Starred Up - Weekly Film Analysis

'Starred Up' is a 2013 crime drama (also containing elements of a thriller) directed by David Mackenzie, the film covers themes of corruption, family, and violence as Eric Love (Jack O'Connell) is moved to an adult prison in which he has to fight his own demons while he becomes surrounded in a prison full of men that have committed a variety of intense crimes, one of which we find out to be very personal to his past.

I thought cinematographer Michael McDonough done an outstanding job of making the various viewpoints in the film personal to the viewer by making us feel like we are directly inside the institution , he done this by using p.o.v shots multiple times through out the film providing the audience with an insight of being trapped in the enclosed prison, allowing us to sympathise with the characters as we come to realise their harsh reality . The p.o.v shots used are often shot through the wires and fencing used in the interior of the prison that are used to separate prisoners, this makes us (the audience) feel like we are personally seeing the on going drama as it un folds, also capturing the harsh environment the prisoners have to live in on a day to day basis as we immediately realise the wires separating the dangerous individuals in the film, giving us an accurate view point on what it may be like for many prisoners living in the hostile environment. Jack O'Connell was extremely successful in the role of the newly 'starred up' Eric Love, I personally think this was down to him being a very talented physical actor who is able to merge into a variety of characters, this allowed his emotions to be expressed through his physical movement in a realistic manner due to his passion in the role, the role of this particular character also suiting his physical acting as he is allowed to express Eric Loves clear chaotic thoughts/emotions through his strong physical performance through out the film.  In the key scene where Eric Love spits at a police officer after covering his body in oil in order to make it harder for the opposing police to restrain him, his body language/facial expressions clearly connote his clear intent and confidence in wanting to brutally fight with the riot squad who proceed to enter his cell, the strong performance showing a convincing  personality in the character of Eric Love in various situations, and the rage he goes through due to his complicated past.

In conclusion I think the micro features in this film were able to create and allowed the audience to escape and gain an accurate insight into the brutal grim reality of the prison world, Jack O'Connell's performance was key in reflecting the motives many 'starred up' youngsters may have in todays world as they attempt to earn a name for themselves in the corrupt prison hierarchy, while also trying to avoid becoming a victim of the various sinister predators that run the prison internally.

Fruitvale Station - Weekly Film Analysis

'Fruitvale Station' is a 2013 biographical crime drama directed by Ryan Coogler, the film follows the life of Oscar Grant on new years eve (2008) where we see him encountering and meeting a variety of people ranging from family and friends to enemies as the day goes on. The film includes themes of love,friendship,drugs,pride,money, and discrimination as we see the protagonist Oscar Grant (played by Michael B. Jordan) attempt to keep his pride and provide for his family while trying to overcome his own personal issues. The film follows a linear structure with flashbacks as we see his day predominately in chronological order with brief glimpses of his past scattered through out in the film in the form of flashbacks.

Michael B. Jordan provided the audience with a convincing character as he played Oscar Grant during the film, because he was successful in his performance this allowed the audience to relate and emphasise with his situation as it was clear he deeply loved his daughter and only wanted the best for her, even though he struggled with drugs and becoming involved in crime Michael B. Jordan's performance was key in showing that he did want to make a change in his lifestyle for his daughter. The compassion Oscar (Michael B. Jordan in the film) felt for his daughter was perfectly demonstrated with the help of Cinematographer Rachel Morrison, in the scene where Oscar races Tatiana (his daughter) back to the car Rachel Morrison decided to use a slow motion shot, this was so effective as it allowed the audience to see the true love in the relationship between the two as we could clearly see them both genuinely enjoying themselves as it was in slow motion there facial expressions were clear. This choice of slow motion also allowed the audience time to reflect on how Oscar is fully committed to give up his life of crime in order to watch his daughter grow up as we see him racing Tatiana back to the car not bothered about what people think of him as he stands on top of the car proclaiming his victory in a childish manner , clearly showing us how he is willing to give up his past pride for his daughter he clearly loves so much.  

In conclusion I think the way micro features were purposely used in this film intensified the emotions and sympathy felt for Oscar as we already knew the outcome of the film from the beginning, micro features were used to accurately portray his character, his emotions and the struggle he went through as a 22 year old black male from the Bay area, making the already devastating event that occurred more emotional as we are given his perspective and an insight into the real struggle many people have to deal with due to the discrimination towards Black people in this particular area of America on a day to day basis.