Diploma Homework: Lynch Timeline (Photoshop)

Diploma Homework: Hitchcock Timeline (Photoshop)

Diploma Homework: David Lynch Thrillers

David Lynch Thrillers

·1986- “Blue Velvet” a crime/drama/mystery/thriller whose title derives from a 1963 song of the same name.
·1990- “Wild At Heart”, a crime/drama/romance/thriller is released.
·1990-1991- “Twin Peaks”, a TV series with 47-minute episodes begins.
·1992- “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” which can be assumed as either prologue or epilogue to the TV series, is released.
·1997- “Lost Highway”, a fantasy/horror/mystery/thriller is released.
·2001- “Mullholand Dr”, a crime/fantasy/mystery/romance/thriller is released.
·2006-“Inland Empire”, a fantasy/mystery/thriller is released.

Joe Kidd Review

Joe Kidd Review

Although Joe Kidd remains a fairly sturdy western with a decent plot, good acting and quite intense action sequences, it is also far from classic, slow in places and unfortunately rather forgettable. Clint Eastwood and Robert Duvall (two of my favourite actors) do not wholly disappoint. Eastwood was in his usual carefree, cold and cool “Man With No Name” spaghetti western style, but Duvall was also rather similar and I believe that Clint’s type of role does not entirely suit him, plus he could have acted a great deal better!

Joe Kidd (Eastwood) currently in jail is released on the command of Frank Harlan (Duvall), a wealthy landowner who has formed a posse to help kill Mexican bandit Luis Chama (John Saxon) ,the organiser of a revolt against the landowners in favour of the poor, whose land it really belongs to. Kidd refuses to join the posse at first, but soon changes his mind when Chama attacks his ranch and assaults one of his workers. After Kidd falls in love with a Mexican girl, he kills two of the posse and changes sides to help Chama and his gang.

Like “District 9”, the last third of the film is much more exciting, eventful and exaggerated than the rest. The highlights of the film are basically the action scenes, which are demonstrated more than ever towards the end. The cinematography and production aren’t much to look at either and give the western a less convincing, more depressing feel.

Overall, the film is quite good and is just about held together by standard acting, an alright plot and occasional action sequences. If you’re after good quality Eastwood westerns, check out The Outlaw Josey Wales, High Plains Drifter and The Dollars Trilogy. Don’t have too high hopes about this one, as it’s really for western fans only.

7/10

T:mac Art Show Review 2009

T:mac Art Show Review 2009

The t:mac Art Show 09 was indeed spellbinding. It offered a unique and immense collection of stunning, classic artwork, including fine art textiles, 3D studies, photography and graphic design, all spanning a wide variety of completely original wonderful ideas, produced by GCSE and A level students.

Photography was a key element infused in almost all the visual masterpieces on display, and could be seen besides some of the drawings as a valuable and fascinating insight into the making of these brilliant, almost exact copies.

Of course, not everybody would fully appreciate all the artwork on show, but I must insist that there was ultimately a section for everyone. No one could pass by the exhibits and not stop or pause momentarily, to gaze engagingly towards at least one piece of artwork, all the exhibits being on show daily from 9am-5pm. for public viewing, from 23-25 September.

I must say, that I personally was impressed with most of the artwork on show as it was all designed with a strong creative instinct, bursting with tons of thoughtful ideas. Some particularly arty and well-dictated comic strip ideas, fixated on communism in Russia, caught my attention straight away as they honestly looked exactly like something you would buy from a comic book store!

Exact copies of human faces from photographs amazed me instantly, for the detail was perfect, and instantly recognisable, this being a gift possessed by truly talented artists to be admired by future generations. Much better than all this new fangled modern art in my opinion, but thankfully not much of that was presented.

Sea life, featuring crabs and intricate looking shells were also shown, as well as copies of roller coasters and theme park rides. These only further helped to impress me as I wandered round the vast and intense collection of artwork.

I was amazed, astonished and awestruck by the quality of all the work on show. Congratulations to all the students involved and I can’t wait to see the t:mac Art Show 2010!

Paddy Johnson 10S1

Torn Curtain Review

Before you see this film, do not expect it to be absolutely brilliant just because it’s directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It is certainly not one of his most famous, or best films for that matter, nor, in my opinion, is it particularly well made. That said, it does feature the odd exciting moments, the music is up to its typical standard for a Hitchcock film, and not all the acting is that bad.

The plot is quite good, and starts off with the main character, Michael Armstrong, a top US scientist, flying off to (supposedly) defect to East Germany, in order to get a secret formula in the possession of enemy scientist Gustav Lindt. The problem is, his fiancée has grown suspicious and follows him on the plane, forcing him to involve her in his double agent game.

Alfred Hitchcock’s 50th film, features hit and miss actors/actresses, including the convincing, innocent Julie Andrews (who I expected to burst into song any minute!), and the painfully effortless Paul Newman. An extended and rather unrealistic kitchen scene depicting how difficult it really is to kill a human being, is rather memorable, and I can see how see how it may have seemed shocking at the time. Nevertheless, this was a welcome return to Hitchcock’s usual style. Spot the cameo of the man himself inside the hotel!

The last half generally livens up more than the first, but that doesn’t stop the obvious fake sets, slow plot and depressing atmosphere detracting from the film. Action fans will be rather disappointed, as there are only a few scenes, which build up tension
(eg. in the kitchen and on the bus).

Overall, a film for only the most devoted Hitchcock fans, which won’t entirely welcome any newcomers!

6.5/10.

Guitar Hero Pearl Jam Game Cover Design

I created this Guitar Hero Pearl Jam design myself using images from google and song/album information from wikipedia.

The set-list is made up of what I see as Pearl Jam's classic and best songs, plus some great bonus tracks.

The encores are by other brilliant grunge/rock bands including Nirvana, Mother Love Bone, Soundgarden, The Who, Candlebox and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, plus boss battles against Pearl Jam's own guitarists, Stone Gossard and Mike McCready.

The information on the design is rather hard to read, so I have copied/enlarged it below:

Guitar Hero Pearl Jam is the perfect collection spanning the history of one of the most important and crucial bands in the grunge movement.

Contains 40 set-list songs, and 10 bonus songs including:

Tremor Christ
Who You Are
Black
Dissident
Far Behind
Once
Given To Fly
Blood

Even Flow
Spin The Black Circle
State Of Love And Trust
Deep
Alive
Animal
Satan’s Bed
Leash
World Wide Suicide
Better Man

Please comment or let me know what you think of my design.

Thanks,

Paddy