Blog post 5. How to pick a Halloween movie!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN for tomorrow guys! If you haven't picked a Halloween film

Just yet (you gotta watch a horror on Halloween) do not fear as I have made it easier for that scared little voice in all of your heads stuck between Insidious and Sinister :) Here is a list of my favourite horrors categorised to suit all- may have missed a few, there are so many out there! my choice is traditionally 'Halloween', So typical but Michael Myers' dodgy William Shatner mask (google it) and Carpenter's creepy instrumental always does the trick eek, ENJOY and watch with caution,

If you dare...

Modern horror

I agree the limited SFX, low level sets and bad hair dos can be off-putting. These horrors had budgets and plenty of fear factor

#The Conjuring

#Insidious

#Sinister

#Devil

#Jeepers Creepers 1 & 2

#Paranormal Activity

#Mama

#White Noise

Classic horror

It feels as though sometimes the stories these days just aren't cutting it- 

Sequels are being made left, right and centre! Hit the old school shelf of movies (most are on tv all the time anyways) for a good creeping ;) 

#Don't Look Now

#The Omen

#The Changelling 

#My Bloody Valentine

#Poltergeist

Sentimental horror

Ok so you like the beating heart and sweaty palms but like to avoid the ongoing trauma

These films are for the subconscious which likes to play up around bed time- they will leave 

You feeling well...a little less freaked out hopefully with their powerful and dramatic plots

#The Sixth Sense 

#Paranorman

#Dragonfly

#What Lies Beneath

#Stir of Echoes 

#The Orphanage

Alien lover

Hey, what's more scary than things that scientists can't disprove?! How are you supposed to run they come with UFOs and better tech 

#Dark Skies

#Signs

#Alien

#Apollo 18

Japanese horrors 

Because let's face it no one has more imagination than a Japanese story teller!

American style or original up to you but The Ring comes with a warning if you choose 

The Japanese version! 

#Shutter

#The Ring

#The Grudge

#Dark Water

#One Missed Call

#Mirrors

Horror hit

Made lotsa dosh, scared a lot of underage kids and set the scene for new films on the block

#The Shining

#Scream

#The Exorcist

#Psycho

#Saw

#The Birds

#A Nightmare on Elm Street

#Texas Chainsaw Massacre 

Books to big screen

Stephen King comes to mind of course, comes with a guarantee that what you're watching

is scary as hell both on a page and in your face

#Pet Cemetery 

#Carrie 

#Christine

#Bag of Bones

#It 

#Misery

Blog Post 4.

The Artist.

You could say so much about this film. For instance, talk about Dujardin's remarkable 'old-school' charm, the profoundly wonderful story-telling or simply the artistic elements cleverly encrypted throughout...

But, if I've learnt anything from this film; it's that you don't always need words to express the truth.

The thing is, I've seen people over-analyse this film countless times but, make of it what you will, The Artist is a gem, a real 'pièce de résistance'. How Hazanavicius and everyone involved in making The Artist has managed to combine the old and the new, so seamlessly, is a rarity.

In fact, cheering on The Artist from TV as it picked up its many (well earned) awards was like seeing your favourite team score.

Without further adieu, all you need to know about The Artist:

George Valentin has it all. Fame, fortune and everything that comes with it. Somehow, he's stuck in the past, blind to the future- a world of talking pictures catching up with this silent movie star. Peppy Miller is a free-spirited young woman with a drive of ambition, and an unwavering admiration for Valentin. Watch as their contrasting paths cross.

So there you have it. A description that doesn't do the film justice so don't just take my word for it! I'm off to put the soundtrack CD on shuffle (did I mention it's great?). As always thanks for reading ~Athena

Blog Post 3.

Corpse Bride

I was mesmerised by this movie when I first saw it in the cinema back in 2005...
I mean, the story is really quite fascinating when you come to think of it.

How many "children's" animations portray the themes of death, sacrifice, dishonesty, betrayal...
-In the space of 78 minutes? All the while displaying one captivating soundtrack (Danny Elfman everybody) plus a star-studded cast of voices...

Tim Burton's darkly vivid imagination has successfully managed to conjure up this timeless stop-motion classic. You hear the phrase "for all the family" being passed around a lot these days. Especially with adventure film- flops that never amount to much but, in this case, they might be on to something. Sure it's a little more mature than the average kid's film but who's to say that it's "too much" for them to handle. Sometimes, their uncomplicated minds can spot things that the more life-experienced cannot. Just like the children in the movie welcoming their loving dead relatives while the townsfolk fled.

Let's look at things realistically speaking; life is brutal. We all know that. However, from time-to-time, that element of reality seems to lose touch in some children's films dare I say High School Musical (sorry). Corpse Bride, even with all of the fantasy, is more true than most of the stuff in the cinema out there now. Think Lord Barkis with his shady agenda, if you've seen it.

There's also the subject of binary oppositions; life and death, the upper-class and the working-class. Which side is scarier? I'll let you guys make of it what you wish, but I think it's clear that Corpse Bride is no simple watch.

Victor & Emily Piano Duet  (here's the link that will direct you to youtube)
Thanks for reading :D

~Athena

Blog Post 2.

Silver Linings Playbook.

Wow, what a film!
Yesterday I heard about them re-releasing it or something, and there it is-
number 3 in the top 10, still going strong! Quite rightly might I add.

First, let's talk about the cast comprising of big names such as:
Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and the mighty Robert De Niro whom never disappoints.

...Need I say more?

Actually, for me, De Niro's knack for comedy really shined towards the end when he delivered this fantastic 'look' during the wildly entertaining dance scene. Funny, how such a simple gesture made an impact in the film enough for me to pick up on and dedicate a small paragraph to in this post.

Lawrence is definitely going places with that superb, raw talent this budding Hollywood actress certainly beholds. It's true that the main cast all seem to obtain this likeability factor, which radiates off screen. Chris Tucker's (Rush Hour) performance doesn't go unnoticed either, as a friend of Pat's, (the protagonist) from the mental facility they both stayed in.

To be completely honest here, I went in thinking 'here we go again, another typical rom com', despite Jonathan Ross' efforts to promote it in his interview with Cooper. Suddenly, within the first couple of minutes I scrapped my low expectations and was hooked.

To all that haven't seen it, I'd rather not give too much away about the plot, but all you really need to know is that it's the perfect combination of a deep, yet light-hearted drama film. This will all make sense if you see it.

I also really love the way Russell tackles mental disorder, tragedy and even racism in a refreshing way with a new, revitalising approach to the original love story. I can't promise it's for everybody, but if you appreciate a great film then you'll enjoy it-sorry my advice is a little vague.

"Let me tell ya. You gotta pay attention to signs. When life reaches out with a moment like this it's a sin if you don't reach back. I'm telling you. - Pat Sr.

See you all soon + thanks for reading~Athena

Blog Post 1.

Films. They have the ability to change the world. As we delve into a sphere of pure cinematic genius, we see things that perhaps, we were blind to initially.

Films are an escape from our dimension into another. They are a portal, a window into oblivion. Sometimes, a decent film is all it takes for us to leave our troubles behind and embark upon a journey into- and here's the best part- wherever and whenever we like.

So here goes nothing, a based-on-a-true-story, film to feel good: Awakenings

Nothing short of a masterpiece, by virtue of Penny Marshall. Robert de Niro (has to) steal the show with a moving performance portraying Mr. Leonard Lowe, a catatonic patient being treated by none other than Robin Williams. Look out for some true tearjerker moments and a light, memorable sequence with the Zombies song 'Time of the Season'. Julie Kavner also plays the part of a kind-hearted nurse working alongside the doctor, bringing him out of his shell. 

What stands out about this lovely film is how it gets you to let go of the melancholy mood, all part of the January package deal, and just simply appreciate life in all it's glory. It shows you what living is really all about...Love. Freedom. Being happy with what you have- a beating heart and a good pair of lungs for example- cue inspirational speech courtesy of Williams ;) 

So if you see one film this week, watch Awakenings and start the weekend off with a happy-go-lucky outlook on life. See you soon~Athena

A poem from the movie:

The Panther

His vision, from the constantly passing bars,
has grown so weary that it cannot hold
anything else. It seems to him there are
a thousand bars; and behind the bars, no world.

As he paces in cramped circles, over and over,
the movement of his powerful soft strides
is like a ritual dance around a center
in which a mighty will stands paralyzed.

Only at times, the curtain of the pupils
lifts, quietly--. An image enters in,
rushes down through the tensed, arrested muscles,
plunges into the heart and is gone. 

Rainer Maria Rilke