Hollywood Soundscapes: Film Sound Style, Craft and Production in the Classical Era
Book
The technical crafts of sound in classical Hollywood cinema have, until recently, remained largely...
Cleo De 5 a 7
Book
Cleo de 5 a 7, Agnes Varda's classic 1962 work depicts, in near real-time, ninety minutes in the...
James P. Sumner (65 KP) rated Yesterday (2019) in Movies
Jul 18, 2019
The trailer did a good job of letting you know what to expect without giving too much away, believe it or not. There are a few twists and turns along the way, which were a nice surprise. Ultimately, this IS a British rom-com underneath it all, and the final third is as predictable as every other film in the genre.
Yet this film oozes charm and whimsicality, and sets itself apart from everything that's come before it. Say what you want about Love Actually, but for me, that was the last British film to really make a splash on this level - which was 16 years ago!
The script is amazing. No scene feels unnecessary. No dialogue feels pointless. Richard Curtis, yet again, proves he's a true master of his craft. The lead roles are perfectly cast. Lily James, in particular, puts in another great performance, showing she's worthy of more heavyweight roles (although she's definitely found her niche in this type of film).
What I really loved about this film was how thought-provoking it was. Relative newcomer, Himesh Patel's portrayal of Jack Malek is spot-on, playing with your own emotions and morals, forcing you to ask yourself if you could remain as grounded and humble as he did if something like this happened to you. Despite being over the top at times, it all felt surprisingly real. I can imagine this is exactly how it would play out if something like this were to happen to someone - the media frenzy, the explosion of popularity online, the whirlwind of life-changing moments...
The film is about big moments in your life, and what you choose to do with them when they happen. It's about chasing your dreams and what you would do if you caught them. It's about how to follow your heart when it wants two things at once. I left the cinema smiling, but also genuinely thinking about my entire outlook on life.
Danny Boyle has done an excellent job with this film, and it deserves to go down as one of the best British films in recent years. Whether you're a fan of the music or not, this should not be missed. Near perfect!
Rock 'n' Film: Cinema's Dance with Popular Music
Book
Rock 'N' Film presents a cultural history of films about US and British rock music during the period...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Attack the Block (2011) in Movies
Dec 30, 2018
It’s a very B-movie esque horror film, with very low budget, lots of blood and a fairly unknown cast. Of course a lot of the cast have now gone on to bigger things (John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker and Luke Treadaway mainly), but they’re still very good and great to watch in this. The plot is fun and a little bit silly, and the aliens themselves are very well done. They’re creepy and pretty terrifying, without being overly complicated and there’s a lot of good physical effects thrown in here in addition to cgi. The most annoying thing about this film is the language. I completely understand why it has been set on a council estate in London, that’s part of the entertainment, however some of the slang and gang type language grates after a while. It’s difficult to understand and a little bit irritating after a while. Aside from this it’s a very enjoyable low budget horror that’s worth a watch.
Todd Haynes: Interviews
Book
A pioneer of the New Queer Cinema, Todd Haynes (b. 1961) is a leading American independent...
The Great War and the Moving Image
Adrian Smith and Michael Hammond
Book
The Great War and the Moving Image focuses upon the Allied war effort on the Western Front and in...
Andrei Tarkovsky: Interviews
Book
Andrei Tarkovsky (1932-1986) was one of Russia's most influential and renowned filmmakers, despite...
Through Grown-up Eyes: Living with Childhood Fame
Book
Bobby Henrey was eight when he was improbably chosen by film director Carol Reed and producer Sir...
Vanishing Streets: Journeys in London
Book
Vanishing Streets reveals an American writer's twenty-year love affair with London. Beguiling and...