Before Sunrise (1995) with Trailer

Linklater's simple yet highly enjoyable film where the two main performers are the key to the films success. Before Sunrise is another one of Richard Linklater's experimental films where the dialogue and performances are the main focus and the usual filmic techniques (like multiple edits, shots and angles) are abandoned for a more free form and relaxing capture of what genuinely feels like a blossoming relationship.

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are two strangers who meet on a eurorail heading towards Vienna. An argument between a German couple provides the excuse/reason for Celine (Delpy) to sit adjacent to Jesse (Hawke). Jesse takes this opportunity to talk to Celine. They sit together and share stories from childhood and the spark of a budding relationship begins to form. When the train finally stops in Vienna, Jesse plans to get off whereas Celine is suppose to be heading on and return home. Jesse decides to take a chance and invites Celine to spend a day in Vienna with him. He has no money for a hotel/accommodation and proposes that they spend the night exploring the city. With conversation flowing, it is clear that neither are ready to say goodbye, so with very little hesitation Celine departs the train with Jesse and we follow them as they wander through the streets of Vienna.

For those of you expecting dramatic action or dialogue, you are watching the wrong film. It goes from one conversation to another. It's set at a very leisurely pace as the two of them walk the streets of Vienna where they discuss things that come to mind. One scene has them being tracked through the streets in one continual shot which is marvellously done as both leads talk so naturally it feels like we are listening in on a private conversation. Their exchanges of conversation are not at all pompous or overly intellectual but consist of amusing observations, anecdotes and quirky ideas (like reincarnation and monkeys!)

There is one particular scene in the music store where they stand in a booth and listen to some music, quickly glancing at one another hoping for the other not to catch them looking. It's all too cute, touching and refreshingly genuine. This feels like a poignant moment in the film where as a viewer you finally allow yourself to hope and believe that from this chance encounter true love will in fact blossom. Unlike most romantic tales, this film doesn't hide the obvious attraction between the pair. There is no premise of unrequited love or denial of true feelings with the purpose of the film to show how against all odds this is overcome. The film purely relays all conversations shared from past experiences, ideals and opinions on everything no matter how insignificant, or obscure and from this their relationship grows. It's these little things that gives this film it's beauty and provides enjoyment. As their relationship unfolds it becomes more and more naturalistic and believable. Can two strangers meet and fall in love in one night? For those of you who hold some romantic notion/ideal then the answer would be yes, but for those cynics out there, you will probably think this is all too convenient. 

The two leads are extremely likable and very easy on the eyes, with a completely believable and very genuine look at two people falling for one another and with the film finishing with both characters promising to come back and reconnect, the film is left for us to imagine whether their love can truly blossom such is the way of the spirit of the film, very invigorating, imaginative and joyful to watch.

Acting 4.5/5

Technical Merit 4/5

Narrative 4/5

Entertainment 4.5/5

17/20

"Exit Through The Gift Shop" (2010) with Trailer

Banksy, an artist, an enigma and now a film maker. What is his topic subject about? What else but his own profession and the one everyone associates with him. Street Art. Does the film allow us into the world of the street artiste in question, well yes and no. The film isn't majority based about "him" but revolves around an unusual French shop keeper living in L.A, Thierry Guetta.

From the off we learn that this man loves to capture his every moment on film. He is never without his portable camcorder, (we later learn that he had missed out on his mothers passing with his family failing to  inform him of her illness until it was too late) capturing every mundane detail, to capturing sport stars on the streets of LA, to recording his children playing, everyone around him has gotten use to his obsessive "hobby". He also happens to be related to a street artist by the name of Invader.

Guetta follows Invader and captures him doing his street art and from there on in Guetta becomes fascinated and follows him everywhere he goes where he eventually meets up with other renowned street artist. As his obsession grows his recordings increase and he eventually captures almost every known street artist on film bar one, Banksy. Fate however seems to be on hand, Banksy has planned a visit to LA an is in need of some assistance in finding good locations on the streets. Through a mutual colleague Banksy is hooked up with Guetta (who better!) As the documentary unfolds Guetta starts to dabble a bit himself and later transforms himself to become Mr BrainWash.

Before the real agenda of the documentary becomes apparent, you realise that this documentary isn't really about Banksy himself. We do get footage of him working on his stencils and installations but we never find out who the man is or anything new about him. In fact this documentary seems ridicule the way in which the public cotton on to street art and how easily fooled they are, thinking that MrBrainWash is an important and relevant street artist. When Banksy looked at Guetta's immense amount of footage acquired over the years, Banksy persuades him to get his footage together and make a documentary. When Guetta shows him the finished product, Banksy was fails to be impressed. He realises that Guetta is not really a man suited to the job of showing the profession and the workings of fellow artists, so he decides to take over. Hence this film.

With Banksy busy editing his documentary Guetta asks him what he should do, Banksy replies by saying he should create some art. Taking his advice literally Guetta sets out on changing himself and becomes determined to put on an exhibition. What is shown is that hype and who you know can get you anywhere. An inspiring piece of determination and a lot of help from other established street artist, Guetta (MBW) becomes the talk of the town. With influences from other artists, Guetta creates hundreds and hundreds of works of art.  He recreates, alters and imitates works of art he has seen either through books or his own personal experiences. The finished article becomes a little like something similar, works that look like someone else's.... a pale imitation. With the current trend and popularity of street art, MBW became a massive talking point in the art world which guarantees him some notoriety. A mass marketed factory where all artists are hired to recreate styles and images from existing pieces of works where the mass market is fooled into believing that Guetta aka MrBrainWash is the next big thing in the art world.

It is a fascinating portrayal of a man who is very likable but who seems to be on a quest for a purpose in life.  He finds this when he becomes an overnight sensation as a street artist. A sly and clever look at the public's urge and obsession to try to catch on to the latest craze in art. Clearly MBW is not an artist in the traditional sense but what he has done is show that talent doesn't equate to success. The whole documentary has become an experiment and leaves you questioning what is art and who or what can define you as an artist. Sometimes you watch this and you wonder if the whole thing isn't just an elaborate joke concocted by Banksy to laugh at the paying public who will buy anything they think is of artist value whether it be in merit or by hype. To dismiss it as a joke is far too easy as Guetta does seem like a genuine man who just so happens to get lucky on his project. I don't think anybody was prepared for the amount of  work he was going to display and when the public went to the opening exhibition they lapped it up like masses of brainless zombies. He has truly brainwashed the public and for that you have to applaud the man.

A very well made documentary that will leave you with questions as well as some very funny and thought provoking ideas on art. Does a quote from another artist give you credibility? Does familiarity breed contempt? Or does it give people a sense of comfort, that it reminds them of something else. Something better. Narrated by Rhys Ifans.

Narrative n/a

Acting n/a

Technical Merit 4/5

Entertainment 4.5/5

8.5/10

Chatroom (2010) with Trailer

An outdated film about an outdated topic. It baffles me how the films producers, writers and financiers would ever think that this was a good idea. Roping in Hideo Nataka (Ringu & Dark Water) to direct would make you hope and/or think that it'll turn out all okay. Unfortunately as the old saying goes, you can't polish turd.

The story is about five young(ish) teens who accidentally meet in the virtual world of chatrooms. All are slightly troubled by their own little problems (though some more than others) and feel a connection with one another and decide to form a tight friendship where they meet and discuss their problems or issues. William (played by Aaron Johnson-Kick Ass) has other things on his mind than sharing his problems. He has a plan to destroy one of them in the real world (as well as the virtual world).

This is a subject matter that the film-makers may well think needs to be brought up and talked about in the media. The topic of cyber bullying hasn't really been tackled on film and I feel that maybe there is a good reason for that. It just doesn't work. The lack of realism and the lack of a good script. The intention is there but they've failed to bring any solution or how to tackle the problem.

The other problem I had is how little the characters are developed. Yeah sure, each character have their own little problems from feeling unloved, crush on a friends sister to feeling misunderstood and jealous of their sibling. They are all painted too thinly to stand out and only a bit of overacting allows for some form of distinction. Aaron Johnson character William, plays a disturbed young man who manipulates the group towards acting out and to eventually convince the others who he see as his candidate for his plan. His motivation? Not really too clear really, he's presented as a boy from a family who are successful and has a brother who is equally as successful and the film seems to make out as if he is put out by all of this. We learn that he has suffered from mental issues from flash backs and an interest in watching someone end their life online. Is this what causes someone to be like a predator to find someone worthy of his macabre obsession? 

The film isn't without some merit. The clay motion sequence are very well achieved and accomplished and the visual representations of chat rooms are bought to life vividly in an never ending hall way of different topics and subjects. It's only let down by the fact that people have moved on from chatrooms. It's a decade or so too late and the film suffers because of it. With so many ideas touch upon within the film, none of them are fully explored. A teen who develops sexual feelings for an eleven year old is touch upon but is never really particularly addressed. The film wants to be challenging but doesn't really have an opinion or how the issue should be resolved. Consequences of their actions don't seem to amount to much.

A failed and flawed film which doesn't entertain and can be infuriating. Hopefully all involved can move on from such dire mess and look back at this as a failed project and try to forget it. I for one, am trying to already.

Acting 2/5

Technical Merit 3/5

Narrative 2/5

Entertainment 1/5

8/20