- MIDSOMMAR -

Aster / 2019 / 2h 20m

Rating : ★★★★☆

“spectacular and terrifying”

spoilers…duh!

tw: graphic violence, gore,

Midsommar may not be for everyone, it’s content is incredibly graphic and it is fairly slow paced. However, the film goes beyond its story, Ari Aster has an ability to redefine horror. he creates an incredible sense of dread and worry throughout. rather than the more common approach of jump scares and obvious terror, he separates himself from this by manipulating time and pace of the film. With its slow build up there is a looming sense of dread, an underlying anxiety throughout the entire film. It seems to be more uncomfortable and disturbing than scary. Despite the slow-burning structure of it ringing successful, narratively it isn’t completpey solid. the majority of the first half is a set up which is rarely visited again, it’s a fairly complex set up to be explored only at surface level. Despite this, it is still an incredible production. For the folk horror fans reading - Midsommar is in the same vein as ‘The Wicker Man’(1973) both narratively and pace wise. The slow-burning horror is far less prevelant in todays cinema but it seems with Asters direction, the genre could re-emerge.

Visually, the film is stunning, the cinematography is impeccable and colour palette is sublime. Not a single shot is not purposeful in terms of colour schemes, character positioning, symbolism and overall shot composition. Apersonal favourite shot of mine is when the group first drive through the enterance of the festival, the shot of the sign is completely upside down, foreshadowing the madness in what will unfold. Aster successfully contrasts the colourful and bright environment with the inner turmoil of the characters enduring the folk rituals. Asters use of symbolism and religion is really what enhances this daylight horror to be so disturubing. he uses age old ceremonies that include gory rituals, including characters being being beaten and smashed, bodies cut and burned, some cases alive…this is definitely not for the faint hearted. there is some drug use within the film, reflected in the editing, the characters faces become distorted, as does the beautiful scenery surrounding them, once again conflicting the beauty surrounding our characters with the terror in which will unfold. The film also contains a lot of foliage and floristry, beautiful colours and arrangements displaying rebirth and femininity, two crucial themes throughout the film.

Aster also packs his film full of easter eggs, things you have to watch multiple times to spot, the attention to detail is another aspect in which makes him so distinguished. His use of folk-law and paganism is common throughout a multitude of his films, a recognisable signature of his. In addition to his reccouring religious symbolism, Aster has adopted other techniques such as the portrayal of greif, his slow-burning horror, and intergration of beauty in terror.

midsommar is incredibly memorable film, you will struggle to forget it. everytime you watch it, something new will appear to you, your appreciation will only grow for every fine detail. Ari Aster successfully preys upon human emotions at their strongest, and intertwines horror and beauty so gracefully. Aster is definitely a director to pay attention to in the future of cinema, his style within his productions and Midsommar as a whole is example of a creator defining their artistic signature. Trust me… alright?

- A CLOCKWORK ORANGE -

Kubrick / 1971 / 2h 16m

Rating : ★★★★★

“A visual masterpiece“

spoilers … duh!

tw: rape, murder, graphic violence.

I first saw ‘A Clockwork Orange’(1971) almost 6 years ago, after my interest in cinema started to develop beyond the modern hollywood blockbuster. Since I first saw it my appreciation and fascination only grew for the film itself and Kubrick as an Auture. Since then I have watched it and studied it many times, it never loses its novelty, each time I notice something different and feel as though it’s my first time watching. From the shot compositions, to the sound track choices i dont think I’m alone in claiming it to be an impeccable film. The film was released in 1971, it was the fastest film shoot of Kubrick whole career. Upon release, it received diverse responses from American and British audiences. American audiences hailed it ‘thought-provoking’ and a ‘work of art’ yet the British were most displeased. It was revoked from theatres upon Kubrick's request due to the brutal backlash it received.

A Clockwork Orange, Set in a dismal and dystopian England, Alexander de Large (Alex) is the central character, portrayed extraordinarily Malcolm McDowell. Alex is a charismatic teenage delinquent whose most interested in classical music, engaging in rape, theft and the ‘ultra-violence’. he is the audiences narrator and speaks in a dialect of his own - nadsat, a kind of Cockney slang/Russian hybrid. He is the leader of his small gang of friends also known as his ‘droogs’ who partake in his antics. When the law catches up with him, he undergoes state-sponsored psychological rehabilitation for his hideous behaviour. He is forcefully exposed to films of sex and violence whilst under the influence of a nauseating drug. The second act entails the effects of this experiment when he is released back into the world. The film explores ideas such as free will and lack of, crime, punishment, human nature and extreme political systems.

A clockwork orange is a powerful production but what makes it so impactful ?

Firstly, Kubrick nails the adaptation, as expected. He released ‘2001: a space odyssey’ (1968) only three years earlier, which was a very loose adaptation of Arthur c. Clarke’s ‘The Sentinel’ andended up a complete box office it. A Clockwork Orange was then released a while later, an adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ novel. Kubrick keeps the classic essence of the book, using nadsat and Alex’s direct address narration. But most successfully is his character development of Alex. Malcolm McDowell offers an astonishing Performance. The Russian-Cockney hybrid is extremely interesting, difficult to grasp at first but enables Alex's obvious sense of charisma. You find yourself proud when you begin to understand the key words and phrases of nadsat and what they mean, Through this Kubrick builds a great connection between audience and character. Kubrick is known for book to film adaptation, A Clockwork Orange is structured into distinct acts, much like chapters of a book. Most adaptations seem to have a translation issue, almost as if the novelty of the book is never captured, Kubrick only enhances it.

And what would a Kubrick film be without extremely stylised cinematography? Possibly his most recognisable trope. You can watch 2-5 minutes into a Kubrick film and before his name pops up on those credits, you’ll most likely know it’s him. This is no exception. there is an unmistakable dreamlike quality to the film, deriving from Kubrick's intentional use of a wide-angle lense to distort space and character dynamics on screen, altering the audience's perception. He is no stranger to heavily stylised and visually pleasing sets. his use of symmetry is unmatched and his skill with shot composition is truly a masterpiece. Violence is at the centre of a clockwork orange - it is easy to see the Kubrick signature in these scenes. multiple times throughout the film he distorts and stylises the violent actions, causing a kind of artistic detachment that seems to reflect Alex’s detachment from the crimes. For example, in the first act of the film, Alex’s gang of droogs fight a rival gang in an abandoned grand theatre. As the battle unfolds between the two groups, the camera pans in and out, offering wide angled shots and slow motion of the action, all accompanied by racing classical music. creating an almost circus-like fight between them, artistically detaching spectators. In a multitude of scenes, Kubrick controls the image of violence in a similarly artistic way. but you’ll have to see that for yourself…

the film is timeless, a stunning example of the power of style. Through A Clockwork Orange, Kubrick has created some of the most iconic scenes and symbolism seen in cinema, it’s impact on literary, musical and visual culture has been imence. it’s issues are still relevant in todays world - the individual vs the state, punishment and redemption. Through this production, Kubrick perfectly executed his definable style, his legacy continues as a artistic master and Auture. you’d almost sound mad to say this is your favourite film but honestly, it’s mine. the film features on many ‘best films of all time’ lists and i can’t imagine that changing anytime soon. I know im not alone in claiming it’s status as a classic…so what’s it going to be then eh?