Violent children

 "You can't change people without destroying who they were." - The Butterly Effect

Few days ago I watched "The Butterfly Effect" and I wondered how they make children act in such violent scenes without causing irreversible negative effect on their mental health.
 "The Butterfly Effect" (2004) is an American drama/thriller film. Starring Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart. Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher) finds the way of traveling back in the past thus altering future. All in attempts to save Kayleigh Miller (Amy Smart) the love of his life. Film has got dark and gloomy scenes when young actors have to deliver very mature and offensive lines. For example, when Evan goes back in time when Keyleigh violated his daughter for the first time. Example taken from its script:

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Evan's face is flushed with rage. He walks behind Kayleigh and cups his hands tightly around her ears. She can't hear anything now. 

                 EVAN

         What time is it?

                MR. MILLER

         It's time for you to stand where

         the hell I told you.

               EVAN

         Wrong answer, fuckbag. This is the very moment of your

         reckoning. In the next thirty seconds you're going to open

         one of two doors. The first door will forever traumatize

         your own flesh and blood. 

The mature speech seems completely surreal coming from a seven-year old. Mr. Miller looks around the room as if he's the butt of some sick joke. 

.........

            EVAN

         Listen close then, fuckbag. You screw up again

         and I swear I'll flat out castrate you. 

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It's only one 1 scene as an example. There are lots more in the film. An actor playing 7 year old Evan was only 11 years old. So I'm wondering how they make young actors say those things without traumatising them. From what I've learn during Researching module I can say they a vast team of psychologist and researchers working with children and their parents to assure there won't be any impact caused. Team of professionals make children to be aware it is only a play but on the other hand make them believe it is true and real so a film could turn out good.

I do not think I'd allow my child to play one of roles on "The Butterfly Effect" unless they are old enough to realise what's going on.

10/10

Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps

It was a surprise to me to see new series of 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps'. With departure of Jonny Keogh (Ralf Little) I did not think they would make it work. Their attempts to make the show work were rather hopeless. Series 7 and 8 were not any near as good as series with Johny. It seemed the show exhausting its potential and creative resources. With the series 8 I did really think it would be the end of the legendary 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps'.

I was rather shocked and pleasantly surprised to hear about production of series 9. As news was coming through it was revealed that Janet Keogh (Sheridan Smith) and Louise Brooks (Kathryn Drysdale) are being taken off the show. So I thought to myself: "They do not stand a chance."
Sexy and hot, preferably blond girl is a must in every show! So they've replaced Janet with Cassie Claypole (Georgia Henshaw) who is well hot and makes the show more attractive to any male audience. She makes the show work! That is one of the reasons I cannot wait for the next episode to come out. Other reasons are well written script, brilliant jokes. It feels like the show reliving its golden days. Love it.

 8.5/10

Russell Howard WELL Good News

Russell Howard Good News is topical news show broadcast on BBC Three and since the show was first aired it's been commissioned for up to 5 series due to its big success. Currently on its 4th series and I can't help how this show is brilliant. Why is this remarkable to me? Its pre-production and production. A lot of researching involved in pre-production. In order to keep it fresh and current show has to be produced within 1 week before it is aired. That involves big effort in pre-production; finding fresh exciting stories that suit Russell Howard's style.

I would love to work for the show. It is challenging coming up with fresh news item that are quirky, fun and clever. Writing the show with Russell Howard would probably be my dream job.
Also the show is very well directed with a lot of VT's. Which is a big challenge for vision mixer and director. It involves a big professionalism producing the show.

10/10

Budgets vs. Ideas

I find it remarkable how good ideas can be purchased to be made lot bigger than originally assumed. Let's take for example feature film "The Ring" (2002).

"The Ring" (2002) is American psychological horror film that have grossed almost quarter of the billion dollars worldwide. The idea for the film was originally adapted from Japanese novel "Ringu" written by novelist Koji Suzuki in 1991. Japanese made the best they could adapting the novel but due to low budget and perhaps lack of professional skills of film-making, in my opinion, turned out to be not attractive to audience as American version. Americans loved the idea so they purchased it and made something bigger and enthused audiences. The film made massive success in US and most importantly worldwide. If it wasn't for the bigger budget and mastermind director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) the film wouldn't had made that big.
  The same way TV shows work like "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" or "Weakest Link" which are or had been ran in numerous countries. I do like the idea of purchasing rights for something that has already been made and redo into something better.

9/10

The Apprentice USA

"The Apprentice USA" is an American reality TV show running in same format as the British version. The show is about group of contestants trying to please a bloke with weird blond hair looking like a wig, but it isn't actually a wig. Seriously, I don't get it why wouldn't he do something about his hair? Probably it is something he wants people to remember him for. Like Chuck Norris's fist-shaped chin or Barbra Streisand's enormous nose. Mr. Trump if you reading this please put a hat on or something next time you are on television.

  Larry King confirms: "It ain't a wig"

Consider yourself lucky Larry. But if he saw that...  

...before you made fun out of his hair, surely he would smack you in the face.

  Watching "The Apprentice USA" couldn't help but think how it's all scripted. Fake. Not entirely everything, but when it comes to making a decision whom to fire I get strange feeling it was decided beforehand. Or maybe it just my trust for this programme is shattered since I found out that for British version they film two final episodes with both remaining contestants winning. Yes both. And then make their decision, which one of them to air, based on contestants acting skills on how they react to finding out that they won in order to amplify dramatic impact on audience. Then they go to Alan Sugar’s company for probation which lasts for three months. After three months he decides whether to keep them or not. It's entirely up to him fire both or keep one. I’d do the same thing if I was him. I wouldn’t give a job to somebody who won a TV show. I would want to see them out there in real world before employing. Fair play Lord of Sugar.

What's the deal with losing team sleeping in tents outside? Why would you want your future apprentice to sleep in a garden? Humiliation for entertaintment is fun indeed so shall we call this show "The Clownentice" then? Think so.

6/10

 

 

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This blog is solely designed for expression of my critical, as well as personal view on media today. Whether it's film/TV show I've watched or radio show I've listened. Stay tuned!