Tag Archives: film review

Children of Men Film Review

Next term Year 12 students are going to be writing film reviews. I have added a link to one on Children of Men to start you thinking about the task. The review is by Chris Bellamy and it is posted on Orson Scott’s Inter-Galatic Medicine Show. The title of the review is Dystopian Messiah and it has an interesting discussion of genre. Here is an extract:

People are already referring to it as “the scene.” Without giving anything away, it takes place in the middle of a chaotic and violent war zone. It is one unbroken shot, lasting six-and-a-half minutes, that follows our reluctant hero from one pivotal plot point to another. We are literally put right in the middle of the war zone, as director Alfonso Cuarón weaves us through it in one of the most impressive feats of technical virtuosity ever committed to film. The scene – brilliantly effective in drawing us into the urgency of the moment – is among the most gripping cinematic moments I’ve ever experienced. I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything quite like it . . . and how often can you say that anymore?

Cuarón’s real-time strategy is not only a technical feat in and of itself, but it capitalizes as a dramatic and emotional payoff. The scene itself, and the much quieter scene that comes just a few moments later, clinches Children of Men as the best film of 2006, a genuine masterpiece from a director who is rapidly becoming one of the best in the field.

Even before we get to that key sequence, the film has already separated itself from the rest of the end-of-the-year rush – and from its own genre. Great films can be found in all forms and in all genres, but the best are usually those that transcend that genre. They take the mechanics of the formula to a whole new level, or they reject the formula altogether and find a new way to tell the story. Children of Men certainly has a formula, but in the dystopian thriller subgenre, one would be hard-pressed to find anything so fully realized. The “future” in the film is London circa 2027, but it is more concerned with humanity than with differing cultures and nationalities (though those play a role as well). Humans have become infertile, and no one can explain why. Society has crumbled, deteriorated into hopeless and aimless violence that reflects humans’ sudden desperation and insignificance and fear at the prospect of no longer being. It is the near future, but our existence is bleak.

Read the rest here.

Four Word Film Review

Earlier in the year we wrote six-word memoirs and I thought that you might like to see some more mini-lit in the form of four-word film reviews. I have put a few examples below but there is a catch – you have to guess the titles. The first correct answers posted will win a prize. And yes the picture is a clue.

  1. Icy dead people.
  2. Schindler’s Lizst.
  3. Room With A Spew.
  4. A month of sundaes.
  5. Said he’d be back.
  6. Who’s eating? Gilbert’s mom!
  7. Ded Zeppelin.
  8. Brother gets own bedroom.
  9. High-sea dead people.
  10. Resistance is feudal.

… So much for making a comment – the answers were given to me verbally by Year 12 and the prizes won so I have added the film names below for those of you who are interested.

  1. Titanic
  2. The Pianist
  3. The Exorcist
  4. Supersize Me
  5. Terminator 2
  6. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
  7. The Hindenberg
  8. Saving Private Ryan
  9. Pirates of the Caribbean 2
  10. Braveheart

I was surprised at how quickly you got them – we have some real film buffs amongst us!

How to Write a Film Review

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As promised here are some links on writing a film review.

How to write a film review

How to write a film review (different website)

How to write a movie review

All of the websites have clearly set out articles which are easy to follow. The information will support the work we have started in class. Remember that there is already lots of information available on this blog (check out the film review category) and on moodle.

BBC Film Review

I have added a review of “Schindler’s List” from the BBC as I think it is one that will be useful for the students who are preparing for the Formal Writing assessment.

In the same year, that Steven Spielberg had a huge hit with “Jurassic Park”, he also made his powerful testament to the suffering of the Jewish people during the Second World War, “Schindler’s List”.

It gave him the critical acclaim he wanted with seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.

Shot in black and white, with the odd carefully chosen touches in colour, the horror of the holocaust is laid bare and speaks for itself. The documentary style allows Spielberg to deliver his message without preaching. The clever use of light and shade also makes it visually stunning. When Oskar Schindler visits a night club, he looks like a 1930s movie star as his cigarette smoke spirals above his head, his eyes hidden in the shade.

It is the story of German businessman Oskar Schindler which captivates right to the end. He is transformed from physically imposing, charismatic philanderer to the humbled man, wishing he had saved more lives.

We watch nervously as he tries to save over a thousand Jews from almost certain death in concentration camps by getting them to work in his factory. He bribes officials and befriends Nazis including evil camp commandant, Goeth, played brilliantly by Ralph Fiennes.

Spielberg has cleverly juxtaposed Goeth and Schindler as two sides of the same coin. They both love the finer things in life, easily swayed by money and women. Playing on this, Schindler tries to show his contemporary that power can be better served by sparing people’s lives rather than taking them. It is an idea that Goeth acknowledges, but is destined not to adhere to for long.

The film finishes on a powerful note in present day with the real Schindler survivors and their descendants visiting his grave. It is the final reminder that this is a true story of one man’s bravery and that in “saving one life, you save the entire world”.