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StephenSTBradley
Beginning by directing and producing news inserts for BBC and ITV, Stephen was then asked to film for the pilot for HBO's Game of Thrones and has DP'd for Wall to Wall Productions series The Genius of Photography for BBC Worldwide.
Optioning the movie rights to the book The Boy Who Saw In Colours, Stephen is in early stage development of this feature, which attracted interest from BBC Film and Sky Cinema at Galway Film Festival, Ireland.
Stephen is also in early stage development of two drama series pilots.
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Warning: Mad Max Fury Road is Bad For Your Health.
I need to make a complaint about Mad Max Fury Road, because I believe it should come with a government health warning 'This movie is highly addictive and will give you the ultimate head trip during and after you see it (flashbacks!)'.
This from a certifiable art house cinema aficionado . . .
Like a lot of other people I went to see this new story in the Mad Max series because I was intrigued by the trailer, because Charlize Theron is up there with Ms Streep when it comes to acting (ie. Monster) and because anything with Tom Hardy is well worth going to see.
After viewing the film for the first time I came away thinking 'nice visuals'. Two days later, with the images from the flick still banging about in my head, I was compelled to go again, to catch up of the beautifully lit and composed imagery, the multitude of detail in every shot and for the action I missed the first time.
I'm going again today for the third time, simply because I need a fix of this, the first, movie that I most likely will never tire of watching (I'm 56 and have never watched a movie in the cinema more than twice).
That I can't take my eyes off Tom Hardy or Charlize Theron, there is so much (drama) constantly playing in their faces, is another reason not to miss Mad Max Fury Road.
The fact that the film's director George Miller is a genius goes without saying.
peace
Ex Machina (2014)
Ex Machina - an intelligent (feminist!) movie for everyone
Scoped the flick Ex Machina in the U.K. last night (don't think it's gone wide in the U.S. yet)
While the trailer's I've seen make it look like a popcorn flick about a sexy female robot, it is anything but - as in one well directed, intelligently researched and written story with a killer ending that I'm still pondering over (along with the overall concept and food for thought tidbits scattered throughout the duration of the movie).
Oscar Isaac's character is attractive and intriguing in equal measure, as are those of Alicia Vikander and Domhnall Gleeson. While Vikander initially provides the eye (and mind) candy, her acting talents and those of Mr Gleeson soar under the hands of an undisputed directing master that is Alex Garland.
If Scott Rudin produces a film (he exec produced this one) it's definitely going to be good. And Ex Machina is no exception.
To say Ex Machina is a feminist movie, or at least one that is food for thought on the future of mankind and AI, would be closer to the truth.
peace
Locke (2013)
Locke - Tom Hardy gives Christian Bale a run for his money
I guess it was a sure thing that British actor Tom Hardy would eventually catch up with the acting genius that is Christian Bale . Mr Hardy has given Mr Bale a run for his money in Tom Hardy's new movie Locke.
The movie, Locke, is almost completely comprised of shots of Tom Hardys character as he leaves the construction site that his character was overseeing for the largest concrete pour for a building anywhere in Europe, as he drives to be at the birth of a child whose conception was accidental (and done during a moment of kindness by Tom's character with a lonely female who he worked with on a previous building project).
Tom Hardys command of the Welsh building supervisor that he inhabits is flawless and shows an emotional intelligent and intuition that very few actors that I have seen come close to - that of a real character who, slowly but surely, totally engages the emotions of the audience to the point that you don't even realise you have been watching an actor behind the wheel of a car as his character drives through an English night to support a woman he hardly knows and who is otherwise totally alone.
The strength and resolve of My Hardys character gets so under the skin that you empathise with him, his life and his plight totally, utterly and completely.
On the Road (2012)
One the Road (2012) - an exquisite masterpiece
When I started watching One The Road (2012) on DVD I had difficulty concentrating on the, seemingly gentle and quiet, monologue of the main character Sam Riley (played by Sal Paradise). This was only because I have become accustomed to being cerebrally spoon fed by the movies that now grace the screens of the multiplexes.
When the quality of the acting, lighting, directing, places, characters and story began to resonate with these grey cells of mine . . . I was sold, hooked, and in love . . . with this sophisticated and exquisitely beautiful film / art.
While Garrett Hedlund's character (Dean Moriarty) appealed to and intrigued me, and his performance was outstanding, he would not have shined as he did without the other lead and supporting cast, who were all totally engaging.
The movies director Walter Salles knows his onions (inside and out) and I very much look forward to viewing the movies he has made (that I only now have become aware), and those yet to come.
And, not to forget the sophisticated imagery by cinematographer Eric Gautier and sounds by Gustavo Santaolalla, that played no small part in this, dare I say, emotional thrill ride.
While I despair that the movie didn't produce bigger opening w'end BO, I have no doubt that this masterpiece will continue to shine, be enjoyed by, inform, and engage the thoughts of multiple generations to come.
Thanks also to Francis Ford Coppola.
From someone who has been around the block a few times.
peace y'all
Public Enemies (2009)
Shoot the director
Public Enemies didn't get out of the start gate because, while he can direct action and pretty pictures, Mann doesn't have the ability to work with actors to create real characters that connect with the audience. This is why you will leave viewing Public Enemies with a stale taste in your mouth.
It's intriguing that Mann can attract studio and financial backing! If he went back to learning how to work with actors to create real (as opposed to wooden) people he could produce something to be truly proud of.
Who, out there, agrees?
Cloverfield (2008)
One kick ass popcorn movie
Being somewhat long in the tooth, it takes something very unique to capture this particular individuals attention. Cloverfeld did it for me with it's totally original visual style (video diary) and CGI the likes of which I have never before seen. The only drawback for me (and to be honest it was minor, on this occasion) was the total lack of character back-story (apart from flashbacks going back some months of two of the main protagonists). Although the film was cast with the obligatory 'beautiful people' their acting skills were pretty damn sharp. In summation .. the best popcorn movie I have ever seen. The Making of DVD is at the top of my most wanted.
Mickybo and Me (2004)
Watch this movie and you will learn what it's all about to be a Catholic in Northern Ireland
I felt so comfortable, and uncomfortable watching Mickybo and Me. It reminded me of my (happy) childhood but also of the bigotry (or, should I say ignorance and fear) which is still rampant in my country. The movie sums up succinctly how things spiralled out of control here
It was like this for me - I was the age of the characters as I grew up in Belfast. It was a great adventure to see red glows emanating from a Catholic ghetto when (I did not understand at the time) it was attacked by hoards of ignorant, angry and frightened individuals whose insecurity was used for the political ends of their religious and political peers. The majority of my friends were Protestant and I never hear a bigoted word from any of them. I was that unique individual. A Catholic, living in a middle class Protestant neighborhood, with a mother who converted to marry my Catholic father - and the crap that ensued from that.
The movie is an excellent first feature for it's director. The art direction and camera work is excellent as is the acting talent of all leads. It's great to see someone from Belfast doing so well - creatively - i.e. writer/director Terry Loane.
peace, Stephen.