The Notebook May 16, 2010

The Notebook, directed by Nick Cassavetes, shows a story of love and also of the divide between society. The film focuses on an old man who is reading a story about two young lovers to an old lady suffering from altzimhers. The story being read is about the two main characters of the film Allie Hamilton, a rich girl and Noah Calhoun a working class, young man. The film follows the forbidden love of Allie and Noah. As the film takes an intresting and romantic twist and the auidence learn that the old man and lady are actually Allie and Noah. The ending of the film is a real tear jerker which sees the couple die in each others arms and finally allowing the pair to be free.

This film is not just a chick flick this film is also an emotional and thought provoking film showin the social divide in society, the pain and hurt an illness causes on not just a patient but also their realtives, the death, hurt and sadness caused by war and also the trials and rewards of a love that you have to work on. This film captures the auidence right from the start introducing the viewer to the characters, allowing the viewer to learn about the lives and history of the characters and then lastly to be able to empathises and like the characters, because of this the film is really powerful and emotional, it captures the minds and hearts of the auidence making the film a must see.

P.S I Love You May 16, 2010

P.S I love You is a heart wrenching and emotional film directed by Richard Lagravenese and staring Hilarie Burton. The film follows its main character Holly a New Yorker who is married to Gerry a sexy, funny, Irishman who is the love of Holly’s life. The film starts of humourous and light but after Gerry becomes ill the film takes a heart breaking turn as Gerry dies and so does part of Holly. P.S I Love You follows Holly’s journey through grief and this journey is aided by Gerry, who has written a series of letters to help guide Holly through her mourning and also to ‘celebrate herself’.

P.S I Love You is a classic chick flick containing all the right elements from quiet humour to laugh out loud scenes, sexy Irishmen, beautiful women and most importantly of all heart wrenching and powerful scenes that cause the audience not just to empathise but to cry and sob out loud along with the characters. This film is a great, must see film with the beginning showing an average marriage bringing the ups and downs of life along with it. It is this beginning that helps the audience connect with and relate to the characters which is why the death of Gerry has just a big an impact on the audience as it does on the characters; watching this film you cant help but feel the happiness the characters feel and along with that the sadness and heart-break that they feel also. The way in which the film can manipulate its audience show just how wonderful a film this really is.

Green Street May 16, 2010

Green Street is a 2005 British independent film, directed by Lexi Alexander, showing the darker side to football. Stars of the film Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam help dictate the violence, anger and hooliganism associated between football clubs and in particular West Ham. The story follows wrongly expelled, Havard undergrad Matt and his journey with his sister’s, husband’s younger brother Pete. Although Pete is firstly reluctant to get involved with Matt, Pete soon finds himself defending Matt and Matt soon becoming desensitized to violence and enjoying life with the GSE (Green Street Elite) ‘Firm’. The story of Matt and Pete is a funny, moving and emotional story with a powerful and upsetting ending.

Green Street is the very reason as to why not to judge a book by its cover; on the surface Green Street seems a very boyish film all about football, fighting, drinking and rebellion but once the film is actual seen the viewer can see why in fact Green street is actually a very powerful reflection of our time. The film is highly thought provoking and emotional making the audience question the wrongs and rights of our society and also see the other side to so called ‘hooligans’. The film show that everyone one no matter what their backgrounds has two sides and the ability to do both wrong and right with their lives, shown through the examples of Matt the expelled Havard undergrad and Pete the hooligan leader of the GSE ‘firm’ who is also a much loved primary teacher. This film is a complete must see not just for entertainment purposes but also for intelligent viewing.

Frida May 15, 2010

‘Frida’ is a wonderfully open and honest biography, shown in film, dictating the complicated and harsh life of Frida Kahola and the ups and downs the Frida endured during her life. The film directed by Julie Taymor and the winner of 14 awards, including 2 Oscars and 28 nominations, focuses highly on the stormy and open relationship between Kahola and fellow artist Diego Rivera, the problems and solutions found and sought by the pair, and the artwork produced as an outcome from their unique relationship. ‘Frida’ shows in its own unique way the pain and love that can be experienced through life and the experiences one may have to deal with along the way.

I think ‘Frida’ is an amazing film that provokes a wide range of emotions from its auidence, making the viewer feel anything from hope and happiness to anger and sadness.

The film staring Salma Hayek as Frida Kahola and Alfred Molina as Diego Rivera, shows a realistic and emotional portrayal of mental pain brought on through an open marriage, affairs and miscarriage and physical pain brought on through a terrible accident causing great pain and a disability plaguing Kahola throughout her life. The way the film portrays the life of Kahola causes the audience to empathise and also react to the life of Kahola with tears and laughter. I think because the film is so emotive and tells such an interesting and intriguing story this is what make the film a must see, the fact that just one film can produce so many emotions is an amazing achievement in the world of film.

GaGa for GaGa February 9, 2010

Lady GaGa, an amazing artist, eccentric fashion idol and whirlwind of wackiness who in the past year has taken the music industry by storm and what a storm she’s caused.  From controversial music such as ‘Love Game’ to outrageous fashion choices,  GaGa is the hottest trend in music.  GaGa, real name Stefani Joanne Angelina, has had a love and talent for music since the age of 4 where she started playing the piano.  GaGa has been influenced throughout her musical career by glam rockers Freddie Mercury and David Bowie and her music created through these influences and natural talent can be heard in her albums ‘The Fame’  and ‘The Fame Monster’.

I think Lady Gaga is an original and interesting artist as there are so many different factors that make up her act from fashion and music to stage presence she has everything one looks for in a stage performer and musician.
GaGa’s music is controversial and original with lyrics such as

‘I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it’s free’

Lady GaGa- ‘Bad Romance’ lyrics courtesy of artists.letssingit.com.

Lyrics such as these bring media attention good and bad and therefore inspire me to bring slight controversy to my own work to try and gain a reaction just like GaGa does.  Lady GaGa has shown the world that being different and controversial is not a bad thing and that differences should be celebrated and this is the kind of message and inspiration I would like  people to draw from my own work.

Reviewed by Julia Ware