French Intensifying Linguistic Materials.

It has come to my attention that we need to (our should) allude to media beyond that of video games. This is a review of a few films which I have viewed within the past week.

Primer, directed and produced by Shane Carruth (2004)
The first thing to note about this film is that is makes a profound effort to maintain consistency with modern science which is by and large accepted, save a few issues. For myself, this provides a refreshing sense of legitimacy in a genre which seldom sells itself through this means. Much research is evident within the film, and Shane Carruth himself is a mathematician and engineer, so most of you should be able to find comfort in that. The primary characters themselves are engineers of sorts, making them more appealing, as engies pwn n00bs.


Scientific consistency aside, the film lacks great plot progression, focusing rather on the presentation of themes that Carruth deems related to scientific discovery. The film certainly manages to bring the common viewer into the world of science, with its down-to-earth style, and also through the characterisation of the two main characters, who maintain amounts of naivety and cluelessness throughout the film, rendering them with more 'humanity' than most sci-fi films will have you associate with scientists. Further supporting this is the fact of the discovery itself being accidental.

The film is shot well it must be said, the technique involved adds a lot, with the contortion of time being reflected in the production. However, I cannot recall any standout acting performances.


Overall, the film is not amazing, but it generates interest and portrays some sort of opinion on morality in science, although it seems to lack the emotional impact to make the opinion stick.

hurr durr Romantic questing.
7/10

Trainspotting, directed by Danny Boyle (1996)
For myself, this film was more entertaining, and certainly more emotionally involving than Primer, and overall, a superior piece of film work. It has greater development of character individuality, and this gains increasing significance in any film as it progresses, and unlike Primer, you actually give a shit about what happens to some characters.

A lot of this can be put down to good acting. Ewan McGregor makes a great lead, and the support of (particularly) Ewen Bremner and Robert Carlyle is amazing, and to a lesser extent Jonny Lee Miller. The plot is simple, yet enthralling, and the film seems to capture the historical time, as well as the prevalence of poverty and economic depression, so contextually it is all quite fitting.

It almost immediately establishes the drug environment, and really immerses you in the distinction between their perspective and that of a 'clean' person, and this remains throughout. Stuff I was going to say here was too hard to phrase without spoiling so too bad.

Cool film, good acting performances, good-enough plot, engaging characters and believability make this film well worth watching. Can't remember much of the production or filming, but whatevs.
8/10

The Usual Suspects, directed by Bryan Singer (1995)
Love the start to this film. Insta-characterization and the same sense of action and momentum that draws us to all shitty Arnie films, but soon to be backed up with ingenious plot-line, and a greater level of sophistication.

Impeccably structured to draw the best out of the script, the film assumes a non-linear, often narrated story development, and this keeps you thoroughly involved for the entire duration, and allows for plentiful guessing from the viewer(s).

Supremely good acting. Kevin Spacey is always great, and he yet again assumes this role with creativity and great sense, Gabriel Byrne suits the lead role perfectly, and Pete Postlethwaite performs his more minor role intelligently.

Basically, this film was genius. Shot in a way such that watching it again would be no detriment to the success of the film, and yet that blows your mind beyond belief the first time, and seems to revels in doing so.

Hella good.
8.5/10


So yeah I'm just doing films that I'm watching by myself, and I have a few more lined up to be watched. It would be swell if we could start getting some reviews for music, films, series, books etc. up on the blog IMO, so do it.

Proof-reading is for homos.