Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes (Short Review)

Recently I watched ‘Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes’ (A ‘Marco Polo’ Special) on Netflix UK. In this film short, we see a warrior monk lose whats most precious to him, his sight. This slowly marks him with the name ‘one hundred eyes’. After he gets snake venom forced into his eyes, leaving them puffy (creating small eye shapes in the aftermath, costing him his sight). Without giving too much away, the film is about a ruthless warrior, who takes down anyone in his path, without thinking about the consequences. Thats until he comes eye to eye with someone (who is considered a ‘high born’), leading to a devastating outcome. However, will an opportunity like no other change his fate?

Boosted by stunning visuals and some high flying martial arts sequences, ‘One Hundred Eyes’ is definitely worth a watch! With a run time of 30 minutes the film offers stunning sequences, hard hitting dialogues and some emotional frames too. It’s a film which certainly doesn’t hold back on the action nor the drama. Even if you’ve never watched ‘Marco Polo’ I would recommend watching this short, as it’s one which will certainly leave you thinking. Furthermore it’s a film which keeps on giving, never stopping for a break.

Feel the suspense, drama, emotion, anger and forgiveness all at once. Never underestimate an opportunity as it may just change your fate for the better. For fans of ‘Marco Polo’ get ready to witness ‘One Hundred Eyes’ before he was a deadly assassin who trained Marco Polo, see his story right from the start.

Rating: *****

See the official trailer here:

References

Image: http://usa.newonnetflix.info/info/80083594/s (accessed January 29th 2016, via ‘New on Netflix’, Original Poster for ‘Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes’)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeUhXYmGKU4 (accessed January 29th 2016, via Youtube, Netflix US & Canada, Published December 4th 2015)

 

160MCT2 ‘People2People’: Ready, Set Go!

Success!!! Get the camera rolling, 321….

Following on from last weeks vote, my subject was chosen as a final ‘p2p’ idea amongst many others. This mean’t I’d head my own p2p project, with me in charge, along with some of my peers. Upon being assigned people for my group, I made sure to introduce myself and tell them a bit about the bookshop. This lead me to organise a short session to clarify what roles my peers wanted to do and what type of styles of filming they liked.

The following document Skills Sheet (P2P),was collated in todays session with me facebook messaging my group after. Sending them some links of the Bookshop, for them to see what ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’ is all about. Further helping them to get an idea of how things will look and what kind of person the owner is (see his ‘crowdfunding’ page here: Crowdfunder: ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’).

Furthermore upon putting up the skills sheet, I made a note of what I would like them to do by next week. This included each member printing off some of the production sheets, whilst listing any skills  they had/role preference. Prolonging enthusiasm, creativity and teamwork, as I wanted each member to utilize their own skills. Further making sure that I listened and interacted with each of their comments too, in a co-operative and authoritative way.

After the session was over I set a goal for myself, to look over ‘script’s in documentaries’ when I could. Whilst also keeping a running agenda of what we accomplished as a group each week. Which I’d collate either by myself or with one of my peers. Further contemplating on my own input and critiquing my performance as the leader of the group/director of our P2P project.

See more about ‘production roles’ here:

See attached image below on ‘documentary types/scripts’:

‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’ (Diagram):

References

1. http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/TheBigComfyBookshop (accessed January 29th 2016)
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI4FG0eknS0 (accessed January 29th 2016 via Youtube, James Kirsty Charlotte, October 5th 2013, ‘Production Roles’)

 

162MC: The Screenplay/From Treatment to Script

Today’s lecture included going over the next process of ‘script writing’, fitting in with our brief of ‘fan fiction’ writing.

See my notes from today’s lecture below:

From today, I learn’t the following things:

• How long a script should be and some tips about what to write it on (i.e Celtx).
• What detail should be included in the script and what shouldn’t. For example no emotion should be added to the script. As that’s the actors job to bring the emotion directly, on set.
• How we’ll be assessed in our small groups of 6-8 people.
• What’s required of us during assessment stage (i.e group portfolio, drafts of scripts etc.)
• How the layout of your script can affect the chances of your work being accepted. As the presentation of it is equally important as the content is.
• Essential script terminolgy plus grammar
• Finally, how camera shots should not be included in the script, at all.

 

160MCT2: Our Manifesto Project (A Short Reflection)

Upon reflecting, I would say this ‘manifesto’ project has taught me a lot. It’s taught me how to work efficiently in a small team, plus under a limited time frame. Further helping me to plan better, in order for me to stay organized within my small team. I also felt that this project was extremely fun to do, as it was something very different to what I’m used to. Considering that we not only chose a lighthearted issue, but we also presented it quite theatrically which worked to our advantage.

As for working in a team, I would say it was a really good experience. I really felt my peer and I really connected well, in how we worked and functioned together. This is because we always checked in with each other at every instance, further making sure to make full use of our time (which we did).

Furthermore we relied on our media peers to help us out in our media video. This was good as they were extremely keen and helpful, which we appreciated a lot. Thus rewarded them with a Freddo, which they were very chuffed about and pleased too.

Our message

I would say we projected what we wanted clearly and concisely. This is because we wanted to shed light on the price rise of Freddos, and the impact it’s had on the public. Thus by using public opinions and various images of defaced Freddos, we managed to express all that we wanted too in one minute.

Some things, which we could have done differently:

• Learn’t more about ‘graphic match edit’ before hand
• Make better use of a split screen
• Used an Ediroll for the audio (as spoken about in our assessment blog post)

To conclude, however I would say we approached this particular project well as a team. Furthermore we stayed motivated and committed at every corner. I’d say together we combined all our skills in a well executed fashion, further making sure to challenge ourselves by learning new editing techniques etc.

I would also say that as a collaborative we had fun on our manifesto project, which challenged, improved and tested all of our individual abilities, to those we acquired together along the way as well.

References 

Cover Image:  http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/1/42933/660387/manifesto_2.png (accessed 26th of January 2016, ‘Penguin Design Manifesto’, P.D, April 2009, Image 1 via Google Images)

 

160MCT2: (Manifesto) What we were trying to do and how well we did it.

Written by Katherine and myself.

Our aim for our manifesto was to focus on an issue which was light hearted. We felt we wouldn’t be able to do a hard-hitting subject justice in one minute. Thus opted to go for an issue that was ‘more trivial’, yet still an important issue. This is where our idea of the ‘price rise of Freddos’ came from.

For many the ‘Freddo bar’ was a childhood favorite, that’s until the price drastically went up, from 5p to 25p. Even with the price rise of the bar, one can see it’s evidently smaller in size than it was. Thus we thought that we’d be able to draw light on this topic, as many of the public and our friends believed strongly about it meaning we have an audience for our film. Even more so that they too were incredibly outraged at the rise in price, with one going as far as to say “the rise of Freddos ruined my childhood”.

Our vision for our manifesto was to deliver our subject in an over the top manner. For example, we would showcase various reactions to articles (without referencing ‘Freddos’). A montage of ‘Freddos’ would then follow on the screen, making it clear to the audience what our issue is. Further followed by defaced ‘Freddos’ to a ‘Freddo’ graph indicating the rise in price. We’d then finish things off with a very important message. Making sure to reach out to our audience (young adults/students). We chose this audience because just like us they too could relate to the ‘price rise’. Taking them back to their year 7 disco days, where the bar was only 5p! Relighting a passion in them regarding the famous Cadburys chocolate frog, making them reminisce and feel nostalgic. Showing them that a change can occur, if not now then when?

As to how well we did it, we would say we did well in our given timeframe. Making use of our time wisely and constructively, further using extensive planning to help to keep us on schedule. We would also say that we approached our topic in an exaggerated fashion (which we were going for). This was done through the use of theatrical reactions to disfigured Freddos, to get across our message to the public. This message was then reinforced by our narration. This really elevated our manifesto film by making it more dramatic and engaging. Meaning our audience was more informed about this pressing issue and how strongly we believe in it. Almost done in a hyperbolic way, through the choice of words and the way we expressed the narration in the final cut of our film. Another element that we thought worked well was the use of images as we took most of them ourselves, focusing on lighting and so forth to make sure they looked professional. We made sure that we captured our subject in the right way to further boost our videos style.

As for some of the drawbacks, we would say that the audio proved tricky. Due to us using our phones rather than an Edi-roll. This would have produced better audio. So when we came to edit we found that some of the audio clips had too much background noise creating more work for us. Another drawback included our films location for most of our footage we used Ellen Terry as this was the most accessible place for us to use. However, many kept walking in and out, limiting our shooting quality. Which meant we had to restrict the length of our shots so that we wouldn’t pick passers-by up in the frame.

See our full 1 minute ‘Manifesto’ below:

161MC: Goodbye To Language (2014)- A Short Review

Directed by Jean-Luc Godard Goodbye To Language is an atmospheric yet subtle piece of cinema. From the moment go we see a full sequence collage take centre stage. Encapsulated in various archive footage, we see the likes of Hitler and famous actresses appear in the montage. Thus representing change, film and also independence too. Further touching upon the power of words and how when uses them to project their voice.

In short, the film focuses around two lovers, who are male and female. We find them meet and separate on many occasions, sometimes being split up but then brought back together. All the while there dog is transitioning between them, in and out. However Godard’s film isn’t about this, it’s about much more, in fact the wider world.

His film is one which shouldn’t be missed. With its subtle touch on ‘nature’ and having a ‘voice’. Godard divides each frame with a particular season (i.e Winter). In this way, we see times change and also the people in the shots too. For example, some are very abstract and raw (further demonstrated through the shakey camera shots). In on scene, we see a woman being shouted at for taking a stand for something she believes in. This is a clear representation of being told you can’t do something, when you can. Thus in this way Godard manages to capture real life situations and human behaviour in an extremely non glamorous fashion. As we see all of the creases and emotion in one’s face, further seeing their mannerisms too. Thus helping us to get a better sense of what they are about, making them extremely relatable.

Another thing, which really grabbed me was the use of dialogue. Personally, I felt the dialogue to be deeply insightful and moving. Considering in each shot a lot of meaningful passages intwined with the luscious scenery a round. This fitted in nicely with the cinematography (which was bold and incandescent). Upon finding out the film was filmed on small camera’s, I was utterly surprised of the quality of the shots (as all of them were very picturesque and well composed).

To conclude, I would say watch Jean Luc Godards experimental film for it’s bold and demanding narrative. A narrative which is almost not so unclear to the human eye. However begins to unravel once the viewer accepts what Jean Luc is trying to accomplish. This being: the use of natural scenery’s and themes to demonstrate the behaviour and relationships of human, further dwelling into peace, empowerment and having a voice. Touched upon through the use of engaging archive footage etc.

Although slow in pace, Jean Luc Godard returns to what he does best. Bringing us a piece of film which makes us think and listen, against a backdrop of some breathtaking shots (all taken naturalistically).

See the trailer here:

Rating: ***

References

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWEj_AYXzjY (accessed January 26th 2016, ‘Goodbye To Language Official Trailer’, published October 14th 2014, via StudioCanalUK)

161MC: Task 4 ‘Web 2.0’- Extended Post

Today’s task involved making our own ‘web 2.o’ story, by formulating a classic tale using various ‘web 2.0’ tools (i.e screen record/Google Goggles)

Find out more about ‘web 2.o’ here:

The emergence of web 2.0 storytelling

See full task sheet here:

Task 4 – Web 2.0 Narrative

Upon thinking of a classic story, I decided to base my ‘web 2.0’ piece around Cinderella. This is because I felt I’d be able to rework some portions of the story in an updated way (through various technologies and lifestyles). I further felt that I could work around a conversation between Cinderella and her evil step mom through the use of Twitter and Youtube too. Thus incorporating modern day technology in this way, making it more realistic and relevant in todays day and age.

Throughout history Cinderella has always been told in a ‘rags to riches’ fashion. As it focuses on a servant girl eventually meeting her prince, through harsh beginnings and an appearance from her fairy godmother, after her dad suddenly passes away. Whilst the moral of the story has been about kindness and generosity and how evil does not go un-noticed. Cinderella has always been a best loved classic due to the main heroine being kind, smart and loving to all (even those who treat her harshly at every opportunity). Thus has proved to be a role model to many young women as they’ve looked up to this character in overcoming hardship and the trials and tribulations of acceptance and love, to kindness too.

Bringing in ‘web 2.0’ I looked up the following tools to makes my video piece. The following tools were considered but not used. The main two were ‘Camtasia’ and ‘Googlemaps’. The main reason for not using these two tools were ease of use and function restrictions. For example ‘Camtasia’ included a trail version only, which had very limited functions. As for Googlemaps (although easy to understand), didn’t really appeal to me in the sense of where it would fit in my story. As I felt I could tell it without using ‘Googlemaps’, which Is what I ended up doing in a imaginative and creative way through the use of mainly Twitter, Youtube and screen capture software. This leads onto the software which I did use, which was ‘Screen Cast O-Matic’. This software in particular was fluid and very easy to use. Although a trial version, this piece of software had a limit of 15 mins (which was more than enough time). Thus proved to be quick, fast and clear (upon viewing the final recorded footage).

Going back to the story, I thought of creating new twitter accounts by hand for both characters. Although time consuming, this process didn’t let me down. The reason for this being that it helped me to customize each characters page more, further helping me with their speech and their tone of voice too. For Cinderella I changed her name, plus added in some slang for when she spoke. As for the step mom, I managed to incorporate many spelling errors as she’s not tech savvy. Thus working off the stereotype of the younger generation working off technology better than the older generation. Further using hashtags to emphasize what each character was saying, adding to modern day talk. As many express themselves through the use of hashtags. Thus proving successful in how I portrayed both characters in their respective pages. I further embedded a Youtube video into my video, via the Wicked Stepmom’s. page. This was because I felt it would draw up a better picture of who she was, and add in a little humour to who her main idol may be. Thus opting for a ‘wicked step mom’ character adding to my characters attitude and her way of thinking too.

To conclude, this exercise was challenging and fun. Considering it made me think of many classic stories and how they’d look re-imagined into a ‘web 2.0’ piece. Leaving the results to be crisp, clear and edgy through the presentation and also the characters portrayed in the story itself.

Enjoy my version of Cinderella below, with a short clip of Cinderella and her Step Mom using twitter as a means to express their feelings to each other (without any of them knowing) to the public.

Note: References within the video have been attached in the video’s description box.

References

1. http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347352307l/11142754.jpg (accessed January 25th 2016, via Google Images, Book, Trisha Speed Shaskan, Cover Art, 2011, Picture Window Books, “Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying!…”)
2. http://er.educause.edu/articles/2008/10/web-20-storytelling-emergence-of-a-new-genre (accessed January 25th 2016, Article listed under CC License, 2008-Adam Levine & Bryan Alexander, Educational Use, EDUCause Review )

161MC: Tell Me A Story/Web 2.0 Narratives (Week 4)

My Notes:

Todays lecture taught me the following things:

• What goes into a story
• The importance of storytelling
• How one can effectively tell their story
• Aristotle’s role in ‘storytelling’ (see image below). Follow link below for more information:

Aristotles’s Storytelling Framework

• The Seven Basic Plots (see image below)

Learn more about ‘The 7 Basic Plots’ here:

7 Basic Plots (Full)

In conclusion this particular lecture was deeply informative as it really touched on the art of storytelling. What’s more, is that it brought in current technologies to project old aged stories. For example one video titled ‘The Nativity-Web 2.0’, used an Iphone’s interface to get across the nativity story. Done through screen capturing and social networking sites (creation of profiles). This made for a deeply interesting story, as we were treated to a visual modern age spectacle. Thus witnessing each tap and purchase within the shots, engaging us in every way.

See the full video, ‘Nativity 2.0’ below:

Furthermore, todays session proved that story’s can be projected in a variety of ways and not just one. Further indicating a change in the way stories are presented. As the example above is just one of many, of classic tales being reconstructed through the use of technology, to be watched in a different way than before.

References

Image One: http://www.khoslaventures.com/wp-content/uploads/kv_summit_unbreakable_laws_of_storytelling_carmine_gallo.jpg (accessed January 25th 2016, via Google Images, KV Summit, Image Think, Carmine Gallo Blog, June 11th 2014, ‘Laws/Storytelling’)

Image 2: http://image.slidesharecdn.com/aristotles-storytelling-framework-for-the-web-130721050412-phpapp01/95/aristotles-storytelling-framework-for-the-web-7-638.jpg?cb=1375748538 (accessed January 25th 2016, ‘Jaroen Van Geel, Slideshare)

Image 3/Link: http://kidcourses.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/7-plots-for-kids.gif (accessed January 25th 2016, The Kid Courses Crew, Webpage)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrf0PbAGSk (accessed January 25th 2016, Christmas 2012 2.0 ‘The Nativity’, via Youtube, Viral Videos Nr1, December 13th 2010)

 

162MC: Final Short Film Treatment (Edit 2) for ‘Expensive Tastes, Expensive Habits’- By Ash Patel

Expensive Tastes, Expensive Habits  (Confessions of a Shopaholic Inspired)

REBECCA BLOOMWOOD is a 24 year old ex struggling shopaholic, who has been deemed debt free for about six months now. That’s until her best friend (JANIE) accidentally shows her a new ‘pay service’ available on all moon phones (equivalent to Apple Pay). Will BLOOMWOOD fall back into her old ways, becoming a shopaholic once again or will a force like no other save her before its too late?

 Act One: Very busy town center (i.e. Coventry/London). Day.REBECCA BLOOMWOOD (24, Dark hair, brown eyes), a stylish and confident woman leisurely strolls past shining rows of shop windows. We further see her not going into any of the shops, establishing her ‘will power’ in spending wisely rather than excessively. She is seen slowly reassuring herself of the wise decision she’s making of not going in. She gently smiles at all the mannequins in the shop window, in a proud fashion. Followed by her picking up her phone and quickly running into the distance, heading towards the restaurant plaza.

Act Two: Restaurant Plaza: Daylight. We see BLOOMWOOD meet a close friend. Upon meeting them she quickly embraces the other woman (dark Brunette, flat shoes, red scarf, 25 years old) and takes off her jacket to sit down. REBECCA then starts to chat excitedly, telling her best friend about how long she’s been shopaholic free. JANIE quickly gleams and orders her a mojito with extra ice and mint, (with only a little sugar). Whilst she herself finishes her second coffee, ordering another at the same time (black, 2 sugars). During which time we see a bunch of friends go past them with their shopping bags from topshop and the perfume shop looking all smug in their high heels. BLOOMWOOD quickly turns to JANIE acting out one of the women they’ve just seen, JANIE quickly laughs in response. Slowly hushing herself, upon seeing the group of women turning round like a bunch of school girls who’ve just been noticed for the first time. Further making BLOOMWOOD smurk to herself ever so slightly.

Act Three: After meeting JANIE, BECKY slowly gets up to leave. Before doing so however she see’s her best friends phone bleep and light up. Further seeing a moon app, which she hasn’t seen before on the phone. BLOOMWOOD slowly turns away and goes back to her one bedroom apartment, with JANIE going back to hers on the other side of town. Upon doing so REBECCA starts to think about the app she saw and what it could mean. She later forgets about it as she gently falls asleep after an exhausting day of not buying anything (that’s right buying nothing is exhausting fellow shoppers).

Act Four: Morning: We are shown a small apartment, with slow moving traffic running in the background. BLOOMWOOD (24, frazzled hair, creased smart clothes) is seen sleeping, gently awaking very confused. We then see a bunch of credit cards scattered on her bed. REBECCA then gets up frantically and starts to pace back and forth. Afterwards she finds herself phoning her best friend JANIE. Upon doing so BLOOMWOOD finds she is questioning JANIE about the app and soon comes to understand that a new ‘pay service’ has come on the market. REBECCA quickly does a little jive in happiness but slowly regrets it after. She then reassures JANIE that she won’t do anything stupid as she’s got things under control. This is before JANIE has time to tell her that the app doesn’t time out as it’s still in ‘beta mode’. Thus lets you buy as much as you can, going into your overdraft in a split second. JANIE quickly gets her stuff to go to BECKY’S apartment. However upon getting there she finds out her best friends gone, but where would she have gone? “Oh no, she hasn’t, no BECKY’S sensible she told me herself, but…”

Act Five: Busy shopping center-Day time. We see many zoomed in shots of shopping bags, later seeing that they belong to REBECCA. We then see her reassuring herself that she’ll only buy a few items (“after all it is a sale right?”). However two hours later we see she hasn’t moved one bit. Making it clear to us that the shopaholic in her is back and its back with a vengeance. Considering we see bag after bag being dropped to the floor where MISS BLOOMWOOD’S standing. Further seeing a dark shadow behind her (the manager of the shop) who looks slightly bewildered at how much she has got. After shopping than longer than intended, BLOOMWOOD quickly goes home to rest. However still in shop mode she checks even more sales out on line, seeing what she can collect in store.

Act Six: Late afternoon- BECKY’S apartment. We see another woman enter (Janie), who slowly looks for REBECCA amongst all the bags. Upon finding her she slowly gasps at all the bags (as she finds even more, in BECKY’S closest). After BLOOMWOOD wakes up she quickly realizes what she’s done and tells JANIE everything, deleting the app in front of her there and then. JANIE later realises that REBECCA needs someone to love her and to take care of her to stop her from over spending ever again. Will JANIE be able to find someone before it’s too late? I guess she’ll have to think of something quickly as she can’t have BECKY stay like this as she may not have her apartment very long if she continues to stay in her own ways as a shopaholic, after making such good progress before. JANIE quickly curses herself and the app, as she shouldn’t have told BLOOMWOOD to meet her that day, as she wasn’t fully okay. Considering that it was evident (seeing her today) that the temptation of ‘spending’ hadn’t fully gone away within her.

Act Seven: Night Time (Plaza Restaurants). Set a few days later- we see an elegant woman wearing a black dress with minimal jewelry go into a restaurant, sitting herself down near the bar (we later find out it’s REBECCA). Soon after, we see a tall handsome figure (26 years old, dark hair, smartly dressed, glasses)sit next to BLOOMWOOD who admires her from afar. He later introduces himself and says he’s a friend of JANIE’S. They then both laugh at their friends force and determination in sorting out a meeting for them, as both of them were quite anxious. After talking for some time, the tall handsome figure says to BLOOMWOOD that he’d like to take her shopping. She at first is quite hesitant due to her current ‘shopping habits’. However she slowly accepts hesitantly, reassuring herself that he doesn’t know what she’s like and doesn’t really need to know. If she just really controls herself for a full day in not buying anything.

Act Eight: Daylight-Shopping Centre. A tall dark figure from the night before emerges with a notepad and a pen plus a ‘savings’ booklet. The woman (BLOOMWOOD) slowly reacts confused and amused. Further finding out that this man is a money advisor who works in a bank. Could this be fate or is it too early to tell? (BLOOMWOOD slowly tells herself). After spending a day with the man REBECCA slowly gets to understand the do’s and don’t s of spending and some of the drawbacks with moon pay. Further listening to her man about money and the positives of ‘money charting’ (something she’d never have even known about if it weren’t for him introducing her to it). Further on BLOOMWOOD feels blessed and also quit smitten that she’s found her perfect man, who can help her find the error to her ways slowly but surely. The final scene see’s REBECCA and her tall handsome companion kiss intently. Eventually walking away from the shops without any bags (refreshingly different for a BLOOMWOOD might I add).

End of Short Film

References

1. http://www.urbandepartures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Shopaholic.png (accessed January 21st 2016, via Google Images/Sophie Kinsella, Cover Art, UrbanDeparturesBlog)

160MCT2: The Thin Blue Line- Review

Recently I watched the docu-style feature film ‘The Thin Blue Line’. Based on a true story of murder and wrongful conviction, comes a film which lets everything come to light. Released in 1988 and directed by acclaimed director Errol Morris comes a documentary film different to any other. It’s a film which is predominantly known for it’s use of ‘reconstruction’, as it relies on this style to piece together the tragic events of an innocent policeman’s murder. By further relying on short interviews by those who were either at the scene or who heard about the shooting days after. All of this is further stitched together by real archive footage and recordings, to re-constructed scenes. Furthermore the film is visually and emotionally stirring as we see everything come to life, from still images to real photos of the evidence.

This for me, really made Errols documentary film stand out from any other, as it didn’t overplay any situation or dramatize anyone. It instead focused on real people and real stories, making it more impactful and engaging. Thus presenting it as a piece of film which is truthful and untarnished in every sense.

The Thin Blue Line” is the fascinating, controversial true story of the arrest and conviction of Randall Adams for the murder of a Dallas policeman in 1976. Billed as “the first movie mystery to actually solve a murder,” the film is credited with overturning the conviction of Randall Dale Adams for the murder of Dallas police officer Robert Wood, a crime for which Adams was sentenced to death. With its use of expressionistic reenactments, interview material and music by Philip Glass, it pioneered a new kind of non-fiction filmmaking. Its style has been copied in countless reality-based television programs and feature films. (Errol Morris.com)

In conclusion, I would say the film explored deeply the ways of a criminal, to the wrongful arrest of an innocent. Further exploring the case in all it’s entirety, through mini interviews and real artifacts (i.e criminal photographic evidence). It’s a film which is boosted by a strong background score, which sets the pace along nicely. This is elevated by the commentary from the interviewees etc.

I would say to any of you who are interested in crime, investigations to true life stories, watch Morris’s film now! It’s one which shouldn’t be missed, due to it’s clear narrative sequence and rawness (coming from those involved directly in the case). It’s a film which gets you face to face with a criminal who was wrongly convicted, eventually showing you the ‘real killer’. Watch it to understand this tragic incident, to the aftermath of one individuals actions. Eventually leading an innocent person to go to prison for a crime they did not commit.

Rating: ****

References

1) http://bttm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/the-thin-blue-line.jpg (accessed January 22nd 2015/BTTM Blog (James Excell): June 25th 2015)

2) http://www.errolmorris.com/film/tbl.html (accessed January 22nd 2015), Official Synopsis- Errol Morris Official Site