Change Your Image
KatieSMcDonnell
Reviews
Memento (2000)
One of the most intensely complex and gripping films to have ever been created!
Christopher Nolan's 2000 Neo- Noir film 'Memento' is one of the most intensely complex and gripping films to have ever been created. The story is centred around the protagonist Leonard, who explains throughout the film about his short term memory loss (known as anterograde amnesia), as well as focusing on his attempts to solve and avenge the murder of his wife.
However, what divides 'Memento' apart from other films is the complexity within the narrative and portrayal of the structure. The bulk of the film alternates from colour to black and white scenes, which then converge at the end of the film leading us to the beginning of the proceeding scene. Nolan uses the black and white scenes to represent the past; whilst including other material, such as flashbacks, that precedes the beginning of the black and white scenes- observed as Leonard's long term memory. However, just like the protagonist, us as the audience do not know the exact length of time those memories occurred- thus creating the "most interesting ambiguity of the film" (Christopher Nolan).
As one of the highest grossing directors in history, Nolan is able to create an unusual yet captivating masterpiece, which continues to be admired and loved seventeen years later.
My Trans American Road Trip (2016)
Empowering documentary
My Trans American Road Trip follows the journey of narrator Abigail Austen, as she travels around America exploring different views upon the LGBT community and the issue they face with the 'Bathroom Bill'.
Our trans-gendered host Abigail Austen enhances the audiences' knowledge of the bathroom bill through travelling to different states, and interviewing local American's views upon this law. For instance North Carolina was the first state to pass the proposed bathroom bill - the law which stated that "transgender individuals have to use the gender restroom of the gender in which they were born and is published on their birth certificate".
The United States is known as 'the land of the free' but whilst watching this documentary, I questioned whether this was actually a true representation of America. Many people within Abigail's journey questioned her decision, as well as verbally hating on the LGBT community- which I believe made me look at Abigail with much respect and honour. Abigail Austen was able to take on criticism and judgement throughout the filming of the documentary, whilst accepting and listening to what others were saying- and yet by the end still remains as a strong, confident and empowering individual.
My Brother the Devil (2012)
Thought provoking drama
My Brother the Devil is a tense, thought provoking drama, directed by British director Sally El Hosani. Throughout the film we follow the lives of the two brothers Rash (James Floyd) and Mo (Fady Elsayed); as Hosani explores in depth the important issues faced within gang culture and Islamic beliefs.
The film is set Hackney- where Sally El Hosani was born, which as an audience we are able to see how deeply her connection relates to the real life events that occur within Hackney and London life. Thought- provoking themes are revealed further through the way Hosani is able to capture and present the outlook of the LGBT community through gang life and the family's beliefs. For instance within the drama, the betrayal of Rash to his religion is explored through him realising that he is homosexual. When his younger brother Mo finds out, he would rather admit that his brother is a terrorist, as he views Rash being gay as a worse 'crime'.
My Brother the Devil was a shocking and eye-opening view into the reality of life within London based gangs and the LGBT community. I felt that the narrative and themes were illustrated with professional depth and perceptiveness; enhancing the audiences understanding towards the modern issues we face within society.
Orange Is the New Black: Tit Punch (2013)
Creative plot line and story concept
I believe that within the Netflix series 'Orange is the new black' the acting believability, as well as the story concept was intriguing and entertaining. The series explores the stereotypical identity of many of the female inmates, which is unique and diverse to other series as there are not many TV shows around like this.
Within the episode 'Tit Punch' flashback sequences were used a lot to enhance the audiences understanding, of the past circumstances and events that had caused their current situation. The use of this technique was creative, as well as important throughout the episode- as it was able to inform the audience what the characters were like before they were sent to prison. Overall, I found the second episode intriguing and unique- through the different techniques used throughout the episode. Which I hope will continue to be used throughout the rest of the series.
Murdered by My Father (2016)
Tense and heartbreaking story line
Murdered by My Father, was a drama produced by the BBC based on a true-life honour killing of a British Asian girl. This BBC Drama touches upon many important issues that British Asian cultures' face within society. The writer, Vinay Patel, explores in depth the decisions many Asian families face in order to maintain respect and honour.
The tense and heartbreaking story line reveals the struggles Salma, the main character, has to go through whilst deciding whether to keep the family tradition of an arranged marriage- or prioritise her own individual happiness. Salma's father Shazad reflects the issues within 'respect' and 'honour' in the community. In the beginning Shazad appears to be pressurised by Haroon (Salma's promised husband) and his father, through the consistent rush of Salma's marriage to Haroon. Shazad emphasises this pressure further through the one to one talks he has with Salma and the lines "You carry all of us with you", "When you fail, I fail".
The key themes of family values and social status are reflected throughout this BBC drama. "When you get married I can die happy", Shazad refers to the Asian community accepting their family, as well as no longer needing to seek approval from the community. Throughout the drama the reflection of the whole family was presented through: the belief that society is everything and what they think matters. Within one of the scenes a neighbour in the community drew their curtains- hiding everything that was about to happen, as Salma within the programme "Someone's always watching, trust me".
This powerful, moving drama explores how a young woman falling in love ends with tragic consequences for everyone. Murdered by My Father emphasised in depth the tragic truth within honour killings; through the ending scene the programme stated how many 'honour-based' violence cases were reported since 2010: "12,000".