Featured
Featured
"Message in a Bottle from a Crazy World"
Under the sub-title "message in a bottle from a crazy world", this is the first of 11 chapters that intertwine around the main narrative of both the men's and ladies Ashes Summer of 2023 and an offbeat take as I describe beautiful Ironbridge (as seen in the video!) visiting the cinema and spending time with my son as well as an awkward, sideways glance at a maddening world and the witchcraft that is the internet!
All of which comes from a cricket book I'm immensely proud of and an extract from this chapter follows a link to this self-published book and other ways and means of supporting me, if you are able, to thumb the eye of traditional publishers who refused to read my original manuscript!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF4FRKSH
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
"The world of social media and those twin sisters of devilry Facebook and Twitter sure is a crazy old world and quite frankly I’m relieved to know it just isn’t true and can only be the creation of a master tactician and architect of a larger electrical internet encompassing this one, or an electrical and digital Matrix if you will. In the stub your big toe and you’ll hop around like a wounded, squealing animal real world, I ventured to beautiful Ironbridge with my equally beautiful son for company, fussed over an English pug dog by the name of “Bear” and watched the world go by for an hour beside the River Severn. The sweet sound of the bells of St Luke’s Church signalled our departure for the cinema with pockets full of “Old Fashioned Sweets” from the tiniest shop in the tiniest of English towns, a perfect accompaniment to a musical based on the songs of Take That which rather pleased the not so secret admirer of those Mancunian musical maestros, and what a sheer pleasure it was to watch and see my son singing along with songs some of which I’ve held dear to my heart for nearly a quarter of a century. Naturally my favourite song, “A Million Love Songs”, reduced this curmudgeonly old cricket fan into tears and there’s a story behind the obvious question of why, but we don’t have time for such a maudlin dive into the matters of a lovelorn heart.
Not now anyway.
The remainder of our afternoon and evening was spent doing what we do best, hanging out together, my son in his gaming world, me sat cross legged at a small coffee table sucking on the end of my pencil and occasionally writing in between bouts of either annoying him or trying to make him laugh.
Treasured times indeed.
With my son safely back into the homely comforts of his incredible mother I treated myself to some late night highlights of the day’s cricket from the ladies Ashes before booking myself another treat and a return trip to the cinema tomorrow. Then I made the fatal mistake of plugging myself into The Matrix and for fear of repeating myself, I am so glad that the world presented to me via social media isn’t real and is just a flash of graphics, texts and images from a created world that simply can’t be true.
You could sit me down and painstakingly detail, in slow methodical baby steps, how the internet is and how it arrives, undersea cables, modems and routers, passwords and megabit speeds, and I’d still veer toward it all being the work of witchcraft. I’ve been lucky enough to yet again wander around a beautiful toy-town beside the River Severn, go to the cinema and spend the rest of the day with the light of my life, and then I venture into the dark hole of wizardry and witchcraft and as usual, I don’t know if I should be bemused or bloody annoyed.
We have the coming spectacle of two of the world’s richest men clambering into a boxing ring for some personal, down and dirty fisticuffs and whilst Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg plan for their heavyweight versus bantamweight shenanigans, five more incredibly rich souls are feared lost at sea deep in search of The Titanic.
The Titanic!"
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121
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"Se7en" (1995) Directed by David Fincher
“What’s in the box?”.
Tired, weary and soon to retire “Detective Somerset” (Morgan Freeman in yet another stellar performance) and “Detective Mills” (Brad Pitt at near perfection best) fresh faced and anxious to please, are thrown together as it quickly becomes evident that a serial killer is on the loose and literally following the seven deadly sins as a means of inspiration for his killings. Brilliantly written by Andrew Kevin Walker, the film is accompanied by a twisting yet often subtle musical score from Howard Shore and as described briefly below is continually bathed in perpetual rain and a feeling of damp and dark pervades which is brilliantly lit by Director of Cinematography Darius Khonddji. These are all triumphs of the film for me, as are the constant “inserts” such as varying pieces of eclectic music from “Suite Number 3 in D Major” by Johann Sebastian Bach (as Somerset peruses a local library) through to “Trouble Man” by Marvin Gaye.
Despite following a day to day narrative (the day’s of the week are displayed on screen as we go), the film never settles and never pursues one single narrative strand. Yet with Fincher’s brilliance (can you believe he reluctantly helmed the film?), he brings the very best out of his two central performers.
#se7en #davidfincher #sevendeadlysins #bradpitt #morganfreeman #movies #moviereview #cinema #film #filmfan #filmreview #writing #writingcommunity #amazonkindle #unlimited #reading #readalong #readaloud
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "Se7en" penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 22nd January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below. I have also linked my original blog article on the career of director David Fincher below too:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/se7en-1995-da0d7069ef8
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/david-fincher-22-years-in-film-130c6dc5075f
This spoiler free review is also integral and contained within volume 5 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book, each volume of exhaustive and numerous film reviews are priced at £4.99 however should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, each and every volume can be read for free:
Volume 5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4N25YCW
All 7 Volume Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, comment if you wish and perhaps consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
Thank you.
73
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"28 Days Later" (2002) Directed by Danny Boyle
“OK Jim, I’ve got some bad news”.
With no opening titles, the film immediately begins with a portent of things to come (both in terms of the film and in Danny Boyle’s directorial expertise) with frenetically edited footage of riots and destruction around the world, and of chaos and mass societal breakdown. There are numerous television screens all showing the same footage and as the camera pulls back we see a chimpanzee connected to these multiple screens via electrodes attached to his head. Three animal rights activists break into the secure facility housing this chimpanzee and a number of others but are warned not to free them. They are infected with the “rage” virus and when subsequently freed, they wreck a bloody and rage fuelled revenge.
We cut to a simple slide which notes: “28 days later”.
There is a close up shot of an eyeball and the faint sound of a person breathing before we cut to an overhead shot of a naked man in a hospital bed attached to various tubes. We cut to another close up, this time on the man’s face as he slowly awakens and begins disconnecting the tubes. He now peers through the blinds of the window into the dishevelled and untidy corridor outside of his door, which he opens with a key he finds on the floor. He shouts a faint “Hello” before we cut to the same man, now dressed in a green hospital gown as he stumbles around the eerily silent and empty hospital building. He repeats a faint “Hello” before trying the telephones but they clearly aren’t working and he now shouts a more distressed and anguished “HELLO”. After leaving the hospital building we cut to two shots of the distressed man, one from below and a second from above, with the stationary white ambulances starkly juxtaposed against the matchstick figure in green.
#28dayslater #dannyboyle #zombiesurvival #horrorstories #movies #moviereview #cinema #film #filmfan #filmreview #writing #writingcommunity #amazonkindle #unlimited #reading #readalong #readaloud
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "28 Days Later" penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 30th December 2022 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below. I have also linked my original blog article on the career of director Danny Boyle below too:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/28-days-later-2002-86a51243bf0b
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/danny-boyle-12-cinematic-gems-29afaf277ca4
This spoiler free review is also integral and contained within my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book, each volume of exhaustive and numerous film reviews are priced at £4.99 however should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, each and every volume can be read for free:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, comment if you wish and perhaps consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
Thank you.
109
views
"The Insider" (1999) Directed by Michael Mann
“This guy. He’s the ultimate insider”.
This, my second all time favourite Michael Mann film is an absolute joy, a film I never tire of re-watching and a film with Al Pacino on top notch form, and where Russell Crowe act’s his damn arse off! But more of that later.
Based on the Vanity Fair article The Man who knew too much by Marie Brenner and exquisitely shot by returning Director of Photography Dante Spinotti, this is a Michael Mann film and a director at his sublime best. With a tight screenplay also written by Mann and Eric Roth, it is Mann to the fore as a Director supreme, with literally every scene crafted to the nth degree. Unrushed at nearly three hours long, it’s a stylish, engaging, insightful and shocking piece of cinema, brilliantly acted by a stellar cast of Christopher Plummer, Philip Baker Hall, Stephen Tobolowsky and Michael Gambon to name but a few, and who bring real life characters to the big screen expertly, together with two leading men in thunderous, captivating form. Together with a superb original musical score from Pieter Bourke and Lisa Gerrard, you have a bona fide (if criminally overlooked) Michael Mann masterpiece.
From a frantically edited beginning through heavily guarded Hezbollah dominated streets we’re introduced to “Lowell Bergman” (Al Pacino) for the first time, blindfolded and awaiting his audience with a local Sheik. Cutting quickly to a vastly different scene whereby we meet “Jeffrey Wigand” (Russell Crowe) for the first time and we follow his exit from work and from a boisterous party he clearly wasn’t invited to. Interwoven throughout are family backgrounds to both, death threats and intense intimidation towards Jeffrey and the seemingly more serene, if pressured, working environment for Lowell.
#theinsider #michaelmann #alpacino #russellcrowe #vanityfair #masterpiece #cinema #moviereview #filmreview #film #reading #readalong #readaloud #amazonkindle #unlimited #writing #writingcommunity
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "The Insider" penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 29th January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and my original and updated article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/the-insider-1999-b0efb09e5e34
This spoiler free review is also integral to my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available via e-book, each volume of exhaustive and numerous film reviews are priced at £4.99 however should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package you can read each and every volume for free:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, comment and consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
Thank you.
47
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"Steve Jobs" (2015) Directed by Danny Boyle
“We blow this and IBM will own the next 50 years like a Batman villain”.
Based on the biography “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson (highly recommended) and excellently adapted for the screen with yet another effervescent screenplay by Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, Moneyball and A Social Network), one word perfectly encapsulates this wonderful film from Danny Boyle — control. The picture painted on screen, from his earliest memories and formative years as an orphan is of Steve Jobs craving control of every possible event and outcome and this becomes immediately evident as soon as the film introduces him as the epicentre of the launch of the Apple Macintosh Computer in 1984.
The film as a whole follows a traditional three Act structure but the movie itself is anything but traditional, commencing with Black and White Television stock footage of Arthur C Clarke surrounded by huge computers in a “Computer Room” as he describes a vision of the future and “computers in every home”, with the film climaxing 14 years later in 1998 and Steve Jobs taking to the stage at the launch of the iMac Computer against the backdrop of a huge screen with images of Arthur C Clarke, Albert Einstein, Muhammad Ali, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Alan Turing and lastly, Pablo Picasso.
#stevejobs #dannyboyle #michaelfassbender #apple #aaronsorkin #movies #moviereview #film #filmreview #reading #readalong #readaloud #writing #writingcommunity #amazonkindle #unlimited
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "Steve Jobs" originally penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 26th December 2022 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below. I've also linked my original opus blog article on the career of director Danny Boyle too:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/steve-jobs-2015-3ccf76153ffa
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/danny-boyle-12-cinematic-gems-29afaf277ca4
This spoiler free review is also integral and contained within volume 5 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available via e-book with each volume priced at £4.99, however should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, you can read each and every volume for free:
Volume 5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4N25YCW
All 7 Volume Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, comment and perhaps consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
Thank you.
41
views
"Trance" (2013) Directed by Danny Boyle
“Do you want to remember? Or, do you want to forget?”.
What struck me immediately on seeing Danny Boyle’s 10th film to date is that it’s very much a film of the new decade and reflective of the 21st Century. Trance is visually and aurally slick, glossy and frenetically edited which propels an intriguing tale through it’s 101 minute running time that is always engaging and intriguing it’s audience. And lest we forget a plot twist that is almost, almost, on a par with Boyle’s first film Shallow Grave and that is very high praise indeed. Trance is visually stunning at times and combines many Danny Boyle touchstones that have made him one of Hollywood’s most sought after directors: multi layered and engaging characters, an intriguing psychological thriller narrative that twists back and forth but never loses it’s audience, a modern and upbeat soundtrack, a sprinkling of dark humour and a narration from the film’s main character that almost implores you to look closer, deeper and far beyond what is presented on the surface.
“Simon” (James McAvoy) is a young art auctioneer who is professional and diligent yet deeply in debt, principally to “Franck” (Vincent Cassel) who in the film’s opening scene cashes in that debt by stealing Goya’s “Witches in the Air”. Franck is aided by fellow criminals “Nate” (Danny Sapani), “Dominic” (Matt Cross) and “Riz” (Wahab Sheikh). Their job is complete and Simon’s debt is paid. Or is it? Again, the film’s opening narration with it’s telling statement “No piece of art is worth a human life” and it’s clever use of “To Camera” narration from Simon (including him simply staring silently straight at the camera or with a half smile) challenges the audience to think again and to look much, much closer.
#trance #dannyboyle #movies #moviereview #film #filmreview #reading #readalong #readaloud #writing #writingcommunity #amazonkindle #unlimited
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "Trance" originally penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 8th January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below. I've also linked my original opus blog article on the career of director Danny Boyle too:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/trance-2013-7318ab7e057b
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/danny-boyle-12-cinematic-gems-29afaf277ca4
This spoiler free review is also integral and contained within my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available via e-book with each volume priced at £4.99, however should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, you can read each and every volume for free:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, comment and perhaps consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
Thank you.
152
views
"Dogma" (1999) Directed by Kevin Smith
“Good Lord. The little stoner has a point!”.
Dogma is one of my favourite films of all time and I revere the madness that this film represents very close to my twisted heart. But anyway, a little bit of scene setting: “Bethany” is working at Planned Parenthood and slowly losing her long held faith. Visited by an Angel in her bedroom, she is handed an unusual task, to save humanity! Attacked in a car park by a ferocious gang, Bethany is rescued by an unusual pair of human beings. Cue “Jay” and “Silent Bob”. So, with the help of Jay and Silent Bob, Bethany is to undertake a task completely out of the blue, with the repercussion being if she’s unsuccessful, humanity will no longer exist.
With me so far?
I will keep the remainder purposefully vague for two reasons. Firstly, if you haven’t seen this film and have stumbled your way down my Kevin Smith appreciation unaware of how good Dogma is, then I hope when you see the following cast list you’ll be intrigued further and desperate to see this all time classic film. The following really is the cast list and the characters they play are as noted! Secondly, I intend to write a complete scene by scene treatise of Dogma some day as I obsess time and time again over this film.
#dogma #kevinsmith #starwars #religion #masterpiece #movies #benaffleck #mattdamon #alanismorisette #chrisrock #alanrickman #georgecarlin #moviereview #film #filmreview #reading #readalong #readaloud #audiobook #amazonkindle #unlimited #writing #writingcommunity #blogger
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "Dogma" penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 24th December 2022 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below. I've also linked my original opus blog article on the entire cinematic career of Kevin Smith too:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/dogma-1999-40e0df363b89
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/kevin-smith-an-appreciation-1f1a3e272741
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 2 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book with each volume priced at £4.99, however each and every volume can be read for free should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package:
Volume 2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4J1S1TL
All 7 Volume Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, and comment if you wish and perhaps consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
Thank you.
80
views
"Clerks" (1994) Directed by Kevin Smith
“I’m not even supposed to be here today!”.
Set almost entirely within the “Quick Stop” and adjoining “RST Video” store, this Black and White debut from Kevin Smith is 92 minutes of joyous humour, observation, fantastic characters and more swear words than you can shake a stick at! Dripping with sarcasm, yet with straight talking characters who have gained cult and enduring status and an eminently quotable film that has spawned so many classics since release. The film is a joy throughout. Very much a personal film for Smith, and the film reflects this in every way.
Based around a single day, “Dante Hicks” (a superb Brian O’Halloran) is a tired, put upon clerk who had rather different plans for the day. Joined by “Randal Graves” (the film’s heartbeat and star, played excellently by Jeff Anderson), we enjoy their polar opposite views on virtually every subject of discussion, and there are many, often obtuse subjects, and always very, very funny. Randal, free spirited and carefree, manages the adjoining video store to where Dante runs the general store. Their daily dichotomy and conversations with their customers cover everything, from sex, to life, to the abuse of power and their very tall tales. Oh, and Star Wars. And Star Wars again! And meaningless jobs, incontinent customers, and generally hating their customers thoroughly! Darkly comedic, flat out hysterical at times. This is just a small sample of the topics for the day.
#clerks #kevinsmith #starwars #debut #blackandwhite #masterpiece #movies #moviereview #film #filmreview #reading #readalong #readaloud #audiobook #amazonkindle #unlimited #writing #writingcommunity #blogger
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "Clerks" penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 5th January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below. I've also linked my original opus blog article on the entire cinematic career of Kevin Smith too:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/clerks-1994-a47a7369a53e
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/kevin-smith-an-appreciation-1f1a3e272741
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 1 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book with each volume priced at £4.99, however each and every volume can be read for free should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package:
Volume 1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HHDL56
All 7 Volume Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, and comment if you wish and perhaps consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
Thank you.
61
views
"A Field in England" (2013) Directed by Ben Wheatley
“This war’s not being run to my liking!”
#movies #moviereview #independentfilm #cinema #reading #readalong #audiobook #ebook #amazonkindle #unlimited
The fourth Ben Wheatley cinematic creation was released in a uniquely different way on multi formats on the same day of release, embracing a new viewing culture for everyone, from Film 4, Channel 4, On Demand, DVD and traditionally via the medium of the cinema itself. Written by regular collaborator and partner in crime Amy Jump (both Ben and Amy were also co-editors), regular collaborator Laurie Rose also returned again as Director of Photography and the film owes a great debt to Rose as a film shot entirely in a field in England and nature being a dominant theme throughout it is shot absolutely beautifully. Wide angled lens shots capture the field and surroundings superbly and lovingly, from the stunning sun rises through to close in shots of rye grass and the spiders webs of nature all around. Laurie Rose, as with all three previous collaborations with Wheatley provides a loving and detailed touch that is to be greatly admired.
Presented in black and white to reflect the period setting of the English Civil War, the war itself seemingly (but unseen) rages on behind a hedgerow but we remain on the other side and in the company of five main characters out of a total of just six in the entire film. All characters are entirely different from each other, a wise and learned man, a coward, an aggressive and angry bully but on the surface each has his own simple, singular dimension, however as the film progresses we see further duality to each man’s character. The coward for example becomes the aggressor and the abstainer becomes an abuser.
The above paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "A Field in England" originally penned and published nearly a decade ago and transferred to my Medium blog on 22nd December 2021 and which can now be read in full and for free via my original article and opus larger article on director Ben Wheatley linked immediately below:
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/ben-wheatley-and-6-highly-recommended-british-films-1ef8d48f4ed6
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 1 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Only currently available in e-book format, all these sizeable volumes of multiple film reviews are priced at £4.99 per volume or, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, each and every volume is free to read:
Volume 1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HHDL56
All 7 Volumes
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe and comment if you wish!
Thank you.
45
views
"Children of Men" (2006) Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
“Every time one of our politicians are in trouble, a bomb explodes”.
Children of Men was my first in depth exposure to the films of Alfonso Cuaron and became a firm favourite of mine immediately on release in 2006. As I write this ten years later the film’s overriding themes of alienation in a post apocalyptic world, of failing social structural norms, oppressively high tensions surrounding immigration and nationhood still resonate deeply whilst shining a light on some of today’s eerily similar worldwide issues. Set in the year 2027, the film is anything but futuristic with a dirty grey colour palette dominating, and with society failing in all directions there are no discernible signatures of a futuristic world to come, of flying cars, enhanced transportation, logistics or media.
In it’s place is a disintegrating world at war with itself, a disillusioned populace and it’s immigrant inhabitants enclosed in horrific holding pens and internment camps with only the UK and London seemingly free of the riots spreading throughout the globe. The film is ostensibly rooted in London which as a rolling train billboard proclaims “Only Britain Soldiers On” and on the surface at least this appears to be the case. London is still working and sporting life, recreation and life at large still in evidence but lurking around every corner are terrorist threats, Government oppression and horrifying immigrant exclusion zones that resemble war torn ghettos.
The world as a whole is dying with liberty, freedom and progression seemingly on permanent hold after 18 years of zero recorded new births that has spawned a societal depression across great swathes of the entire planet. Following the death of “Baby Diego”, the World’s previous youngest member, his torch has been passed to the next youngest person alive and she now carries the weight of the world’s expectation and every possible hope on her shoulders. However, unbeknownst to the world at large and more crucially the authorities, a young girl loosely associated with the anti Government “Fishes” organisation is, against all possible odds, pregnant, and needing safe passage to the “Human Project”. Enter our accident prone and reluctantly accidental hero “Theo Faron” (Clive Owen).
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "Children of Men" penned and published nearly a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 13th December 2022 and which can also be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and the link immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/children-of-men-2006-ce02ae875b06
This spoiler free review is also integral to my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection" and can be found within Volume 1. Only available currently in e-book form, each exhaustive volume of spoiler free film reviews is £4.99 however, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, you can read each and every volume for free:
Volume 1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HHDL56
All 7 Volumes
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe and comment should you wish!
Thank you.
147
views
"High Rise" (2015) Directed by Ben Wheatley
“Looks like the rot’s set in”.
Set in JG Ballard’s penned futuristic vision of a dystopian nightmare of society metaphorically, and in a grisly instance, quite literally, eating itself, we encounter “Dr Laing” (Tom Hiddleston) a Doctor at a School of Physiology, who moves into the building of the future, a High Rise Apartment Block of 40 Floors created and built by the self appointed “Architect” known as “Royal” (a brilliantly laconic Jeremy Irons). Other residents, and there are far too many dotted throughout the apartment block to name every character, include single mother “Charlotte” (Sienna Miller), heavily pregnant “Helen” (a brilliant Elisabeth Moss), her husband “Wilder” (with Luke Evans excellently living up to his name!), “Cosgrove” (Peter Ferdinando) and “Ann” (Keeley Hawes) enjoying life on the top floor of the apartment block as the wife of Royal but more importantly, able to ride her horse amongst the splendidly apportioned roof garden! Small cameo roles are also filled by returnees from previous Ben Wheatley films in the guise of Tony Wray as the befuddled Caretaker “Robert” and Neil Maskell as “PC White”.
Envisioned and created by the Architect Royal, Jeremy Irons reigns supreme on the top floor of the world and the building he created. Dressed all in white, he cuts a God like figure atop the world and in a building where money and affluence affords you a higher standard of living in every sense, with the upper levels of the building set aside for the wealthiest of clients. With it’s own integral swimming pool and supermarket, the residents seemingly have no wish to venture further from their own luxurious environment, and this becomes bizarrely and starkly apparent even as the building, and their self contained world, descends into anarchy and chaos. Tensions mount, differences begin to show and three months into their vision of future living, anarchy reigns on every floor of the High Rise tower.
#highrise #jgballard #books #booktube #dystopia #dystopian #movies #movie #moviereview #film #filmreview #reading #readalong #ebook #amazonkindle #unlimited
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original review of "High Rise" penned and published nearly a decade ago but which can be read in full and for free via my original Medium blog site and original article linked immediately below:
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/ben-wheatley-and-6-highly-recommended-british-films-1ef8d48f4ed6
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 3 of my 7 volume series of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available in e-book format, each exhaustive volume of multiple spoiler free film reviews is priced at £4.99 however, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, you can read each and every volume for free:
Volume 3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4JTLRY1
All 7 Volumes
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
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89
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"Ali" (2001) Directed by Michael Mann
“But I ain’t going no ten thousand miles to help murder and kill other poor people”.
Opening Scene: February 24th 1964
Over basic opening credits and to the strains of a brilliant version of Sam Cooke’s “Bring it on home to me”, we’re introduced to “Cassius Clay” aka “Muhammad Ali” (Will Smith) for the first time on an early morning training run. Anonymous in grey white sweatpants and top, with a passing police car and policeman asking “what are you running from, son?” the angles are all acute, both on Sam Cooke and Cassius Clay, shot from behind, underneath, with Cooke particularly obscured and purposely so as he sings live on a stage to an enthralled and baying crowd. The opening two minutes are a juxtaposition between the two, a singing and soulful Cooke in front of his adoring crowd, Clay anonymous on yet another early morning training run.
Training run over, the action cuts to a montage of Clay training on his speed ball in the gym, inter cut with images of his next opponent “Sonny Liston” (real life ex boxer Michael Bentt) and Clay’s early life of “Coloureds Only” bus trips and of being with his Father “Cassius Clay Senior” (Giancarlo Esposito) as a young child, watching the painting of an image of Jesus Christ in a church and quickly edited to a teenage Cassius Clay, standing at the back of a church whilst “Malcolm X” (Mario van Peebles) preaches to his community, a young Cassius Clay enthralled and transfixed. The camera here never moves from Smith and is one of the quietest and perfectly placed scenes of the entire film. Throughout all of this early exposition, the segments themselves have been brief but effective, and always backed by an inter cut back to Sam Cooke and his adoring crowd. During the speed ball training particularly and the inter cut imagery, Clay is wide eyed and staring straight ahead, one camera directly on Smith, only cut away for either the back story imagery or his reflection in a nearby mirror as he trains, before a close up zoom brings his speed ball training to an end.
#ali #muhammadali #willsmith #michaelmann #history #boxing #boxinghistory #cinema #moviereview #filmreview #film #reading #readalong #readaloud #amazonkindle #unlimited #writing #writingcommunity
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "Ali" penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 14th January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and my original and updated article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/ali-2001-d9f4ae099849
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 1 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available via e-book, each volume of exhaustive and numerous film reviews are priced at £4.99 however should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package you can read each and every volume for free:
Volume 1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HHDL56
All 7 Volume Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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79
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"INSIDE" (2023) Directed by Vasilis Katsoupis
I’ve long been admirer of the acting prowess of Willem Dafoe and not just because of his continuing alliance and collaboration with Wes Anderson in his offbeat comedies that often bemuse as well as delight in equally enormous measure. Four time Oscar nominee, the Wisconsin born actor has honed his enigmatic acting style for over four decades now with my first recollection being the Tony Scott directed, David Bowie starring vampiric film The Hunger in 1983, Oliver Stone’s first cinematic epic Platoon in 1986, Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ two further years later, Alan Parker’s Mississippi Burning before re-teaming with Oliver Stone for another Vietnam inspired, Tom Cruise starring Vietnam War epic, Born on the Fourth of July, and all within the first decade of his acting career.
The 1990’s were a mix and match of Cry-Baby, Wild at Heart, Clear and Present Danger and The English Patient before he commenced a new century with the newly reinvigorated medium of superhero films in Spiderman before ironically, as you’re about to read, he was a huge part of another reinvented medium in animated films and particularly, Finding Nemo. Then came his continuing collaboration with Wes Anderson before another radical departure into the Antichrist and Nymphomaniac world of Lars von Trier, starring opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman in his second to last all time cinema outing in A Most Wanted Man before joining the John Wick legend at the ground floor in chapter one in 2014.
The above is an extract from the spoiler free review penned, posted and published to my Medium blog site on 11th April 2023 of a particular favourite film from this year and which is linked immediately below:
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/inside-2023-2d4f5a95182f
"Inside" forms part of a series of 7 volumes in the "essential film reviews collection" also linked below, together with other ways and means of supporting me, if you are able, to continue writing (even if I can't publicly read aloud my own words!) and the future publishing of more self-published books. All 7 volumes are free to read if you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4HZSTTH?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_a_lnk&storeType=ebooks
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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68
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"AMSTERDAM" (2022) Directed by David O Russell
“A lot of this really happened”, so proclaims the very first frame of the film before we journey backward and forward, from 1930’s New York to France in 1918 and back again, as a tapestry is slowly woven around a huge cast of characters embroiled or otherwise in the greatest untold (and dare not spoken about) conspiracy of all time. There’s an arguable hero’s tale component to the story alongside the conspiracy but with heavy emphasis on the returning veterans I’m hoping the deliberately shocking human aftermath of war resonates deeply with everyone.
The above paragraph is taken from my spoiler free review of "Amsterdam" originally penned and posted to my Medium blog site on 31st December 2022 and the review can be read for free and in full via my newly launched Substack site linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/amsterdam-2022-a09627c33f6
This spoiler free review can also be found within Volume 1 of my 7 volume set of "essential film reviews collection" that can be read for free should you have a Kindle "Unlimited" package:
Volume 1:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HHDL56
All 7 Volume Series:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4HZSTTH?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_a_lnk&storeType=ebooks
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
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154
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"BONES AND ALL" (2022) Directed by Luca Guadagnino #moviereview #movies #horrorstories
"What do you get if you fuse together a late teenager ostensibly locked away from the world for her own good by her Father, a razor thin and slightly older drifter who adores the glam rock band Kiss and another much older drifter who is toe-curlingly creepy and, like his younger outsiders from society, able to smell the near death and decay of a fresh corpse ripe for eating? Insert a 1980’s inspired soundtrack including Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran and the aforementioned Kiss (plus a couple of early 1990’s tracks from my favourite band Radiohead that I didn’t pick up on during my first watch) and weave all of these musical choices around a gentle piano and acoustic guitar musical accompaniment from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and you have Bones And All, and you have a disturbing love story like no other.
Based on the 2015 novel of the same name written by Camille DeAngelis and written here for the screen by David Kajganich, Bones And All is the thirteenth feature length film directed by Luca Guadagnino and he follows his critically acclaimed duo of films Suspiria and Call Me By Your Name with this cannibal horror love story and road trip through 1980’s America".
The above is an extract from my spoiler free review of "Bones and All" that I originally penned and published to my Medium blog site on 30th March 2023 and the review can be read in full here:
https://medium.com/@stephenblackford561/bones-and-all-2022-9cef234372ed
This film also forms part of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection" that are currently only available in E-Book or Kindle form but, should you have a Kindle "Unlimited" package, you can read any and every one of the 7 volumes for free:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4HZSTTH?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_b_lnk&storeType=ebooks
Four self-published books this year, two planned for 2024 so far and the seven volumes of film reviews above, if you are able, here are three further ways and means of supporting me:
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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46
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"MONSTERS" (2010) Directed by Gareth Edwards #monsters #horrorstories #movies
Reputedly costing under £500,000 to make with improvised dialogue from non-actors in impromptu scenes and special effects that were entirely devised and created in the bedroom of the Director, Monsters is the archetypal low budget film made good. As well as directing this low budget masterpiece, Gareth Edwards also wrote the screenplay, acted as his own Director of Photography, Production Designer and Visual Effects Supervisor and in the process, created a gem of a film. Dark and subliminal yet in spite of it’s imposing title, Monsters is in the main a surprisingly quiet and reflective film that plays against both it’s simple title and the monster movie genre, being more of a science fiction thriller than a horrifying monster film.
Despite the film’s title, Monsters is not ostensibly a film actually about monsters and aside from two particular scenes in near pitch black darkness it’s also not an especially scary or horrifying film, but this is not to decry or criticise the film in any way. Twisting a rather bad analogy the monsters themselves or “The Creatures” as they are more commonly known, are rather like the world’s most unruly children, heard rather than seen as they wreck their devastation on a monumental scale from city to city in the “infected zone” which splits the border between the United States of America and Mexico.
The above paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "Monsters" which was originally penned and published some years ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 2nd January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free (please also consider subscribing for free too!) via my Substack blog site and original article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/monsters-2010-e6907f288c55
This spoiler free review is also integral to Volume 3 of my "essential film reviews collection". Each volume and e-book is £4.99 however, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, all volumes are available to read for free:
Volume 3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4JTLRY1
7 Volume Collection
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C4HZSTTH?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_a_lnk&storeType=ebooks
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
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https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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20
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"NINE DAYS" (2021) Directed by Edson Oda #debut #film #cinema #filmfan
Edson Oda’s debut film is something to behold
Around thirty minutes into this intriguing and somewhat initially baffling tale “Will” (Winston Juke) slowly closes a door on “Emma” (Zazie Beetz) who immediately asks Will the growingly obvious question:
“What’s it like to be alive?”
At which point first time full cinematic director Edson Oda brilliantly frames the two characters split by the very frame surrounding the newly closed door, but the juxtaposition couldn’t be any more starker. The asker of the question is full of the very life she seeks, abundant smiles amid a carefree attitude and bathed in the golden glow of colour. The recipient of the question is framed in darkened black and white and perfectly capturing the mood of the man struggling for an answer: slow, ponderous, methodical, purposeful and with barely a smile to be had. All of which is in stark contrast to the tale that now begins to really take off, for Will has experienced a life, and of being alive, whereby Emma hasn’t, and Will is seemingly the arbiter as to whether or not she ever will.
The above two opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "Nine Days" originally penned and published to my Medium blog site on 16th March 2022 and can be read in full and for free (please also consider subscribing for free too!) via my Substack blog site and original article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/nine-days-2021-d10c212da1bd
This spoiler free review is also contained within volume 3 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection" (£4.99 per volume) or each and every volume can be read for free should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package:
Volume 3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4JTLRY1
7 Volume collection
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C4HZSTTH?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_a_lnk&storeType=ebooks
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65
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"I Dont Feel At Home In This World Anymore" (2017) #elijahwood #reading #readaloud #movies
“Sometimes I feel I’m under a whirlpool and I can’t breathe”.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2017 and released exclusively via Netflix the following month, I watched Macon Blair’s directorial debut purely by happy accident after listening to the film’s co-star Elijah Wood in an entertaining podcast interview on Nerdist.com and I was rather pleased I did as this film is a true gem and highly recommended. Supported by numerous important cameo performances from Gary Anthony Williams as highly strung Police Detective “William Bendix”, Lee Eddy as “Angie” and Michelle Moreno as her young daughter “Jana”, they are joined by a gaggle of further supporting performances from the debut writer and director himself Macon Blair as an awkward “Bar Dude” as well as crucial portrayals from Christine Woods as a hilariously bored housewife “Meredith Rumack”, Robert Longstreet as her aloof husband “Chris Rumack” and their nefarious son “Christian”, played well by Devon Graye. However, ostensibly this charmingly off kilter and awkwardly funny comedic drama is a two hander with two sublime central performances from Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood in a film of a simple yet effective premise:
the victim of a burglary seeks both the return of their property and satisfying retribution for the distress caused and in so doing wreaks havoc along the way.
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore" penned and published in April 2017, transferred to my Medium blog site on 8th July 2022 and available to read in full and for free (please also consider subscribing for free too!) via my Substack blog site and my original article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/i-dont-feel-at-home-in-this-world-anymore-9a45db5cd2ae
This spoiler free review is also contained within volume 3 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection" (£4.99 per volume) however all 7 volumes are free to read should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package:
Volume 3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4JTLRY1
All 7 Volumes
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C4HZSTTH?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_a_lnk&storeType=ebooks
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
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52
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"Pi" (1998) Directed by Darren Aronofsky
“When I was a little kid, my Mother told me not to stare into the Sun”.
This highly disturbing debut feature from Darren Aronofsky was also written by the Director with lead actor Sean Gullette and Eric Watson, is entirely in black and white and reputedly made on a budget of just $60,000. Hand held and Steadicam shots dominate a seemingly two toned film, one of clarity and pristine shots and one of murkier, dirtier and darker obscured shots which is both intentional and a motif for the film of duality, paranoia and suspicion. The obvious theme and motif for the film is as suggested by the film’s title Pi and the mathematical equation of 3.14159, a constantly recurring number and the ratio of a circle’s circumference to it’s diameter. “Max Cohen” (Sean Gullette) is an obsessive and compulsive number theorist who constantly sees recurring patterns in numbers, ratios and, as the film progresses, life as a whole. The film opens with Max immediately confronted by a young girl called “Jenna” (Kristyn Mae-Anne Lao), calculator in hand asking for his answer to a complex mathematical equation to which he answers almost immediately. As he walks away she asks another and again Max, without the aid of a calculator, answers immediately however this first meeting is the first in a series of meetings and events that shape Max’s life and becomes both a theme for the film (of life and history repeating itself in a constant loop) and the introduction to a sparse set of main characters. The film as a whole has just 29 credited character roles of which only six are main characters and a constant throughout this short 84 minute film.
#pi #mathematics #darrenaronofsky #debut #debutfilm #blackandwhite #movies #movie #moviereview #film #filmreview #cinema #reading #readalong #readaloud #audiobook #amazonkindle #unlimited #blogger #blogging #writing #writingcommunity #ebook
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "Pi" and one of my earliest forays into film writing and film appreciation over a decade ago. This review was originally penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 14th June 2022 and can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/pi-1998-34d9685e1ab0
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 4 in my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book, all 7 exhaustive volumes of multiple spoiler free film reviews are priced at £4.99 however, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package you can read each and every volume for free.
Volume 4
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4MG435K
All 7 Volumes Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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60
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"Babel" (2006) Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu
“They look at us like we’re monsters”.
A film dedicated to his children, Inarittu’s third and most critically panned film (unfairly so) sees a constantly used theme of entirely unconnected lives becoming tangled and joined. There are in essence four separate stories, across three continents and in several different languages. Before I detail as plot spoiler free as possible, and of course wax lyrical on an astonishing film, there are two key issues of note, and both are changes from the Director. Firstly, though still a complicated and complex narrative structure, it is less fractured than previous films and though there are several flashback/forward sequences, the structure is more traditional and linear.
As is the use of a more detailed musical score, and the soundtrack to the film is a joy, richly cosmopolitan as you would expect, and the first time I’ve noticed and been so engaged with the music in an Inarritu film. Gustavo Santaolalla deserves great credit for both the score and rich mix in the choice of soundtrack, and has worked with the Director on all four of his films to date. As has Director of Photography Rodrigo Prieto who shoots every varying location here brilliantly.
#babel #alejandrogonzáleziñárritu #movies #mexico #movie #moviereview #film #filmreview #cinema #reading #readalong #readaloud #audiobook #amazonkindle #unlimited #blogger #blogging #writing #writingcommunity #ebook #bradpitt
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "Babel" and one of my earliest forays into film writing and film appreciation over a decade ago. This review was transferred to my Medium blog site on 26th January 2023 and can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/babel-2006-4cbc48e2bdd7
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 1 of my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book, all 7 exhaustive volumes of multiple spoiler free film reviews are priced at £4.99 however, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package you can read each and every volume for free.
Volume 1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HHDL56
All 7 Volume Collection
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, comment and consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
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56
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"We Need To Talk About Kevin" (2011) Directed by Lynne Ramsay
“The people on TV, inside the TV, they’re watching TV”.
#movies #movie #moviereview #reading #readalong #audiobook #ebook #amazonkindle #unlimited #adaptation #books
Another part funded and supported film from the UK Film Council and National Lottery, this third film from Lynne Ramsay is based on the best selling original novel by Lionel Shriver and quite simply one of the best films of 2011, if not the 21st Century so far. With a screenplay adaptation from Ramsay and Rory Kinnear this film is simply a tour de force for 112 minutes. The film can be a difficult watch at times and even more so to comprehend as the weaving of twisted and intricate narratives never allow you to fully settle into the film, but this is certainly another challenging film from the Director and more importantly, an absolute triumph.
A truly unsettling and bizarre opening sequence sets the scene, quickly establishing the twisted narrative timeline and introduction of all main characters. “Eva Khatchadourian” (Tilda Swinton) is quickly seen reliving her memories through her dreams and nightmares, of her son “Kevin Khatchadourian” (played brilliantly as a younger Kevin by Jasper Newell and as an older teenager by Ezra Miller) and of her devoted and loving husband “Franklin” (John C Reilly on brilliant form as always). Another Ramsay film with a small overall cast, there are key cameo and supporting roles throughout, however the emphasis always falls to Tilda Swinton in particular who is utterly brilliant in every scene.
The opening seconds alone mix the timeline throughout as we as an audience walk towards an open set of French Windows whose blind is gently flowing on the breeze, the only audible sound appears to be an indistinct whirring noise in the distance. Is this now, the present day, or still a dream flashback? Cutting to Eva, now held aloft by a large crowd of people (shot from above — a Ramsay trademark) as she is daubed in a red current jus of some kind (red becomes a key theme of the film throughout as well), she is exultant, overjoyed, beaming and with a real tangible sense of being alive.
The above paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "We Need To Talk About Kevin" originally penned and published nearly a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog on 20th January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/we-need-to-talk-about-kevin-2011-b86cb198802b
This spoiler free review is also integral to my 7th and final volume of my "essential film reviews collection". Only currently available in e-book format, all sizeable volumes of multiple film reviews are priced at £4.99 per volume or, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, each and every volume is free to read:
Volume 7
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4WX4CGD
All 7 Volumes
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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52
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"Kill List" (2011) Directed by Ben Wheatley
Ben Wheatley’s horrible horror is still horribly magnificent.
“You shouldn’t shout at Mummy”
At just 95 minutes long, this horror/thriller has damn near everything. The scene is set from the very first shot, very first look, and the film is unrelenting until the final scene. It’s difficult to classify as a horror/thriller as it’s so much more than that and even after several re-viewings it still surprises with the touches you missed the first time which are more evident, yet still you see something, and yet another piece of the puzzle on further viewings. Not strictly a three act structure, more a fluid film weaving a narrative between the main characters. I’ll briefly appraise the opening act, fully explore part of act two and leave the rest to your imaginations and hopefully your DVD and Blu Ray players.
It’s a film that simply must be seen.
#killlist #benwheatley #movies #movie #moviereview #film #filmreview #cinema #reading #readalong #readaloud #audiobook #amazonkindle #unlimited #blogger #blogging #writing #writingcommunity #ebook
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "Kill List" and one of my earliest forays into film writing and film appreciation over a decade ago. This review was originally penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 2nd December 2022 and can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/kill-list-2011-12153d5f35d9
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 3 in my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book, all 7 exhaustive volumes of multiple spoiler free film reviews are priced at £4.99 however, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package you can read each and every volume for free.
Volume 3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4JTLRY1
All 7 Volumes Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
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Moonlight (2016) Directed by Barry Jenkins
“My name is Chiron. People call me Little”.
Nominated for eight Oscars at the 2017 Awards Ceremony, Moonlight triumphed in three major categories: Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Adapted Screenplay for Jenkins’ screenplay based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s original semi autobiographical story, and Mahershala Ali for his superb performance as an Actor in a Supporting Role. A triptych film in three very distinctive Acts covering the shy, angst ridden growing up of our main protagonist Chiron, Moonlight is clearly a deeply personal film for both the Director and the Author of the original source material and summed up brilliantly by Jenkins in February 2017:
“Moonlight playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney and I are this kid. We are Chiron. And you don’t think that kid grows up to be nominated for eight Academy Awards. It’s not a dream he’s allowed to have. I still feel that way. I didn’t think this was possible. But now I look at other people looking at me and if I didn’t think it was possible, how are they going to? But now it’s happened. So what I think of possibility, let’s take it off the table. The thing has happened”.
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "Moonlight" I originally penned and published in April 2017 before transferring to my Medium blog site on 19th January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free (please also consider subscribing for free too!) via my Substack blog site and the original article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/moonlight-2016-764ac969c41c
This spoiler free review is also integral to Volume 3 of my 7 total volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Each volume is priced at £4.99 but each and every volume can be read for free should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package:
Volume 3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4JTLRY1
All 7 Volumes
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C4HZSTTH?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_a_lnk&storeType=ebooks
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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"Requiem for a Dream" (2000) Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Darren Aronofsky and a heart breaking masterpiece.
“Harold, I’m gonna be on Television!”
13 years since it’s initial release has not dimmed the power of this incredible second film from Darren Aronofsky. This ground breaking film remains remarkably pin sharp and vibrant 13 years on and a firm favourite of mine. Based on the original book of the same name by Hubert Selby Jr, both Selby and Aronofsky are credited with writing the screenplay to a film that constantly shocks, pulls at the heart strings, is often incredibly difficult to watch but is an absolute triumph. The two main narratives of the film are split between the three dominant Acts of “Summer”, “Fall” and “Winter” and between the lives of four main characters all of whom share highly addictive personalities intertwined within a surreal and heart breaking film. Although loosely a three act structure, Summer is by far the longest of the seasons, with Fall and Winter almost one act in itself. As with Aronofsky’s debut film Pi, the final 35 minutes of this film is a roller-coaster of emotion, heart break and an extremely difficult watch at times and which is signified by the commencement of “Fall”.
At first glance the film appears to be nothing more than a drama surrounding drugs and the addictive lives these substances control, of scoring your next hit and a halcyon vision of life when drugs are in constant supply. There is constant and graphic portrayals of drug taking, of every and any drug available and of their surrealistic highs and lows, the epic “score” and the soul destroying emptiness of being without. As with Trainspotting and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, this film was criticised early in it’s release for glorifying drug taking but that is both wildly inaccurate and to miss the point completely. Both sides of the coin are graphically depicted and though drugs and drug taking is a clear central key, the overall theme is of obsession and compulsion and of trying to obtain that dream, that halcyon picture of heaven in your life. Be it drugs, television, game shows, dieting and so much more as our characters follow what Hubert Selby Jr describes himself as the “Great American Dream”.
#requiemforadream #darrenaronofsky #book #books #adaptation #film #filmreview #movies #moviereview #readalong #readaloud #reading #bookreading #audiobook
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "Requiem for a Dream" I penned and published nearly a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 15th January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/requiem-for-a-dream-2000-228f1dd72374
This spoiler free review is also integral to the 5th volume of 7 and my "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book with all 7 exhaustive volumes full of multiple spoiler free reviews and priced at £4.99 per volume, however should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package you can read each and every volume for free.
Volume 5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4N25YCW
7 Volume Collection
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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116
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"Thirteen Lives" (2022) Directed by Ron Howard
It’s hard to believe that it’s just four short years ago that this staggering story captured the world’s imagination, worry, despair and prayers as twelve teenage junior footballers and their coach were trapped inside the Tham Luang Cave in Thailand amid the rising water of the incessant rain that flooded large sections of the cave. Four years! From horrific and hellish headlines to Hollywood box office, and this film, expertly helmed by Ron Howard, is indeed box office. Spoilers aside as per normal, this cinematic re-creation of a heartrending story and “Based on Actual Events” written by William Nicholson and Don MacPherson, is predominantly in the original Thai language and this is only broken by the introduction of the “Western” volunteer crew who plan and attempt a near impossible rescue, and English is only ever sporadically employed from thereon in. As the rain falls, day after day, and with hope slowly being replaced by a world’s media eager for a story, cue our rescue crew with varying degrees of appalling English accents!
The above opening paragraph is taken from my original and spoiler free review of "Thirteen Lives" I originally penned and published to my Medium blog site on 28th August 2022 and which can be read in full and for free (and please also consider following and subscribing for free!) via my Substack blog site linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/thirteen-lives-2022-ff7a8b94bcb8
This spoiler free review is also contained within my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection" (£4.99 per volume) or all 7 volumes can be read for free should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C4HZSTTH?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_b_lnk&storeType=ebooks
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
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"Punch Drunk Love" (2002) Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
“I want you to know that I wanted to kiss you just then”.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s fourth cinematic masterpiece is an underrated piece of pure joy. Here’s a dissection of the bizarre opening ten minutes that will tell you so little about the film you’ll simply have to watch it for yourself. With no opening credits whatsoever the film opens on a long shot of “Barry Egan” (Adam Sandler) clad in a blue suit sitting at an office desk in an empty, barely furnished office in an industrial estate. The long shot frames Barry in the corner of the bare room, with a distinctive partial blue nominal strip of paint breaking up the otherwise staid, neutral coloured wall. In the middle of a telephone call, Barry is pedantic about a coupon offer, frustrated and apathetic at the responses received he exits the office into a very early morning stillness.
Staring at the exit gate of the industrial estate, the camera pans away from Barry and continues to move, slowly swooping (a familiar pattern throughout the film) out of the gates and into a deserted, still and quiet road. It’s interesting to note both the pale blue “hue” that surrounds Barry and the complete lack of any sound as he approaches the exit gates until a passing car overturns unexpectedly and spectacularly, breaking the complete silence, as does a delivery van that swiftly drops off a piano at the kerbside and drives off.
#punchdrunklove #love #lovestory #paulthomasanderson #movies #movie #moviereview #film #filmreview #cinema #reading #readalong #readaloud #audiobook #amazonkindle #unlimited #blogger #blogging #writing #writingcommunity #ebook
The above opening paragraphs are taken from my spoiler free review of "Punch Drunk Love" and one of my earliest forays into film writing and film appreciation over a decade ago. This review was originally penned and published over a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 14th January 2023 and can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and original updated article linked immediately below:
https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/punch-drunk-love-2002-aaae152e5138
This spoiler free review is also integral to volume 4 in my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book, all 7 exhaustive volumes of multiple spoiler free film reviews are priced at £4.99 however, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package you can read each and every volume for free.
Volume 4
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4MG435K
All 7 Volumes Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn
https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.paypal.me/TheBlackfordBookClub
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/steveblackford
Thanks for watching!
Please "like", subscribe, comment and consider supporting your favourite independent writer via the links above!
Thank you.
53
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