Pathology

Not a bad film, not for those that are squemish though! I dont think the acting of the main character was all that good and I kinda predicted what was going to happen. I think it tried to do the Se7en thing but the impact was no where near, I didn't feel as much sympathy for the victims at all. On a cinematography point of a view I thought there were some great shots in the film and I liked the overall cold look the DP obviously tried to put across, it seemed a little de-saturated with the contrast reduced to give a flatter look, I think the film was shot HD as most new films are heading for this option due to budget, but I could be wrong. Ekkehart Pollack is the cinematographer, I will definitely be checking out some of his work.

The Ruins

Just watched this film, and I felt the need to write about it because I thought it was a pile of ****. I thought the acting was good but the whole film is a let down. I would have gone for a more isolated and psychological feel between the characters. I liked the idea of isolation and mysteriousness but it just didn't seem to be pulled off enough. It's almost like a horror comedy for all the wrong reasons. Anyway that's just my opinion some may like it but it wasn't my cup of tea!

In Bruges

Just watched this and thoroughly enjoyed it, the comedy in it is quality and right up my street, however I do think the film could have been a little shorter. Bruges looks like a well nice place as well, wouldn't mind going over there sometime! From the guy that done Six Shooter. Recommend watching it! Colin Farell plays a well good part.

Synopsis:

Bruges, the most well-preserved medieval city in the whole of Belgium, is a welcoming destination for travellers from all over the world. But for hit men Ray and Ken, it could be their final destination; a difficult job has resulted in the pair being ordered right before Christmas by their London boss Harry to go and cool their heels in the storybook Flemish city for a couple of weeks. Very much out of place amidst the gothic architecture, canals, and cobbled streets, the two hit men fill their days living the lives of tourists. Ray, still haunted by the bloodshed in London, hates the place, while Ken, even as he keeps a fatherly eye on Ray's often profanely funny exploits, finds his mind and soul being expanded by the beauty and serenity of the city. But the longer they stay waiting for Harry's call, the more surreal their experience becomes, as they find themselves in weird encounters with locals, tourists, violent medieval art, a dwarf American actor shooting a European art film, Dutch prostitutes, and a potential romance for Ray in the form of Chloë, who may have some dark secrets of her own. And when the call from Harry does finally come, Ken and Ray's vacation becomes a life-and-death struggle of darkly comic proportions and surprisingly emotional consequences

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Another film I watched a few weeks back was Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, I wasn't too keen to watch it at first but the first 5 mins got me engaged immediatly, It was totally unexpected and I love it when you watch a film that you don't know anything about at all. The title sequence was something I really liked and it reminded me of the late great Saul Bass. Robert Downey Jr is quality and Val Kilmer is great, he kind of has that Ari Gold thing from Entourage going on a little. The film is very funny and well directed. Quick Synopsis:

"A murder mystery brings together a private eye, a struggling actress, and a thief masquerading as an actor."

Watch it!

Dead Mans Shoes

Recently I watched Dead Man's Shoes, a film by Shane Meadows, I've previously seen This is England and Room For Romeo Brass by Shane Meadows and this one didn't disappoint either. Quick synopsis:

"A disaffected soldier (Considine) returns to his hometown to get even with the thugs who brutalized his mentally-challenged brother (Kebbell) years ago."

The film is very dark and Paddy Considine plays yet another great role. I particularly like the scene where Sonny see's Richard this is where you realize how far this man will go as he shows no fear. The acid scene is unreal and very disturbing as well.

My favourite thing in the film was how natural the characters where and there interaction with each other, I watched the extra features and realizied Shane Meadows doesn't really work with scripts and storyboarding, but relies merely on the improvisation. The film was defintly shot on a small budget and the audio is not of great quality in areas but I think this enhances the film somewhat with the natural dialogue between Sonny, Al and the lads. The locations are fantastic and they reminds me of a few places back home that would make fantastic locations for a film. Which is something that has always inspired and influenced me. It just goes to show you don't need a large budget to make a great film.

No Country for Old Men

Saw this a few weeks back and although I thought it was a good film in parts it just didn't seem to explain enough for me, the ending never came to anything although it left you thinking afterwards which I did like. I thought Javier Bardem played a really good antagonist and thats what made this film shine. I'd give it a 7/10 and would still recommend it as a watch.

Directed by the Coen Brothers.

In rural Texas, welder and hunter Llewelyn Moss discovers the remains of several drug runners who have all killed each other in an exchange gone violently wrong. Rather than report the discovery to the police, Moss decides to simply take the two million dollars present for himself. This puts the psychopathic killer, Anton Chigurh, on his trail as he dispassionately murders nearly every rival, bystander and even employer in his pursuit of his quarry and the money. As Moss desperately attempts to keep one step ahead, the blood from this hunt begins to flow behind him with relentlessly growing intensity as Chigurh closes in. Meanwhile, the laconic Sherrif Ed Tom Bell blithely oversees the investigation even as he struggles to face the sheer enormity of the crimes he is attempting to thwart

The Orphanage

I've just watched, The Orphanage and I've decided to write about it on my blog. I thought it was a brilliant film that was really well directed. It's geniunely creepy in some parts and the acting is excellent, there is a very creepy atmosphere throughout the film, in the same vein as Pans Labyrinth which coincidentally was directed by Guillermo Del Toro, he however Produced this and is directed by Juan Antonio Bayona. Some of the shots will have a big influence on my short 6 minute film, which I hope I can give a similar feeling of atmosphere.

The film did feel like it dragged a little in parts but this only adds to the films atmosphere, its defintly better paced towards the end of the film when her Husband leaves her in the orphanage alone. The ending is fantastic and don't be put off by the subtitles. Go and see it!

Interview with J.A Bayona and Sergio Sanchez on The Orphanage