Older Movie Review: Edward Scissor Hands

Edward Scissor Hands Movie Review

Lewis Maddison

Figure 1: Movie Poster

Edward Scissor hands could be considered one of Tim Burton's final masterpieces of film making before the continuous remakes of classic movies that paled in comparison to their predecessor's. An original movie with a unique design that sits in the minds of audience's for years after viewing, and is often related to in newer works, either in production design. atmosphere or fantastical character design. "Fine performances all around, particularly from Depp"(Tv Guide, 2008).Johnny Depp plays the innocent yet terrifying Edward perfectly, achieving a mix of humour and dark ideals in one character. 

Figure 2: Johnny Depp as Edward

Perhaps the biggest achievement in this movie is the incredible environment design that has been used. At the heart of the movie we have your typical 1950's American suburb, incredibly bright colours, interesting shapes and incredibly stereotypical characters from that time period. However this is overshadowed by a piece of architecture straight out of Burton's twisted mind. At the end of the Suburb is a monstrous, mountain, with Edwards Gothic castle sitting atop, looming over the town. Creating an incredibly original and interesting contrast in the film's tone. We have the normal people at the bottom trying to live there lives shortly after a devastating War, wanting to define themselves through the colour's and item's that they choose to adorn their bodies and houses with whilst up above we have this dark, yet beautiful castle as if it was something out of Bram Stokers Dracula creating a "Moody and bizarre modern fairytale that works on a number of levels" ( Plath, 2005)

Figure 3,4: Edwards Home

The character of Edward is where this movie really shines. Taking a character that would normally be incredibly frightening to people in real life and making us as an audience care for the character instead of fear him."Burton and Johnny Depp are at their dual-career best"(Weinkauf, 2011). Edward's reactions to our world and the way's he finds to cope with us is incredible, almost child like. Creating works of art that make him happy in a world where people don't really understand him or try to use him for their own benefit. 

All in all this movie is probably the last Tim Burton film that could really be considered truly a Burton-esque movie. His later movie seem to lose there effect on the audience like this movie. I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in seeing Burton at his best. Although not one of my favourites, it is still one of the best movie's that I've seen in a long time. 

Bibliography:

Tv Guide, Tv Guide, http://movies.tvguide.com/edward-scissorhands/review/128196, May 8th 2008

James Plath, Movie Metropolis, http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/edward_scissorhands/, May 7th 2005

Gregory Weinkauf, Uber Cine, http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/edward_scissorhands/, July 25, 2011

Illustrations

Figure 1: http://www.joblo.com/movie-posters/edward-scissorhands

Figure 2: http://carboncostume.com/edward-scissorhands/

Figure 3: http://katyfosdike1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/mise-en-scene-film-review-edward.html#

Figure 4: http://imaginarycinema.com/edward.html

Older Movie Review: La Belle et La Bete

La Belle et La Bete Movie Review

Lewis Maddison

Figure 1: Movie Poster

Unlike the Disney movie of the same name, La Belle et la Bete is a much darker, more fantastical take on the original French story, steering away from the whimsical, musical tone of Walt Disney and focusing more on the interactions between the characters and the use of effects that still stand out too this day."By using the tangible magic of hands through walls, moving statues, steamy paws and the rest, Cocteau makes rapt believers of us all"( Harley 2013). Following the same plot as the original, Jean Cocteau's interpretation creates an atmosphere that is dangerously addictive too both adults and children alike really personifying a world of pure fantasy. 

Figure 2: Beauty and the Beast

By now we are pretty familiar with the plot of Beauty and the Beast, thanks to the copious amounts of adaptations that have been created over the years, a merchant finds a rose in a seemingly abandoned castle, and is forced to send his daughter to live with it's monstrous inhabitant, eventually the two fall in love, much to the distaste of another character.It is considered to be a "timeless fairy tale about a young woman who agrees to dwell with a mysterious monster, as interpreted in 1946 by one of cinema's most brilliant visual stylists and myth makers."(Sterrit, 2013) A plot that seems very cliché nowadays. However what really makes this movie stand out from its counterparts, is it's production design. The world that has been created switches between the normal world of French architecture, wealthy families and bright scenery, and the darker atmosphere of Beast's castle. A world that resembles a chalk drawing.  "This film is such a visual delight that I gave up worrying about ideological considerations and just embraced its beautiful and influential dreamlike imagery." (Caldwell, 2011).  Caldwell accurately describes my own experience of watching this movie, the world that has been designed and envisioned by Cocteau and the François Baranger is truly one to behold. 

Figure 3: Belle traversing the castle

La Belle et La Bete wasn't a movie I was going in to expecting to enjoy, and in that sense I didn't so much as enjoy it, rather I admired the way Cocteau was able to create a world that still stand's out to this day, with its impressive visuals and surprising use of early practical effects. This is not a movie I would recommend based on its story as I described earlier, it's similar to the many other adaptations, I would recommend this move solely on its visuals, as a piece to be studied for future design projects. 

Bibliography:

Kevin Harley, Games Radar, http://www.gamesradar.com/la-belle-et-la-bete-review/, Dec 30th 2013

David Sterrit, The Christian Science, http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0816/p14s01-almo.html, Aug 16th 2002

Thomas Caldwell, Cinema Autopsy, http://blog.cinemaautopsy.com/2011/07/24/miff-2011-blog-a-thon-part-3/#beautyandthebeast, Aug 13th 2011. 

Illustrations

Figure1:http://charlieserafini.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/jean-cocteaus-la-belle-et-la-bete-1946.html

Figure2: http://film110.pbworks.com/w/page/12610265/Mise%20en%20Scene%20in%20La%20Belle%20et%20la%20Bete

Figure 3: https://wondersinthedark.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/la-belle-et-la-bete-no-25/

Alien: In space, no one can hear you scream.

Alien Movie Review

Lewis Maddison

Figure 1: Movie Poster

Alien, a movie that at its most fundamental level is about things that jump out of the darkness and kill people, it shares many traits with old horror/slasher movies such as Cunningham's Friday the 13th(1980),Craven's  Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and Carpenter's the Thing(1982). It follows a group of unfortunate people trapped in a confined area, being hunted down by a merciless killer that can strike at any moment. 

Although Alien resembles most slasher movies in terms of plot, the film itself could be considered incredibly original for the time that it was created, this was the movie that really started my love of science fiction horror, a genre that continues to be my favourite to this day."Director Ridley Scott's "Alien" is a near masterpiece with many imitators and zero superiors" (Vasquez Jr, 2014). This can be down to many things, the design of the futuristic ship that our hero's inhabit is incredibly realistic, unlike the bleached white walls and floors of 2001: A Space Odyssey. It's a much darker future, almost resembling the cobbled together nature of the original star wars trilogy with its practical effects and hand built sets. It looks like a world that is possible in our lifetimes, a world where things would be designed for practicality rather then visuals. The ship creates an eerie atmosphere that really helps to bring the terror to life, aided by the close up camera shots used by Ridley Scott (Director) to bring the audience right into the action.  

Figure 2: Inside of the Nostromo

The Key aspect of this film that really separates it from other horror movie's is the creature that we are all afraid of, the being that is haunting our hero for the entire movie. The Xenomorph as the fan community has named it. This creature is a truly terrifying creation of the late H.R. Geiger. A phenomenal artist who dreamt up worlds of sexual organs and alien structures. The truly disturbing thing about this creature is the sexual undertones that have been incorporated into it's design, its Lore and Its actions. "The monster itself is still one of the flat-out scariest ever designed for the movies." (Anderson, 2010) The idea that in order for the creature to reproduce it must forcefully impregnate a living host in order to continue to thrive. All it knows is reproduction and death. Even its the design of the creature looks like a phallic object, this is what sets it apart from many other designs from that period of film. It's completely different. There are no big head, small body, green men in this movie. Just a large sexual death machine that wants nothing then to kill you can use your body to breed more of it's kind. 

Figure 3: Xenomorph (Alien)

Moving away from the Creature, we have the cast of our movie. The most important being Ripley, played so well by Sigourney Weaver, an actress who really encapsulated the attitude and being that is the female Bad ass Ripley."It remains a benchmark of extra-terrestrial horror, and gave us a bona fide A-list star in the shape of Sigourney Weaver" (Film 4,2011). Before this movie, action films were dominated by Large, testosterone filled men like Arnold and Stallone. Ripley could be considered the first true female action hero, taking on the Alien and kicking its ass and saving a cat in the process where everyone else on the vessel failed to save themselves. Ripley is one of the top action hero's of all time, and only get's better as the series of movies progresses.

The atmosphere of the ship is incredibly claustrophobic, this is due to the use of close shots throughout the movie, essentially the entire film plays out as if we the audience were there in the Nostromo being stalked by this being of fear. This helps to create a sense of anxiety and panic, which gives the movie and effect that very few movies have the privilege of being able to exact. 

Alien is one of those movies that inspired an entire genre of films, games and Tv shows, You will always find references no matter where you go, confirming the idea that This is one of the biggest achievements in film history, the set design, characters, creature and sound design are all hit the mark. I Highly recommend Alien to any horror/sci-fi fan. However I would also recommend stopping at the second movie Aliens. As it starts to get the old horror movie sequel syndrome later on. 

Bibliography:

Figure 1: http://impawards.com/1979/alien.html

Figure 2: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nostromo+alien&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHFX_en-GBGB568GB568&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=EV16VKTuMob5asH2guAG&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=ikx8w2wav2kk_M%253A%3B71szw5Lsj1PAJM%3Bhttp%253A%252

Figure 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_(creature_in_Alien_franchise)

Film 4, http://www.film4.com/reviews/1979/alien, Film 4.com, 2011

Felix Vasquez Jr, http://cinema-crazed.com/blog/2014/11/07/alien-1979/, Cinemacrazed.com, 2014

Jeffrey, M Anderson, http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/alien.shtml, CombustibleCelluloid, 2010

Older Movie Review: Black Narcissus

Black Narcissus Movie Review

Lewis Maddison

Figure 1: Black Narcissus Poster

Black Narcissus (1947) is a Michael Powell movie that takes Rumer Goddens Novel and deliberately courts controversy through it's interpretations of the Nun's and how they are effected by the new world that they find themselves in."Michael Powell was right when he called Black Narcissus an "erotic film," but the attraction is pure Pygmalionism"(Lathier, 2012) Each Nun in this movie is shown in a different light throughout the story, the main character being Sister Clodagh, as woman who starts of the story very reserved and restricted in the way she acts and interacts with the other Nuns and the male actor's. Portrayed by beautifully by Deborah Kerr, Sister Clodagh is given a large amount of character development throughout the film as we see her go from a faithful sister of the church to someone who begins to question her faith and the way she is living her life. The other Nun that gets a huge amount of development is Sister Ruth, a character that is only mentioned for the first half an hour of the movie. When she first shows up we are shown her helpful nature but are also given hints to the issue's that she will be encountering later on in the film through her reaction to the interest that Mr: Dean, played by David Farrar, take's in her.

Figure 2: Sister Ruth covered in blood. 

The movie follows the events of a group of Nun's who are sent to a remote part of the Himalayas to educate and take care of the villagers in the area. Right from the start of the film we are given an interpretation of the controversial nature of both the novel and the screen adaptation. The building they are inhabiting used to be a place where the previous general kept his female "acquaintances" both of the slave and personal variety. This is place is a huge departure from the innocent nature of the nunnery in England that these characters come from. Going from a place of purity to an environment that is much more free and with a history of sin in the eyes of the church. The environment itself is incredibly liberating in this sense. High above the ground, the Nuns are incredibly isolated, far away from people who share the same ideals as they do, they are exposed to the things that they are sworn to leave behind such as freedom , freedom to be themselves and express their emotions in ways that the church will not allow them.

The most important character for this change is Sister Ruth. At the start of the film she is already starting to give into the environment and the freedom that it is creating, when she encounters Mr Dean for the first time and is shown some kind of gratitude, something she didn't get from any of the other Nun's, her character begins to change, she starts to question her life as a sister of the church and her faith, leading to the end of the film where she become's completely liberated, going mad in the process. Ruth at the end of the film has completely embraced her emotions, whereas Nun's like Clodagh are still slaves to their faith, although this could be the reason why they are still alive in the end. The faith that Ruth had tried to abide by her entire life eventually ended her life, what's to say that it wouldn't do that to the other's had they not fought back as hard as they did. It's an interesting idea to think about. Is there faith keeping them on this planet or is it hindering them from expressing themselves as much as they should. 

Figure 3: Sister Ruth Succumbs to madness. 

The production design of this movie is one of the most important aspect's in showing the way the character's change throughout the story."While the thematic elements of desire and the constant battle between the spirit and the flesh are intricate elements of Black Narcissus, the film will probably be best remembered for its impressive visuals."(Kendrik, 2001) In the beginning the colours of the environment are very muted, showing the restrictions that have been placed on these women however throughout the film the colour red starts to seep in more and more. A colour that personifies life and anger, vividly shown in the red lipstick that Sister Ruth seductively puts in one of the most tense scene's in the film and the dress that she wears during her madness at the end of the film.

This film is a masterpiece in showing the way that people can be affected by their faith and how being a new environment can change them,the way the characters change throughout the film and the underlying issues that the story is trying to convey."The cinematography of Narcissus -- notably an ending that must have stuck in Hitchcock's mind for decades -- is to die for" I highly recommend this film as someone who likes movies that question people's beliefs and how they restrict us both physically and emotionally. 

Bibliography:

Figure 1: http://film.famousfix.com/tpx_616549/black-narcissus/poster. 

Figure 2: http://offscreen.com/view/holiness_in_black_narcissus

Figure 3:http://offscreen.com/view/holiness_in_black_narcissus

Joseph Jon Lanthier,http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/black-narcissus, Slant Magazine, 2012)

Christopher Null,http://offscreen.com/view/holiness_in_black_narcissus, Offcreen, 2001

James Kendrick, http://www.qnetwork.com/index.php?page=review&id=2412, QNetwork, 2001)

Repulsion Movie Review

Repulsion Movie Review

Lewis Maddison

Figure 1: Repulsion Movie Poster

The Roman Polanski film Repulsion (1965) is one of those rarer movie's that really draws you into the head of the protagonist of the movie Carol Ledoux, portrayed excellently by the French, Catherine Deneuve, an actress who has starred in many spectacular movies throughout her career."There can't be many other films which so plausibly show an entire, warped world created from a single point of view".(Bradshaw, 2013)  The film itself attempts to delve into the mind of a French woman living in London during the era of free love and peace known as the swinging 60's.Many people were taking part in the culture of free love and expression during this time, however the character that we are made to focus on is portrayed as having sexual insecurities, the idea of being afraid of men and physical contact is a prevalent theme throughout the entire film, with the way Carol acts when different types of men that she encounters try to approach her. Some are much more friendly and kind hearted whilst others are much more sinister. 

The film itself is presented as a view into Carol's mind as she slowly descends into madness. The film starts off with a key scene that represents the type of character that Carol will be. She is seen staring into nothingness, as if she was unconsciously somewhere else. A trait that is very common with the mentally unstable, helping to create a series of quick judgements about Carol's character. We also see the start of her insecurities during a moving scene where she walks past a group of builders on the streets of London who take a liking to her."Deneuve, as the woman whose fear of sexual contact is at the base of her neurosis, has seldom been less like her icy self"(Malcolm, 2013) Catherine Deneuve gives a wonderfully subtle performance as this increasingly catatonic girl, using slight motions of body language to show the increasing uncomfortable world that this woman is living in. 

Figure 2: Still from Repulsion showing the main character, Carol

The biggest factor's behind the success of this movie in terms of conveying the dramatic tension and often terrifying undertones of the plot have to be the impressive cinematography and sound design. Although not seen as much in the streets of London, when the scenes are taking place in the confines of Carol's apartment the tension in the film starts to increase. As Carol starts to lose her grip on reality, the apartment itself begins to crack and break away, reflecting the strain that being on her own in this world and even her obsessive nature is having on her mentality. The Apartment is the most important aspect of the film, as if it could be seen as the antagonist of the movie, being a direct cause of Carol's deterioration. It almost comes to life and attack's her as if it wants to drive her to the edge, this is scene in a few scenes, such as in a scene close to the end of the film where the walls become a mass of hands, trying to grope and touch Carol, but mainly through the incredibly disturbing rape scenes that are spread throughout the movie. 

Figure 3: Hands jut out of the Apartment Walls

During these scenes all sound is cut apart from the ticking of a clock, you are forced to watch a close up shot of Carol, being subjected to an incredibly personal attack. Something that she has probably been fearing for all of her life. 

"you mayfeel the urge to laugh out of sheer need to break the tension, and Polanski knows it" (Humanik, 2012) .These scene's are designed in a such as way to make you feel incredibly uncomfortable, being made to sit there and watch someone be raped multiple times throughout the film is quite an exhausting,  feeling. You want to look away but you are drawn to the scene, which is rather unsettling in its own right. These scenes are made even more unsettling by Carol, putting on lipstick just before she is attacked, as if she is getting ready for it to happen, a shocking moment that really shows her madness. 

Figure 4: Carol putting on lipstick before her attack. 

The other factor behind this movies success is its sound design, the entire time there is a sound in the background, although some are not as obvious as others. It could be the ticking of a clock, the ringing of a phone which got louder and louder as the film progresses or the sound of a bell ringing in the chapel next door. Each of these help to create an agitating environment for both the character's and the audience, leaving you on the edge of your seats, wanting to look away but being unable to. 

Repulsion is one of those films that is able to draw you completely into its world, with its fantastic set and sound design as well as with some stunning performance's from all of the actors and actresses, Carol is made to seem like someone we as an audience should be terrified whilst also being someone we should pity. Giving this movie an interesting appeal. Personally I would highly recommend this film to anyone who hasn't seen it or anyone who is interested in the way a person can be effected mentally by there surroundings and past (a part of the film that I wont ruin and leave to you to interpret in your own way).

Bibliography:

Figure 1: http://www.listal.com/viewimage/930279h

Figure 2:ttps://www.google.co.uk/search?q=repulsion+movie+review&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHFX_en-

GBGB568GB568&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=cih6VKT_M9XdatrJgpgC&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=979#safe=off&tbm=isch&q=carol+ledoux&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=dvCeeOVl_czxIM%253A%3BkXz9fsD_FVS4qM%3Bht

Figure 3: http://popcultureandfeelings.com/2010/12/my-complicated-feelings-about-roman-polanski/

Figure 4: http://ayunie-adiana.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/mise-en-scene-film-programme-repulsion.html

Peter Bradshaw,The Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jan/03/repulsion-review, 2013

Derek Malcolm, Evening Standard, http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/film/also-showing-chinatown-repulsion-and-playing-for-keeps-8438115.html, 2013

Humanik, The projection booth, http://projectionbooth.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/viewing-log-4.html#repulsion, 2011,