Essie Speaks - mostly about movies - but also of books, countries, life. Mostly movies though :) (Updated every weekend - sunday night latest ^-^)P.S. ALL THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF ITS WRITER - AND THAT WOULD BE ME!
I know... In the first place, why on earth am I updating the blog on New Year's Eve and secondly, could I not have at least found something a tad more festive to update it with.
Well... I mean first of all, for me films, movies, thinking about movies and talking about movies never stops. Like, ever. I'm heading out about town tonight, I'll end up talking movies at some point. I mean heck, I spent one party having a 3 hour discussion on the cinema of Terrance Malik. We were swigging Jaegermeister from the bottle if memory serves (or was that a different party). It's one of those people I haven't looked up in an age and really should - who knows they may beat me to it! :)
But enough about me. For some of us, New Years Eve is not about joining a milling crowd - my flatmate much refers being on his own (although that's not happening if his 9 year old has anything to do with it). And honestly, if I were staying in, I can't think of a better series to sit down and marathon. I mean, it'll definitely keep you u all night. You know... For the New Year...
I have been
away from the “TV series” scene for a while now. I watch a lot of moves and go
to the cinema quite a bit but haven’t “got into” the whole series thing for a
while now. I mean, I’m quite picky with these things anyway, and I have been
craving something original for a while now. This was recommended to me by a
friend, I decided to check out one episode on the insistence of friends. What
started out as me just checking out one episode quickly turned into a seven
episode marathon that I had to literally force myself away from. I am fully
aware that I am waay behind in proceedings – season 4 for this baby being
broadcast and all. But have no fear, I am two seasons in and ploughing on as
fast as I can to catch up! In the meanwhile though, I think I have a good
enough grasp on the whole thing – and you DEFINITELY need to hear all about
this one!
So,
American Horror story is an anthology of horror stories. The stories are linked
principally bt their themes – these are all “classic” American horror stories
we all somehow know and love; the first season tells the story of a haunted
house, second, a mental asylum where more than one kind of monster lurks
beneath the surface of normality, third a selective boarding school that is
actually coven of witches and the fourth current one an old fashioned freak
show.
The second
element that links the anthology is the cast. Not the whole cast – that would
be slightly impractical and not a little weird, but quite a few actors from the
first season also turn up in the second season playing completely unrelated
characters (unrelated to their previous role that is). And other actors that
were in the first series but side-stepped the second series turn up in the
third. You get the picture. It is such a brilliant showcase for the versatility
and talent of the actors – and just the right shade of spooky, perfectly
suitable to the eerie series – body snatchers anyone. One constant that needs a
mention is, without a doubt, Jessica Lange. The talented actress makes any role
she takes on her own and our emotions soar and plummet even through the series
as the plotline twists and turns – much less as we cross through different
stories of the anthology together.
Speaking of
the storyline I really need to say, I think anthologies may well be the future
of TV series. I mean, I have always felt that the major virtue of a good series
is to know when to stop. I mean sure, we moan and cry when our favourite TV
series finishes, we may empathise with this character or have a crush on this
actor – actress… But admit it, there is a sense of disappointment there when
you realise that the writers are literally scraping the bottom of the barrel
just to keep the series going, because hey, the ratings aren’t that bad so you
know, let’s keep milking it. I’ve walked away from a number of TV series for
this self-same reason, it doesn’t “hook” me if they’re doing stuff just for the
sake of doing stuff (I’m thinking particularly of True Blood here – I was told
the series did improve but once I lose interest I rarely go back). I mean, the
series I reviewed last week, Black Mirror, is basically united by theme alone –
but Charlie Brooker’s very original personal mark in each and every story helps
one make a very clear link.
But of
course one thing is absolutely certain. As fascinating cinematically the
casting and the whole “anthology” type storylines are; you will not enjoy this
one unless if you are a big fan of the horror genre. But conversely, if you are
a fan of the horror genre you’d be a fool to miss it. Series one played host to
simply one of the most terrifying haunted houses I have ever come across (and
believe you me I have come across some GOOD haunted houses in my day) – to the
point that a few episodes in I was jumping at creaks and squeaks in the house
(I live with three other adults and two cats so there were plenty of creaks to
jump at, I’ll tell you that for nothing). The second series, looking back,
seems very improbably when you describe it on paper. I mean, there seems to be
waaaay too much going on. An asylum is a fertile ground for potentially all
manner of horror story weirdness ranging from alien abductions to possession –
it seems a bit risky to stick ‘em all into the same story and then throw in a
few more curveballs besides… And yet, they do, and somehow it works. They even
throw in a few actual old fashioned medical practices for good measure and it
STILL works.
So if you
want a chill or three down your spines you guys – definitely take a gander at
American Horror Story you guys! As a horror fan my only regret was not having
started before – check it out! J
Oh don't get me wrong, Christmas in my family (all the branches, all around the world) is pretty much as traditional as they come. Family get-togethers, food , drink and leftovers on Boxing day...
But with a proliferation of "Christmas Movie" lists around the net, I reckoned you could do with an alternative Christmas tale or two.
And it really doesn't get more alternative than Charlie Brooker. Scroll down, you'll see what I mean.
In the meanwhile, have a very merry little Christmas you guys!
Sedef
I know. It’s
kinda unfair going on and on about something mainly shown on British TV. But
you know, the internet is a wonderful thing these days, as is Amazon, Ebay etc –
you can easily find the DVDs for this and order it – and oh my darlings, you
should!! I mean, yes it’s really not to everyone’s taste – not really. But you
guys have been around for a while now. I assume you know and like my taste. So
let’s just dive in, shall we
Now, I’m
thinking “anthology” type TV series are becoming a thing – think American
Horror Story (I definitely will be in the coming weeks, I am officially obsessed
with the series – you know, series where every episode (in this case) or
every series (like American Horror Story) is a standalone story. There are
various ways of tying the series together, in American Horror Story it’s the
cast – it’s the same cast, they just play different parts every
series. In Black Mirror it goes even further. There are a few actors who move
around from part to part (though not “consistently” in every episode),
and there are songs and details tying them together for the wise, but basically
every episode is its own story. What unites them is the theme.
The creator
of these unholy little darlings is British Tv personality Charlie
Brooker. Those who are in the know may already be a fan of his dark humour and
his pessimistic outlook as to the future of the media generation for
which he is, rather ironically, such an icon. If you are a Charlie Brooker fan
I’m assuming you’re already a fan (either that or living under a stone). If you’ve
never heard of him, ask yourself this, do you need a series full of dystopias
about an overly technological world, dark humour and not overly fond of “happy”
endings in your life. You know you do. Step right over and take a look
in the Black Mirror.
Every episode
basically takes a look at some form of technology “gone too far”. Be it an
Aldous Huxley type world where people have to pay
to not watch commercials, electronic “eyes” that allow you to rewind the future
and review it or using the internet to topple presidents…
Every episode serves up a goodly portion of “what could happen
if it all went too far”. The series is not, however, completely devoid
of Christmas spirit – a special feature length Christmas episode
– “Black Mirror White Christmas” – has been aired and is not available on 4OD.
I have to say, I loved it. I really did.
This episode
stars John Hamm of Mad Men fame alongside a British cast in a haunting
Christmas tale. In a barren looking snow scape, two men seem to be ensconced
in a cabin with no other company for miles around. With nothing else to
do, the two men begin swapping stories about their lives before
the cabin. Now, those who know the series know better than to try and find out
more. And unfortunately, as the series functions mainly around “shock value”, I
will be giving you little more than that there blurb as far as the story goes. Like
good movies (QT for example) and good horror stories, the whole thing
hinges on gut-wrenching plot twists and I wouldn’t spoil it for
you for the world!
Here, however, is a spoiler-free taster:
I will
tell you this much, this is definitely a Christmas special. The way the
series operates allows a sort of “two stories in one” type of
dealio. John Hamm is absolutely brilliant (but he’s one of those actors who I personally
think always is brilliant hehe) and the premises of the stories are both
imaginative and spine-chilling as always… Ok here’s one for those who
watched the episode though. Did you think John Hamm’s characters punishment
ended up being a little too harsh… I mean ok maybe that’s the point
but… I mean those last scenes really,
really hit me. Not to mention Potter basically being punished for
something he didn’t do. Not really. Think about it – or just hit me up
on Twitter if you don’t get what I mean by that.
So my
darlings, have a spooky Christmas and a haunted New Year! I’m off to
Cambridge to visit my family for a few days but I will soon be back with
musings on movies!
Christmas is fast approaching and the events industry is going slowly but surely mad. I mean it. If you had stepped behind the scenes at a articular high-brow pop up dining venue in London this week, you would have found the staff jousting with mop handles at one point. Yes, we're all over 20.
That makes the movies even more important for me. I have millions of things to write to you about once I've gathered my scattered wits - and have had a decent nights slee which is VERY rare these days - I'll be coming at you with multiple newbies, including my current obsessions Black Mirror and American Horror Story.
But let's talk about this week. Well it's not entirely a non-Christmas movie. There's whiskey - a lot of it - angels, road to Damascus experiences and redemption. So the themes are there, even though the Christmas decorations aren't. Check it out.
Well folks,
as some of you know I spent a good few weeks ın Turkey catching up with some
much missed sunshine and my somewhat neglected family. Of course this does not
mean I stop watching films, oh no. It just means that, partly thanks to my Mom,
it becomes just a bit more eclectic. It`s almost like a return to the blogs
slightly untidy origins. It feels homely and natural. Which is, coincidentally,
what our next film is all about as far as style is concerned.
There may
come a day when each and every one of us needs a fresh start in life – you know
the old adage; every saint has a past, every sinner has a future. Robbie is
just such a sinner, in dire need of a new start in life. He has a lot of what
he would need for that new start in place: His loving partner, Leonie and a
little one on the way. He also has a criminal record a couple of yards long, a
scar on his face that puts off those rare potential employers that get past his
criminal record and a father in law who would not stop at physically injuring
him to ehm ``convince`` him to stay away from his daughter. In short, Robbie is
full of genuine good intentions but his entire universe seems intent on
preventing him from going on the straight and narrow. But allies come in many
strange shapes and forms in this life and for Robbie no one is surprised as he
is when the little group he is doing his community service with after his
latest fight and the long-suffering social worker Harry who is in charge of
their merry band. Harry does not realize this himself but has actually put the
entire band, but especially Robbie well and truly in line for a road to
Damascus experience. Salvation can truly come in the strangest guises…
This film
also marks my Mom`s introduction to a more realistic brand of filmmaking. “What
I loved about it” she said, “ıs that it is almost like watching a documentary.
Like watching something happening on the street.” Which is of course completely
true of Ken Loach`s realistic style of filmmaking. The film takes place ``up north``
as do so many others of his films; the accents are pronounced and Scottish (so
much so that my 91 year old grandmother just gave up on being able to
understand them and went to bed early) and the characters are raw, day to day
folk that you might well come across in a group doing social work. Even the
visuals are unpolished, oh expertly done , of course, but it really does give
the impression that Loach literally picked up a camera and followed a band of
mates throughout the streets of Scotland – the exact and feel he is so good at
capturing. It really goes to show that if you have a really good story and some
strong actors to bring it to life, you don`t really need technical bells and
whistles to make a really great film. I mean, I say that but there is a risk of
underplaying the whole visual aspect when you go down that route. It is much
like women`s fashion and getting the ``smart casual`` look just right. The
whole ``studied`` casual look is so hard to achieve – it is almost easier to
dress up completely formally and get it right because there at least we are all
100% of the rules. It is when you start dropping rules here and there when you
actually have to sit up and take heed, because you actually have to know all
the rules very well to be able to make a good film by using less. There lies the real territory of directors who
try to play around and ``bend`` the rules without having a clear idea of what they
are bending. It comes from being overly ambitious, overly confident, dreaming
too big… It comes from wanting to run before one can crawl. But it actually
takes a master like Loach to get simplicity completely right.
It is also
incredibly refreshing to see such completely real characters in film as opposed
to Hollywood cut-outs. I do lean more and more towards indies and non-Hollywood
productions for my personal entertainment these days but of course one cannot
completely avoid ``mainstream`` cinema and I despair sometimes at the sameness
of it all. Robbie is, of course a type in himself. He is the criminal fresh out
of jail who wants to make a fresh start. This is a character played and
re-played by so many of the grates and not so grates – but in this specific
case I am thinking names like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro… Robbie is not a grand
character of cinema. He is a lad off the streets, a small time thug who just
wants to live a quiet life with his partner and his son. The mastery of Loach and the cast is that
they make him come so alive that we get completely enthralled with what will
happen to him next during the two hours of The Angel`s Share.
Curious about this little number - then just scroll down! The trailer is at the end of the page!
As a lot of you know, this is a very, very busy period in the events industry - where I work during the day.
This leaves limited time for films (sadly) but oddly, it does leave a lot of time for books. The London commutes would not be bareably without them and yes I STILL don't have a smarthone so what else is there to do!
Besides, as you guys already know, I love getting stuck in a good book. If nothing else, a good book like this is tantamount to a trip through time and space to Chine before the Cultural Revolution.
Kayıtlar
