crying.

How Setting Can Create Meaning

In the opening scene of Les Misérables (Tom Hooper, 2012), setting is used to create meaning. To create an atmosphere that seems inescapable, there are tall, even gigantic, stone walls/stairs. The fact that the majority of characters are stuck in a pit at the bottom of these walls shows that these characters are considered the lowest of the low in society. Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), is shown to be at the very top of the stairs, exerting and emphasising, his authority over them. The stone structure itself is quite grimy, representing the dirty lives these criminals have led.

The prisoners (indicated that they are such by their clothing and make-up.) are knee deep in water, which could be interpreted as them drowning in their sorrows, and the past they wish they could escape.

Another key element for the setting in this scene is the use of pathetic fallacy. At the start of the scene, the skies are extremely dark, and there is heavy rain pouring down. This shows that this is a stormy phase in our main protagonist, Jean Valjean’s, life. The rain could also portray the sadness of the prisoners, hinting that they feel like crying. Then, once they have finished their work and Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is being interrogated by Javert, the skies are clear, but the ground around him is still wet and dirty. By the end, the ground is completely dry and the sky is clear, showing the end of his imprisonment, and the start of a bright new day.

How Costume/Make-up Can Create Meaning.

In the 2007 Disney film Enchanted, costume and make-up are used to emphasise the characters personalities. One scene where this is clearly demonstrated is in the musical number which takes place in Central Park in New York.

Amy Adams’ character Giselle is wearing a dress which is bright and colourful, showing her personality which is quite lively and vibrant. The fact that the colours of the dress are baby pink and blue highlight her childish nature and innocence, as these are the colours often associated with young girls. It is covered in small flowers (which she also has in her hair), showing her affiliation with nature. Her dress is flowing showing her carefree personality.

Her make- up is quite simple, showing her to be quite modest. Her hair is curly, which gives off a sense of her being quite exciting and wild, rather than if her hair was straight (coming across as quite boring.)

In contrast, Patrick Dempsey’s character Robert is dressed in a very common, plain way. He is wearing a black suit, which are associated with formal, high paid jobs. This would usually have positive connotations, but in this context, next to Giselle, it shows him to be quite boring. The colour black is associated with mourning, and this could be why he’s wearing black, since later in the scene he reveals that his wife left him. His shoes are also plain black, emphasising his formality and stiffness as a character.