Five In A Week
This week it has been harder to sit and watch five films as Ellandar Productions prepares for our upcoming showcase "
Behind The Wire: Ellandar Perspectives" on the 23rd April 2011. We have also been working hard on the production of our first film project "
The Life Of Cardboard". Nevertheless, here are our five films of the week!
1. Cannibal: The Musical! (1993)
Director: Trey Parker
Writers: Trey Parker & Matt Stone
Featuring: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, George Noon & Toddy Walters
Trey Parker and Matt Stone are cult icons for their contribution to the pop-culture mythos with "South Park". This 1993 film, which is a great example of their earlier work is littered with the dark comedy that is a staple of theirs. The film was originally a 3-minute trailer for a film unit at the University of Colorado, but attracted enough attention to raise $125,000 and head into production for a full-length feature.
The film loosely based on the real-life tried cannibal, Alferd Packer is a great example of the versatility of these filmmakers, and their grasp on the presentation of genre. The work though rough, is far beyond the expected capabilities of university students, and is black comedy at its best. It tackles some daring themes and with the shock of their narrative manages to rise above mindless work. It is interwoven with a charming score, that informs the narrative rather than takes you away and manages to apply musical comedy to an unexpected realm.
"I think I know precisely what I mean, when I say it's a shpadoinkle day!"
2. Crazy Hands (2009)
Director: Charlie Graley
Writer: Charlie Graley
Featuring: David Schneider, Zara Ramm & Ben Barton
This short independent film was a 2009 addition to Future Shorts from England. Charlie Graley has constructed a fairly simple surreal story where Spencer's hands have a life of their own. The stars of this film are David Schneider who becomes Spencer with a masterful command of his own physical presence and the production designer, who is not featured in the credits and we can only assume was Graley himself or his crew as a collaborative team. The locations are tragic, beautiful, mesmerizing and above all else simplistic, so we are embedded in this sad story of Spencer with a very real-world touch.
The largely silent film, features an intoxicating physical comedy routine from Schneider, who manages to portray a man who has no control over his hands with a showering emotional arc. The journey we are taken on is engaging and disturbing. The final scene is a very real metaphor for the importance of music in our lives and should be appreciated in all its glory.
3. The Godfather (1972)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Writer: Mario Puzo
Featuring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan & Robert Duvall
What can you actually say about the first film of one of the most recognised film franchises in the world, the film that everyone has seen or should have seen and even if they haven't their understanding of the work is "sublime".
Well, you can mention things such as the underlying theme of family is ever so relevant, the film is a piece of work that was made in futuro and is largely respected today for the crisp performances, pure immersion and commitment to historical truth. However, because a review of this film is something that will be incredibly overlooked, my comments relate to director Francis Ford Coppola. The man will be forever regarded as one of the most visionary and industry leaders in the art of directing. However I think it is important to note the movement of his career.
Coppola won the academy award for Best Screenplay at the 1970 Academy Awards for "Patton" in 1972 he hit international acclaim as the writer/director of "The Godfather" he continued through the 70's with "The Conversation", "Apocalypse Now", The Godfather: Part II" all of which are films any aficionado would tell you are a necessity to watch in order to see the transcendence of a career. The problem is, this legend as it were peaked early. His latter day films such as "Tetro" in 2009 are largely overlooked, because although formidable works, in the shadow of his earlier work, they seem dwarfed. My advice to people is seek some of his later work, Coppola hasn't lost his touch for strong narrative, a fine art nouveau finish to his work and a sheen that still smells of classical film-making.
4. Buffy: The Vampire Slayer S1 (1997)
Creator: Joss Whedon
Featuring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan & Anthony Stewart Head
From one massive franchise to another, Joss Whedon a King for science fiction, comic-con nerds. The man who without a doubt paved the way for the vampire infused worlds of Twilight and True Blood and contributed seven seasons to one of the most popular supernatural mythologies in the medium of film. Buffy: The Vampire Slayer is the beginning of a movement that is ever so important to contemporary filmmakers.
Whedon who is famed for constructing strong, principled female characters, does not fail in building one from the very first episode of "Welcome To The Hellmouth" and turns sixteen year old Buffy into an attractive, accessible hero. Like Stan Lee crafted the insecurities of Spider Man around genuine teenage interactions so does Whedon with Buffy and we can easily see why she has become a principal in feminism for the teenage demographic. The first season, is whimsical, fresh, and weaves plotlines that legitimately scare with the mastery if suspense and enigmatic intrigue. It is a GREAT example of a social commentary on high school echelons but hides its moral centre behind the face of a supernatural thriller that is irresistibly good.
Go back and watch this again!
5. Validation (2007)
Director: Kurt Kuenne
Writer: Kurt Kuenne
Featuring: T.J Thyne, Vicki Davis & Dave Kuhr
Validation is a film where a parking ticket validation officer, Hugh Newman starts to give out free compliments, this soon creates a social change in people. As the film progresses Hugh falls in love with Victoria Donner who is a DMV photographer who won't smile which is all Hugh wants.
This short film is a touchy-feely, wish-washy social commentary on how humans desire to be appreciated, how we become dependent on others, how we are not really solitary creatures and how love conquers all. However it is done with a beautiful atmospheric score, a stylized black & white visual and a touching honesty that seems to negate the cliche. For sixteen minutes of feel-good, it achieves its goal. T.J Thyne who is a recognisable C-grade actor, C-grade being a level of fame not talent is endearing as Hugh and we get swept up in his warped world where happiness truly is the key.
