tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148064167092568482024-03-13T11:24:36.191+10:30The Film Genie's UniverseThe Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-19228416682144998382012-06-07T17:15:00.001+09:302012-06-07T17:15:49.163+09:30<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hello all,<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For those of you who previously followed this blog, it looks like the role of ‘professional film reviewer’ wasn’t on the cards for me as I’ve failed miserably in my quest to write a full review of the IMDB’s top 250. I suppose I can blame the world travelling, the depressing call centre work now I’m back in the UK, the primary school experience I’ve been getting on my days off to start my PGCE studies this September but I’ve really just not been watching as many films as I should. So here’s where the rules change. I’m still going to write reviews on the top 250, but it’ll be at my own pace and will include a much larger assortment of films. On top of that, my reviews will simply consist of my immediate opinions written within a few minutes of the end credit rolling, not the researched essays I’d been writing.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Another reason for my lack of reviews is down to my new hobby – mash up editing. I’ve already uploaded 3 of my ‘movie quote mashups’ to youtube, using clips from movies to provide the lyrics of two Beatles songs and a special diamond jubilee tribute of <i>God Save The Queen</i>. Add on to that a remixed trailer for <i>Dinner For Schmucks</i> and that’s a lot of time editing when the only time I really have available is 30 minutes each night.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">So, instead of my IMDB Top 250 Challenge, this is going to more of a blog that truly represents it’s name – The Film Genie’s Universe. I hope you enjoy the new and improved version……</span></span></div>The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-42244611446962725142011-06-06T13:28:00.002+09:302011-06-07T08:36:44.395+09:30Review - Tucker And Dale VS Evil (2010)A hilarious and witty horror comedy pulls the old switch-a-roo on the old College Kids vs Hillbillies cliche.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu1w3nimA30vC4Wq4uUsXTkJK2vTwATPJqs9WPVe_lefyAyp5E8-uSG0F3J-b3af7JXYulDJgUhlDzShZqKHI5NmJrOngWm3HZQmhCZZGo1UN8NnZe4KkvMHpT781wLPyidm5v_bkY9Y/s1600/tuckerdale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu1w3nimA30vC4Wq4uUsXTkJK2vTwATPJqs9WPVe_lefyAyp5E8-uSG0F3J-b3af7JXYulDJgUhlDzShZqKHI5NmJrOngWm3HZQmhCZZGo1UN8NnZe4KkvMHpT781wLPyidm5v_bkY9Y/s320/tuckerdale.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>I only watched this because I am a massive fan of Alan Tudyk (Dodgeball's Steve the Pirate and Firefly's Wash) and of horror-comedies. Another film I thought would just be a simple time-passer turns out to be my favourite comedy of the year. With the horror-comedy genre expanding exponentially over the last decade, thanks the to likes of 'Shaun Of The Dead', the 'Scream' franchise and so many others, the old conventions are starting to run dry and new ideas are becoming scarce. 'Zombieland' proved an original story could still be found employing an enemy reinvented more times than Katie Price's bosom. 'Piranha 3D' added new technology to it's mindless carnage in an effort to boost ratings. So what new and exciting concept can be offered to horrorphiles around the world? Or will the classic themes just be reproduced over and over?<br />
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Thankfully, writer and director Eli Craig was able to spin convention on it's head by reversing the roles in an imaginative and truly believable way. Tucker (Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine - Zach and Miri Make a Porno's late night drunken customer) are two hillbillies whose idea of a good time is fishing on the lake with a few beers and renovating their new holiday home - a tumbledown old shack that looks like it comes straight out of 'Wrong Turn.' Of course, they think it's a perfect fixer-upper and start out on the restoration. Enter a group of obnoxious, attractive and incredibly stereotypical (token black guy, scared guy, dumb blonde who wears heels etc.) college kids looking to have a party by the lake. When Allison (30 Rock's Katrina Bowden) slips, knocks her head and falls into the lake, the good ol' boys are only to glad to help out but her friends see their support as a kidnapping. Enter fork loads of misunderstandings and several fatal accidents and the remaining teens, led by the overzealous and general douche bag Chad (Final Destination 3's Jesse Moss, and not the only actor in the movie to come from that franchise), go to war with the harmless hicks. Only Allison knows what is really going on but can she explain everything before it is too late and everyone ends up killing each other?<br />
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The perspectives of this film are laid out fantastically. Two completely different sides of the story are told so well that you really would believe Tucker and Dale are out to kill you if you only saw what the teenagers see. And the idea itself is wonderful - the evil hillbillies hunting down helpless teens are actually two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Unfortunately, years of campfire tales and horror movies have given the teens tunnel vision and they see what they want to see - vicious murders, not unlikely accidents. Despite feeling sympathy towards Tucker and Dale, I can see why the teens are mislead but I also want to shout the truth out at them.<br />
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Tudyk and Labine play the bumpkins so impeccably you'd believe they'd lived like that for years, while Moss is just such a douche, well you can see where that is going. Bowden tries to give believability to her role as a mediator but she still seems more suited to standing around looking pretty.<br />
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The deaths are another strong point. Very funny, very misfortunate and very bloody. No CGI as far as I could see, just good old fashioned fake blood, make up and body parts. They are all given a decent set up so there's not much surprise but the knowledge of what is about to happen doesn't detract from the film. This isn't a jump/scare horror and it doesn't need to be.<br />
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With belly-aching laughs and enough gore to satisfy Tom Savini, 'Tucker and Dale VS Evil' is a real surprise winner in a sea of flat parodies and unscary villains (I'm talking to you 'Lesbian Vampire Killers'). Watch it, really, watch it! And next time you're out in the West Virginian woods and some guys in dungarees with hatchets stalk towards you, give them the benefit of the doubt - until they hacked off your arm, then make a run for it.<br />
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Movie - 9<br />
Film - 4The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-65242978648420798272011-06-03T12:22:00.008+09:302011-06-07T08:37:22.490+09:30Top 250 - 2001: A Space Oddessy (1968) PREFACE TO THE REVIEW:<br />
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You may be wondering why a film made in the '60s has suddenly appeared amongst the Silent Epics from the early twentieth century in a systematically chronological review blog. The main reason is that I have just finished reading Arthur C. Clarke's 'Space Oddessy' quadrilogy and wanted to refresh my memory of a film I can only partly remember from childhood. I am a huge fan of novel-to-film adaptations ranging from Minority Report & Jurassic Park to Salem's Lot & The Lord Of The Rings and I love to see how selections are made in what is required on screen and what cannot be portrayed, often with characters changed and entire narratives being rewritten. This particular case is unique in that Clarke and Kubrick co-wrote their own version of the same story simultaneously, often passing ideas between each other; Clarke would watch the daily rushes and notice a completely new take on a character or vise-versa. Of course the books hold infinitely more detail and explain every aspect of the ambiguities that make Kubrick's film so special: What exactly are the monoliths? Why does HAL go homicidal? What the hell is going on for the last 20 minutes? Perhaps someday I will look into both stories and discuss the pros and cons of being presented with too little or too much information but for now I will review Kubrick's film as it's own entity<br />
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IMDB Top 250 Review - 2001: A Space Oddessy (1968)<br />
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Creating questions that he does not answer, Kubrick's vision of the future combines elegance, camera trickery and a whole lot of nothing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVoNYY-4379tr7YMnsATeCo2no68XjQ5KY4ggEaq55Hi1iurks8Rg8WGQ-G91BSpQNOPG9OvUOVpu49T_8CC7I0SR5xRus1QOOl8GIA9mUjKvGvRx5MoIuQhpv9NY_T3-fmjfPjOhfkE/s1600/user30723_pic39829_1275661166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVoNYY-4379tr7YMnsATeCo2no68XjQ5KY4ggEaq55Hi1iurks8Rg8WGQ-G91BSpQNOPG9OvUOVpu49T_8CC7I0SR5xRus1QOOl8GIA9mUjKvGvRx5MoIuQhpv9NY_T3-fmjfPjOhfkE/s320/user30723_pic39829_1275661166.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>The only thing I could remember from this film from my only previous viewing (as a preteen I may add) was that there was a computer with a red light, the spaceship spun around and some monkeys bashed some bones to the tune of what I only knew as "that music from '2001'". That and the numerous parodies from such places as 'The Simpsons', 'Family Guy' and Ben Stiller's 'Zoolander'. I was also a little daunted when I saw the 141 minute running time but felt great anticipation in watching a film that I enjoyed so much as a novel. I am also as inept on Kubrick as any Silent director so this is a new awakening for me. OK, so I've seen it before and read the book, but as far as I know, this is my first time watching a Kubrick movie with the passion for film that I now have.<br />
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Like this review, '2001: A Space Oddessy' has a prologue - 4 million years ago, we were just apes. We ate, we slept and we were occasionally killed by the leopard. That is, until a curious black monolith appeared and somehow taught our ancient ancestors how to use tools to kill and hunt, thus propelling us to the top of the food chain and initiating our interest in building things. Fast forward to 2001 and a top scientist is being hurried to the moon (which has it's own permanent base and airline-style shuttles) to research a spectacular discovery - a curious black monolith hidden under the surface of the moon - proving that we are not alone in the universe. We learn that upon its discovery, it has sent a signal to Jupiter and mankind commissions a ship to explore the possible recipient of this mysterious message and uncover the truth about our place in the universe.<br />
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Seems simple enough. Fortunately, the astronauts are accompanied on this mission by the highly sophisticated AI computer HAL 9000, whose ominous red eye keeps watch over the entire ship. Unfortunately, he goes psychotic and attempts (and nearly succeeds) to kill everyone on board. After disposing of HAL by removing his memory units, the lone survivor, Dave Bowman, finally reaches Jupiter and reaches yet another curious black monolith, only this one is hundreds of times larger. He is sucked into it and through some kind of wormhole where he remarkably emerges in a hotel room where we witness his rapid accent into old age and death, only to be reborn as a 'starchild' baby overlooking the planet Earth.<br />
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The first thing that hits me is that this film is long. I can watch each extended 'Lord Of The Rings' with ease and they run over an hour beyond the closing credits of '2001,' but the pacing of the film makes it seem to last several hours. I get that Kubrick wants to represent the monotony of space travel - the boredom of that year-long flight, but I was really trying hard not to fall asleep. Artistic licence is greatly appreciated in some forms, but after the first half hour I was already re cutting scenes in my head.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69w43-bfkOkZg-aolNL8az7bW4CAQu6wwjpoZVhUjv2a9OWn_2MRjF5MNlAb3CbbJiXJRVYBojbEqVs1ftHCXZPHxxSaXV7L0lN-Ki1PmEa0mj0kmmfr4x8BBKFmzZMHcApdWRJawOuA/s1600/2001_a_space_odyssey_hello_dave1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69w43-bfkOkZg-aolNL8az7bW4CAQu6wwjpoZVhUjv2a9OWn_2MRjF5MNlAb3CbbJiXJRVYBojbEqVs1ftHCXZPHxxSaXV7L0lN-Ki1PmEa0mj0kmmfr4x8BBKFmzZMHcApdWRJawOuA/s320/2001_a_space_odyssey_hello_dave1.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>The second thing is that there is very little explanation to several aspects of the story: What relevance do the monoliths have and what are they? Why does a billion dollar super-computer decide to kill everyone? Was Kubrick on a acid trip when he dreamt up the last 20 minutes? Perhaps this is just my own inquisitive tendencies asking for clarification of some plot points, points that I knew very well thanks to the books, that were straining to find any form of resolution here. When there is simply too much that is not explained it annoys me. In an interview, Kubrick noted that "the film becomes anything the viewer sees in it." This idea has always been an adversary of mine as I think it is a lazy way of not thinking up a true meaning and reminds me of something Ashley Simpson once said to cover up the lack of lyrics in one of her choruses. However, I will admit that a little mystery does create suspense, interest and gets the public talking and creating their own ideas, which I suppose is a good thing.<br />
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Besides those two gripes, the film is a good watch. You really feel the life-or-death tension when HAL starts to malfunction. His voice is always so came and controlled yet his actions shout volumes - truely scray. A stand-out scene contains the slow progress of understanding when the ape-man discovers he can use bones as a weapon - it is wonderfully acted. <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The music is phenomenal - no one has heard of </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;">Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" but play the notes C, G, C in the right timing and everyone will make a resounding "da da" as they continue the tune.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"> It perfectly emulates the ecstacy of the understanding of the ape-men. "The Blue Danube" makes the spacecraft docking sequences feel like a choreographed ballet and the screeching, electronic, dischords suitably agitate the awaiting audience during the blackouts. This is a very well crafted soundscape.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Overall, this was a good film but created too many qualms to be considerd great. Perhaps if I had not read the book and come at this with no understanding of the story it would have appeared more exotic or captivating. Fantastic production design, amazing attention to detail and memorable music but falls short on pacing and explanations.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Movie - 5</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Film - 8</span></div>The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-19457520124603155202011-05-06T15:11:00.003+09:302011-06-07T08:38:26.117+09:30Top 250 - Sunrise: A Song Of Two Humans (1927)Artistically spectacular yet morally unsettling, 'Sunrise' is a fairytale full of matrimonial hardships and reconciliation.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2cGxJkHoixcofv5oxT2kTNoJ1D9hq-jgBaXrOlQISO4UIa7YPXgR206yZZY38k2-BmYMoRdxIoxOiBKNNc9XdzZYwq9H1KsCKLeXrBglNK9MpouWYgy-wKphrjmMhMuKcqD3ndrFWtI/s1600/b70-10520.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2cGxJkHoixcofv5oxT2kTNoJ1D9hq-jgBaXrOlQISO4UIa7YPXgR206yZZY38k2-BmYMoRdxIoxOiBKNNc9XdzZYwq9H1KsCKLeXrBglNK9MpouWYgy-wKphrjmMhMuKcqD3ndrFWtI/s320/b70-10520.jpeg" width="204" /></a></div>For the first time since starting this challenge, I was definitely out of my comfort zone with 'Sunrise,' given that I hadn't heard of the film, director or any cast members before the start of opening credits. It does, however, give me the most unbiased and non-preferential perspective from which to write this review. Unfortunately for Murnau, 'Sunrise' holds another first - I wasn't completely bowled over. Don't get me wrong, the use of visual trickery is as beautiful and innovative as anything up to George Lucas' 1977 movie about forces, robots and an asthmatic Batman, but my main issue is that storyline holds very little realism when the plot deals with such sensitive subjects as domestic violence and adultery and is therefore open to all kinds of interpretation.<br />
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The film follows 'The Man' and 'The Wife, the former tempted away from the latter by the enticing 'The Woman From the City' (they really did have original names back then) who convinces The Man that the only way for them to be together will be to set up an 'accidental' drowning for his Wife. Just seconds from committing the deed, The Man realises how foolish and misguided he is being, but not before The Wife cottons on to his intentions and makes a break for it onto a tram and into the city, given chase by The Man.<br />
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Here comes my only complaint - within 5 minutes of arriving in the city, The Man has been forgiven and the remaining two thirds are spent getting a shave & a haircut, a professional photograph and dancing the night away. How easy is it to be forgiven in the 1920's? "I'm sorry I lied to you" - yes. "I'm so sorry I committed adultery" - maybe. "I'm sorry I tried to murder you" - what the hell? Surely it would take more than a coffee, cake and some cuddling to let that one slip. On the other hand, the mise en scene and pacing of this film certainly evoke a fairytale atmosphere, so such unrealistic occurrences may be forgiven. The slow, deliberate movements of the characters in the opening third is almost like watching a filmed play; The exaggerated actions create a dream-like state, that, when coupled with the eerie, mist-filled sets and camera trickery confirm the fairytale perception. I suppose in the realms of fantasy I could let my only qualm lie. After the forgiveness, this has to be one of the greatest films about love in cinema history: the unflinching lovers' walk into traffic as they stare into each others' eyes; the pure jealousy shown by both parties at the barber's; the constant romantic gestures - they are the couple that you are friends with who you cannot bear to watch.<br />
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Despite the melodramatic overtones, a lighthearted spirit shines through. Where else from this time period can you find the pursuit of a drunken pig through a fairground dance-hall no more than half an hour after a horrifying attempted murder? Although this film may be morally ambiguous and certainly cannot be taken literally, it is a wonderful fairytale of the renewal of romance. Watch it, but leave your scepticism at the door.<br />
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Movie - 6<br />
Film - 9The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-59566730655440580532011-04-25T18:43:00.002+09:302011-06-07T08:39:31.265+09:30Review - The Tourist (2011)OK, so I know the main reason for this blog is to post my reviews of the IMDB Top 250 list and expand my knowledge of film but I watched a movie yesterday and simply had to give my opinion.<br />
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Why on Earth did these two versatile and respectable actors sign up for this piece of crap?!? OK, so there's the money but they could at least think of the dent in their reputations too. And maybe they'd always wanted to work with each other but they could have held out for something that won't go straight into the bargain bin at Blockbuster. I only bothered with movie this because my girlfriend, Sophie, had been visiting Venice at the time of production and she happened upon Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie filming 20 meters across a canal from her and wanted to spot the scene when we watched it. Wow, were we disappointed.<br />
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For those who know nothing about this movie, it is a spy thriller based around the mysterious and beautiful Elise (Jolie), the mistress of a mafia accountant who steals 2 billion before going on the run and undergoing facial reconstruction surgery. He communicates through cryptic letters, sending her on a train from Paris to Venice and persuading her to set-up an innocent bystander by making the gangsters and police think that he is the real Alexander thus letting them be free to start a new life. Enter Frank (Depp), an American tourist travelling after the death of his wife, who Elise chooses for the set-up. But, of course, they fall for each other and he gets involved in a world of espionage and danger. The only thing the characters (and the audience) have to figure out is: who is Alexander? Oh, and WHY THE HELL AM I WATCHING THIS?<br />
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Now, I won't give that away just in case you still want to watch it after reading this but don't be surprised when you see the credits roll and think to yourself that you've seen better twists in a Pulp Fiction dance-a-like contest where all the participants were paraplegics. The story doesn't flow, the acting is emailed-in (I won't give them as much credit as a phoned-in performance), there is no chemistry between the leads whatsoever and why are Paul Bettany and Rufus Sewell even in this film? It was uninspiring, at times ridiculous and never at all captivating. I only hope Angelina and Johnny learn something from this: respect yourselves, please.<br />
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Movie - 4<br />
Film - 2The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-38076548212369352262011-04-25T17:29:00.003+09:302011-06-07T08:39:55.413+09:30Top 250 - The General (1926)A masterpiece of cinematography and adventure storytelling - "The General" is the definition of how action should have been done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazCC-kD-5ykBI2ccgO9K4iWnbD3trmQ4YIi9lmxOFoR-HI7k4yajT0jjWzjVL0DlC3s4fRA-7CxGlWuxmL9QUcXWyvEGfwUtfn_eqt4xlTIWQ5M9ytlxJJTTNx8sqJCK8nHG5nPZNYCg/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazCC-kD-5ykBI2ccgO9K4iWnbD3trmQ4YIi9lmxOFoR-HI7k4yajT0jjWzjVL0DlC3s4fRA-7CxGlWuxmL9QUcXWyvEGfwUtfn_eqt4xlTIWQ5M9ytlxJJTTNx8sqJCK8nHG5nPZNYCg/s320/images.jpeg" width="229" /></a></div>It shows my complete ignorance of silent film (and American history) to say that I went into this picture thinking Keaton was playing a famous general, or at least, that a general of some kind was part of the story, perhaps somewhere along the lines of Chaplin's Dictator (this was also, I'd like to note, before I'd seen the cover to your left). I was right in some measure. There certainly was a general or two on screen, given the context of the American Civil War, however, the 'General' of the title is a locomotive engine, captured by Union troops and used to destroy communications and railroads in an attempt to win the war for the North. Luckily for the Confederates, Keaton's Johnnie Gray was the General's conductor at the time and chased tirelessly, not only to liberate his beloved train from the Union but to give warning to the Confederacy and bring the advancing troops to a standstill. And whilst there may be a change of names and a little dramatisation, OK more than a little, the story doesn't waver too far from the events of the 'Great Locomotive Chase' of 1862, a hijack that resulted in the first medal of honor recipient.<br />
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Before watching 'The General', my only knowledge of Buster Keaton was a vague memory of a channel 4 list show (greatest movie stunts/comedy moments/worst cameo - something like that) and how he managed to be standing in the exact window space of the side of a falling-down house, as to not become instantly crushed. That and he shares his name with an above average Batman. Following the two Chaplin master works was indeed a formidable challenge but Johnnie Gray was certainly up to the challenge. It was also a timely reminder that, after watching a disappointingly bland 'Unstoppable' considering the powerhouse of the Scott/Washington/Pine combo, adventure films set on trains can actually be exciting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are introduced to Johnnie's 'two loves' right from the offset, his precious General and Annabelle, the sister of one of the first men to enlist when the civil war reaches home, causing Johnnie to quickly do he same. When he is refused for being too valuable to the South as a train-driver, she is heartbroken to find out (from her brother) that he didn't even try to enlist and is a coward. These kind of confusions work fantastically to vex the audience in many films as such simple measures can be taken to ensure understandings are made but it never happens - if Johnnie had simply asked why he had been rejected he could have returned proud to be of assistance and Annabelle would have never been offended by his cowardice. However, it can be argued that this misunderstanding helps turn Johnnie's passion for approval into the fuel he needs to single-handedly chase a dozen armed soldiers, rescue the girl and prevent a bloody ambush.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The film proceeds almost like a series of set pieces: there's the hilarious enlisting attempts, the misfiring canon, the acrobatics with sleepers, running over the train... the list goes on. Keaton's fearlessness and determination to achieve the most exciting stunts regularly left him close to death. As shown in the clip above, he would tell his cameramen to stop shooting until he "yelled cut or was killed". These moments remind me of Jackie Chan - another stuntman-turned-actor who received innumerous broken bones and injuries all the sake of his art. And of course what review would be complete without mentioning that the finale - the destruction of a flaming bridge when it collapses under the weight of a train - was the most expensive silent-movie stunt in history. If that wasn't enough, there is no lingering, slow-motion, multiple camera angle, look-at-me-look-at-me editing. It is simply a single long-shot, unfolding this part of the story and then we move on. It takes guts to spend that much money and use the footage exactly as it is required.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having no other experience of Keaton's movies, I cannot say if 'The General' is one of his best or just another outstanding production by a master of timing, adventure and comedy, but it has certainly earned it's place on the top 250 list. And unless I encounter spectacle after spectacle from the IMDB's users' favourite films, I am sure this will end up in my top 30. Enjoy....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Movie - 8</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Film - 8</div>The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-89350098820694837622011-04-05T14:12:00.003+09:302011-06-07T08:40:08.202+09:30Top 250 - The Gold Rush (1925)<span id="goog_1650787842"></span><span id="goog_1650787843"></span><b>***Warning - May Contain Spoilers*** </b><br />
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A tale of hardship, friendship and love in turn of the century Alaska - Chaplin continues to win over.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUYegQ7L7AwxYi83v1rzhd1IWVIJmkUcWDdtNAEjj_o8eN6nE236P5cqB1klvq1YHGrrkAEkbtFl1j3tD06ZdzDYLhKFedO6SusP5qY_EX-mvxaEkxWmy1fWWXgV03njfy7GKjA_be0c/s1600/goldrushlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUYegQ7L7AwxYi83v1rzhd1IWVIJmkUcWDdtNAEjj_o8eN6nE236P5cqB1klvq1YHGrrkAEkbtFl1j3tD06ZdzDYLhKFedO6SusP5qY_EX-mvxaEkxWmy1fWWXgV03njfy7GKjA_be0c/s320/goldrushlogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the film Chaplin most wanted to be remembered for and it certainly contains some of his most memorable moments: The Tramp eating his own shoe for Thanksgiving dinner, the elegant 'Oceana Roll' dance (perhaps more recognisable to a younger audience from Johnny Depp's rendition in "Benny and Joon" (1993)), the balancing-act on the edge of a cliff that Michael Caine would be proud of.... the list goes on.<br />
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Following the standard rule of Hollywood, "The Gold Rush" consists of three pretty distinct thirds, almost separate shorts in their own right. The first and final thirds are set in the wilds of Alaska and are certainly the most unforgettable. The film opens as Chaplin is trying to make his fortune in prospecting but like the thousands who ventured into the north unprepared, the going is tough and he is forced to take shelter with Big Jim McKay, a fellow prospector, and Black Larson, a murderer on the run and out to find his own treasure. After fighting for the right to the shack, they agree to share the cabin but soon fall prey to their hunger after days of storms and in deciding who must go on the hunt, Larson draws the low card. When Larson doesn't return, the duo's hunger creates two ingenious scenes - Big Jim's hallucinations of The Tramp as a giant chicken with a hilarious chase ensuing, and the classic shoe-eating routine, something Chaplin carries out with the manner and grace of a lord. His own search for perfection resulted in near tragedy when after innumerous takes eating the licorice boot, he was rushed to hospital with stomach pains. These scenes show his comedic essence - slapstick that couldn't be timed more perfectly with an atomic clock, his ingenuity and creativity (who else would follow a paper compass) and his determination to overcome everything from angry killers and bears to the freezing cold and hunger.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"></div>The central segment is set in a small prospecting town and introduces us to Chaplin's love interest, Georgia, a sassy city girl torn between her mean, strong and overzealous lover and the sweet and besotted Tramp. Initially, Georgia and her friends don't take The Tramp's affection seriously and play a trick on him by promising to attend his new year's eve party. This episode proves the most heart-breaking yet delightful as it shows us The Tramp's devotion to his sweetheart with the hard work and detail that goes into the planning, which ultimately ends with him watching the town's festivities from his cabin through empty eyes. The only consolidation is found when he dreams that the night pans out exactly as it is supposed to, culminating in the spectacular 'Oceana Roll Dance.' The only way to describe the beauty of this piece of cinematic history would be to say it would be as hard as explaining the elgance of the Mona Lisa. Just watch it!<br />
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How the film ends I will not divulge, however, I will say that the near-death experience involving a cabin teetering on the edge of a cliff is as worthy a climactic scene as this masterpeice deserves - hilarious, wonderfully executed and including some special effects that would look good in a movie 60 years on. This has become one of my favourite films a mere 86 years after it was released. If you have never seen a silent film, make Chaplin your first - either this or "The Kid." Most people would recognise his Tramp even if they've never been near one of his films, he's the Ronald McDonald of cinema: you know who he is even if you've never eaten at McDonald's. A character for the working class that so many can associate with - loyal, tireless, loving and with a charming ignorance, The Tramp makes "The Gold Rush" unforgettable and timeless.<br />
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Movie - 8<br />
Film - 7The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-57034504741704527822011-03-27T11:03:00.003+10:302011-06-07T08:40:31.296+09:30Movie VS Film - My Rating SystemYou may have noticed that the last remark on my review of "The Kid" is a rating out of ten for 'movie' and 'film.' This is something I devised back in my radio days when I had a half hour slot on Radio Hampshire reviewing new releases, posing trivia quesions and giving various top tens in my 'movie trailer' voice. I am by no means the first person to differentiate between a movie and a film but I can almost certainly lay claim to be the creator of the movie/film rating system.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uCwCqd4NAbK4TtlrQXCUWl7NRd8Y4lcYD9bB3moMxVt-lX2o-ad8qDNtDGtqPdrIV075Htl0n-keV62bcauFfRZidF6ZsfZxKeGGbA311pLZ8KgiGJwZ9CquHjTMAkcn1b9B7QwS9bI/s1600/transformers-trailer-screenshots-_0067_layer-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uCwCqd4NAbK4TtlrQXCUWl7NRd8Y4lcYD9bB3moMxVt-lX2o-ad8qDNtDGtqPdrIV075Htl0n-keV62bcauFfRZidF6ZsfZxKeGGbA311pLZ8KgiGJwZ9CquHjTMAkcn1b9B7QwS9bI/s320/transformers-trailer-screenshots-_0067_layer-32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Bay's "Transformers" - Movie 10, Film 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But first, for those lost by this point, let me explain what I mean by movie/film. Of course I am working in generalisations, but a 'movie' is something that you go to watch at the cinema with a group of mates, lots of popcorn and with the expectation of being entertained, be that through Ryan Reynold's new comedy, The Rock's current blow-everything-up-but-has-no-plot movie or Meryl Streep singing with three actors attemping to do the same on a Greek Island. It can be fun, silly and is usually directed by Michael Bay or produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Afterwards you'll be chatting about how hot Megan Fox was, how awesome the fight scenes were or how you can't wait to see the sequal, prequal or remake (Hollywood does enjoy milikng a cashcow). It rarely wins any OSCARs outside of the Sound Design or Visual Effects categories.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spielberg & Neeson - "Schindler's List," Movie 4, Film 10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A film, however, will win whatever OSCARs are left. They are created by auteurs: Hitchcock, Lynch, Allen and Altman, and they can usually be found at your local Art House cinema, or on the smaller screens at your multiplex. Historical dramas, melodramas and anything with enough social or polital context to actually mean something fall under this category and they are much preferred by people wanting to enjoy well developed characters, meaningful storylines and innovative cinematography.<br />
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Unfortunately things are not that black and white. First, audiences can be subdivided by their age, sex, ethnicity, social background and any number of other factors to change their view on a film. "Mammi Mia" could rate number 1 in any pensioner's top films of the last decade but most teenage boys would laugh at the idea of even watching it. So the rating you see is the opinion of a 25 year old film and movie fan. Second, a motion-piction can be both a movie and a film at the same time. It would be hard for anyone to give "Resident Evil: Extinction" a film rating of more than 2 or 3 but it would be almost impossible to get 90 percent of the general movie-going audeince (18 - 30 year old, lower or middle class men) to watch "Ghandi" or "Schindler's List" without there being some kind of woman involved. "Saving Private Ryan" or "Forrest Gump," however, appealled to millions of cinema-goers, boasted fantastic actors, big budgets and adventures that engrossed movie fans of all ages, but they had thought-provoking and meaningful stories, 11 Academy award wins between them and were beautifully and delicately directed.<br />
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Finally, I'd love to hear your opinions on the matter. If I've got it completely wrong - tell me! Comment your movie/film rating and see what others think of that too.The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-58124491874444197782011-03-21T16:12:00.003+10:302011-06-07T08:40:45.290+09:30Top 250 - The Kid (1921)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRLuv1Izal2UuvgAuBjfmb6O1pQHr7LQyJd1j07pdq4i-ne8tzKyh-HoQV5ZPLuYmscuTMfbWLNKZWRSw3DrvJ_EvCHhlq_CvZafdqAvfKai2J9XfEXLfEt-321LDymtsfN6wsVGqqoI/s1600/The_Kid_1921_Poster_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRLuv1Izal2UuvgAuBjfmb6O1pQHr7LQyJd1j07pdq4i-ne8tzKyh-HoQV5ZPLuYmscuTMfbWLNKZWRSw3DrvJ_EvCHhlq_CvZafdqAvfKai2J9XfEXLfEt-321LDymtsfN6wsVGqqoI/s320/The_Kid_1921_Poster_01.jpg" width="197" /></a> <b>Chaplin's hilarious and heart-wrenching dramedy still resonates 90 years on..... beautiful storytelling.</b><br />
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The Kid's opening credits advise that this is "A picture with a smile, and perhaps a tear..." and it certainly does not disappoint. I find it fantastic that a film made in the <span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">adolescence of Hollywood, even before the advent of sound, can still induce laughter in a reviewer who has been </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">desensitized by the innumerable comedies of Stiller, Carrey and Sandler. Or perhaps that is the reason why it was so refreshing. It needs no profanity, no Farrelly-Brothers </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">vulgarity</span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">; only some clever slapstick, witty characters and wonderfully timed set-pieces. It's second claim also does not fall short as the fear eminating from </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">Coogan, </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">Chaplin's fledgling co-star, when he is being dragged off to the orphanage is hard to watch</span></span>. Consdering the age of Coogan, his repertoire of emotions, comic timing and cheeky-faced charm is exceptional. Actually, ignoring his limited experience he is Chaplin's equal.<br />
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The story revolves around 3 characters: Chaplin's 'Tramp', the 'Kid' and his mother, who abandoned him as a baby. The Tramp takes him in and 5 years later, we see they have become partners in crime, scamming whoever they can find and living a modest but comfortable life. Meanwhile, the mother has become a Hollywood star and has all but forgotten about her unwanted baby. A little trouble with the law threatens the duo with separation and when a chance meeting between mother and son rekindles those lost maternal instincts, she puts up a reward for his return. Of course, you'll have to watch it to find out how it ends. <br />
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This is a captivating story of life, loss and love.<br />
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Movie Rating -8<br />
Film Rating - 7The Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314806416709256848.post-5187499805404753362011-03-18T10:48:00.002+10:302011-06-07T08:41:04.935+09:30Welcome To My UniverseWelcome to the new blog by The Film Genie, previously just 'Genie', created partly to encourage my film consumption and partly to share my opinions with those who want to hear, chat about, agree with, contradict and demolish them. If all goes well, I'm starting a Masters in Film this October so I thought I'd brush up on my film experience and knowledge, as well as my critical and analytical skills by watching the current (Jan 2011) IMDB Top 250.<br />
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Seems like a big challenge, well thanks to a new website I discovered (http://www.listsofbests.com/person/Jon_Hunter) I can keep track easily - I didn't realise I was already on 40% so there's a time-saving bonus straight away. I'll be reviewing each film as I watch it too so look out for the 150 or so reviews arriving, optimistically, by the start of my first term. I'm also working through them chronologically as my current expertise spends way too much time in the Bay/Rodriguez sector, skims through Spielburg, Tarantino and Burton and falls particulary short around Ford/Hitchcock/Eisenstein and most other names relevant to a true understanding of the film industry.<br />
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Anyway, Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid" (1921) coming soon.....<br />
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The Film GenieThe Film Geniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084499497107696784noreply@blogger.com1