Lights, Camera and Action!

Illegal Downloading? No thanks!

2007-10-26T01:41:00.001+01:00

As illegal downloading becomes popular, it has become one of the subjects that film institutions have been complaining about. If you notice, at the beginning of a film or DVD you’ll see advertisements for illegal downloading, copyright, etc.

But even though downloading is a problem for the institutions, is it necessarily a problem for us? We are the audience after all, so surely it’s our opinion that counts. Well for now, my opinion counts!

Since 2002, I was hooked on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and saw it in the cinema about three times. My father, who doesn’t like spending money, offered to find me the second Potter film so I could watch it in my room. I just assumed he meant buying it from America (I was only thirteen). About three days later, he came into my room and gave me two DVD discs, saying ‘Harry Potter 2’ on them. He’d downloaded them.

Now at that moment, I didn’t really care where the DVDs had come from; I had Draco Malfoy to drool over! But when I watched the movie, I found that it didn’t really make me feel like I did in the cinema.

For one thing, I had to mess around with finding the drivers to play the damned film; I can’t remember what I actually had to do, but it took me several times to get the film to play... every time I wanted to watch it. I didn’t find it enjoyable.

Also, the sound just cut out ten minutes before I had to change discs, and then the picture would just stop altogether. I couldn’t remember what happened ten minutes before they drank the Polyjuice Potion until I persuaded my mum to buy me the DVD box set for Christmas!

And the fact that I had to change DVDs and go through all the drivers again...don’t get me started!

So really, I’m not a big fan of illegal downloading (even though I’m a broke student). I’d rather pay a cheap price for an older movie, than try and download a newer movie for free and risk being fined thousands of pounds for the trouble.

But if you are tempted to try downloading movies or any other type of media just click here.

The spy who I love...

2007-10-25T20:46:00.001+01:00

He's charmed his way into our hearts since the 1960's when he appeared in Dr. No, he's made us blush with his muscular body in Casino Royale and he's made us wish we were a Bond-Girl. He is 007; James Bond. Licence to Kill and Licence to Thrill, and he's been going strong for over forty years.

Ever since Sean Connery sat at the gambling table with his black and white suit, we’ve been hooked. Bond has been every woman’s dream man, and every man’s worst nightmare; he’s a God.

Of course, he’s just a character made by Ian Fleming (inspired by himself perhaps?), but we really don’t care. Whenever a Bond movie comes out, we don’t hear about anything else. But why do we love him so much?

It’s probably because of the great actors that portray him! Let’s face it; we all drool when Daniel Craig (2006-Present) walks from the sea in nothing but some skimpies! Rather like the Ursula Andress scene in Dr. No. It’s also no surprise that women (and men) banter over who is the best James Bond. I personally think it’s Roger Moore (1973-1985), but looking at Ian Flemings image of Mr. Bond, I’d say Sean Connery (1962 – 1979; 1971) suited the part; they brought him back for an independent movie.

Furthermore, I think the Bond-Girls make James Bond more appealing for both men and women. As seen in Octopussy (1983), Bond-Girls are strong, powerful and independent, which is a wonderful influence to 21^st century women; spinning from a window in nothing, but a piece of silk? Very sexy! Octopussy was a powerful woman as well, being a wealthy woman and a criminal mastermind; she couldn’t resist James’ charm though, but then who could?

In my own opinion, the James Bond gadgets and cars do it for me; I’d love an underwater car! I’d also love to go scuba diving at every given moment, which Bond seems to do in every single film. Lucky thing. If it wasn’t for Q (and R), James Bond wouldn’t be the same, which is why I was heartbroken when Q died . Good thing R got a chance in The World Is Not Enough (1999), or my world wouldn’t have been enough!

And the fact they made a cartoon spin-off of James Bond just goes to show how popular the films and books were. James Bond Junior (1991) was based around the plot of Bond’s nephew trying to save the world with his high school friends, who are all descended from Bond characters, such as Q and Felix.

So overall, James Bond is a great character, who is portrayed by great actors, who appear in great films. Being second behind Star Wars and Harry Potter at the Box office, the films are scheduled to carry on to 2010, so hopefully we haven’t seen the end of our favourite MI6 agent, and he’ll keep making our lives shaken, but not stirred.

What is Anime?

2007-10-22T16:34:00.000+01:00

Anime is a recent genre of moving image that evolved from the drawing style of manga. Mostly popular with young teens, anime has expanded to appeal to older teens and adults, making it a new phenomenon.

It has only been in the last twenty years that anime has really taken off in the West. Japan produces anime that appeals to Japanese audiences; this is evident from the plots surrounding the animes, such as feudal Japan, Japanese schooling etc. These plots can be seen the animes InuYasha and Love Hina.

However, Japanese anime has its own distinguishing features, which makes it instantly recognisable.

Anime drawings have certain features that distinguish them from other animation genres. One of the most obvious features is the big, child-like eyes. The eyes are used to portray personality and emotions in the anime genre, and add a sense of innocence to the characters, especially young teenage girls.

Another recognisable feature in anime drawing is the facial expressions. Referring back to what I said about anime characters looking innocent because of their eyes, facial expressions help make situations humorous, which is why many anime programmes or films are associated with the comedy genre. Such examples of humorous facial expressions are, 'sweatdrop', 'wide-eyed'

The rise of ‘Pokémon’ and ‘Digimon’ was the beginning of animes popularity, but only targeted children and young teens. This was in competition with other animations made by Disney, who also make animations that appeal to children.

Japanese institutions started to target older audiences, and released animes like Love Hina, Azumanga Daioh and Chobits, which portray older teen situations and use adult puns. The animes became successful and became popular in the USA and UK (usually only on satellite channels).

Also, Japanese institutions decided to push the boundaries on animation, and so they started to produce hentai. Hentai is the anime form of pornography; such examples are La Blue Girl, which focuses largely on tentacle rape. However, hentai isn't as taboo as pornography, because comical connotations, which makes it more socially acceptable amongst teen and adult couples.

If this Japanese creation continues to develop, we might start seeing anime taking over our television screens here in Britain; on terrestrial television.

Introduction: What do we look for in a film?

2007-10-22T14:25:00.000+01:00

Just imagine you're entering a cinema: you buy your tickets; you buy your diet coke and salted popcorn; you sit down in the theatre; and you have no idea why you're there!

Now don't worry, you haven't been brainwashed to go! You just don't know why you go to the cinema to watch a film. Do you even know why you watch a film!?

It's understandable that you don't; you're only human. I'll explain why you love watching films so much, so just sit back, relax, and drink some coffee; you're gonna need it.

So let's start at the beginning. The most obvious aspect about watching films is that you're watching a story, not reading it. Yes, now we're in the 21st century, we humans are getting a little bored with the whole, "Buy a book and read it" arrangement, and would rather take up the whole, "Buy a ticket, a pair of glasses, some food and sit back and watch the screen" idea. It doesn't look easier, does it? You're spending far too much money for a start, unless you don't wear a pair of glasses. But that's okay; you'll just go blind instead.

And as for wasting time going to the cinema, sitting in the cinema and going back home, you might as well spend £6.99 for a book; you might get one half price!

Another wonderful thing about watching films is that you don't actually have to watch it. I'm contradicting myself, you say? Ha! You all know what I'm talking about; humans like watching films, because they can claim a mate at the same time. You’re all cavemen at heart!

Just think lads, if you will, that you're sat with a girl (or a boy if you're that way inclined) and you have a film on; do you just sit there and watch the film, or do you ruffle a few feathers? Exactly.

At least you don't have to pay to join a dating site now.

We also seem to love happy endings. Most people seem to like at least one Disney film, because they all live happily ever in surreal situations. I'd just like to point out that Bambi would have died in that forest fire, the hound would have eaten the fox and Cinderella wouldn't have needed to have a Fairy Godmother, because she would have just needed to call childline; I'm sure it's free, so she had no excuse.

And finally (What do you mean 'Thank God’?), we all love films, because it keeps the kids happy. I don't think there is a child in the world who doesn't love a film, apart from kids who haven't seen one (poor things). I'm sure mummies everywhere will agree with me; buy the kid a new film and you'll forgot all about them (rotten parents!). Again, Disney films seem to be personal favourites; no wonder children have no idea about the real world.

And thus, concludes my analysis of 'what do we look for in a film'.