Film review - ‘The Boy’

I enjoy films that keep you in the shadows until the very end; the more mystifying and dark the puzzle, the happier I am. Because of this ‘The Boy’ is one of the best films I have ever watched.

‘The Boy’ is a psychological thriller set in an isolated old manor in a remote English village. It follows a young American named Greta (Lauran Cohan) who accepts a job as a nanny for an 8 year old boy named Brahms (Jett Klyne). Greta is given an oddly detailed list of strict rules to follow by Brahms’ parents regarding his care. These seem truly ludicrous when Greta learns that the child is in fact a life-size porcelain doll. The parents have substituted the doll as a way of coping, having lost their son twenty years earlier. ‘Lost’ being a not-entirely-accurate description of what happened to the boy as Greta soon discovers.

Understandably, Greta sees little point playing along with charade when the parents aren’t watching and so takes it upon herself to give no attention to the doll. The idea clearly plays on her mind though, and - possibly because of the lonely, bizarre nature of her task - she begins to imagine the doll is in some way sentient. Could she be right? As she descends further into the horrifying thought that this mannequin could be alive she resorts to marking its position with chalk to - we hope - prove she is wrong. Before long there’s little doubt that Brahms is capable of creating a series of disturbing, frightening and unfathomable events. Greta is exposed to things she never thought were possible, leading her to believe that the doll is not only alive, but not happy about it too.

Although ‘The Boy’ is not best suited for young children, I think it’s a great watch for teenagers and adults. It constantly has you thinking and waiting eagerly for something to happen. Once it's finished, you’ll feel unnerved, constantly looking over your shoulder. Then you’ll want to watch it again.

I would personally highly recommend this film and would definitely rate it 5 stars. As far as psychological thrillers go, this has got to be one of the best.

Empathy

you had your chance to stop this mess,

but you didn’t, passed onto our generation the stress,

you still do nothing even now,

honestly, i can’t comprehend how,

you were able to pollute our world without another thought,

gave up the battle, hardly having fought.

you carry on with your deforestation,

recklessly destroying nation upon nation,

continuing to use every single fossil fuel,

staying as stubborn as a mule,

refusing to even acknowledge the affects,

making this situation even more complex.

as the sea levels continued to rise,

you stared unknowingly at our demise,

as you witnessed a large forest fire,

barely noticed when global emissions got higher,

watched as our earth became a barren land.

which is why we take a stand.

we are left with ten years to fight,

and i promise you that we will with all our might,

our generation WILL be the generation,

to combat all of your gross neglection,

there is no planet b,

no conceivable way for you to flee.

Empathy

I am always here for you, for you are not alone You may be thinking it is hopeless, and that you are on your own, But that is not the case my friend, never has been, never will.

I will be the sunny warmth for your cold, autumn chill.

If you do not want positivity, I will give you consolation.

I'd give you the world, I'd give the entire nation, To see you smile, it's what I crave, But your sorrow locks you up, you are its slave.

I understand this feeling, and know that you need time.

But my pain is your pain, and yours is mine.

Lead me to your hardship, my hand I will loan, I am always here for you, for you are not alone.

Empathy

When we open up we see the true colours come out the jar

You might be wondering what these feelings are

Some colours we might have never seen before

But you may feel pain deep in your core

Although it will take time to heal

And you may miss your next three meals

Even Though the skies seem dark

You will eventually find a spark

However long it takes to get over

I will be here like your lucky clover

I will never leave your side

I am always here to wipe your tears once you have cried

Empathy

Confetti at a wedding and a smile on my face,

The natural beauty brings me joy.

The beautiful beaches wash away my sadness,

The sound of laughter put a smile on my face

The blackness of a funeral and a tear runs down my cheek,

The sadness of Remembrance Day brings pain to my heart.

The injustice of people brings sadness to my face,

The loneliness of the elderly brings sadness to my face.

The beauty of spring brings a joy to everyone,

The sounds of lambs put a smile on my face

The sight of new life brings joy to everyone.

The yellowness of daffodils warm up my smile.

The darkness of winter makes me shiver,

But the excitement of Christmas brings me joy.

The anticipation of opening presents make me happy,

The sight of snow makes me smile.

There it hangs,

The daring object on the wall,

One look and it reveals it all.

The proportions of your body twist and bend,

Creating a painting of you not even Picaso can mend.

You move from mirror to mirror to check if what you see is true,

But with each one , comes something new.

“Is it the reflection or my mind that tricks me?

When I walk around in public is this what they all see?”

I know how it feels to see society and feel you don’t belong,

But you see my dear you have got it all wrong,

Your nose isn’t too big nor are your feet too small,

Our funfair mirrors play tricks on us all.

Red pen.

I remember the day we first met,

A face like yours? I could never forget.

You asked for my red pen,

That’s when I knew, there and then.

Only at the age of three,

You were going to always be stuck with me.

I remember our first valentines,

Where you first noticed the signs.

You think I'd ever let you go?

I thought you got the memo.

Now at the age of thirteen,

The red snapdragons should show what I mean.

I remember the red ruby ring,

You asked me one hot spring.

Why would I say no?

Don’t you know this is all part of my show?

I’ve built you like some worthless machine, Married and only nineteen.

I remember the only time i had to let you go, The only time where there was just a shadow.

I saw you go on that big red bus,

It felt wrong; almost treasonous.

Everything would just go mundane,

I already felt like I was going insane.

Time’s Winding Path

Tick tock goes the clock, hours turning to days, Time’s winding path is long and hard,

You're going to lose your way.

And so it is your life begins,

An infant young and pure,

Thrust into a world of confusion,

And what for?

Tick tock goes the clock, days turning to years, You’ve begun your journey, It’s a long trip but you persevere.

In a few years you’re leaving school,

And as you age you begin to see,

That these bricks and walls will be here forever, But what about me?

Tick tock goes the clock, years turning to decades, You near the middle of Time’s winding path, Starting your life's next phase.

In these years, you find love.

But there, in the corner of your mind,

A thought, you have got so much to live for, But what have you left behind?

Tick tock goes the clock, decades turning to dust.

You’ve reached the end of Time’s winding path.

And you have begun to rust.

And here we are, the end of the road.,