Name: Katie Snow
Category: 15-19
School/College: Exeter College, Exeter
Film: The Orphanage

The Orphanage

The classic ghost story is revisited with a chilling contemporary twist in Juan Antonio Bayona’s first feature film The Orphanage. The support of producer Guillermo del Toro, whose previous achievements include Pan’s Labyrinth, is apparent throughout the production, his own films appearing to have held a significant influence.

A harrowing performance from Belén Rueda sees Spanish mother and wife Laura re-opening the gothic orphanage of her childhood, hoping to give a home to disabled children. Laura and her husband, Carlos, have an adopted child, Simón, who abruptly vanishes, prompting a dramatic search to recover him before something tragic ensues.

Screenwriter Sánchez takes this opportunity to delve deep into the exploration of the traditional 'ghost story', artfully weaving threads of fairy tale through the haunting horror that serves as a structural backbone for the story. In Laura’s own words, what we’re presented with is fantasy like a nightmare, inspiring curiosity and evoking terror at each tumultuous twist and turn. Though many of the electrifying devices utilised are effective, it is, as always, the understated fear of the unknown that packs the biggest punch.

Parallels can be drawn easily between this film and others, due to the typical conventions and storylines repeated within this genre. Most noticeably, The Orphanage holds distinct ties with The Others, which examines similar concerns with family values, and more crucially, the relationship between mother and child.

Ultimately, it is not the supernatural scares or the Hollywood-esque aesthetics of this film which make it so successful in provoking a reaction from its audience, but the poignant emotional journey and encounters the protagonists are forced to face.

Judge's comments:
"Katie made an impressive case for this chiller noting perceptively its take on 'family values, and more crucially the relationship between mother and child'."

Name: Ania Magliano
Category: 11-14
School/College: Wycombe Abbey School, Bucks
Film: It's a Wonderful Afterlife

It's a Wonderful Afterlife

Having loved many films directed by Gurinda Chada, I was one of the first in the cinema. Even the title – It’s a Wonderful Afterlife (a play on the classic 'It's a Wonderful Life') suggests a fun packed comedy.

The plotline is centred around a typical Indian mother (Shabana Azmi) living in Southall, who is obsessed with making sure her daughter, Roopi (Goldy Notay), leads a happy and more importantly, married life. However, Roopi is slightly chubby and opinionated and is rejected rudely by her potential suitors, Her mother avenges this behaviour towards her daughter by murdering the failed dates – or their parents – using her Indian culinary skills, but when the police start searching for the serial killer, Mrs Sethi is visited by some unusual guests.

Taking into account it took Chadha two and a half years to write the script for this movie, it definitely lives up to its expectations. The costumes and make up were outstanding and added colour to the normally dull scene of London. The cinematography showed the audience and insight to an Indian lifestyle, but with a twist. Along with the laugh out loud moments in this film, watching the cast bust a move to ‘Stayin Alive’ during the credits leaves the audience begging for more.

Despite this film receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews, I still highly recommend it. I laughed until I cried, along with the rest of the cinema. The characters are so real you just want to reach out and touch them. If you haven’t already added this film to your 'to see' list, then get a pen and add it on now!

Judge's comments:"Ania bravely takes on a critically reviled movie and offers a much more positive and persuasive spin on the subject matter and its execution."

Name: Harmony Rose Bremner
Category: 7-11
School/College: St Mary's RC Primary School, Edinburgh
Film: The Illusionist

The Illusionist

From the director of 'Bellville Rendezvous' comes the film about a French magician (Jean-Claude Donna) a young girl (Edith Rankin). With Sylvain Chomet directing this enchanting movie, it is a must see this year.

The Illusionist is about an old 'had been' French magician and a lonely young girl from rural Scotland, who meet when the Illusionist travels to Scotland to find work. Although there is an obvious age difference, they form a strong bond. He loves her like father while the girl is intrigued by his illusions. Together they travel though Scotland, settling in Edinburgh. The magician finds odd jobs and is able to look after the girl. Eventually the girl finds love with someone her own age and the magician realises that she no longer needs him. Sadly, he leaves her via a letter, telling the girl that magicians do not exist. This is an emotional break up because the magician truly loves the girl.

I loved this movie because it had it all. Humour – when the illusionist's magic tricks go wrong. Emotion – when the magician sadly watches the girl drift away with her newfound love. Music – the wonderful way that the music enhances the changing emotions of the characters. I particularly loved the animation, how it captured the beauty of the familiar sights of Edinburgh, I felt as if I were walking the same road as the girl in the film.

Although, The Illusionist has a PG certificate, its semi-silent and visual animation can sometimes seem complicated, particularly for children under the age of nine. Yet the fragments of mumbled dialogue add mystery, leaving the audience to interpret the story in their own way, making The Illusionist an exceptional film.

Judge's comments: "Taking on quite a tough/ non-obvious movie to review, Harmony does an excellent job pointing out aspects of the plot and the story's more emotional ambitions."

Name: Sidni Brener
Category: 4-7
School/College: Valley Road Nursery, Henley-on-Thames
Film: Toy Story 3

Judge's comments: Sidni has managed to capture the spirit of the Toy Story movies in this colourful poster. Not only did he cleverly think of using the ‘nursery’ setting in keeping with the film, but he also included 3 Pizza Planet aliens , cheekily peeking over the edge of the poster – a great use of space and an effective design motif.