Kelly's Filmy Things #6

"The Round Up Blog of 2010"

We've all eaten our mince pies, we've all celebrated the new year, so I thought maybe now's the time to reflect upon an emotional roller-coaster of a year for The Film Obsession and me. 

Starting off in January (Because that's the most chronological order you can do when writing about a year), I celebrated my 20th birthday, had gone into the 2nd term of my first year at Sussex University, and was trying to make the blog a little bigger. 

From then until April I was reviewing films and started my obsession with Twitter, to which I have now made some excellent friends. That one little social networking device can bring wonderful things, as I am about to explain...

By the time May came round, I thought it might be an idea to start a YouTube page giving my thoughts and opinions on films of the moment. Although it was (and still is) cringingly horrible to watch myself back, the videos produced a lot of views with just under 10,000 watches. I've paused for now, but 2011 has come along bringing with it a sparkly new video camera, so look out for more of those! In this month as well, I had finished my first year of Film Studies and got a job at HMV in Brighton, Churchill Square!

As I carried on vlogging and blogging, the views on this website started to rise a little which meant I had some sort of following. Then the lovely Phil and Kat came along (on Twitter) asking for writers to contribute to Blogomatic3000. I applied and after a trial week of successful posts, they let me write my words on their website! July was when the posts started to fly in... This was the month that I posted the trailer analysis for Paranormal Activity 2, which is now the most viewed blog on my website with over 30,000 views. Ridiculous, right? I still find it hard to imagine people who I've never met reading my work. It's a lovely, silly feeling, that is. 

August was really special. Blogomatic3000 sent me to my first press screening, which was Scott Pilgrim - One of now, my top 10 films. I was sent screeners of Kandahar Break, Love Life and Night Before The Wedding to review by American film companies, and met my good old buddy Monty who I would be nowhere without at press events. And then September came round which caused even more of stir as I exclusively interviewed David Whitney (the director of Kandahar Break) and went to the launch party of StreetDance 3D! Plus, getting into the London Film Museum to meet the team behind Blogomatic3000 was great fun! We geeked out probably as much as we could over film. 

October came and I started back to University, now in my scary, everything counts, 2nd year. But this was the ultimate month for the blog. I hit 10,000 views which was incredible and I only went and got a press pass for The London Film Festival, to which me of all people, was allowed to sit in the same room with the likes of Keira Knightly and Hilary Swank - Now THAT is absolutely bloody amazing. Another amazing thing is I met some lovely people at the festival including Hemanth. His laugh is like Buble's voice to my ears. And I met (finally) the brilliant HeyUGuys team who are literally the nicest people ever. 

After this immense month I actually did have to start doing proper work for a proper degree, so the posts die down a little towards the end of the year. One last junket I did get to attend was the Paranormal Activity 2 event, in which a hotel was paid for, a screening at Paramount Studios was taken place, and a Paranormal reading of ghosts and spirits in the London Tombs occurred. I've literally never, EVER, been so terrified in my life. Without the help of Jo, I think I would of actually passed out, but she kept me grounded... Until we ran from the room, and when I say ran, I believe neither of our feet touched the floor at one point we moved so fast. 

How immense is that? Me, a girl from Crawley who moved to Brighton to study film is hanging around with top journalists? It's just crazy. I'm not showing off in this blog, I'm giving a sense of my appreciation and love for what I do. It's overwhelming the amount of privileges I've been giving and can only hope that 2011 brings with it even more heart stopping excitement (Because when I was gazing into Andrew Garfield's eyes at the Never Let Me Go conference, my heart did stop). 

Happy 2011 everyone!

The Film Obsession's Top 10 Reviewed Films of 2010 [Feature]

This year has been very exciting in terms of big budget film releases. We've seen the rise of 3D creations (even though that's not necessarily a good thing), we've seen stunning spectacles on screen in terms of cinematography, and have witnessed some of the most heart warming stories told in film. 

In case you had forgotten any films that were released this year, watch this awesome video showing 270 films of 2010 in just over 6 minutes! 

(Thanks to HeyUGuys for pointing this out)

So, of all the films I've reviewed (including screenings from The London Film Festival), I'm conducting the famous "Top 10" list. I can imagine there will be a couple you disagree with, and some you won't be able to comment on as they haven't been released, but take my word for it, they deserve to be on this list (If you can trust my judgement). 

Click on the title of the film to read the review.

10

Tamara Drewe

A true English delight with some very endearing characters. Every ounce of this was fun, surprisingly made you laugh and really was perfect was the summer release. 

The mini was a particular favourite English touch of mine. 

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9 

Four Lions

Controversial comedy mixed with some good British filming. This film took the humour from Chris Morris and turned it into one of the most quoted films in England this year. 

"Rubber Dingy Rapids"

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8

Kick-Ass

A real unique twist on a comic book based movie. This film broke the boundaries of how a superhero film could be made. Plus the story was written by Jane Goldman - A woman!

Goooooo oestrogen! 

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7 

Toy Story 3

A genuinely stunning digital animation that hasn't lost any appeal after 10 years of the previous film. The characters are all the same with brilliant new ones.

Is it weird Lotso was my favourite?

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6

Paranormal Activity 2

It caused uncontrollable shaking and sleepless nights from the very realistic cinematography. This film made me want to walk out of the cinema in fear, no joke.

Never am I sitting in my kitchen alone again. 

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5

Black Swan

Aronofsky showing the world he can turn even the sweetest thing into a dark, psychological whirlwind. The editing and costume was amazing in this, bringing every detail to life.

I'm kind of glad I didn't do ballet as a kid. 

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4

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

A well thought out action film that makes your eyes pop out of their holes. I was shocked at how much I fell in love with this movie. It's just AWESOME.

You could say I lesbian it. 

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3

Shutter Island

Leonardo proves to be Hollywood's finest, as does the thrilling genre this film brings with it. The ending is what turned this film from great to genius.

I wouldn't mind looking after Leo, even if he was a psycho. 

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2 

Inception

A film that's never quite been done before, and never will. This will not only top the charts of 2010, but in the history of filmmaking. A big statement yes, but it can cope with it.

I wanted it to keep spinning...

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1

Never Let Me Go

This captured my heart from beginning to end, with a one off storyline and absolutely brilliant acting. Films rarely make me cry, but my face was very much soaked after this.

Andrew Garfield is a bit of alright too. 

I hope you enjoyed every film that 2010 brought to us.

Make a list of your own and comment it in the box below!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Kelly.

x x 

Paranormal Activity becomes a reality for me!

For Blogomatic3000, Paramount Picture and The Badger

Paramount Pictures thought that in order to get the full effect of Paranormal Activity 2, released last Friday, they would send me along with other willing students, reviewers and press faces to experience real unexplained behaviour. Deep in The London Tombs we explored with Haunted Happenings, genuine Paranormal experts, to see what spirits and ghosts we could find. Here's what happened:

Paranormal Activity 2 ****

For Blogomatic3000 and Paramount Pictures

Director: Tod Williams

Writer: Oren Peli

Stars: Katie Featherston

Handheld camera? Check. Creepy soundtrack? Check. Spirits more haunting than before? Check. And it's a sequel, well, prequel. Yes, we are now ready to experience the next chapter in the Paranormal Activity story. This time being set before the antics that took place on our screens last year, this film will more than likely bring you to tears, make you leave the cinema or just leave you an utterly paranoid.

There's something about this film that brings with it a real sense of fear. The technique it uses has been done before and the story is a familiar one to us. But there is no doubt in my mind this is the scariest film I have possibly seen- And I love horrors. Without an inch of exaggeration, I was trembling when the film finished and find it hard now to sit by myself in room without thinking something strange is going on. And this is why the film is so successful, because it plays on your fear of the unknown.

The story is simple - A house is haunted by an unknown presence that causes a whole lot of fuss. The filming is what intensifies the action slightly. Having static security cameras filming in real time mixed with a hand held home video camera heightens the reality. The special effects and deep focus of the picture means something could be happening anywhere with a truly horrifying effect. Plus, with this we have the less than appealing soundtrack. No music, just a low humming when something paranormal is about to happen. It prepares you for what may happen next, but you don't know what effect it will have on you. It could just be a mobile spinning around a crib... Or it could be a woman being dragged down the stairs. The inconsistency of action makes it that much on edge.

The acting, just like the first, is perfect for the story. We're with real looking people that could be your neighbours and they play up to the cameras in a "Ooh, you're filming me, hi camera!" way. We watch their actions happen just like you would watch anyone on the street. It's very voyeuristic which creates the intrigue. But when those titles appear saying "Night 8" you just about begin to panic. With this sense of intrigue comes the dilemma of watching the screen or not, because you want to see what happens, but it is utterly terrifying at how long it drags out and how mysterious the activity may be.

As the first was so low budget with such an impact on the audience, you probably think this won't match up. But the reality in my eyes is that it's better. The only difference really is that the picture is in slightly higher definition, due to the rise in budget, and the events take place a lot more. The same effect of drawn out tension and vulnerability runs through. Paranormal Activity climaxed at the very end of the film with an almighty thud (excuse the pun) but the 2nd takes you right up there on the fear level, brings you down and rises again. You're drained emotionally afterwards and leave uneasily as the ending is very unsettling. It slightly cops out by using a similar finish to the first (don't worry, that's not a spoiler). But with the added events to the film, as a whole this just takes the story to another level - You're not even safe in the day time!

Every word of the hype doesn't leave this film disappointing. In fact, you're probably not even nearly prepared enough to see a very original and exciting, horrifying tale. Good luck!

Here's some reactions if you didn't believe me:

Paranormal Activity 2 - The Pre-Event Hype!

Paramount Pictures have created a film that's either likely to make you scream, leave the cinema or inevitably cause you to weep with terror. That's right, Katie will be coming back to haunt our dreams and maybe even our lofts again. Paranormal Activity 2 is released on 22nd October in cinemas across the country ready to thrill you to your core. As it states in the trailer "Nothing can prepare you for what's next"... Or can it? I've been invited, along with other willing journalists and students, to take part in something quite unique and utterly daunting.

On 21st October looming deep underground in London, the London Tombs will be waiting for us; and that means spirits will be too. Going with a series of Paranormal experts, we will be using Ouiji Boards, White Noise boxes and table tipping tricks to name a few so we can find these so called "paranormal activities". After watching the preview screening of the film and experiencing things we thought could only happen in special effects, I'm sure we will have a sleepless night wondering what that noise is outside after this more that fear invoking evening.

Even now, Paranormal Activity still means I haven't been able to have my feet untucked at the bottom of the bed. Maybe this time I'm just not going to be able to be in bed at all. Everything will be revealed on the night of this event. Am I looking forward to it? Yes. Am I preparing myself for the most horrifying night of my life? So freaking much...

If you want to find out more, head to the website

or the Facebook page. Plus, you can watch the trailer on this blog at the top of the page...

Wish me luck.