Change Your Image
anythinkfilms
NEWS; where articles on all of the latest going on in the world will be posted.
PRODUCTIONS; where content and videos from writers’ video sites will be posted.
REVIEWS; where all book, film, music, and other reviews will be posted.
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
You Can't Have It Both Ways (2020)
What a cracking short
I had the opportunity to see this film before it was put into festivals. It was a brilliant, explicit look at the political and social views in modern day USA.
I felt the cast really took on the roles amazingly during a time where the world was at an absolute standstill pretty much bringing to a stop the film industry. Jordyn is beautifully talented within this art that when she brought this to screen it resonated with me in such a way I wish that it was way longer.
The musical numbers were catchy, the dancing was on point and so well choreographed, kudos to every single person involved. No matter your political view this at least should open your eyes.
Stop going backwards, we need to go forward.
Outlaw King (2018)
It deserves your viewing
** SPOILERS**
James Douglas (Aaron Taylor-Johnson): I serve Robert Bruce; join us to free our land.
Outlaw King begins with the beautiful shot of a candle burning which I believe is symbolic in the way it represents the continuing fire burning within the Scottish people to revolt against the occupying English army. This symbol could be likened to the context of Scottish Independence today in modern politics with Scotland's candle still burning.....
But I'm not here to talk about that! Lets get to it!
The film really commences with an incredible single take shot which follows from Robert bending the knee to Edward I up until its revealed this story initiates during the siege of Stirling castle and the unveiling of the massive trebuchet named Warwolf which is used on the castle. In this story this is what re-ignites the fire within Bruce.
Director David Mackenzie and Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd (known for United 93, Detroit and Jason Bourne among others) use Scotland to their advantage (unlike the more famous 'Braveheart' (Robert Bruces' nickname) shot in Ireland, I will not talk about this again throughout this review) Mackenzie and Ackroyd employed lots of Drone shots which added to the beautiful aesthetic of the overall film making Scotland a character herself.
The casting was pretty much perfect apart from James and Robert being played by non-Scots. I didn't think about that too much when watching the film and completely became oblivious to the fact that James was played by an Englishman and Robert a North American. The standout though was Florence Pugh, the way she conveyed her emotions throughout and the chemistry she had with Bruce's daughter stood out to me. It's not the first role she has stood out in though check out 'Lady Macbeth', 'BBC King Lear', 'The Little Drummer Girl'. Pugh is definitely going places so keep your eyes peeled.
I must also say bravo to David Mackenzie and his attention to detail throughout the historical side of things. For example when Robert Bruce killed John Comyn, why did Bruce kill Comyn? He got in the way of Robert obtaining the Scottish crown. Roberts wife and Daughter both were taken by the English. His brothers hung, drawn and quartered (lovely, I know, but true) I'm not saying everything was accurate and happened at that time portrayed in the film but it was in there and with films you do have to respect that the director can employ some of their own artistic license to add their little intimate details which I agree with in bits and pieces as this film is about revenge and these events added fuel to his fire.
But.....the spider scene was cut.
While hiding in a cave for three months after being defeated in battle Bruce came across a spider, during this time he was at the lowest point in his life and apparently thought about leaving the country and never returning. Then he spotted the spider and it begun to build a web but time after time it fell down however it continued to build its web. This motivated Bruce to regroup with his men and reignite the fight. "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again."
Then there's the final battle which is at Loudon Hill. Everyone wanted Bannockburn but why Loudon Hill? At this point in the story Bannockburn will not have taken place just yet, that was much later. Loudon Hill took place not long after the small skirmish at Glentrool (not in the film) therefore making Loudon Hill the better and lesser known battle to take place.
Then the film does a time jump.........to after the battle of Bannockburn!!!! I didn't agree with this move because the director could've used that to his advantage. The film is all about revenge then why not continue that in a sequel make a trilogy take your bloody time, I dislike unnecessary time jumps to speed a film along or tv series it's fricken laziness (looking at you AMC) They could've finished up with Bruce planning his next battle while a candle is lit in front of him and he stares into the flame cutting to his wife in the cage over the water. Unfortunately due to the time jump that won't work unless they do flashbacks....ugh.
Overall I highly recommend this Netflix Film for its story, direction, the beautiful way the battles are shot, Scotland's portrayal, historical accuracy and oh yeah that not bad Scottish accent from LA Native Chris Pine.
I'd also like to acknowledge the fact that Hollywood is beginning to take a lot more notice in Scotland's potential which will be great if more and more productions begin to use her in the future or film makers want her beauty on the big screen. I guess the 'Outlander' effect is everywhere! Thanks for reading!
8.5/10
Halloween (2018)
Halloween
*SPOILERS*
Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis): He is a killer. But he will be killed tonight.
Halloween (2018) was an unexpected hit, I went into the cinema with low expectations due to the previous instalments which for me destroyed this franchise created by horror mastermind John Carpenter those forty years ago.
Fortunately David Gordon Green (known for Joe (2013), Stronger (2017) and Pineapple Express (2008)) done a great job in bringing back this franchise to be the intensely driven film it was intended to be. Then you've got a script by Danny McBride, the guy who's always playing the silly or humorous character, this just like 'Get Out (2017)' shows you that when people go out there comfort zones they can make great products.
Much like a lot of reboots (and sequels) that have come out in recent months there has been a lot of references to the previous films which was nice to see as story wise it didn't acknowledge the previous stories but it gave a nod to most of them.
Throughout this film there's a lot of good shooting - the lighting is incredible, there's good use of shadows. There's even a long single take (I love my good long takes) which you can see the start of here(this scene is also a reference to Halloween 2 (1981)-
The film begins at the Smiths Grove sanatorium where Michael has been imprisoned, a couple of true crime enthusiasts go there to try and confront Michael and see if he'll talk but he doesn't. They also meet the Dr Loomis of this film Dr Sartain who just comes across as your average Psychiatrist at this point.
When Michael doesn't speak it motivates the enthusiasts to go and visit Laurie Strode in her isolated estate where she has an armoury, booby traps and some amazing lighting. But again this doesn't really go their way in terms of getting a lot of info, even when they bribe her.
In terms of storyline it was fairly linear and not convulted, there was a simple amount of characters with pretty good development from start to finish, yeah some of the characters were fairly cliched but its the acting, directing and dialogue that made it better.
Bonnie and Clyde role reversal
There's a theme throughout the film - role reversal and it starts of with Andi Matichak alongside her boyfriend in the film Dylan Arnold switching the gender roles of Bonnie and Clyde.
Throughout the film the others are including references from previous films like:
I can't remember which film but in this one it's the girlfriend thats under the sheets and in the other film it's the boyfriend.
The psychiatrist Dr Loomis helps the good guys but in this one Dr Sartain helps Michael. Michael is being hunted by Laurie Strode where as previously she was hunted. There's a great scene at her house where Laurie is thrown out the window like Michael was and he looks out after being distracted and her body has gone (sound familiar).
Even the ending, the house was in the middle of nowhere so that Michael could one day be lead there to die and that's what Laurie does, then traps him and lights the place on fire. But is Michael really dead? I think no because I believe Michael is an idea a shape (film reference) and if people still remember him or know him then he's not going anywhere, anytime soon!
I'd also like to say John Carpenter's music in this was highly appreciated and helped make the film what it is, it wouldn't have been as good without the master himself being on board.
9/10
Clique (2017)
Clique Series 1
**SPOILERS**
The Scottish drama that you probably didn't know about created by the talented former 'Skins' writer Jesse Brittain.
'Clique' follows Holly McStay played by a relatively new comer called Synnøve Karlsen (When you watch this show you'd think she's been doing this for ages). Holly is a university student just beginning her first year in Edinburgh with her best pal since childhood Georgia Cunningham (How rare is that in real life?)
One day they go into a lecture led by the charismatic Jude McDermid and her brand of feminism lures both Holly and Georgia to discover more.
As the first episode goes on Georgia becomes ever more distant to her once best friend and begins following a 'clique' of bright students that she feels she now identifies with as they have a similar view on the feminism that Jude spoke about. However, it turns out that Jude is the alpha of this so called 'clique'. As time passes Holly continues to try and reconnect with Georgia but is left as an outcast which motivates her to try and enter this closely guarded circle to find out what is happening.
She finds out at the lavish parties this circle is populated by Edinburgh's most powerful men and women leading to Holly exposing it's corrupt core. This proves to be a lot more dangerous than imagined and Holly's past is threatened to resurface.
'Clique' has noir like undertones but looks at modern university life with a bit of added drama, the team definitely make good use of the city and Scotland as a location, I remember reading an article that stated that this could be the next 'Gossip Girl' personally I don't think it's like 'Gossip Girl' unless its the fashion aspect they're talking about, in terms of students and the shows demographics wanting to dress like the characters. Who doesn't want to look elegant?
You (2018)
Spotted: Lonely Boy has his eyes set on a blonde, sound familiar? XOXO....
**SPOILERS**
Joe (Penn Badgley): "There you are, every account set to public. You want to be seen!."
I mean this isn't 'Gossip Girl' this is darker, so much more darker.
'YOU' is a brand new psychological thriller based on the novel with the same name written by Caroline Kepnes.
Meet 'Lonely Boy' Joe Goldberg an ordinary New York book store manager who quickly falls in love with customer Guinevere Beck a wannabe writer.
This works perfectly due to his knowledge of the literacy world and even helps him flirt more effectively with Beck as time goes on. From the get go he is obsessive, he want's Beck in his life, slowly making his way through her social media pages building up an immense knowledge of her profile. Kind of like 'Criminal Minds' but not for anything good.
It turns out Beck has another man in the picture, a man that only seems to use her for sex, Joe finds this out and tries to give her the respect she so definitely wants but she doesn't budge. Until, Joe kidnaps her eh, bed partner Benji and when Beck tries to get in touch with him Joe has his phone controlling the narrative.
Then there's Peach who is also obsessed with Beck and totally in love with her, so when Joe comes along, this guy who will do anything for Beck makes Peach decide this guy is a threat to their future together so does everything in her power to destroy Joe and Becks connection even going to the extremes of trying to guilt trip Beck into staying in Paris with her.
Overall the show is very well written, it begins as a slow burn and gets more and more exciting as it goes on. Penn Badgley and Elizabeth Lail both take turns at narrating this series and Lail also takes her turn at being the stalker which is a nice wee turnaround fitting with the overall narrative, it's as if Joe has subconsciously rubbed off on Beck making her unknowingly take on those creepy traits (For example Joe gets a new girlfriend and Beck keeps turning up infront of them)
In a show filled with murder, lies and stalking where none of the characters are actually good 'YOU' is a show that hooks you wanting more.
Luckily it's been renewed for a second season so we get to see more of what Joe will get up to and after that rollercoaster season finale the audience deserves much more to get their teeth into. The trailer below shows you that they wanted to give it a love story feel but as it goes on the darkness becomes more evident in that world. I would highly recommend this show that will have you criminal profiling everyone in your life: A high 8.5/10 from me on this one!!