[Famous Film Scenes] - American Beauty

For many reasons, both personally and aesthetically, 'American Beauty' is my favorite film. In this moving scene, Ricky shows Jane the 'most beautiful thing he has ever filmed'. This scene combines excellent music, acting and characterization with a stunning visual connotation to create a deeply thought provoking sequence.

American Beauty - IMDB

[Review] The Purge - 5th June 2013

★★★★ - Leaves Alot To Be Desired [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog]

Release Date: 2nd June 2013

Director: James DeMonaco

Writer: James DeMonaco

Cast: Ethan Hawke - Lena Headey - Max Burkholder - Adelaide Kane - Tony Oller

Review
 

There is one simple reason for going to see ‘The Purge’: its concept - which is an interesting one! In a future society, all forms of crime, including murder, are legal for twelve hours once a year in a period called ‘The Purge’.

The film, starring Ethan Hawke, is made by the same producers as those responsible for ‘Sinister’, which also featured Hawke. This was a modern horror film that I highly regarded so I thought; why not give ‘The Purge’ a chance?

Unfortunately, ‘The Purge’ disappointed. While the concept of the film is interesting, its execution is lacking in a number of ways.  The narrative follows a family who, during the purge, choose to hide out in their house protected by a modern advanced security system. When their youngest son allows what appears to be a desperate homeless man into their home to shelter, the family end up being taken hostage by a sinister group, intent on murdering the homeless victim.

Due to this, the film is set completely in one location; the house. This means that the true extent of the interesting purge concept is not really explored. Instead, the film focuses on horror and suspense which are executed in a predictable manner. A horror film has to be frightening, and ‘The Purge’ is totally lacking in this aspect. While in parts it possesses an atmospheric intensity, it does this using common horror techniques; a few select stingers, some gory deaths and sinister shots of the protagonists in masks. It offers nothing unique, leaving it predictable and…for lack of a better word, boring. It projects no real sense of the intense fear or suspense which, after all, should be the main focus of a horror film.

In addition, the film does also not deliver in terms of the aesthetics. Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey give acceptable performances, realistic enough for this type of film, but the director, James DeMonaco did not imbue the work with anything particularly original.  

‘The Purge’ – A simple, standard horror film that unfortunately wastes an interesting concept.

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