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CollectionsDespite how much he apparently dislikes the term "national treasure", that term really does sum up David Attenborough to a tee. He is such a great presenter (in his 90s and still sounds, and looks on a side note, great) and whenever a new series of his is aired they are often among the best the BBC has done in years.
Am a great fan of both 'Planet Earth' series and 'The Blue Planet' in particular of Attenborough's work. 'Frozen Planet' is another masterpiece and is on the same level as them. Expectations were high, expectations were met and went beyond that, 'Frozen Planet', along with 'Planet Earth II' transfixed, fascinated, moved and educated me more than any other documentary seen in a long time and is an example of how documentaries should be done. Like what was said for 'Planet Earth II', and how is felt about 'Planet Earth' and 'The Blue Planet', one forgets they're watching a documentary and instead feeling like they're watching art. As hyperbolic as this all sounds, to me and many others the acclaim is more than deserved and even with many fans and a high rating here 'Frozen Planet' is perhaps not praised enough.
'Frozen Planet', as to be expected, looks utterly amazing. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting even more with the animals), way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic. The scenery and habitats are some of the most breath-taking personally seen anywhere, whether in visual media and real life, wildlife, underwater, cave and volcano landscapes are done in a way that will leave even not-so-devoted nature documentary viewers on a whole new level of speechless. How the Arctic and Atlantic surroundings and how they're populated look during each season also fascinates and illuminates, even the controversial climate change episode, and the behind the scenes stuff adds a touch of honesty and humanity, such as the getting trapped in the wind and filming the orcas (killer whales).
George Fenton's music score soars majestically, rousing the spirits while touching the soul. It not only complements the visuals but enhances them to a greater level. Some of my favourite work from him in fact, coming from someone who's liked a lot of what he's done.
Can't fault the narrative aspects in 'Frozen Planet' either. There are things already known to me, still delivered with a lot of freshness, but there was a lot that was quite an education and after watching the full series it honestly felt like the series taught me a lot (and no it's not just the Latin names for the animals), much more so than anything in my secondary school Geography class. "To the Ends of the Earth", "Spring" and "Winter" were especially good. Attenborough's narration helps quite significantly too, he clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.
The animals themselves are a wonderful mix of the adorable (the penguins, have somewhat of a bias due to loving penguins to bits) and the dangerous (the wolf). There were some truly powerful moments, including the wolf and bison attack, that was unlike any other nature documentary captured attack there's ever been. Powerful in ways that are heart-wrenching and harrowing, lots of suspense and pathos in 'Frozen Planet'.
None of the episodes feel episodic or repetitive, or even feel like episodes. 'Frozen Planet' instead feels like a collection of six individual stories with real, complex emotions and conflicts and animal characters developed in a way a human character would in a film but does it better than several.
Overall, utterly mesmerising and will unfreeze the iciest of hearts. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Will unfreeze the iciest of hearts
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 04:07
(A review of Frozen Planet)
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Wondrous Planet
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 03:58
(A review of The Blue Planet)I love nature documentaries and David Attenborough and was blown away by Planet Earth. So I knew I wanted to see The Blue Planet. And I am so glad I did, and wonder to myself how I didn't see it sooner. The subject matter is indeed enthralling, with an intelligently written and ceaselessly informative narration and Attenborough presenting with an evident love for the subject. As well as being empathetically scored, The Blue Planet is visually stunning, right from some of the best photography of any TV series that decade(in my opinion that is) to the gorgeous colours and sceneries. The animals are great to see, old and new, and there are some scenes that either made me emotional or at times with the predators made my stomach churn(but seeing that it's a nature documentary series, they couldn't rose-tint the facts, these things do happen).
All in all, a wondrous, beautifully shot and enthralling series. 10/10 Bethany Cox
All in all, a wondrous, beautifully shot and enthralling series. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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Shock and awe
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 03:40
(A review of Our Planet)Do enjoy watching film and television on Netflix, but when it comes to the Netflix originals the odd gem crops up every now and again. But there are a fair share of films and television that don't do much or anything for me and those that start/started off very promisingly, in some cases brillantly, but decline badly, a major example being 'House of Cards'.
Am however a massive fan of the national treasure that is David Attenborough, as is my sister, and when hearing that he had done a new series and it was on Netflix we just couldn't say no to watching it. The best of Attenborough's work, old and new, are genre landmarks and are incredible in their own right, his career has spanned decades and has been remarkably consistent. In that there is not a dud in the whole of his extensive filmography, his more flawed work still being decent, which is a rarity and something that has been deliberately reiterated by me many times. The 8 part 'Our Planet' was one of our most highly anticipated programmes, watching it we were utterly transfixed by the images, fascinated by all the animals and felt a wide gaumt of emotions. Whether biting our nails, shedding multiple tears, going awww at anything cute and even laughing. After watching 'Our Planet' we were shocked, inspired, very moved and in awe, not many programmes so far this year have made me feel like this. So far this year, this has been among the very best and very special, and in a completely different league when it comes to Netflix shows. Even if it isn't one of Attenborough's best or most ground-breaking.
'Our Planet' is not about animals in beautiful environments being painted in a cute, reassuring and one-sided light, that was something that the brilliant 'Dynasties' was criticised for before it was even aired. Don't think either that it would offer nothing new. Some have criticised it for having an agenda and executing it heavy-handedly. The portrayal of the animals is far from reassuring, some are cute and some are quirky but much of the time the portrayal is complex and uncompromising, all without over-humanising them even in very human conflicts. The environments/habitats do look absolutely glorious ("Jungles" being a prime example), make no mistake about that, but there is much more to them than that with them also being unforgiving and even fragile. "Frozen Worlds" especially.
Regarding whether it offers anything new or not, the environments (jungles, the Arctic, deserts, grasslands etc.) and animals like penguins and killer whales are familiar. But there are also some rare animals not seen before (like in "Jungles" with the preening bird), familiar species doing uniquely different things like the caterpillars in "From Deserts to Grasslands" or the ants in "Jungles". It may seem on the outset that it's familiar, to me there was a different approach to the material, helped by the wide range of camera techniques where you see many animals up close in a way never seen before like with the Arabian Leopard and the cheetah it is very intimate.
Did not find its heavy emphasis on conservation too preachy, unlike some. A lot of 'Our Planet' shows both the wonders of the planet, with all the different species and their behaviours (both familiar and unique) and the different habitats and the fragility of them as their environment is threatened and what human destruction does. What was said was important and things long needing to be addressed, with harrowing sequences like the endings of "Our Planet" and "Frozen Worlds", and with the predatory fungi, making one really sit up and think as well as feeling emotional and shell-shocked. Did find that the heavy emphasis on it was not a bad thing, considering that it applies to all the environments covered and many of the animals and such, such as the megafauna. It's not all doom and gloom, parts are hopeful.
'Our Planet' does in all eight episodes look amazing. The scenery takes the breath away, especially in "Jungles" and "Coastal Seas", but it is more than just beautiful scenery. For example in "Our Planet" and "Frozen Worlds" one is reminded of how cruel that environment is. The scenery is complemented by photography of quite cinematic quality with a wider range of camera techniques rarely seen before, not just a feast for the eyes but it is also expansive and intimate in equal measure, enhancing the impact of the emotional and tense scenes of which in 'Our Planet' there are many. A big example being with the walruses in "Frozen Worlds", which really got me emotionally. The music is grand and atmospheric but also whimsical and jaunty. A memorable example being tango-inspired music in "Jungles" accompanying an amusing sequence.
As one can expect, the narration is very thought-provoking and never rambling or speculative. There are some interesting individual feeling stories here throughout and so many of the species are easy to relate to. A lot of information is covered but felt properly explored and not rushed or disjointed, and the facts educate and illuminate while not being compromised for the emotionally complex storytelling. Once again, Attenborough's distinctive and unequalled narrative delivery, with his unmistakable voice, is sincere, enthusiastic as well as understated. One can listen to him for a long time and not tire of him, no other nature/wildlife documentary narrator/presenter has made me feel this way.
In conclusion, count me in as another person who finds 'Our Planet' brilliant. 10/10
Am however a massive fan of the national treasure that is David Attenborough, as is my sister, and when hearing that he had done a new series and it was on Netflix we just couldn't say no to watching it. The best of Attenborough's work, old and new, are genre landmarks and are incredible in their own right, his career has spanned decades and has been remarkably consistent. In that there is not a dud in the whole of his extensive filmography, his more flawed work still being decent, which is a rarity and something that has been deliberately reiterated by me many times. The 8 part 'Our Planet' was one of our most highly anticipated programmes, watching it we were utterly transfixed by the images, fascinated by all the animals and felt a wide gaumt of emotions. Whether biting our nails, shedding multiple tears, going awww at anything cute and even laughing. After watching 'Our Planet' we were shocked, inspired, very moved and in awe, not many programmes so far this year have made me feel like this. So far this year, this has been among the very best and very special, and in a completely different league when it comes to Netflix shows. Even if it isn't one of Attenborough's best or most ground-breaking.
'Our Planet' is not about animals in beautiful environments being painted in a cute, reassuring and one-sided light, that was something that the brilliant 'Dynasties' was criticised for before it was even aired. Don't think either that it would offer nothing new. Some have criticised it for having an agenda and executing it heavy-handedly. The portrayal of the animals is far from reassuring, some are cute and some are quirky but much of the time the portrayal is complex and uncompromising, all without over-humanising them even in very human conflicts. The environments/habitats do look absolutely glorious ("Jungles" being a prime example), make no mistake about that, but there is much more to them than that with them also being unforgiving and even fragile. "Frozen Worlds" especially.
Regarding whether it offers anything new or not, the environments (jungles, the Arctic, deserts, grasslands etc.) and animals like penguins and killer whales are familiar. But there are also some rare animals not seen before (like in "Jungles" with the preening bird), familiar species doing uniquely different things like the caterpillars in "From Deserts to Grasslands" or the ants in "Jungles". It may seem on the outset that it's familiar, to me there was a different approach to the material, helped by the wide range of camera techniques where you see many animals up close in a way never seen before like with the Arabian Leopard and the cheetah it is very intimate.
Did not find its heavy emphasis on conservation too preachy, unlike some. A lot of 'Our Planet' shows both the wonders of the planet, with all the different species and their behaviours (both familiar and unique) and the different habitats and the fragility of them as their environment is threatened and what human destruction does. What was said was important and things long needing to be addressed, with harrowing sequences like the endings of "Our Planet" and "Frozen Worlds", and with the predatory fungi, making one really sit up and think as well as feeling emotional and shell-shocked. Did find that the heavy emphasis on it was not a bad thing, considering that it applies to all the environments covered and many of the animals and such, such as the megafauna. It's not all doom and gloom, parts are hopeful.
'Our Planet' does in all eight episodes look amazing. The scenery takes the breath away, especially in "Jungles" and "Coastal Seas", but it is more than just beautiful scenery. For example in "Our Planet" and "Frozen Worlds" one is reminded of how cruel that environment is. The scenery is complemented by photography of quite cinematic quality with a wider range of camera techniques rarely seen before, not just a feast for the eyes but it is also expansive and intimate in equal measure, enhancing the impact of the emotional and tense scenes of which in 'Our Planet' there are many. A big example being with the walruses in "Frozen Worlds", which really got me emotionally. The music is grand and atmospheric but also whimsical and jaunty. A memorable example being tango-inspired music in "Jungles" accompanying an amusing sequence.
As one can expect, the narration is very thought-provoking and never rambling or speculative. There are some interesting individual feeling stories here throughout and so many of the species are easy to relate to. A lot of information is covered but felt properly explored and not rushed or disjointed, and the facts educate and illuminate while not being compromised for the emotionally complex storytelling. Once again, Attenborough's distinctive and unequalled narrative delivery, with his unmistakable voice, is sincere, enthusiastic as well as understated. One can listen to him for a long time and not tire of him, no other nature/wildlife documentary narrator/presenter has made me feel this way.
In conclusion, count me in as another person who finds 'Our Planet' brilliant. 10/10
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The Beautiful Deep Blue
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 03:35
(A review of Blue Planet II)David Attenborough, as has been said many times, is wholly deserving of being called a national treasure, although it is a term he happens to not like. He has done so many treasures and even his lesser output of a long and consistently impressive career is still good.
Absolutely adore the first 'The Blue Planet', one of my favourites of his, so was psyched to hear that there was a second 'Blue Planet' series. Luckily, 'Blue Planet II' turned out to be every bit as amazing, easily a highlight of 2017 television (a strong contender for the best BBC produced one and the best nature documentary series) and one of not many 2017 dramas/series that had me looking forward to see the entire lot. This is saying a lot, seeing as apart from the odd gem 2017 has not seen me watching new television by habit, often find myself seeing re-runs or films.
OK, so 'Blue Planet II' may not be as ground-breaking as 'The Blue Planet' and not everything is new here. This doesn't matter, because 'Blue Planet II' is just as beautiful to watch, non-stop transfixing, educational, inspirational and emotionally complex.
Visually, 'Blue Planet II' was, as it was with 'The Blue Planet' and the best of Attenborough's work, a wonder. It has gorgeous scenery and rich colours, while the animals and marine life are captured in all their glory. Standing out even more is the photography, the underwater sequences are just as stunning as 'The Blue Planet' (unequalled when it comes to underwater sequences).
While not with the involvement of George Fenton, the music here soars, rouses just as much and touches the soul just as much, definitely worthy of cinematic quality. It not only complements the visuals but enhances them to a greater level.
Really can't fault the narrative aspects in 'Blue Planet II' either. There are things already known to me, still delivered with a lot of freshness, but there was a lot that was quite an education and after watching the full series it honestly felt like the series taught me a lot about the mysteries of the ocean and the marine life that inhabit it. One episode explores the consequences of environmental waste and, while it may seem out of place for some, it was very much relevant and important and well-handled.
Attenborough's narration helps quite significantly too, he clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.
'Blue Planet II' has a lot of effective scenes. It's not easy picking a standout, because there is a lot of emotional complexity here. There are shockingly gut-wrenching moments, especially the whale carcass (a strong contender for the most shocking scene of 2017). There are emotional moments, such as the mother with the dead calf. There are tense moments like the octopus and the shark. There are awe-inspiring moments like with the dolphins. There are also moments of great surprise, like in the first episode where one expects a bird to fall prey to an underwater predator but instead something that one cannot believe was able to be filmed let alone found happens.
Nothing episodic or repetitive here. Instead, it feels like its own individual story with real, complex emotions and conflicts. One roots for the animals, whether prey or predator. The behind the scenes footage "The Deep Blue" brings honesty and humanity, what the crew go through and how they work against sometimes volatile conditions makes the viewer feel admiration for them.
In short, utterly amazing and calling 'Blue Planet II' a must watch does it no justice. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Absolutely adore the first 'The Blue Planet', one of my favourites of his, so was psyched to hear that there was a second 'Blue Planet' series. Luckily, 'Blue Planet II' turned out to be every bit as amazing, easily a highlight of 2017 television (a strong contender for the best BBC produced one and the best nature documentary series) and one of not many 2017 dramas/series that had me looking forward to see the entire lot. This is saying a lot, seeing as apart from the odd gem 2017 has not seen me watching new television by habit, often find myself seeing re-runs or films.
OK, so 'Blue Planet II' may not be as ground-breaking as 'The Blue Planet' and not everything is new here. This doesn't matter, because 'Blue Planet II' is just as beautiful to watch, non-stop transfixing, educational, inspirational and emotionally complex.
Visually, 'Blue Planet II' was, as it was with 'The Blue Planet' and the best of Attenborough's work, a wonder. It has gorgeous scenery and rich colours, while the animals and marine life are captured in all their glory. Standing out even more is the photography, the underwater sequences are just as stunning as 'The Blue Planet' (unequalled when it comes to underwater sequences).
While not with the involvement of George Fenton, the music here soars, rouses just as much and touches the soul just as much, definitely worthy of cinematic quality. It not only complements the visuals but enhances them to a greater level.
Really can't fault the narrative aspects in 'Blue Planet II' either. There are things already known to me, still delivered with a lot of freshness, but there was a lot that was quite an education and after watching the full series it honestly felt like the series taught me a lot about the mysteries of the ocean and the marine life that inhabit it. One episode explores the consequences of environmental waste and, while it may seem out of place for some, it was very much relevant and important and well-handled.
Attenborough's narration helps quite significantly too, he clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.
'Blue Planet II' has a lot of effective scenes. It's not easy picking a standout, because there is a lot of emotional complexity here. There are shockingly gut-wrenching moments, especially the whale carcass (a strong contender for the most shocking scene of 2017). There are emotional moments, such as the mother with the dead calf. There are tense moments like the octopus and the shark. There are awe-inspiring moments like with the dolphins. There are also moments of great surprise, like in the first episode where one expects a bird to fall prey to an underwater predator but instead something that one cannot believe was able to be filmed let alone found happens.
Nothing episodic or repetitive here. Instead, it feels like its own individual story with real, complex emotions and conflicts. One roots for the animals, whether prey or predator. The behind the scenes footage "The Deep Blue" brings honesty and humanity, what the crew go through and how they work against sometimes volatile conditions makes the viewer feel admiration for them.
In short, utterly amazing and calling 'Blue Planet II' a must watch does it no justice. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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I don't know what to say...
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 03:25
(A review of Planet Earth)Wow I am speechless! "Planet Earth" is in one word mesmerising, gorgeously shot and informative. David Attenborough clearly knows his stuff, and delivers with precision and interest that really does compel the viewer. The series is very very well researched, some of the stuff I didn't know before watching, and the music is stunning. But what made the series such pleasure was the gorgeous filming, the camera-work was skillful and perfectly captured the adorable and dangerous animals and their colourful habitats. Not to mention the extreme conditions of the mountains, deserts and rainforests. I sat in awe at everything I saw on screen.
Overall, as my sister does-she is a nature lover you see, I love this series. It was such joy to watch, it does for nature and our planet as "Walking with Dinosaurs" did for dinosaurs. One of the easiest 10/10s I've made. Bethany Cox
Overall, as my sister does-she is a nature lover you see, I love this series. It was such joy to watch, it does for nature and our planet as "Walking with Dinosaurs" did for dinosaurs. One of the easiest 10/10s I've made. Bethany Cox
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One of the greatest television series ever
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 01:30
(A review of Twin Peaks)After hearing nothing but great things about Twin Peaks(although there were criticisms of the second season not being as good and some being underwhelmed by the ending) I finally checked out the show and the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me as somebody who appreciates David Lynch hugely and love almost all his films, and it was time well worth spent. It's true that the first season is better than the second, but that is not to knock the second season because it is still great, if not as well paced and maybe the main plot line was wrapped up a little too quickly(the only negative personally against the series), but the first season is a masterpiece and some of the best television has ever seen. There have been criticisms about the reveal of the final episode being underwhelming, initially it is a head-scratcher but I am with those who considers the episode on the whole one of the scariest episodes seen on television.
Twin Peaks looks incredible, quite easily one of the best-looking TV series personally watched; the photography is so good that you have to check that it's for a television show and not a film and the costumes and sets are colourfully surreal and positively eye catching. Twin Peaks is also one of the best scored television series, the music enhances the atmosphere so well and better than a lot of other shows and it really haunts the mind, again like the visuals it can easily be mistaken for a score written for a film. The dialogue is very thought-provoking with moments of tension and a lot of hilarious humour that has David Lynch's style of humour all over it. The episodes are all compelling and multi-faceted in atmosphere, even the weakest episodes are much better than a lot of TV shows today at their best and worst, while the show tackles a very dark subject with subtle horror, genuinely disturbing scenes like the entire ending, quirky humour that at its best is side-splittingly hilarious and a real emotional wallop.
The characters are not only interesting with more than one dimension to them but more than memorable as well, Agent Cooper and Ben Horne being especially so, sure a few appear, disappear and re-appear but you never forget them. Twin Peaks is superbly directed and acted throughout, with the performances Kyle MacLachlan in his most famous role(perhaps) is at his best and the same can be said for Richard Beymer. Sheryl Lee and Sherilyn Fenn are poignant, Ray Wise is much more sensitive than he is in the film and one mustn't forget the scene-stealer that is Piper Laurie nor Frank Silva as one of the most frightening characters television has ever seen. Strictly speaking the acting is outstanding all round, you'd be hard pressed to find a television series with no actor is bad and with this level of consistency. To conclude, at its best Twin Peaks really is one of the greatest television series ever. The film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is not as good but is still very good and undeservedly under-appreciated. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Twin Peaks looks incredible, quite easily one of the best-looking TV series personally watched; the photography is so good that you have to check that it's for a television show and not a film and the costumes and sets are colourfully surreal and positively eye catching. Twin Peaks is also one of the best scored television series, the music enhances the atmosphere so well and better than a lot of other shows and it really haunts the mind, again like the visuals it can easily be mistaken for a score written for a film. The dialogue is very thought-provoking with moments of tension and a lot of hilarious humour that has David Lynch's style of humour all over it. The episodes are all compelling and multi-faceted in atmosphere, even the weakest episodes are much better than a lot of TV shows today at their best and worst, while the show tackles a very dark subject with subtle horror, genuinely disturbing scenes like the entire ending, quirky humour that at its best is side-splittingly hilarious and a real emotional wallop.
The characters are not only interesting with more than one dimension to them but more than memorable as well, Agent Cooper and Ben Horne being especially so, sure a few appear, disappear and re-appear but you never forget them. Twin Peaks is superbly directed and acted throughout, with the performances Kyle MacLachlan in his most famous role(perhaps) is at his best and the same can be said for Richard Beymer. Sheryl Lee and Sherilyn Fenn are poignant, Ray Wise is much more sensitive than he is in the film and one mustn't forget the scene-stealer that is Piper Laurie nor Frank Silva as one of the most frightening characters television has ever seen. Strictly speaking the acting is outstanding all round, you'd be hard pressed to find a television series with no actor is bad and with this level of consistency. To conclude, at its best Twin Peaks really is one of the greatest television series ever. The film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is not as good but is still very good and undeservedly under-appreciated. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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The Straight Story (1999) review
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 01:25
(A review of The Straight Story (1999))I like David Lynch and his movies, my favourites being The Elephant Man, Mulholland Dr, Blue Velvet and this. I don't think I can add very much to the previous reviews that sum it up so nicely, but I'll do my best. The Straight Story is not a complex movie, the script is quite simple but it didn't need to be. Despite its simplicity, the script is also very moving and literate and you can tell a lot of heart went into shaping it. The film is also quite meditative in its pace, but again that didn't bother me at all, because as a quite reflective piece of work the meditative pace was deliberate. Besides, even if they were flaws, which I don't think they are if anything they are strengths in regards to The Straight Story, the film has a number of things to love about it. For one thing, the Straight Story is beautifully filmed with the cinematography fluid and the scenery spellbinding. The score adds to the film's poignant tones, in terms of direction The Straight Story is one of Lynch's best directed movies and the story while simple is beautifully told and surprisingly warm too. Also Richard Farnsworth gives a wonderful lead performance, he genuinely moved me and I felt for his character too. In conclusion, a beautiful film and one of Lynch's best. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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Wild at Heart review
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 01:22
(A review of Wild at Heart)Wild at Heart is not David Lynch at his best, personally much prefer Blue Velvet, The Elephant Man, Mulholland Drive and The Straight Story and is definitely not going to be everybody's cup of tea. But while it has its flaws Wild at Heart still impresses and fascinates in many ways, also don't think that it's his worst like some people I know in the past have said(that'd be Dune). The story does feel very randomly structured at times, especially true with Crispin Glover, and some of the pacing slackens; the film could have done with being shorter as some scenes did feel too padded and underdeveloped, and the script can be a confused jumble and not always easy to understand completely(though admittedly there are some quotable lines). There are many great things with Wild at Heart however because the cinematography is stunning, the scenery is bursting with vivid colour and there are plenty of bold colours and lighting with some of the visuals being wonderfully deranged. There is also a hypnotic soundtrack that adds so much to the feel of the film, the music choices being also quite interesting, while Lynch's direction while not the best he's ever done(tied between Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive) but it is very adept and has his unique style all over. The story is not the best but the atmosphere is just great, just loved the campiness, the eroticism and haunting weirdness, it's hardly uneventful and there are some memorable moments like the incredibly chilling robbery sequence and the ending. The Wizard of Oz references while a little over-used are fun. The characters are not likable at all, in fact in the cases of Marietta and Bobby a few of them could be seen as loathsome, but considering the atmosphere and viciously violent but also sexy content of the film it is clear that they weren't intended to be. The performances are fine, Nicholas Cage will induce polarising opinions but while he was wooden to start with he was charming and entertaining once he warmed up. Laura Dern is alluring with the two working comfortably together, while Diana Ladd manages to be both hilarious and scary and Willem Dafoe is unforgettably creepy. The cameos acquit themselves well too. All in all, incredibly strange and not without flaws but also fascinating. 7/10 Bethany Cox
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Lost Highway (1997) review
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 01:09
(A review of Lost Highway (1997))Lost Highway is not Lynch at his most accessible, that would be Blue Velvet followed by The Elephant Man and The Straight Story, and I would put those films as well as Mulholland Drive (one of his most polarising along with Eraserhead) as better films of his, but while it has divided and will divide viewers I did love the film. Lost Highway does occasionally get confusing (particularly from a psychological stand-point) as a result of trying to have too many ideas, which does seem to be what the main complaint is against it, but for me there was very little wrong (as a bit of advice it is a good idea to be acquainted with Lynch's style first with The Elephant Man or Blue Velvet being the best place to start). Lost Highway looks amazingly stylish, the cinematography some of the best of any film personally seen in a while, the colours are expressive and bursting with colour and hypnotism and the images are surreal but impeccably hypnotising. Lynch's directing is highly accomplished if not quite some of his best directing like Mulholland Drive or Blue Velvet. He also does a great job in not making Lost Highway too formulaic (there is a sense that formally and structurally that there was a fair bit of re-invention involved), in fact it was one of the freshest and most unique psychological mystery thrillers personally viewed. Like Eraserhead, Lost Highway is basically an atmosphere/mood piece and it works amazingly as one. It may be Lynch at his strangest but that made the film even more fascinating to watch, no matter what you think of some of the story the impact the atmosphere has in the film cannot be denied. The thriller elements are enough to set the pulse racing and the mystery elements while made obvious about half-way through have a lot of suspense. Bill Pullman's exemplary here, some of the best work he's ever done even, and standouts too are Patricia Arquette at her most sensual and Robert Blake at his creepiest. The music score is incredibly haunting with fitting use of pre-existing songs and while spare the dialogue doesn't stick out like a sore thumb too much. All in all, a bizarre film but with the mood it has and how well-made and directed it is it is a very compelling one too. Not Lynch at his best but around the top end of his filmography. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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Mulholland Drive (2001) review
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 19 March 2022 01:04
(A review of Mulholland Drive (2001))I found Mulholldand Drive to be a fantastic film, having loved all of David Lynch's films seen personally so far (personal favourite being The Elephant Man, one of the most emotionally affecting films ever made) with the exception of Dune. For this viewer, Mulholland Drive is one of Lynch's best films and among the best films of the 2000s, but it is also one of Lynch's most love-it-or-hate-it films- from a love/hate him director- as seen in the reviews here. And it is very understandable why people would dislike it, it is weird (not unusual for Lynch), it is slow, the story mayn't be clear to some, the symbolism may go over people's heads and it does get confusing especially towards the end. And it has nothing to do with not getting it, it is just not for everybody's tastes and not everybody is going to connect with it. For those who love it neither of these are problems, admittedly it is a good idea to be acquainted with Lynch's style beforehand so that it doesn't come across as too much of a shock and also to watch it more than once. Justifying what was so great about Mulholland Drive, a good place to start would be the visuals, which are never less than scintillating with bold colours, symbolic imagery and some of the most striking cinematography of any film from this decade. The Silencio Club scene is so beautifully shot. The haunting retro score, thought-provoking dialogue and that it contains some of Lynch's finest direction and the best directing of all the films from 2001 are further things to like. The story is where those who dislike it are perplexed, granted there may be too many plot strands crammed in towards the end and not everybody's going to like how the ending is open to interpretation, but with me the thriller-drama story was gripping and I was captivated so much by the surrealist atmosphere, offbeat emotional intensity and sizzling suspense that the slow pacing didn't feel slow at all. It wisely focused on the relationship between Watts and Harring, and while bizarre it was very well handled. The cast carry the film brilliantly, especially with the sensational lead performance of Naomi Watts who has never been better than here. Laura Harring is enchanting and Justin Theroux is very good. In conclusion, while not for everybody's tastes for understandable (and quite obvious) reasons Mulholland Drive was fantastic in all areas. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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