Film Reviews – JMAC- The Blog Experience

Enlightening Performance, Must see film “American Utopia”

David Byrne has created a inviting and innovative piece of theater with the collaboration of the legendary director Spike Lee. They have produced the joyful and human experience that is the film “American Utopia”, which talks about the changes and current state of American society, through the medium of a concert featuring songs from Byrne’s album of the same name. As well as classic hits from his acclaimed band Talking Heads.

Born in 1952, and an immigrant from Scotland, David Bryne had a unique passion for music. Although he was, in his own words “immensely shy”, he could be let free and be himself on stage with his band Talking Heads. After a catalog of acclaimed albums, one of the best concert films ever made- “Stop Making Sense”- huge praise and following from people all over the globe, the band broke up in 1991. However, it wasn’t quite over for Byrne. He started a solo career and would occasionally pop up on songs by various artists.

With his most recent album American Utopia, Byrne wanted to create a theatrical stage show to go along with it. Being a creative powerhouse, he wanted it to be like a show that no one’s done before.

Similar to the opening of “Stop Making Sense”, – which is the Talking heads concert film from 1984 – Bryne has the stage stripped of any instruments, wires and other set production. He’s instead surrounded by long chain curtains lining the edges of the stage. Over the course of the performance, he sings and plays with other musicians who carry there instruments like a marching band. Along with spectacular lighting effects, this makes the show have an utterly unique appearance.

The show starts with Bryne contemplating how the mind of a child develops and as we grow, we lose certain neural connections in our brains. That idea is a simple jumping off point to explore and discuss certain topics of the world now: such as identity, human nature, immigration, unity and many more.

After seeing a performance of the show on Broadway, legendary film maker Spike Lee was eager to collaborate with Bryne to make a film out of the stage show. Spike Lee was able to capture the magic of the staging, and emphasize every performers music talent and the way they dance and choreographed the show. He uses an abundant amounts of cinematic camera angles and techniques to view the close up, emotive and important moments, to then let you embrace the full stage with its colorful lighting and dancing. Spike lee also emphasizes the messages and symbols of Black Lives Matter. While also filming and editing, Spike Lee also asked some of the mothers who had lost their family members to racist polices acts for discrimination and violence to be involved to remember their loved ones. Bryne’s and Spikes politics and viewpoints meld to create a balance of what is told and what is seen on stage.

This show is captivating, honest, insightful and truly spectacular. I would highly recommend this to everyone to experience something that creates so much joy and is so accurate of a live show atmosphere.

Top 5 Movies for the Halloween of 2020

As the spooky day of October draws near, you would probably start thinking;

“How am I supposed to celebrate Halloween this year??”.

Due to the new restrictions and the outbreak of Covid-19 makes celebrating Halloween difficult, No parties, No get togethers. However, there is one thing we’ve always been doing to get into the spooky mood. Watching movies! If its horror, thriller or simply a Halloween movie, it does not matter, in the end it always gets you the mood! Here is My Top 5 Movies to watch on Halloween;

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas

The very well known family movie that’s a mix of Christmas cheer and Halloween excitement. Who doesn’t adore the animated character, Jack Skellington and his accidental adventure into Christmas Town?

2. The Shining.

A well known Thriller classic! The acting will definitely give you Goosebumps and the amazing cinematography will keep you immersed in the movie like no other. It’s a brilliant movie and you should watch it if you haven’t already and if you’ve watched it then… Watch it again! It’s a great movie to watch on Halloween, you won’t regret watching it!

3. Corpse Bride

This movie definitely gave me a few shivers, the eerie atmosphere throughout the whole movie made it extra spooky along with the animation style using stop-motion. The concept of the film is very unique. The story of this film is quite unsettling and grim, something you wouldn’t really expect from an animated film. However, Its a Tim Burton film, so you would definitely know what to expect! (Unless you’ve never watched a Tim Burton film).

4. Coraline

Another famous Tim Burton classic that’s very well known for its unsettling scenes that often gives younger children nightmares, at least it certainly did for me. The lingering creepy atmosphere adds so much to the film, making you constantly anxious that something might jump out!

5. Scream

A well known film from the 1990’s. A horror/mystery film about a killer murdering multiple people in the area using similar methods. This Concept is now considered a lot more cliché than it did when it first came out. So many of films follow this concept now to the point it’s not as enjoyable anymore. However you can’t go wrong with one of the originals of this concept!

Since I was really young I always loved watching movies, I spent a lot of my time watching them and exploring different genres. As I gotten older I haven’t had the time to watch as many movies as I did when I was younger, but I still enjoy watching them whenever I have that time. I enjoy looking at the small details in films and the soundtrack of the films!

Did Disney Ruin the Star Wars Franchise??

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars was known as a collection of six constructed movies which delved into the nooks and crannies of the sci-fi universe.

The way our current generation see franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, X-Men and Harry Potter is the same way that the generations before us seen the Star Wars franchise.

The return of the franchise marked the beginning of a new era in the Star Wars universe. The seventh movie which started this off was the Force Awakens (2015). This received many mixed signals from the general public. Some fans were ecstatic for the Star Wars legacy to continue, meanwhile others felt uncertain that it could surpass the high expectations of the previous movies.

Despite the doubts, The Force Awakens generated a total of 2.066 billion US Dollars at the box office. This success made doubtful viewers see a different light on the new era.

Until………….The Last Jedi was released.

Surprisingly, there was a divide in opinions regarding the movie, between the critics who seemed to love the film – most likely because the critics are more watchful of different aspects of the movie compared to an ordinary person, they see movies as a work of art-. Whereas the general public had a conflicting response. They value entertainment over art therefore the fans were left disappointed by the messy story lines and plot holes which consequently left the audience at a cliffhanger with many questions unanswered.

The Rise of Skywalker brought back a familiar face. Emperor Palpatine, undoubtedly the manipulator and mastermind behind Order 66 and the Jedi genocide made the appearance in this movie. A major plot twist reveals that Rey is the granddaughter of Palpatine.

As the new Star Wars trilogy comes to a close, we are able to see the positive and negative aspects of the release of these movies. Fans were excited with anticipation to watch new Star Wars content, especially after the ten year anniversary since Revenge of the Sith in 2005.

However, many weren’t impressed with the poor character developments. Rey, one of the main protagonists, was seen by the public as too perfect. The fact that she didn’t have any flaws to her character irritated the audience. The unfortunate development of Finn was seen as a disappointment too. His story line in The Force Awakens was the peak of this character as he faded away in the last two movies. Kylo Ren’s character already had high expectations to follow up after the iconic Darth Vader made the legacy the high status is even to this day. His character was seen as a bad excuse of a villain and was a disappointment compared to Darth Vader.

Disney bought Lucasfilm in October 2012 for 4.05 billion dollars. This decision received mixed reviews in the future from fans. Although this chapter of the Star Wars trilogy is over for now, Disney have no plans in stopping the story of the Star Wars universe. Movies such as Rogue One, Solo: A Star Wars Story and The Mandalorian – which has had a flood of fans in awe over Baby Yoda – have been created to expand the horizons of fans and broaden the complex world that is Star Wars.

Review : Everyman Cinema

I’m not a fan of drastic change. I would much rather go with the safe, well known option, like the Vue cinemas. I would take the Vue cinema over the Showcase or Cineworld any day but recently I came across a hip, modern, luxury take on your average cinema trip, the Everyman Cinema. Prices are relatively high for the income of your average 17 year old but if you’re feeling fancy you do get a great service for your money (especially if you are a pensioner). The cinema consists of three small screens with around 60 sofas replacing the standard cinema seats. your snacks or food – as its attached to a small cafe- are brought to your seat by a member of staff – on slate trays and the likes, totally instagrammable if that’s your cup of tea. Once everyone is fed and watered a member of staff comes in and gives a brief overview of the movie and you are left to enjoy only the highest rated movies in comfort and style.

Overall, due to the price of food and the ticket itself I wouldn’t go out of my way to make it my go- to cinema destination but as a treat or for a special occasion it definitely works.

Top 10 Best Christmas Movies

Christmas is great fun but the movies are what make it truly magical.

Elf – It’s funny and very suitable for small children as well as the whole family.
The Polar Express – This movie is a little bit more on the dark side and has scary twists every now and then. Although it is animated and still full of fun.
Its a Wonderful Life – This is a black and white Christmas movie from 1946, its not really for the younger generation as due to the lack of color and its also quite morbid at times as the main character contemplating suicide is the plot, however it has an inspirational ending.
Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone – This has a really cosy feel to the film and is a really warm and exciting movie for all ages.
The Nightmare Before Christmas – This is a lot more creepy and Tim Burton’s characters have a distinct look, you either love it or hate it.
Arthur Christmas – Arthur Christmas is an animated feel good film that incorporates many different funny themes.
A Christmas Carol – This is also on the spooky side with a lot of darker scenes and is more of a scary movie.
Die Hard – There is argument weather or not this is a Christmas movie and it is more of an action movie but it has a classic Christmas ending.
Love Actually – This is a romantic and feel good film filled with loads of humour.
Home Alone – This is not my personal favourite but it is so Christmasy I had to include it.