cassidyslair

[cassidyslair]

Blade Runner (1982)

Genre: Action, sci-fi

Date watched: --

Director: Ridley Scott

Production companies: The Ladd Company, Warner Bros., Shaw Brothers

Age certificate: 15

Awards won: BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography, BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design, BAFTA Award for Best Production Design, London Critics Circle Film Award for Special Achievement, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography, etc. 

Favourite scene(s) and why: My favourite scene was the famous ‘tears in the rain’ scene, because I thought it was just an amazing thing to watch. I shows that artificial intelligence has a mind of its own, just in the same way that we do. Roy decides himself to keep Deckard alive, completely defying his nature, as those who created him intended for him to kill. It’s like a protest to the capitalist leaders of the world, perhaps discreetly telling them that he doesn’t agree with them. On top of this, the monologue in this scene is particularly moving, because it shows emotion and pain from the perspective of an artificial being, which I believe to be very important in this film. 

Favourite character(s) and why: My favourite character is Deckard because as viewers, we see him go on a journey of self-discovery. He seems to learn more about himself as the film progresses, showing his development in character. He is also a superbly resilient character, and seems to have traits which suggest he is a very good person. On top of this, he isn’t directly part of the capitalist companies and rulers of the cyber-punk universe, and is instead one of the ordinary, and less fortunate members of society.

Overall thoughts on the film: I thought it brought up some interesting thoughts and debates, so I love looking at topics surrounding the film, too. It was really thought provoking to me, as I have an interest in philosophical and ethical questions. It really challenges an active audience and allows them to seek deeper meanings in the film.

A theme which I find to be most interesting is the human-like qualities that artificial intelligence can possess. We are shown raw emotion portrayed by the replicant characters, which suggests that they are in fact more human than we are made to believe. It brings up the debate ‘is there a way that robots can be perceived as people’ which i find insanely interesting. In my opinion, I think robots can be people, but not humans. I think personality can be separated from humanity and therefore a robot could be perceived as one without being regarded also as the other. Because nature isn’t something which is strictly human (for example other species have basic primal nature), which means robots don’t have to be human in order to have elements of personality, which in turn, makes them a person, because that’s what they were designed according to.

Overall, the film really allows me to use my brain to ponder on things such as this debate, and I can really sit for hours and simply think of ways to get my point across. I think it is extremely eye-opening really, and helps us to understand things about ourselves that we may never have otherwise thought of. I love the whole existential thoughts thing, so it adds a lot more to my list of things to wonder about.

Rating: 3.5/5

[cassidyslair]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Genre: Comedy, adventure

Date Watched: --

Director: Tim Burton

Production Companies: Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, The Zanuck Company

Age Certificate: PG

Awards Won: Empire Award for Best Actor, BAFTA Kids’ Vote, BFCA Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Actor, People’s Choice Award for Favourite Family Movie, Irish Film and Television Award for Best International Film, Young Artist Award for Best Family Feature Film Comedy or Musical, Special Nastro d’Argento, etc. 

Favourite scene(s) and why: My favourite scene is when the children first meet the oompa loompas. I absolutely adore the scenery and set design in this part, I think the aesthetic of the entire set is beautiful and very pleasing to the eye. It really does look appetising, just as it is supposed to, and it somehow looks realistic and believable even though it is utterly fantastical. Also, not to mention, this scene is the start of Wonka’s ‘plan’ to get rid of the children one by one. The CGI in the scene is just amazing and I think it had such a typical Tim Burton vibe, as expected. 

Favourite character(s) and why: My favourite character is Willy Wonka himself because I love how unique and oddly genius he is. He is the perfect representation of a dysfunctional and insane scientist (if, of course, he was a scientist). Though I suppose, in a way, he kind of is. I feel like I would get along with him, somehow. Some part of me thinks he represents Tim Burton himself in a way, a genius with a sometimes disturbing mind. However, this is what makes him so excellent (both of them, to be quite honest). He has a painfully awkward yet extremely hyperactive personality, but it manages to work perfectly.

Overall thoughts on the film: I love the film and its take on the original. I feel like it has more depth and detail, and the character of Willy Wonka is a lot more developed. There is a lot more to pick apart, and much more to marvel at, which is expected of Tim Burton. Despite being set in the past, it seems more modern and relatable, seeming a lot more realistic than ever before. 

I think the unsettling undertone that the film carries throughout makes it so much more interesting and full. Because of this, the film remains enjoyable to both younger and older audiences. In a way, I see it to perhaps represent the corruption in capitalism and even the way that children are harmed through using them for manual labour in factories and mass production. Wonka’s factory also shows oompa loompas which are small people from another planet, which could be a metaphor for the foreign children who are used in ways which could be considered slavery in sweatshops and such, simply for the benefit of richer countries full of capitalist leaderships. The way I interpret it is probably far-fetched, but I think it could be a very interesting thing to look into regarding the film’s concepts and ideas.

Overall, the film makes me think of the things that we take for granted because they are most likely produced at the expense of the poor well being of a child in another country, working overnight to produce things for the better off populations of countries. Of course, this probably is unrelated but I enjoy looking into what a film could possibly mean and even just what it means to me.

Rating: 4/5

[cassidyslair]

Vertigo (1958)

Genre: Mystery, romance, thriller

Date Watched: --

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Production Companies: Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions

Age Certificate: A

Awards Won: National Society of Film Critics Special Citation

Favourite scene(s) and why: My favourite scene is the one where Judy is writing the letter to Scottie to apologise for everything. It is the scene which really explains every question we had before, and helps us to have a deeper understanding of the entire situation at hand. We immediately begin to feel sorry for Judy because she was used as a prop in a murder plot. It becomes obvious that she didn’t want to pretend to be somebody else, and simply wished she could love Scottie without the consequences of the plot following her. In this scene, we can see how poorly treated women were at the time.

Favourite character(s) and why: My favourite character is Judy because I see her as the victim in this film. She was used by a man for something she didn’t want, and became an accessory to murder, which ended up losing her the person she truly loved. She very well represents the way in which Hitchcock loved to control women, and make them out to be disliked, but they were in fact the opposite. Judy is forced to change when she is finally comfortable in herself. Scottie fell in love with her as Madeleine, but it is all she wants to be loved for who she really is. However, Scottie still changes her into the blonde woman which Hitchcock so sought after.

Overall thoughts on the film: I really enjoyed it, considering it is the first movie from the 1950s I’ve ever watched. I was massively impressed by the plot development, and I think that it was a very different theme for movies of that time. It gripped me from the start, even though the main events didn’t happen until later on in the film. It was extremely interesting, and it definitely makes the list of my favourite movies. I don’t expect that any other films we watch in lessons will actually be able to top this one. 

The theme of voyeurism is very present in this film, perhaps representing Hitchcock and his private fantasies. He loved the idea of controlling women and how people looked at them. It was obvious he had a particular type (since all of the women he cast in his films were young, blonde, pretty, and dressed well). A lot of the shots are shown from Scottie’s point of view, showing how he watches ‘Madeleine’ constantly. The fact that we see lots of POV shots from Scottie could also represent male dominance and how men controlled how everything was seen during this time period. This links back to Hitchcock’s attitudes and how he treated actors (mainly females) in the workplace and what he thought of them in general society.

Overall, this film made me think a lot about how society has progressed regarding the roles of women, and how they were treated. Nowadays, we can see women are nowhere near as submissive and willing to comply to everything men want of them. Back then, it was completely different. Men clearly had the upper hand in society and could pretty much do anything they liked with women, which is obviously ridiculously unfair and unjust.

Rating: 4.5/5

[cassidyslair]

The King (2019)

Genre: Drama, history

Date watched: --

Director: David Michod

Production companies: Netflix, Plan B Entertainment, Porchlight Films

Age Certificate: 15

Awards Won: AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor, AACTA Award for Best Costume Design, AACTA Award for Best Production Design, AACTA Award for Best Cinematography

Favourite scene(s) and why: My favourite scene is when The Dauphin and Hal are having a talk in the tent before the battle. I think the body language used and the attitudes they have towards eachother shows how much they really despise eachother. It also shows how confident each leader is that they will win, they have to prove themselves, and they both want to. It also has a comedic element through the dialogue when The Dauphin pokes fun at Hal, trying to ridicule him and rile him up with anger. He seems immature in his gestures and mannerisms, and also unfit to be a leader, so we side with Hal.

Favourite character(s) and why: My favourite character is Hal because he is very determined to fight for his country. He shows courage and perseverance, even when he realises he is at a major disadvantage. He works with his army to find a way around it, and manages to overcome the opposition with his willpower. He never fails to stand up for what he believes in, and speaks his mind no matter the cost. He even has the nerve to speak up against his father when he disagrees with what he’s doing. He is a perfect representation of how a person should be courageous no matter what. 

Overall thoughts about the film: I enjoyed some parts of the film, mainly the parts involving conflict, because I liked how the scenes were set up and positioned for effect, but others were not as attractive to me. This wasn’t because of the placing of the elements but because I just found them kind of boring. This film has a particular audience, and I don’t think I am exactly what they were aiming for. However, I stuck it out because I had heard good things about it. I can definitely see how it would appeal to its target audience. 

The themes of loyalty and friendship are extremely consistent throughout the film, since Hal is always standing up for his country, and even when the rest of his army disagree with his friend, he makes sure the idea is heard nonetheless. Hal doesn’t seem to create close relationships with anybody besides Falstaff, and this is particularly effective in conveying the strength of the bond between them, and how much Hal cares about him. We can recognise that perhaps friendship was the reason that he became so strong and determined to win, and the confidence he had, despite his disadvantages, came from faith in a friend. Even though, to the other soldiers, Falstaff’s idea was gambling the fate of the army, Hal trusted it anyway. 

More than anything, the film made me value the idea of friendship, and how special the trust of a friend is. It showed me that you should always be determined and courageous, and stand up for your friends when you believe in them. Loyalty is shown to be one of the most important things in our lives. 

Rating: 3/5

[cassidyslair]

The Devil All the Time (2020)

Genre: Crime, drama, thriller

Date watched: --

Director: Antonio Campos

Production companies: Nine Stories Productions, Bronx Moving Co.

Age certificate: 18

Awards won: --

Favourite scene(s) and why: My favourite scene is the one where Arvin kills the preacher. The realisation hits the preacher’s face all of a sudden as he knows that Arvin has figured everything out and the effect of this is marvellous! Nevertheless, he still tries to deny it, and makes a very bad job of it, causing Arvin to snap in rage. This is the first time we see Arvin kill someone, too, which makes it especially important to the narrative. It shows us his change in character and sets a more sinister tone for the remaining contents of the film. 

Favourite character(s) and why: My favourite character is Arvin because he is the only one who seems to display rationality in some sense, and is the only one with redeeming qualities. He may commit immoral acts but he does it for good, whereas everyone else is simply doing it because they have been corrupted by religion and society as a whole. Of course, this presents them as victims, but Arvin seems to be the only one who is strong enough to escape the painful reality of corruption. 

Overall thoughts on the film: It is definitely not the type of film I would usually pick out, and I only watched it because I am a fan of a lot of the actors in it, however it ended up being something which I really enjoyed. It was a slow-burner, but I think it shows exactly how corrupt and dangerous religion was to society. The film had a very dark and meaningful message, and captured the pain and suffering which a lot of people during this time dealt with.

The themes of corruption and deceit are very upfront and centre in this film, making it obvious to the viewers what it is trying to express. It shows many instances where Christianity is corrupt and the terrible things it makes people do, so overall it sends a really bad message about religion (which makes me wonder if Christians were offended by it or thought badly of it). The web of lies that they live in is apparent, and everything is concealed with happy smiles. It shows the devastation behind the ‘perfect religious society’ which was often talked about in America during the Second World War until the 1960s. Also, I think the fact they used a predominantly white cast is effective because racism was at its peak, and black people would not have been recognised during this time. I think the casting choice was intentional rather than discriminatory in this film (although that is not the case for many others).

It made me think about how it is important to look beneath the ‘perfect’ things we often see, because there could be so many problems and issues hidden. The corruption is something which is still very real, but thankfully less common in places like churches, although now it is predominantly recognised in the legal system. 

Rating: 4/5

[cassidyslair]

Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

Genre: Fantasy, action, adventure

Date watched: Once a week (or more) since 2009.

Director: Andrew Adamson

Production Companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Walden Media, Ozumi Films.

Year of release: 2008

Age certificate: PG

Awards won: Teen Choice Award for Film- Choice Movie: Action Adventure

Favourite scene(s) and why: My favourite scene is the one before the battle, following the duel between Peter and Miraz. Here, Peter has the opportunity to end Miraz’s life. I love the dialogue in this scene, because I think it is very powerful. Peter hesitates a while before killing Miraz like he was expected to. This causes Miraz to ask “Too cowardly to take a life?”. To which Peter replies, “It’s not mine to take”, passing his sword to Caspian, who was the one betrayed and hurt by Miraz, and the one who wanted him defeated in the first place. It shows Peter’s chivalry and allows Caspian to take a stand to the man who ruined his life. Of course, the events after this scene are not what we expect, but this scene remains powerful nevertheless.

Favourite character(s) and why: My favourite character in this film is Trumpkin. I think he represents how the Narnians felt betrayed by Aslan and the Pevensies, but of course he still appreciates and cares about them. He adds elements of humour to the film, too, since he tends to crack jokes or make sarcastic remarks. He was also a good substitute for Lucy’s partner, Mr. Tumnus in the first film. He is the first Narnian who is directly affected by the Telmarines which is why he may feel especially inclined to help Lucy. 

Overall thoughts on the film: Of course, I will be biased towards this film. It has been my comfort movie for 12 years, since I was 5 years old. It helped me escape from many difficult experiences throughout my childhood. However, I know it doesn’t directly stick to the book written by C.S Lewis. I don’t take this into account, though, because I watched the movie before I read the book (I mean I was literally 5). So, my thoughts on the film are purely based on the film itself. I love it so much, it brought so much action and excitement to my childhood, and yet, even after so many years, I can still feel the adrenaline and happiness surge through when I watch it now. 

The theme of courage is something that is reflected throughout all 3 of the Narnia films, and all of the books, too. It shows younger children the power in being courageous, and how it is always the right thing to be brave. In this film particularly, it shows a young boy, Prince Caspian, escaping the danger which awaits him in his usual environment, and fleeing to somewhere safer. However, he is extremely desperate to get justice for his father, and for the Narnians, so he acts in courage as he works alongside the Pevensies to save the Narnian race. His development of courage is important, because it shows his growth as a character, which is further emphasised in Voyage of the Dawn Treader. 

Because of it’s sentimental value, I rate this film highly, but also because it provides the perfect escapism for people of all ages who enjoy the fantasy genre. It made me think of the power of bravery and courage, and how you can make a massive difference.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

[cassidyslair]

City of God (2002)

Genre: Crime, drama

Date watched: --

Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Katia Lund

Production Companies: O2 Filmes, VideoFilmes, Globo Filmes

Age Certificate: 18

Awards Won: BAFTA Award for Best Editing, British Independent Film Award for Best International Independent Film, Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture- International.

Favourite scene(s) and why: I don’t necessarily have a scene that I liked the most, but the one that stuck with me the most was the attack on Knockout Ned’s family home. I think it made me realise how savage life in the favelas must be, and how hard it is for even a good person like Knockout Ned to stay out of trouble. The fact that he was hurt because of Lil Ze’s wrongdoing is not fair. It shows the cold-blooded violence which was effectively the fuel to living in slums. It also gives the narrative the switch it needs when Knockout Ned finally decides it’s time for him to get his revenge on those who hurt him.

Another scene which sticks out to me is the first kills we see from Lil Dice (alternatively known as Lil Ze). It immediately establishes him as a detestable and violent character through his maniacal grin. His first experience of murder seems to bring thorough joy and satisfaction to him, which seems to be a distinguishing trait throughout the rest of the film, when he becomes Lil Ze. 

Favourite character(s) and why: My favourite character is Benny because he seems different to all the other hoodlums. It is refreshing to see someone with non-violent intentions and with a kind heart. Benny, like Rocket (the narrator) desires to escape the harsh life in the favela, and always tries his best to keep Lil Ze as rational and reasonable as possible. If Benny hadn’t have been there, as we see after his death, there would have been a lot more innocent lives taken by Lil Ze. 

Overall thoughts on the film: Overall, I actually enjoyed the film. I wasn’t expecting to, because action and gangster films usually aren’t my pick (I prefer fantasy), but this one really surprised me. My favourite thing about it was the fact that Rocket, who is our narrator, is in a neutral position, so we aren’t actually expected to pick a side, we are simply observing.

This relates to the theme of observation in the film. In many different shots we see things which position us as observers, meaning we are watching all the action unfold without intervening. This is seen in the flat scene, where the camera stays in a fixed position, making it look like we are sat watching the apartment slowly change over time, as different people occupy it. It also helps that the story is narrated by someone like Rocket, who remains neutral throughout the film and constantly observes events (as symbolised by his camera and his interest in photography). It shows City of God to be an unconventional gangster film because usually, we are positioned to favour one of the opposing teams. I like that it has a sort of individuality in that sense. Another relevant theme is obviously violence, which is constantly before us when watching the film. Almost everything we see is an example which feeds into the theme of violence. 

The film made me think about how fortunate I am to have white privilege and to live in an area where I don’t have to fear for my life every single day. It really made me realise how awful other people’s lives are, and how lucky I am.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars.

[cassidyslair]

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Genre: Fantasy, drama, war

Date watched: --

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

Production companies: Estudios Picasso, Tequila Gang, Esperanto Filmoj, Telecinco, Sententia Entertainment, Wild Bunch, CafeFX, OMM

Year of release: 2006

Age certificate: 15

Awards won: Academy Award for Best Production Design, Goya Award for Best New Actress, BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Goya Award for Best Cinematography, Goya Award for Best Original Screenplay, Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Goya Award for Best Special Effects, Ariel Award for Best Actress, Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography, BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, and more....

Favourite scene(s) and why: My favourite scene was the final scene where Vidal was met with the rebels, who were stood in unity against him. I loved this because it showed how isolated Vidal was, along with his fascist regime. It effectively conveyed how people were not willing to conform to someone as evil and cruel as him. The use of lighting in this scene is particularly effective because of the low-key, blue tinged light which envelopes Vidal. In contrast, there is a halo effect of yellow light above the rebels, which shows that they are a symbol of hope for many.

Another scene which stands out is the death of the doctor. It encapsulates the attitude that many socialists had towards the fascist rule during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. The doctor disobeys what Vidal had asked him to do, showing his resilience and opposition to the strong extremist views that he was being commanded by. 

Favourite character(s) and why: My favourite character is Mercedes because she represents the idea that women can escape the grasps of contemporary society. I think, through displaying her in the way that he did, Del Toro created a very intelligent and cunning woman who managed to go behind the backs of fascist leaders to stand up for what she believed in. 

Overall thoughts on the film: I think, aesthetically, the film was amazing. I loved the way the makeup and costume was used to make everything come to life. I think the constant references to women and the element of power it carries with this is excellent. It has a way of proving that fascism never works, there is always room for error, and that eventually there will be failure. 

This relates closely to the themes which are relevant to the plot and aesthetics of Pan’s Labyrinth. One of the themes I find to be the most significant is fascism, unsurprisingly. The strong and set beliefs which Vidal holds dear are represented not only through his actions, but through symbols like his uniform, and his affinity with shaving. Both of these suggest a very precise and controlled life, much like the structure of fascism. Things must always be in order, and Vidal must also be completely organised. Another theme which I think is important is the idea of fantasy vs reality. Throughout the film, we see clear distinctions between the fantasy realm, and the bleak-looking reality. The colour palettes are entirely contrasting. The fantasy realm is brimming with rich colours such as deep reds and golden tones. However, when Ofelia is back in her normal life, everything is shadowed and etched in sullen blue light. This reflects her views on her real life, and shows us how much she desires to escape from its pain and misery. 

This film made me focus on the uprising against fascism, and made me think about ways to overcome or challenge an idea when faced with extremism. It really shows the negatives and poor execution of fascism itself.

Rating: 4/5 stars.

[cassidyslair]

Introduction To The Blog!:

Hi! 

My name is Cassidy, and I’m currently studying A-Level Film Studies. 

I made this blog so I can keep track of all the films I’ve been watching so I can: 1. Properly establish which genre of films I like the most, and 2. Track my progress in film analysis and hopefully improve my skills.

I hope this is as informative and helpful for others as it is for me :)