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Set Fire to the Stars (2014)
A return to The Golden Age of Hollywood.
Having now watched this film twice I have to say that to me Set Fire To The Stars is a master class in classic film making, Hitchcock often referred to 'pure cinema' the art of story telling via the art of the composition of shots and the smooth editing used to translate the written word into a visual experience and this film truly achieves what Hitchcock discussed.
It takes me back to the classics of film, the films that originally drew my attention and focus into the importance of film as an art form and lead to my career aspirations of sharing the joy and experience I had felt into the minds of the young and impressionable generations of the future. I have been a lecturer in Film Studies for 15 years.
The relationship between Thomas and Brinnin is just so beautifully created it almost feels as though one is part of this close and personal journey they shared. The relationship that develops through the film almost brought me to tears on more than one occasion while watching the film (if not for being a true 'Yorkshire man' then I think I could have shed a tear or two) The pain and frustration that Brinnin feels towards Thomas can be truly felt by the viewer, in one moment their relationship is so perfectly created only for the next scene to totally destroy Brinnin's 'love' for Thomas – pride that almost immediately becomes embarrassment, joy that turns swiftly to sadness – can only be said to be breath taking.
The performances of both Celyn and Elijah are at the height of what one would expect from the classics of Hollywood in its Golden Age, I do have to say that Celyn outshines on more than one occasion - which are the moments that made me feel extremely emotional, a man on the edge who was so lost in excess that I felt extreme sorrow for the character and those around him.
The composition of the shots is without doubt awe inspiring; I did not find one shot that jolted me from this visual feast. I get great delight from films that are obviously so cinematic, sadly something that is missing from so many contemporary films and what distinguishes a film from a movie. The scenes that stood out the most to me are the lake scene, the café scene (which was perfectly composed), the chess game and the woodland – just perfect.
Cars (2006)
Send it to the Scrap Yard
I love the work of Pixar but this was the worst Pixar film so far......... I was so bored watching this waste of time. It had nothing going for it other than the obvious toyology it was created for. Don't waste time on this film, and certainly do not buy any of the merchandise it was most defiantly created for! An overly long piece that suffers from a poor second act and never really gets back form the brink of boredom. I have no idea what possessed Pixar to make this film other than a quick buck! The animation was perfection, as one would expect, but there is nothing beneath the imagery to make one feel any warmth towards this waste!
Land of the Dead (2005)
A 'land'mark in zombie films
Romero is back and back with a vengeance! This is a first rate film about the failings of mankind. The loss of man being the dominant species and how the pig headiness of mankind results in their ultimate downfall! A very well paced film that leaves the audience wanting more. A fist rate performance from the entire main cast, with one of Asia's best performances - you could tell she felt at ease and relaxed working with GAR. The directors cut allows more of the familiar zombie moments to stand out with gore - the priest flipper head has to be one of the best moments of zombie bites!
A very scathing sub-text referring to the Bush administration proves that Romero has not lost his political edge - Hoppers Kaufman is a perfect vision of Rumsfeld, pure class when he pours the champagne given to him Cholo into the correct glass!!
I could write for days - pure perfection and we need more zombie films from the man who DID create the genre.
Forget remaking his old classics because it cannot be done, they are classics because of Romero's first rate direction and cannot be remade without the master. So just give him the money to make more films!!
Day of the Dead (1985)
Much overlooked
The ultimate in Romero's Dead Quadrilogy and sadly much overlooked by many who cannot see the depth of the piece. Romero gives us the apocalyptic vision of the future (or lack of any real future) The characters find themselves to be the under dogs and the ones who have no future in this bleak vision of the zombie society. The zombies has now become the ultimate consumers and changed the very core of society, yet the few surviving humans still cannot live in peace together. Drawing from his earlier work Romero has surpassed himself with this film, to give the audience the ultimate in societal disintegration! The suicide of Miguel says it all, he sees no way out other than to join the stenches and allow them to destroy the enemy within.
As usual Romero gives the audience, what is essentially a 1 act piece - the viewer is dropped into the chaos and then left wondering about the outcome. Why should all films have a resolved ending? Why don't we just leave the characters as we found them, unsure about the future! If most films give us a narrative state similar to the theory of Edward Brannigan, Equilibrium - disequilibrium - return to equilibrium then Romero jumps straight for the disequilibrium, and why not! A first rate film that every Zombie fan must have seen, if you have not then put it at the top of your wish list - you will not be disappointed