Revisiting 'Titanic'

I have literally just sat down from seeing the 3D re-release of James Cameron’s epic, “Titanic”.

Having only ever seen this film on a screen no bigger than 32”, I can say wholeheartedly that the film belongs in the cinema. It truly is an epic and seeing it on a big screen is, in every sense of the word, breath-taking, to the point where I literally had to remind myself to breathe at certain moments.

What you miss on a smaller screen is the detailing of the film; you can see everything from the textures of the ship’s bow, to the ornateness of the decorations in the first class quarters. Everything is so much more vivid and bright, to the point where you can see the hairs on Leonardo Dicaprio’s impossibly beautiful face. The film is absolutely beautiful, and the action scenes are so much more panic ridden and emotive; but I was also amazed at how the quiet stillness of the calmer scenes amongst the panic translated. These are the scenes I feel made best use of the cinematic re-release.

And now for the controversial topic of the films 3D conversion; a topic that has divided critics. I for one was not a fan. For the vast majority, the 3D was obtrusive, invading and, worst of all, misused. The worst use of the conversion was towards the very beginning of the film when Kate Winslet steps out of the car and turns her head upwards to see the gigantic ship. Whilst I remember this shot so well from when I originally watched the film, here it had been ruined because suddenly I had a giant bonnet coming towards me.

Because the conversion relies on the use of different plates, what is most affected is James Cameron’s original and beautiful cinematography. The best example of this is one of the film’s more memorable scenes, where Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio ‘fly’ at the front of the ship. Whilst the two protagonists should be at the forefront of the shot, they aren’t. Instead a great metal wire is; invading the shot and pushing the romance into the background.

The only point in which the 3D conversion didn’t bother was during the actual disaster scenes, and that’s because there is so much going on that you don’t really notice it; it’s becomes unnoticeable. You aren’t thrown into the experience as the 3D conversion should do, but instead become accustomed to it.

What I was impressed with, in terms of the 3D conversion was the colour. Most 3D films I have seen are drained by those bloody awful glasses, but this wasn’t the case with ‘Titanic’. The film had been saturated and so kept its previous bright visuals, instead of being washed out.

Despite there not being a 2D option, I would strongly encourage anyone to go and see the film quickly before its shoved back onto DVD at twice the price than it was 3 months ago.

Top TV Characters: Jim Moriarty

THE DEVIL

Jim Moriarty (Sherlock) played by Andrew Scott

 “In a world of locked rooms, the man with the key is king. And honey... you should see me in a crown....”

In a TV show of brilliant characters held up so strongly by the performances of its actors, it’s very rare to have just one person stand out so strongly above the rest. Whilst I came across BBC’s Sherlock not too very long ago, I was quickly snapped up by it and fell in love immediately with the stylisation, the stories, but most importantly, the characters. Now, these aren’t the creations of the writers; that credit must be given to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but we must still applaud Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and Steve Thompson for their unique reinvigoration of such classic characters. As previously mentioned, the one character that stands out, for me, above all else, is Andrew Scott’s chilling portrayal of Jim Moriarty.

 

As one of the most iconic villains of the Sherlock Holmes literary series, and often described as Holmes’ one true nemesis, Moriarty has been adapted for the screen numerous times. But in this show we see something different. He isn’t the introverted, classic villain we think of; but instead an extroverted, yet very internal, psychopath, akin to Heath Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker.

The first time we meet Moriarty; he is simply ‘Jim’ and has undergone the persona of Molly Hooper’s closeted boyfriend so he can meet with Sherlock before revealing his true identity later. When he is finally revealed, everything about him his different; his staccato bursts of anger amongst the calm, subdued coldness make him all the more terrifying as the audience never really knows his next move.

What really makes the character for me is Andrew Scott’s performance. He make the role completely his own and puts something fresh into the character, whilst still keeping enough of Sir Arthur Conan’s creation in there. The best example of this is, Doyle describes Moriarty as (and I’m paraphrasing here) ‘constantly oscillating his neck back and forth in a reptilian fashion’, which Scott has recreated perfectly, and blended it so well with his own Moriarty.

 The scene I feel in which bests portrays the characters is the very final scene of final episode of series one, entitled “The Great Game”. It is the first time we are properly introduced to the character. Whilst introductions are swift; the audience is treated to everything they need to know.

Top TV Characters: Wilhelmina Slater

THE DESTROYER

Wilhelmina Slater (Ugly Betty) played by Vanessa Williams

“Sorry, I sometimes blackmail people when I'm nervous.”

The reason I am in love with Wilhelmina Slater so much is that she is just one of those characters we all secretly wish we could be. The writers of Ugly Betty penned some of the juiciest lines that Vanessa Williams delivers with such conviction and acid that is truly is hard to believe they aren’t her own thoughts. It wasn’t just with rivals that she was ‘forthright’ with either; even her long time love interest Connor Owens was victim to some of Wilhelmina’s best lines.

Now, there are 2 reasons Wilhelmina stands out for me amongst all the TV bitches (and let’s face it, that have been a number…). The first is her humanity. It’s a common trait amongst the ‘bitch’ that we must discover their human side after so long. We are first introduced to Wilhelmina’s humanity when she confesses she is ageing in an industry that she controls. But it is Wilhelmina’s loneliness that truly humanises her. She has sent her daughter, Nico, away to boarding school only for Nico to return and try and con Wilhelmina. She is estranged from her father who rejected the ‘monster she had become’ and even Connor Owens leaves her when she chooses to throw away her career to be with him. Every so often we see the loneliness explode out of her and we are reminded of the fact that, whilst she is regretful, this is the path she constantly chooses in life.

The second reason Wilhelmina stands out for me is her acceptance of herself. She knows exactly what kind of character she is and, whilst others see the reason and potential to change in her, she sees the truth. In order to succeed in the publishing business she works in, she has had to create a hard exterior and demand perfection from everyone around her to stay on top. With her high demands and catty attitude she brings out the best in others. Many people can relate to the hatred of the boss and that relationship is often so clichéd in television, but Wilhelmina unapologetic attitude to who she is makes her so unique.

For me the episode which highlights Wilhelmina and Vanessa Williams is episode 7 of series 3 entitled, “Crush’d”. It’s one of the first instances we see Wilhelmina uncomfortable in the workplace with arrival of Connor Owens and the final scene of the episode where Wilhelmina sits with Betty is so small and yet so heart-breaking it’s impossible to not empathise with her.

Inspiration

There is a long list of people that inspire me; from family, to friends, to people I’ve met once, to people I’ve never met. And the truth is that the most of the people that have changed my life, probably don’t even know they have.

Now obviously J.K. Rowling will never know that she inspired me to want to write, and Baz Luhrman will never know that he inspired my love of film. This, of course, is obvious as these people have no idea I exist. But there are people out there who I have met, some of whom are close friends, or friends that I knew from a long time ago; these people have inspired me.

To inadvertently have such an effect on someone’s life and not even know it is such a strange idea to process.

Case in point: I have a friend (whose name I shall not mention), who is currently travelling. This girl has travelled all over the world so many times, but by herself. She is fearless! Now, I haven’t seen this friend in years, and before that time it had been ever longer. So she probably doesn’t know, but she is one of my biggest inspirations in life! I see her living her life as she wants to and being so brave that it inspires me to do the things I want, and to aim for things I didn’t think I could achieve. And because we live in an age where it is inappropriate to speak of such things, she won’t know how much she inspires people. (Although, surely she will now...)

Another example of this bravery (a trait which you can probably tell I admire) comes from my best friend. She had a baby at a young age and faced so much scepticism for it. I won’t lie and say I was completely behind her from the beginning, but seeing her mature during her pregnancy squashed any doubt I had in her. But it isn’t the choice to become a mother that inspired me; it was the choice to not let it define her. Shortly after having her child, she re-enrolled at college and carried on her education (getting bloody good grades, I might add), and is now preparing to go to Huddersfield University to study Nursing in October 2012. She knows that having an education and a young child will be hard work, but she does not and will not let either get in the way of her role of student or mother. She is honestly one of the bravest, smartest and kindest people I know and, though she may try to play down her achievements; the girl will go far.

And now for something which seems far less interesting: When I was on my placement in January, I was talking to an old teacher who told me that by doing something I did in school (which I won’t go into), I had inspired a number of students to follow suit. But she specified that these students had mentioned me specifically. And the truth is it that I hadn’t heard of 80% of these people, but by living my life the way I did, it had changed theirs for the better. Now, I know that sounds like some kid on the internet who has just had an ego boost (and really, who needs another one of those…), but this truly has made me question other areas of my life.

Now my Thought of the Day or Advice of the Day or whatever cliché you choose to adhere to is this: Tell them. Tell that person how much they have changed your life. Tell them that without them, you might not be living how you are.

Top TV Characters: Liz Lemon

THE JESTER

Liz Lemon (30 Rock) played by Tina Fey

“Look, Jack, I don't have a lot of personal life experience, but if I have learned anything from my Sims family... when a child doesn't see his father enough, he starts to jump up and down, and then his mood level will drop until he pees himself.”

Another creation in a chain of “I Can Do No Wrong”, Tina Fey struck gold again with her creation of Liz Lemon. Fey has written a character that so many people are able to identify with somewhere. Be it her unhealthy fixation with food, inability to maintain a relationship, awkward social skills, and the list goes on.... But she just so well represents the underdog and no matter how many times she tries and gets something wrong, we find ourselves routing for her, week in and week out.

I think that, unlike so many other comedy characters (*cough*2brokegirls*cough*), Liz Lemon also shows depth as a character; she isn’t just a cliché-d stereotype. Whilst not being an optimist or a pessimist, she lies somewhere between the two.  And this is what so great about all of Tina Fey’s creations; they are exaggerated, yet still exist within reality. People aren't just one thing and that is it, they are complex and Fey realises this for all her characters. One of my favourite traits of Liz is her aforementioned love of food. Some of the biggest laughs I have gotten from the show are from her songs about food including such seminal classics as “Bring Me Some Ham”, “Night Cheese” and “Cheesy Blasters” (see videos below). 

Bring Me Some Ham

 Night Cheese

Cheesy Blasters

The scene I feel best shows off both Tina Fey and Liz Lemon is episode 14 of Season 2, entitles “Sandwich Day”. Upon finding out the someone has eaten her sandwich, Lemon enters a psychotic state and threatens all her writers with a pair of scissors. It really shows of Fey as an actress as it is exaggerated comedy, with being over-the-top. It’s just a great moment for character, actress and writer.

The Woman In Black: Paranoia or Paranormal?

Now, I know that I am a twenty year old man and thus should know better, but:

I do believe the Woman in Black is trying to kill me.

I’m gonna rewind a little bit around here. When I was home in February, I went to see The Woman in Black with a friend, and not one for scary films; I was a little bit terrified. That night I went to bed and woke up to see my black dressing gown hung up over my white cupboard. Immediate reaction: THE WOMAN IN BLACK IS HERE!

It’s now been about 2 months since seeing the film and I still have to run across the landing, not looking at the stairs because I get terrified I will see her face!

This week I’m back at uni, but none of my housemates are so I am in the house all alone. OR AM I?!?!? Not only do I keep hearing ‘someone’ walking around upstairs, someone keeps knocking on the door and when I came back into my room this morning, all the pizza had gone! Actually, it turns out I’d eaten the pizza! But the other stuff? Please explain the other stuff?

Last night I had to sleep with 2 dressing gowns, a chair, a portable radiator and a clothes horse in front of the door, just the stop any crazy ass ghosts getting in!

 

Something weird is going on in this house!!!

Note: I have just read this back to myself. I’m going to get professional help.