film reviews, interviews, features | BRWC

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  • Dead Man’s Shoes: Review

    Dead Man’s Shoes: Review

    Dead Man’s Shoes: Review. By Luke Foulder-Hughes.

    Dead Man’s Shoes is a film about an ex soldier returning to his hometown to seek revenge on the small-time crooks who tormented his mentally ill brother whilst he was away. However, this film is so much deeper than other revenge flicks like the ‘Rambo’ franchise. Meadows uses his characters to create a blurred line between the hero and villain narrative used in many films in this genre and does so in a magnificently impressive way, almost as good as Scorsese’s masterpiece ‘Taxi Driver’ does with Travis Bickle. 

    The characters in this film are fantastic, particularly Paddy Considine as Richard, who gives a career high performance as well as being one I would consider amongst the greatest of all time. He also co-wrote the movie with Meadows, which helps his character feel authentic and personal to the audience. Considine finds a way to have the audience constantly root for his character despite the fact he brutally murders people throughout the 90 minute run time.

    This performance doesn’t necessarily have the character having a descent to madness like many character studies often do, Richard is shown to be unstable as soon as we are introduced to the character when he is in the pub with his brother. He instantly flips on Stuart Wolfenden’s character Herbie, who is one of the main antagonists of Dead Man’s Shoes. Considine maintains a level of intensity throughout, becoming a terrifyingly intense character in the final act. A minor complaint I have with this film is the main antagonist being cast as Gary Stretch. Personally, I didn’t find him very scary despite his good performance as he didn’t necessarily fit the role of a drug dealer, however this is a small detail as the performance from Stretch is nothing short of great.

    Most of the technical aspects of Dead Man’s Shoes are done to perfection and are suited to the atmosphere that Meadows is presenting. The cinematography is brilliant, every shot is chosen for a specific reason by the director and each shot could be studied to find different meanings for each scene. It doesn’t look polished as well, which is excellent as it helps create the gritty and depressing aesthetic that Meadows wanted. Another minor problem I have with the film is that I personally feel the flashback scenes could’ve been done better. I did like the distinct black and white imagery, reminiscent of ‘American History X’, however they all had this filter applied to make it look like a VHS tape.

    I understand it was done to show it was in the past however I don’t feel it’s necessary and that the black and white imagery conveyed this perfectly fine. I also didn’t like the music over the top of the flashback scenes, for me it was too loud and wasn’t needed. Despite this, these things only bothered me at the start of the film as towards the end the content within these scenes was so intriguing my eyes were glued to the screen.

    Something I loved was the fact that this film embraced its influences whilst having a completely new take on its predecessors. For example, Richard’s coat is very similar to De Niro’s in Taxi Driver, as well as in one of the scenes there is a poster of the 1976 film on the wall of a bedroom. Another film Dead Man’s Shoes takes a lot of key narrative conventions from is ‘First Blood’ which is referenced through the use of unconventional weapons as well as the main character being a mentally unstable war veteran who can survive outside in nature. It’s interesting that this film was influenced by ‘First Blood’ as Meadows and Considine admit to re enacting the classic movie as children growing up in Nottingham. 

    Another great thing about Dead Man’s shoes is that it is often darkly comedic, with the standout moment being the recurring joke about the man in the gas mask being an elephant man. As well as being funny, this comedy about these minor criminal characters shows that they are just simply not very intelligent, this portrays them as having childlike innocence around their bullying of Antony, Richard’s brother. However, when we find out later in the film the truth about what happened, this pity the audience may feel for these characters is eradicated entirely. This showcases the expert film making on display from Meadows as he can find a grey area between good and bad that not many directors can do with their characters.

    This is an incredibly difficult film to watch, particularly the second half, Dead Man’s Shoes is something that you can only watch once every few years, as it is so powerful and uncomfortable to watch, much like something like ‘Come and See’ or ‘The Deer Hunter’. It’s difficult to talk about without spoiling major plot points, so if you’re reading this I urge you to see this as soon as you can. It’s a massively important film, dealing with issues like mental illness.

    If you like ‘Taxi Driver’ or the revenge genre you will likely love Dead Man’s Shoes, the same goes if you are a fan of other work by Shane Meadows as it features recognisable actors from ‘This is England’ and the subsequent mini series’, as well as showing where the director got his style of gritty film making from. 

  • Moloka’i Bound: Review

    Moloka’i Bound: Review

    Moloka’i Bound: Review. By Liam Trump.

    The simplistic nature that many short films are able to achieve always amazes me. It’s a natural atmosphere that many feature-length films rarely try to accomplish for fear of being too dull or boring. Short films like Alika Maikau’s Moloka’i Bound is a perfect example of presenting this type of just that. 

    Above all, Maikau aims to develop his characters in the short amount of runtime that Moloka’i Bound takes up. The characters Kainoa (Holden Mandrial-Santos) and Jonathan (Austin Tucker) mirror each other to a certain extent and this adds a great deal of context to what ultimately occurs at the end of the film.

    It’s seen right from the beginning that Kainoa wants a bond with Jonathan but can’t because of the circumstances. He tries to connect at the beginning with Jonathan. Even though he has a weak relationship with Jonathan he makes the effort. He has experience that’s vital to him and he wants to make sure that Jonathan is not going down the same path he did. 

    The interaction between Kainoa and Jonathan starts quite abruptly. This is to show how Kainoa can’t just show up to talk to Jonathan whenever he wants and has to catch him when no one else is around. He tells him not to smoke and fixes his slipper for him. Jonathan starts opens up since it’s implied that he doesn’t have a father figure in his life. By the end they’ve understood each other’s general personality, but are far from having 

    The dialogue given between Jonathan and Kainoa has The actors both give solid performances that aren’t too over-the-top or too meek. The dynamic that’s written for them makes watching their brief conversation engaging. 

    Maikau delves into themes relating to love and companionship. These themes dictate everything having to do with Kainoa’s actions and both of them wanting a strong relationship with each other. While it is Kainoa’s fault that their relationship couldn’t have prospered, other factors went in making it so that his mistakes would not be forgotten.

    Overall, Alika Maikau’s Moloka’i Bound is a solid short film. It doesn’t rely on style alone; it more so focuses on the fractured relationship that Jonathan and Kainoa have found themselves in. Even so, the Hawaiian setting is captured very well and none of the technical aspects stuck out as being out of place. This is well made short film that I’ll probably be watching again in the future. 

  • Therapy And Movies: Some Examples

    Therapy And Movies: Some Examples

    Therapy And Movies: Some Examples

    If you haven’t seen it, Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out is a wonderful film.  Funny, innovative and intelligent in bringing to life those voices in your head: joy, sadness, fear, anger, disgust.

    In the face-to-face and online therapy world it is believed that pathos and humour in movies about mental illness can be an encouraging thing, because they help us laugh and/or cry while also learning something about a mental disorder or relevant issues, even if that lesson is a simple as supporting someone through their treatment.

    Watching movies encourages emotional release. Even those who often have trouble expressing their emotions might find themselves laughing or crying during a film. This release of emotions can have a cathartic effect and also make it easier for a person to become more comfortable in expressing their emotions.

    Here are some films with a focus on therapy:

    What About Bob (1991)

    Before going on vacation, self-involved psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) has the misfortune of taking on a new patient: Bob Wiley (Bill Murray). An exemplar of neediness and a compendium of phobias, Bob follows Marvin to his family’s country house.

    One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (1975)

    In order to escape the prison labour, McMurphy, a prisoner, fakes insanity and is shifted to the special ward for the mentally unstable. In this ward, he must rise up against a cruel nurse, Ratched.

    The Fisher King (1991)

    A former radio DJ, suicidal and despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake.  A masterclass from Robin Williams.

    Good Will Hunting (1997)

    Will Hunting, a genius in mathematics, solves all the difficult mathematical problems. When he faces an emotional crisis, he takes help from psychiatrist Dr Sean Maguireto, who helps him recover.

    A Beautiful Mind (2001)

    The American biographical drama film based on the life of the American mathematician John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics and Abel Prize winner. The film was directed by Ron Howard, from a screenplay written by Akiva Goldsman.

    Ordinary People (1980)

    Tormented by guilt following the death of his older brother, Buck, in a sailing accident, alienated teenager Conrad Jarrett (Timothy Hutton) attempts suicide. Returning home following an extended stay in a psychiatric hospital, Conrad tries to deal with his mental anguish and also reconnect with his mother, Beth (Mary Tyler Moore), who has grown cold and angry, and his emotionally wounded father, Calvin (Donald Sutherland), with the help of his psychiatrist, Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch).

    50 / 50 (2011)

    Inspired by a true story, a comedy centred on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.

    Girl Interrupted (1999)

    Set in the changing world of the late 1960s, “Girl, Interrupted” is the searing true story of Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder), a young woman who finds herself at a renowned mental institution for troubled young women, where she must choose between the world of people who belong on the inside — like the seductive and dangerous Lisa (Angelina Jolie) — or the often difficult world of reality on the outside. 

    Antwone Fisher (2002)

    After a brutal flare-up with a sailor, Antwone Fisher, a Navy officer, is sent to psychiatrist Dr Jerome Davenport. Eventually, he finds new hope in life after coming to terms with his painful past.

    The Prince of Tides (1991)

    A New York psychiatrist treating an emotionally scarred woman finds it helpful to discuss her South Carolina family’s troubled history with the woman’s twin brother. He and the psychiatrist find themselves drawn together by their equally turbulent pasts, and they form an alliance which ultimately leads to romance.

    Inside Out (2015)

    Eleven-year-old Riley moves to San Francisco, leaving behind her life in Minnesota. She and her five core emotions, Fear, Anger, Joy, Disgust and Sadness, struggle to cope with her new life.

    Therapy And Movies: Some Examples

  • Residue: The BRWC Review

    Residue: The BRWC Review

    Residue: The BRWC Review. By Luke Foulder-Hughes.

    Merawi Gerima’s film Residue is an impressive debut for the young filmmaker. The 2020 film deals with major issues in today’s society, particularly gentrification and racism and how the former can lead to the latter. Gerima takes on a huge job to deal with these issues through film and does so in an experimental way; which more often than not works fantastically to engage the audience.

    The story follows Jay, a young screenwriter who returns to his home town in Washington DC to work on a script. The film very loosely follows a plot, as it takes us through lots of different situations that the character experiences to create realism.

    We are first introduced to the film via a dreamy sequence at a street party in the city. It is filmed in an unconventional way, using blurry, home video footage to connote a hazy memory that the character has. Throughout the film we are shown flashbacks that are shot in this way, the dreamy tone of the flashbacks shows that Jay is reminiscing on happier times. The beautiful cinematography is a key feature of Residue’s brilliance, with a magnificent use of colour.

    The DOP, Mark Jeevaratnam, opted to use 16mm film for the flashbacks which works wonderfully to create the desired atmosphere that Gerima envisioned. As well as this, to add to the realistic tone of the film Gerima often uses longer takes and a shaky camera to create a documentary style of film. 

    The writing by Gerima is masterfully done, and feels authentic to the story which works great with the realism created by the camera work. The sound design also contributes to this feeling, especially the use of the diegetic sound of construction in the background of scenes; this use of sound in particular is important to the themes of the film, creating a sense of dread that even more gentrification is occurring when the events of the film are unfolding.

    My only problem I have with Residue is the pacing. Despite the film’s 90 minute runtime, the film often drags and goes through boring spells. This could’ve been intentional by the director however it isn’t pulled off as well as other films do it, such as Scorsese’s ‘Silence’. This is likely due to inexperience, and Gerima will have hopefully ironed out this flaw in his follow up films. 

    Another theme Gerima tackles in this film is racism. We are introduced to this theme early on as soon as Jay parks his car outside his home. He’s told the police will be called if he doesn’t turn his music down by a white neighbour. This is scene in particular emphasises Gerima’s point about gentrification leading to racism and discrimination. We don’t hear the music as being loud in this scene, this is done so that we are confused as to why the white man is picking on Jay for a petty reason.

    Another white character describes the town as being ‘cleaned up’ which is another subtle nod to racial tension by Gerima, as there are now less black people in the town than before. As well as racism, this film tackles the issues of the fear of police, with many characters referencing former crimes and injustices that have happened to them. These themes are reminiscent of Spike Lee’s work, in particular ‘Do the Right Thing’ and Joe Talbot’s ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’ so if you enjoy these films I’d highly recommend checking out Residue!

    Despite its pacing flaw, Residue is a really excellent debut film, with sublime cinematography complimented by a great colour palette, as well as an interesting story that tackles important themes in today’s society. Gerima is one of the most exciting voices working in film today, and I will be following his work closely from now on.

  • Ragnarok: Show Review

    Ragnarok: Show Review

    Ragnarok is one of the most-watched Norwegian TV shows, which is especially popular among young people and teenagers. The TV series is a thriller genre TV show, which offers the story of a few young adults who want to save the world by fighting the gods. The story is based on the ancient Nordic legend. Ragnarok itself means the end of the world, and this is what the heroes try to prevent.

    The Netflix show turned out to be more popular and successful than it was expected to be. And while it might not look possible for the heroes to save the world, the show gets more and more interesting every episode. In order to understand the nature of the show better, it is necessary to dive into the plot.

    The plot

    The main plot of the show is devoted to the family of a mother and two sons, who decide to move to Edda, Norway. The decision was made after their father and beloved husband passed away. The Danish and Norwegian teenagers, Magne and Laurits are very supportive of their mother and try to be at hand every time she needs them. The two guys are very different from each other. One is very introverted and the other is a social butterfly. 

    The mother of the boys, Turid, who is played by Henriette Steenstrup, has a good job in the city in the plant industry. This is not the first time in Edde, actually, the family used to have summer vacations in the small town, and both kids, as well as their parents, were quite happy about it, though this is not the case now. The boys don’t seem happy and the reason might be very vivid in the future series and seasons. 

    The most important part of the story begins when they arrive at the town and Magne tries to help an old man. This is the moment when a woman in curlers finds him and then touches his forehead. At this very moment, his eye lightens up. Somehow Magne senses that it’s going to rain, despite the fact that the sky is clean. And of course, here comes the rain. 

    Nothing special happens after this moment, but the story goes as usual. Boys go to school. The interesting fact to know is that Lauritas has skipped a few years in school, because of his extraordinary skills and talents, while Magne is dyslexic and has been kept in the same grade for some years. Despite his disease, Magne still manages to find a friend, Isolde, who is Youtuber and makes vlogs about environments and is concerned that the glacier that’s on the local mountain top is melting due to climate change and might soon cause a catastrophe. 

    Norse mythology was a good choice

    Generally speaking, Norwegian culture and mythology keep many legends and secrets behind. This is why it leaves many people interested and always involved. Norwegian mythology has been popularized a lot throughout the past time. Many producers find it very interesting and find it engaging, that’s why many TV shows, as well as movies, have been produced recently. Nordic chords keep the music on a high note, with always very picturesque scenes to offer the audience. 

    Not only Nordic chords are popular among movie producers and actors, but in industries like gambling, we will often come across games based on the Nordic legends and myths. The characters of the myths are very vibrant themselves who have a lot to uncover, new stories and motives. While there are many Nordic-themed online games, all of them are different and all of them have something extraordinary to offer the players. Many people play online Nordic-themed mobilcasino games as they call them in Norwegian, which in translation is mobile casino games. We have already seen several versions of Thor, of Odina, and perhaps will see some more in the future. 

    More about the Movie 

    While the TV show itself is definitely not the best ever quality you expect from Netflix especially, it is still somewhat exciting, especially when the story takes a rather different turn and approach. The action gets tense and thrilling when Turid starts to work on the plantation with her old friend, Vidar, who turns out to be far from the grown-up good man. Vidar is the owner of the fish factory, but this is not the way he earned his wealth. And who knows why? He is definitely not the one he wants everything to think. Vidar’s children Fjor and Saxa are studying in the same school as Laurits and Magne. 

    Some love stories are obviously present as well when Magne had a crush on Saxa. Though, there is the tragedy present as well. This is the moment when Magne notices some major changes in himself. These include the increased power, that he does not need to have glasses anymore. When Isolde invites him to climb to the glacier, he hikes up in sneakers and does not even get tired of the whole journey. This is when he gets a text from his brother that Turid is in trouble, he barely steps on the ground to get back to the towns. At this time he understands that Lauritas pranked him, yet in the meantime when Isolde is paragliding, a terrible thing happens.

    It is definitely true that Magne is the prototype of Thor, using the power of lightning. It is unknown if Laurits is the prototype of Loki, who is the god of lies and sneakiness and simultaneously is the brother of Thor. If we look closer at the character, we might see some similarities between Loki and Laurits. And Vidar is definitely a giant, the evil god who tries to encourage the fast happening of Ragnarok. 

    This definitely might not be the best ever TV show you have ever seen and it might not be something you will remember for the rest of your life, it’s not even about taking away some valuable information or emotions, but it is watchable and even exciting especially for the teenagers. Overall, the show does not list the best Netflix shows.