Tag: actress

Categories
Uncategorised

Disney Animated Classics: Numbers 21-25 Ranking

This post looks at the film that continues the Disney legacy after his death. All of the films from now on are conceptualised and created without any input from Disney at all. We see a surge in humanised animals with some films pulling this off more successfully than others. This period was quite a dark time for the studio because the films were not well-received critically with the exception of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. I still enjoyed watching all of these films when I was younger and although they may not rank as highly as others have, there is plenty to love about these offerings.

Here are the previous rankings:

Films 1-5

Films 6-10

Films 11-15

Films 16-20

Let’s go ahead and look at Disney films 21-25:

21) Robin Hood (1973)

The first film post-Disney is another Medieval tale. The story of Robin Hood, the man who stole from the rich to give to the poor in a bid to rebel against the corrupt, thumb-sucking Prince John, is retold with animals. The film contains repeated sequences such as the dance scene taken from Snow White as well as familiar characters such as Robin’s sidekick, Little John, who is just like Baloo from The Jungle Book (both characters were voiced by Phil Harris) and Sir Hiss who is very similar to Kaa, also from The Jungle Book. It’s a fun film to watch with plenty of action and lots of different characters to root for which is great for the majority of the film; however, there are some scenes where the action can be a little too chaotic, mainly when there is a conflict. It’s hard to focus where Robin is because there are so many characters. My favourite supporting character is Toby, a shy turtle who is whisked on an adventure to meet Maid Marion, Robin’s true love. I think a lot of the films made during this decade suffer from a lack of character development which could be due to shorter running times which don’t last longer than 90 minutes. This is particularly problematic when you have multiple characters to develop and could be why the studio decided to create similar characters to what the audience has seen before. Nevertheless, it is a enjoying film to watch and has earned its cult following in recent years.

Princejohn07

22) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

One of the most classic Disney films featuring an ensemble of iconic Disney characters and adapted from the stories by A.A. Milne, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh follows young boy, Christopher Robin and his animal friends who live in the Hundred Acre Wood, including Winnie the Pooh, a lovable bear with an addiction to honey. With the addition of the adorable Piglet and the gloomy Eeyore among others, the group go on lots of adventures. The stories are lovely and enjoyed by people of all ages, my favourite in this film is “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day” in which we see the introduction of hyperactive tiger, Tigger, who baffles Pooh with his talk of “Heffalumps and Woozles” that steal honey. Pooh’s nightmare, including the song “Heffalumps and Woozles” is genuinely terrifying as he fights to protect his honey. It has a similar, trippy tone to “Pink Elephants” from Dumbo. Disney’s adaptations of Winnie the Pooh is globally adored and I can’t imagine how much money the studio has made from the merchandise based off it. I think that The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a film that is timeless and could be introduced to any generation and loved accordingly. What makes it so accessible is its ability to teach life lessons without feeling like a lecture and also there are no real villains. Each character has their positives and negatives which makes them more relatable to the audience.

23) The Rescuers (1977)

Disney’s second release in 1977 is a lot darker in tone than its predecessor. The Rescuers follows two mice, Hungarian aristocrat, Bianca and bashful cleaner, Bernard as they embark to the Deep South to rescue a little girl from her abusive aunt. Much like the recent offerings from the Disney studio, there are an array for animals that we encounter aside from the mice, including the lovable dragonfly, Evinrude. The film was pitched in 1962 but Walt Disney shelved it due to its political content. It feels as though the writers were away of this and tried to tone Penny’s background and the abusive relationship down but this is creates a flaw in the film. By attempting to simplify the politics in the film actually creates an imbalance in the writing. The scene in which Penny is forced underground to retrieve a huge diamond is terrifying and the tone of this scene should have been carried throughout the film but when this scene happens, it appears out of place. I do enjoy watching this film, particularly the aforementioned scene as it does bring something new to the table. The villain, Madame Medusa, is Penny’s abusive aunt who is a greedy individual willing to do anything to be rich. Her ruthlessness and evil nature make her a Disney villain who is often overlooked. She also has two pet crocodiles which makes her all the more terrifying to me. The Rescuers is often referred to as the first Disney film to spawn a sequel, The Rescuers Down Under. This film was a huge success critically and commercially on release and it’s a real shame that, despite its shortcomings, it appears to be forgotten as a Disney classic.

The-rescuers-disneyscreencaps.com-7384

24) The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Following the success of The Rescuers, the Disney studio decided to bring another sombre topic for its next feature. The Fox and the Hound is a tale of friendship between two unlikely animals (I’m sure you can guess who) and how nature tears them apart as they grow up with Tod the fox being th;e target for Copper. This film has a starry cast including Mickey Rooney and Kurt Russell as Tod and Copper, respectively. It’s definitely not among the best films Disney has released but it’s beautifully drawn and the passion for the story is there. I think the film’s shortcomings come from the writing. It feels too fast-paced for a film that is all about characters. The titular characters should be more fleshed out than they are beyond the simple hunter/hunted dynamic that they ended with. Since the film is set within a forest, it could have been easy for Disney to create similar characters as Bambi, but they probably learned from Robin Hood and its similarities to The Jungle Book and created the characters and their personalities from scratch. Even Big Mama, a caring owl is the polar opposite of Friend Owl from Bambi. The Fox and the Hound is a film that definitely has flaws but it makes up for this with its heart.

25) The Black Cauldron (1985)

The first PG rated film in Disney history, The Black Cauldron is often known as the film that almost bankrupted the company. Set within a Medieval Welsh landscape, the film follows Taran, a young peasant boy who longs to be an Arthurian style hero. When tasked with hiding his master’s psychic pig from the evil Horned King, Taron finds himself in a world beyond his depth as he battles against the evil that threatens the land. It’s a film of extreme fantasy, filled with mythical creatures. The extravagant budget was used on top notch animation, leaving the substance high and dry in a bid to save the studio from its recent failures. The brilliant thing about this film is that it isn’t afraid to get dark and ugly, which is something that appealed to me when I was younger. Despite its mixed reaction, I love this film a lot and always enjoy watching it for the detail. I agree with the criticism that the narrative and characters fall flat, but the animation is pushed past the edge and brings the audience something new and revolutionary that hadn’t been seen since the first few Disney films. Also, I must mention the brilliant voice work by the late John Hurt who adds a layer of terror to the evil Horned King. I don’t think that this film gets the praise it truly deserves for its contribution to animation. There are numerous scenes that I love, particularly those that take place at the Horned King’s castle. It’s a film that inspires me in terms of how far the envelope can be pushed.

black-cauldron

Now we’re well into the Disney ranking journey and it’s getting harder and harder to slot the films into the table because the quality is so high.

Here is my ranking:

1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

2) Fantasia (1940)

3) Sleeping Beauty (1959)

4) Bambi (1942)

5) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

6) Alice in Wonderland (1951)

7) The Aristocats (1971)

8) One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

9) Peter Pan (1953)

10) The Three Caballeros (1945)

11) Pinocchio (1940)

12) Dumbo (1941)

13) The Black Cauldron (1985)

14) The Jungle Book (1967)

15) The Sword in the Stone (1963)

16) Cinderella (1950)

17) The Rescuers (1977)

18) Robin Hood (1973)

19) Lady and the Tramp (1955)

20) The Fox and the Hound (1981)

21) Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

22) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

23) Saludos Amigos (1943)

24) Melody Time (1948)

25) Make Mine Music (1946)

As always, let me know what you think of the films discussed in this blog and where you would rank them! Comment below!

Categories
Uncategorised

Disney Animated Classics: Numbers 16-20 Ranking

Continuing with the Disney rankings, this post is all about the last bunch of films before Disney’s death in 1966 (The Aristocats was the last film he approved). A mix of legends and contemporaries, these films remain favourites and have been the subject of remakes in recent years due to their followings.

This period of films sees my favourite animation in the entire Disney catalogue. Even after gaining a reputation as the frontrunner in animation, Disney is still trying to incorporate different styles to match the context of the films. Beginning with Sleeping Beauty’s Medieval setting which makes way for a glorious tapestry of block colours and simple shapes that is immediately striking and bold to the charming early 1900s Parisian setting of The Aristocats which brings a more classic style with it’s beautiful textured animals and heavy use of brush strokes and pastel colours.

Here are the other links if you haven’t read them:

Films 1-5

Films 6-10

Films 11-15

Here we go with films 16-20:

16) Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Initially a box office bomb on release, Sleeping Beauty has grown into one of the most loved Disney films due to its charm and beautiful animation style. Telling the story of a young princess who is forced into hiding to avoid an evil fairy’s spell is a fairy-tale that everyone is familiar with. When Princess Aurora pricks her finger on a cursed spinning wheel, she falls into a deep sleep that can only be woken by true love’s kiss. The film home to arguably the most iconic Disney villain, Maleficent, who is my personal favourite villain in any Disney films. Like Snow White, I was fascinated with this film from an early age due to the fact that it terrified me with Maleficent’s ugly henchmen keeping me up at night. Not to mention getting me into the habit of checking the fireplace in case Maleficent was in there. The protagonist, Briar Rose, is a pretty one-dimensional character whose wish is to meet the love of her life; however, the film more than makes up for this shortcoming with the supporting characters of Maleficent and the three fairies, Fauna, Flora and Merryweather. The animation in this film is also arguably my favourite featuring some of the most beautiful sequences in the Disney repertoire such as the fairies blessings at the start and Prince Phillip’s battle with the dragon at the end.

sleepingbeauty

17) One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Pongo and Perdita are two dalmatians living in London with their owners, Rodger and Anita. When Perdita gives birth to puppies, we are introduced to another Disney villain that has become instantly recognisible. The notorious Cruella de Vil is a lover of furs and plans to use the puppies’ furs to create a Dalmatian coat for herself. When she hires two men to kidnap the puppies, it is up to Pongo and Perdita to rescue them and bring them back home. Like Sleeping Beauty before it, the animation in this film is so unique and suits the London backdrop beautifully. The scenes in the countryside where the puppies are hidden is particular beautiful and quaint which is disrupted in the iconic scene when Cruella speeds done the road in a manic state. It’s a hugely enjoyable film that does a great job of creating identifiable characteristics for the main 12 puppies which is a tricky feat to do in a film that is 80 minutes long.

18) The Sword in the Stone (1963)

The Sword in the Stone is based on the novel of the same name about squire, Arthur, who is tutored by wizard Merlin while living with his foster father and brother, who is due to fight in a tournament to become the King of England. This film is often overlooked for a number of reasons. Although it is enjoyable to watch, the lack of narrative doesn’t fit with this particular story. The animation is fantastic as ever, particularly when Merlin is staying in the tower on a rainy night. The film’s faults lie in its heavy use of animal scenes compared to memorable human characters (with the exception of Merlin and Madam Mim) and the character of Arthur isn’t fleshed out well enough for the film. The fight between Merlin and Madam Mim is brilliant to watch bringing a nice element of fun that had been missing beforehand.

swordinthestone

19) The Jungle Book (1967)

Disney’s retelling of the Rudyard Kipling classic follows Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the Jungle as he grows up and struggles with his identity all while escaping the wrath of the evil Shere Khan, a tiger who wants to eat Mowgli. Featuring the lovable Baloo, a bear who befriends Mowgli and shows him the way of the jungle, hypnotic snake Kaa and the elephant colonels, The Jungle Book seems to be the complete opposite of One Hundred and One Dalmatians, allowing the animators to cross continents and create the jungle. The animation style is more traditional like Dumbo and Cinderella but there is so much detail in the environment that it was a good choice not to make it over-styled or overcomplicated. One unique inclusion in this film is the incorporation of four vultures who are inspired by The Beatles which is unusual in Disney as the classics rarely incorporate popular culture.

20) The Aristocats (1971)

The last film to be approved before Disney’s death, The Aristocats tells the story of 3 aristocrat kittens who are kidnapped by a jealous butler, Edgar, when he finds out they are inheriting the entirety of their owner’s estate. The kittens’ mother, Duchess finds the kittens and together they embark to return to Paris with the help of alley cat, Thomas O’Malley. It’s a simple yet charming tale that is filled with memorable characters. The three kittens in particular are among my favourite characters in Disney. The film is also home to some lovable songs as well with my favourite being “Scales and Arpeggios”. The brilliant use of the paints in the songs bring literal splashed of bright colour that work brilliantly with the pastel backgrounds. There is an array of supporting characters across the animal kingdom from Roquefort, the friendly mouse to Napolean and Lafayette the suspicious dogs on a mission to hunt down Edgar and the brilliant Uncle Waldo, a goose who is found in Paris to be heavily drunk from a sauce he was due to be cooked with. It’s often seen as a middling effort from the Disney studio but I personally love this film a lot and remember watching it on repeat when I was younger.

aristocats-03

Now we’ve come to the end of the films approved by Disney before his death, but where do they rank?

Here is my ranking:

1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

2) Fantasia (1940)

3) Sleeping Beauty (1959)

4) Bambi (1942)

5) Alice in Wonderland (1951)

6) The Aristocats (1971)

7) One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

8) Peter Pan (1953)

9) The Three Caballeros (1945)

10) Pinocchio (1940)

11) Dumbo (1941)

12) The Jungle Book (1967)

13) The Sword in the Stone (1963)

14) Cinderella (1950)

15) Lady and the Tramp (1955)

16) Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

17) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

18) Saludos Amigos (1943)

19) Melody Time (1948)

20) Make Mine Music (1946)

My next blog begins to focus on the films created post-Disney. This period is known for producing underwhelming films pre-Renaissance so it will be interesting to see where they will rank.

What do you think of the ranking? What are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

Disney Animated Classics: Numbers 11-15 Ranking

The next bunch of films see a return to the classical format of animated offerings based on 19th and early 20th century classics (with the exception of Cinderella). This blog also looks at some of the most controversial films in the catalogue for its racist depictions of Native American Indians (Peter Pan) and Asian stereotypes (Lady and the Tramp) as well as misogynistic qualities that will sadly become even more so prevalent in Disney animations. The films, however, have stood the test of time and remain among the most loved classics in the Disney repertoire.

As ever, here are the links to previous installments:

Films 1-5

Films 6-10

Here we go with films 11-15:

11) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

I don’t know if there is a darker tone in the Disney catalogue than the “Ichabod Crane” segment in this collection. Consisting of two segments inspired by The Wind in the Willows and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, this is the last of the segmented features found in the Disney collection. I would watch this on repeat when I was younger and “Ichabod Crane” certainly made an impression in terms of how I see films today and approach them. It taught me that you don’t always need the happy ending that is usually given in family films and can be dark without being overtly scary. I am not as fond of The Wind in the Willows segment as much but I still find it a joyful treat to watch. Telling the story of Mr. Toad, an eccentric proprietor and his friends, Ratty and Moley, who are tasked with finding him before he gets himself in serious trouble, The Wind in the Willows follows Mr. Toad as he finds himself eventually jailed for car theft despite being framed. This differs greatly to the following segment of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” where Ichabod Crane moves to the lazy town of Sleepy Hollow where he tries to woo Katrina von Tassel in a bid to take her family inheritance while also being bullied by Brom, the village hero who also loves Katrina. It’s a film littered with flawed characters but this adds to the suspense as the audience doesn’t know who to trust.

12) Cinderella (1950)

Probably the most iconic Disney princess, Cinderella is the classic fairy-tale about a young girl subjected to servitude at the hands of her Evil Stepmother and Ugly Stepsisters. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella attends a ball where she meets a prince before leaving her glass slipper. The palace search for the mysterious woman who captured the prince’s heart and the glass slipper is tried on by every woman claiming to be the woman. However, Cinderella puts the slipper on and they live happily ever after. There is no doubt that this film is a classic and for good reason. It is a simple film with likable animal sidekicks and a strong moral purpose; however, I believe that there are a lot of better films that captured my imagination as a child. I always enjoy watching Cinderella but it has never been among my top favourite Disney films simply because I find that there is more development given to secondary characters than primary characters. Ultimately, we learn more about Jacques and Gus more than Cinderella herself. Her character is supremely passive with events simply happening to her rather than her actually doing anything herself. Whereas Snow White shows an achievement in the animation field as a whole, I completely appreciate that she too is a passive character but what separates it for me is that there are fantastic sequences throughout the film such as when she flees the huntsman whereas Cinderella doesn’t do anything spectacular in the animation that we haven’t seen before.

13) Alice in Wonderland (1951)

The most famous adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll novel, Alice in Wonderland follows the titular character as she delves in an absurd world filled with the unlikeliest of characters from the White Rabbit to the evil Queen of Hearts. Filled with lots of songs that have stood the test of time such as “Golden Afternoon” and “Painting the Roses Red”, it is a film filled with colour and nonsense and knows it. Disney makes the most of the bonkers plot by allowing the animators to create the most unimaginable creatures such as those found in the forest. Characters such as the Cheshire Cat and the Madhatter are also designed brilliantly with the former being among the most recognisible of Disney characters.

14) Peter Pan (1953)

Peter Pan tells the story of Wendy Darling and her brothers, John and Michael, as they venture to Neverland with Peter Pan, a young boy who never grows up. It is probably the trickiest Disney film to write about because it spawned some of the most iconic characters including Tinkerbell and the film itself is loved around the world; however, its damaging representation of Native American Indians and misogyny throughout the film make it an uncomfortable film to watch. The infamous scene I am talking about in particular is when Peter and co are celebrating the return of the Chief’s daughter, Tiger Lily in what is a highly racist collection of stereotypes with every aspect of Native American Indian culture being ridiculed. I thoroughly enjoy every other part of the film, particularly the baddies Captain Hook and Mr. Smee and a special mention to the Crocodile who I am convinced spawned my fear of alligators and crocodiles. It’s a film that I remember watching frequently and I think it sparked my imagination and writing. I love the scene when we see Captain Hook’s reaction to the Crocodile for the first time. It’s comical and terrifying at the same time but it’s the fear that keeps me going back to watch it, very much like Snow White.

15) Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Now for a film that is simultaneously classic but always understated and quite forgotten a lot of the time compared to other offerings. Lady and the Tramp is about an upper class spaniel called Lady who falls for a stray dog, Tramp and the two fall in love despite their different backgrounds. It’s a clever take on classicism during a time in which society was very much torn in the aftermath of the war. As Lady begins to venture out of her comfort zone, her character becomes three dimensional as she becomes fearless and most importantly flawed in a world that expects her to be perfect. Again, much like Peter Pan, we see another racist trope in the form of the infamous Siamese cats who are the epitome of Asian stereotypes. Their appearance and song is frowned upon in modern times and again is uncomfortable to watch. Thankfully, their appearance doesn’t last long and we are served with famous songs like “Bella Notte” and “He’s a Tramp”. With a remake in the works to be released this year, this is a love story that has stood the test of time and can melt the hardest of hearts.

So that’s films 11-15 reviewed with some of the most famous Disney films covered. As you can see, Disney appear to have fully recovered financially and critically from the segmented offerings made during and after the war.

Here is my ranking:

1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

2) Fantasia (1940)

3) Bambi (1942)

4) Alice in Wonderland (1951)

5) Peter Pan (1953)

6) The Three Caballeros (1945)

7) Pinocchio (1940)

8) Dumbo (1941)

9) Cinderella (1950)

10) Lady and the Tramp (1955)

11) Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

12) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

13) Saludos Amigos (1943)

14) Melody Time (1948)

15) Make Mine Music (1946)

The next blog looks at the last bunch of films made and approve before Disney died including classic favourites, Sleeping Beauty and The Jungle Book. Check it out and see where the films rank!

Do you agree with the ranking so far? What are your favourites from this blog? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

The Cornetto Trilogy

Quality: Original. Film Title: Shaun Of The Dead. Photo Credit: Oliver Upton. Copyright: © 2004 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Cornetto Trilogy consists of three films by writer/director Edgar Wright that are unconnected in plot but star Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in the lead roles and stars a different flavour Cornetto at some point in the film. The trilogy began with horror Shaun of the Dead (2004) followed by action Hot Fuzz (2007) and concludes with sci-fi The World’s End (2013). Each film was critically and commercially well-received and has a dedicated fan-base. As with any Edgar Wright film they all have strong language in abundance, brilliant soundtracks and a striking aesthetic. I go back to these films time and time again and find myself noticing things that I hadn’t seen before.

Here’s a quick summary of each installment in chronological order:

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Part horror, part family drama, all comedy. Shaun of the Dead follows Simon Pegg as the titular character whose life seems to be going nowhere (except local pub, The Winchester that is). Accompanied by his lazy housemate, Ed (Nick Frost), Shaun navigates his way through a random zombie apocalypse that has befallen the country to get to his ex-girlfriend’s house in a bid to win her back. It’s a film that is filled with a lot of heart and even more guts that is both genius and revolutionary in the horror comedy genre. It’s one of those films that you can quote for hours on end. Horror comedy is not an easy genre to pull off well critically and in a sincere manner but Shaun of the Dead does this through its flawed protagonist who is as layered as the blood paving the streets.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

The second film in the trilogy is an action-packed story filmed in Edgar Wright’s hometown. Overachieving police officer, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is relocated to the tiny village of Sandford, aptly known as “the safest village in Britain”. As a series of gruesome deaths occur throughout the village, Nicholas believes that there is a murderer on the loose despite the townspeople constant protestations that the deaths are accidents. Alongside local police officer, Danny (Nick Frost), the pair attempt to track down the killer and bring them to justice. Although it does have strong points, it is my least favourite of the trilogy for a number of reasons. Unlike the other two films, it is plot heavy rather than a character study and I personally prefer the latter. Action isn’t my favourite genre but I do think it is a strong film that brings something different to the genre.

The World’s End (2013)

The final film in the trilogy is also my favourite. Simon Pegg plays Gary King, an alcoholic who hasn’t moved on from school days and longs to complete the Golden Mile in his hometown which he failed to finish as a teenager. The Golden Mile is a pub crawl that consists of 12 ending with the titular pub, The World’s End. He gathers up his childhood mates, including his former best friend, Andy (Nick Frost) and they attempt to conquer The Mile while fighting off an alien invasion that has turned the townspeople into androids (or Blanks as they are called in the film). Featuring a brilliant cast as always and a higher budget than the two previous films combined, Wright is tasked with giving this trilogy the grand finish it deserves and he succeeds with flying colours. Everything about this film emulates the previous installments with its attention to detail, layered characters and brilliant script. The writing in this film is what I enjoy most about this film as the timing and pacing is flawless.

The Cornetto Trilogy is a career-defining set of films that put Edgar Wright on the map. Not many directors can easily transition from low to high budget but Wright does this easily. He’s clearly a lover of a wide spectrum of films and isn’t afraid to pay tribute in an original way.

What is your favourite film in the Cornetto Trilogy? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

On hearing the news that icon Doris Day had died yesterday, my mind immediately went to some of her greatest roles like Calamity Jane (1953) and Pillow Talk (1959); however, I always found myself most affected by her brilliant performance as the mother looking for her kidnapped son in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much. A remake of Hitchcock’s 1934 film of the same name, this Hollywood remake stars James Stewart and Doris Day as a husband and wife whose son, Hank, is kidnapped while they are holidaying in Morocco. It is revealed that their son is being used as a pawn while the kidnappers plan to assassinate an important ambassador during his visit to London. It’s a film that shows the importance of family in a time of politically turmoil that feels just as relevant in its post-war 1956 as it did in pre-war 1934.

The Man Who Knew Too Much is my favourite Hitchcock film and much of it is attributed to Doris Day in her role as Jo Conway McKenna. The role is clearly tailored for Day as she plays a professional singer. This may not seem like a stretch as we watch her beautifully sing the Oscar-winning song “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” but this changes the moment Hank is kidnapped. Day effortlessly brings an emotional depth to her character that she hadn’t really displayed earlier in her career, showcasing her talents as a dramatic actress. In particular, her acting in the final act of the film shows an explosion of all these emotions and her distress and longing to see her son are brought to her heart-breaking final performance of “Que Sera, Sera” that seems worlds away from the performance at the beginning of the film.

Made with a large Hollywood budget, Hitchcock makes use of multiple locations across two continents and yet somehow, the murder scene that place in the open market of Marrakesh feels equally as claustrophobic as the climatic orchestral scene in the Royal Albert Hall. Hitchcock never allows the audience to let their mind wander in his films as we are quickly assured not to trust anyone. One of my favourite locations used is a small Taxidermist’s shop and the struggle James Stewart has escaping the workers is tense as he is almost stabbed by a swordfish. Another intense scene that is recreated in the remake is the chapel scene in which the protagonists discover that the kidnappers run a local church. As the mass is under way, they clear stand out in the congregation and it is only a matter of time before they have their confrontation with the criminals. Everything about this scene in both the original and remake is brilliantly done because Hitchcock ensures that everything is directed slowly. There isn’t much physical movement as the mass takes place, the hymns are slow and droll with the speaker calm and paced in his sermon. The suspense is driven up until the moment everyone has left and they are the last visitors in the church.

It would be a true crime not to talk about the music in depth. Aside from its Oscar-winning hit that became synonymous with Day throughout her life, music is also integral to its film because it is used for the climatic moment during the assassination attempt. As in the original, it is the clash of cymbals that signals the shot. The kidnappers play the piece on a record player beforehand so the audience knows the moment. This is a clever move on Hitchcock’s part because we then know the moment when the shot will occur. Opposed to the suspense of the chapel scene, the Albert Hall scene is faster paced as the music quickens and the camera shifts between the gunman, Day, the ambassador and the orchestra. I feel that Hitchcock improved on this scene from the original as he used the same musical piece but it feels that the suspense is really played out and the production feels bigger as a whole which I feel the original lacked.

It’s a shame that this film isn’t discussed as much as some of Hitchcock’s other films because although it’s not a horror in the traditional sense of the word (ie. Psycho and The Birds), it still contains elements of horror from the writing and directing. I think it is a film that shows Hitchcock not only pushing boundaries on filmmaking but also showing how he is willing to improve on his own work.

What is your favourite Hitchcock film? Let me know in the comments below!

Doris Day, 1922-2019

Categories
Uncategorised

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

When it comes to discussing musicals, there will be a few that spring to the minds of many such as West Side Story and The Sound of Music. One of the best and most iconic musicals ever is the 1971 film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof. Following lovable milkman, Tevye (Topol) who lives in a small fictional town Anatevka that has a strong Jewish population. This community is in the midst of facing harassment from the current military regime and the film sees this harassment grow as tensions worsen. Directed by Norman Jewison from a script written by the stage production’s writer, Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof remains a favourite among musical fans thanks to its array of songs and emotional storyline that still feels timeless today.

One of my favourite characters and performances, Topol is nothing short of exceptional throughout the film. Being the audience’s way into the world of Anatevka and often breaks the fourth wall by talking to the audience. He is an outsider to the wider society but it also seems that he is an outsider within his own community as well. In my mind, no one but Topol can pull the lead performance with such dedication and commitment to the character. It could be argued that Topol is synonymous with Tevye and vice versa but that is by no means an insult. Tevye is a deeply complex character, a man so ingrained in his religion and place in the community but there is also a struggle to fight against the ideals expected from him as he longs for more than what he has. who laments his life as a poor man as he tries to navigate the matches of his three eldest daughters. Tevye is a man who likes to talk and sing about the importance of tradition but the life he leads is anything but. He misquotes scripture, goes back on a promise to let the widowed butcher marry his eldest daughter, Tzeital, and allows a communist from Kiev to educate his younger daughters. Tevye is a man who wants to follow traditions but is inherently progressive which makes him an outsider amongst his own community at times.

Now I can’t write why I love Fiddler and not talk about the songs. From the lively intro “Tradition” to Tevye’s iconic soliloquy “If I Were a Rich Man” and of course the beautiful “Sunrise, Sunset”. There aren’t as many songs in Fiddler as there are in other musicals but each song makes use of the space and the cast onscreen. No two songs sound the same and yet they will be stuck in your head one way or other. With John Williamd adapting the music from stage to screen, the film doesn’t feel like a stage production at any point which can easily happen, especially when the locations are limited.

Another aspect that I appreciate is the colour palette for the film. Strong hues of orange glow against the rural backdrop of browns and greens. It brings a natural richness and peace to the film, particularly during the opening credits. Aside from the sunset glow, the candlelit setting for Tzeital’s wedding to Motel is another beautifully created scene and is directed flawlessly. Despite being set in an open space in the village with everyone in attendance, the reception after the ceremony feels claustrophobic as chaos ensues.

Overall, Fiddler on the Roof is a film that should be watched by all film fans not just musical fans. With a three hour running time, it’s easy to think that watching a musical for that long would be daunting and (dare I say) boring, especially if you’re not necessarily an avid musical fan but the pacing is fantastic and it doesn’t feel that long. With an intermission placed so you can easily take a break should you wish to, Fiddler on the Roof is an experience that should be enjoyed at least once. Featuring one of the best characters brought to the screen, it is sure to delight most people thanks to its fantastic music, captivating performances and beautiful landscapes.

What do you think of Fiddler on the Roof? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

Carol (2015)

One of the best films of the 21st century so far and a defining mark of LGBT+ cinema, Todd Haynes’ Carol is a film swimming in emotion as it explores the realities of a lesbian relationship in the 1950s. Adapted by Phyllis Nagy from Patricia Highsmith’s controversial novel The Price of Salt, Carol tells the story of Therese Bellevet (Rooney Mara), a young twenty-something trying to find her way in 1950s New York. Whilst working as a Christmas temp in a busy department store, Therese has a love at first sight encounter with Carol (Cate Blanchett), an older soon-to-be divorcee who is a darling to New York society. Much like the Christmas backdrop, the film is a present revealing more layers with every watch.

Haynes pulls out all of the stops for this production, playing all of his cards as a visionary. He managed to take the words on the page and create a universe that seems to belong to Carol and Therese. From the costumes by Sandy Powell to the music by Carter Burwell, the film is orchestrated by a beauty that stays throughout the film. What made the novel so controversial on release was its happy ending which was unheard of for stories regarding homosexuality and Haynes wanted to keep that. He wants the audience to know that this is their world and it is a beautiful one. The film appears traditional on the surface and yet groundbreaking in subtext. I think it is a huge mark in LGBT filmmaking.

The script by Phyllis Nagy is nothing short of phenomenal and is brilliantly faithful to the book. The changes that are made from the book are minimal but also crucial as I think the right choices were made to tell this story onscreen. My favourite scene in the film is when Therese agrees to go to lunch with Carol and the two get to know each other. It is natural and intimate with the sexual tension cutting through the undertones. Nagy makes every word linger and makes sure that no line is wasted. The film is fantastically paced, feeling like a slow train chugging forwards towards the inevitable climax that causes their bubble to burst. The sharp focus on the women themselves makes their love appear literally timeless, as if the world around them doesn’t matter. When the outside world does interfere and threaten them, it is done so that the audience is jolted back into reality from the dream that the women’s relationship had given.

Cate Blanchett’s performance as the titular character is glamorous to look at but tinged with the pain that has fallen on her and her family as her relationship with her husband, Harge (Kyle Chandler) has broken down. Carol has been known for her relationships with women, namely her best friend Abby (Sarah Paulson), who has remained a constant in her life after their romance ended. Blanchett takes control of the screen and is so captivating with every glance and word. There is an inevitable sadness that surrounds Carol even as she embarks on her love affair with Therese as she knows that the chances of their relationship surviving against the 1950s society isn’t likely. Her maturity and knowledge of the world allows her to be a mentor of sorts towards Therese as she knows how she is feeling.

Rooney Mara’s performance as Therese is the audience’s way into the events of the film as hers is the primary perspective throughout the film save for one or two scenes regarding the custody of Carol’s young daughter. Mara won the Best Actress Award at Cannes Film Festival and it’s easy to see where. Therese is at a very conflicting time in her life. Where Carol is assured and secure in her own sexuality, Therese doesn’t quite know what she wants or even understand her feelings at first. As the film unfolds, Therese becomes more confident and independent, breaking off her relationship with partner, Richard and focuses on her career and blossoming relationship with Carol.

Overall, I really recommend you check Carol out if you haven’t seen it. I can’t count how many times I have watched it despite it only being a few years old but I always found something new to focus on whether that is the score or set design. A film that was sorely overlooked by the Academy when it came to the Oscars, Carol will no doubt be a film that critics and film buffs will be looking back on fondly.

What did you think of Carol? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

91st Academy Awards – Technical Awards

_D5A6932.NEF

My last blog on this year’s Oscars concludes with the Technical awards. This year has seen a huge number of large scale blockbusters that heavily use CGI to achieve their vision as well as smaller films that rely on using what they have. Both methods take imagination and it’s great to see films recognised across this spectrum.
Just in case you want to read my other blogs on this year’s Oscars, I’ll put the links below here:
Acting Awards
Creative Awards – Part 1
Creative Awards – Part 2
Creative Awards – Part 3
Here is my roundup of this year’s technology award winners!

Best Visual Effects
It seemed that Black Panther was the favourite to take this award home but the team for Neil Armstrong biopic First Man won. I feel that this film was deeply overlooked in various categories, particularly sound editing and this one throughout awards season but to see it recognised for its terrifically executed effects was deserved. I don’t think I have ever felt so claustrophobic watching a film before but this film managed to accomplish this from the first scene. Although the cast was the main talking point for this film on its release, I think that the visual effects were the standout feature of this film.

Best Sound Editing
I was happy to see First Man nominated in this category but given that it was up against box office smash Bohemian Rhapsody, I knew that it would lose. Personally, I feel that First Man should have taken this home but Bohemian Rhapsody is a film that relies heavily on its sound editing. I think that First Man used sound in a way that I hadn’t expected or seen before.


Best Sound Mixing
Again, Bohemian Rhapsody was the expected winner here and didn’t disappoint. I was happy with the win considering how they utilised mixing the Rami Malek’s vocals with Freddie’s so it wasn’t simply a case of Malek lip syncing his way through the film. It helped enhance Malek’s amazing performance and I think the win in this category was thoroughly deserved.

Best Editing
A lot of wins for Bohemian Rhapsody in the categories in this blog and this is the one of the film’s wins that I strongly disagreed with personally. I think that my main problem with the film as a whole was its editing. There were scenes that consisted of numerous cuts that made the film jittery. The film on the whole doesn’t flow well because it is badly paced and the editing is one of the main contributors to this problem. I thought that Hank Corwin should have won this category for his brilliant editing in Vice. It was innovative and unexpected, keeping the audience in a state of discomfort as we didn’t know what would happen next. The editing in Vice reflected the erratic nature of its subject and I think it conveys this fantastically.

Best Cinematography
Without a shadow of a doubt, this was Alfonso Cuaron’s for the taking and he won it completely deservedly for Roma. He manages to convey the problems of a Mexican classist society by keeping the focus solely on protagonist Cleo. Cleo becomes an embodiment of the working class female and the struggles of living a life that seems to be against her. Her story is told in black and white but the film is anything but. It teeters on a spectrum of emotions as we see Cleo in her darkest moments as well as her happier times as she navigates a pregnancy. Cleo’s friendship with her employer is beautifully conveyed as well as the two women bond over their mutual struggles.

That’s it for my Oscars roundup! What did you think of this year’s ceremony? Leave your comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

91st Academy Awards – Creative Awards (Part 3)

Now I’m well into my roundup of this year’s Academy Awards and the more I write about it, the more I realise just how many surprises there actually were. In my first blog I spoke about the acting awards (here) and the following posts looked at the creative awards with the first batch here and the second lot here.

In this post, I will discuss the last batch of”creative awards”: Best Original Score, Best Song, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Best Production Design.

Best Original Score

This year’s win in this category was surprising, going to Ludwig Gorranson for his score for blockbuster Black Panther. Up to this point, Black Panther had been sweeping the technical categories and minor creative categories with multiple wins so this wasn’t as much of a shock on the night. However, I personally preferred Nicholas Brittell’s spectacular work for Barry Jenkins’s If Beale Street Could Talk and hoped that he would grab the win. I hope that there are many Jenkins/Brittell collaborations in the future and I am sure that he will win his Oscar one day.

Best Song

This is the one category where they may as well not have even had any other nominees. Smash it “Shallow” from A Star is Born is instantly recognisable even to those who haven’t seen the film. It is a brilliant track and definitely the highlight of the film. Personally, the film overall was a little underwhelming for my taste but this win was beyond deserving. Not to mention the undeniable chemistry between the film’s leads, Bradley Cooper (who directed the film) and Lady Gaga (who won the Oscar for her songwriting), which was one of the major talking points of the night. I think the song’s place in the film is the perfect starting point for the relationship of the two characters. I’d honestly be surprised if anyone voted otherwise just because it was pretty much a given as soon as the film was released.

Best Costume Design

Another category won by Black Panther and I can see why. One of the standout features of the film, the costumes were perfectly balanced between vibrant and muted costumes that had an eclectic mix between traditional tribal costume and a futuristic feel. I loved the hand-knitted pieces especially. Ruth E. Carter’s speech was one of my favourites of the night. I was sad that Sandy Powell didn’t win for The Favourite but the costumes in Black Panther are unique and haven’t been done before whereas I think The Favourite was enhanced by the makeup (badger) than the costumes themselves.

Best Makeup

Seeing as The Favourite was weirdly snubbed in this category, I am happy to see Vice recognised for the amazing transformation of its leading cast. The makeup allowed Christian Bale in particular to be completely lost in the role of vice president Dick Cheney. I personally enjoyed Vice a lot more than other people did so to see it win at all is welcome news.

Best Production Design

Another gong that went to Black Panther, I do think that this one should have gone to The Favourite. I understand that I am very biased to The Favourite but I do think it lost in categories that it shouldn’t have necessarily lost in. But also, these two films have great production design in their own way. Black Panther is a film that travels which gives the production team a chance to show of an array of various designs whereas The Favourite is mainly set in the one palace and is brilliantly designed to feel claustrophobic despite being an enormous estate.

That’s it for the creative awards. My next Oscars roundup will look at the technical awards.

What do you think of the winners? Do you agree with my thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

91st Academy Awards – Creative Awards (Part 2)

Continuing my roundup of this year’s Oscars, I will be discussing more of the Creative awards handed out on Sunday night. In my first blog I spoke about the acting awards (here) and the following posts looked at the creative awards (here). The array of topics from the winners and nominees show just how varied this year has been internationally. Without further ado, here’s my take on Best Animated Short, Best Live Action Short, Best Short Documentary, Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature and Best Foreign Film.

Best Animated Short Film

It was obvious that this gong would go to Pixar short Bao. The first Pixar short created by women, it tells the story of a mother-son relationship between a woman and a dumpling. It is a beautiful metaphor that shows the ups and downs of family life as Bao grows up and eventually starts to make questionable life choices. This film wasn’t for everyone and it’s understandable why but I loved it and thought it was a very touching and maternal piece of work. It brought something new to the table at Pixar, whose repertoire as of late has consisted of sequels and prequels and showed why audiences fell in love with it in the first place by injecting the passion and originality voiced by the animators and artists who work there.

Best Live Action Short

The winner of this award was Skin, a story of modern day racism in American which follows a Neo-Nazi who is kidnapped by a group of African Americans after organising a racial attack of his own and he is then tattooed completely black. The win in this category shows the importance to tell stories about the racial divide that still exists today.

Best Short Documentary

Nothing felt better for my feminist heart than seeing a crowd of women fill the stage to accept an Oscar for a film about menstruation. Period. End of Sentence explores women living in India whose education had been cut short due to their periods due to a lack of access to sanitary pads. A group of women team up and begin to manufacture sanitary pads so young girls and women can go to school and worship at temples. It is a brilliant insight into global inequality and puts to rest the patriarchal belief that gender equality exists. It also opens the gate for non-white female filmmakers to talk about subjects that are considered taboo in the same vein as Pakistani filmmaker, Sharmeen Obaid whose film, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness that explores the so-called honour killings in her home country previously won an Oscar in the same category three years ago. The bravery that these women have to exploit these issues shows how powerful the medium of film is in communicating these topics to a society that tends to cover it’s ears to the problem.

Best Documentary

Free Solo follows rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to free climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The filming itself proved to be a challenge as the production team had to ensure that Honnold was in no way hindered by bulky microphones or other film equipment. To do this they had a sound technician who knew how to rock climb and climbed alongside him. This is shows real innovation in filmmaking and brings a unique angle on this story rather than just having cameras at the top and bottom of the mountain.

Best Animated Feature

This year saw a welcome departure from the usual Disney win with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse winning the gong. It proved to be hugely popular mainly due to its inclusiveness in narrative as well as the animation itself which differs from the usual large-eyed computer animation that we have become accustomed to. This year also saw Wes Anderson’s return to animation with Isle of Dogs which was absolutely brilliant. Although not as strong as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of Dogs gave the most star-studded cast from any of this year’s films and injected it into a tale about the love between a young boy and his dog.

Best Foreign Film

This category was one of the big competitions of the night. The pundits rightly put their money on Mexico’s entry, Roma, but it would be wrong to ignore the ferociously strong competition from Poland’s Cold War and Japan’s Palme d’Or winning Shoplifters. This year was a tremendous year for international film and I think Roma’s popularity specifically proves that mainstream audiences want to see non-English language films. There’s been a lot of debate on whether Roma should even qualify for awards season given that it is a Netflix film but I personally feel that using streaming it on Netflix means that millions of people will have a chance to watch a film that they may not ordinarily watch. I do think this debate played apart to its loss in the Best Picture race as I feel that the Academy may have felt that the Best Foreign Film win would suffice; however, there is no doubt that Roma was one of the most discussed films of the year and it won’t easily be forgotten.

That’s it for my second Creative awards roundup. My next post will look at the last batch of Creative awards: best song, best score, best costume design, best makeup and best Production design.

What do you think of the winners? Do you agree? Let me know in the comments below!