The God Father, The gangster film that re constructed the whole genera. This was the perfect grand finale for the semester. before this class I have never seen The God Father before.
At first, the opening scene feels very uncomfortable as the God Father is taking care of business during his daughters wedding.
I think this film reflects the power and corruption in America while adding the elements of obligation and honor within an underground society.
What made this movie even more interesting was the fact that the gangster was now put in the shoes of the tragic hero. I also like the darkness implemented on the god father position. The face was barely lit only allowing you to see a few facial features.
This is a must see for anyone. Since we have watched this in class I now own this on DVD and have watched it 2 times.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The graduate
I enjoyed the graduate the most this semester. It was funny, witty, a little dark and very awkward. Some parts of this film even had me asking myself if that really just happened.
The contrasts present made the film. For instance you had the innocent daughter and the wild seducing mother. This made the main character a little worried about his future. :)
I think that this film reflected the middle classes value systems and threw in an anarchic side which fit right into the 60's mind set.
In My opinion this film was way ahead of it time in terms of content. After watching this, I can see where other films have got their ideas and content from. I Know know that this was the spawning point of your typical "College Movie." This was my favorite film of the semester.
The contrasts present made the film. For instance you had the innocent daughter and the wild seducing mother. This made the main character a little worried about his future. :)
I think that this film reflected the middle classes value systems and threw in an anarchic side which fit right into the 60's mind set.
In My opinion this film was way ahead of it time in terms of content. After watching this, I can see where other films have got their ideas and content from. I Know know that this was the spawning point of your typical "College Movie." This was my favorite film of the semester.
Citizen Kane
Although it rated as one of the best films ever, I have to say it was very weird. Weird but unique.
The main thing that caught my attention was the teqniques used to capture everything. The use of a subjective camera and high contrast lighting gave this film a very unique feel to it. Another thing I found interesting was how the characters aged, showing that a large amount of time had passed. I can easily see why this film is rated as one of the best in terms of cinematography.
One thing that did confuse me a little was Orson Welles use of flash back and flash forwards. I found myself stumbling around trying to figure out when and who we were focused on. This is one of those films for me that I will have to watch again just to make sure I didn't miss anything the first time. I enjoyed this film over all, and even acquired great ideas and techniques for my future projects.
R O S E B U D!!!
The main thing that caught my attention was the teqniques used to capture everything. The use of a subjective camera and high contrast lighting gave this film a very unique feel to it. Another thing I found interesting was how the characters aged, showing that a large amount of time had passed. I can easily see why this film is rated as one of the best in terms of cinematography.
One thing that did confuse me a little was Orson Welles use of flash back and flash forwards. I found myself stumbling around trying to figure out when and who we were focused on. This is one of those films for me that I will have to watch again just to make sure I didn't miss anything the first time. I enjoyed this film over all, and even acquired great ideas and techniques for my future projects.
R O S E B U D!!!
The Grapes Of Wrath
This film started out in the Dust Bowl and is the story of a farmer and his family looking for work and a new home. Due to drought, depression and a changing society, they were forced to leave their last home.
This film was most popular "left Leaning" movie of the pre WWII Hollywood.
The style that this movie was filmed in seemed close to a documentary, showing the "True Life" of rural mid west farmers at the time. Another thing I noticed, (if it wasn't the screen we were watching it on) was the lighting. the lighting of the movie seems very low as if it was candle lit. This added an amount of realism to the film, and really set the mood in this harsh time film.
In my own opinion it wasn't a bad film, but one that felt way to long. After a while it felt like it was never ending and it made it hard to really pay attention to what was going on.
This film was most popular "left Leaning" movie of the pre WWII Hollywood.
The style that this movie was filmed in seemed close to a documentary, showing the "True Life" of rural mid west farmers at the time. Another thing I noticed, (if it wasn't the screen we were watching it on) was the lighting. the lighting of the movie seems very low as if it was candle lit. This added an amount of realism to the film, and really set the mood in this harsh time film.
In my own opinion it wasn't a bad film, but one that felt way to long. After a while it felt like it was never ending and it made it hard to really pay attention to what was going on.
His girl friday
His Girl Friday was my first screwball comedy. After the first 10 minutes of watching it I found out why they call it a screwball comedy. This film was fast paced throughout the entire length and at times dialogue overlapped because of how the characters spoke.
one reason why this film was important is because of the gender swap. His Girl Friday was the first to do this adding a whole new angle to the genre. Another point worth mentioning was the amount of sexual innuendos and play on words. This is combination with the story's plot created a one of a kind film for its time.
I enjoyed this film because of its speed. It kept you on four feet and kept you thinking. If you spent too much time trying to pay attention to one thing chances are that you missed something else that was important.. Would I recommend this to other people involved in film culture? Yes. But it would come with a warning to pay nonstop close attention.
one reason why this film was important is because of the gender swap. His Girl Friday was the first to do this adding a whole new angle to the genre. Another point worth mentioning was the amount of sexual innuendos and play on words. This is combination with the story's plot created a one of a kind film for its time.
I enjoyed this film because of its speed. It kept you on four feet and kept you thinking. If you spent too much time trying to pay attention to one thing chances are that you missed something else that was important.. Would I recommend this to other people involved in film culture? Yes. But it would come with a warning to pay nonstop close attention.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Stagecoach
When some unlikely travelers find themselves traveling west through harsh territory, They have nothing more than a horse and buggy style stagecoach to take them to their destination. In my opinion the whole film was captured perfectly. It is hard for me to imagine using the equipment that Ford has used and getting such a great return on screen. His signature style captures the true beauty and danger of the "Old West".
This film reflects on the roles each of us play in society, and also shows us how cruel and thoughtless strangers can be especially in a time of need. The characters develop as the story throws problems and different obstacles at the crew of the outlaw, the prostitute, The southern gentleman, the Army wife, the whiskey salesman and the drunk. During most of the film you see how the characters, for the most part, do not get along and are reluctant to help one another. As the story goes on you notice that they become more united, and by the end of the film some are even friends.
Stagecoach over all was a great movie. Its a classic and has defiantly changed the game of all western movies. Some would even say that if drew an outline for westerns that would follow Stagecoach.
Although it felt a little long, I would recommend this film to anyone wit an interest in directing or an interest in film period.
This film reflects on the roles each of us play in society, and also shows us how cruel and thoughtless strangers can be especially in a time of need. The characters develop as the story throws problems and different obstacles at the crew of the outlaw, the prostitute, The southern gentleman, the Army wife, the whiskey salesman and the drunk. During most of the film you see how the characters, for the most part, do not get along and are reluctant to help one another. As the story goes on you notice that they become more united, and by the end of the film some are even friends.
Stagecoach over all was a great movie. Its a classic and has defiantly changed the game of all western movies. Some would even say that if drew an outline for westerns that would follow Stagecoach.
Although it felt a little long, I would recommend this film to anyone wit an interest in directing or an interest in film period.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
journal 1 Charlie Chaplins Gold Rush
http://www.charliechaplin.com/en/filming/articles/5-Filming-the-Gold-Rush
This article talks about the making of Charlie Chaplins "GoldRush"
It explains how the initial idea came to be, From a a stereoscope picture series of the 1896 Klondike gold rush.
I also learned that this was Chaplins only great silent comedy which he began to shoot with the full story worked out. He also revised the original "Gold Rush" in 1942 when an Ochestral score was written for it
Before the film started I thought I was in for a long bore as I have never seen a Chaplin film before. In my opinion it thought it still remains funny to this day regardless of the age of this film. One thing I did not like was the fact that i kept thinking the film was ending on just about everyone of the later "fade to blacks". This made it feel like the film never wanted to end.
After doing a little research and learning some facts about Charlie Chaplin I developed a greater respect for some one I didn't even know was a director.
This article talks about the making of Charlie Chaplins "GoldRush"
It explains how the initial idea came to be, From a a stereoscope picture series of the 1896 Klondike gold rush.
I also learned that this was Chaplins only great silent comedy which he began to shoot with the full story worked out. He also revised the original "Gold Rush" in 1942 when an Ochestral score was written for it
Before the film started I thought I was in for a long bore as I have never seen a Chaplin film before. In my opinion it thought it still remains funny to this day regardless of the age of this film. One thing I did not like was the fact that i kept thinking the film was ending on just about everyone of the later "fade to blacks". This made it feel like the film never wanted to end.
After doing a little research and learning some facts about Charlie Chaplin I developed a greater respect for some one I didn't even know was a director.
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