Making a Murderer: Season 1 (Review)

Making a Murderer: Season 1 (Review)

''Making a Murderer'' is a 10-episode non-fiction documentary currently streaming on Netflix.The show aired in December but has recently gained popularity. The story was filmed over 10 years, and follows the release of Steven Avery from an 18-year-long false imprisonment (exonerated due to DNA proof), and his re-conviction for a separate crime two years later.

The documentary has caused a surge in support for Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, some even urging their release. The petition ''Free Steven Avery'' on change.org currently has over 450,000 signatures. While it is not clear whether Steven Avery is guilty, it's clear that a retrial is necessary. The show brought many contradictions and ignored articles of to light, many accusing the state police of planting evidence against Steven Avery out of embarrassment for incorrectly placing him in jail for 18 years. 

Regardless of general opinion, the documentary is still well filmed, well structured and entertaining overall. The documentary is definitely free of filler, and will be very interesting to most. While the level of how interesting and engaging each episode was is not entirely consistent, this would be expected due to the fact that it is following an actual law case. I would definitely recommend it, but it can be upsetting and difficult to watch.

I would give the series 9/10.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

A Serious Man (Film Review) 2009

A Serious Man (Film Review)

A Serious Man is a 2009 dark comedy directed by the Coen Brothers. Starring Michael Stuhlbarg, Sari Lennick, Richard Kind and Fred Melamed.

The story follows Lawrence Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg), a Jewish Minnesotan Physics teacher facing a divorce. This came as a complete surprise to him, and destroys him emotionally. He is even being doubted by his workplace as a complaint comes in after he didn't accept a bribe from one of his failing students.  He begins to doubt his faith heavily. 

The story is set in the 60s, and the set designers definitely succeeded in doing this. The colours of the clothing, set, and props is very vivid. The acting from all characters is also very sincere, with lots of witty dialogue. The film definitely relies on dialogue, so the dialogue is very strong. 

Like most Coen Brother films, the film is not overly exciting, but is of very high quality, notably very high quality dialogue.

I give this film 9/10.

A Serious Man was nominated for two Academy Awards - Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. It was also nominated for a BAFTA and Golden Globe.

Rated 15, runtime 106 minutes.

Night Moves (Film Review) 2014

Night Moves (Film Review)

Night Moves is a 2014 film directed by Kelly Reichardt, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, and Peter Sarsgaard.

The story follows a group of radical environmentalists. Dakota Fanning (Dena) plays the less experienced radical of the group, while Peter Sarsgaard (Harmon) plays the group leader. Jesse Eisenberg (Josh) has just introduced Dena to the group, and has gone into detail of Josh and Harmon's plans to blow up a city dam, as he believes people's need for electricity shouldn't be prioritized over the lives of animals and their habitats. Harmon doubts Dena's sincerity, but Josh convinces him to allow her entrance into their group.

The majority of the film focuses on the journey to destroying the dam. Suspense is built through the use of subtle music and tight shots. All of the actors in the film are very sincere and there is no over-dramatisation. The cinematography is great, the shots, especially around the lake at night-time look brilliant. All of the actors' performances are great, especially Oscar Nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network). 

It's downfall is pacing. It is not free of filler, and the pacing seems slightly uneven. Many sequences are quite monotonous, although these add great realism and grit to the film. I wouldn't say the movie is exciting throughout, but it is definitely filled with some very tense scenes and beautiful cinematography.

I give this film 7.5/10.

Night Moves won a Black Pearl Award and Grand Special Prize.

Rated 15, runtime 112 minutes.

2016 Oscar Predictions

Academy Award Predictions

The Oscar Nominations were announced last week. There were many Irish nominations announced, including Saoirse Ronan for ''Brooklyn'' and a Best Picture and Best Director nomination for Lenny Abrahamson's ''Room''. Here is a list of the nominations and my personal predictions.

Best Picture: Nominees

The Big Short

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn

Mad Mad: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Room

Spotlight

Prediction: Spotlight CORRECT

The film follows "Spotlight" team of the Boston Globes, the oldest continuously operating newspaper investigative unit in the United States and its investigation into the widespread child sexual abuse cases in the Catholic church of Boston.

Biographics tend to be favoured by The Academy, although in 2015 ''The Imitation Game'' lost out to ''Birdman''. Spotlight is definitely a top contender for the Best Picture award.

Best Actor: Nominees

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

Matt Damon, The Martian

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Prediction: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant CORRECT

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in Revenant. While he has an awful track record for actually winning the many Oscars which he gets nominated for (6) such as The Wolf of Wall Street, and also missing out on Oscar nominations from movies such as Django Unchained, Leonardo DiCaprio won a Golden Globe for the Revenant. This makes him much more likely to be the winner of the Best Actor Oscar of 2016.

Best Actress: Nominees

Brie Larson, Room

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Prediction: Brie Larson, Room CORRECT

Brie Larson stars in ''Room'', directed by the Irish Lenny Abrahamson. Larson has faired very well in most film awards, winning the Golden Globe award for best actress, among many others. Brie Larson's acting level was the most emphasised appraisal from critics.

Best Director: Nominees

Adam McKay, The Big Short

Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

Lenny Abrahamson, Room

George Miller: Fury Road

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant

Prediction: Tom McCarthy, Spotlight HALF INCORRECT

Tom McCarthy is the director of the Best Picture nominated film ''Spotlight''. I also predicted that ''Spotlight'' will receive the Best Picture award. McCarthy's directing has been well praised, and he is right next to Alejandro G. Iñárritu in terms of likelihood of winning. (HALF CORRECT)

Other Predictions:

Best Supporting Actor: Mike Rylance, Bridge of Spies CORRECT

Best Supporting Actress: Rooney Mara, Carol INCORRECT

Best Original Screenplay: Straight Outta Compton INCORRECT

Best Adapted Screenplay: Room INCORRECT

Best Animated Feature Film: Inside Out CORRECT

Best Cinematography: The Revenant CORRECT

Best Film Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road CORRECT