Stagecoach is considered by mane to be an example of a classic Western movie. I believe that there are a lot of similarities between this movie and True Grit. On of the key components to the classic western is a well defined view of right and wrong. In Stagecoach this definition between the two is clear. The almost animal like portrayal of the Indians is a good example of this. In fact in True Grit the Indians receive a similar treatment because we find out that the clearly evil Tom Chaney is hiding in Indian territory. Another similarity between the two films is the theme of revenge and avenging the death of a family member. The Ringo kid's entire reason to get to Lordsburg is to find and kill the men who shot his brother. In the same way Mattie goes all the way out to the frontier to kill Tom Chaney the man who killed her father. Another characteristic of the classic western that is present in both films but approached from different angles is the clash between the civilized world and the raw world of the frontier. In Stagecoach Mrs. Mallory is a bastion of civility occasionally accompanied by Hatfield. Though these characters clash with the "collar"-blind other characters of the movie such as Ringo and Dallas, they ultimately pale and fade away in the wake of Ringo and Dallas's actions. The clash of between frontier and civilized world also is presented in True Grit through Mattie. Mattie represents the civilized world throughout the movie and it is interesting when she is the last remaining heroine of the movie because she was not truly a western hero.
I would have to say that I draw less similarities from True Grit and Unforgiven. Unforgiven has a much too real feeling about it. The actions and emotions of the characters don't seem to be something of myth or legend but the actions and emotions of a very rough and unhappy lot of people. This is the very opposite in True Grit. The language is so strange and otherworldly that I could not imagine a story like this happening today whereas I can with Unforgiven. Not to say that the acting in True Grit didn't feel real but it seemed to be acting that was classically western. Another difference that I found between True Grit and Unforgiven was the portrayal of the hero and the portrayal of justice. In Unforgiven we find no solace or sense of justice at the end of the movie. It was just a blood bath. With morally ambiguous characters like Will Munny and Silent Bill there is no one who seems to be right in the end, which is a truly revisionist approach to the Western. Not to say that Cogburn was a perfect citizen but the viewer only got his side of the story and sympathized strongly with it. One thing that I did find that the two movies had in common was the representation and influence of old cowboy vs. new cowboy. In Unforgiven Will is balanced out and contrasted with the Scholfield Kid. There is the contrast of what old cowboys were like and a sort of demystification of a Western hero with this approach. In True Grit Rooster is juxtaposed with LaBoeuf and the even younger Mattie. Mattie realizes that over time Rooster isn't always someone with "true grit" as his many weak moments are displayed. In the same way Will has trouble firing his gun and mounting his horse.
I think that True Grit doesn't lie firmly as either a classic or Revisionist Western. I believed that for the most part, save some extreme violence, the movie is filmed and acted in a very classic western way. I also believe that a large amount of the storyline is true to the classic western. But I must say that there are some very strong revisionist elements as well. I think that these element carry over from the book version which I believe to have a lot of Revisionist ideas and elements to it. But in the way the the Coens created the film the movie is more classic than revisionist. This is supported by classic scenery, the classic portrayal of characters, and a somewhat mythic rather than realistic feeling about the plot.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Online Film Analysis Assigment
Clip E.
This scene has a lot of detail to be mentioned. There is a large presence of costuming and setting to make the scene seem very true to the period. The make up on Salieri is also very good and helps to make him look very aged and sick. The lighting in the scene has two styles that jump back and forth between the shot and reverse shot of the conversation. There is the high key lighting that shines directly on the face of the priest and this lighting accentuates the facial expressions that Salieri and the viewer are looking for as Salieri plays his tunes to look for recognition. The other lighting is that of Salieri. He is lit from the back and the height of his chair makes him look dark and small behind the natural light adding to his weak look. The composition of the scene is very balanced and the speakers are both placed in the middle of the frame however Salieri is slightly turned away in his chair. As the scene continues on Salieri thinks deeply in one of his operas and the camera pans upwards with Salieri's hands and then we enter his mind into the performance of his opera. The shot of the opera has a long duration that starts with the deep focus on the singer coming down the stairs but as the camera tracks back we see the blurry figure and then focused figure of young Salieri come into view. Later on back in his conversation with the priest, Salieri plays the song of Mozart and the short cuts to the priest show his growing recognition of the song.
Clip D.
This scene is very focused on the long duration Steadicam shots that it contains. The clip opens a shot of some clouds that quickly fades away with the viewer following two people into a building on a rainy day. I think that it is essential that we don't see their faces but only their backs because as we follow them we want to know who they are and what they are doing. The music also has a mysterious and quick pace about it, It feels as though something is going to happen. The camera finally catches up to the man and boy but they are both quickly whisked away and we are now in front of them. The straight on camera angle makes it feel as though we are in the crowded TV studio and following the characters. I really liked the way that the camera followed different people around the studio and then back to the main characters to create a connected feeling to all the aspects of the characters' lives.
Clip C.
This is by far the most horrifying clip that we have to chose from. The cross cutting of the two scenes (well three if you count the basement) is extremely chilling and the unrestricted view that we get builds the suspense for Jodie Foster. The high angle opening shot makes the home seem like a model and very set up it is also a telephoto shot that helps establish where the characters are in the scene. Because of the cross cutting we are made to believe that the police have found the right house and the synchronizing of the door bell. The interesting part is that the viewer think that they have unrestricted narration but it is all shattered when Jodie foster appears in the doorway with the guy. Also the high angle shot down into the well and the eye level shots with the girl trapped in the well serve to make the guy seem like a big looming monster but put the woman and the dog on the same level as the viewer rather than have the woman seem extremely weak.
Clip F.
This clip is similar to the one from Amadeus with its strong Mise-en-Scene elements. There is attention to detail with the setting and costuming of the characters in the scene. Also the lighting is very natural because the house had no lighting so there is a lot of darkness within the house. The first shot is a long duration shot that pans from the table around to the two kids watching in the mirror. The yelling with out a voice that we hear makes us want to turnaround and see what they are looking at. The next shot is a panning shot that opens on to a shot with a lot of dimensional composition. There is the fire in the back third of the shot the parents in the middle and on the edges to balance the shot and then the boy in the front. The silence between the characters emphasizes the complete sand utter distress of the people watch what I believe to be their barn burning, which would be a terrible thing.
This scene has a lot of detail to be mentioned. There is a large presence of costuming and setting to make the scene seem very true to the period. The make up on Salieri is also very good and helps to make him look very aged and sick. The lighting in the scene has two styles that jump back and forth between the shot and reverse shot of the conversation. There is the high key lighting that shines directly on the face of the priest and this lighting accentuates the facial expressions that Salieri and the viewer are looking for as Salieri plays his tunes to look for recognition. The other lighting is that of Salieri. He is lit from the back and the height of his chair makes him look dark and small behind the natural light adding to his weak look. The composition of the scene is very balanced and the speakers are both placed in the middle of the frame however Salieri is slightly turned away in his chair. As the scene continues on Salieri thinks deeply in one of his operas and the camera pans upwards with Salieri's hands and then we enter his mind into the performance of his opera. The shot of the opera has a long duration that starts with the deep focus on the singer coming down the stairs but as the camera tracks back we see the blurry figure and then focused figure of young Salieri come into view. Later on back in his conversation with the priest, Salieri plays the song of Mozart and the short cuts to the priest show his growing recognition of the song.
Clip D.
This scene is very focused on the long duration Steadicam shots that it contains. The clip opens a shot of some clouds that quickly fades away with the viewer following two people into a building on a rainy day. I think that it is essential that we don't see their faces but only their backs because as we follow them we want to know who they are and what they are doing. The music also has a mysterious and quick pace about it, It feels as though something is going to happen. The camera finally catches up to the man and boy but they are both quickly whisked away and we are now in front of them. The straight on camera angle makes it feel as though we are in the crowded TV studio and following the characters. I really liked the way that the camera followed different people around the studio and then back to the main characters to create a connected feeling to all the aspects of the characters' lives.
Clip C.
This is by far the most horrifying clip that we have to chose from. The cross cutting of the two scenes (well three if you count the basement) is extremely chilling and the unrestricted view that we get builds the suspense for Jodie Foster. The high angle opening shot makes the home seem like a model and very set up it is also a telephoto shot that helps establish where the characters are in the scene. Because of the cross cutting we are made to believe that the police have found the right house and the synchronizing of the door bell. The interesting part is that the viewer think that they have unrestricted narration but it is all shattered when Jodie foster appears in the doorway with the guy. Also the high angle shot down into the well and the eye level shots with the girl trapped in the well serve to make the guy seem like a big looming monster but put the woman and the dog on the same level as the viewer rather than have the woman seem extremely weak.
Clip F.
This clip is similar to the one from Amadeus with its strong Mise-en-Scene elements. There is attention to detail with the setting and costuming of the characters in the scene. Also the lighting is very natural because the house had no lighting so there is a lot of darkness within the house. The first shot is a long duration shot that pans from the table around to the two kids watching in the mirror. The yelling with out a voice that we hear makes us want to turnaround and see what they are looking at. The next shot is a panning shot that opens on to a shot with a lot of dimensional composition. There is the fire in the back third of the shot the parents in the middle and on the edges to balance the shot and then the boy in the front. The silence between the characters emphasizes the complete sand utter distress of the people watch what I believe to be their barn burning, which would be a terrible thing.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Oscar Nominated Rankings
The Social Network
1. Speaking too smart to seem real
2. Jesse Eisenberg's fast-talking closed mouth "acting"
3. Young Hollywood Production
The King's Speech
1. Traditional in almost every sense
2. Wonderful job done by the leading couple (Lionel and Bertie)
3. Great soundtrack
Winter's Bone
1. Very gritty and realistic acting
2. Jennifer Lawrence played the role in a very poignant way
3. The lighting and costuming are very appropriate and really help the story
Inception
1. Very thrilling but not quite mind blowing.
2. A good summer blockbuster
3. Acting was very forgettable
Toy Story 3
1. Classic Pixar work, always Oscar worthy
2. Fun new characters and familiar voices
3. Clever and though provoking plot
True Grit
1. Great scenery and it played a big role in the film
2. Fun to see a young girl play such a strong role
3. A modern but true western
Rankings
1. True Grit
This movie has many merits that make it the best choice for an oscar. The story unfolds cleverly through the calm medtations of Mattie. The storytelling is a classic but because of the main character's youth and the fact that she is a girl the apporach feels fresh and spirited. To further compliment the storytelling it isn't hard to tell the stroy and watch it unfold when the actors do such wonderful jobs. From his constant heavy breathing to drunken shooting Jeff Bridges does a great as does the purposefully sidelined Matt Damon. On other main character I left out, the wild and beautiful setting of the movie. The cinematographer of this movie captured so many powerful shots of nature and really captured the detail the the Coen brothers brought to the movie. In comparison to the other movies listed, True Grit had something lasting and timeless about it and I value a movie's ability to be timeless as something that trulay great movies have. It is in stark contrast to The Social Network which is completely of this time period.
2. The King's Speech
The King's Speech is a close second. It is exciting and at some points frustrating to what the development of Bertie's speaking skills but that is part of the allure of the film. The extremely personal and somewhat contrived sessions between Lionel and Bertie help to move the stroy along and they do a good job of it. Many people speak of Colin Firth as a favortie for the oscar and I thoroughly agree. He does a superb job of acting out the stammer of the reluctant king. Also Helena Bonham Carter plays a subtle but very important role and her affectionate words and smiles are well done. Many of the other roles in this movie seemed somewhat forgettable and in comparison to True Grit where all the major characters had memorable performances. As far as cinematic elements go I felt as though almost every shot of the film was a picture worth studying and worthy of a picture frame. The music both, original and the previously composed pieces, were an extremely good fit and add dramatically to the story.
3. Winter's Bone
One of the biggest drawbacks to this movie was the story. While I evetually understood the basics of the plot and the troubels between the families I really had a hard time figuring out why these people were so cruel to each other. The movie had such a realistic feel to it that I was almost uncomfortable watching but I did always want to lean in closer. This movie is very different from the others. I think that one of it's defining characteristics was the handheld camera feel of the movie. The camera had a knack for following the viewer's thoughts. If a key jangled or Ree looked off into the distance the camera followed to where the viewer's eyes would have. Jennifer Lawerence may be in an oscar worthy role in this movie. And though at times I struggled to understand some of the characters I really think that all the actors had a real understanding of their characters and all looked and seemed to be real. Ultimately I placed this movie third becasue it wasn't always coherent and was just a little bit too tough on the heart.
4. Toy Story 3
The beginning of this movie provided me instantly with a soft spot. I have old toys and these movies always get me to thinking about what will happen to them and I think from there the movie had me snagged. I closely followed Woody and all the toys and it made me happy to see that they finally would be loved. The movie rang true to the other Toy Stories in it animation and performance. I found it to be as solid as before and particularly liked to smoothness of Lotso and his crew. It is hard to find much to say about the performance of the actors because they wern't on screen but I found Woody to be expressive.
5. Inception
Inception was a great summer blockbuster but little else. The story intentionally tries to encircle itself and though it wanted to be hard to follow and extremely thought provoking it only provided its cerebral punch with cheesy plot tricks. The acting in this film was second to the plot and therefore was relatively simple. Matt Damon was fine but he played no lustrious role. However the the effects on this movie were great and the visuals of the dream scapes really pumped up some of the scenes. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the "trigger" song by Edith Piaf. I really don't enjoy provacative endings in movies and none of the other movies had them. The others ended and to leave a viewer without resolution is just not quite right.
6. The Social Network
The story is quite simple but manages to be told with difficulty. The constant jumping between past and present is jolting and though it was cool at somepoints I believe that a different approach would have been better. Many people cheer Jesse Eisenberg as a great actor but I really got very little out of his character. All he did was squint and speak quickly through a mostly closed mouth. But becasue he was talking quickly people think that what he said and did was clever. He is another Michael Cera. Though I thought the film jumped around a lot I did enjoy a few scenes. The concept and style of the rowing scene were extremely interesting to watch and absorb but it had little to do with the rest of the film. This film felt very young hollywood and experimental. I enjoyed parts but overall I was turned off by the acting of Eisenberg and Timberlake and the unrealistic behaviors and actions they carried out.
1. Speaking too smart to seem real
2. Jesse Eisenberg's fast-talking closed mouth "acting"
3. Young Hollywood Production
The King's Speech
1. Traditional in almost every sense
2. Wonderful job done by the leading couple (Lionel and Bertie)
3. Great soundtrack
Winter's Bone
1. Very gritty and realistic acting
2. Jennifer Lawrence played the role in a very poignant way
3. The lighting and costuming are very appropriate and really help the story
Inception
1. Very thrilling but not quite mind blowing.
2. A good summer blockbuster
3. Acting was very forgettable
Toy Story 3
1. Classic Pixar work, always Oscar worthy
2. Fun new characters and familiar voices
3. Clever and though provoking plot
True Grit
1. Great scenery and it played a big role in the film
2. Fun to see a young girl play such a strong role
3. A modern but true western
Rankings
1. True Grit
This movie has many merits that make it the best choice for an oscar. The story unfolds cleverly through the calm medtations of Mattie. The storytelling is a classic but because of the main character's youth and the fact that she is a girl the apporach feels fresh and spirited. To further compliment the storytelling it isn't hard to tell the stroy and watch it unfold when the actors do such wonderful jobs. From his constant heavy breathing to drunken shooting Jeff Bridges does a great as does the purposefully sidelined Matt Damon. On other main character I left out, the wild and beautiful setting of the movie. The cinematographer of this movie captured so many powerful shots of nature and really captured the detail the the Coen brothers brought to the movie. In comparison to the other movies listed, True Grit had something lasting and timeless about it and I value a movie's ability to be timeless as something that trulay great movies have. It is in stark contrast to The Social Network which is completely of this time period.
2. The King's Speech
The King's Speech is a close second. It is exciting and at some points frustrating to what the development of Bertie's speaking skills but that is part of the allure of the film. The extremely personal and somewhat contrived sessions between Lionel and Bertie help to move the stroy along and they do a good job of it. Many people speak of Colin Firth as a favortie for the oscar and I thoroughly agree. He does a superb job of acting out the stammer of the reluctant king. Also Helena Bonham Carter plays a subtle but very important role and her affectionate words and smiles are well done. Many of the other roles in this movie seemed somewhat forgettable and in comparison to True Grit where all the major characters had memorable performances. As far as cinematic elements go I felt as though almost every shot of the film was a picture worth studying and worthy of a picture frame. The music both, original and the previously composed pieces, were an extremely good fit and add dramatically to the story.
3. Winter's Bone
One of the biggest drawbacks to this movie was the story. While I evetually understood the basics of the plot and the troubels between the families I really had a hard time figuring out why these people were so cruel to each other. The movie had such a realistic feel to it that I was almost uncomfortable watching but I did always want to lean in closer. This movie is very different from the others. I think that one of it's defining characteristics was the handheld camera feel of the movie. The camera had a knack for following the viewer's thoughts. If a key jangled or Ree looked off into the distance the camera followed to where the viewer's eyes would have. Jennifer Lawerence may be in an oscar worthy role in this movie. And though at times I struggled to understand some of the characters I really think that all the actors had a real understanding of their characters and all looked and seemed to be real. Ultimately I placed this movie third becasue it wasn't always coherent and was just a little bit too tough on the heart.
4. Toy Story 3
The beginning of this movie provided me instantly with a soft spot. I have old toys and these movies always get me to thinking about what will happen to them and I think from there the movie had me snagged. I closely followed Woody and all the toys and it made me happy to see that they finally would be loved. The movie rang true to the other Toy Stories in it animation and performance. I found it to be as solid as before and particularly liked to smoothness of Lotso and his crew. It is hard to find much to say about the performance of the actors because they wern't on screen but I found Woody to be expressive.
5. Inception
Inception was a great summer blockbuster but little else. The story intentionally tries to encircle itself and though it wanted to be hard to follow and extremely thought provoking it only provided its cerebral punch with cheesy plot tricks. The acting in this film was second to the plot and therefore was relatively simple. Matt Damon was fine but he played no lustrious role. However the the effects on this movie were great and the visuals of the dream scapes really pumped up some of the scenes. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the "trigger" song by Edith Piaf. I really don't enjoy provacative endings in movies and none of the other movies had them. The others ended and to leave a viewer without resolution is just not quite right.
6. The Social Network
The story is quite simple but manages to be told with difficulty. The constant jumping between past and present is jolting and though it was cool at somepoints I believe that a different approach would have been better. Many people cheer Jesse Eisenberg as a great actor but I really got very little out of his character. All he did was squint and speak quickly through a mostly closed mouth. But becasue he was talking quickly people think that what he said and did was clever. He is another Michael Cera. Though I thought the film jumped around a lot I did enjoy a few scenes. The concept and style of the rowing scene were extremely interesting to watch and absorb but it had little to do with the rest of the film. This film felt very young hollywood and experimental. I enjoyed parts but overall I was turned off by the acting of Eisenberg and Timberlake and the unrealistic behaviors and actions they carried out.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
My First Movie Review
BRAINSTORMING Film: Elf
1. I like Christmas
2. a holiday classic
3. Will Ferrell does a great job
4. Zooey Deschanel is the best
5. I like the theme music
6. love the scene at central park
7. Buddy's innocence is very esay to feel for
8. I think it is going to be around for a long time
9. Zooey Deschanel is a great singer and her singing is really good
10. I really like the intereaction between Buddy and the midget
11. Jokes are funny and timeless
12. incorportes some of the setting elements of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeeer
13. I think that it should be required watching in the holidays
14. Though some people don't like Will Ferrell I think that movie can be liked regardless of your preference of him.
15. I have had the spaghetti that Buddy eats in the movie, it was good.
Review of Elf
I have seen the movie Elf many times and every time I never tire of it. Elf is a great mive becasue it has the timeless essence that many classic movies have. It isn't a movie that makes jokes aboiut pop culture but jokes and ideas that are funny and true no matter what time period. I think that this is one of the best things about the film. Another thing that made the film what it was to me was the acting and casting. Though Will Ferrell hardly seems to be the "30" year old character that he is cast as his delivery and emotions play forth qand his age is pretty easily forgiven. James Caan also plays a great scrooge and his harsh miserly attitude is really fun to watch. I think that the movie chemistry bewteen Deschanel and Ferrel is extremely real and I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to be the other have to her. From beginning to end this movie has the holiday spirit at heart and try to make the audience believe too. One thing that has inspired me in his movie is the motto of the elves: The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. For the past few years I have been hosting an Elf party to get in the mood for the holdays. We eat the spaghetti with candy, watch the movie and then go caroling. Elf is a great movie that I will always enjoy watching and it shows a very good side true Christmas spirit.
1. I like Christmas
2. a holiday classic
3. Will Ferrell does a great job
4. Zooey Deschanel is the best
5. I like the theme music
6. love the scene at central park
7. Buddy's innocence is very esay to feel for
8. I think it is going to be around for a long time
9. Zooey Deschanel is a great singer and her singing is really good
10. I really like the intereaction between Buddy and the midget
11. Jokes are funny and timeless
12. incorportes some of the setting elements of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeeer
13. I think that it should be required watching in the holidays
14. Though some people don't like Will Ferrell I think that movie can be liked regardless of your preference of him.
15. I have had the spaghetti that Buddy eats in the movie, it was good.
Review of Elf
I have seen the movie Elf many times and every time I never tire of it. Elf is a great mive becasue it has the timeless essence that many classic movies have. It isn't a movie that makes jokes aboiut pop culture but jokes and ideas that are funny and true no matter what time period. I think that this is one of the best things about the film. Another thing that made the film what it was to me was the acting and casting. Though Will Ferrell hardly seems to be the "30" year old character that he is cast as his delivery and emotions play forth qand his age is pretty easily forgiven. James Caan also plays a great scrooge and his harsh miserly attitude is really fun to watch. I think that the movie chemistry bewteen Deschanel and Ferrel is extremely real and I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to be the other have to her. From beginning to end this movie has the holiday spirit at heart and try to make the audience believe too. One thing that has inspired me in his movie is the motto of the elves: The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. For the past few years I have been hosting an Elf party to get in the mood for the holdays. We eat the spaghetti with candy, watch the movie and then go caroling. Elf is a great movie that I will always enjoy watching and it shows a very good side true Christmas spirit.
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