Cherrybomb (2009)

Downloaded Cherrybomb today, (directed by Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn). Seen it before, absolutely loved it. Really amazing British film, would definitely recommend it, but it's not a family film in any sense. Stars Rupert Grint, from Harry Potter, Robert Sheehan, from Misfits, and Kimberly Nixon who was recently in the new E4 comedy Fresh Meat. It's quite a gritty film, following the lives of Malachy (Grint) and  Luke (Sheehan), best friends who both fall for Malachy's boss' daughter, Michelle (Nixon). Switches between a fast and slow pace throughout, with a very interesting use of lighting, not what you'd expect.

Johnny Depp; history as an actor

Originally, I was going to take the main star from Fish Tank, Katie Jarvis, as my actor to study. However, she has only been in one film, and so there wasn't much to write. Instead, I took one of my favourite actors, whom I already know quite a bit about, Johnny Depp.

In 1983, after being in various rock bands, Depp married Lori Allison, a make up artist. It was Lori who got him into acting - she introduced him to Nicholas Cage, who encouraged him to persue an acting career. Depp's first job was on the television show 12 Jump Street, in which he played the main character. The show ran from 1987, and this became his launch into film. However, his first film role was in the still popular Nightmare on Elm Street, in which he played Krueger's first victim, the boyfriend of a main character. After these two castings, Depp decided to break away from the 'teenage heartthrob' image he'd been typecasted as, and starred in Edward Scissorhands, with a director who soon became a close friend in both his work and life, Tim Burton. He's starred in many of Burton's films, including the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, and Alice in Wonderland, all in which he played eccentric characters far from his original typecast. However, Depp does a large amount of serious acting, including his role in Public Enemies as the famous gangster John Dillinger.

Perhaps Depp's most famous starring role is as Jack Sparrow in the Pirate of the Caribbean series. Depp claims he took the part so he could star in a film his children would enjoy.

I think it's fair to say Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile, exciting and all round brilliant actors in Hollywood today (although he lives in France). He's completely managed to avoid typecasting, and has a massive following.

Ratcatcher

After seeing the trailer for We Need To Talk About Kevin, got another urge to watch Lynne Ramsay's Ratcatcher. Really brilliant gritty film, will write more when I get the chance. Definitely recommend it.

Seen quite a few films lately

But having mixed reviews of them. First was Black Swan; I'd started to watch it when it first came out, but couldn't get in to it. Finally sat down to watch it, and have to say I wish I didn't. Although visually, it's a gorgeous film (the costumes are to die for), and Mila Kunis makes a brilliant appearance as Lily, I felt the storyline was lacking in any real entertainment value, and just seemed to get in over it's head with it's very 'deep' issues. Didn't enjoy it too much - a film definitely set out solely to win awards rather than entertain. To be fair, I didn't expect much of it - Aronofsky's The Wrestler was pretty appalling.

However, after someone spoke about it in class, I did watch The Social Network, and was incredibly impressed. Entertaining throughout, a few laugh out loud moments and just a very good film. Fantastic performance from Jesse Eisenburg (who I thought was Michael Cera for most of the film), really interesting take on the set up of facebook. Loved it, had high expectations because Fight Club is one of my favourite films (also found out the writer, Aaron Sorkin, did a few series of West Wing, another bonus).

Re-watched the 2004 Jude Law film Alfie. Good light hearted film, realised this time round not too much of a plot, but pretty much the same as the original. Can't really go wrong with this film, pretty bog-standard romcom.

We Need to Talk about Kevin Trailer

Browsing through film trailers for media homework, came across this trailer. It was released at the Cannes Film Festival, I've read the book, which was brilliant, and the film looks very promising. Directed by Lynne Ramsay, who also did Ratcatcher, so high hopes for this film, can't wait for the release!

'Fish Tank' - Andrea Arnold

Director and Writer - Andrea Arnold
Year - 2009
Starring - Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender (known for 300, X Men)


Watched downstairs, without parents, as I didn't think they'd enjoy it - on a Thursday night. I bought the DVD last week after seeing it on BBC iPlayer but never getting a chance to watch it. 
The film was quite dark, and what would be described as 'gritty'. Set on a council estate in Essex, it follows the story of Mia, a fifteen year old girl with an abusive mother who seems to prefer partying to looking after her and her younger sister.
Mia is a street dancer, and with the encouragement of her mum's new boyfriend she enters a local competition to land a spot dancing in a club.
The film explores the shady themes of neglect and poverty, and due to this and some explicit scenes involving the teenage girl and her mum's much older boyfriend, I'd definitely say that this isn't a light hearted film. It's a BBC film, but hasn't been shown before 10pm, so not a family film. I think the kind of audiences 'Fish Tank' would attract would be either teens who enjoyed programmes such as 'Skins', or 'Kidulthood' - programmes that have a similar feel to them. Not a film to recommend if someone wants a light hearted watch, I'd say that it suits more of a British audience than an American one, due to the hard nature of the film.