Film Recommedation - Funny Games

★★★★★★

Worth Watching [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog]

'Funny Games', released in 1997 by Michael Haneke, is an Austrian horror/psychological thriller with a unique and interesting aspect to its delivery.

The film in itself is intense. It follows a family of three being taken hostage by two sadistic boys in their holiday cabin. They force the family to play 'games' for their own amusement.

The factor that makes 'Funny Games' a different, and indeed experimental film is the manner in which the director deliberately breaks the fourth wall. The protagonists throughout the film stare, gesture, and ask the camera questions, engaging the audience in quite a unique way. Furthermore, owing to the fact that the film is an intense psychological horror, this audience-engagement is quite a sinister one. There are a number of obvious scenes and sequences throughout the film that do this.

As you‘re watching, look out for 'the wink', it’s quite an iconic shot from this film. Enjoy!

[Famous Film Scene] - Good Will Hunting

An iconic scene from one of my favorite films, 'Good Will Hunting'. Sean teaches Will some valuable life lessons, and finally seems to get through to the troubled genius. It was made famous by its truth, moving nature and brilliance in acting - Enjoy!

Good Will Hunting - IMDB

[Famous Film Scene] - The Great Dictator

Released in 1940, 'The Great Dictator' was one of Charlie Chaplin's most acclaimed films. In this scene, mistaken for a dictator, Chaplin delivers an extremely inspirational speech, addressing the fundamental issues with the human race. What makes this scene so staggering is its relevance to today's society, sixty-three years after it was released.

The Great Dictator - IMDB

Film Recommendation - Dead Man's Shoes

★★★★★★★★★

Excellent [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog]

This film is arguably one of the best revenge films ever made. Released in 2004, Shane Meadows utilises his British roots to create a realistic and gripping story that renders the audience fixated.

A somewhat underrated film, the story follows Richard, a solider returning to his hometown in Middle England to exact revenge on the thugs that bullied his disabled brother. He plays sinister games with the gang before brutally 'executing' them one by one, disguising his psycopathetic nature with vengeance for his brother. 

Dead Man's Shoes owes it's success to two major factors; Shane Meadows directional style being the first. His writing incorporates knowledge of England's gentle rural landscapes with a darker culture beneath - thus creating a rather ironic but beautifully shot film. His style is both perfectionist and realistic, and this is apparent in every aspect of the film. It is the attention to detail that brings each of the characters to life on screen, effortlessly making the audience relate and empathise.

The second successful component within Dead Man's Shoes is the choice of cast. Each one of the characters is perfectly performed, generating a screen ensemble that is exceptionally natural and realistic, which is vital for this type of film. If the characters are not believable, how can the audience relate? 

Dead Man's Shoes - A exceptionally well made, casted and performed film; sinister, gripping and disturbing. Truly one of my favourite films.

Behind The Scenes....

A collection of interesting behind-the-scenes photos from famous and popular films, both past and present. Click the images to enlarge and browse:

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

 

Iron Man

The Dark Knight

 

Pulp Fiction

Jaws

E.T.

 

Star Wars

The Avengers

Inception

Godzilla

Sesame Street

Tron

Alien

Back To The Future: Part III

Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows Part Two

Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows Part One

Superman

Leon: The Professional

The Hunger Games

Rocky

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

The Terminator

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom

The Muppets 

The Shining

Django Unchained

Titanic

[Classic Film] Number Seven - The Shining

Trailer:

Information:

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★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

A Masterpiece Of film [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog]

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Release Date: 23rd May 1980
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Director: Stanley Kubrick
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Writer: Stephen King (Novel)  Stanley Kubrick & Diane Johnson (Screenplay)
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Cast: Jack Nicholson - Shelly Duvall - Danny Lloyd

Famous Quotes

1) 'Here's Johnny!'
2) 'Come play with us Danny'
3) 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'
4) 'Hi, Lloyd, little slow tonight, isn't it?'
5) 'You son of a bitch! You did this too him, didn't you! How could you! How could you!'
6) 'I'm not going to hurt you...I'm just going to bash your brains in, i'm gonna bash them right the fuck in'
7) 'I'm sorry to disagree with you sir, but you are the caretaker...you have always been the caretaker'

Explanation
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'The Shining' is arguably one of the most famous horror films of all time. Released in 1980, it is an impressionistic take on one of Stephen Kings most successful novels, and is now considered to be one of the corner stones in the history of horror cinema. 

Its Narrative follows a family of three that travel to an isolated hotel for the winter; whilst their psychic son witnesses horrific images from the hotel's past, an evil entity possesses the father and causes him to become violent. 

The film is unconventionally frightening; it is not typically full of suspense, but still very disturbing. As you are watching you find yourself gripped to the unpredictability of the main character and his mental deterioration, as well as chilled by the various surrealistic scenes, usually driven by the son in the family. 

There is very little of a negative nature that can be said about 'The Shining', but three things stand out in particular that make it so effective; Stanley Kubrick's unique 'dreamlike' directional style, A chilling soundtrack and a completely ‘demented’ performance from Jack Nicholson. It is these traits in particular that combine to make the film haunting; a horror that stays with you long after you have watched it, playing on your imagination and lingering in your thoughts. 

The one aspect of the film that is questionable is the performance of Shelly Duvall which is often irritatingly hysterical, even comical on occasion. However this does not affect the overall quality of the film, as this performance could be said to contrast well with that of  the manic Jack Nicholson, and in some ways makes his character more intense and frightening.

'The Shining' - A classic that every film enthusiast must see.  Unique, gripping and haunting. 

Awards
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Oscar Wins:

N/A

Oscar Nominations:

N/A

BAFTA Wins:

N/A

BAFTA Nominations:

N/A

Golden Globe Wins:

N/A

Golden Globe Nominations:

N/A

*The videos used in this post are not mine*

Blog Update

I'm going to be taking a week off to focus on some imminent university assignments, will be back on the 14th of November with my reviews for 'James Bond: Skyfall' & 'Sinister' as well as film recommendation posts, box office stats and film news & trailers.

Thanks, 

FilmDebate,

Adam Snowden