The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann (2019)

A Spoiler-Free Discussion

Directed By: Chris Smith

Genre: Documentary

Madeleine McCann’s disappearance is one of the most intriguing and enduring mysteries of the twenty-first century. A three-year-old girl vanishes from her bedroom in Praia da Luz, Portgual on the night of April 3, 2007. Quickly, she becomes the single most famous and recognisable missing person in the world. Nearly twelve years (and £18 million) later, we are still none the wiser as to what happened to her.

It’s no secret that Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry, were publicly made ‘arguidos’ or ‘official suspects’ when the investigation was still open under the Policia Judiciar (PJ). Since the Portuguese police closed the case in 2008, the McCanns employed private detectives and have benefited from the expertise of the Leicestershire Police and Scotland Yard, including the £12 million taxpayer-funded Operation Grange, to pursue their theory that an abductor snatched Madeleine. Since the PJ closed the case, their police files have been freely available on the internet (mccannpjfiles.co.uk if you’re interested). Alongside the inordinate quantities of newspaper articles and television appearances from the McCanns, the information shared has allowed the global general public to formulate their own theories.

As a follower of true crime, I was well-versed in the detail and politics of this case before I learned of the documentary. When I heard that Kate and Gerry McCann had denounced it, citing that ‘they didn’t ask for it and don’t see how it will help the search for Madeleine on a practical level’, I was intrigued to know why. Could it be that the documentary was accusing them of involvement in their daughter’s disappearance? Otherwise, how could publicity, at a time when people may well have been forgetting about the ongoing search, be a bad thing? With this in mind, it came as something of a surprise when I watched the documentary and found that it seemed to sway far more in the McCanns favour than against them.

Having watched many (many, many, many) documentaries on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, from reputable BBC reconstructions to ludicrous conspiracy theorists on YouTube, I have seen far more people presenting their evidence of the McCanns guilt than of their innocence. It was interesting, therefore, to see something which seemed to give them the benefit of the doubt. They showed just how easy it is to throw out claims and act as though they are insignificant, because truly the issue with this case is a fundamental lack of tangible physical evidence and overwhelming political and financial influence.

Though it was disappointing to see just how many of the people interviewed on the documentary were friends and family of the McCanns or tabloid journalists rather than criminal experts, I did enjoy the testimonials of fired Portuguese detective Gonçalo Amaral, despite the fact that the reconstructions did appear to demonise the PJ and their investigation. It was also interesting to hear from the formerly accused Robert Murat and Sergey Malinka. Sadly, there were no interviews with the McCanns themselves or any of the Tapas 7.

In general, I found the documentary stretched four episodes of material into eight. Believe me, there are definitely more than eight episodes worth of theories and evidence, but this documentary was very selective about what was shown, focusing heavily on history (such as that of the town of Praia da Luz) and the influence of the media. Some of this content was interesting to me as someone who already knows the case well, but I quite often found myself bored and wondering why certain irrelevant anecdotes were included when there was so much of the case which was left ignored or unexplored. That being said, the presence of the media in the lives of the McCanns, regardless of their innocence or guilt, is staggering and inappropriate, which I’ve not seen much attention drawn to before.

In all, I didn’t learn much that was new from this series, but it does propose a different point of view. The documentary also served as a reminder that we should not forget about Madeleine McCann and should remember that at the heart of all the cadaver dog alerts and lack of credible eye witnesses, a young girl disappeared. That is a tragedy no matter how or why it happened.

In the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds and each year 80,000 children are reported missing. 20% of trafficked or unaccompanied-in-care children have not been found. For more information, or to see what you can do to help, visit missingpeople.co.uk or missingpersons.police.uk.

The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann is currently streaming on Netflix.

Public’s view: This documentary series averages 63/100 across IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What did you think of the documentary? If you enjoyed this discussion, give it a like, comment or share, tweet me @emmalhooker, or subscribe to this blog via my Facebook Page ‘In Touch With Humanity’ for access and updates on all my content. Cheerio!

The Greatest Films of All Time

It’s a daunting question: What makes a movie one of the greats? How do we assess what makes an amazing movie? It’s a question that I’ve pondered for a long time. The art of film is not one that can be broken down into binary pieces and tallied. There is no defined way in which we sit and grade a movie, whether we are critics, film students or the average movie-goer. That being said, most of us know on some level when we have watched a great movie. There are some movies that are almost universally well-liked. What is it about these movies that makes them so special?

In my opinion, there is a difference between a movie that is great because of its power, its statement, its place in history, and a movie that is great because it is well-written, beautifully directed and superbly acted. Also, I believe that when we talk about what makes a movie great on paper, we often forget the most crucial aspect of film: entertainment. A movie must be entertaining. That doesn’t necessarily mean laugh-a-minute or chock-full of violence, but it should be engaging, well-executed, satisfying, watchable and, in the best cases, original.

Anyone who knows me is aware that I take movies seriously. I can barely make it through a movie I know and love without spouting off trivia. I know how many movies I’ve seen. I know what each one of them is called. I’m insane, I know. The reason is simply that I love movies. I love everything about them, and I want to share that love with you all. So, I’m going to blog as much as I can about the films, directors, actors, composers and writers which I adore. Hopefully, it will be entertaining.

What better place to begin than the greatest movies of all time – at least, according to IMDb, the Internet Movie Database. I’ve seen what are regarded as the Top 15 Greatest Movies of All Time. To introduce you to how I perceive movies, and what makes each of these movies deserving of its place in the Hall of Fame, I’ve re-ranked the same list of movies according to my personal preference. This was incredibly difficult to do, as they are all fantastic movies, but I stand by my list. If you disagree, please let me know in the comments, I would love to know what you think.

Without further ado, let’s get cracking.

15.          Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)   

My Score – 93/100

Place on IMDB: 14                                                               

IMDb Score 8.8/10          

Iconic Line: No, I am your father.

One thing that is amazing about the IMDb Top 10 is just how many of the movies on that list are sequels. Episode V was released three years after its blockbuster predecessor, and far superseded it. It would be wrong to talk about the greatest movies of all time without mentioning Star Wars, and in a way, I wish I could place the whole original trilogy in this 15th place. For a children’s movie, Star Wars appealed to adults and children alike, building a world and reality which is still being explored today, over forty years since the original. Though the special effects may be dated, the heart and imagination have truly stood the test of time.

14.          Fight Club (1999)                                                                  

My Score – 93/100

Place on IMDB: 11                                                                

IMDb Score – 8.8/10       

Iconic Line: The first rule of fight club, is you do not talk about fight club.

Based on Chuck Palahniuk’s book of the same name (which I recommend you read by the way, it’s awesome), it’s hard to think of many other movies which have cemented so deeply into modern culture. Fight Club inspired a generation, and not always in the way which the book’s author intended or anticipated. Arguably one of the most dangerous and misunderstood movies of all time, it is undeniably entertaining, gritty and intelligent. The narration sparkles, there is black humour galore, and the bizarre Fincher cinematography with freeze-frame, fish-eye and POV warps our perspective to remind us of our character’s warped attitudes to life.

13.          Forrest Gump (1994)                                                     

My Score – 94/100

Place on IMDB: 13                                               

IMDb Score – 8.8/10       

Iconic Line: Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.

Robert Zemeckis’ Best Picture Winner is a timeless exploration of life’s beauty and lessons through the eyes of a man with below-average IQ. It is an inspiring tale of success against all odds, love across decades and how the actions of one person shape the lives that we all lead. America’s sweetheart Tom Hanks delivers a stellar performance as the titular Forrest, the script proffers iconic line after iconic line, the cinematography is beautiful, and it takes us on a deeply enriching journey. Though praised for its portrayal of complex female characters and disability, it has come under some controversy in recent years for its apparent erasure of black history.

12.          The Godfather Part II (1974)                                          

My Score – 94/100

Place on IMDB: 4                                                             

IMDb Score – 9.0/10

Iconic Line: Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

This movie was the first sequel to win Best Picture. Some people argue that this movie is actually better than the original. While I think that possibly the characters and the depravity of the criminal antics are explored better in Part II, I think it is impossible to conceive of The Godfather’s world without Marlon Brando’s Vito Corleone. Al Pacino is at once sympathetic and terrifying as he is consumed by his new role, the direction is as flawless as it was in the original, the whole movie is swathed in an elegance and nuance which elevates it far above other gangster and crime movies. Perhaps this character study is not as accessible to today’s audience, but it stands as a masterpiece of filmmaking.

11.          Inception (2010)                                                    

My Score – 95/100

Place on IMDB: 10                                                    

IMDb Score – 8.8/10

Iconic Line: You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.

I acknowledge that I am a sucker for the work of Christopher Nolan. Inception is not a perfect movie, but its ambition and imagination are simply staggering. There are so many ideas, characters, worlds and themes explored in this movie, that it’s no wonder so many people found it confusing on an initial viewing. The visuals are nearly unparalleled in invention, there is a wonderful sense of fun for the characters and filmmakers as they are allowed to place the same characters in myriad different locations and situations. The concept is entirely original, with sci-fi elements so inspired they are reminiscent of The Matrix. We all have our opinions on the ending.

10.          The Godfather (1972)                                                 

My Score – 95/100

Place on IMDb: 2                                                        

IMDb Score – 9.2/10

Iconic Line: I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.

Few films have been parodied and referenced in popular culture to the extent that The Godfather has. Sleeping with the fishes, revenge being a dish best served cold and a decapitated horse’s head in a bed – this is where it all began. A disturbing family portrait, The Godfather lingers in the mind long after its first viewing. It is undeniably the finest work of Francis Ford Coppola; we all just wish he had never let his daughter take to the screen in Part III. The Corleone family are possibly the most famous family in film history, headed by the incomparable Marlon Brando, who many consider to be the finest film actor of all time. Only fitting that he should be best remembered by this movie.

9.            The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)                     

My Score – 96/100

Place on IMDb: 9                                                              

IMDb Score – 8.9/10

Iconic Line: There are two kinds of people in the world.

It’s not just A spaghetti western, it’s THE spaghetti western. Bounty hunters, gunslingers, outlaws, a fortune in gold and incredible aliases (looking at you ‘Angel Eyes’), this movie has everything that you could possibly want from this setting, including a powerhouse performance by Clint Eastwood, an icon of the genre, and a breath-taking score from legendary Ennio Morricone. Especially for its time, this is an exercise in grim brutality, gallows humour and bleak cinematography which even now transports you to the Confederate versus Union nightmare of the Old West. It is a morality tale, an adventure and a timeless classic. Even if you never watch another western, watch this one.

8.            The Dark Knight (2008)                                            

My Score – 96/100

Place on IMDb: 3                                                                

IMDb Score – 9.0/10

Iconic Line: Some men just want to watch the world burn.

Another Christopher Nolan, another sequel, but the first and only superhero movie on this list. Superheroes have been a staple in pop culture for a century, but Nolan’s dark and slightly more realistic take on the caped crusader changed the public’s attitude towards them forever, and arguably ignited the phenomenon of action-packed, grittier and grounded comic book heroes which plague our cinemas today. It’s a pity that the DC Universe has never quite repeated its success with Nolan’s trilogy, but The Dark Knight rightfully holds its place in the Hall of Fame, not least for a staggering performance by Heath Ledger, who earned the very first and only posthumous Academy Award, and the first Academy Award for a superhero movie. The Dark Knight is a pioneer.

7.           Schindler’s List (1993)                                                          

My Score – 97/100

Place on IMDb: 7                                                                   

IMDb Score – 8.9/10

Iconic Line: Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.

Everyone should see this movie. Everyone. Even writing about it makes me emotional. Oskar Schindler’s story is one which shows truly how the actions and beliefs of one person can make a difference to thousands, even millions of others. As a true story, this account of heroism and bravery holds even more merit, and the harrowing portrayal of life under the Nazi regime is unabashedly stark and horrifying. It is difficult to watch this movie for all the right reasons, especially Ralph Fiennes shattering performance as Goeth. Shot in black and white despite being made in 1993, we are almost deluded into believing what we are watching is archival footage, but for me it does alienate the audience by placing the Holocaust far into the past, when it is something that we should acknowledge as part of our recent history.

6.            12 Angry Men (1957)                                                                  

My Score – 97/100

Place on IMDb: 8                                                                      

IMDb Score – 8.9/10

Iconic Line: Gentleman, that’s a very sad thing… to be nothing.

This is the oldest movie on the list and there is a very good reason that it has stood the test of time: it’s still relevant. Following the old doctrine of the Three Greek Unities, there is one story and no subplot, one room where the action takes place and it is just one day that passes. The twelve titular men are the twelve men of a jury in a case to convict a young boy to death for the crime of murder, and we follow their deliberations as to whether they can prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The adage of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is rigorously explored as the movie deals with prejudice, racism, justice, capital punishment, morality, mob-mentality and the essence of knowledge and truth. There are lessons to be learned here for any viewer.

5.            The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)                

My Score – 98/100

Place on IMDb: 15                                                             

IMDb Score – 8.7/10

Iconic Line: There’s some good in this world, Mr Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.

The Lord of the Rings holds the unique claim of having all three movies of its original trilogy in the IMDb Top 15 Greatest Movies of All Time. While some believe that The Two Towers is not nearly as good as its predecessor or successor, I hold all three in extremely high regard. We spend far more time with series icon Gollum and villain Saruman, are introduced to powerhouse warrior Eowyn, are privy to the incredible Battle of Helm’s Deep, and we are introduced to the hilarious Ents as they slowly ascertain their opinions on Merry and Pippin. Peter Jackson somehow made the intricately complex and foreign world of Tolkien’s novels come to life in an accessible, beautiful and ageless way and of the three, The Two Towers is underrated.  

4.            The Shawshank Redemption (1994)                                   

My Score – 98/100

Place on IMDb: 1                                                                    

IMDb Score – 9.3/10

Iconic Line: Get busy living or get busy dying.

This holds pride of place at the very top of the IMDb list, the people’s vote for the single Greatest Movie of All Time. It is beautiful. Above all else, it is a story of hope, of decency and redemption, a modern retelling of the story of Jesus. It warms the heart to see a film which feels refreshingly honest without being depressingly cynical. Based on a Stephen King short story and brought to life with Frank Darabont’s delicate direction and Morgan Freeman’s effortless gravitas, there are few movies which can pull on the heartstrings and make it sound like Mozart.

3.            The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)            

My Score – 99/100

Place on IMDb: 5                                                              

IMDb Score – 8.9/10

Iconic Line: I am no man.

This movie won eleven Oscars. Eleven. It’s a feat of filmmaking which is pretty much faultless. My wish for filmmakers of the future is to return to the elaborate costume and makeup over the use of CGI for villains, for it makes for a far more cohesive production. For most lovers of the trilogy, this is the favourite, and it’s easy to understand why. There was enormous pressure for this movie to live up to The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, and it delivered at every turn, wrapping up the stories for each character in a satisfactory and climactic fashion. It’s what we all wanted.

2.            The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)    

My Score – 99/100

Place on IMDb: 12                                                                      

IMDb Score – 8.8/10

Iconic Line: One does not simply walk into Mordor.

It’s not everyone’s favourite of the trilogy, but it’s mine. It’s our introduction to the world, to the story, to the characters and their motivations, and with every viewing this movie only gets better. I would argue that Howard Shore’s score plays much more of a role in the first movie and stakes its presence so deeply and completely that it feels like another character. There is far more of a sense of mystery in the first movie, so much more direct contrast and conflict for the characters as we see them leave their life of comfort for a life of adventure and bravery. The charm of the unlikely friendships, the persistent humour, the stunning New Zealand landscapes, there are a thousand reasons to enjoy this movie time and time again.

1.            Pulp Fiction (1994)                                                            

My Score – 100/100

Place on IMDb: 6                                                              

IMDb Score – 8.9/10

Iconic Line: They call it a Royale with Cheese.

There’s not much to say because there’s so much to say. It’s Pulp Fiction. It’s perfect. Quentin Tarantino’s exercise in violence and human relationships is so outrageously funny, so manipulative in its use of time and space and so unafraid to push the boundaries of cinema, to not answer questions and to exploit the nuances of context and subtext in dialogue, that I have no choice but to place it at my number one spot. Tarantino never lets you relax for a single moment, challenges his audience, and each viewing only lets you fall deeper in love with the complexities and richness of these characters. The star-studded ensemble cast entertain in every frame as we are simultaneously liberated and controlled by the filmmakers. A masterpiece.

So that’s my list! Please do let me know what you think, whether you agree or disagree, whether you love or hate any of these movies. Are there movies that you think should be in the IMDb Top 15 that aren’t? Comment below or find me on social media @emmalhooker. Until next time, cheerio.   

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