Wasp (2003)

 

Gritty social-realism with an artistic edge

Director: Andrea Arnold

Cast: Natalie Press, Danny Dyer

Running time: 26 minutes

Plot: This film follows Zoë, a single mother who lives with her four children in Dartford. She is young, down on her luck and wanting more out of life. So when the opportunity arises in the form of ex boyfriend Dave, she has an important decision to make; go out and have the time of her life, or stand by her small defenceless children. Should it take a wasp for her to make it?

 

Short and snappy; if ‘Wasp’ is anything it’s that. Lasting a minor 26 minutes this film enables the audience to view and appreciate this film without having to sit though an hour of fillers and meaningless twists within the plot. Defying the generalisation that Oscar winning films are generally of over 2 and a half hours long, this film’s director Andrea Arnold won the award for Best Short Film 2005, proving it has been rightly accredited for this achievement.

Although this film is typical of the popular British social realism genre, it appears to grasp the audience despite its diminutive length and low budget, proving that money isn’t everything when it comes to a good storyline in this thriving industry. Although I found myself at points thinking that maybe the story was going too far or pushing the boundaries I found myself more and more captivated by the characters and their situation, making it near impossible to not empathise with them. This story appears painfully real so as much as you may want to look away, you just can’t.

Danny Dyer, from such films as ‘Severance’ (2006) and ‘The Football Factory’ (2004), makes a star appearance in this small FilmFour production and once again shows his continuous commitment to the UK film industry. From the 1990’s Danny Dyer has been one of the most sought-after London-based actors, therefore making his appearance in this film an immediate status booster. Danny Dyer’s style of acting suits this part being played as it is a part of presence and not words, he holds the screen and the audience creating sex appeal and tension between Dave and Zoë.

Social realism in films is representative of real life, with all its difficulties. Wasp certainly portrays this real life aspect in the film and carries over the everyday struggles for the viewers to empathise with Zoë and her family. However I think that this could be discouraging for the audience as it may appear too real. Most audiences seek escapism from films and by creating an authentic feel to the emotions and surroundings the viewer may be put off and find the storyline too relatable. However, even as I feel this way, you have to appreciate the artistic significance of the genre and the power it commands over the audience through the gripping plot.

Themes which occur in the film centre on the single parent Zoë and her struggles to take care of her children. This raises many topical issues that the viewer can relate to and understand due to the current benefit system and how the government fails to support single parents and their children. Another obvious theme is that of youth, in some ways you could say that this is what Zoë is trying to achieve by neglecting her children, there is no doubt that she loves them but she is trying to grasp at that bit of youth she has left and tries to go out and have a good time with her male friend. This creates identification and empathy between the characters and audience, because who can honestly say they wouldn’t love to be young again? Themes play an important role within films and are used to carry it through to the end credits; they give the viewer a base on which to place their understanding of the plot.

You have to credit the advanced workings of cinematographer Robbie Ryan for his work on this film, having worked previously with director Andrea Arnold you can see the chemistry between the collaboration and this is evidently displayed in the success of the more recent film ‘Fish Tank’ (2009) which won a BAFTA. For Wasp, Ryan adopts quite a dark visual technique, and using beautiful establishing shots of the surroundings and the general scene, which makes the characters and environment appear dirty and old, creating a more nostalgic feel to the film. On first glance you are under the impression that the film is set in the past and drawing on a gritty ‘This Is England’ style, which was another dominant film with in the social realism genre. The fast pace movement of the cameras in the beginning let you know that you are in for a treat with this film proving good things do come in small packages. You may think that this film requires a softer and slower approach due to the amount of drama and emotion held however, I believe that the contradicting use of lots of movement when not a lot is happening emphasises what is going on inside the characters and helps you to decode what is achieved by the quality of acting and not just spoon fed to the audience, overall making the viewer work for what they want to see.

Verdict: I believe that every film lover should see this film to appreciate its artistic value whether you are a fan of social realism or not. It will grip you and push you to the edge of your seat to make you experience in film form what some go through every day. I am awarding this film ****.

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Anyone in their right mind will know by now that the media industry nowadays is suffocating under a sea of the supernatural, and with the overwhelming success of Twilight (Saga) the age group of people wanting a piece of the action is getting younger and younger.

Columbia Picture’s solution to this is the charming children’s film; Hotel Transylvania.

In my usual fashion I was weary of the fact the lead role of Dracula was voiced by Adam Sandler who seems to have been playing virtually the same role since the Waterboy in ’98, but… I was wrong.

Although he is admittedly putting on one of the strangest Russian sounding voices I have ever heard, Sandler really pulls it off. Backed-up by an all star supporting cast from the likes of Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Cee-lo Green and Andy Samberg, this film is credit to their acting ability making the film not only fun for the kids but the parents too.

I am more familiar with Andy Samberg from the Lonely Islands Crew and friend to Justin Timberlake who is often the leader in an off the wall comedy but it was refreshing to have his name put to something credible but after the flop that was That’s My Boy, I was surprised to see Andy and Adam working together. You never know this beautifully crafted kid’s film could be the conception of a very strange comedy duo… or not?

Verdict: Yes it’s Halloween themed but who cares!? The quality voice acting and the wonderful comedy makes this the perfect watch for anytime of the year. Probably one of the best children’s films I have seen in a long time. ****

Man of Steel (2013)

I thought I would begin with the most recent film I watched at the cinema; Man of Steel.

I have always admired Superman, his search for truth and justice combined with his overwhelming empathy for the victims he served made him a truly inspirational super hero.

However, I don’t know that Joe Shuster and Jerry Seagel, the original creators of Superman, would have been best pleased that he had turned in to a brooding grumpy nit-wit who had abandoned all of the values that the character once stood for. This summer’s blockbuster, which had the potential to be one of the year’s best reboots was in fact a complete farce (but not as bad as Superman Returns… Nothing is that bad).

I love Superman’s legacy so much that I watched all 10 seasons of Smallville (Superman the early years) in the space of roughly 4 months, and then Dean Cain’s television version, though highly comical, drew in fans from the nineties that might not otherwise have been drawn to the Superman franchise.

Now in the dawn of a new era of CGI and 3D screening comes a director braver than all others thrust forth to pick up the torch left by Bryan Singer; Zach Snyder.

His artistic style is as always compelling and nostalgic adding a touch of greyish glamour however, there comes a point in every film where it is do or die. And in Man of Steel it is most definitely die. Superman/ Clark Kent just kisses Lois Lane for no reason whatsoever. There was no significant romantic build up and no explanation, I felt like I was trapped in a strange Carley Rae Jepson song:

‘Hey I just met you, and this is crazy. I just blew up the city, so you might as well kiss me.’

On top of that it appears that Superman’s moral compass has been led astray by this new bad-ass version of Jonathon Kent. Jonathon and Martha always believed in Clark. That’s it. End of story. But for some reason Man of Steel have decided that this Kryptonian, destined for greatness, should be hidden away for his own safety. This is something that was true early on, admittedly but taken to the extreme in this take on the character’s life-story.

I also couldn’t help but shout ‘oh you’re kidding!’ at the end of the film ad why would Superman kill Zod? I know, I know. We all hate him and he deserved to be killed off. But this fact does not deter from the overwhelming fact that now this beautifully sculpted man we see before us is not Superman at all. Superman could and would never kill Zod, out of respect and fear for his race. Superman was once a symbol of hope, hope that everyone deserved a second chance and everyone deserved a fair trial, but it seems like Snyder abandoned all that hope in making this film, which seemed to crush that Superman loving part of me.

Verdict: Artistically, this is a fantastic film with all the classic traits held by Snyder across 300 and Sucker Punch, although, it seriously lacks in the story-line department. Those who have not emotionally invested in the Superman franchise will probably love this action packed film very much. Those in the other boat… not so much. ***

A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)

There is no other way to describe this film than; utter codswallop!

Seeing as the original from 1988 was one of Bruce Willis’ most iconic films the subsequent films have been a complete disappointment… something like falling down a very large flight of stairs: just when you think it cannot get any worse another step (film) comes along.

It is something that nowadays we as an audience have come to expect: it’s the end of the film, there’s a cliff-hanger, dramatic music starts and the credits roll so you turn to your partner and say ‘I bet they make another!’

I think that a sign of a good director should be in their ability to kill off a dying franchise as well as reviving one. Maybe A Good Day to Die Hard’s should have turned in the proposal meeting and said ‘Come on? Really? Isn’t everyone just waiting for the ‘Yippee ki yay’ anyway?’

If you absolutely feel compelled to watch this movie (perhaps if you are a man) then watch out for the fast paced action sequences, though let down by the poor ‘daddy didn’t love me’ story line, they really are incredibly well put-together. And Bruce Willis has still got it!

Verdict: No, just no. I’m awarding this a mere 2 stars for the action sequences and that is all. Not even the hot son could save this sinking ship. **