WAN

Watch list

There are a few gems worth putting on the RE-WATCH list if you're:

1. a part of a sleeper cell (notice I didn't say which organization) and you're bored
2. thinking of joining a private security arm
3. a part of the Security Branch here in Singapore and you think you're shit hot
4. you think soccer's the most beautiful game on screen (i do love soccer mind you)
5. like me, you like to sit back, watch something and be entertained (or not) by getting shoved by facts or something different, then saying which sequence you think would be far better done in another way
6. you have a big project coming up which is starting to inspire you, that's me as well
7. all of the above, except for number 1, which if you ARE a part of - email me in encrypted (or you can use the Enigma - i just re-read the book and have finally grasped how it works) and lemme do a story on you.

Documentaries

• Shadow Company
  

A well paced and stylized sequenced piece about the PMCs (private military contractors) working around the world, primarily Iraq. From the get-go you know you'd get something different. My only gripe though is that the main "question" text supers made it look simplistic and some character interviews bore me to death (and I'm a military nut here). But they had a different pace and tone for sequences involving the protagonist James - including music and gfx which they also used for some re-enactments, which was super...

• Iraq in Fragments

Nicely done profile driven piece looking at 3 sides of the same conflict. I'll write a longer piece later - for now it's a brilliant watch if you want something different. It looked like a hell of a lot of work making it...

• The Insurgency

A BBC production which looks at how the insurgency in Iraq began and one of the reasons why it all went wrong. I'd have to say Michael Ware has balls...

So out of the 258 stuff I've seen on Iraq and the 3578 filmmakers who jumped on the bandwagon these 3 have been pretty good. If you have watched any one of the 4356 other docus and think they're any good, let me know and I'll put it on my 3876th film to watch this year.

Films

• This is England

The new Shane Meadows film about a boy who joins a group of skinheads whilst growing up in the early 80's. Nicely done, bearing in mind that I don't usually like films with kid protagonists.

• Children of Men
  

Released earlier this year - film set in a post apocalyptic London where there're no more children. Good visual storytelling style and direction by Alfonso Cuaron. The execution and visual timing made me sit up and pay attention. Just like the Kevin Macdonald in the Last King of Scotland did. Must see if you haven't caught it yet.

• Friday Night Lights

If you're American and you're reading this you know this shit already. Good 2004 film based on the book about a high school football team at Odessa, Texas trying to win State by Peter Berg - well sequenced and visualized - minus the slightly cliched end scene (outside the stadium with the QB). We don't get a lot of football films here - but this and Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday will be in my head for a long time after watching tons of others. Been arguing about how football is definitely one of the best sports to sequence in a film - just like a battle. Except if you're watching an actual game and don't understand the plays. Then that's hell. timeout timeout plan plan plan strategize time out plan plan plan huddle huddle plan plan plan face opposing team "hike" pass it's over timeout plan plan plan plan huddle huddle plan plan plan...

Books
It's time for me to put away "Fiasco" and re-read the "Iranun & Balangingi".

One of the above mentioned shows is going to be a small part of the inspiration for that elusive new personal short film - yes yes. 3rd draft script is currently being tweaked. Guess which show. It won't change the world - not yet anyhow.

I hope this next working project will change it though - just a tad.

Will update for a longer review later. There're tons of other films but I'm getting way too sleepy. If anyone wants a stage6 divx link to some of the above feel free to ask me and I'll enigma you the link. No really I'll give it up.