Lights, Camera...Action

Good collection of ideas from film director Jim Jarmusch. Several things of note here that seem as applicable in the world of design as that of the silver screen, eg Rule #4: Filmmaking is a collaborative process - “work with others whose minds and ideas may be stronger than your own”. Rule #5 is also relevant but I’m sure I’ve heard that one before….

Here is a link to his golden rules of movie-making

Reminiscent of a good piece of design advice I learnt at college. My tutor - a short, energetic chap called Ed - would relate design to the editing process of a film. He believed the quicker one got to the bare boned, basic structure of a ‘product’, the quicker you’d be able to make key decisions. Ed’s point was that until you’d reached the rough-cut stage students would more often than not get bogged down in the details (the ‘fluff’) and progress at a slower pace than that of someone who could step back and view the project as a whole (the ‘meat’). Basic flaws became exposed whilst strengths and virtues could be amplified and refined.

Gone baby gone

A tense, crime thriller directed by Ben Affleck shows that his talents are equally noteworthy for behind the camera efforts. Showed his writing promise and acting talent in 'Good Will Hunting', yet this time around allows his younger Brother Casey to play the lead in 'Gone baby gone'.

Nice use of language and dialogue between strong cast memebers, nicely paced so that as the intrigue increases you are drawn in. What let's the story down though is the ending, it's just a bit unbelievable and far fetched. Good to see a movie set somewhere other than LA or New York, the rough Boston Neighbourhood Dorchester is shown warts and all. And maybe cinema sound systems are getting better but the gunshots in this film were fantastic, very loud and sharp.

scores on the board? 7.5 out of 10

Batman - The Dark Knight

Not bad, not bad at all. In fact very, very good. I really enjoyed the latest installment in the Batman story for several reasons:

Pace. This movie doesn’t stop. It pumps up the adrenalin from the very beginning and rarely slows for the next two hours. At first I didn’t appreciate this but quickly adapted. It felt like a trailer at times, ie high octane, energy fueled scenes full of soundbites.

Darkness. Have yet to see the first Batman movie Christopher Nolan made but I’m assured that it is just as dark. And by darkness I mean tone as much as lighting. Compared to Burton and Schumacer’s earlier batman films this latest offering avoids any campness or cabaretesque moments. And this feels right, much more believable. Very few scenes are shown in the daylight hours but when they are, blinding white sunlight bleaches out colours and offers an environment just as stark as the nocturnal stage.

Locations. Chicago, New York, Battersea Power Station stood in for Gotham city. It shows you’re a big budget movie when you can afford to take over a couple of Staten Island ferries, have a cast of hundreds of extras in major US cities and then start blowing up Battersea Power Station.

Cast. Heath Ledger left this life with a fitting epitaph presumably ensuring he achieves James Dean status. His Joker is a scheming, Machiavellian evil lunatic and the manner in which he lisps and sucks his lines achieves a suitable amount of distaste from the audience. Christian Bale is also a lot more believable as Batman than previous incumbents – a driven, ruthless man teetering on the edge between good and evil. Great supporting actors as well: Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gylenhall.

In Search of a Midnight Kiss

An endearing film about two lost souls looking for companionship on the loneliest night of the year - New Years Eve. Lots of sharp, witty dialogue between the two main characters as they push and probe each other and slowly draw closer together. Nicely paced story which although set over one afternnon and evening feels neither rushed or drawn out. Lovely, slightly poignant ending that perhaps could have been a bit more ambiguous and less rounded off.

Obvious connections to other great American Indie films such as Clerks, Before Sunset/Sunrise and Swingers, ISOAMK injects a bit of 21st century zeitgeist into the Rom-Com genre - this is the first film I can think of that name checks facebook, myspace and the movie's main prop - Craig's List.

Shot in downtown LA on what I imagine was a miniscule budget, the film looks stunning. The west coast sunlight and shadows emphasised in the stark black and white cinematography, a distinct contrast to the warm pastel hues of Micheal Mann's LA based films.

Happy Go Lucky

Endearing feel-good film (with a subtle dark undercurrent) that effectively avoids being TOO 'happy go lucky'. I really enjoyed this film, it had all the qualities that good Brit films posess - intelligent script, underplayed acting and realistic, sensitive settings. And being set in London it was fun to play the 'I know that place' game. Walked out of cinema feeling lifted and energised and fleet of foot with a spring in my step. But maybe that was the impact of the incense stall by Brixton tube?

Sterling performance from Sally Hawkins as the main protagonist and a delicously dark piece of acting by Eddie Marsan as an unhinged driving instructor.