frogfrognewt
Lifetime Total
1+
IMDb Member
14 years
Reviews
Life on Earth (1979)
Attenborough's first master-piece.
Life on Earth is a comprehensive analysis of Life on this planet, ranging from the beginnings of life to the evolution of Homo sapiens. The individual episodes are chronological in relation to the colonisation and evolution of life generally. So the very first episode starts with the early earth and the environments found upon it, the last being about the great apes, with an emphasis on humans.
Life on Earth explains masterfully very complex and important concepts in Biology, going so far as to describe and explain DNA and how evolution changes it. Key concepts like these are explained using certain "case studies", i.e. specific species which are entertaining (and often funny) for the spectators, that inherently pertain to the subject being discussed. So, for example, the evolution of camouflage is analysed using the peppered moth, which changed during the industrial revolution because of the smog which blackened the trees.
Attenborough, nowadays, has a legendary reputation as the founder of accurate and entertaining wildlife film-making. And this is where it all started. This series is the base structure of every wildlife documentary ever made in and after the 80's. Attenborough is both a masterful story-teller and modest teacher, skillfully avoiding the two most fatal flaws in presenting, that still goes on today. Firstly, he avoids "telling" the spectators what to think or see as opposed to "showing" it to them, so they can make their own minds up, where many presenters use patronising language or over simplified explanations. And also, Attenborough remains humble throughout the whole process. Presenters today (2012) like Prof. Brian Cox seem pretentious in comparison, often appearing suddenly from behind pillars or speaking meaninglessly with the sun pointing towards the camera. Essentially, they use clever cinematography to waste screen time and "waffle" to use a technical term. Attenborough merely uses his presence as an aid for the audience, even as a guinea pig occasionally.
If you haven't seen this documentary and you are often inclined to watch such a program, get the box set now. It will be the best £15 you have ever spent, and you could learn a surprising amount about nature. I know I did.
HAIL! Sir David!
Life on Earth explains masterfully very complex and important concepts in Biology, going so far as to describe and explain DNA and how evolution changes it. Key concepts like these are explained using certain "case studies", i.e. specific species which are entertaining (and often funny) for the spectators, that inherently pertain to the subject being discussed. So, for example, the evolution of camouflage is analysed using the peppered moth, which changed during the industrial revolution because of the smog which blackened the trees.
Attenborough, nowadays, has a legendary reputation as the founder of accurate and entertaining wildlife film-making. And this is where it all started. This series is the base structure of every wildlife documentary ever made in and after the 80's. Attenborough is both a masterful story-teller and modest teacher, skillfully avoiding the two most fatal flaws in presenting, that still goes on today. Firstly, he avoids "telling" the spectators what to think or see as opposed to "showing" it to them, so they can make their own minds up, where many presenters use patronising language or over simplified explanations. And also, Attenborough remains humble throughout the whole process. Presenters today (2012) like Prof. Brian Cox seem pretentious in comparison, often appearing suddenly from behind pillars or speaking meaninglessly with the sun pointing towards the camera. Essentially, they use clever cinematography to waste screen time and "waffle" to use a technical term. Attenborough merely uses his presence as an aid for the audience, even as a guinea pig occasionally.
If you haven't seen this documentary and you are often inclined to watch such a program, get the box set now. It will be the best £15 you have ever spent, and you could learn a surprising amount about nature. I know I did.
HAIL! Sir David!
Eraserhead (1977)
Uhhhh, What?!
Be warned, Eraserhead, is a very, very strange film.
Seeping chickens, dancing weirdo women, dying alien baby children, all these features help to make Eraserhead a cult classic from the distinguished auteur David Lynch.
It made me feel physically ill at points, yet there are very, very dark undertones of sex, violence, disease and possibly eraserhead was allegorical of American living standards at the time of production.
Dialogue is sparse and at points fairly disposable by the audience; Eraserhead is primarily a visual experience, often visceral, often just monochrome shapes...
Eraserhead was clearly conceived whilst someone was taking drugs. I think the previous sentence summarises the visual, narrative and overall style and direction of the films. Don't get me wrong, there is a clear direction, but that direction is very, very strange.
Surreal.
Watch Eraserhead, ideally with someone else, otherwise it would be weird.
Seeping chickens, dancing weirdo women, dying alien baby children, all these features help to make Eraserhead a cult classic from the distinguished auteur David Lynch.
It made me feel physically ill at points, yet there are very, very dark undertones of sex, violence, disease and possibly eraserhead was allegorical of American living standards at the time of production.
Dialogue is sparse and at points fairly disposable by the audience; Eraserhead is primarily a visual experience, often visceral, often just monochrome shapes...
Eraserhead was clearly conceived whilst someone was taking drugs. I think the previous sentence summarises the visual, narrative and overall style and direction of the films. Don't get me wrong, there is a clear direction, but that direction is very, very strange.
Surreal.
Watch Eraserhead, ideally with someone else, otherwise it would be weird.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
Super-stylish, steampunky fun for everyone!
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is as good, if not better than its predecessor "Sherlock Holmes". Robert Downey Jnr. and Jude Law reprise their roles as Homes and Watson respectively, giving expected, predictable, but absolutely fantastic performances. Downey Jnr's histrionic performance and Law's straight faced ex-military doctor has such brilliant chemistry between them, clearly the actors themselves like each other(although, they seem more like a married couple than friends).
The camera work is clever, and the editing is fast-paced and very Hollywood. In a good way. The smoky, dusty, steamy, misty cityscape of victorian London is iconic, British, and provides a stable substrate for the real action to take place.
Dialogue is simple, effective and funny, especially Holmes, often switching between English and French, with wisps of German thrown in. But don't worry, there are no subtitles and the narrative is easily followable even if the words are gibberish.
Noomi Rapace (Girl with a Dragon tattoo Original) is the cunning (and remarkably sexy) gypsy who helps Holmes and Watson to deduce the tricks and traps laid by the fabulous Moriarty.
Moriarty amazingly portrayed by Jared Harris, and is possibly the best character in the whole film. Cool, calm, but very very intimidating, Harris uses his silence to scare the audience and is the binary opposite to Holmes, but yet very similar in some ways.
I won't say much, but the final scene is sensationally composed by the former "cult" director Guy Ritchie.
You don't need to see the original film to be able to follow A Game of Shadows' narrative. In fact, there aren't really any references to the first film at all.
If you like a stunning visual style, with British brains and American brauns then Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is definitely suitable for you!
9/10
The camera work is clever, and the editing is fast-paced and very Hollywood. In a good way. The smoky, dusty, steamy, misty cityscape of victorian London is iconic, British, and provides a stable substrate for the real action to take place.
Dialogue is simple, effective and funny, especially Holmes, often switching between English and French, with wisps of German thrown in. But don't worry, there are no subtitles and the narrative is easily followable even if the words are gibberish.
Noomi Rapace (Girl with a Dragon tattoo Original) is the cunning (and remarkably sexy) gypsy who helps Holmes and Watson to deduce the tricks and traps laid by the fabulous Moriarty.
Moriarty amazingly portrayed by Jared Harris, and is possibly the best character in the whole film. Cool, calm, but very very intimidating, Harris uses his silence to scare the audience and is the binary opposite to Holmes, but yet very similar in some ways.
I won't say much, but the final scene is sensationally composed by the former "cult" director Guy Ritchie.
You don't need to see the original film to be able to follow A Game of Shadows' narrative. In fact, there aren't really any references to the first film at all.
If you like a stunning visual style, with British brains and American brauns then Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is definitely suitable for you!
9/10
Gran Torino (2008)
A master class in film-making
Gran Torino (2008, Eastwood) is a great movie for anyone. For the more engrossed film analyst you can read the controversial views into it. If I go into much depth here I am in danger of ruining the story, so I won't.
The only aspect of this film I could flaw was the acting of Thao and Sue sometimes. It just felt slightly fake sometimes. The music is absolutely fantastic (it reminded me partly of Unforgiven) and people yet to hear about the soundtrack will be glad to know that Clint actually SINGS! The cinematography is superb with certain shots just pieces of art on the move. One particular still of Clint's role, Walt, was just superb. He was out the front of his house, sitting back on his chair in the sunset, with his dog below and the Gran Torino lower still. It clearly showed the levels of respect that Clint had accumulated from turning vigilante.
This film is great. Deep philosophical questions, discussions on justice and messages regarding friendships can all be taken from this film. Whilst also you can sit back after a few beers and read little into the film and still enjoy the film a great deal. This film is compatible with almost anyone.
The only aspect of this film I could flaw was the acting of Thao and Sue sometimes. It just felt slightly fake sometimes. The music is absolutely fantastic (it reminded me partly of Unforgiven) and people yet to hear about the soundtrack will be glad to know that Clint actually SINGS! The cinematography is superb with certain shots just pieces of art on the move. One particular still of Clint's role, Walt, was just superb. He was out the front of his house, sitting back on his chair in the sunset, with his dog below and the Gran Torino lower still. It clearly showed the levels of respect that Clint had accumulated from turning vigilante.
This film is great. Deep philosophical questions, discussions on justice and messages regarding friendships can all be taken from this film. Whilst also you can sit back after a few beers and read little into the film and still enjoy the film a great deal. This film is compatible with almost anyone.