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CREWING FOR MOVIES 4 – BACKGROUND

1986-1999 The concept behind The Thing Under the Bed (1986) was that there was a monster under the bed and he wanted to consume the living. I was four. I was also the writer, director and director of photography for this, my first short movie. I also played the monster. This was the beginning of a tradition ofContinue reading “CREWING FOR MOVIES 4 – BACKGROUND”

THE IMITATION GAME

Alan Turing is one of the most important minds in history – a father of invention. He invented a machine that became the modern computer. But why did he do this? Enigma. Enigma is the name of the Nazi code system and machine for all of their communications during World War 2. An unbreakable codeContinue reading “THE IMITATION GAME”

HAWKING (2004)

Benedict Cumberbatch portrays a bright kid with a passion for knowledge, mown down by a degenerative disease. We begin with two scientists who are about to accept an award for a discovery. The Nobel Prize. Stephen endures the science of what we now believe. Which he is destined to shatter with his own discovery. InContinue reading “HAWKING (2004)”

THE FIFTH ESTATE

Telling the main story in flashbacks has failed consistently in its effectiveness in contemporary films. We have seen this in the weaknesses of The Social Network and The Iron Lady and in most biopics. They have won awards from antiquated institutions by using stale stylistic flourishes, ways of making that have worked in the past.Continue reading “THE FIFTH ESTATE”

Earth X – the first installment in a series about the history of theMarvel Universe and a possible end to it

Uatu is the Watcher, he has become blind so he recruits a new watcher. X-51 is an android who thinks he is a man. He was a hero for a time, operating under the name, Machine Man. The problem that mankind faces today is that due to unknown factors, the entire populace has mutated. EverybodyContinue reading “Earth X – the first installment in a series about the history of theMarvel Universe and a possible end to it”

BIG KAHUNA

Understated. This film is a minimalist – almost a video stage play about travelling salesmen, set at a convention. It’s about what you can tell about someone from a handshake. What you can learn about each other – three men sitting in a hotel room for a day. Phil (Danny DeVito) as the kind andContinue reading “BIG KAHUNA”

THE BIG SHORT (2015)

This film, together with Margin Call (2011) are the best depiction available of the subject matter; the real estate crash of (2007-2012) and the shudder of the world’s economy. One of the coolest things about this film is the way it is truly accessible for people with all kinds of backgrounds, especially considering the complexityContinue reading “THE BIG SHORT (2015)”

THE COLLECTION (2012)

Polished B-horror of a serial killer nature, but not much fun. Stock standard build-up and introduction of genre-typical characters. The innocent, self-effacing loser who is in love with the reluctant gentle heroine, Elena (Emma Fitzpatrick) whose best friend is the slut. The asshole ex-boyfriend, and we all know what happens to the despicable character. LookingContinue reading “THE COLLECTION (2012)”

BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013)

Parenthood is depressing, unlike the romanticism of the first meeting on the train. This film is depressing until Jesse (Ethan Hawke) starts talking about his writing – with the passion almost as full as it was in the first film (Before Sunrise.) The viewer may anticipate the terrible American faux pa at the dinner table,Continue reading “BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013)”

PAY IT FORWARD (2000)

Although I much prefer the grownup version of Haley Joel Osment to the pouty little prick from Sixth Sense, Helen Hunt as Arlene, Jim Caviezel (Jerry) and Kevin Spacey are brilliant in this movie. I re-watched this recently, and it’s nothing if not entertaining. I love the Utopian theme, but it could have been farContinue reading “PAY IT FORWARD (2000)”