My Favourite Films of 2017

Yes, it's that time again - time to look back at the year that was and reminisce at the AWESOME movies that were released!!! Usually, I do a top 5 but this last year, try as I might, I just couldn't wittle it down. So in a break from tradition, here are my top 10 movies of 2017.


1) Dunkirk
This wasn't just an impressively constructed, compellingly cinematic story with a relentlessly immersive soundtrack. For me, it was a one-of-a-kind tangible experience. Watching it in IMAX was like being on that beach (special mention to the scene where the main character hits the sand while a string of bombs progressively explode towards him). It was like drowning in a sinking boat. It was like being in the cockpit of the spitfire. And for that, it gets my number one spot.

2) Blade Runner 2049
Another incredibly immersive IMAX experience. I came to the Blade Runner party fairly late, but early enough to be looking forwards to (and worrying about) this sequel  for the past couple of years. I am very VERY pleased to report that my expectations weren't just met, but exceeded. There was just the right amount of story. And not only was in perfect sync with the original tale but it was also not afraid to explore new ground. This film is radical in ways I find difficult to articulate (I've been trying to write a blog post on it for months) and breathtakingly beautiful.The sound design/music was simply overwhelming. But I think the thing that gets me the most excited when I think about this movie is Harrison Ford's performance. What a joy it was to see him sink his teeth into a role to a degree I haven't seen since The Fugitive.

3) Get Out
I wish more people would see this movie so I could talk about all of its creative and masterful layers of social commentary without fear of spoilers. So all I'm going to say here is SEE IT! It's absolutely brilliant. And while I feel it's a very important film for our times, it never ceases to be entertaining.

4) Baby Driver
Speaking of entertaining films, what a crowd pleasing home-run of a film is Baby Driver! Full of pithy, bad ass one liners and jaw-droppingly choreographed chase scenes, this was one utterly enjoyable night at the pictures.

5) Colossal
Colossal made my top 5 for two reasons...

1. The premise which involves manifesting giant monsters overseas is absurd and yet, somehow, (in my personal opinion) this movie seems to pull it off without even trying.
2. I love the issues of morality, abuse and toxic small-town thinking that are explored within its extraordinary, larger-than-life narrative.

Thumbs up!

6) Paddington 2
I can't think of the last time I saw a more charming, comedic, beautiful and sincere family movie (well... maybe since the first Paddington now that I think about it). As the credits rolls my kids got up to leave but I told them not to be in such a hurry and just enjoy the moment. True be told, I needed to buy time to regain composure and wipe away a few tears.

P.S. Welcome back Hugh Grant

7) Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarok is 100% a Taika Waititi film. Also, Jeff Goldblum is in it. Need I say more?

8) The Big Sick
I wish more romantic comedies reached the same heights as the Big Sick. Wonderfully paced, laugh-out-loud funny, chemistry by the bucket loads and, most importantly, a story that is actually about something. I loved how gently and sincerely it dealt with the issues of cross-cultural relationships and the realities of being Pakistani in America while never losing sight of the romance (or comedy).

9) Logan
I wrote a very positive blog post about this movie a couple months back. It's a real testament to how amazing this year has been for movies that Logan comes in at number 9. I loved the gritty, brutal and fatalistic conclusion for such a beloved comic book franchise. Very brave and compelling film making.

10) The Lego Batman Movie
The laugh rate for this movie is intense. I also loved that my young kids and I were laughing at the same jokes. The Lego Batman Movie was everything I hoped it would be. I'm going to have to watch it again just to see all of the jokes and references I missed the first time around - it all happened so delightfully fast.

Proudly presenting... "Seed"

I am really excited about this piece! It's the first composition in a long time that I've really been able to sink my teeth into and I've loved ever minutes its creation.

You may be able to tell I got new software to play with and I may have gotten a little carried away in some places. That said, I'm liking the extremes across which I was able to stretch this one little "seed" of a theme in under three minutes.

Listen to "Seed"

Note: The final 45 seconds (the original theme) I recorded on the mini-grand piano backstage at Elim North

Silence - 2017

It took me a little while to get around to watching this masterpiece. It's one that you do need to be in the right mood for. It's slow, it's long, it's challenging... but man is it rewarding! It looks beautiful too - drawing you in with luscious scenery and a striking sense of time and place. "Silence" is unashamed to ask the hard questions and relentlessly pursue some resembles of an answer.

Maybe not everyone will be as deeply affected as I was simply due to lack of interest in the questions at the heart of the film. For me, I was fascinated by the concept of idolatrous martyrdom. Is martyrdom really the pinnacle of faith? Is it really worth any and every cost? Or does God's grace afford us a more holistic loyalty to His name?

It's a heart-breaking honest exploration into a very important and personal spiritual topic. Watch it and let me know what it says to you.

Logan - 2017

More than simply a well-constructed movie, Logan is a story unleashed. The characters are raw, real and wholly convincing. The action is wild and alarming. I was blown away by the sheer force of the fight sequences. The pain of each slice of the claws is so tangible you envy those who die quickly.

Make no mistake, Logan is a very bleak conclusion for two beloved, long-standing comic book characters. But what I absolutely loved about this movie was its honesty. After more than a decade I finally felt like I knew Wolverine and Charles Xavier. I guess that’s no surprise, for it’s often in the darkest moments that you’re faced with who you really are. Hugh Jackman carries the physical and emotional pain of his character with such believability that I found myself wincing with each step he took and each biting response he spoke.

The movie takes it’s time (when the heroes aren’t ferociously fighting for their lives) but I still struggled to leave the story when it finished. There has to be more! It got me thinking about the fact that "God set eternity in the hearts of man” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The story of life just shouldn’t end. It feels so wrong, so offensive when it does. Especially when endings are so messy – people get old, people get sick, people’s minds start to fail, people lose themselves and who they used to be.

That’s why I think it’s so important that Jesus came, not to give us heaven, but life itself; a life that never ends.

My Favourite Films of 2016

In January I like to come up with my top five films from the year just past. I usually just post the list on Facebook, but now that I have a blog I shall indulge in the details a little bit more. 😄

Ok, here we go...


1) Arrival
No surprise here since I've already written a post devoted to my absolute love for this movie. The breadth and subtlety of the human experience expressed in Arrival was astounding! The cinematography, the music, the ambitious story, the personal storytelling and Amy Adam's face - so much emotion conveyed with so few words.

2) The Witch
Where to begin with The Witch... This little movie instantly made waves upon its release. People started talking about it with much enthusiasm and much difficulty.  I always enjoy being in the know what a movie captures people's attention in one way or another. And I have to admit, the difficulty people seemed to have in describing it made me curious. So I rented it. I watched it. It was an experience. Many months on I am still as transfixed by it as I was that night. It dives into an area of fascination for me - that murky territory where spirituality and insanity coincide and you're left wondering which is fantasy and which is reality. While not a graphic movie by any means, it's upsetting - not for the faint of heart. I'd recommend it to anyone up for a challenge! And, from what I hear, each viewer tends to have their own uniquely different experience.

3) 10 Cloverfield Lane
A fantastic, stripped down thriller. With only three character and one room (for the most part), the dialogue is sharp, the acting riveting and the story professionally executed. I loved they way the movie toys with your understanding or expectations of the characters and the plot. It also has a very strong conclusion which killed it for some, but was a real treat for me.

4) Star Wars: Rogue One
I honestly never expected to have a Star Wars movie in my top five. I've never been that much of a fan of the original three (Episodes 4-6) or the franchise. But I went to see Rogue One mostly because one of my all time favorite directors, Gareth Edwards (check out Monsters), was at the helm. Boy am I glad I did. I was swept away in the drama of the rebel/empire conflict like never before. The dog fights in space and the war on the beach below was a spectacle to behold! Also, true confession time, I was relieved and delighted to experience for the very first time, a Star Wars score NOT written by John Williams (sorry John).

5) Finding Dory
When Finding Nemo came out all those years ago, I watched that movie in the cinema (I kid you not) five times! I loved it. It really struck a cord with me. And so there was some nervous excitement when it came time to check out Finding Dory. You know, I think it really helped that it was such a different kind of movie to the first one. While it didn't capture my imagination quite like Finding Nemo, it was fresh and fun sequal! Plus Pixar know how to tug at the heart strings. Definitely some man tears going on with the part with the shells at the end. Lots of laugh out loud moments as well. All and all, I was wonderfully not disappointed!

So that's it. A strong year for Science Fiction that's for sure. 2017 looks like it could be as well with the next Alien prequel coming up and the long awaited BLADERUNNER SEQUAL!!!!! 😲

What were your top five films of 2016?

"Good Will Come"

I've got a new original composition to share along with a few thoughts.

I've always been fascinated with small motifs (sometimes just a single note) running through an entire piece of music. I like having a constant for everything else to revolve around. I find it fascinating how a simple unchanging motif can take on so many different qualities depending on what is happening around it tonally.

On a poetic level, it speaks to me of time. Time is constant. It just keeps going. It doesn't get faster and it doesn't slow down. It is completely unaffected by the life that exists on top of it. Time and be cruel and it can be beautiful depending on the experience, the context or the perspective of the one observing it.

I took the picture of the tree you see here. No trick, no effects - this is actually what it looked like walking past. I love how drastically different the tree looks depending on your angle or perspective. There's scarcity and there's abundance entwined together in the same tree.

Paul said, in Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Because God travels through time with us, for better or for worse, there will be good.

Listen to “Good Will Come” by Nathan Mills

Arrival - 2016

I've been thinking about this blog post for the past few days, completely unsure as to how to begin. Walking out of the cinema after seeing "Arrival" I was speechless. Driving home,  getting ready for bed - still speechless. So let's see if I can finally find some words.

Sci-fi is often thought of as cerebral and adventurous, albeit somewhat emotionally cold. "Arrival", however, is a deeply personal movie. It is incredibly intelligent and thrilling, but its story telling is so firmly grounded in Amy Adam's character that you feel every heartbeat each step of the way. You experience what's unfolding on screen through her eyes and it feels unbelievably real. And I have to say, Amy Adams is on top form delivering a breathtaking and authentic performance!

Here's the premise: one day 12 spaceships suddenly appear over various locations around the world. No national landmark explosions or alien invasion, just these giant orbs hanging impossibly in the air. They are occupied though, so each country with one of these ships in their back yard tries in their own way to communicate with the new arrivals. Amy Adam's character is a linguistics professor and is brought along to assist in the attempts at communication.

It's not a film about aliens. It's a film about human intimacy. It explores the constructs of how we interact with each other and the many factors involved in communication; factors such as language, distance, culture, stress, fear, political motivations, grief, media soundbites, physical environment... the list goes on.

It's fascinating stuff, particularly the notion of how our language/communication effects our cognitive experience of the world. But so much more than that, "Arrival" is absolutely beautiful and profound in it's observations about life, love and loss.

I haven't even mentioned the cinematography and the music - oh the music! I was gripped, moved, thrilled, moved so more and just utterly UTTERLY absorbed in the story. It was an indescribable experience that couldn't have been more welcome this week with all that's going on in the world.

I'm going to go see it again. How about you?

Me again...

So, it's been a few months. I could blame the lack of creative output down to sickness. We have had a LOT of sickness in this house, and it does take it's toll - especially on the energy levels.

But also, if I'm being honest, working for and resigning from Creative Northland has really killed my creative ambitions. I was able to take a good hard look at the ugly side of creative industries. I saw a lot of selfishness, irresponsibility, manipulation, posturing, laziness, spite and malicious behavior. Unfortunately, the sad truth about freedom and subjective expression is that our innate human darkness can fester unchecked.

My response? Get the hell out.

I don't like giving up or backing away from a fight, but I just couldn't deal with it. I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed about that. I've always thought of myself as someone who could stand for truth and goodness in the midst of the alternative. I just couldn't see anything other than lose-lose scenarios around me.

Now what?

I struggle to create in isolation. I still need to be apart of a creative community. I need others who, imperfect though we may be, are committed to promoting truth and beauty in our common human experience. I don't want to lose faith in an entire sector of society - especially when I count myself among them.

Hopefully there will be some more post of interest in this blog over the coming weeks.

Hard Candy - 2005

I have put off doing a post on this movie, because my sister Julie once told me "I'm tired of you raving about a movie and then saying 'but I don't think you'd like it'." I have to admit, I am attracted to difficult subjects and often find myself wanting to recommend a movie and then not being able to think of anyone who could stomach what I just watched.

But then I figured, what else are blogs for! =) So, I give you Hard Candy. A film about a 14 year old girl who takes it upon herself to bring "justice" (or revenge?) to a pedophile she finds online. It's an incredibly tense, but brilliantly executed game of cat and mouse. I know that this is said about practically every thriller, but I reckon Hitchcock would have loved to make this movie! It's claustrophobic, twisted, terrifying and breathlessly suspenseful without showing any real nudity or gore.

The script is so tight! Every word is there for a reason and so much is said between the lines. The direction is creative and fresh. Most of the movie takes place in one room but it feels like your watching a car chase at times.

There are basically only the two characters in this film: the girl played by Ellen Page and the predator played by Patrick Wilson. Both actors give stunning performances that left me speechless - the casting couldn't be more perfect! When this movie came out, a lot of attention was given to Ellen Page who became an instant star (much like Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone...another movie definitely worth mentioning, perhaps it'll get it's own post). But I thought Patrick Wilson's charming, calm, friendly, human portrayal of someone with a heinous vice was refreshingly real. It's so easy to label certain criminals as monsters because their actions are monstrous. But we are all real people and who struggle to keep the monster within at bay. Some people struggle more than others, and some people's failures leave more devastation than others.

The plot is simple but the themes are complex. All of us have a God-given desire for justice and mercy. Hard Candy really plays on that in a profound way. What should justice look like for a pedophile? At first you're cheering on this 14 year old girl for turning the tables on this guy, but then over time she starts to look more and more like a young, female Moriarty.

I think everyone is going to take away something different from this film. For me, I loved how it challenged my assumptions about justice and mercy; I loved how it tackled such a difficult subject with confidence and energy. But most of all, it reminded me that only God can bring true justice. Only God can redeem those hurt by evil. The tension of justice and mercy is only walked well by us through His leading.

Kemble in B minor

Alright, here is my first foray into the world of Garage Band (computer software). Pretty pleased with how it's sounding so far, but at the same time a part of me know I've only just scratched the surface here.

This is the first piece of music I wrote on my Kemble upright piano. I used an electric guitar in place of a saxophone and cello.

What do you think?

Kemble in B minor

The Shadow - 1994

I'd never heard of "The Shadow" before a friend of mine suggested I check it out (thanks Jordan!). 1994 was a massive year for movies: "The Lion King", "Pulp Fiction", "Forrest Gump", "The Mask", "Speed", "The Shawshank Redemption", "The Santa Clause" ...the list goes on. Some big names there to compete with but I'm still surprised I never heard of this movie until a week or two ago.

"The Shadow" stars Alec Baldwin (his second film of that year) along with a slew of familiar facing you'll have fun IMDBing later. The story takes place in a 1930's Dick Tracey version of New York City. It's a superhero tale of good against evil - a war that rages internally as well as externally. The Shadow himself is an anti-hero on a quest for redemption; a character that has the class of James Bond with the powers of a Jedi (what a winning combination!). 

On one hand I'm a little disappointed that, in the end, the movie really doesn't do a lot with its themes of darkness (shadow) vs light or the nature of redemption. I felt that the character of the Shadow was set up to have a lot more depth than what ultimately played out on screen. But at the same time a part of me was relieved it didn't take itself too seriously. 

The truth is, I had a great time watching this movie. I was never so pleased to have a bowl of popcorn on my lap! Part of what made the movie so much fun was its uncompromising and delightfully macabre B movie sensibility with full on A movie production values. For 1994 it is still a visual treat!

The secret messages, old cars, swanky night clubs and cool brain-battles thrilled me like a child and the dark sense of humour amused me like an adult.

Ultimately a 3 star movie but your popcorn will never taste so good.

The Act of Killing - 2013

It's hard to know where to begin with this documentary. It contains some of the most incredible human responses I've seen captured on camera.

If you clicked on the link attached to poster you'd see the following IMDB plot synopsis:

A documentary which challenges former Indonesian death-squad leaders to reenact their mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers.

Doesn't sound like an easy watch, and it isn't. In 1965 there was a military coup in Indonesia which resulted in a massive anti-communist purge. During that year 1-2 million "communists" were tortured and killed. The military did a lot of their dirty work through a number of well known gangsters. These gangsters became national heroes for the service provided their country. I tell you what, even as I write this it is difficult to resist the temptation to put most of these words in ironic quotations: "gangsters", "heroes", "service", even "country".

As challenging a subject matter as this is, the documentary handles it with stunning bravery and elegance. The most fascinating thing for me was watching the different ways each gangster made their peace (or not) with the past. For any human being, to face reality of having done such atrocities once all the violence, power and political propaganda has faded is near impossible.

At first there is a real pride in the role they played in these killings. They are, after all, national heroes because of it. But as each one revisits their memories of the time and share stories with the camera crew there is a very visible war going on inside their heads. Some do an about-face and deny their involvement completely with some surprising lies. Some, even as they are hearing themselves tell these stories, start to try harder and harder to rationalise why the killings were good or even necessary. Some accept that what they did was terrible and leave it in the past. Some, sad to say, abandon all morals in order to maintain the believe they've done nothing wrong.

But the most compelling character in this documentary is a gangster named Anwar Congo who is fiercely committed to honesty and telling the whole story. He believes at the beginning that the truth will speak for itself. If what they did is as heroic as the government says it is, then they have nothing to hide. And while his story through the documentary is absolutely heart breaking, you champion him for keeping his heart open and allowing it to break. Again, I've never witnessed anything quite like this on film.

If you have any interest in human psychology, morality, history or film-making I urge you to check this phenomenal work!

A Little Ditty

I'm working on an ensemble piece and I plan to record using an electric guitar in place of a few of the instruments I can't play myself. I'd like to steer away from automated midi tracks as much as possible. Nothing wrong with using them (I done it myself for years), but for the next wee while I want to focus on generating sounds from real instruments - whether played by me or special guest performers.

All that to say, I'm waiting on an adapter in the mail to record the guitar tracks. So in the meantime, here is a little unrelated ditty. Enjoy.

Batman Returns - 1992

I read an IMDB article that ranked all of the Batman movies ever made and was surprised to see that Tim Burton's "Batman Returns" came just (barely) below "The Dark Knight" for first place. I have always loved the idea of Batman - a hero with an edge. As a little kid I used to run around with a Batman cape and fight crime. But my first introduction to Batman on the big screen was through Christopher Nolan's incredible trilogy. It never occurred to me that any previous cinematic incarnation might be on the same level.

So I decided I needed to check out "Batman Returns". And while I don't think it's on the same level with Nolan's trilogy in terms of character and story I have to say, a week on from watching the film, it has really stuck with me. This is thanks largely to the incredibly imaginative and immersive world Burton brings to life in his version of Gotham - the abandoned zoo being a particular highlight for me. What amazing set design!

Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer have a ball with their villainous roles of Penguin and Cat Woman. They throw themselves into these characters with enthusiasm and confidence. What you get are wildly entertaining performances that are just on the right side of silly.

Having been introduced to Michael Keaton for the first time last year in "Birdman", it was fun to finally see him playing the role that made him famous. He does a decent job and looks good in the suit. But, truth be told, there actually isn't a lot for him to do in this film.

The plot is simple and forgettable. The dialog is fine - again, just on the right side of cheesy.

All up, while this is not holistically masterful film-making, there is much to enjoy in "Batman Returns". I'd watch it again for the performances and for another chance to get lost in Tim Burton's lush, gothic, cartoony world.

The Setup

Why hello there! Welcome to my blog. I never thought I'd be the sort to write a blog as I generally don't feel my opinions are worth voicing on the internet nor did I feel I had time to devote to posting essays. But I changed my mind for two reasons...

1. Creating: I want to get serious about writing music again and I could use the motivation of putting new material on this blog.
2. Created: I get so excited about a good film (or even a bad one that affects me in some way) and it would be fun to have another outlet to voice this excitement other than dominating any given conversation with my long suffering friends and family - who's interest is genuine but still humanly limited.

So there you have it. I shall be posting bits and pieces of any given musical composition I have on the go as well as a few thoughts on any films (young and old) that strike me as I watch them.