St. Trinian’s (2007)
Director: Oliver Parker and Barnaby Thompson
Writer: Piers Ashworth
This film is amazing. I went to the cinema to see it before Christmas and I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD.
I have never seen any of the other St. Trinian’s films and was surprised to see older people there in the cinema but it ended up to be a good film (even my best friend Ciddo said so and she doesn’t normally like the genre). The producers did well in their casting of new star Gemma Arterton and I can’t wait to see more of her work in the future.
I am a big supporter of British stars (except Keira Knightley) and British films especially if the two of them appear together and one of my long term goals is to make the British film industry a more international market. Though St. Trinian’s is a great film, it wouldn’t do very well in international markets because it relies on the audiences knowledge of the public school attitude. I’m not saying that international audiences wouldn’t understand it but it would not have the same effect which is a shame.
St. Trinian’s is definately on my ‘favourite film’ list.
9/10
Episode Project: Writing The Script #1
I’ve just finished writing the first draft of episode 11 (Maiden Over) in which Eric (the grandfather) is buried and Casey beats up Tom to get Andy back on the team - a very emotionally charged episode.
There is something strangly liberating in writing a script in which the content is given to you by someone else. Even though I wrote the B storylines for every episode, Jordan wrote the A storylines and therefore I am writing what he designed since the A storyline is the main one.
I am very pleased with my first draft since it is the first time I have ever wrote anything for TV (it is very different from writing for film). I have gotten use to having dialogue as the driving force in the plot instead of images though the dialogue is the main thing which will have to be rewritten during the next for drafts. It was quite easy to fall into the heavy use of dialogue since I cannot image the episode being written in any other way. Dialogue is needed to keep it moving along fast.
My episode only covers a day which may be an issue for the marking lecturer though I intend on arguing that if Casey had stopped and thought about her next plan of action over night she would not have crushed Tom’s fingers with a cricket bat. I needed to have her emotionally charged in order to explain that action. Hence why it is all done in a day.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Steet (2007)
Director: Tim Burton
Writer: John Logan and Stephen Sondheim
To be honest, I wasn’t particulary impressed with this film. I had read all the glowing reviews, seen the award nominations, watched a documentry but when it came to actually watching the film I felt let down slightly.
Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter did great in their roles - I can’t fault them - but I just felt like I was watching every other film that Tim Burton has done. Due to his sucess (and I love most of his films), his style has become a form of cliche for me and I just felt myself getting bored.
The film also seemed rushed plot wise and I found that the 2nd act was missing plot twists and just seemed to steer to an inevitable end - though I couldn’t believe be burned Mrs Lovett alive! The only bits I truly remember are Helena Bonham Carter’s little jokes (namely with the gin), which were good and funny and I really came to like that character.
What I didn’t see coming was Toby killing Sweeney Todd (which was a good twist) but I found it slightly rushed and too unexpected (a little confusing concept I know). Overall, the film was not as good as Tim Burton’s others but I will still probably buy it on DVD - if only for Mrs Lovett’s lines.
5/10
The 2008 British Academy Award Ceremony
So last night the BAFTAs took place at the Royal Opera House in London.
Atonement failed to pick up many awards (most notible Keira Knightley did not get Best Actress like many were expecting) but to be honest I’m glad that Marion Cotillard won Best Actress, because even though I haven’t seen the film, it is the first time a French Actress had won and proves that foreign films should not be just passed off as ‘foreign films’ and can be great.
I’m also really glad that Diablo Cody won Best Original Screenplay for “Juno”. I really want to see the film because it seems really fun and Ellen Page is hillarious. I am also glad Diablo Cody won because she is a female and there are not many female scriptwriters who get awards - as you can tell from the winners, the film industry is still heavily domintated by men. There were no female directors up for best director for example.
All together is was a great showing and I am really really pleased that Anthony Hopkins was given the Academy Fellowship award. It was a really sweet and people who get the Academy Fellowship award do really deserve it in my opinion. That also goes to Barry Wilkinson getting the commitment award; everyone forgets the behind the scenes people and so it was really nice that he was recognised for his many years of work.
