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francescablakeburn
Reviews
The Man from Mo'Wax (2016)
A masterpiece in showing the realities of the music industry
*SPOILER ALERT*
"We are all from different parts of the world, influenced by different cultures yet united by one sound" - DJ Krush
If you are an electronic, hip hop or techno fan, this is the documentary for you. A must watch for the avid fans of the more obscure instrumental works, discovering where these masterpiece artists came from, and how they developed.
The Man from Mo'Wax follows the legendary life of James Lavelle from a mere teenager through to adulthood. The documentary gives viewers a first-hand insight into the evolving ways of the music industry and we experience the impact of the major changes through Lavelle's journey.
This documentary shows the hardships that people involved in the music industry are facing and the decline of independent record labels over a span of twenty years. We also experience the sheer genius of Lavelle and his collaborators, who were defying the laws of music creation, truly astonishing to see.
Watching Lavelle's journey is very special, as we see an eager 18-year-old open a record label with no experience, just a great work ethic and an obsessive record collection. Director Matthew Jones has done a remarkable job in sharing Lavelle's story and the sheer work that has gone into this project is evident onscreen. A favourite for me is certainly the opening title sequence, which has a cleverly designed 90s video game feel adding to the nostalgia that is prevalent throughout. This took inspiration from director Jones' love of Futura's UNKLE models and 3D artist Daniel Stenhouse made this a reality.
Before watching The Man from Mo'Wax I had heard of UNKLE, however did not really know much about the process behind their projects and their instrumental role in changing the sounds of music. It is strange to know that I listen to artists who are very much influenced by the low-fi beats made fashionable by DJ Shadow and Lavelle and was unaware of the starting point of this incredible scene.
The many interviews throughout reveal the genius of all of the collaborators and seeing artists like Ian Brown and the late Keith Flint's involvement is truly special. Each interview is filmed with an idea of the end product and DOP Morgan Spencer captures each one with a different angle as well as different locations, which is crucial for keeping the audience interested. As well as this the content chosen from the many hours of archive footage transports us to Lavelle and Shadow's younger days and it is extraordinary to be able to experience that first-hand.
Watching Lavelle and DJ Shadow grow together was certainly one of the highlights for me, however it was quite distressing to see the detrimental effect that many years in the music industry can have on people. The transparency of this documentary is important as 9/10 documentaries of this calibre tend to romanticise the struggles people face. Seeing Lavelle lose so many friendships was horrible to see and it is evident that his youth when entering the industry had a massive impact on this.
All in all this was a spectacular, emotional experience and for the fans of Mo'Wax artists and UNKLE it should be at the top of the watchlist. It gave me an insight into the evolution of sampling, the struggles and success of collaboration and I would recommend it to every music fan, no matter what your preferred genre is.
Killing Thyme (2015)
An incredible film - WATCH!
*SPOILER ALERT*
Prepare to laugh, almost cry, and cling to the edge of your seat in this dark comedy that takes a sinister turn.
Directed by M J McMahon, this film follows Sam, a young boy with a great interest in plants. The complexity of such a young character is brilliant to see and developed even more so by actor Joe Reynolds' depth of emotions. The character lives in a flat overlooking a dead, overgrown allotment and is in search of his next growing space. Norman, played by Brian Cox is a grumpy old man with no interest in life. He owns the allotment that Sam overlooks. The relationship between the two is very dysfunctional and begins with Sam sneaking in to take it over.
Within this drama the boundary of both life and death is crossed multiple times. Cox perfectly expresses the tired of life attitude that has taken over Norman, a character who has lost all of his loved ones and has nothing to live for. This is crossed with the sprightly attitude of young Sam, who lives to sow seeds and has a caring mother by his side to encourage him.
The sharp vivid shots are incredible in this film. Set in the bustling city of London, Phil Meheux tends to use fast paced tracking shots when Sam is in the scene suggestive of youth and playfulness, contrasting with slower, still shots when Norman is onscreen. The score also follows suit here, the harmonic melody being joyful and faster for Sam yet melancholy for Norman.
When the plot shockingly twists into a dark comedy, Sam's naivety and lack of father figure is evident when he takes Norman's death wish literally. This twist definitely works in the film, as it comes with his prior conversation about overdoses with his Mum, however it is a little strange that his Mum did not school him on the bad effects of an overdose and punish him post attempting to do this to another. Other than this the story is exquisitely written, and both cast and crew made this short into a masterpiece.
Writer Natalie Malla smoothly brings this narrative together, using the contrasting characters to emphasise the idea that not all is bad, sometimes to regrow and blossom can do one the world of good, with a lot of care and attention of course.
The Girl in the Dress (2015)
Light hearted comedy - worth a watch!
*SPOILER ALERT*
A quirky narrative to go with two quirky characters. Who wouldn't want to witness a bride in the depths of despair consoled by a Henry VIII live statue?
Written and directed by Natalie Malla, The Girl in the Dress portrays bride to be Emily in a tricky situation. Olivia Poutlet brings a spark of joy to the character, and the ironic introduction of Henry VIII's living statue adds an essence of comedy to the strange scenario.
Cinematographer Vanessa Whyte uses tasteful shots, portraying a picturesque warmth that is certainly relevant for a wedding day. This is also complimented by the upbeat yet mischievous score by James Jones. The quick cuts during Emily and Rob's awkward encounter deliver a sense of uneasiness to the viewer, replicating the way Emily is feeling before the wedding.
The use of fewer locations and actors is necessary within this short, for there are hidden symbols in other areas, especially wardrobe. Emily's dress is far from the typical wedding dress and is referred to by her friend as "ridiculous". Mix this with Rob's Henry VIII costume and the silliness of the situation begins to make a lot more sense.
This short film is cheerful and enjoyable to watch. It is hard not to warm to the strange yet comical experience that Emily has with Rob. Played by Nick Helm, Rob is certainly a favourite with his crude remarks and dry humour. He is attentive to Emily and far from the misogynist that is Henry VIII. The theme of marriage within this film contrasts with the symbol of divorce provided by the appearance of Henry VIII, and the mystique in the end keeps the possibility of romance open.
If an easy-going short film is up your street, then The Girl in the Dress is for you.
Gin & Dry (2010)
A lovely watch, definitely recommend!
*SPOILER ALERT*
Prepare for a roller-coaster ride of emotions before watching this flawless short film written and directed by Oscar Plewes.
Gin and Dry follows care home resident Albert and his wife Dee. The theme of love is prevalent throughout this short and is portrayed romantically, platonically and even through loss. The other residents of the care home enhance the comedic effect of the narrative, especially when they are told that rationing will be in place for their alcohol consumption on Christmas. The plot of the film soon erupts when the elderly residents set out on a mission to find the hidden alcohol.
David de Keyser plays the character of Albert with an air of sincerity and this is only enhanced by Ross Mclennan's immaculate cinematography. The homely lighting and perfectly framed shots by Mclennan give the film a vintage feel, in a high budget, antique way. The residents defy the typical 'old person' stereotype through their fun adventure and Stuart Hancock adds a Christmas sparkle to the score to emphasise the theme of memory as well as mischief.
De Keyser leaves Albert's emotions open like a book which allows the audience to resonate with him on a personal level, especially when he is spending time with his wife, played by June Watson. This film is a cleverly composed comedy that will pull at your heart strings throughout.
For a fifteen-minute film there is a lot going on, however I am unable to fault the narrative, for each shot opens up room for the next and each action leads to the next logical scene. The chaos is calculated and is exquisite onscreen. Billie Holliday's song repeating at both the beginning and end of the short evidently holds great nostalgia for Albert and after watching it, the lyrics "I'll be seeing you" reveal a greater meaning.
Hawk (2011)
Interesting watch for those who like fantasy
*SPOILER ALERT*
What happens when we upset the God given balance of nature?
Well, Hawk is a cleverly constructed film that could be seen as a metaphor for the impact humans have upon the planet, mother nature being on par with the Antlet God and the end result - paying the deadly price. If you are unopposed to scenic shots of Snowdonia and a fantasy narrative to accompany, this is a film for you.
The symbol of the Hawk throughout the narrative is a powerful reminder of its meaning in the spiritual world, in which a Hawk sighting represents the need to expand one's knowledge and learn important lessons. It could very well be that in Gawain's death, the man of light was born again into the remaining hawk nestling, there to expand Rowan's knowledge on the world and serve as a companion.
This film beautifully portrays the connection between Rowan and the Hawk. Through the captivating close ups and elegant views of the woodland, cinematographer Martin Hill captures the true magnificence of their relationship and the way they communicate. Think Merlin intertwined with Game of Thrones.
It is evident that the hawk has taught him valuable lessons in life, and from these teachings, it can be seen that Rowan reaches a higher level of understanding when faced with a difficult decision. Writers M J McMahon and Alex McArdell have done a brilliant job in developing the character of Rowan from a boy to a man. Narratively speaking, the story can come across as confusing and a shift in the order of events could have made the viewing easier to follow, however if you are someone who likes to find a deeper meaning and go on the journey with the characters, then the writers have done their job well.
The film delivers a message to the audience of the need to sacrifice in order to obtain balance, something that is relative to the world today in terms of the devastating effects of climate change. All in all an exciting watch and a definite recommendation to those who enjoy fantasy and adventure.