Anything by Shane Meadows is worth watching.
24 7 (1997)
About a group of lads and a boxing club set up to give them something to do.
Dead Man's Shoes (2004)
Phenomenal (but very violent) revenge thriller.
This Is England (2006)
Brilliant film about a 12 year old boy and skinhead culture in the early 80s.
Somers Town (2008)
Lovely film about two unlikely friends.
Also check out his short films. You can find out more at http://www.shanemeadows.co.uk/
Other British films that I would recommend:
Meantime - Mike Leigh (1984)
Funny but slightly depressing realist drama about a working class family. Mike Leigh is a huge influence on the work of Shane Meadows.
Son Of Rambow - Garth Jennings (2007)
Lovely film about two young boys. Both social misfits who bond whilst making there own version of Rambo.
Small Faces - Gillies MacKinnon (1996)
Scottish film about teenage gangs in the 1960s.
Withnail & I - Bruce Robinson (1987)
Possibly the funniest film I have ever seen. About 2 out of work actors in the 1960s who go "on holiday by mistake".
Trainspotting - Danny Boyle (1996)
Hardhitting but very funny and watchable drama about a group of heroin addicts in Edinburgh. Not an easy watch but incredibly influential.
Thursday 4 June 2009
A Room For Romeo Brass
I hope everyone enjoyed A Room For Romeo Brass as much as I always do. I think it is an excellent example of British Realist Cinema.
What did you think of the film?
What is the appeal of watching realist cinema?
Is it a different experience watching British cinema to mainstream Hollywood films?
Tuesday 2 June 2009
American Independent Cinema Further Viewing
If you liked Donnie Darko and are interested in exploring American Indie Cinema further then I would recommend the following films:
Little Miss Sunshine - Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris (2006)
Comedy about a dysfunctional family taking a cross country road trip to take their young daughter to a beauty pageant.
Juno - Jason Reitman (2007)
Comedy about a fiercely independent pregnant teenager. Has an amazing soundtrack.
Buffalo 66 - Vincent Gallo (1998)
Billy Brown is released from prison and kidnaps a girl so he can pretend to his parents that he has been successful. Possibly my favourite ever film.
The Royal Tenenbaums - Wes Anderson (2001)
Bittersweet comedy about a strange family of upper middle class family. Contains some of my favourite uses of music in film.
Harold & Maude - Hal Ashby (1971)
Harold is a death obsessed spoilt rich teenager. Maude is a life loving, energetic 70 something. They fall in love. Another contender for my favourite film of all time.
Memento - Christopher Nolan (2000)
Terrific thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Christopher Nolan also directed Batman Begins & The Dark Knight.
Into The Wild - Sean Penn (2007)
Stunningly beautiful and incredibly sad. The true story of a young man who turns his back on society to travel across America and into Alaska.
Being John Malkovich - Spike Jonze (1999)
Very weird film about a puppeteer who discovers a portal into John Malkovich's brain.
Clerks - Kevin Smith (1994)
Genius comedy about working in a dead end job. Made for about $15,000 whilst the director and his friends were actually working in those jobs.
Me, You & Everyone We Know - Miranda July (2005)
Uplifting romantic comedy drama about a lonely shoe salesman and an eccentric performance artist.
The Virgin Suicides - Sofia Coppola (1999)
Brilliantly shot drama about a group of mysterious sisters who all commit suicide.
Not all of these films are strictly "independent" in terms of funding but they all offer alternatives to the mainstream. Keep an eye on what is on Film 4 or Sky Indie as most of these films and other great ones are usually on these channels. If you see or have seen any of these films please let us know what you think.
Little Miss Sunshine - Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris (2006)
Comedy about a dysfunctional family taking a cross country road trip to take their young daughter to a beauty pageant.
Juno - Jason Reitman (2007)
Comedy about a fiercely independent pregnant teenager. Has an amazing soundtrack.
Buffalo 66 - Vincent Gallo (1998)
Billy Brown is released from prison and kidnaps a girl so he can pretend to his parents that he has been successful. Possibly my favourite ever film.
The Royal Tenenbaums - Wes Anderson (2001)
Bittersweet comedy about a strange family of upper middle class family. Contains some of my favourite uses of music in film.
Harold & Maude - Hal Ashby (1971)
Harold is a death obsessed spoilt rich teenager. Maude is a life loving, energetic 70 something. They fall in love. Another contender for my favourite film of all time.
Memento - Christopher Nolan (2000)
Terrific thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Christopher Nolan also directed Batman Begins & The Dark Knight.
Into The Wild - Sean Penn (2007)
Stunningly beautiful and incredibly sad. The true story of a young man who turns his back on society to travel across America and into Alaska.
Being John Malkovich - Spike Jonze (1999)
Very weird film about a puppeteer who discovers a portal into John Malkovich's brain.
Clerks - Kevin Smith (1994)
Genius comedy about working in a dead end job. Made for about $15,000 whilst the director and his friends were actually working in those jobs.
Me, You & Everyone We Know - Miranda July (2005)
Uplifting romantic comedy drama about a lonely shoe salesman and an eccentric performance artist.
The Virgin Suicides - Sofia Coppola (1999)
Brilliantly shot drama about a group of mysterious sisters who all commit suicide.
Not all of these films are strictly "independent" in terms of funding but they all offer alternatives to the mainstream. Keep an eye on what is on Film 4 or Sky Indie as most of these films and other great ones are usually on these channels. If you see or have seen any of these films please let us know what you think.
Thursday 21 May 2009
Donnie Darko
I hope everyone enjoyed watching Donnie Darko in Media Studies this week?I think it is a fantastic film and hope it has given you a taste for a different type of cinema. I would love to hear your opinions and thoughts on the film so please feel free to comment.
Thursday 14 May 2009
Hello
Hi
Welcome to my new Media Studies blog. I am hoping that this will become a useful resource for students in navigating their way through GCSE Film & Media Studies. I am not 100% sure how I am going to use this yet but keep checking in and see how it develops. Any ideas then please let me know.
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