Gone is a dramatic mystery thriller which follows Jill (Amanda Seyfried) who is convinced that her kidnapper from the past has returned and abducted her younger sister Molly (Emily Wickersham). The race is on for Jill as she sets out to find her kidnapper and save her sister despite every obstacle that is in her way.
Director Heitor Dhalia has stuck to traditional conventions of a thriller by using a well practiced combination of camera shots, soundtrack, editing and lighting. One of the most effective parts of the film for me were the jump cuts between past and present that develop the narrative as well as reinforcing the genre of the film. These sharps cuts are intensified by the grim lighting employed throughout the film. The dark tones effectively reflect the dark plot and themes that guide the story forward.
The film sets out to be fast paced and tense from the outset but for me is really driven by Seyfried's performance. While the techniques employed in this film are traditional of the thriller genre they're not exciting. For me, Gone relies way to much on well practiced conventions to create a mediocre film that heavily relies on its lead actress to make it work.
Gone is an easy enough film to watch but it doesn't challenge the genre it's trying to fit into and it doesn't deliver a memorable film for audiences. For me this film had a lot of potential, the back story was interesting but the plot just dragged along linked by some effective action scenes which ultimately just lead to another car which drives the plot from point A to B.
I am personally disappointed in this film. Genres and conventions have been established since the start of cinema and the great films of today are developing sub-genres, breaking conventions and even building new techniques and codes for identifying film genres. Although the ending had me glued to my screen it ended as quickly as it began and left me ultimately just wanting more.
This film just goes through the motions and offers no creative flare for its audience. On paper it ticks all the right boxes for editing, lighting, acting and the like but it doesn't excite. Perhaps I'm just expecting more or comparing it to other thrillers that I adore such as Se7en, but this film is simply average and just goes to show how relying on traditional genre conventions isn't enough in some cases. Unfortunately, for me personally Gone is one of these films you watch once and don't go back to again.
Emma
The Hunger Games brings to life the best selling book series by Suzanne Collins and creates an intense survival film and arguably one of the best films of 2012.
The Hunger Games follows the story of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) who voluntarily takes part in the 74th annual Hunger Games in which 24 children from the districts of Panem fight to the death for everyone to see. The film is all-consuming and emotional right from the out set and all the elements of this film work perfectly in sync to deliver an overwhelming sensory experience.
One of the things The Hunger Games does perfectly is use contrasting landscapes and places to really bring out the underlining themes of poverty and unrest within and between the 12 districts and the Capitol. Within the opening sequences there is a stark contrast between the initial interview scene with its vivid, almost unnatural colours to the grim, monochromatic state of Katniss' district (district 12).
As well as building detailed and insightful sets The Hunger Games cleverly uses costumes to reinforce these differences. While the Capitol citizens dress extravagantly, and you could argue futuristically, the district citizens look like an army of greys and simplicity which intensifies the differences between these people. Although the districts and the capitol are supposed to be one entire nationality the way the film is shot as well as the costumes and settings, for me, places them as polar opposites and creating split nationalities and identities within the nation of Panem.
By perfecting all these aspects of the film from costume to set design I feel that director Gary Ross has been able to create a beautiful and striking visual that builds several layers to the narrative. The film is a beautiful example of how elements of a film when well done can highlight deeper meanings and themes, and what's great about this film is that it's true to the themes in the original book.
I think The Hunger Games is a thought provoking film and was everything I wanted and expected. The way the film puts a modern interpretation on the theme of national identity is both clever and creative. I love how this modern interpretation of a classic theme is both thought provoking and a key element to constructing the film that can't be ignored. The Hunger Games is a deep and powerful film that has set up strong themes, characters and a fantastic plot that's an unforgettable start to this film trilogy.
What district do you think you would belong to, or would you be a capitol citizen?
Emma
Gone is a dramatic mystery thriller which follows Jill (Amanda Seyfried) who is convinced that her kidnapper from the past has returned and abducted her younger sister Molly (Emily Wickersham). The race is on for Jill as she sets out to find her kidnapper and save her sister despite every obstacle that is in her way. 
