Reviews Round Three

Reviews by Andrea

Blindfold by Obsessive24 - Best Video and Judge's Choice

Blindfold is a superbly edited, stunning visual treat & an insightful study of an underappreciated relationship in Angel. I love the parallels you show in the characters, how they save each other and strive to do so, from their first meeting in Pylea through the arrival of Jasmine to the final season where W&H which threatens to corrupt them from within.

This is a beautiful song by Morcheeba, so perfect in pace and tone for the subject matter. You create an entrancing introduction that has us drifting dreamlike to Fred's new 'cave' at the Hyperion, superb time toggle as we glide along her graffiti wall and then stop to a drum beat. Some beautiful clip to lyric matches, how can 'tell them I've gone' not raise a lump in any fans throat.

I really love the sequence from the 'scratching' at 0.33 with Jasmine, you have breathtaking internal motion as the bullet puffs away her cardigan on exit, and finally strikes Angel at around 0.52 on the cymbal crash, whilst intercut with their escape in Pylea.

There are also some wonderful Clip matches as Fred turns from the wall in room to the cave, the bloody hand that becomes the hand of the black thorn, the soul as it rises in the sky and becomes the sun. I also love how the clip of Fred looking into Angel at 2.14 kind of foreshadows Angel staring into the Hole in the World on his attempt to save Fred.

I also adored how, just prior to the kiss, you fade into Jasmine all aglow as the sound of the strings rise. Returning to it at 2.39 intercut with Fred pulling back her bloody hand from Angel in the cave and wonderful masking where she fades from the picture. The final sequences with fantastic zooms and time toggling, (Angel's signature to the strings!) and what can I say about the overlays - just pulling at all the heartstrings as we see Fred's face as Angel goes into the final battle.

A simply superb video full of understanding and emotion, not just a technical exercise and it truly reminds me of all the reasons why I love this show so much and am still rue the day it ended.

 

Prelude 12-21 by Wolfpup  - Best Video RU

Prelude 12-21 is a wonderful vidlet exploring how Sam has affected the lives of all those close to him.

You have chosen a song with so much potential and you haven't squandered any opportunity to use all the interesting aspects of the music. Great use of the 'music box' introduction to the babies mobile and flickering nightlight, and good clip to lyric matching especially with 'lay me to sleep' without becoming repetitive. The ending is perfect and chilling with the return of the music box strains and the final 'lay me to sleep'. I personally felt that being shorter than the normal video also adds to the impact of this piece, and I must admit that it would immediately make me want to watch it again.

I loved your use of the internal motion, such as the head turn at 0.45, Dean hitting the post at 0.57 & Meg's eyes at 1.21 and flashes to the drum beats/claps/voices. You have used effects with care in combination with 'vision' clips, reinforcing that sense of chaos but still allowing the vid to flow. A very entertaining SPN vid.
 

Reviews by Shona

Blindfold

The use of internal motion as a set up and introduction to the themes of this vid is beautifully done, the clip choices are wonderful and the matching of lyrics to visuals is subtly done without ever becoming predictable.

Technically this vid is of an incredibly high standard - the match cut of Fred turning from the wall at 0:29-0:30 being the perfect example of something that film editors struggle for years to be able to achieve but which is ultimately an innate talent (can you tell I'm jealous yet? *g*). The continued use of motion in the vid echoes this intuitive grasp of editing.

Fred's continued search for personal identity is wonderfully captured in the lyrical content, and the overlays in the final segment of the vid are just incredible. Especially notable is the final overlay of Fred's smile fading slowly over the top of the battle in the alley. The hairs on the back of my neck are still standing on end here.

Overall, a wonderfully accomplished vid that manages to make me smile warmly and send shivers up my spine at the exact same moment. Kudos!
 

Prelude 12-21

When I'm watching the nominated vids for the first time in order to shorlist them, I have a list of all the entries and I scribble notes down on that list for my initial impressions. There is one word written next to this vid title on that list. Wow.

I'm a Dean girl personally, but this exploration of Sam and his view of the effect he has on those around him is almost enough to make me a Sammy girl. The vid is that good.

The use of the effects from the show itself and the subtle overlay of effects introduced to the vidder (to the extent where I went back to the source material just to make sure the effects I was seeing weren't in the original) is just awesome.

The subtle progression of those people who have been affected by Sam's presence in their lives - from Sam's view in a negative way - is beautifully done, mirroring the linear timeline of the source material. And the final clip choice, with the overlay of the mobile and Sam's contented face as he settles back into what he sees as normality, as well as being beautifully executed, I find this a starkly chilling ending personally.

This vid? Made of awesome.