Stagecoach and True Grit
Stagecoach is a classic western and True Grit exemplifies several characteristics seen in Stagecoach and other classic western films. Rooster Cogburn is the classic reluctant and independent hero. At first Cogburn is unwilling to help Mattie, the classic reluctant hero. But soon Cogburn tells Mattie that he will kill Chaney, but that she can't come with him on his hunt for Tom, reinforcing the idea that he is independent. In Stagecoach, the hero Ringo is a very independent. He doesn't want any help when it comes to killing the men who killed his family, he kills the three men on his own with only three bullets. Another commonality between the two films, and other classic westerns, is that they are about revenge and personal forms of justice. Mattie wants Chaney dead for killing her father and Ringo wants to kill the men who killed his family. This idea of revenge is consistent in all classic westerns and provides motivation for characters and plots. Another classic part of westerns is the action and use of guns. In True Grit there is especially a lot of gun shots near the end when they shoot the men on the horses and Mattie finally kills Chaney. In Stagecoach basically the only scenes with guns are the one when the Indians are attacking the stagecoach and when Ringo kills the men, but that isn't really an action scene it is just the sound of the gun shots. The use of action scenes with guns that aren't overly violent, are a classic element of westerns and are present in both Stagecoach and True Grit.
Unforgiven and True Grit
Unforgiven is a revisionist western film and True Grit shares many of the same qualities. First of all, in both films women are given bigger roles. In Unforgiven Alice plays the defiant feminist who will not back down when it comes to getting justice for Delilah who was attacked by two cowboys. In True Grit Mattie, at least to me, is the main character. Mattie is the one who convinces Cogburn to kill Chaney and forces Rooster to let her come on the hunt. Mattie seems more like the hero of the story because she is the one that seeks out the revenge and in the end she is the one who actually kills Chaney. Another similarity between the two films is that the journey is begun because one person begs another to help them kill a criminal. In Unforgiven it is the Kid who asks Will Munny to come with him and kill the two cowboys who attacked Delilah and in True Grit it is Mattie who never backs down on Cogburn, convincing him to help her kill Chaney. Also, in these films it seems as if the main male characters are very forceful and clever when trying to complete their task. There are several scenes that stick out that show this similar behavior. In True Grit Cogburn cuts off a mans fingers to get information and smokes people out of their house. Both of these measures seem extreme, but Cogburn felt that the end (killing Chaney) justified all of his actions. In Unforgiven Munny is able to kill all of the people in the bar, even though it is one against many. Although Munny didn't really need to kill all of the men, he felt that he needed to defend Ned, an innocent man, so to him his actions were justified.
True Grit: a classic western theme through the eyes of a revisionist hero
Overall I think that True Grit is a classic western. The motivation of the characters, along with the theme of the film, is revenge and taking justice into their own hands. I also think that the setting was very classic with its flatness and wide open feel. I think that a lot of the shots were also very classic, especially all of the long shots establishing and showing off the setting, which is important to westerns. I also think that the characters, especially Cogburn with his reluctance to be a hero, are reminiscent of classic westerns. Also, in this film it doesn't seem to be focused on the civilization of the frontier, so because civilization isn't necessarily shown as a negative, it is a classic western element. The only reason that I think that True Grit has a little bit of revisionist in it is because of Mattie Ross. Mattie, a thirteen year old girl seeks out her fathers murderer and in the end is the one to kill him. To me this proves that Mattie is the hero because although she had Cogburn and LaBoeuf to kill Chaney, she is the one that did it. This extremely strong female hero is a very revisionist element of westerns. I think that the Coen brothers wanted to make a classic western, but through the eyes of a revisionist hero in order to give the otherwise classic western a new point of view, introducing a new way to connect with the characters.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Film Analysis
Clip F
The first thing that I noticed with the clip is that it is one long take. There are no cuts, building suspense as to what all of the people are looking at as the camera is following them throughout the house. In the final picture of the scene, the director did a great job of using the foreground, middle ground, and background, also known as deep space, when something is in each part of the screen. In the background is the inflamed house, the middle ground is the one man, and the foreground is the child and other man. This creates the feeling that everything going on in the picture is important. Also, this shows the distance between the people and the burning house, representing how they have no control over the situation. Also, when the two boys are in the doorway, there is soft light. The light is coming through the door, but it is very diffused either because of the smoke from the burning house or because of the screen on the door. Because the light is diffused, it is not the same intensity throughout the shot, putting emphasis on the two boys who are closest to the light. Also, it seems odd that through the door it seems like day and in the backyard the lighting is so dim, reflecting the rain, making it seem like night, emphasizing the brightness of the fire. Also, all of the sound in this clip is diegetic, all of the sound came from objects or people in the scene. The bottle falling to the floor, the rain hitting the house, and the flames devouring the house all make the scene seem more realistic. The absence of nondiegetic sound forces the viewer to realize that the events unfolding in the scene are raw, the burning of the house doesn't need any enhancement because it is already a powerful sound and sight. Also, the scene seems to have been shot using a Steadicam. This seems to be the case because the shot follows the characters smoothly, but in many directions and in one take, so the only way to achieve the effect is with a Steadicam. The use of the Steadicam gives the director freedom in getting every and all aspects of the house and the kids running around because of the commotion from outside, the burning house.
Clip A
This clip reminds of when we watched the scene from Lord of the Rings when the characters are sitting around the ring in a circle, conversing about what to do with it. In this clip from Ocean's 11, the people are sitting at a circular table, playing poker. The director breaks the 180 degree rule. The characters are constantly being shown in a different spot on the screen, relative to the other people in the shot. This creates the feeling that the people don't know what is going on, which is true since most of the people playing poker are learning and have no idea how to successfully play poker. Also, there is a lot of low key lighting, creating shadows. The lighting is also hard light, coming straight from the light above the table. This creates a lot of contrast, giving the scene a very tough look, which relates to the future robbery of the main characters. Basically all of the shots are medium shots, except for the close ups on the cards and the long shot when the guy wins the card game. When George Clooney comes into the game, the background seems to have gotten a lot darker, bringing more emphasis to the players. Also, there seems to be very little background noise, bringing to attention the tension between Brad Pitt and George Clooney. There is very little camera movement, the whole scene is basically shot to shot with cuts in between.
Clip D
This clip, besides the cut from the clouds to the present, was one long take. Because it was one long take it gave the feeling that there was a lot going on in the building and that the main characters had a lot going on. Also, this scene was shot using a Steadicam. You can tell because it was a smooth shot and there was a lot of movement with no cuts, so the only way to capture that scene was with a Steadicam. Throughout the shot, a straight-on-angle was used. This gave the scene more of a the feeling that the audience was actually following the people through the halls. The nondiegetic sound, the music, is in rhythm with the visual creating coordination. The people seem to be moving at a quick pace and the music is very light and smooth emphasizing how efficiently the people are moving throughout the building. The setting gives the idea that there is a lot going on. For example, all of the halls are extremely long and their length is continuously shown, so this gives the audience the idea that this company is very busy and has a lot to do. Also, there seems to be a realistic feel to this office building.
Clip E
It was very interesting in this clip how the nondiegetic sound turned into diegetic and then back again when the man was reminiscing about when he wrote and directed music. The overlap allowed the audience to hear what was coming before it actually happened. The lighting in the office is soft light. The light seems to be diffused as it comes through the window, not really emphasizing any details of the characters or setting. Also, there was one shot with deep focus when the camera does a middle shot on the director in the foreground, with the woman singer in the middle ground, and the other person on the stairs in the background. Only the foreground is in focus, showing that although the other two people in the shot are important, the director of the music is what brought them together and created the sound. Also, a zoom lens is used for the pull back when the woman is walking down the stairs and the director (the old man in the office) is being revealed. This slow pull back brings suspense as to what is going to be shown. Also, there is the use of temporal relations when the man has the flashback to the earlier time when he wrote and directed his own music, giving the audience a look into his past, but in a short concise amount of time. The costumes also help to define what time in the character's life is being shown.
The first thing that I noticed with the clip is that it is one long take. There are no cuts, building suspense as to what all of the people are looking at as the camera is following them throughout the house. In the final picture of the scene, the director did a great job of using the foreground, middle ground, and background, also known as deep space, when something is in each part of the screen. In the background is the inflamed house, the middle ground is the one man, and the foreground is the child and other man. This creates the feeling that everything going on in the picture is important. Also, this shows the distance between the people and the burning house, representing how they have no control over the situation. Also, when the two boys are in the doorway, there is soft light. The light is coming through the door, but it is very diffused either because of the smoke from the burning house or because of the screen on the door. Because the light is diffused, it is not the same intensity throughout the shot, putting emphasis on the two boys who are closest to the light. Also, it seems odd that through the door it seems like day and in the backyard the lighting is so dim, reflecting the rain, making it seem like night, emphasizing the brightness of the fire. Also, all of the sound in this clip is diegetic, all of the sound came from objects or people in the scene. The bottle falling to the floor, the rain hitting the house, and the flames devouring the house all make the scene seem more realistic. The absence of nondiegetic sound forces the viewer to realize that the events unfolding in the scene are raw, the burning of the house doesn't need any enhancement because it is already a powerful sound and sight. Also, the scene seems to have been shot using a Steadicam. This seems to be the case because the shot follows the characters smoothly, but in many directions and in one take, so the only way to achieve the effect is with a Steadicam. The use of the Steadicam gives the director freedom in getting every and all aspects of the house and the kids running around because of the commotion from outside, the burning house.
Clip A
This clip reminds of when we watched the scene from Lord of the Rings when the characters are sitting around the ring in a circle, conversing about what to do with it. In this clip from Ocean's 11, the people are sitting at a circular table, playing poker. The director breaks the 180 degree rule. The characters are constantly being shown in a different spot on the screen, relative to the other people in the shot. This creates the feeling that the people don't know what is going on, which is true since most of the people playing poker are learning and have no idea how to successfully play poker. Also, there is a lot of low key lighting, creating shadows. The lighting is also hard light, coming straight from the light above the table. This creates a lot of contrast, giving the scene a very tough look, which relates to the future robbery of the main characters. Basically all of the shots are medium shots, except for the close ups on the cards and the long shot when the guy wins the card game. When George Clooney comes into the game, the background seems to have gotten a lot darker, bringing more emphasis to the players. Also, there seems to be very little background noise, bringing to attention the tension between Brad Pitt and George Clooney. There is very little camera movement, the whole scene is basically shot to shot with cuts in between.
Clip D
This clip, besides the cut from the clouds to the present, was one long take. Because it was one long take it gave the feeling that there was a lot going on in the building and that the main characters had a lot going on. Also, this scene was shot using a Steadicam. You can tell because it was a smooth shot and there was a lot of movement with no cuts, so the only way to capture that scene was with a Steadicam. Throughout the shot, a straight-on-angle was used. This gave the scene more of a the feeling that the audience was actually following the people through the halls. The nondiegetic sound, the music, is in rhythm with the visual creating coordination. The people seem to be moving at a quick pace and the music is very light and smooth emphasizing how efficiently the people are moving throughout the building. The setting gives the idea that there is a lot going on. For example, all of the halls are extremely long and their length is continuously shown, so this gives the audience the idea that this company is very busy and has a lot to do. Also, there seems to be a realistic feel to this office building.
Clip E
It was very interesting in this clip how the nondiegetic sound turned into diegetic and then back again when the man was reminiscing about when he wrote and directed music. The overlap allowed the audience to hear what was coming before it actually happened. The lighting in the office is soft light. The light seems to be diffused as it comes through the window, not really emphasizing any details of the characters or setting. Also, there was one shot with deep focus when the camera does a middle shot on the director in the foreground, with the woman singer in the middle ground, and the other person on the stairs in the background. Only the foreground is in focus, showing that although the other two people in the shot are important, the director of the music is what brought them together and created the sound. Also, a zoom lens is used for the pull back when the woman is walking down the stairs and the director (the old man in the office) is being revealed. This slow pull back brings suspense as to what is going to be shown. Also, there is the use of temporal relations when the man has the flashback to the earlier time when he wrote and directed his own music, giving the audience a look into his past, but in a short concise amount of time. The costumes also help to define what time in the character's life is being shown.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Best Picture
PREWRITING
1. Social Network
-relevant to the times
-funny
-attention getter
2. Toy Story 3
-humor for all ages
-smooth transition from previous films and through Andy's life
-loved the terror of the daycare and the toys
3. The King's Speech
-historical story
-captivating relationships
-powerful performance by Colin Firth
4. Inception
-complicated storyline
-amazing graphics
-in depth relationships that take the whole movie to figure out
-secrets that only unveil themselves at the end (and maybe not even then)
5. True Grit
-funny
-powerful performance by Hallie Steinfield
-the perfect role for Jeff Bridges
-Somewhat out of the ordinary role for Matt Damon, but still very well done
-captivating storyline
-good reflections by Mattie that tie the whole film together
6. Winter's Bone
-unique storyline
-complex community relationships
-that scene in the woods still sticks out in my mind, possibly as a way to convey the theme of the movie or the motivations of the character Ree
-look into a new (at least to me) culture
RATING
1.Social Network was a captivating story the brought to the surface a new, developing part of our culture, internet communication. The story of Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin highlights their accomplishment of Facebook and their pit falls, deception and lawsuits. At first it is confusing as to what time a scene is occurring, but when you get into the speed of the film it all fits together, showing different perspectives and the consequences of their actions. Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg was riveting. I was able to see his difficulties with social interaction, his intelligence, and his deepest emotions, creating an all around complex and captivating character. The performances by Garfield (Saverin) and Timberlake (Parker) elevated the complex web of ideas and egos that envelope this film. Cinematically, this film was able to put multiple points in time together very smoothly, enhancing the meaning and comprehension of the story. Because the scenes from the lawsuits are woven into the development of problems, I was able immediately see the effects of their actions, allowing me to understand the story and conflicts even more. Also, the rapid scene changes show how fast Facebook was spreading, showing show fast Zuckerberg's life is spiralling out of control. I placed Social Network ahead of all the other pictures up for best picture because it was the film that kept my attention the whole time. I was never bored or looking at the clock. I felt that the speed of the storyline kept me interested and the relationships between the characters kept the story fresh and original. I placed it ahead of Toy Story 3 because it related more to the currently developing culture.
2.Toy Story 3 was as just as spectacular as the previous two films in the series. The basic storyline of a kid growing up and toys getting given away is so true for any viewer, so it was easy to relate to the characters. Also, the easily defined "good v. evil" relationship made the story easy to follow for any age. The performance by the Character Woody once again gives the audience a sense of hope and leadership. The other characters build each other up to help the whole situation. Also, the "new" Buzz Lightyear adds another humorous aspect to the performance. My favorite relationship in the film was the one of Barbie and Ken. The connection between the two is so well known, which made the interaction with each other more hilarious, especially when they are trying on clothes. Throughout the film, the camera is always placed so that it shows the relationship between two characters. When the teddy bear first appears, the camera is looking down at the other toys, but when the teddy bear is finally "lost", the other characters are looking down at him. It is a very simple, but yet still significant way to show the relationship between the characters. Also, there are many shots throughout the film that zoom back, usually during a time, and shows how small the toys really are to their surroundings. I put Toy Story 3 below the Social Network because I felt that the Social Network was more of an original idea and their were new, more in depth relationships to understand. I put Toy Story 3 above The King's Speech because I felt that Toy Story 3 was able to hold the attention of the audience throughout the film, while there were points in The King's Speech when staying attentive was difficult.
3.The King's Speech was a touching and realistic portrayal of a defining moment in the world's history. The journey of King George VI from a stuttering Duke in the shadows, to being the student Bertie, to a king leading his country through the war, was wonderfully shown. The narration of the story also highlighted the relationships that King George VI had as support, motivation, and cause. Colin Firth's performance was one of the best I have ever seen. He was such a perfect fit for the role. Firth was able to portray a self-conscious man who grows into a very noble and strong king. He was able to show the frustration and appreciation of Bertie perfectly, making the film that much more realistic. I think that without such a moving performance by Firth, The King's Speech could have failed at sending a message of determination and the importance of friendship. Throughout the film there were moments were the microphone seemed to be staring at Bertie. For example, in his final speech, the first shot of him is from the view of the microphone, making it seemed intimidating and giving it a human quality. Throughout this speech, the shot becomes about King George VI and the people he is speaking to, showing how he overcame his stutter and became a king that could reassure his people even at a time of crisis. I put The King's Speech below Toy Story 3, because I love comedic movies, so Toy Story 3 fit my idea of an ideal film more than The King's Speech. But, I think that it says a lot that I put such a tense movie, although it did have comedic aspects, so high up on my ranking. I put The King's Speech above Inception because there were times in Inception where I was totally lost and although I did enjoy the complex story line that forced me to pay attention, The King's Speech allowed me to become more involved with the characters and their relationships instead of trying to figure out what was going on.
4.Inception was one of the most unique story lines that I have ever seen. I know that this movie is suppose to make the viewer think and it did that exactly. In order to understand the relationship of Cobb and Mal and the meaning behind the dream traveling, you really had to pay attention to every detail. I think that the story is told in a very suspenseful way that forces you to use all of your previous knowledge to understand their actions. But, I think that this often becomes so confusing that you get lost and the only way to understand the film fully is to see it a few times. I think that Leonardo DiCaprio did a great job of showing the torn soul and mind of Cobb. He was able to portray both sides of himself, the one that wanted to be with Mal and the one that wanted to go back to reality to be with his kids. I think that Marion Cotillard, Mal, did a very nice job of becoming completely absorbed in the dream world, and showing the mental and emotion impacts of this devastating world. I think the film was photographed beautiful. Often times I was given the feeling of being in a dream. Like, when Cobb almost gets stuck in between the buildings or when Cobb and Ariadne are in the elevator going to different levels of his dream, the elevator seems to become very narrow. Also, I loved the closing shot of the totum. Is it going to fall?! I placed Inception below The King's Speech because I really enjoyed the historical aspect of The King's Speech. I think that aspect gave me the satisfaction of knowing that this journey and accomplishment was actually made. Also, Inception was often confusing and hard to follow. I put this film above True Grit because it was a story line that provided the audience with more depth and it takes advantage of more unique shots and angles that allowed the film to connect more with the story.
5.True Grit is one of the only western films I have ever seen and it didn't disappoint. The way the story was told provided me with a lot of insight. I liked how the story was framed by the narration of Mattie reflecting on the events of her life. For me this gave an action packed film more structure and stability. I was very impressed with the performance of Hailee Steinfeld. She was able to portray a stern exterior while still remaining a young girl at heart. I think that Jeff Bridges was given the perfect role, he was the perfect picture of a crazy, old, drunken Marshall, while still showing off his paternal senses when Mattie was in danger. One of my favorite things about the film was the various ways that the cinematographer shot Cogburn and Mattie riding. There were shots from behind, in front, and from the side, showing the distance traveled. For me this made the film much more interesting because the line of sight and focus was always changing. Also, I think that the angles that were used for Mattie were perfect. When she was trying to sell the ponies, the camera was pointed downward at her opponent, emphasizing her adult like nature. I put True Grit after Inception because Inception had a more original storyline, which deserves a lot of recognition. I put True Grit above Winter's Bone because True Grit never lost my interest, unlike Winter's Bone which frequently became to slow and monotonous to capture my full attention.
6.Winter's Bone was a film that opened my eyes to a new culture. I was used to a storyline where someone overcomes all odds to accomplish their goal, but this story put a new spin on that idea. When Ree overcomes obstacles, it isn't a positive accomplishment because she gets closer and closer to the devastating end that her father came to. This story doesn't really have a "happy" ending, it has an ending where everything gets answered instead. Jennifer Lawrence did an amazing job with the character Ree. She was able to portray an outsider who was fighting the system in order to save her family. Her performance really pulled me into the film. The other people in the community were able to highlight their tough exteriors and ability to keep secrets, accentuating the lifestyle. Throughout the film the lighting is very dim and there is little background noise, making the mood feel cold. Also, the odd scene with the animals in the woods seemed to be looking at the plot of the film from an outside view and putting it in a different setting. I placed Winter's Bone last, not because I didn't like it, but because it often lost my interest either because I didn't know what was happening due to the unknown culture or because it moved slowly, with only one climatic scene (finding Jessup in the lake).
1. Social Network
-relevant to the times
-funny
-attention getter
2. Toy Story 3
-humor for all ages
-smooth transition from previous films and through Andy's life
-loved the terror of the daycare and the toys
3. The King's Speech
-historical story
-captivating relationships
-powerful performance by Colin Firth
4. Inception
-complicated storyline
-amazing graphics
-in depth relationships that take the whole movie to figure out
-secrets that only unveil themselves at the end (and maybe not even then)
5. True Grit
-funny
-powerful performance by Hallie Steinfield
-the perfect role for Jeff Bridges
-Somewhat out of the ordinary role for Matt Damon, but still very well done
-captivating storyline
-good reflections by Mattie that tie the whole film together
6. Winter's Bone
-unique storyline
-complex community relationships
-that scene in the woods still sticks out in my mind, possibly as a way to convey the theme of the movie or the motivations of the character Ree
-look into a new (at least to me) culture
RATING
1.Social Network was a captivating story the brought to the surface a new, developing part of our culture, internet communication. The story of Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin highlights their accomplishment of Facebook and their pit falls, deception and lawsuits. At first it is confusing as to what time a scene is occurring, but when you get into the speed of the film it all fits together, showing different perspectives and the consequences of their actions. Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg was riveting. I was able to see his difficulties with social interaction, his intelligence, and his deepest emotions, creating an all around complex and captivating character. The performances by Garfield (Saverin) and Timberlake (Parker) elevated the complex web of ideas and egos that envelope this film. Cinematically, this film was able to put multiple points in time together very smoothly, enhancing the meaning and comprehension of the story. Because the scenes from the lawsuits are woven into the development of problems, I was able immediately see the effects of their actions, allowing me to understand the story and conflicts even more. Also, the rapid scene changes show how fast Facebook was spreading, showing show fast Zuckerberg's life is spiralling out of control. I placed Social Network ahead of all the other pictures up for best picture because it was the film that kept my attention the whole time. I was never bored or looking at the clock. I felt that the speed of the storyline kept me interested and the relationships between the characters kept the story fresh and original. I placed it ahead of Toy Story 3 because it related more to the currently developing culture.
2.Toy Story 3 was as just as spectacular as the previous two films in the series. The basic storyline of a kid growing up and toys getting given away is so true for any viewer, so it was easy to relate to the characters. Also, the easily defined "good v. evil" relationship made the story easy to follow for any age. The performance by the Character Woody once again gives the audience a sense of hope and leadership. The other characters build each other up to help the whole situation. Also, the "new" Buzz Lightyear adds another humorous aspect to the performance. My favorite relationship in the film was the one of Barbie and Ken. The connection between the two is so well known, which made the interaction with each other more hilarious, especially when they are trying on clothes. Throughout the film, the camera is always placed so that it shows the relationship between two characters. When the teddy bear first appears, the camera is looking down at the other toys, but when the teddy bear is finally "lost", the other characters are looking down at him. It is a very simple, but yet still significant way to show the relationship between the characters. Also, there are many shots throughout the film that zoom back, usually during a time, and shows how small the toys really are to their surroundings. I put Toy Story 3 below the Social Network because I felt that the Social Network was more of an original idea and their were new, more in depth relationships to understand. I put Toy Story 3 above The King's Speech because I felt that Toy Story 3 was able to hold the attention of the audience throughout the film, while there were points in The King's Speech when staying attentive was difficult.
3.The King's Speech was a touching and realistic portrayal of a defining moment in the world's history. The journey of King George VI from a stuttering Duke in the shadows, to being the student Bertie, to a king leading his country through the war, was wonderfully shown. The narration of the story also highlighted the relationships that King George VI had as support, motivation, and cause. Colin Firth's performance was one of the best I have ever seen. He was such a perfect fit for the role. Firth was able to portray a self-conscious man who grows into a very noble and strong king. He was able to show the frustration and appreciation of Bertie perfectly, making the film that much more realistic. I think that without such a moving performance by Firth, The King's Speech could have failed at sending a message of determination and the importance of friendship. Throughout the film there were moments were the microphone seemed to be staring at Bertie. For example, in his final speech, the first shot of him is from the view of the microphone, making it seemed intimidating and giving it a human quality. Throughout this speech, the shot becomes about King George VI and the people he is speaking to, showing how he overcame his stutter and became a king that could reassure his people even at a time of crisis. I put The King's Speech below Toy Story 3, because I love comedic movies, so Toy Story 3 fit my idea of an ideal film more than The King's Speech. But, I think that it says a lot that I put such a tense movie, although it did have comedic aspects, so high up on my ranking. I put The King's Speech above Inception because there were times in Inception where I was totally lost and although I did enjoy the complex story line that forced me to pay attention, The King's Speech allowed me to become more involved with the characters and their relationships instead of trying to figure out what was going on.
4.Inception was one of the most unique story lines that I have ever seen. I know that this movie is suppose to make the viewer think and it did that exactly. In order to understand the relationship of Cobb and Mal and the meaning behind the dream traveling, you really had to pay attention to every detail. I think that the story is told in a very suspenseful way that forces you to use all of your previous knowledge to understand their actions. But, I think that this often becomes so confusing that you get lost and the only way to understand the film fully is to see it a few times. I think that Leonardo DiCaprio did a great job of showing the torn soul and mind of Cobb. He was able to portray both sides of himself, the one that wanted to be with Mal and the one that wanted to go back to reality to be with his kids. I think that Marion Cotillard, Mal, did a very nice job of becoming completely absorbed in the dream world, and showing the mental and emotion impacts of this devastating world. I think the film was photographed beautiful. Often times I was given the feeling of being in a dream. Like, when Cobb almost gets stuck in between the buildings or when Cobb and Ariadne are in the elevator going to different levels of his dream, the elevator seems to become very narrow. Also, I loved the closing shot of the totum. Is it going to fall?! I placed Inception below The King's Speech because I really enjoyed the historical aspect of The King's Speech. I think that aspect gave me the satisfaction of knowing that this journey and accomplishment was actually made. Also, Inception was often confusing and hard to follow. I put this film above True Grit because it was a story line that provided the audience with more depth and it takes advantage of more unique shots and angles that allowed the film to connect more with the story.
5.True Grit is one of the only western films I have ever seen and it didn't disappoint. The way the story was told provided me with a lot of insight. I liked how the story was framed by the narration of Mattie reflecting on the events of her life. For me this gave an action packed film more structure and stability. I was very impressed with the performance of Hailee Steinfeld. She was able to portray a stern exterior while still remaining a young girl at heart. I think that Jeff Bridges was given the perfect role, he was the perfect picture of a crazy, old, drunken Marshall, while still showing off his paternal senses when Mattie was in danger. One of my favorite things about the film was the various ways that the cinematographer shot Cogburn and Mattie riding. There were shots from behind, in front, and from the side, showing the distance traveled. For me this made the film much more interesting because the line of sight and focus was always changing. Also, I think that the angles that were used for Mattie were perfect. When she was trying to sell the ponies, the camera was pointed downward at her opponent, emphasizing her adult like nature. I put True Grit after Inception because Inception had a more original storyline, which deserves a lot of recognition. I put True Grit above Winter's Bone because True Grit never lost my interest, unlike Winter's Bone which frequently became to slow and monotonous to capture my full attention.
6.Winter's Bone was a film that opened my eyes to a new culture. I was used to a storyline where someone overcomes all odds to accomplish their goal, but this story put a new spin on that idea. When Ree overcomes obstacles, it isn't a positive accomplishment because she gets closer and closer to the devastating end that her father came to. This story doesn't really have a "happy" ending, it has an ending where everything gets answered instead. Jennifer Lawrence did an amazing job with the character Ree. She was able to portray an outsider who was fighting the system in order to save her family. Her performance really pulled me into the film. The other people in the community were able to highlight their tough exteriors and ability to keep secrets, accentuating the lifestyle. Throughout the film the lighting is very dim and there is little background noise, making the mood feel cold. Also, the odd scene with the animals in the woods seemed to be looking at the plot of the film from an outside view and putting it in a different setting. I placed Winter's Bone last, not because I didn't like it, but because it often lost my interest either because I didn't know what was happening due to the unknown culture or because it moved slowly, with only one climatic scene (finding Jessup in the lake).
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
My First Movie Review
Finding Nemo
Brainstorm
-vibrant colors
-touching story line
-catchy tunes
-simple humor
-family film
-unique characters
-memorable relationships
-"just keep swimming, just keep swimming"
-adventures
-heart felt moments
-favorite animated film (next to Toy Story)
-friendship
-fear of the dentist reinforced
-determination
-morals: keep the ones you love close, but allow them to explore
Review Of Finding Nemo
An adventure not only across the ocean, but also through the hearts of family and friends. In Finding Nemo, Marlin has a hard time letting his son Nemo explore the vivid and exciting aspects of their life in the ocean. When Nemo is captured by a fisherman, after rebelling against his father, Marlin joins forces with Dory, a unique fish that brings faith back to Marlin, in order to find his son. As these two fish scoure the ocean for Nemo, Dory sings to pass the time, annoying Marline, but in reality forming an unbreakable bond. Along the journey the duo comes across sharks and tutles. These characters help the two along their journey to Sydney, where Nemo was taken. As Nemo sits in a fish tank in a dentist's office, he receives help from newly made friends. Nemo finally escapes after seeing the horrible events that occur in the dentist's office, including Darla, an overly energetic young girl (has a tendency to kill her pet fish). Throughout their journies, Marlin, Dory, and Nemo learn to appreciate friends, take chances, and keep the ones they love close. This film is filled with comedic dialogue, vibrant images, and characters that are hard to forget. This is a great film for people of all ages and never ceases to entertain its audience.
Brainstorm
-vibrant colors
-touching story line
-catchy tunes
-simple humor
-family film
-unique characters
-memorable relationships
-"just keep swimming, just keep swimming"
-adventures
-heart felt moments
-favorite animated film (next to Toy Story)
-friendship
-fear of the dentist reinforced
-determination
-morals: keep the ones you love close, but allow them to explore
Review Of Finding Nemo
An adventure not only across the ocean, but also through the hearts of family and friends. In Finding Nemo, Marlin has a hard time letting his son Nemo explore the vivid and exciting aspects of their life in the ocean. When Nemo is captured by a fisherman, after rebelling against his father, Marlin joins forces with Dory, a unique fish that brings faith back to Marlin, in order to find his son. As these two fish scoure the ocean for Nemo, Dory sings to pass the time, annoying Marline, but in reality forming an unbreakable bond. Along the journey the duo comes across sharks and tutles. These characters help the two along their journey to Sydney, where Nemo was taken. As Nemo sits in a fish tank in a dentist's office, he receives help from newly made friends. Nemo finally escapes after seeing the horrible events that occur in the dentist's office, including Darla, an overly energetic young girl (has a tendency to kill her pet fish). Throughout their journies, Marlin, Dory, and Nemo learn to appreciate friends, take chances, and keep the ones they love close. This film is filled with comedic dialogue, vibrant images, and characters that are hard to forget. This is a great film for people of all ages and never ceases to entertain its audience.
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