Final Post of 2015 - First Year of The Big Picture

Welcome to my final post of 2015! It's been eight months since the start of The Big Picture, and here I am writing my last post at the end of what's been a very busy and productive year. This post will be a bit more personal, as I'll be looking at the last eight months of this blog and give some ideas as to what I hope to cover next year.

I suppose I should start by saying thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed this blog over the last year. I've been overwhelmed by some of the support I have received from people I know and from fellow like-minded people online. I started this blog as a means to keep productive and share my love of film, and the fact that people have enjoyed what I do is a wonderful feeling. A massive thanks to you all!

In terms of film releases in 2015, I have mainly stuck to reviewing the blockbusters. Films like Star Wars and Avengers felt like a must, as not only am I interested in both franchises, but their enormous success means that they are important in today's market. A lot of the time, though, my posts have been about films that I love, whether they be old favourites like Jason and the Argonauts, or new discoveries such as Martha Marcy May Marlene. I would like to review a greater variety of cinema in the future, perhaps more independent releases and maybe even films that I don't like. I've made a deliberate attempt to not post about films that I don't like this year, as I didn't want my first year of The Big Picture to have many negative posts. Only if I feel I can say something about a film I don't like, but keep it light with a bit of humour, do I think it would be worth posting (see my post on the Green Street films for an example).

I've tried to be a bit more adventurous with some posts this year. I very much enjoyed putting together my Top 10 posts on Not Going Out and Fawlty Towers. Both series are always fun to talk about and it was good to get more of the comedy genre on the blog. I have also done a few comparison posts, which is something I hope to do more of next year. I might also be interested in looking at specific filmmakers for a period of time, as a opposed to franchise releases, which have been covered a fair few times this year.

Later in the year is when things got really busy for me personally. I was back at University to begin my final year of studies, and so I cut down to writing one post a week. I covered the entire ninth series of Doctor Who in this time, with my posts on each episode shorter than my usual amount, Because of this, I decided to refer to these posts as "recaps". My busy schedule meant that I wasn't able to dedicate more time to these posts, and feel like they could have been better overall. I also didn't get round to seeing the final Hunger Games film, which I was hoping to review. In between my studies, I have been working as a TV extra in two dramas: Scott and Bailey and Britain's Darkest Taboos. Scott and Bailey was background scenery, whereas Britain's Darkest Taboos was a featured roles. Both were great to work on, and should be released sometime next year. I'll be keeping to one post a week for now, as I am still busy with University work.

So as we see out 2015, I once again say thank you for the support shown for The Big Picture. I have very much enjoyed my time writing all the posts uploaded this year, and fully intend to bring you more. I wish you all a happy new year. See you in 2016 :)

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens Review

"I was raised to do one thing... but I've got nothing to fight for." - Finn.

First things first, I won't spoil anything. As much as I would love to write about every single thing that happens, this really is a film that you should watch without having read too much about the plot and character details. So here we go: we have a new Star Wars film and, thankfully, it's a good one. Star Wars was something I really cherished growing up, and was easily a primary factor in kicking off my interest in film from a young age. I was mesmerised by the action and creatures, and learned to appreciate the story as I got older. The first Star Wars film I ever saw was Episode I: The Phantom Menace back in 1999. I was four years old, and soon after, I endlessly watched the original trilogy on VHS. Back then, the idea of Episode VII was just a dream, and I couldn't see it ever being made. Years later, here I am reviewing it.

I'll describe the plot as briefly as I can. The film is set 30 years after the events of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. After the fall of the Galactic Empire, a new threat has arisen: the First Order. Lead by the mysterious Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), they seek to hunt down any traces of the Jedi, which leads them to the planet Jakku. There, they encounter skilled pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), who possesses a map that will reveal the location of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamil). With the map hidden inside his droid companion BB-8, the map must be returned to the Resistance, a small group that oppose the First Order. Eventually, BB-8 joins forces with Jakku resident Rey (Daisy Ridley) and rogue First Order soldier Finn (John Boyega). The team, accompanied by the familiar faces of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), set off to join up with the rest of the Resistance in order to stop the First Order from ruling the galaxy.

Like the original trilogy, the focus in The Force Awakens is all on the characters. Star Wars has never been a franchise that has sold itself on the basis of a complex story, and so you need good characters to keep you engaged. The new characters, Rey and Finn, are both very likeable and are given plenty of depth. Finn strives to do the right thing, despite his connection to the First Order and Rey is troubled by her past. The performances of Boyega and Ridley greatly aids their likeability, and the two of them have fantastic on-screen chemistry. Of course, the film would feel empty without the return of some familiar faces. Harrison Ford, much as he did with Indiana Jones seven years ago, slips back into his iconic role with ease. It was such a joy to see the old players in a new Star Wars film, and to have them complimented by such a talented new cast. Kylo Ren is our villain for this latest instalment, and I felt he was a welcome addition to the long line of Star Wars antagonists. I felt the choice to give him some well handled comedic moments was a smart one, as it shows a conscious effort to make him more than just evil. 

As one would expect, the film has plenty of action sequences. Again, I won't go into too much detail for fear of spoiling anything. Compared to the prequels, which certainly placed action as the priority over story, The Force Awakens structures the action in a way that feels better paced and more natural alongside the story. In some moments in the prequel trilogy, it felt like some of the action was there simply because there hadn't been a fight for sometime. In that sense, the action was just there to keep anyone from getting bored by the lengthy exposition. In The Force Awakens, the action works well with the story because the plot is more character driven, and so ensures the action remains exciting rather than simply being a distraction. 

A massive plus for me was the use of practical special effects. I mentioned in my Jurassic World review that I was disappointed by the film using too much CGI when I had heard a more practical approach was going to be used to bring the creatures to life. In The Force Awakens, CGI is only used when necessary, and so the various monsters and set-pieces look far more convincing and impressive. I hope future blockbuster films follow in The Force Awakens' footsteps in this regard. It always looks better if you can have something really there in front of the camera, rather than using CGI all the time.

My only gripe, and its only a minor one, is that the story felt a little too reliant on a previous Star Wars film. Now, this one has plenty new to offer with its well developed characters and old cast returned for expanded roles, but the basic premise felt a bit too familiar. I am willing to be more forgiving for the film's basic plot, however, as it serves as primarily an introduction to the new characters, and needed to be less exposition filled than the prequels. Hopefully the next instalments in this new trilogy can create a bigger scale plot, but not one that falls into the same problems that plagued Episodes I-III.

I really do want to go into further detail, but everyone has remained so tight-lipped on the details of the plot, characters and action, that I can't help but feel morally obliged to stop here. In short, the film has managed to live up to the huge expectations as both a sequel and re-introduction to series. Gone is the awkward dialogue and length exposition of the prequels, allowing for a more exciting and engaging experience. It celebrates everything that is wonderful about Star Wars, and is sure to please both dedicated fans and new audiences. The force is strong with this one!

Pros:
+ Engaging new characters, and good use of the old players.
+ Good pacing for the action, with plenty of room to develop the characters.
+ Excellent performances from the cast (particularly Boyega and Ridley).
+ The championing of practical effects when possible.

Cons:
- The reliance on a previous Star Wars story formula, but this is only a minor complaint.

Jason and the Argonauts (1963) Review

"Envoys who come to me in deceit remain in death" - King Aeetes

This is one of those films I saw at young age, and has stayed with me ever since. Jason and the Argonauts is a film I never forgot, which is testament alone to its brilliance. From memorable characters, thrilling set-pieces and fantastic monsters, this is an adventure film that satisfies on all fronts. It is, without doubt, one of my favourite films of all time.

The story begins in Thessaly, where a prophecy from Greek God Zeus (Niall MacGinnis) tells of the triumph of the twisted Pelias (Douglas Wilmer), where he will take the throne of Thessaly by force. However, it is also foretold that the overthrown king's son, Jason, will return to win it back. Spurred on by this knowledge, Pelias raids Thessaly, but is unable to prevent the young Jason being carried to safety. Twenty years later, the now adult Jason (Todd Armstrong) returns to reclaim his kingdom, and plans to inspire the people of Thessaly by retrieving the mythical Golden Fleece from the other side of the world. Jason soon gathers a ship and a crew, and he and the Argonauts set sail on the perilous voyage, encountering monsters and other dangers along the way.

As an adventure story, this is as well paced as you'll ever see. The opening siege of Thessaly is a thrilling introduction to the film, and is possibly the darkest in tone that the film gets. We get a sense of how ruthless Pelias is, as he murders his way to the throne. When the adult Jason appears, the adventure is set into motion with Jason conversing with the Gods, where he declares a series of games to find the best men to join his crew. Once the Argo sets off, it's one brilliant set-piece to the next, but still leaving plenty of time to get to know the characters further. The final moments, where the Argonauts are attempting to escape with the golden fleece, is one the standout action sequences in the history of cinema. We go from Jason retrieving the Fleece from the clutches of a ferocious seven-headed Hydra, to the Argonauts duelling a resurrected group of skeletons, which makes for a pulsating conclusion.

The most memorable aspect of the film is the special effects by Ray Harryhausen. Stop-motion effects had been popularised in films such as King Kong (1933), but never had there been such technically impressive use of them until Jason and the Argonauts. All the mythical creatures the Argonauts encounter are brought to life via this technique, and the results make for a brilliant collection of adversaries. From the towering bronze giant Talos to the  menacing Harpies, each monster is totally unique and used to their full potential. My personal favourite is Talos, who stood out to me the most when first saw the film. I was so impressed with how tall he appeared and how threatening he was, that I regard him as one of the best giant movie monsters ever.

As well as the monsters, the characters are also great. Todd Armstrong is very likeable as Jason, even with his voice woodenly dubbed. The other Argonauts each have a strong presence, particularly the headstrong Hercules (Nigel Green) and the backstabbing Acastus (Gary Raymond). Jason's love interest, Medea (Nancy Kovack), comes late in the film, but she at least gets plenty to do and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the mission. Co-starring is Bond-girl Honor Blackman as Hera, Queen of the Gods. She and Zeus (Niall McGinnis) make a good pairing, and give surprisingly natural performances for such powerful characters.

To conclude, Jason and the Argonauts is a must-see for fans of adventure cinema. Featuring a strong cast and characters, memorable monsters and limitless imagination, it ticks all the right boxes. It still stands up well today because the story is told so well, and I think this is a film that almost anyone can enjoy. It was one of my favourite films as a child, and repeated viewings has only further endeared it to me. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Pros:
+ Perfect pacing, with plenty of time for developing characters alongside the action.
+ Solid performances and very likeable characters.
+ The show stealing special effects, which are still very impressive today.
+ The final fight with the skeletons. One of the most unforgettable scenes in cinema history.

Cons:
- The dubbing of Todd Armstrong as Jason is wooden, but at least not enough to not like the character.

Doctor Who: Hell Bent Recap

It's the series finale, and the Doctor isn't as we know him best. Having lost his best friend and being trapped inside the confession dial for over 4 billion years, he's not in a mood that should be challenged. After realising his own people, the Time Lords, where being all his suffering, the Doctor sets out to reclaim his own planet from the corrupt, even if it means breaking all the moral codes he lives by...

After announcing his arrival, the Doctor returns to his childhood home, awaiting an audience with President Rassilon (Donald Sumpter). Once Rassilon eventually appears complete with armed guards and the General (Ken Bones), the Doctor wins them all over to his side (apart from Rassilon, whom he banishes). Not wanting to stop there, he changes an established point in history, by rescuing Clara from her death in Face the Raven. Now on the run, from the Time Lords, the Doctor must find a way to ensure Clara never has to die, and discover the truth about the mythical Hybrid.

So after a series long build up, does it all pay off in this final episode? I believe it does, as we not only get answers to the questions poised by earlier episodes, but we also see a change to the characters. Namely, the biggest character change is the Doctor, as he is at his moodiest since the Christopher Eccleston series exactly ten years ago. He is not in a forgiving kind of mood, and there is also an uneasy calmness about him to start with, as he barley says a word to convince the other Time Lords to revolt against Rassilon. Clara is unexpectedly handed a large role in this episode, with her being removed from her timeline so that the Doctor can keep her alive. I thought Face the Raven was a strong enough send off to her character, but her appearance here is still more than welcome. Maisie Williams also returns at the end of the episode, with her aiding in the explanation of what exactly the Hybrid is. Since Ashildr's introduction, this idea of the Hybrid has been a luring threat, but never did the Doctor expect for it to be directly liked to himself and Clara. The Hybrid is revealed to be the result of the Doctor and Clara's friendship, and the threat comes from the Doctor's new found ruthlessness after her death. I thought this was a clever and satisfying reveal, and one that I wasn't expecting, as it turns out Ashildr was merely a ruse.

Being that the episode takes place on the rarely featured planet of Gallifrey, there are plenty of little surprise for fans to enjoy. The most obvious, of course, is the return of the original TARDIS design from the 1960's, complete with the original sounds from the classic series. Since the Doctor has always been played by white male actors, many people have wondered whether it is possible for Time Lords to change gender and/or race. With the Master being reintroduced as the female Missy last series, Hell Bent gives us the answer to the other half of the thought. The General is shown regenerating into a  younger black woman, the first time in the shows history that both a gender and race change has been depicted.

So with the Doctor now travelling alone, he sets off for new adventures starting Christmas day. As promised, here is my list of overall pros and cons for this latest series of Doctor Who:

Pros:
+ The Doctor and Clara's relationship - an obvious choice, but there have been some pretty naff Doctor/companion pairings in the past. The Twelfth Doctor and Clara have really gelled perfectly this series, and the performances of both Capaldi and Coleman have been a joy to watch.
+ Regular two-part stories - In the classic series, each story consisted of at least two episodes, and having that format return has aided this season's stories to become better paced.
+ Story arc - a staple of Doctor Who since 2005, this year's arc has been one of the most intriguing, with a satisfying pay-off to boot.
+ Fresh ideas - though not all of them have worked (Sleep No More), this series has had a much stronger line of stories. Largely, that's down to the two-part format, but stories such as finale have explored the complexities of the central characters more than the last series ever did.

Cons:
- The Girl Who Died - definitely the weak point of the series, with it clashing against the fresh ideas of other episodes, due to its recycled plot of a village under attack.
- Some weak supporting characters - namely the characters from the Under the Lake story and Sleep No More. They were either killed off without any prior character development, or suddenly revealed hidden feelings never at all hinted at.

This concludes my look at Doctor Who series nine. Some individual pieces I've written haven't been my best, partly due to my course workload being my priority. Nevertheless, I have very much enjoyed writing about this series, and to those who have followed my posts weekly: thank you very much for your interest and support! 

Doctor Who: Heaven Sent Recap

It's the penultimate episode of series nine, and as often happened since the show's revival, we have either a Doctor or companion-light episode. Heaven Sent serves as a solo piece for Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor, as well as the middle entry in the three-part finale. Fan reaction to this episode has been strong, with some stating they think it's the best episode of Peter Capaldi's tenure. I can't say I agree, but there is certainly plenty worth talking about in this episode.

After witnessing the death of his best friend, the Doctor vows to find whomever is behind his latest plight. Having been teleported to an unknown location at the end of Face the Raven, he is left alone to face his nightmares, with no clear way of escaping. The Doctor has been transported to a castle-like location, where he soon discovers he is not alone. A creature lurking in the shadows regularly appears to torment him, all while trying to work out how exactly to escape. Through a complex series of events, it is revealed that the Doctor is stuck in some sort of time loop, where every room in the castle reverts back to how it was before the Doctor entered them. After constant spooks from the creature, the Doctor works out that the way to escape is to confess his darkest secrets. This eventually leads him back home to Gallifrey, where he is set to confront his own people for their involvement in his recent sorrow.

What I liked most about the episode, like so many recent episodes, was Peter Capaldi's performance. He's more than capable of handling an episode where he is left alone to advance the plot, and he really gets to show off his acting ability here. There can be no doubt that he is one of the best actors to play this iconic role. Being that we spend the entire episode with the Doctor, we learn all about how he thinks his way out of dangerous situations. These sequences involve imagining he is back in the TARDIS, with Clara aiding him by asking the right questions. These are my favourite moments of the episode, as the Doctor's manic way of thinking and his intelligence are all clearly displayed, and that again is largely down to Capaldi's acting.

I found the episode lacked a good adversary, however. The creature that haunts the Doctor is a large monster hidden under a veil. While the design is scary, it's shown in close up way too often. There is never any hint as to what this thing could look like, and instead opts to show it clear as day within its first moments of screen time. I find that with stories of this kind, not seeing the monster, and only hinting at what it looks like, is more effective and scarier. For me, that's what made the series four episode, Midnight, so good. The monster in that story was never shown, and all we knew about it was that it was able to possess people, but with no clear indication as to what its goal ultimately was. Having said that, though, the monster in Heaven Sent is at least effective in that the Doctor is clearly distressed by its presence, and that it is always able to find him no matter where he hides.

Heaven Sent is an episode you have to give your full attention to, and once it's over, you may find your brain is hurting from trying to follow everything that goes on! Its merits are the performance of Peter Capaldi, and the clever writing and unfolding of the mystery. The monster isn't very memorable, but I'd say the episode overall will not be soon forgotten. It also does a good job of not revealing too much, as we still have one more episode of this series to go. Next week, we'll see if all the build up from this episode, and indeed this whole series, has been worth it, as series nine comes to a close in Hell Bent...