Monsters were created by mankind to explain the world around us and the world inside of us, we as humans create monsters. He gets the ideas of monsters from insects and other types animals that he saw in his early childhood. He put the role of the monsters in his movies to show how humans create their own monsters. He then adds other special effects that he thinks would make the character more effective for the movie.
Ofelia is a little girl who seeks refuge from the violence and misery of her life in a fantasy world that turns out to be just as menacing. Quoted by John Calhoun in American cinematography. Pan's Labyrinth is basically a mirror of what this world is today, says Guillero.
The visuals in the film tells the story on its own. The darkness and the color style let the graphics in the film carry the story's burden. “The image becomes the grammar of the story” says Navarro. The camera basically fits the shoes of Ofelia (the main character). The people who are watching the film learns, discover, understand, and feel what Ofelia feels. In the film Pan's labyrinth you kind of get confused of whats happening if its in Ofelia fantasy world or real life. Colors like deep crimsons and golden ambers which are warm colors were used in Ofelia's fantasy world where they have more round shapes. The harsh reality was represented by cold hues of blue, and green environment which features sharp angles.
The colors start to mix in with each other throughout the film thats where you see the unity of Ofelia's fantasy world and the real world. Navarro said that with the mixing of colors he found the language that was needed to help the audience understand the complexity of the movie.
This shows that he went through a great extent on creating and improving his monsters and the film exactly the way he wants them.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Billy Jack
Billy Jack, directed and played by Tom Laughlin, is a half-Indian/half-white ex-Green Beret who is being drawn more and more toward his Indian side. He hates violence, but can't get away from it in the “white man's” world. Pitting the good guys, the students of the peace-loving free-arts school in the desert vs. the conservative bad guys in the near-by town. The film plays a late-60s messages about anti-establishment, make love not war, the senseless slaughter of God's creatures, the rape of society (figuratively and literally), two-sided justice, racial segregation and prejudices, and basic socialist ideals.
In contrast Billy Jack reminds me of Born Losers by Tom Laughlin and Delores Taylor in the 1967 film. Both films have the same hero, theme and the obsession with the role of violence in society. In all saying I believe that all this film calls out that a gun is better than a constitution in the enforcement of justice.
Colors was good. But what fascinated me was the sounding and the language that was use in this film. The dialog that was use funny, truthful and life experiencing which made the film the more better. The costume that was use showed more of a hillbilly type of look thats trying to find peace in this world.
In contrast Billy Jack reminds me of Born Losers by Tom Laughlin and Delores Taylor in the 1967 film. Both films have the same hero, theme and the obsession with the role of violence in society. In all saying I believe that all this film calls out that a gun is better than a constitution in the enforcement of justice.
Colors was good. But what fascinated me was the sounding and the language that was use in this film. The dialog that was use funny, truthful and life experiencing which made the film the more better. The costume that was use showed more of a hillbilly type of look thats trying to find peace in this world.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Curse of the Golden Flower
Directer Yimou Zhang and cinematographer Xiaoding Zhao set this film in the 10th century with the tale of deception and betrayal that pits emperor( Yun-fat Chow) against empress (Li Gong ) and father against son.
The old Chinese saying “Gold and jade on the outside , rot and decay on the inside” goes perfectly with the film's theme.
Quoted that this film has excellent contrast and high definition.
Zhao use gold , red and pink to show imperial colors in Chinese tradition , they are use as key tones during the production. Quoted “ we made them even stronger and more saturated during the digital intermediate. He said he eschewed filters on the lens.
The camera movement had reflected the sense of crisis and instability gripping the kingdom. The dramatic scenes feature formal symmetrical compositions that suggest the highly regimented protocol dictated royal tradition. In the American Cinematography magazine.
My favorite shot in this film was when the emperor had tried to force his wife to drink the poisonous drink but it ended up falling on the table and the liquid stained the wood table into a flower. The background then faded out into a white and black surrounding except for the stain which slowly transform into a red chrysanthemum making it look like real fresh blood. Zhao said “the color transition express the idea of opulent surface being peeled off. All the glory and power is gone, leaving only evil to continue.”
The old Chinese saying “Gold and jade on the outside , rot and decay on the inside” goes perfectly with the film's theme.
Quoted that this film has excellent contrast and high definition.
Zhao use gold , red and pink to show imperial colors in Chinese tradition , they are use as key tones during the production. Quoted “ we made them even stronger and more saturated during the digital intermediate. He said he eschewed filters on the lens.
The camera movement had reflected the sense of crisis and instability gripping the kingdom. The dramatic scenes feature formal symmetrical compositions that suggest the highly regimented protocol dictated royal tradition. In the American Cinematography magazine.
My favorite shot in this film was when the emperor had tried to force his wife to drink the poisonous drink but it ended up falling on the table and the liquid stained the wood table into a flower. The background then faded out into a white and black surrounding except for the stain which slowly transform into a red chrysanthemum making it look like real fresh blood. Zhao said “the color transition express the idea of opulent surface being peeled off. All the glory and power is gone, leaving only evil to continue.”
Thursday, May 3, 2007
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
From the epic poem "The Odyssey" by Homer, set in the deep south during the 1930's. In it, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them. Director Joel Coen made O Brother, Where Art Thou with the genre of comedy, adventure, crime and music.
This is an interesting film because it contains reference from other films like The Wizard of Oz, Crossroads, and Cool Hand Luke. A scene when the KKK rally with the chanting and the marching of the Klansman, also when the heroes who sneak in by overpowering three of the Klansman and taking their outfits came from the Wicked Witch's castle.
George Clooney's character Everett McGill came from Everett McGill, an actor who appeared in the film Quest for Fire. McGill portrayed the leader of a group of three early humans on a journey to find fire and bring it back to their tribe. The name "Ulysses Everett McGill" to Clooney's character's leadership of a similarly dim-witted trio on a quest.
Much of the music used is from Appalachian folk music, including that of Virginia folk/bluegrass. The music selection is drawn from spiritual music of this region, including that of the Primitive Baptist Church, and other popular religious music. There is a notable use of dirges and other macabre songs, a theme which often recurs in Appalachian Music (Oh Death, Lonesome Valley, Angel Band) in contrast to bright or corrective songs (Keep On The Sunny side, You Are My Sunshine) in other parts of the movie. These songs lend a spiritual air and deeper allegory to the comedic film.
This film has a pleasant yellow that gets the film going from the get go. One scene is in the beginning of the film where the three convicts escaped jail, another is at the end of the film where the three little girls was walking and sing behind McGill. The lighting was very direct because the scene where they were at Wash Hogwallop home after dinner the light was directly on Mr. Hogwallop face with a dark surrounding. Where you could see his faces with expressions that clearly identified his feelings.
This is an interesting film because it contains reference from other films like The Wizard of Oz, Crossroads, and Cool Hand Luke. A scene when the KKK rally with the chanting and the marching of the Klansman, also when the heroes who sneak in by overpowering three of the Klansman and taking their outfits came from the Wicked Witch's castle.
George Clooney's character Everett McGill came from Everett McGill, an actor who appeared in the film Quest for Fire. McGill portrayed the leader of a group of three early humans on a journey to find fire and bring it back to their tribe. The name "Ulysses Everett McGill" to Clooney's character's leadership of a similarly dim-witted trio on a quest.
Much of the music used is from Appalachian folk music, including that of Virginia folk/bluegrass. The music selection is drawn from spiritual music of this region, including that of the Primitive Baptist Church, and other popular religious music. There is a notable use of dirges and other macabre songs, a theme which often recurs in Appalachian Music (Oh Death, Lonesome Valley, Angel Band) in contrast to bright or corrective songs (Keep On The Sunny side, You Are My Sunshine) in other parts of the movie. These songs lend a spiritual air and deeper allegory to the comedic film.
This film has a pleasant yellow that gets the film going from the get go. One scene is in the beginning of the film where the three convicts escaped jail, another is at the end of the film where the three little girls was walking and sing behind McGill. The lighting was very direct because the scene where they were at Wash Hogwallop home after dinner the light was directly on Mr. Hogwallop face with a dark surrounding. Where you could see his faces with expressions that clearly identified his feelings.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Directed by Darnell Martin Their Eyes Were Watching God was phenomenal. A drama set in the 1920s, where free-spirited Janie Crawford's played by Halle Berry search for happiness that leads her through several different marriages, challenging the morals of her small town. With the genre of Bildungsroman (coming of age), and the American Southern spiritual journey where the community convicts, segregate against the ungodly.
The main factors of this film was Janie's hair, the pear tree, the horizon and the hurricane. Love and relationships versus independence; spiritual fulfillment; and materialism showed clearly through out the film.
The tone of the film appear to be sympathetic and affirming. The language took a tole of control, power and conquest as a mean to fulfillment.
The main factors of this film was Janie's hair, the pear tree, the horizon and the hurricane. Love and relationships versus independence; spiritual fulfillment; and materialism showed clearly through out the film.
The tone of the film appear to be sympathetic and affirming. The language took a tole of control, power and conquest as a mean to fulfillment.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Ray
Ray a film played by Jamie Foxx was magnificent. Jamie Foxx did a wonderful job, he showed the aggressiveness, soft hearted and talented Ray Charles well. Directed by Taylor Hackford , screenplay by James L. White, produced by Hackford, Stuart Benjamin, Howard Baldwin and Karen Baldwin collaborated and made a film that got Grammy award.
Ray Charles mother played by Sharon Warren(Aretha Robinson)played a fiercely independent mother who insisted that he make his own way through the world. She kept pressing on young Ray to be independent. Which prove well because in one scene when Ray Charles mangers tried to play him like a fool he realized it and left. Also when he first met Della Bea, going back home he mesmerized the direction from her house to his.
Kerry Washington played as Della Bea Robinson, Ray Robinson wife was great. She played a God-loving woman but also a woman of heart. She stuck with Ray Charles despite his adulterous acts. But when it was time for her to speak her voice she did and she was powerful and fierce with it.
C.J. Sanders played as little Ray did a magnificent job. He showed the fear of turning blind, watching his brother die and seen his mother go through a struggle to support him.
One factor of this film was lighting, in one scene was when Della confronts Ray the lighting was dark and the only thing you can see is there faces and reactions. It was a factor because it shows the expressions well enough, to the point where you don't even have to listen to the words to know whats going to be said. You automatically know what they're feeling.
Music by Ray Charles obviously was played through out the whole film. But Jamie Foxx singing sounded just like Ray Charles. The jazz, and gospel sounding came natural to him.
Ray Charles mother played by Sharon Warren(Aretha Robinson)played a fiercely independent mother who insisted that he make his own way through the world. She kept pressing on young Ray to be independent. Which prove well because in one scene when Ray Charles mangers tried to play him like a fool he realized it and left. Also when he first met Della Bea, going back home he mesmerized the direction from her house to his.
Kerry Washington played as Della Bea Robinson, Ray Robinson wife was great. She played a God-loving woman but also a woman of heart. She stuck with Ray Charles despite his adulterous acts. But when it was time for her to speak her voice she did and she was powerful and fierce with it.
C.J. Sanders played as little Ray did a magnificent job. He showed the fear of turning blind, watching his brother die and seen his mother go through a struggle to support him.
One factor of this film was lighting, in one scene was when Della confronts Ray the lighting was dark and the only thing you can see is there faces and reactions. It was a factor because it shows the expressions well enough, to the point where you don't even have to listen to the words to know whats going to be said. You automatically know what they're feeling.
Music by Ray Charles obviously was played through out the whole film. But Jamie Foxx singing sounded just like Ray Charles. The jazz, and gospel sounding came natural to him.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Letters from Iwo Jima
Director Clint Eastwood sought the action of Japanese defenders in a film about World War 2 showing the Japanese views. It was a wartime tale of sacrifice and survival.
The ideas and characters are universal in this film. But the language was in Japanese which made it interesting that pure Americans were speaking Japanese.
General Kuribayashi played by Ken Watanabe was great. In the film his role as general was good because his plans were strategic not tactical. He wasn't as interested in winning the battle he was more interested in holding up U.S. invasion of Japan.
Eastwood and Stern(cinematographer) used the advantage of shooting with small cameras. With that you can feel the soldiers claustrophobic in battle.
Going on research this film was shoot in a real tunnel 100ft underground where Japanese soldiers had killed themselves during the war. Two third of the film was shot in actual mines, caves, and lava fields mountains. The good of having to be in a actual cave is that each of the characters felt what the soldiers felt from being in there.
One key factor of the film was the color black. An example to understand the effect of the color is to imagine yourself on a highway where theres no light until a car passes you and the car light shines directly on you. The only thing thats shown is the light and the object its shines on but everything else is pitch black. There were no extra lights. Another color factor was red. Red mostly symbolize blood, the color was on the military insignia and around the explosions and muzzle blast there was red.
The gruesome part was when the soldiers commit suicide by blowing themselves up with grenades.
The ideas and characters are universal in this film. But the language was in Japanese which made it interesting that pure Americans were speaking Japanese.
General Kuribayashi played by Ken Watanabe was great. In the film his role as general was good because his plans were strategic not tactical. He wasn't as interested in winning the battle he was more interested in holding up U.S. invasion of Japan.
Eastwood and Stern(cinematographer) used the advantage of shooting with small cameras. With that you can feel the soldiers claustrophobic in battle.
Going on research this film was shoot in a real tunnel 100ft underground where Japanese soldiers had killed themselves during the war. Two third of the film was shot in actual mines, caves, and lava fields mountains. The good of having to be in a actual cave is that each of the characters felt what the soldiers felt from being in there.
One key factor of the film was the color black. An example to understand the effect of the color is to imagine yourself on a highway where theres no light until a car passes you and the car light shines directly on you. The only thing thats shown is the light and the object its shines on but everything else is pitch black. There were no extra lights. Another color factor was red. Red mostly symbolize blood, the color was on the military insignia and around the explosions and muzzle blast there was red.
The gruesome part was when the soldiers commit suicide by blowing themselves up with grenades.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Peach Orchard
“Peach can be brought.
But where can you buy a whole orchard in bloom”
In the beginning the boy was mesmerized by the dolls in the house. Each doll symbolized the life of the blossoms and the spirit of the trees.
In the house one of the first things you see was a peach tree. Maybe that tree symbolize the sixth girl the boy said he seen when he was talking to his sister. Also the second time he seen the girl she was then in front of the peach tree.
When the little boy was chasing the girl the first dolls that came was showed was the white dolls and in that culture the color white represents death. So it might have showed that the tree was dead or gone in life.
Every doll was in a specific position and had specific colors. Maybe those colors represented either the rank because at the top line there was a black and a white doll, maybe to even out justice or it might have represented the different colors of how trees can form. The little boy was dressed in grey in the scene where the dolls were dancing,so he doesn't mixed in the colors of the dolls.
The little girl was the spirit and she was the last tree standing at the end. Maybe the little boy was sad because he understands that the life of the tree was gone.
The music was a great impact because it itself introduce the scene and told the story.
“We dolls personify the peach tree”
But where can you buy a whole orchard in bloom”
In the beginning the boy was mesmerized by the dolls in the house. Each doll symbolized the life of the blossoms and the spirit of the trees.
In the house one of the first things you see was a peach tree. Maybe that tree symbolize the sixth girl the boy said he seen when he was talking to his sister. Also the second time he seen the girl she was then in front of the peach tree.
When the little boy was chasing the girl the first dolls that came was showed was the white dolls and in that culture the color white represents death. So it might have showed that the tree was dead or gone in life.
Every doll was in a specific position and had specific colors. Maybe those colors represented either the rank because at the top line there was a black and a white doll, maybe to even out justice or it might have represented the different colors of how trees can form. The little boy was dressed in grey in the scene where the dolls were dancing,so he doesn't mixed in the colors of the dolls.
The little girl was the spirit and she was the last tree standing at the end. Maybe the little boy was sad because he understands that the life of the tree was gone.
The music was a great impact because it itself introduce the scene and told the story.
“We dolls personify the peach tree”
Monday, March 26, 2007
Sunshine through the Rain
Symbols are the key to this dream. Everything symbolizes something. Also this deals with curiosity and consequence.
The rainbow symbolizes light. The color white in the flowers and one of the women who had all white on symbolizes death. The child symbolizes curiosity (disobedience). The mother warns the child not to go. The knife symbolizes death.
The Foxes have concession in the rain. The Foxes come out when the sun shine through the rain. Obviously the foxes was doing something that nobody was suppose to see. Maybe like a wedding or a death ceremony. Or even a new path to the foxes new life, because in the film people aren't suppose to see the foxes or know where they live.
“I don't know where they live”
You'll find out...... Days like this the rainbow are always shining..... Foxes live under the rainbows”
They wanted him to kill himself is part of the consequence for being curious.
The rainbow symbolizes light. The color white in the flowers and one of the women who had all white on symbolizes death. The child symbolizes curiosity (disobedience). The mother warns the child not to go. The knife symbolizes death.
The Foxes have concession in the rain. The Foxes come out when the sun shine through the rain. Obviously the foxes was doing something that nobody was suppose to see. Maybe like a wedding or a death ceremony. Or even a new path to the foxes new life, because in the film people aren't suppose to see the foxes or know where they live.
“I don't know where they live”
You'll find out...... Days like this the rainbow are always shining..... Foxes live under the rainbows”
They wanted him to kill himself is part of the consequence for being curious.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Chinese Cinema v.s. American Cinema
American Cinema has five different types of film styles, you have The Hollywood Style, The Western, Romantic Comedy, The Combat Film, and The Horror
The Hollywood Style is basically structure, narrative, and visual. Western films are shooting and control power. Romantic Comedy is the I Love You, but also have drama that make everybody laugh on life's reality. Combat Films are on WAR, government and political views. Horror films are the nightmares that you'll get, and stupid myths.
As for Chinese Cinema its all base on their tradition and fighting technique such as martial arts.
Style of making films are very much different. Even though there are similarities such as cut and paste. But Chinese filmmakers seldom use computers, they would usually shoot at three different angles and then combine them. While American filmmakers would shoot scene A and then scene D and go back to scene B to collaborate. Also American filmmakers would use computers to generate special effects.
The Hollywood Style is basically structure, narrative, and visual. Western films are shooting and control power. Romantic Comedy is the I Love You, but also have drama that make everybody laugh on life's reality. Combat Films are on WAR, government and political views. Horror films are the nightmares that you'll get, and stupid myths.
As for Chinese Cinema its all base on their tradition and fighting technique such as martial arts.
Style of making films are very much different. Even though there are similarities such as cut and paste. But Chinese filmmakers seldom use computers, they would usually shoot at three different angles and then combine them. While American filmmakers would shoot scene A and then scene D and go back to scene B to collaborate. Also American filmmakers would use computers to generate special effects.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height. Vertigo is another job well done by Alfred Hithcock. Which showed both the true meaning of vertigo and which is filled with many misconceptions.
Vertigo is about a San Francisco detective John ” Scottie” Ferguson( James Stewart) develops a phobia of heights after one of his friends died during a rooftop chase. Then John gets hired as a private detective to follow Madeleine(Kim Novak).
The scenery was dark shadow throughout the whole film which might have been a symbol of mystery. The idea of shadow is a recurring theme throughout the movie, so that Madeleine's death would be the hand of a shadow.
The costumes reminded me somewhat of Scarface, in the mid to late 50's.
The music/ sound effect was of much suspense. It made the film more intersecting then it really was. Its main key was to keep everyone on the edge of their seats and it did just that.
The camera gave the dizzy effect which gives the film its title.
Misconception is a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding and Vertigo consist of a lot of misconceptions. One conception was when John thought that if he steps on a stool then maybe his phobia of heights would go away. John thought that Madeleine was cheating on her husband (thats why he wanted someone to spy on her).
Vertigo is about a San Francisco detective John ” Scottie” Ferguson( James Stewart) develops a phobia of heights after one of his friends died during a rooftop chase. Then John gets hired as a private detective to follow Madeleine(Kim Novak).
The scenery was dark shadow throughout the whole film which might have been a symbol of mystery. The idea of shadow is a recurring theme throughout the movie, so that Madeleine's death would be the hand of a shadow.
The costumes reminded me somewhat of Scarface, in the mid to late 50's.
The music/ sound effect was of much suspense. It made the film more intersecting then it really was. Its main key was to keep everyone on the edge of their seats and it did just that.
The camera gave the dizzy effect which gives the film its title.
Misconception is a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding and Vertigo consist of a lot of misconceptions. One conception was when John thought that if he steps on a stool then maybe his phobia of heights would go away. John thought that Madeleine was cheating on her husband (thats why he wanted someone to spy on her).
Monday, February 26, 2007
Juice
Juice is a classical urban movie that everyone has enjoyed. Director Ernest Dickerson did another magnificent job on this 1992 film. He clearly showed the life in Harlem, New York in the 90's and the center of life of music and poverty.
The lighting showed the hardship and the life of poverty in New York. It showed how in one minute you're in this dark place and the next minute you try to be bright but your light gets dim trying to hide your emotions to the world. One example is when Raheem ( Khalil Kain) died and Q(Omar Epps) and Steel( Jermaine Hopkins) was at Raheem house pretending that they was okay but really was dis drought.
The sounds was as hard and truthful as can be. The music told the feeling of the atmosphere and of each scene. The dialog between the characters was frank and straight forward . Most of all truthful.
The costume designs was great. The New York style in the 90's was hip and hoppy. You can see the conversion between the late 80's to modern days. Clothes not too baggy but not fitted either. Salvation Army for some reason was calling out real loud.
The lighting showed the hardship and the life of poverty in New York. It showed how in one minute you're in this dark place and the next minute you try to be bright but your light gets dim trying to hide your emotions to the world. One example is when Raheem ( Khalil Kain) died and Q(Omar Epps) and Steel( Jermaine Hopkins) was at Raheem house pretending that they was okay but really was dis drought.
The sounds was as hard and truthful as can be. The music told the feeling of the atmosphere and of each scene. The dialog between the characters was frank and straight forward . Most of all truthful.
The costume designs was great. The New York style in the 90's was hip and hoppy. You can see the conversion between the late 80's to modern days. Clothes not too baggy but not fitted either. Salvation Army for some reason was calling out real loud.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Never Die Alone
Never Die Alone is a film about a hard-boiled, stylish kingpin drug dealer, called King David played by rapper DMX, who returns to his hometown seeking redemption. King David's final moments were spent with Paul( David Arquette). Paul was an aspiring journalist who knew King David just for a couple of minutes. Funny thing is that King David left a big impact on Paul's life. King David, half preacher, half Satan, and typically street smart recorded the story of his life on an audiotape.
Never Die Alone is a good film depending on what side your looking at it. On an urban view you'll see it as a new light in a new direction. But to the “real world” its just plain stupidity. One quoted “its trashy, pretentious look at life”.
The direction of the film was to teach about crime in “the streets” and the consequences. Director Ernest R. Dickerson took the direction from Spike Lee's films She's Gotta Have It and Do the Right Thing which he did cinematography for.
There was a dark shadow throughout the whole film. Which is a key element to the film because it symbolizes the dark side of the urban world.
Throughout the film you can tell that Dickerson took the advantage of small cameras, because when you're watching the film you feel what the characters feel, you touch what the characters touch. Its like you're in the middle of what's going on.
Besides the enormous amount of profanity in the film, sounding was good. The language use in the urban world is vague, frank, and down right dirty, which was showed very well.
Costumes wasn't what I had expected to be because throughout the film actor DMX who played King David was in a suit coat, white shirt and jeans or was just plain naked.
Never Die Alone is a good film depending on what side your looking at it. On an urban view you'll see it as a new light in a new direction. But to the “real world” its just plain stupidity. One quoted “its trashy, pretentious look at life”.
The direction of the film was to teach about crime in “the streets” and the consequences. Director Ernest R. Dickerson took the direction from Spike Lee's films She's Gotta Have It and Do the Right Thing which he did cinematography for.
There was a dark shadow throughout the whole film. Which is a key element to the film because it symbolizes the dark side of the urban world.
Throughout the film you can tell that Dickerson took the advantage of small cameras, because when you're watching the film you feel what the characters feel, you touch what the characters touch. Its like you're in the middle of what's going on.
Besides the enormous amount of profanity in the film, sounding was good. The language use in the urban world is vague, frank, and down right dirty, which was showed very well.
Costumes wasn't what I had expected to be because throughout the film actor DMX who played King David was in a suit coat, white shirt and jeans or was just plain naked.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Feb. 2, 2007 (Jounarl)
Vertigo
(Critique)
Another magnificent job by Alfred Hitchcock on the 1958 film Vertigo. A San Francisco detective suffering from vertigo investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
The scenery of the film was dark just like Rear Window where all you see is the light from where the camera is shining on. A couple of the scenes looked fake, as if it were paste. Maybe, because of the age of the film but a lot of the camera shots looked blur, it was hard to make things out. But then again the blurriness showed a peaceful state in the characters.
The costumes was like Scarface, it fit the time period of the mid to late 50s.
The music/ sound effects was well put together. Hitchcock is well known for his thriller and mystery films and thats what this film consist of. The suspense in the music went well. Sometimes it made it seems more dramatic then it really was but it did keep the movie going and had everybody interested throughout the film.
(News Article)
Syriana is an exciting thriller that's all the more suspenseful because it entrench in real- world issues. Director Stephen Gaghan explores the subject of America's dependence on foreign oil through a complicated jump from the Persian Gulf to Washington to Europe while establishing connection between corporations, governments and terrorists.
(Personal Entry)
Cinematography is not my cup of tea. At first I was confused(still am) in this class but with the help of my classmates I manage to get through some of my assignments. So thank you.
(Critique)
Another magnificent job by Alfred Hitchcock on the 1958 film Vertigo. A San Francisco detective suffering from vertigo investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
The scenery of the film was dark just like Rear Window where all you see is the light from where the camera is shining on. A couple of the scenes looked fake, as if it were paste. Maybe, because of the age of the film but a lot of the camera shots looked blur, it was hard to make things out. But then again the blurriness showed a peaceful state in the characters.
The costumes was like Scarface, it fit the time period of the mid to late 50s.
The music/ sound effects was well put together. Hitchcock is well known for his thriller and mystery films and thats what this film consist of. The suspense in the music went well. Sometimes it made it seems more dramatic then it really was but it did keep the movie going and had everybody interested throughout the film.
(News Article)
Syriana is an exciting thriller that's all the more suspenseful because it entrench in real- world issues. Director Stephen Gaghan explores the subject of America's dependence on foreign oil through a complicated jump from the Persian Gulf to Washington to Europe while establishing connection between corporations, governments and terrorists.
(Personal Entry)
Cinematography is not my cup of tea. At first I was confused(still am) in this class but with the help of my classmates I manage to get through some of my assignments. So thank you.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Hotel Rwanda
Directed by Terry George, Hotel Rwanda is educational and inspiring. The film was gruesomely nasty and disgusting but well choreographed. One of the scenes was when Paul went to get some food for the hotel company and on his way back to the hotel he went by the river road and passed a road of dead bodies.
In some scenes the camera view was a little bad. You couldn't see the expression of the characters. Also the pacing of some scenes was terrible, you can actually tell the difference of the green screen and what was real.
At first I didn't get the concept of the movie because they kept talking about Hutu and the Tutsi and about how evil both of them are. But the sequence and order shows what was actually going on.
Sounding and the language was okay but I think this film would have worked better in French/Rwandan instead of English/Rwandan. That way you can feel by the sounds of their pain and/or anger. Just as in Pan's Labyrinth which was in Spanish or even Passion of the Christ in Hebrew.
The lighting from the film was great. Costumes was not bad because they still dressed in their African clothing and dressed in modern clothes. It showed the coming of Africa.
In some scenes the camera view was a little bad. You couldn't see the expression of the characters. Also the pacing of some scenes was terrible, you can actually tell the difference of the green screen and what was real.
At first I didn't get the concept of the movie because they kept talking about Hutu and the Tutsi and about how evil both of them are. But the sequence and order shows what was actually going on.
Sounding and the language was okay but I think this film would have worked better in French/Rwandan instead of English/Rwandan. That way you can feel by the sounds of their pain and/or anger. Just as in Pan's Labyrinth which was in Spanish or even Passion of the Christ in Hebrew.
The lighting from the film was great. Costumes was not bad because they still dressed in their African clothing and dressed in modern clothes. It showed the coming of Africa.
Rear Window
Rear Window gets two hand claps. Director Alfred Hitchcock, and cinematographer Robert Burks did a magnificent job. Based on Cornell Woolrich's short story "It Had to Be Murder" (1942), the thriller and mystery of the film had everybody excited and and wanting more especially in its final twenty minutes.
A wheelchair bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. The tenants of the other apartments offer an observant comment of marriage and a complete survey of male/female relationships (all the way from honeymooners to a murderous spouse), as Stewart(Jeff) watches through his 'rear window'.
The camera work was intersecting because throughout the whole film it was in two shooting spots. The apartment room where Stewart(Jeff) lived in and when Stewart(Jeff) fell out the window. The film was basically going from one room window into another apartment window from Stewart's(Jeff) apartment window.
Costumes was alright, it did show the time period perfectly of late 40's to early 50's. The only bad part was when the two ladies Grace Kelly (Lisa Fremont) and Thelma Ritter (Stella Dick Simmons) went into Raymond Burr (Lars Thorwald) apartment and was dress in dresses. Obviously they wasn't dresses in appropriate attire for the sneak around. They were dressed in bright colors at that. They could have least worn black.
The lighting of the film was not bad. Its just that at night the lighting stayed the same Dark so it was hard to make out the faces and expression of the characters. One scene was when Grace Kelly and Thelma Ritter went to go dig out the dead body. You couldn't see the expression on there faces very clearly. Most of the lighting was close up, so you can really see face expressions only from Stewart's apartment.
A wheelchair bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. The tenants of the other apartments offer an observant comment of marriage and a complete survey of male/female relationships (all the way from honeymooners to a murderous spouse), as Stewart(Jeff) watches through his 'rear window'.
The camera work was intersecting because throughout the whole film it was in two shooting spots. The apartment room where Stewart(Jeff) lived in and when Stewart(Jeff) fell out the window. The film was basically going from one room window into another apartment window from Stewart's(Jeff) apartment window.
Costumes was alright, it did show the time period perfectly of late 40's to early 50's. The only bad part was when the two ladies Grace Kelly (Lisa Fremont) and Thelma Ritter (Stella Dick Simmons) went into Raymond Burr (Lars Thorwald) apartment and was dress in dresses. Obviously they wasn't dresses in appropriate attire for the sneak around. They were dressed in bright colors at that. They could have least worn black.
The lighting of the film was not bad. Its just that at night the lighting stayed the same Dark so it was hard to make out the faces and expression of the characters. One scene was when Grace Kelly and Thelma Ritter went to go dig out the dead body. You couldn't see the expression on there faces very clearly. Most of the lighting was close up, so you can really see face expressions only from Stewart's apartment.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
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