True Grit/ StageCoach
I would say that these two films are very different ends of the western spectrum. However, there are some old fashioned, classic western elements in the more avant garde True Grit. The characters are fairly basic in my opinion. There is the classic bad-ass, Rooster, the Villian( Josh Brolin) and the innocent girl(Maddie). Other classical elements in this movie are the broad, romantic scenery and the simple motives that keep the plot moving. Maddie wants revenge for her fathers death, so finding the killer is what keeps it going. Its simple. There is a lack of excessive emotional aspects of the film, which shows how the characters are basic, classic and easy to follow. The movie is less of a classic western because of the highly stylized way of the movie. It is too odd and strange to just go on as a classic western. These oddities, such as the interesting dialogue, and the peculiar relationships in the movie, like how Maddie dominates older men in the movie, make for an interesting a fresh type of western. Just because its straying away from classic doesn't necessarily mean its becoming more revisionist. I would say its going off on a whole different tangent altogether.
Unforgiven is a revisionist western because of the darker elements in the movie, such as the whore getting her face cut up, the brutal, graphic beating of English Bob, and the bloody shootouts, and the whipping. It doesn't portray the killings as anything less than what they are, or just try to make them look neat and clean like the shooting scene in StageCoach. True Grit like Unforgiven in that it focuses more on the individual characters, and not just the group as a whole or trying to get the plot rolling along. It plays more to emotions, something not really found in a classic western. The relationship between Maddie and Rooser really becomes strong, and the only other example in Stagecoach where this happens is Ringo and Dallas, but that is so generic and superficial that, as an audience member, its hard even to care about them. Because of the rich character development with Maddie and Rooser, them going through so much together, we care a lot more when she goes back to find him many years later and hes dead. An example of rich relationship development in revisionist westerns is Clint Eastwood's character and morgan Freeman's character.
In the end, it's hard were to classify True Grit. It certainly has elements of both revisionist and classical genres, and some that conflict with each other. After everything is said and done, though, I would call True Grit a classic western. The story line is just classic revenge, with beautiful scenery, and all the classic characters. There is the good v. evil aspect which is very classical, and although there may be an odd style to it, at heart it is true to the old fashioned ways of classic western.
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Online Film Analysis Assignment
1. Clip A
In this scene from Ocean's Eleven, the main distinctive feature I think is the camera shots, and all the different angles and continuity editing they use. They obey the 180 degree rule and stay on the axis of action. They also use an eyeline match. The lighting in the scene is very low. It is mostly soft light, with lots of shadows. On some characters there is backlighting. This lighting is mostly used on Brad Pitt, since he is the "cool" guy in the scene. The light makes him seem somewhat mysterious. There is also a cool match on action shot when it switches scenes, with Pitt in same position in new location. In the end, soft light and backlighting switch to George Clooney because he is now the "cool" guy.
2. Clip C
There is obviously a lot of cross cutting to make you think the cops are at the right house. there is a dramtic moment when we realize that it is just Clairice at Bill's house, and how vulnerable she is. The Mise-en-scene is utilized to a high degree as well. The costume and make up play a huge role. A shirtless and stringy haired Bill makes him look insane, the girl in the well is made up to look very sick, hungary, violated, and desperate. The cops uniforms obviously show us what their role is going to be. The setting, in a quiet suburb, add to the suspense. We think that nothing could go wrong, but there is such a twisted sick killer who operates out of this neighborhood.
3. Clip E
Initially we see the backlight coming in from the old man, and gives him a slight sihlouette. The light then hits the younger man as frontal lighting because he is facing the window. This follows the continuity editing, because it only makes sense that each one would be lit up that way. There is some shot/reverse shot used, looking at the back of younger man's head and over his shoulder. When the old man gets into the music, and starts conducting, we can see that the nondiegetic sound is just in his head, and the younger man clearly can't hear it. Cutting to the image of the opera from a close up of the old man's closed eye face makes it clear that he is remembering it.At 1:14 there is a good use of the rule of thirds, when the guy is conducting and the singers are in the background on either side of him, out of focus. It cuts back to the present with a match on action to the old man when the song is over.
4. Clip F
The entire scene is shot in one long shot, which is the dominating aspect of the scene. It snakes its way through the house, going backwards and forwards, and drifting side to side sometimes. There is a semi-motif of light throughout the scene, with small, dim sources in the house, then finishing off with a giant fire outside. The use of sound in this scene is also crucial. For most of it, we don't know where exactly the sound is coming from, just somewhere off camera. We hear diegetic sounds coming from the actors mouths, the crackle of the fire, and dogs barking. It all adds to the confusion because we don't know who is making the noise.
In this scene from Ocean's Eleven, the main distinctive feature I think is the camera shots, and all the different angles and continuity editing they use. They obey the 180 degree rule and stay on the axis of action. They also use an eyeline match. The lighting in the scene is very low. It is mostly soft light, with lots of shadows. On some characters there is backlighting. This lighting is mostly used on Brad Pitt, since he is the "cool" guy in the scene. The light makes him seem somewhat mysterious. There is also a cool match on action shot when it switches scenes, with Pitt in same position in new location. In the end, soft light and backlighting switch to George Clooney because he is now the "cool" guy.
2. Clip C
There is obviously a lot of cross cutting to make you think the cops are at the right house. there is a dramtic moment when we realize that it is just Clairice at Bill's house, and how vulnerable she is. The Mise-en-scene is utilized to a high degree as well. The costume and make up play a huge role. A shirtless and stringy haired Bill makes him look insane, the girl in the well is made up to look very sick, hungary, violated, and desperate. The cops uniforms obviously show us what their role is going to be. The setting, in a quiet suburb, add to the suspense. We think that nothing could go wrong, but there is such a twisted sick killer who operates out of this neighborhood.
3. Clip E
Initially we see the backlight coming in from the old man, and gives him a slight sihlouette. The light then hits the younger man as frontal lighting because he is facing the window. This follows the continuity editing, because it only makes sense that each one would be lit up that way. There is some shot/reverse shot used, looking at the back of younger man's head and over his shoulder. When the old man gets into the music, and starts conducting, we can see that the nondiegetic sound is just in his head, and the younger man clearly can't hear it. Cutting to the image of the opera from a close up of the old man's closed eye face makes it clear that he is remembering it.At 1:14 there is a good use of the rule of thirds, when the guy is conducting and the singers are in the background on either side of him, out of focus. It cuts back to the present with a match on action to the old man when the song is over.
4. Clip F
The entire scene is shot in one long shot, which is the dominating aspect of the scene. It snakes its way through the house, going backwards and forwards, and drifting side to side sometimes. There is a semi-motif of light throughout the scene, with small, dim sources in the house, then finishing off with a giant fire outside. The use of sound in this scene is also crucial. For most of it, we don't know where exactly the sound is coming from, just somewhere off camera. We hear diegetic sounds coming from the actors mouths, the crackle of the fire, and dogs barking. It all adds to the confusion because we don't know who is making the noise.
Friday 18 February 2011
Oscar Rankings
1. The Social Network
Unworthy story
Decent Acting
Good Writing
2. Toy Story 3
Good way to finish TS series
Emotional connection
Good Writing
3. Winter's Bone
Unique, origional
Good Setting
Unconventional Actors
4. The King's Speech
Not very original
Very good acting
Good Lighting
5. Inception
Fasting moving, cheap thills
Entertaining, but not good movie
Mediocre acting
6. True Grit
Entertaining, unique style of dialogue
Great shots of setting, great photography in general
Jeff Bridges was his own version of cowboy
1. My number one oscar pick is True Grit. The cinematography was beautiful, with lots of great shots. I think it had lots of great actors too, who did a good job, especially the actress who played Maddie, because she was a new comer. Jeff Bridges was great too. This should win best picture because it is unique and origional. Its different from all the other films. The Coen brothers style comes through in a way that can revive the western, instead of making another remake of an old movie. Its vibrant, with great dialouge, beautiful and heartwarming.
2. My second oscar pick is Toy Story 3. This was a really effective film for me because it didn't try and hold on to the past. The last TS was 11 years ago, and this moved on with a new pov from Andy growing up and other more mature themes. It embraced change, and that made it able to work.
3. #3 for me is Winter's Bone. I really liked it because we got to see a movie from the pov of ugly people. Usually, all the actors are really made up and pretty, but these folks are intentionally bland, grey looking, and meth faces. I liked how they changed it up. The lead actress was also really good.
4. The social network is my 4th choice. I thought it was really good because it is relevant to the times today. It is very timely. I think some of the acting is good, especially Jessie Eisenberg, and the fast talking scene. Most of the other acting was pretty bad in my mind, and the plot wasn't very interesting. It had a bad ending too, in my mind. I didn't like the loose ends.
5. The Kings Speech was a great movie. The acting was superb. The writing was phenominal. The set and lighting was very, very, very good. The only problem in my mind is its not origional. So many movies like this have been made. Its as though it was made knowing its going into the Best Picture bid just because of the plot of the film. Royalty. Movies like "The Queen" and "Atonement" have set the standard, but by know Im just tired of it.
6. My least favorite by far was inception. It was very ok. I didn't like how silly it seemed. It was all just cheap thrills, with little educational or even deep-thinking merit. Granted, the acting was good, but its easy to act well and intensly in a fast paced movie. The plot was silly in my mind, and it could have used a lot better writing. The cinematography was very good, and so were the special effects, but in my mind, thats just not enough to make the cut. It shouldn't even be nominated.
Unworthy story
Decent Acting
Good Writing
2. Toy Story 3
Good way to finish TS series
Emotional connection
Good Writing
3. Winter's Bone
Unique, origional
Good Setting
Unconventional Actors
4. The King's Speech
Not very original
Very good acting
Good Lighting
5. Inception
Fasting moving, cheap thills
Entertaining, but not good movie
Mediocre acting
6. True Grit
Entertaining, unique style of dialogue
Great shots of setting, great photography in general
Jeff Bridges was his own version of cowboy
1. My number one oscar pick is True Grit. The cinematography was beautiful, with lots of great shots. I think it had lots of great actors too, who did a good job, especially the actress who played Maddie, because she was a new comer. Jeff Bridges was great too. This should win best picture because it is unique and origional. Its different from all the other films. The Coen brothers style comes through in a way that can revive the western, instead of making another remake of an old movie. Its vibrant, with great dialouge, beautiful and heartwarming.
2. My second oscar pick is Toy Story 3. This was a really effective film for me because it didn't try and hold on to the past. The last TS was 11 years ago, and this moved on with a new pov from Andy growing up and other more mature themes. It embraced change, and that made it able to work.
3. #3 for me is Winter's Bone. I really liked it because we got to see a movie from the pov of ugly people. Usually, all the actors are really made up and pretty, but these folks are intentionally bland, grey looking, and meth faces. I liked how they changed it up. The lead actress was also really good.
4. The social network is my 4th choice. I thought it was really good because it is relevant to the times today. It is very timely. I think some of the acting is good, especially Jessie Eisenberg, and the fast talking scene. Most of the other acting was pretty bad in my mind, and the plot wasn't very interesting. It had a bad ending too, in my mind. I didn't like the loose ends.
5. The Kings Speech was a great movie. The acting was superb. The writing was phenominal. The set and lighting was very, very, very good. The only problem in my mind is its not origional. So many movies like this have been made. Its as though it was made knowing its going into the Best Picture bid just because of the plot of the film. Royalty. Movies like "The Queen" and "Atonement" have set the standard, but by know Im just tired of it.
6. My least favorite by far was inception. It was very ok. I didn't like how silly it seemed. It was all just cheap thrills, with little educational or even deep-thinking merit. Granted, the acting was good, but its easy to act well and intensly in a fast paced movie. The plot was silly in my mind, and it could have used a lot better writing. The cinematography was very good, and so were the special effects, but in my mind, thats just not enough to make the cut. It shouldn't even be nominated.
Wednesday 26 January 2011
My First Movie Review
Brainstorming
-Good dialogue
-Intertwining story lines of different characters
-memorable quotes
-unique characters
-violent
-funny and whitty, but very dark at the same time
-drugs make it serious
-story line wraps around to the end
-cool character names
-director also acts in movie
-good music
-launching of Uma Thurman's career
-Odd topics of conversation in movie. Seem unrelated to plot.
-Casual demeanor among the violence
-"a royale with cheese"
Review of Pulp Fiction
One of my favorite movies of all time is Pulp Fiction. What I like about it most is the unique use of dialogue that it has. I think that all of Tarantino's movies have this very interesting type of dialogue where the characters will talk on seriously and intently about a particular event or story, with lots of detail. They are like regular everyday conversations one might have in real life, but you wouldn't think there is any place for them in a move. In Pulp Fiction, Vincent and Jules are just taking casually in their car about what a quarter pounder is called in France after they just killed a bunch of people. Another part that is memorable is Jules' bible speach before he kills people. Another part of the movie I like is the nonlinear stroyline. It involves a lot of different plots that all get tied together at the end. Also, I think that the characters in the movie are very unique. Rarely do we see such a strange cast of people in a film. There are no standard, cookie-cutter type characters. They are all unique and unexpected, like the rapists in the pawn shop. Its like, who would've thought of that?
-Good dialogue
-Intertwining story lines of different characters
-memorable quotes
-unique characters
-violent
-funny and whitty, but very dark at the same time
-drugs make it serious
-story line wraps around to the end
-cool character names
-director also acts in movie
-good music
-launching of Uma Thurman's career
-Odd topics of conversation in movie. Seem unrelated to plot.
-Casual demeanor among the violence
-"a royale with cheese"
Review of Pulp Fiction
One of my favorite movies of all time is Pulp Fiction. What I like about it most is the unique use of dialogue that it has. I think that all of Tarantino's movies have this very interesting type of dialogue where the characters will talk on seriously and intently about a particular event or story, with lots of detail. They are like regular everyday conversations one might have in real life, but you wouldn't think there is any place for them in a move. In Pulp Fiction, Vincent and Jules are just taking casually in their car about what a quarter pounder is called in France after they just killed a bunch of people. Another part that is memorable is Jules' bible speach before he kills people. Another part of the movie I like is the nonlinear stroyline. It involves a lot of different plots that all get tied together at the end. Also, I think that the characters in the movie are very unique. Rarely do we see such a strange cast of people in a film. There are no standard, cookie-cutter type characters. They are all unique and unexpected, like the rapists in the pawn shop. Its like, who would've thought of that?
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