tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836661004273915348.post9216901107637023778..comments2023-06-06T11:09:18.464+01:00Comments on Screen Insight: Kidulthood (Menhaj Huda, 2006)simoncolumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027922399726786918noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836661004273915348.post-24074032267774029792010-07-07T11:57:06.680+01:002010-07-07T11:57:06.680+01:00Yeah I guess that is the problem with the length o...Yeah I guess that is the problem with the length of films; I particularly like your comparison to The Wire and that it has so much more scope because you see every angle of life, rather than this short snapshot.michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08053419988915349143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836661004273915348.post-10483981806815807332010-07-01T13:33:35.032+01:002010-07-01T13:33:35.032+01:00Thanks Mike!
Glad you watched the film, I am ulti...Thanks Mike!<br /><br />Glad you watched the film, I am ultimately quite liberal I think in my views towards things but on a social-scale I reckon the simplicity of the characters lets the film down - crime and any issue tackling teenagers today is exceptionally complex and the characters in this are by no means the only representation of kids in inner-city london schools.<br /><br />As a 'snap shot' alone, it is really good and I think, as a writer, Clarke is clearly very talented. But as a film kids look up to, as a separate issue, I'm not sure. I think there is a similar argument to 'Borat' whereby as a film, I think its great - I understand he is a plonker and his racism is merely clarifying the plonker within him... but when kids begin to quote lines from Borat and even start insulting Jews and mocking them... well thats just racism isn't it.<br /><br />whatever the case, it is an interesting argument and, let me reclarfiy, I think the films are very good but I do think that the influence it may hold on some kids - specifiying how they 'should' act is a concern. I mean, what sells sells, and clearly this type of film is missing in the marketplace ... but it would be nice to imagine a film set within the same context, with the same characters but tackling the social-issue on a larger scale rather than a semi-domestic scale story merely representing the characters.<br /><br />Simon<br />www.screeninsight.comsimoncolumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027922399726786918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836661004273915348.post-55411741561530451212010-07-01T10:54:26.498+01:002010-07-01T10:54:26.498+01:00Hi Simon,
Having just watched Kidulthood and reme...Hi Simon,<br /><br />Having just watched Kidulthood and remembered that you reviewed it some time back I thought I would come and see your take on it. <br /><br />I must admit I’m usually a little more in line with your opinions than here. I do not disagree with your points about a confused so called ‘moral compass’ but I far from see this as a failing of the film. I know this is exaggerating a little but it seems a little too close to a kind of Daily Mail opinion or a nanny state point of view that films should have some kind of ‘positive’ impact along with a generally viewed standard of right and wrong (generally viewed by the middle classes). This film tells things how they are, and this is why it resonates so well with the youth, due to its honesty and emotional realism. <br /><br />Further to this I don’t see a problem with the boys kicking off in the shop as it was clear that nobody gave them the benefit of the doubt. More importantly the Black cab part I thought was one of the most significant points. It is genuinely morally ambiguous, on the one hand yes, by running from the cab it solidifies the opinion in Black Cab drivers that black adolescent males won’t pay so don’t stop for them. But then when they will never pick you up (and this one wouldn’t have had he not thought it was the girl he was picking up) then the only way they can make a point is by using their consumer power to opt not to pay.<br /><br />Trying to ascribe a moral compass is missing the point a little and sounds a bit too much like Cameron’s ‘Broken Britain’ nonsense. For me, the film portrays a true picture of those tensions between adulthood and childhood. That phase where your actions have real consequences but that you can still see the importance of the childish situation of retrieving your Gameboy Advance SP (Tribal edition I may add) from the ‘school bully’. <br /><br />As always it is great to hear your views, keep u the good work.michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08053419988915349143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836661004273915348.post-66198819650772654832010-04-08T12:47:55.376+01:002010-04-08T12:47:55.376+01:00@MadHatter - do watch Kidulthood ... and then watc...@MadHatter - do watch Kidulthood ... and then watch the sequel Adulthood ... <br /><br />@7tavern - Ill check it out...simoncolumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027922399726786918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836661004273915348.post-30641608484820525692010-04-06T07:51:45.574+01:002010-04-06T07:51:45.574+01:00Hi,
We've browsed through your reviews and...Hi, <br /> <br />We've browsed through your reviews and thought that they are really original and interesting! We would like to invite you to publish your reviews on 7tavern.com, which provides an alternative platform for promising movie reviewers to showcase their talents. In addition, you'll find a growing community of bloggers who share the same passion for excellent movies! Based on the merit of your reviews, we intend to offer you exclusive publishing privileges on our website! <br /><br />Cheers, <br />7tavern Team <br />admin@7tavern.com7tavern adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00025908313069504627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836661004273915348.post-22538088884227109092010-04-01T13:47:44.437+01:002010-04-01T13:47:44.437+01:00Was thinking about this film again this morning gi...Was thinking about this film again this morning given that I was listening to your podcast on my morning commute, and just finally saw FISH TANK last night.<br /><br />I must try to track this one down and let ya know what I think.<br /><br />Great review though - interesting to hear an adult's take on something the kids think is all the rage.Ryan McNeilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00440134802928893661noreply@blogger.com