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tom-porcovolente
Reviews
Hawk (2011)
Complex but compulsive
For a film that lasts no longer than forty minutes Hawk is a rather interesting and deeply emotional story which is very enjoyable to watch. The film focuses on the life and story of a young boy - Rowan - who must make amends for the mistakes he has made. The film deals with some very complex ideas and these are highlighted through various mediums during the film.
One outstanding feature of the film is the use of visual effects and transitions which allow an ordinary forest to be transformed into a realm of myths, gods and powerful natural forces. The lighting is also used and set up such that there is an ominous sense of foreboding which is present throughout the film; this allows viewers to engage in the film and understand Rowan's fears. Overall the visuals of the film are sapid and highly impressive to watch.
The soundtrack to Hawk is something which must not go unnoticed as it lifts the mood in places and plunges viewers into doubt and worry at others; this has the effect of enthralling the viewer and leading them through the film, and also helps to emphasize key moments very well.
The one major downfall of the film is that the plot can often get very choppy and confusing which meant I wondered what was going on at certain points, the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards is effective but can also leave viewers slightly perplexed during a considerable amount of the film. The script is good and the use of a narrator allows some clarity as to what is going on however there are a couple of points where it becomes slightly cliché and it would've been better to have watched the proceedings rather than have them narrated to us. Nonetheless as the film progresses it becomes ever more apparent why we were shown the various time shifts and by the end of the film everything is cleared up and understandable.
The camera work allows for confusion and pandemonium to thrive and we are able to see the events unfold through the eves of the protagonist which aids to our understanding of the story and the reasons for certain actions. The epic landscapes and rolling clouds used as backgrounds are also effective and play greatly on the concept of isolation from the civilized world. We also get a glimpse at some of the emotions in the film and the settings similarly highlight some of the characters feelings very astutely.
Overall Hawk is a very enjoyable film, combining fantasy and mystery with a story of growth and loss; although it can be quite confusing at points, all is explained by the end of the film and so Hawk is definitely worth watching.
Gin & Dry (2010)
Simple but effective
Films about pensioners or retirement homes can often seem slightly monotonous however, the concept of a booze heist in an old people's home is actually rather entertaining and emotionally charged. The film explores various aspects of the pensioners lives with alcohol playing an important role in determining the proceedings; something which the Capture team have played upon very effectively as they turn a dull retirement home into an interesting story of alcohol, addictions and loving memories.
The first thing we notice when watching the film is that there is an incredible attention to detail, everything is very precisely done and well thought out; the opening credits and title animations are very well executed and similarly appropriate for the genre of film which they introduce. Gin and Dry is very cleverly put together and plays upon various aspects of film which results in fairly entertaining viewing all round however, it can get slightly confusing at times due to so much being fitted into a short space of time.
I found the beginning of the film slightly dull and so it wasn't immediately very appealing to me, I also struggled to comprehend what some of the characters were saying early on which added to my slight annoyance, but as the film progressed I became more interested and once the film was under way I began to enjoy it. The biggest qualm I had is that I felt Gin and Dry is slightly undecided on what audience it is aiming for since I couldn't entirely work it out and therefore I found it slightly difficult to know what to feel.
Since the film is only fifteen minutes long our knowledge of some characters is rather undeveloped however by use of camera angles we get to see various reactions from them at different moments throughout the film. Visual effects are an important aspect to Gin and Dry, the most notable being the lighting; by using low lighting but maintaining the sharpness of the images the team have managed to create a timely yet also slightly tense atmosphere – perfect for the situation which arises. The soundtrack is also something that must not go unnoticed as it helps to create tension and also carries the film forward although at times it can slightly distract the viewer. A culmination of theses effects and a clever panning shot allow for a very emotional and effective final scene.
A fairly simple plot with excellent visual, audio and camera effects combined with an effective cast mean that once you get into it, Gin and Dry is not only interesting but also quite an entertaining film.