Exegesis - WEB101 Web Communications

I've had experience previously in creating a web presence through my own website but I saw this assignment as an opportunity in which I can try some formats that I don't tend to use. My decision for using this blog as my central node was made after weighing up the options based on comparisons with features on different other Web 2.0 formats. I needed a format where I could place a mid to large sized body of text and the blog was the best format for that compared to Twitter which restricts the amount of text. I also wanted the older posts to be archived so readers would have the ability to search previous posts. After reading Rettberg, specifically the section entitled Technology for Distributed Communities (Rettberg 2008, 65) the usage of a blog was cemented .

I knew that I wanted my blog to based on the films that I watched during the duration of the assignment as I felt I’d be interested in seeing which films other people watched and why. I then made a list of Web 2.0 formats that could accompany my blog and enhance the blog I was creating. As it was film based I thought each post could be accompanied by the films trailer and the perfect Web 2.0 website for video is YouTube. On YouTube I could create a profile that listed the trailer for each film I watched as a favourite so any one who visited the YouTube profile would get a visual account of the films I’d watched. This favourites list also served as a base point in which I could get the relevant embed information for me to use on each blog post.

After working through Module 2 of Web101 Web Communications I developed a better understanding of Metadata and how tagging can assist in allowing others to access blogs, news and information easier. I chose Delicious as my next node as I would be able to create tags of my2011infilm which was the title of this blog and also give each link posted tags relating to the film written about or even in some cases actors or directors. The more tags the more chance of others coming across the blog.

The final node chosen was Twitter. I know that sometimes people don’t want to read an article, they want just a quick update in which they can then make a decision which posting they would like to read. Also the restrictive nature of Twitter coupled with its ease of use on mobile devices allowed me to instantly post the film being watched wherever I was watching without having to make time to sit down and write about it.
I’ve certainly enjoyed operating it all and once the assignment has been marked I feel I might continue using the Twitter account and see how that goes.

References

Rettberg, J. (2008), Blogs, Communities and Networks in Blogging. Retrieved from Curtin E-Reserve http://eres.lis.curtin.edu.au/cgi-bin/gw?url=dc60263770 (Retrieved 02/02/11)

#31 & #32 X-Men & X-Men 2 (13 and 14/02/11)

I was prompted to watch these films after seeing the newly released trailer for X-Men: First Class. I'd actually forgotten just how well made Bryan Singer's X-Men films were. They feel like he is treating them with respect because of his love of the comics and as a result you feel this in the characters. It's something you can't actually say about the third film and the Wolverine spin off.

Singer really manages to keep films that have a lot of fantasy based elements still grounded and real feeling. As a result you are given two films which are considered benchmarks when it comes to Superhero/Comic book films.

Format: Bluray
Venue: The couch
Degrees of Separation: 7, Mike Newell directed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he also directed Love in the Time of Cholera which featured Liev Shreiber. Shreiber starred in Wolverine alongside Hugh Jackman who is Wolverine in X-Men.

#29 & #30 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban & Harry Potter and the Goblet Fire (12 and 13/02/11)

To say Harry Potter is popular in my house is an understatement. He is regularly watched and is loved by all. I recently purchased Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire Ultimate Editions on Bluray and could see everyone wanted to watch them.

For me these are my two favourite Potter films. Azkaban is the first Potter film where you realise that you are no longer watching a kids film, it had matured from Chamber of Secrets. It is a dark film that is so well directed, I mean could you honestly believe a Dementor to be family friendly. I would have had nightmares growing up. But this is why I love the film it's not afraid to go dark.

Goblet of Fire is another favourite for a completely dfifferent reason. It is an out and out adventure film. The challenges Harry competes in during the Tri Wizard Tournament are just so exciting to watch and once again it's an incredibly dark film.

Format: Bluray
Venue: The good 'ol couch again
Degrees of Separation: 7, Natalie Portman stars in Black Swan, she also starred in Closer alongside Clive Owen. Owen starred in Children of Men which was directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Cuaron directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

#28 Black Swan (12/02/11)

Black Swan was my favourite film of 2010. It blew my mind, I can't describe it any other way. So a few months on my wife asked if we could go see it for our wedding anniversary and I jumped at the opportunity to see it. Though I was concerned that she may not handle some of the darker elements the film has.

Needless to say we both loved it and I loved it more than the first time I saw the film. Everyone I talk to say they are stunned following the film so I waited to watch peoples reactions as they leave the cinema and stunned is what they are. No one got up until a minute or two of the credits rolling which is unheard of in Australia. Rarely do people stay as soon as the fade to black begins. But it is a testament to a great film that leaves people in such a state. Have you seen it? No? Do it!

Format: The Cinema
Venue: Reading at Charlestown (I know I got off the couch finally)
Degrees of Separation: 6, Laurence Fishburn stars in The Matrix. He also starred alongside Topher Grace in Predators. Topher Grace starred in TV show That 70's Show with Mila Kunis who starred in Black Swan.

#25, #26 & #27 The Matrix, Matrix Reloaded & Matrix Revolutions (06/02/11)

There is no denying that The Matrix was a game changer. Since its release the way action sequences in films have been approached has been changed forever. Whilst the first film is held in such high regard as a trilogy The Matrix is seen by many as the one that got away. The more I watch the films as a trilogy the more I realise that the first film is the one that is out of place. Almost as if they were forced to make it in order to tell the planned story which is in the second and third films.

I understand how a trilogy like Star Wars is held in such high regard but I'm really surprised that as a trilogy there aren't more hard core Matrix fans out there. It's still a battle of good and evil but instead of space it is within a computer and Agt Smith is just as worthy an advisary as Darth Vader. Some people will claim heracy after reading this but think about it. It's true. Watch these films again and try to look at them as a whole unit not three separate films.

Format: Bluray
Venue: On the couch sick
Degrees of Separation: 9, Mike Myers voices Shrek, he also starred in Inglorious Basterds the same film that Harvey Keitel voiced a commander who approves Landa's deal to defect. Keitel starred in 80's film The Pick Up Artist with Dennis Hopper. Dennis Hopper stared is Speed alongside Keanu Reeves. Reeves is Neo. (The toughest yet)

#23 & #24 Shrek the Third & Shrek Forever After (04 and 05/02/11)

There's no denying it, the third installment into the Shrek franchise is the worst. It felt forced and tired, there were still some funny moments and i'll admit it wasn't as bad as I remembered it but still it was no where near the quality of the first and second installments. So when Dreamworks Animation announced they were making a fourth and final Shrek I was skeptical.

I have to admit the fourth Shrek, or Shrek Forever After, is actually a really funny and great installment into the Shrek franchise. As would be expected everything is wrapped ito a neat package but I don't care. Just do the roar!

Format: Bluray
Venue: El Coucho
Degrees of Separation: 5, Brad Pitt starred in Troy and later starred in Inglorious Basterds with Mike Myers. Mike Myers voices Shrek.

#22 Troy (03/02/11)

Troy is one of those swords and sandals films that a lot of people trashed. I guess when you compare it to a classic like Gladiator it is a little soft. This was my first watch of the directors cut and also the first watch of the film in a very long time. I loved the film, although the directors cut goes almost four hours but it gives a lot more action and there is a lot more violence which makes me think the film was cut to reach a bigger audience.

I still don’t know why people don’t like the film much, Brad Pitt is awesome as Achilles. Perhaps it’s the long periods that occur between each fight Achilles takes place in. Regardless I still love the film.

Format: Bluray
Venue: Home on that couch again
Degrees of Separation: 7, Ben Affleck directed The Town and he also directed Gone Baby Gone which starred his brother Casey Affleck. Casey Affleck starred in the three Ocean films alongside Brad Pitt who stars in Troy.

#21 The Town (01/02/11)

For many years Hollywood poked fun at Ben Affleck. He was often accused of riding the coat tails of Matt Damon when the topic of their Academy Award Win was brought up. But after watching Affleck's directorial debut Gone Baby Gone I knew that Affleck had a lot more to offer the movie going public than most had given him credit for.

His second offering behind the lens, The Town, once again doesn't disappoint. It is a wonderful heist film, filled with great characters and great performances by the actors. Whilst the Extended Cut is enjoyable to watch, offering more than 30 minutes additional footage, the film itself doesn't feel as punchy as the Theatrical Cut.

Format: Bluray
Venue: My favourite couch
Degrees of Separation: 6, Camron Diaz voices Princess Fiona in Shrek, she also starred in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle where Bruce Willis made a cameo. Willis starred alongside Ben Affleck in Armageddon and Affleck stars in The Town

#19 & #20 Shrek & Shrek 2 (29 and 30/01/11)

I remember when the Shrek phenomenon hit. My wife and I had actually seen the film almost two months earlier at an advanced screening, we had no idea about the film but we had time to spare and were bored so we went and saw it. I remember thinking it was nothing special and when the phenomenon hit we were a little stunned. When the sequel was released I remember others excitement and once again i was surprised when the sequel was better than the original (which had slowly became a higly watched film in our house).

I guess the reasons people love the films is that they are a spin on the classic fairytale but they also feature references from pop culture. This helps viewers to relate on a different level to a straight Shrek film, also who doesn't find Donkey funny. I will never look at waffles the same.

Format: Bluray
Venue: Couch Sweet Couch
Degrees of Separation: 7, Will Ferrell starred in The Other Guys, he also voiced Megamind in the film of the same name. Also voicing a character in Megamind was Brad Pitt who starred in Inglorious Basterds. Inglorious Basterds also featured Mike Myers who voice Shrek.

#18 The Other Guys (22/01/11)

I'm going to start by saying it. I love Will Ferrell films. There is somethign about him that I just love. That said I think for a lot of people Will Ferrell is slipping on the comedy ladder. Land of the Lost and now The Other Guys have not been considered the same quality as some of his previous work. Though I actually found The Other Guys to be quite funny.

I think where it differs from so many other Will Ferrell films is that Ferrell and Wahlberg despite being the main characters almost play a back seat to the other characters around them and it can cause the film to feel a little over burdened with people trying to be funny. If you can look past that this is a hilarious film that is more Mark Wahlberg's than it is Will Ferrell's.

Format: Bluray
Venue: The same couch as the last one
Degrees of Separation: 5, Steve Carrell voiced Gru in Despicable Me. He also starred in Date Night with Mark Wahlberg who stars in The Other Guys.

#17 Despicable Me (22/01/11)

Despicable Me was one of those films I was semi excited to see but after reading how many reviewers were surprised by how good the film was I really wanted to see the film. Unfortunately I was unable to see it in the cinemas but a few months down the track I was able to hire it from my local Video Ezy, actually I don't really like my local so I venture to Charlestown (around 10 minutes from home).

Despicable Me does nothing special but what it does, it does with a heck of a lot of heart which if you've read this blog you'll know I'm a sucker for. It's filled with a superstar cast but I love that all of them do an accent or voice totally different to the one you are used to hearing. I'm also surprised at the quality of the animation. For a first time studio Illumination Animation have done a great job.

Format: Bluray
Venue: My place
Degrees of Separation: 7, Cameron Diaz starred in Gangs of New York. She also starred alongside Seth Rogen in The Green Hornet. Rogen starred alongside Jason Segel in Knocked Up and Segel voices Vector in Despicable Me. (I could have also replace Segel with Steve Carell as Rogen was alongside Carell in 40 Year Old Virgin).

#16 Gangs of New York (20/01/11)

When it was first released this was one of my favourite films. The scope of some of the shots astounded me and the character of BIll the Butcher was one I knew I'd never forget. Recently I bought the film on Bluray and realised that it wasn't quite the same film i remembered. Sure the scope was there still and Bill the Butcher is just as scary, if not even more scary but it wasn't the same.

Perhaps I had taken too long to watch the film again and as a result the memory was better than the film itself. Or perhaps I was not prepared for the almost 3 hour running time. The film just fell a little flat for me. Still Bill the Butcher is there just as bad as ever, he will always be held in the highest of regards when it comes to film villains but I feel now as if Gangs of New York would only be a shade of the film we have now without Daniel Day Lewis. Perhaps I need to wait a month or two and rewatch it again, I'm sure my feelings are more mood based than actually something against the film itself.

Format: Bluray
Venue: The couch
Degrees of Separation: 7, Jonah Hill stars in Get HIm to the Greek, he also starred in Knocked Up alongside Seth Rogen. Rogen stars alongside Cameron Diaz in The Green Hornet and Diaz plays Jenny in Gangs of New York.

#15 Get Him to the Greek (16/01/11)

I'm a sucker for a film with heart, especially when it is a film that probably shouldn't have that much heart. Get Him to the Greek is a film that is advertised with quotes such as "This years The Hangover" and it's trailer makes it out to be a party film when in reality it's not. It's a film about a rock star and his struggle to cope with that fame. If you've read Russell Brand's book My Booky Wook you'll definitely see some similarites between Aldous Snow and Brand himself, it's almost art imitating life.

But where the film really shines is not the parties and the hijinx that the parties bring, which are hilarious, it's actually Snow's self discovery and redemption that I love about the film. Brand actually has the ability to make you both love him and hate him whilst still having you feel sorry for him.

Format: Bluray
Venue: The cappucino couch
Degrees of Separation: 7, Jeffrey Tambor provides the voice of the big nosed thug in Tangled, he also provided the voice of Carl Murphy in Monsters vs. Aliens. Also providing his voice as B.O.B. in MvA was Seth Rogen. Rogen also starred alongside Jonah Hill in Knocked Up. Hill stars in Get Him to the Greek.

About Me

I guess I never really introduced myself to anyone that is reading and I am completely letting this blog run its course via word of mouth purely because I've never written on a blog before and I'd like to see how it goes.

My name is Geoff Reid and I am a 28 year living in Newcastle Australia. I work full time in the travel industry and study part time a Bachelor of Internet Communications at Curtin University. In actual fact this blog is the result of a University assignment.

On top of work and Uni I also run a movie news website CineFOOLS.com, films are one of my passions. I just love the escape a film can give and this blog also relates to that passion. 

Film 14 – Tangled (15/01/11)

The 50^th animated film from Disney is one that had a troubled past. With directors dropping out, subsequent name changes and the film being based on the last Princess Disney had left in their stable. That said you would not notice at all that this was the case. In actual fact Tangled is Disney back to their best. It’s a great story filled with great music surrounded by great characters. Disney have managed to make a film that seems quite a female orientated story and made it enjoyable for both male and female alike.

When I think of my favourite Disney animated films I can pinpoint a moment in each of them that defines the film. Beauty and the Beast has the ballroom scene, The Lion King has the Circle of Life, Aladdin has A Whole New World and The Little Mermaid has Under the Sea. Tangled has the Lantern Scene. It is reminiscent of Kiss the Girl from The Little Mermaid but manages to have far more emotion and wonder about it and the scene itself was wonderful to watch especially in 3D. I have to hand it to Disney they have made one of their best animated films outside of the Pixar offices in a very long time.  

Format: The Cinema in 3D
Venue: Greater Union Glendale
Degrees of Separation: Once again an extremely difficult degree of separation. He goes. Adrian Brody stars as Royce in Predators, he also stars as Peter in The Darjeeling Limited alongside Owen Wilson. Wilson also stars as Jedediah in Night at the Museum, a film in which Brad Garrett provides the voice of the Easter Island Head. Garrett also voices the Big Nosed Thug in Tangled.

Film 13 - Predators (15/01)

A few days ago I had watched Predator. It's a funny story because I'd asked to get Predators on Bluray for Christmas and when I opened the present I discovered the 80's Predator had been purchased for me. I'm glad I was given it because it looked great on Bluray, despite the whining of some videophiles. Needless to say I was determined to get Predators and bought it the next day in the Boxing Day sales.

It's a big risk rebooting a film that a lot of people have grown to love and despite its flaws people still love Predator. But I honestly think that Predators works, it's a film that identifies the reasons people love Predator but throws them into a new situation. This time they've been kidnapped by the Predators and dropped on a planet for the Predators to hunt. The group of killers have to survive.

My biggest love about the film is because it never tries to be Predator, what it tries to be is an homage to Predator and it does it really well. Things are taken up a notch for 2010's viewers but it never loses the elements I loved from Predator. There is the hunt, the group of killers who are slowly dwindled down to one who then battles a Predator. It's so much fun without ever taking itself too serious. If you loved Predator watch Predators and have a blast.

Format: Bluray
Venue: The same couch as earlier today
Degrees of Separation: 7, Kathryn Bigelow directed The Hurt Locker, she also directed Point Break which starred Keanu Reeves. Reeves later starred alongside Lawrence Fishburn in The Matrix and Fishburn plays Noland in Predators.

Film 12 - The Hurt Locker (14/01/11)

I have to be honest. The first time I watched this film was on a laptop at a friends house. It's probably not the best way to view the film but I wanted to see it and there was no release date in Australia. The film had actually been listed as direct to DVD until it began winning awards. Hence my reason for not watching it at the cinemas.

The Hurt Locker is a film that I love because of its ability to be both an incredibly intense film but also move at a relatively slow pace. The even cooler thing about the film is that despite its pace I never feel like I'm losing interest as can be the case. It actually speaks well for the quality of the writing, directing and performances of the actors.

It's easy for war films to be all about the kills, because let's be honest that's how the majority of people view war. We see it is a place where people go to fight and kill. But The Hurt Locker shows that war can be seen as a drug for some people, life within war becomes all that some people can bare to live with. It reminds a bit of prisoners who have been incarcerated for a long amount of time upon their release they struggle to intergrate with society and find they commit crimes in order to return to prison life. The Shawshank Redemption shows this perfectly within the character of Brooks.  Though he didn't turn to crime in order to escape non prison life if you get my drift.

The Hurt Locker was a deserved winner of last years Academy Award because it was a completely different look at war. Both from the psychological perspective but also the focus on Bomb Technicians. It's a wonderful film.

Format: Bluray
Venue: The Couch
Degrees of Spearation: 6, Matt Damon starred in The Bourne Ultimatum and also starred in Good Will Hunting alongside Ben Affleck. Affleck starred in The Town alongside Jeremy Renner who stars in The Hurt Locker.

Films 9,10 & 11 - The Bourne Trilogy

OK so I've been really slack and not updating this reguarly and I'm realising that bloggers are a pretty devoted bunch to set aside time each day to blog. Anyways on to what I watched. Wondering what on Earth I would watch after Predator I noticed the Bourne trilogy sitting there, pleading to be watched in all it's hi-def glory.

The Bourne Identity (watched 10/01) was the first film off the ranks and I didn't get the opportunity to watch The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum until a few days later (14/01). There's no denying that the Bourne films are great films. They're exciting, gritty and a great example of how a spy film should be made. In actual fact I think that the Bourne films are a little under rated in terms of their importance within the spy genre.

Films/franchises like The Fast and the Furious, Salt, and the lucrative James Bond franchise have all used Bourne as a basis of inspiration for their characters or action sequences.  Think about it without Bourne Casino Royale woudl not have been made in the style it was and Bond would not have been rebooted in the way it has. Bourne showed that gadgets were not required to be a successful spy. Where chase and fight sequences once felt choreographed they now feel improvised and instinctive using their surroundings as tools and all filmed within close quarters.

Most people feel the Bourne films are great films but I honestly feel they don't realise just how important they really have been.

Format: Bluray
Venue: My couch

Degrees of Separation: John McTeirnan directed Predator, a year later McTeirnan directed Die Hard starring Bruce Willis. Willis played himself during Ocean’s Twelve in a hilarious museum scene that also featured Matt Damon. Damon is Jason Bourne. Obviously between the other films they are sequels.

Film 8 (10/01/2011) - Predator

If it bleeds, we can kill it. Lines like this sound corny in today's action films but when they come out of Arnold Schwarzenegger's mouth dang they are cool. He was the ultimate action man. He kicked ass and had a line after each takedown. They sure don't make them like that anymore.

Predator is one of my favourite Schwarzenegger films, alongside the Terminator, True Lies and my guilty pleasure The Last Action Hero. Predator is a film that after watching Aliens recently I realised they are very similar (obviously Aliens came first). Both feature a group of soldiers hunting an alien life form and in the end one is left to battle the alien. But despite these similarities Predator manages to rise above comparisons because the battles between the Predator and Schwarzenegger are so exciting and epic that it just makes the film stand alone.

I just love the Predator and Predators was a great homage to it, as a matter of fact I might just watch that now.

Format: Bluray
Venue: The couch
Degrees of Separation: 7, Schwarzenegger starred in Predator but also End of Days alongside Gabriel Byrne who played Satan. Byrne also starred in The Usual Suspects alongside Kobayashi himself, Pete Postlethwaite, who also played Maurice Fischer in Inception. (This was a really tough one and I'd love it if anyone can think of a better one for me.)

Film 7 (09/01/2011) - Inception

What can I say about Inception. It was one of my favourite films of 2010 and I think I'm not alone. It's just one of those story's that should be the hardest thing for audiences to grasp yet the film is made in such a way that people can still watch it without feeling stupid.

It has mind blowing visuals, a great storyline and is truly one of those original films that people will remember for a very long time. In 10 years time people will speak about it because it will be one of those Sci-Fi films that define a decade. It was the second time since Christmas that I'd watched it.

Short but sweet today.

Format: Bluray
Venue: My couch
Degrees of Separation: 3, Colin Firth starred in The King's Speech and also starred alongside CIllian Murphy in The Girl With a Pearl Earring. Murphy later played the villain Scarecrow in Batman Begins which was directed by Christopher Nolan who also directed Inception.

Film 6 (06/01/2011) - The King's Speech

The King's Speech is one of those films that creep up on you, and each year there is genreally one of them. It is a film that on paper looks pretty interesting but whilst it's in production it just doesn't do enough for you to get insanly excited about the project. The interesting thing about films like this, they are usually the ones that make a big impact and this is just what The King's Speech did for me.

It's a great story about a King who gets help to correct his speech impediment but the even more enjoyable part about the film is that it is more so about friendship, namely the one that develops between The King and The Speech Therapist. Add into the mix the fact that both Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth give top class performances and you can see why there is a fair bit of buzz around the film.

I really enjoyed the film, it was surprisingly funny and one of those films that just leave you feeling positive afterwards. If you haven't seen it I'd really recommend it.

Format: Cinema
Venue: Newcastle Greater Union
Degrees of Separation: 4, Sigourney Weaver who plays Ellen Ripley has a role in Infamous which also starred Gwyneth Paltrow who starred alongside both Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth in Shakespere in Love. Both Firth and Rush star in The Kings Speech.

Film 5 (05/01/2011) - Alien: Resurrection

It had been years since I had seen this film, most likely not since its release in 1997, so what was my reason for watching this and if you've been following along Alien 3 earlier in the week? I got the Alien films on Bluray for Christmas and I have to say they have one of the best transfers I've seen in a long time, especially Alien. Considering it's a film older than me the transfer is incredible. Anyways that's not what I'm meant to eb talking about but now you know why I am watching Alien films, aside from the fact that I love them.

When you put them together Alien: Resurrection is probably the weakest of the Alien films and that's because it is a film that tries unsuccesfully to Resurect a franchise. That's not to say it's a terrible film but compared to Alien or Aliens it's a poor cousin. There are only a few elements of this film I really dislike and the first is that Alien 3 is actually quite a good end to the Alien films with Ripley sacrificing herself in order to kill the new queen growing inside of her so making another film and bringing Ripley back to life (albiet it as a clone) just rubs me the wrong way. In its defense though it is cool that they've still got the cloning wrong and Ripley becomes a human with some alien qualities.

My next bugaboo with the film are the quirky/goofy elements in the film. Gen Martin Perez (Dan Hedaya) just isn't serious enough, Ron Perlman as much as I love him is too much of a wannabe Bill Paxton in this film and Dominique Pinon is so out of placed as a Frenchman trying to American in a film made up of Americans (or at least the main characters are) and his character is used almost as a damsel in distress always getting into strife or becoming the burden of the team. It just doesn't work for me. I also have to say I know it has some relevance to the plot but the Quenn/Ripley love scene is disturbing and confusing. They're both girls how does that work in order to make a baby?

But what does work are some very cool visuals, some awesomely intense under water scenes and my favourite element that I wish was explored more was the interaction of the aliens together. The scene where they are in the cell and realise if they kill one of the aliens the acid blood will give them an escape. I would have loved to see them hunting almost like Velociraptors on a space ship. It would have been awesome, feel free to use the idea if you need to Ridley.

It may not be the best but it is still enjoyable. I've already decided a trip to the cinemas is on the cards for my next film to see The Kings Speech. It's going to be fun getting the degrees of separation for those two.

Format: Bluray
Venue: My couch
Degrees of Separation: Direct sequel to Alien 3

Film #4 03/01/11 Alien 3

I have to apologise for not updating this sooner I am currently experiencing net related issues at home so a couple of days on I am finally getting to post this. Before heading into the film I have to pass on my condolences to the Postlethwaite family, if you haven't heard legendary actor Pete Postlethwaite passed away on the 4th of January. Postlethwaite only has a small role in Alien 3 but you can tell he is a classy actor who embodied a convicted man looking for redemption. He is such a huge loss and I know that whilst people talk about Usual Suspects when they think of Postlethwaite in the end The Town will be considered on of his best films, he is scary as hell.

Anyways on to the film at hand, Alien 3 is a somewhat misunderstood film in the Alien Quadrilogy. Obviously Alien and Aliens are both films that cast a huge shadow and there are certainly faults within Alien 3 but it's no where near as bad as some make it out to be. It's still claustrophobic just like Alien except the film is set underground as opposed to in space. It still has a lot of the tense hunt just like Aliens except instead of multiple aliens there is just one that has mutated.

There are rumours that the film was originally planned to be set on a man made planet made entirely of wood. It's a pretty wild idea and I would have loved to have seen a wooden Death Star. But what I'd love to have seen more would be today's Fincher making this film, this is his first feature film. Think what that means that his first film was making a sequel to one of James Cameron's most loved films, it's a big ask and in honesty it could have been so very much worse.

Obviously I still love the first two films so much more than Alien 3 but I believe honestly that this is a great edition to the Alien franchise.

Format: Bluray
Venue: My couch
Degrees of Separation: 3, from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets there are only 3 degrees of separation and they are as follows. Richard Harris plays Dumbledore in HP2, he starred in Gladiator which was directed by Ridley Scott who also directed the first Alien film that starred Sigourney Weaver.

Day 1 & 2 - Two films that go hand in hand together

This may seem as a bit lazy but if you follow the Twitter feed you'll have noticed that on 01/01 and 02/01 I watched Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone  and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Instead of writing about both films I thought I'd amalgamate the posts. The reason I decided to watch these films is because on New Years Day there was a documentary aired that followed Harry Potter writer J.K. Rowling around for an entire years as she completed writing and promoting the final Harry Potter book. After watching it I felt the need to revisit the films and I'm sure more will follow.

There is something special about the Philosophers Stone, despite it not having great acting and the fact that it is probably my least favourite film from a directing perspective. What is special is that director Chris Columbus does manage to capture a real sense of magic and wonder within the world of Hogwarts. This is probably the most necessary element of the film as it is exactly the feelings that these students would be feeling in their first year of attending Hogwarts.

When you compare the Chamber of Secrets to the Philosophers Stone it is evident the child actors are growing up and their skills are developing. The film is a little darker than the first as well but the stand out for me is that director Chris Columbus has been able to bring a different visual feel to his second Potter film. The camera angles are different sometimes more angular and he's been able to show far more elements of the castle and grounds. It's a film that is bigger in scale too.

Whilst they are both not my favourite films in the Potter world they are still both great films. I still feel the Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite but that's just my opinion.

Format: Bluray
Location: My house
Degrees of Separation from Last film: obviously from the Philosophers Stone and Chamber of Secrets there is one degree as they are sequels but to get from Aladdin to the Philosophers Stone there are only two Robin Williams who was the voice of Genie in Aladdin also starred in a film named Bicentennial Man which was directed by Chris Columbus who directed Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.