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anthonyjcox
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Mulan (2020)
No music according to Niki
No music because when charging into war, "you don't press pause and start singing cause it isn't realistic" says Niki. Yet, in one of the most emotional and amazing war scenes in Lord of the Rings Return of the King starts with Pippin singing as Faramir charges towards the Orcs - and that film won 11 Academy Awards.
Thirteen (2003)
true or false
Well reading a lot of the posts on this movie I've noticed that there seems to be a big debate as to the legitimacy of the film's portrayal of 13 year olds. Well (in my world) I certainly see it happen and I certainly don't see it happen. What I mean is I feel that teenagers these days tend to take different stereotyped paths in their lifes. They're subject to advertising and peer pressure - you find a lot of the so called 'beautiful people' tend to be a result of their step-father's bashing etc.,. a lot of these kids are troubled and confused because of family orientated issues. With their own hormones kicking in they tend to become emotionally confused and need to resort into a world where they feel accepted - and due to the advertising and 'hype' we know what world that is. As I am only 18 I am speaking from experience here, a lot of the situations and event portrayed in the film are relevant to my life though I won't go into details on that... Usually you find these teenagers who are lacking a sense of identity discover that after they 'walk in on themselves' and most grow up and move on. Others take their lives (which is unfortunate).
Now, not all teenagers are like Tracy/Evie - in Australia that certainly seems to be the minority. These two characters are the over pumped exceptions - but those situations and events do happen, even if not all to the one person.
I feel the film is a good comment on modern society's expectations of teenagers - it is expected that a teenager experiment with their sexuality, drugs, alcohol...so are teenagers genuinely going through a phase or are they doing what is expected of them? I know from an early age I had a preconceived idea of how I should "act" as a teenager.
All in all it is an interesting film, one which I'm sure will spark many more debates. I look forward to seeing your posts.
Anthony
The Village (2004)
It has restored my faith in MNS
Well firstly I'd like to comment on all the posting thus far: everyone seems to be downing The Village - rating it as the worst. That it was boring, to long to unfold - not scary enough. BLAH! All this from so called 'film students'. You think they would have picked up by now that this is Shayamalan's directing style, and was also the success behind Hitcock's long drawn out movies. If you are not drawn to that type of film, don't see a Shayamalan film because, surly, you know what to expect from him by now!
However, my friend and I were guessing his next one will be about Vampires in the cinema lobby..it does seem he has a particular 'genre' he is drawn to. But with name like his? Why wouldn't you capatalise on it!
However, despite that said, The Village put my faith back in MNS. I was heart broken with Unbreakable and Signs didn't impress me. But The Village, for me, says 'his back'. I thought the acting was outstanding and the twists super! :P. It was just the right pace too and revealed enough to keep you guessing but always in the dark. Something new was around every corner!
I really admire the MNS respects his audience's intelligence. Basil was hardly anywhere to be seen (for those of you who don't understand, Basil is short for Basil Exposition [from Austin powers] it means, a segment is put into the film to 'explain' everything). MNS believes audience's are smart enough to work the story out themselves but another aspect is by not giving away all the answers you can go back a second time and discover more!
The dialog was very moving, especially from the Porch scene. MNS has really crafted a beautiful film - I defiantly recommend it. I walked in dreading but came out floating. I think people who criticise so harshly, as others on here have done, should wait till they have done a FEATURE FILM themselves - I can't wait, they're sure to be perfect.
Anthony