Author: BRWC

Richard Marquand: Master Of Cross-Cutting Storytelling

Richard Marquand: Master of Cross-Cutting Storytelling. By Andrew Adams.

Going to the cinema has been a treasured pastime since the first movie houses opened in the early 1900s. Through the expert storytelling of those behind and in front of the camera, we enjoy a shared human experience. While well-cast actors and a well-written screenplay are needed for success, there is much that happens behind the scenes that allow a movie to stay with us and affect us so deeply.

Tools of the Trade

Montages are some of the most powerful story-telling tools directors employ. Movie montages serve purposes from advancing a storyline or showing a transformation to keeping the audience on the edge of their seat or tugging at their heartstrings.

Some of the most effective montages use a cross-cutting technique. This method is used when the director wants to show multiple scenes happening simultaneously, often to create suspense. Cross-cutting can be used to show a complex dichotomy between two characters or even for something as simple as a phone conversation. Regardless of how this technique is used, it’s often done so well that the audience doesn’t notice the abundance of cuts, all they know is that they can’t wait to see what happens next.

Cross-Cutting Perfection

One of the most expert displays of the cross-cutting technique is in Richard Marquand’s “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.” This 30-minute sequence is the culmination of several complex storylines, each experiencing a thrilling climax.

Thanks to Marquand’s brilliance, there is no shortage of suspense between the hundreds of cuts in this sequence. We watch the exciting ground battle on Endor where our favorite heroes’ band together and narrowly escape death. We’re shown the desperate impatience of Lando Calrissian and Admiral Akbar as they wait for the Second Death Star’s shields to deactivate. We tragically watch as a father duels his son, a true battle between good and evil. Marquand’s ability to keep the audience emotionally focused on three separate, complex scenes at once sets him apart as one of the most skilled filmmakers of his time.

Setting the Bar High

Of course, Richard Marquand was no stranger to creating drama and suspense with his cross-cutting techniques. Thrillers such as “Jagged Edge” and “Eye of the Needle” made a name for Marquand’s talents, but “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi” truly paved the way for blockbuster suspense sequences to come. It would go on to become a benchmark for complex action stories to live up to, and still holds up as a paragon of filmmaking today.

The cross-cutting technique is a remarkable feat of movie engineering and Marquand was certainly an innovator. Next time you notice yourself on the edge of your seat, ask yourself if a cross-cutting montage has anything to do with it.

29th May 2021
The 10 Best Blockbuster Movies with Depressing Plots

The 10 Best Blockbuster Movies with Depressing Plots

Watching movies can be a lot of fun. There’s excitement, drama, suspense, and even romance or comedy to see. But some of the most popular blockbuster films feature sad plots with depressing outcomes. Interestingly, though, many modern psychologists actually claim that watching sad movies is good for your health.

Why are sad movies good for mental health?

Hollywood movies paint a picture of a fictional scenario or embellish the details of a realistic one. The viewer then empathizes with the characters in the plot, thereby experiencing the same emotions right alongside them. The same thing happens when you watch happy or uplifting films.

Like living vicariously through the characters, viewers can process their own depressed emotions without having to play out options in real life. On the contrary, films that are too sad may trigger certain mental health conditions. So, find out if you have an underlying issue or to seek the appropriate treatment, visit https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/blog/depression.

What are the 10 best blockbuster movies with depressing plots?

When you need something to cry about, these 10 sad blockbuster movies will give it to you:

#1. The Pursuit of Happyness

Will Smith plays a single father who struggles to make ends meet with his young son in tow. His misadventures include homelessness and several strings of bad luck until his unfathomable work ethic changed his life forever. Best of all, it’s based on a true story.

#2. My Girl

This classic movie never gets old and remains one of the saddest plots of all time. It stars Macauley Culkin and Ana Chlumsky as two precocious best friends on the brink of adulthood, stopped dead in their tracks by an unexpected death. Most of the movie takes place inside a funeral home too.

#3. Stepmom

In this plot, Susan Surandon and Julia Roberts quarrel as their families blend together after a nasty divorce. You see two mothers fight for the love of their children and suffer great heartaches as a result. This one is different, though, because it actually has a happy ending to enjoy.

#4. Marley and Me

You’ll ugly cry when you watch this movie about a lovable family pet named Marley. His unconditional love and hilarious antics teach Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson how to express their emotions in healthy ways, but no without plenty of tears and turmoil along the way.

#5. The Notebook

Follow the life of two lovers as they experience the ups and downs of falling in love. Then, bawl your eyes out as you discover that the entire story was just a memory. Watch as Alzheimer’s tries to steal their love and then observe how they die together in bed at the end.

#6. Up

This animated movie was an instant success just because of it’s opening scene. The elderly wife passes away, and the old man gets bitter. But a whimsical, troublesome child brings joy back into his life in the most unexpected ways. You’ll laugh, cringe, and cry all the way to the final scene.

#7. Legends of the Fall

Young Brad Pitt stars in this raw film about a man who’s incredibly unlucky in love and life. The plot twists and turns with loads of heartbreaking surprises, including his wife being killed in his arms over a petty squabble. And in one scene, the star holds his brother’s bloody heart in his hands.

#8. Steel Magnolias

If you don’t cry while watching this movie, you probably weren’t paying attention. It stars Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, and complete cast of stars who weave an intricate story of love and loss in the deep south. At one point, Julia’s character died unexpectedly after just giving birth to her first baby.

#9. Seven Pounds

As one of the most controversial movies ever done by Will Smith, this one involves a man who gives up various parts of his body to help those in need. However, as the star falls in love and begins sharing his story, you see that there’s a sinister purpose behind his apparent acts of kindness.

#10. A Star Is Born

When Jackson and Ally fall in love, all is well. But after being coaxed into the spotlight, Ally’s career takes off and it breaks down the once passionate relationship they had. Meanwhile, Jackson fights his demons privately and the whole ship comes crashing to a halt in the end.

Truth be told, there are thousands of sad, depressing movies that you could watch. Just be careful not to overindulge because it could have a negative effect on your mental and/or emotional health. So, seek professional help if you start to experience mood swings or bouts of depression that won’t go away (even if you process with the saddest movie on Earth).

The takeaway

Anyone can enjoy a good movie plot, especially if the storyline makes you feel certain emotions or think certain thoughts. But since some movies are so good, it’s important to monitor your mental health before, during, and after the show.

The 10 Best Blockbuster Movies with Depressing Plots

27th May 2021
Nomadland: Another Review

Nomadland: Another Review. By Nick Boyd.

“Nomadland” is about a strongly independent and resourceful woman named Fern (played by Frances McDormand, in an Oscar-winning performance) who, after the plant where she worked in Empire, Nevada closes down, leaving the entire town empty, decides to reject mainstream society by living out of her van. After Fern’s husband dies, she packs the few possessions she has and hits the road in search of any work she can find, first as a seasonal employee for Amazon. There, one of her coworkers, Linda May, tells her about the Rubber Trap Rendezvous in Quartzite, Arizona, which consists of similar iconoclastic individuals as Fern, and is run by a man named Bob Wells. Bob is an older, soft-spoken man, focused on anti-government ideology and self-sufficiency. After completing her stint at Amazon, Fern continues wandering the American landscape, living ‘houseless’ rather than ‘homeless’ as she says, and comes across the RTR.

With this group of like-minded people, Fern is able to find a sense of belonging and there is even some sparks between her and a man named Dave (David Strathairn), who are able to bond on a deep level. When his son visits, revealing that he recently had a child, Fern encourages Dave to spend more time with him, and Dave sees this as an opportunity to make up for lost time, as he says that he was not much of a father to his son.

A poignant encounter for Fern takes place when she reconnects with her sister and her family in their quaint home in California. When one of the men criticizes Fern’s way of life, implying that she could do better for herself, her sister stands up for her. Fern and her sister also have an emotional heart-to-heart talk about the past and express their love for each other.

While its leisurely pace may put off viewers (though not me), it serves to accentuate the laid-back and gentle approach these van dwellers have. For them, the great outdoors is to be embraced and revered. For these nomads, it’s about supporting each other and never saying goodbye, but instead promising to see each other again down the road.

The movie has a docudrama feel to it as it looks at those who have decided to live an alternative lifestyle, with many of the people appearing in the film as actual nomads. It is in the tradition of similar find-yourself movies as “Into the Wild,” “Captain Fantastic,” “Leave No Trace,” and “Wild.” While lacking a traditional narrative, the film connects on an emotional level with those we encounter and the stories they tell. McDormand is excellent, giving a vulnerable performance that conveys so much in its understated quality. The cinematography beautifully captures the desolate landscapes and the wide-open terrain of this country.

25th May 2021
Red Carpet: Review

Red Carpet: Review. By Will Steele.

Films like Sean Baker’s Tangerine have demonstrated how artistry shines through even on a shoestring budget. Here Scott Altman embarks on a similar small-budget affair on the streets of LA proving the true necessity of artistry when it comes to independent filmmaking by the sheer lack of it. We begin with beautiful landscape shots of LA which are sharply and swiftly juxtaposed by intrusive close-ups of our lead – Mandy played by Wittie Hughes – having her fortune read. Immediately we are treated to promising professional cinematography only for our hopes to be dashed by plain and uninspired photography which feels overwhelmingly amateur.

Refreshingly, the citizens of Los Angeles are initially portrayed as friendly albeit washed up and eccentric. The walk of fame emanating from Grauman’s Chinese theatre attracts a cavalcade of wannabes and has-beens: A setting rife for a tale of those seeking fame in Hollywood burdened with a tragic lack of talent. Mandy is awkwardly invited to a pool party in an exchange so clunky and poorly acted that it sets the tone for the rest of the film. The dialogue is abysmal – neither realistic nor punchy – delivered by performers ill-equipped to act to the level the film demands. By mere comparison Wittie Hughes stands out as a relatively capable performer who convincingly communicates the vulnerability of a young woman in search of fame and fortune.

Soon the alluring prospect of excess tempts Mandy. She soon finds herself drinking copiously and dabbling in designer drugs. The intoxicating montage plays out like a fearsomely outdated anti-drugs commercial from the early 2000s presented with all the nuance of a direct punch to the face. Mandy awakes from the bleary night of clichéd debauchery to find herself a prisoner of a violent stranger intent on keeping her captive and forcing her into prostitution. The remainder of the film explores the bleak trials and tribulations of our protagonist.

You might sense this is a tragic narrative intent on revelling in the grim underworld of Los Angeles. However this is a path well-trodden leaving little for any audience to glean from these rote scenarios. Despite the gravity of the situation, any threat is undercut by tediously stereotypical characters, gruelling dialogue and seemingly no real direction at all. Any emotions Scott Altman demands through his direction and screenplay proves futile due to the constraints of an unoriginal and fruitless premise played out by unconvincing performers.

Struggling to find praise, there is at least salvation in the merciful 79 minute runtime which excuses us from enduring any more of this dower affair. The struggles shown are real and have resonance with reality but any genuine engagement is squandered by an altogether uninspiring production. One cannot help but notice the irony of this film being produced by a company called Defunct Pictures.

https://vimeo.com/539836353

23rd May 2021
Zebra Girl: Review

Zebra Girl: Review. By Julius Tabel.

Zebra Girl tells the story of a woman with a traumatizing past who calls an old friend, so she can help making the dead body of her husband disappear, that she killed because she suspected that he was watching porn. Obviously, the protagonist turns out to be a psychopath and the film tries to portray this by flashbacks and hallucinations.

At some point, this independent production feels actually pretty well-made, but mediocre performances and an easy screenplay with many clichés prove that this never had the chance to be something special. The cinematography is quite creative, and the psychopathic protagonist seems realistic, but unfortunately not very likable, which makes “Zebra Girl”difficult to enjoy.

First of all, the direction by Stephanie Zari seems mostly professional. The cinematography is pretty experimental with many long dollies, interesting perspectives, and even some dolly- zooms. From time to time there are very quick cuts that feel like an anecdote to Darren Aronofsky ́s “Requiem for a Dream”, and this supported the feeling that this person is a psychopath.

This was just a small part of creating a convincing psycho which “Zebra Girl” succeeded to do. We are also shown flashbacks of a disturbing incident in the protagonist ́s childhood. At first, the film confuses the audience with very weird and questionable actions, but the more time it has to explain, the more reasonable this protagonist gets. Another example of that would be her hallucinations. Normally, a cold-blooded killer wouldn ́t have doubts, but this psychopath fears something that only at the end makes very sense.

However, this person is not very likable. On the one hand, she is very annoying with a quick and smart-aleck voice and a not ultimately convincing performance, and on the other hand, she is not a relatable character. It is difficult to link insanity with the audience, but in this case, “Zebra Girl” fails completely. And if you have a story with only very few characters, and your protagonist cannot catch the viewer ́s eye, then it ́s not easy to capture any interests.

Another unconvincing part was the marriage. The film often flashes back to the first date and some happy scenes in the past, but these scenes never emerge the feeling that there is love in this relationship. I liked the approach that Zari (Director) wanted to create some context and a reason why she actually murdered him, but she couldn ́t achieve that. Most of these scenes are unnecessary for the overall understanding and additionally, they make the

entirety feel very weird and uncomfortable. I often had to think about David Fincher ́s “Gone Girl” which is more or less pretty similar to “Zebra Girl”, but Fincher gave us an interesting insight into the happy and sad moments of the marriage. Zari made these scenes feel very misplaced in this already very short feature.

Next on, the friendship between the protagonist and the friend she called to help her is pretty interesting. It starts of very questionably and they seem like close friends, but like they haven ́t seen each other for a very long time. Considering this subject, the film works equally as with the psyche of the protagonist. Every second explains the situation more and more until the audience is presented a very good climax referring to the close friend.

All in all though, “Zebra Girl” stays inside of its own boundaries. It feels really like Zari built a comfort zone and is too afraid to leave it. Although the ending climax is quite surprising, it doesn ́t bring you to the edge of your seat. After the first 5 minutes of the film, there is nothing shocking about it. It ́s not very special.

Considering all these aspects, I can ́t recommend “Zebra Girl”. The best part is the directional approach with nice cinematography and good storytelling in order to portray a convincing psychopath. However, it fails to be relatable, and because of that, most moments left me very cold and not impressed.

20th May 2021