This is a new section I have added in on 05-Sep-03. Every so often a film gets released that looks like it could be of great value to be seen by young filmmakers. I will initially post a preview of it, and then follow that with a review once I see the film.

Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Matt Damon, Casey Afflick
My Thoughts: What can I say? This movie is a fantastic, experimental piece of art. It's not even really a movie - more of an experience. Not only is it beautiful, but also surreal. I've never seen anything quite like this, and while I loved it for its unusual and minimalist approach, I also recognise that the majority of people on this planet will hate this film. I unreservedly recommend the movie to all low-budget filmmakers as a lesson in mood, atmosphere, and a reminder that sometimes less can be more. I will also add that this film will also show you the various ways you can lose an audience's attention by going too far!

Director: Sofia Coppola
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson
My Thoughts: I really loved this movie, and what it managed to achieve with a small budget and crew. I think if you can learn anything by watching this movie, it is how to write dialogue. The exchanges between Murray and Johansson are amongst the most realistic I have ever seen between two actors. Being able to write dialogue is something a lot of people argue about, and some say you either can do it or you can't, and that no film course will ever be able to successfully teach it. My belief is that you can learn to write very good dialogue simply by listening to other people and being a sharp observer. The observation of how it is done well in films is also important, and never more refreshing than in Lost In Translation.

Director: Bille Eltringham
Starring: Michael Colgan, Kenny Glenaan, David Bradley
My Thoughts: Shot with a PD150, this film should be seen by all budding DV filmmakers. The end sequence is the best thing about this film; I would even go so far as to say it disturbed me. As a whole, however, the film is unlikely to impress many people, with its handheld camerawork and suspect acting flying in the face of a £500,000 budget. Director, Bille Eltringham, deserves respect; she took an unorthodox concept of filmmaking (cast before scripted, 2 week deadline to script, etc) and had a good stab at making something that was very different to much mainstream cinema. An intriguing experiment that ultimately falls flat on its face and is a reminder to us all that sometimes we can learn from others' mistakes.