virusreviews

a collection of thoughts regarding film

[virusreviews]

Another Student Film

Working on an indie stoner comedy was my most exciting project to date. With a promising script, a gorgeous location and an amazing camera - the production was right on track. I worked as Director of Photography with an amazing and talented crew of five and cast of two. We wrapped the shoot in two days with minimal reshoots and an assortment of beautiful shots. Admittedly, I found myself slightly out of practice on the camera work but I quickly adjusted on set. One thing we learnt from this production is we have to allow more time for shooting each scene. We didn’t efficiently organise our time, leading to extra payments for the location and missing scenes due to the run time. But this is all a learning process, the footage was impressive and the story came together nicely and now we’re only waiting on the final edit.

[virusreviews]

Merge Mansion's Insane Marketing Strategy 

Anyone on social media will have at some point been bombarded by a string of Merge Mansions ads. Now, I’m not complaining, the lore is compelling. A grandmother being arrested for murder whilst her granddaughter is left to take care of the family home leads one curious as to how this plot evolves into a mobile game. The game's developer, Metacore, puts its storytelling to power in their advertising campaign where many plot twists are crammed into the short 60 second video format for social media. This narrative meta layer creates a false illusion of a storytelling game that convinces players to download and try it out, even if the gameplay wasn't as promised. With over 40 million total downloads and an estimated revenue of $10 million per month, Metacore have been able to fund bigger and better advertisements for the game. Even household names like Kathy Bates and Pedro Pascal have been cast as the grandmother and detective, respectively, in the recent live-action adverts. This phenomenon will hopefully reach new heights, maybe even a feature length film, to indulge the audience in the confusing lore.

[virusreviews]

2023: The Rise in Father/ Daughter Movies

The Last of Us, Aftersun and The Whale are a handful of recent projects that have gifted their audiences with the beauty of father/ daughter relationships. An uprise in Hollywood men being paired with upcoming actresses has stirred up family dynamics on the screen; it has believably stemmed from the fandom insurgence of older men being worshipped on the Internet. Not many can complain at how well these production companies have executed their positive portrayals of familial love. From a nostalgic and tear welling story like in Aftersun to high tension and eventual bonds in The Last of Us, no one can be disappointed by this expanding trope.

[virusreviews]

The Beauty of Odeon Limitless

For those with close access to an Odeon, their limitless membership is likely a worthy investment. I tend to refrain from promoting corporations and their sharp business models, but when a cinema ticket can throw you over £15, it might be time to reconsider. As a film buff, you should understand the importance of supporting the cinema industry - whether independent or mainstream, cinemas are suffering all over the Western Hemisphere as streaming conglomerates force themselves further and further into our daily lives. From £15 a month, you can see unlimited films including early previews and director Q&As, this beats the price you’d pay for a single screening. If you have the luxury to spend and the time to visit, support your local cinema and don’t let the excitement of watching a film on the big screen end.

[virusreviews]

The Connectivity of Food

ちひろさん     Call Me Chihiro     2023

Dir. Imaizumi Rikiya

Within elegant wide shots and soft lighting, family, friends and romance are discovered. A poetic film such as Call me Chihiro follows one central theme, food, to easily connect all meaningful moments of the movie. Where Chihiro, our initially solitary protagonist, meets new people around her new town, their first meeting relies on a meal. Set in a quaint Japanese seaside town, each meal is shot in full splendour to tease the audience with love fuelled dishes. The same dishes the characters will share over deep conversations that bring them closer together, whether that follows the route of family, friends or romance. Chihiro with her impermeable loneliness is the one most challenged by these paths to love; the synonymous reconciliation with tough feelings from the wide range of characters, from young to old, sex worker to bento maker, Chihiro struggles against the true power of connecting over food: finding love.

[virusreviews]

Film of the Month

March 2023

브로커     Broker     (2022)

Dir. Kore-eda Hirokazu

From the renowned director Kore-eda Hirokazu, a collaboration with the international talent of South Korea creates a tear provoking story of found family. Kore-eda’s all-star cast are familiar faces to those wise to South Korea’s cinematic exports (see: Song Kang-Ho (Parasite and Snowpiercer) and Lee Joo-Young (Itaewon Class and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo). The harmony crafted from the story and the actors drives into any audience member’s open heart, found family is an uncommon event especially for Korean society yet no one could deny the hope and connection felt towards the characters in Broker. Unhurried and scenic, this film takes its time to tell a heartfelt story without aid of crammed action shots and contained studios. Without Kore-eda’s artistic direction, Broker would have fallen flat, missing the tangible sensitivity between the characters and their conflicts.