Riley Farra
There were many good cinematic aspects in this film, but I thought that the transitions from scene to scene was very well done and interesting. And when I say interesting, I mean they left me puzzled at times in a creative way. There were many scenes where they would jump from one scene to another completely different setting that made me really think about what was going on. My favorite transition was when Kane and his second wife just got done with a heated argument and the movie takes us to the balcony where we are awaited by a bird that lets out a loud screech and for some reason doesn't have any eyes, allowing us to see through it. It made me take a step back and really try to understand what the director was trying to say to us and I think that this hidden message was telling us that Kane towards the end of the movie was finally being reveled for who he truly was as a person and was no longer dominate in his own eyes. Throughout the movie, he had this ego where he could do whatever he wanted to and that he was untouchable, but after this scene of his vulnerability being reveled, we see that he is slowly being broken down. Movie critics call this movie one of the best films ever made, and I believe they were talking about unique things like this transition as being one of the main reasons why.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Sunday, September 20, 2015
1935 Movie Project
Lunatic,
This 1935 film, featuring Barbara Stanwyck performing as Nicole Freeze, Jimmy Stewart performing as Dylan Freeze and James Cagney performing as Daniel Turner, is a thriller/horror, directed by the famous Robert Flaherty, film that in some scenes will chill you to the bone. 20th Century Fox is the new kid on the block but intends to have their viewers at the edge of their seats throughout this film. Nicole and Dylan are a newly wed couple that just moved into a small house located in Dallas Texas. Their new home is surrounded by nothing but open land and loneliness. One day they have an encounter with a strange man and he wont leave them alone until he gets what he wants. This film is something for the people that want to experience a thrilling story that will take their minds off of the war being fought over seas. This film is put in black and white because at the time color movies weren't as popular yet and also it gives an eerie vibe towards the movie that will create more of a suspenseful feeling for our viewers. This partly violent film will might have a difficult time dealing with the Hay's code not allowing certain things in a movie that might be beneficial to a movie like Lunatic. This happily married couple tries their best to stay alive while keeping each other safe from Daniel Turner, a local with a troubling past that losses his mind and is motivated to inflict his past pain on the new comers. Some of his actions in attempting to put this couple through absolute misery would go against the code so there will not be any gory scenes or gruesome stab wounds. Rather a more suspenseful or not as violent way in his actions. This film felt the need to hire a well experienced and respected cinematographer like James Wong Howe. His unique techniques with he way he used his camera to get the perfect shot or angle was brilliant and Robert Flaherty thought he would be the right man to capture this heart pounding film. At the end of the story, Dylan and Nicole freeze battle their way to safety and put Daniel Turner Behind bars for good. Nicole is crippled from an intense car chase that ended in her car crashing full speed into a tree but she is thankful for coming out alive. This movie would be a big hit with young couples that are looking for a gripping and intense movie that will have them covering one eye at all times. With the help of James Wong Howe capturing every powerful scene, there is no reason why this movie shouldn't take off and be nominated for many awards.
This 1935 film, featuring Barbara Stanwyck performing as Nicole Freeze, Jimmy Stewart performing as Dylan Freeze and James Cagney performing as Daniel Turner, is a thriller/horror, directed by the famous Robert Flaherty, film that in some scenes will chill you to the bone. 20th Century Fox is the new kid on the block but intends to have their viewers at the edge of their seats throughout this film. Nicole and Dylan are a newly wed couple that just moved into a small house located in Dallas Texas. Their new home is surrounded by nothing but open land and loneliness. One day they have an encounter with a strange man and he wont leave them alone until he gets what he wants. This film is something for the people that want to experience a thrilling story that will take their minds off of the war being fought over seas. This film is put in black and white because at the time color movies weren't as popular yet and also it gives an eerie vibe towards the movie that will create more of a suspenseful feeling for our viewers. This partly violent film will might have a difficult time dealing with the Hay's code not allowing certain things in a movie that might be beneficial to a movie like Lunatic. This happily married couple tries their best to stay alive while keeping each other safe from Daniel Turner, a local with a troubling past that losses his mind and is motivated to inflict his past pain on the new comers. Some of his actions in attempting to put this couple through absolute misery would go against the code so there will not be any gory scenes or gruesome stab wounds. Rather a more suspenseful or not as violent way in his actions. This film felt the need to hire a well experienced and respected cinematographer like James Wong Howe. His unique techniques with he way he used his camera to get the perfect shot or angle was brilliant and Robert Flaherty thought he would be the right man to capture this heart pounding film. At the end of the story, Dylan and Nicole freeze battle their way to safety and put Daniel Turner Behind bars for good. Nicole is crippled from an intense car chase that ended in her car crashing full speed into a tree but she is thankful for coming out alive. This movie would be a big hit with young couples that are looking for a gripping and intense movie that will have them covering one eye at all times. With the help of James Wong Howe capturing every powerful scene, there is no reason why this movie shouldn't take off and be nominated for many awards.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
MYST Post #1
Pearl Harbor:
There are so many great things I have to say about this film, but first I want to talk about some of the things that people might not appreciate as much or pay attention to. Some of the "cinema" components that Michael Bay used in this film I thought were very well done, like the soundtrack. In the most impactful scene of the movie when Japan surprises the United States and bombs Pearl Harbor, Bay does a wonderful job fully capturing the moment with the soundtrack. He really brings the viewer in and helps them be able to feel the pain of the fallen soldiers. The editing of that scene as well was spot on. When the planes are soaring from the sky, dropping bomb after bomb making enormous explosions and destruction while the poor American soldiers are running for their lives, these edits really grabbed my attention and brought me in. I also think another scene that had very well done editing was when Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett were battling enemy planes in the sky trying to defend what was left of the harbor.
This movie does an excellent job telling the story of one of the biggest tragedies to strike the United States. I believe that this is one of Michael Bay's finest work, but if I had to compare this film to another great war film, I would have to put it up along side Saving Private Ryan. Both films do a very good job capturing the sense of what it would be like in war and two very important events in Americas past time. The cinema components are very similar, especially in the very first scene of Saving Private Ryan when the Americans are invading enemy territory. The editing had me stunned and really gave me a better sense of what goes on during war. I also thought the camera angles really brought the scene together nicely. When Tom Hanks was blown off his boat and trying to gather his thoughts together again, the low angles that were used to view Hanks really brought out his confusion to the audience.
Their were many heart pounding scenes in this film, but if I had to pick the scene I thought really had an impact on me was when the hospital was caring for all of the soldiers and by standers of the attack from Japan. People were pouring in from the streets needing immediate care. Everyone who worked inside the hospital was running around in circles doing their best to treat each patient. One of the main characters just started her duty of being a nurse for the army and was extremely flustered doing her best to help out. She was handed one of the American generals with a blotted clot in his throat and was forced to place her fingers inside in order to prevent this man from bleeding out. The way she took control of the situation with the little experience she had on the job was a very inspiring aspect of the scene and movie. She ends up being able to save this man and he ends up being a big help to her towards the end of the movie.
There are so many great things I have to say about this film, but first I want to talk about some of the things that people might not appreciate as much or pay attention to. Some of the "cinema" components that Michael Bay used in this film I thought were very well done, like the soundtrack. In the most impactful scene of the movie when Japan surprises the United States and bombs Pearl Harbor, Bay does a wonderful job fully capturing the moment with the soundtrack. He really brings the viewer in and helps them be able to feel the pain of the fallen soldiers. The editing of that scene as well was spot on. When the planes are soaring from the sky, dropping bomb after bomb making enormous explosions and destruction while the poor American soldiers are running for their lives, these edits really grabbed my attention and brought me in. I also think another scene that had very well done editing was when Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett were battling enemy planes in the sky trying to defend what was left of the harbor.
This movie does an excellent job telling the story of one of the biggest tragedies to strike the United States. I believe that this is one of Michael Bay's finest work, but if I had to compare this film to another great war film, I would have to put it up along side Saving Private Ryan. Both films do a very good job capturing the sense of what it would be like in war and two very important events in Americas past time. The cinema components are very similar, especially in the very first scene of Saving Private Ryan when the Americans are invading enemy territory. The editing had me stunned and really gave me a better sense of what goes on during war. I also thought the camera angles really brought the scene together nicely. When Tom Hanks was blown off his boat and trying to gather his thoughts together again, the low angles that were used to view Hanks really brought out his confusion to the audience.
Their were many heart pounding scenes in this film, but if I had to pick the scene I thought really had an impact on me was when the hospital was caring for all of the soldiers and by standers of the attack from Japan. People were pouring in from the streets needing immediate care. Everyone who worked inside the hospital was running around in circles doing their best to treat each patient. One of the main characters just started her duty of being a nurse for the army and was extremely flustered doing her best to help out. She was handed one of the American generals with a blotted clot in his throat and was forced to place her fingers inside in order to prevent this man from bleeding out. The way she took control of the situation with the little experience she had on the job was a very inspiring aspect of the scene and movie. She ends up being able to save this man and he ends up being a big help to her towards the end of the movie.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Review of the Reviews
The movie I selected to talk about is The Town. This is personally one of my favorite movies of all time. I thought Ben Affleck did a wonderful job directing this movie and had a strong performance as well acting in his own movie. I looked up this movie on Rotten Tomatoes and for the most part it received incredible reviews. One of the reviews I thought complimented the movie the best was from Matthew Turner from View London. "This is a hugely enjoyable thriller that confirms Ben Affleck's talent as a director, thanks to a strong script, great set-pieces and terrific performances from a note-perfect cast". I feel that Turner summed up his opinion well about the movie and got straight to the point. His overall tone was very positive and really wanted to make the reader check out this movie. Turner brings up good topics about the movie and really focused on Ben Affleck's superb directing because this was a statement movie for Affleck, he wasn't exactly viewed as a successful director and this movie shut critics right up. He also talked about the very strong cast, Jeremy Renner did an excellent job as the supporting actor to Affleck. His bank robber role as a spontaneous rebel was played very well.
Despite all of the very positive reviews that The Town received, there will still some who disliked the movie. I found a bad review on Rotten Tomatoes from Eric Melin from scenestealers.com. Melin argued the predictability from a typical bank robbery movie. "Affleck is a little wooden... and most of what happens outside of the actual bank robberies themselves is pretty predictable". Melin has always questioned his directing ability and feels that The Town didn't help improve Affleck's status in his eyes. Melin thought the cast was talented, but Affleck himself lacked an emotional standpoint. The tone from Eric was very direct and aggressive. He wasn't afraid at all to put this movie down.
I most strongly agreed with one of Matthew Turner's quotes, "Affleck's direction is superb, firmly cementing his talent as a director after Gone Baby Gone." I felt that Ben Affleck couldn't have done a better job directing this movie. He picked a well thought out story and added the perfect cast for a movie like this. His acting himself only strengthen the movie as well for I am a very big fan of some of the movies he's been in as an actor. One of the quotes that I agreed with from Eric Melin was, "Even if you can see where this movie is going a mile away, though, “The Town” does look fantastic and the robbery and chase scenes are well done. It just feels so familiar—like a song you’ve heard a million times on the radio. When it’s on again, you sing along, but the moment it ends, you’ve forgotten it again". Even though I enjoyed this movie very much, Eric does have a point about the familiar sense the movie has. Most bank robber movies go along the same lines and this one seemed to follow that line in some ways.
After looking at both of these reviews on The Town, I think that even if I didn't see the movie and was basing my first impressions on these reviews, I think the positive review from Matthew Turner would have the bigger impact on me. The way he went on and on about how well Affleck directed the movie and had many exciting scenes and so on, it just seems more compelling than Melin's review. I believe that the key factor on how a film critic wins a reader over to the critics argument is by being very passionate and direct with their facts.
If I were to write a one page film review on a movie, I would want to make sure I strongly embrace my opinion to the reader and give as many facts why about it. I think that talking in depth about the cast and plot of the story is very important to the reader. For some people, one actor/actress can be the sole reason why they see a movie, so its important to praise these things.
Despite all of the very positive reviews that The Town received, there will still some who disliked the movie. I found a bad review on Rotten Tomatoes from Eric Melin from scenestealers.com. Melin argued the predictability from a typical bank robbery movie. "Affleck is a little wooden... and most of what happens outside of the actual bank robberies themselves is pretty predictable". Melin has always questioned his directing ability and feels that The Town didn't help improve Affleck's status in his eyes. Melin thought the cast was talented, but Affleck himself lacked an emotional standpoint. The tone from Eric was very direct and aggressive. He wasn't afraid at all to put this movie down.
I most strongly agreed with one of Matthew Turner's quotes, "Affleck's direction is superb, firmly cementing his talent as a director after Gone Baby Gone." I felt that Ben Affleck couldn't have done a better job directing this movie. He picked a well thought out story and added the perfect cast for a movie like this. His acting himself only strengthen the movie as well for I am a very big fan of some of the movies he's been in as an actor. One of the quotes that I agreed with from Eric Melin was, "Even if you can see where this movie is going a mile away, though, “The Town” does look fantastic and the robbery and chase scenes are well done. It just feels so familiar—like a song you’ve heard a million times on the radio. When it’s on again, you sing along, but the moment it ends, you’ve forgotten it again". Even though I enjoyed this movie very much, Eric does have a point about the familiar sense the movie has. Most bank robber movies go along the same lines and this one seemed to follow that line in some ways.
After looking at both of these reviews on The Town, I think that even if I didn't see the movie and was basing my first impressions on these reviews, I think the positive review from Matthew Turner would have the bigger impact on me. The way he went on and on about how well Affleck directed the movie and had many exciting scenes and so on, it just seems more compelling than Melin's review. I believe that the key factor on how a film critic wins a reader over to the critics argument is by being very passionate and direct with their facts.
If I were to write a one page film review on a movie, I would want to make sure I strongly embrace my opinion to the reader and give as many facts why about it. I think that talking in depth about the cast and plot of the story is very important to the reader. For some people, one actor/actress can be the sole reason why they see a movie, so its important to praise these things.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
1. What is the first movie that really made a strong impression on you? The first movie that made a strong impression on me was Saving Private Ryan. I've always been very interested in war movies and when i saw this film, i thought it really captured what it was like to be in a war and some of the sacrifices that had to be made during battle.
2. What are 3-4 of your favorite genres? War, Mystery/Thriller, Comedy, Horror
3. What are 3-4 of your least favorite genres? Romance, Silent, Musical
4. What are your five favorite films? Moneyball, Saving Private Ryan, Inception, Dark Knight, The Fighter, The Town
5. List three characteristics of what you consider to be a good movie? A good plot, good actors/ actresses, and a interesting setting
6. What are some of your least favorite movies? Transformers, Fast n Furious, Captain Phillips
7. List three characteristics that you consider to be a bad movie? Bad actors, bad plot, bad special effects
8. If you have any favorite directors list them? Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, David O. Russell
9. What are your favorite actors/actresses? Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom Hanks, Mark Wahlberg, Margot Robbie, Ben Affleck
10. List three films that you consider it important for people to see? JFK, Saving Private Ryan, Blood Diamond
11. What's your oldest favorite movie? Ferris Bueller's day off
12. What's the best movie you've seen that has been released in the past 2 years? Unbroken
13. What are the next five films on your "queue"? Interstellar, American Sniper, foxcather, focus, Gone Girl
2. What are 3-4 of your favorite genres? War, Mystery/Thriller, Comedy, Horror
3. What are 3-4 of your least favorite genres? Romance, Silent, Musical
4. What are your five favorite films? Moneyball, Saving Private Ryan, Inception, Dark Knight, The Fighter, The Town
5. List three characteristics of what you consider to be a good movie? A good plot, good actors/ actresses, and a interesting setting
6. What are some of your least favorite movies? Transformers, Fast n Furious, Captain Phillips
7. List three characteristics that you consider to be a bad movie? Bad actors, bad plot, bad special effects
8. If you have any favorite directors list them? Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, David O. Russell
9. What are your favorite actors/actresses? Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom Hanks, Mark Wahlberg, Margot Robbie, Ben Affleck
10. List three films that you consider it important for people to see? JFK, Saving Private Ryan, Blood Diamond
11. What's your oldest favorite movie? Ferris Bueller's day off
12. What's the best movie you've seen that has been released in the past 2 years? Unbroken
13. What are the next five films on your "queue"? Interstellar, American Sniper, foxcather, focus, Gone Girl
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