I chose to blog on the movie inception for extra credit because it is not only one of my favorite movies, but it also features one of my favorite actors in Leonardo Dicaprio.
This film is one of my favorites because of a number of reasons, the spcial effects, the acting, the script, and the director of this movie is also one of my favorites.
So to start with this movie I will break it down by the parts that I enjoyed, so I will start with the special effects. The director uses a number of unique features like the point of view, it uses the point of view of Leo, who is battling through the thoughts and dreams of his wife, and of the problems of his children and being able to see them, so as the movie goes on and you travel further into the mind of the Robert Fischer, you also go further into the mind of Cobb. The way they can slow the movie down with the slow motion, and just the dreaming settings to the world like at the beginning when Ellen Page turns the world and bends it over the top as a roof and people are walking around, and just the sheer ability to control the elements with their mind I think is very unique.
The acting in this movie is very stand out. They have a number of big name actors anchored by Leo and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. These guys play outstanding roles in this movie and help make the movie have incredible depth, actually three levels of depth, with all the dream within a dream stuff its unreal how deep this movie actually goes.
The script of this movie helps create that depth because the point of the movie is to try and get a code from a person through his thoughts and hacking into his mind through his dreams. This movie is unique to me because I have never watched a movie about dreams and especially trying to rob someone through the dreams. This movie was also unlike any I have seen because there was so much going on with Cobb, his kids, his wife, Robert Fischer, and Ellen Page, there was alot to take in and thats why some people didnt like this movie.
The director that made this movie was also a main contributor to the success because of his ability to producer movies, surround himself with great acting, his great ideas about special effects and just thoughts and ideas on movies in general.
In conclusion, this movie is one of my favorites because of the great script, the depth, the acting, and the great producer.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
All the President's Men
Once again, movies that are based on novels for me are usually very interesting, but especially in this film because it is based on a non fiction book.
All the President's Men was a interesting movie for me to watch because I like the time era that this movie took place in because I think all the Watergate scandals and the President Nixon era was very interesting.
The story of two Washington Post reporters and how they helped solve the Watergate scandal. This movie had the perfect outline to get me interested.
I like how the movie makes more sense because of the way it is shot through the point of view of the two reporters and how it starts with the arrest at the Watergate of the five men, and then through basically a series of accusations and admissions of guilt and that basically brought the end to the Nixon presidency.
Sometimes I thought this movie became a little confusing because of all the different people and committees that are in the movie. That being said, they did a great job in this film of incorporating every committee that was involved in this scandal. For example the television images of Nixon landing on the white house roof and
and the house of representatives and of other people including Attorney General John N. Mitchell, former vice preident Agnew, and Representative Gerald R. Ford.
Since this movie was all about the Nixon Watergate scandal, I think that this movie helped shape cultural values that we have today in the way we view the presidential position and just the country itself. Also how seriously we take the security and honestly at those high priority levels. I think that this movie also shaped some of the social minds of people who view the presidential position in a negative way because they simply don't trust the government.
This movie was worth while to watch and a great movie for people who are interested in learning more about the Watergate scandal.
All the President's Men was a interesting movie for me to watch because I like the time era that this movie took place in because I think all the Watergate scandals and the President Nixon era was very interesting.
The story of two Washington Post reporters and how they helped solve the Watergate scandal. This movie had the perfect outline to get me interested.
I like how the movie makes more sense because of the way it is shot through the point of view of the two reporters and how it starts with the arrest at the Watergate of the five men, and then through basically a series of accusations and admissions of guilt and that basically brought the end to the Nixon presidency.
Sometimes I thought this movie became a little confusing because of all the different people and committees that are in the movie. That being said, they did a great job in this film of incorporating every committee that was involved in this scandal. For example the television images of Nixon landing on the white house roof and
and the house of representatives and of other people including Attorney General John N. Mitchell, former vice preident Agnew, and Representative Gerald R. Ford.
Since this movie was all about the Nixon Watergate scandal, I think that this movie helped shape cultural values that we have today in the way we view the presidential position and just the country itself. Also how seriously we take the security and honestly at those high priority levels. I think that this movie also shaped some of the social minds of people who view the presidential position in a negative way because they simply don't trust the government.
This movie was worth while to watch and a great movie for people who are interested in learning more about the Watergate scandal.
The Cider House Rules
I recently watched The Cider House Rules, I have to say it was actually a pretty good film. This movie surprised because from what I have heard, this movie was not supposed to be anything special, so I had a negative bias towards this film but I thought this movie was actually quite interesting.
In looking at the chapters from the book for this section, chapter 12 deals with the analysis of the entire film. This film was extremely interesting to me, this was a very eventful movie, with the orphanage, the leaving of the orphanage, the training in abortions, World War II, incest, and the list continues.
One reason why I thought that this film was interesting was because of the great acting in this movie. Although he didn't play a huge part in this movie, Paul Rudd is one of my favorite actors of all time and any movie he is in I am interested in, as well as Toby Maguire, and Mike Caine. This acting played a great part in this movie.
When analyzing this film, there are several things that as a viewer you need to be aware of, for example the theme. This movie is a drama movie so the theme of this movie is going to be somewhat complex, and from what I got out of this movie was making your own decisions. With that being said, this movie does a good job with all the twists in the movie it makes it unpredictable.
Looking at the overall evaluation of this film, I think this movie could be one of Toby Maguire's best performances. His quiet character who didn't even finish high school, he is actually quite skillful and modest character. I can't imagine how tough it would be for an orphan to be returned by families twice, and be beaten like he was by the one family. However, luck does change and Dr. Lach takes him and turns him basically into a doctor without the title of one.
I also thought this movie was interesting because not only is Dr. Lach a doctor, but he is also an abortionist, which is the first movie I have seen dealing with abortion. He also trains Homer to be an abortionist to, and later in this film he actually performs one, when Arthur impregnates his daughter and although Homer is against it, he performs an abortion in this situation.
This movie is all about your own decision making. And as the movie goes on it really develops because they are faced with difficult situations to deal with.
In chapter 15, it deals with film and society. And in particular how this movie may shape or reflect social and cultural values. I think this movie did both, because this movie is based in the WWII era, and that was not only different culturally, but they also helped form them to what they are today.
In looking at the chapters from the book for this section, chapter 12 deals with the analysis of the entire film. This film was extremely interesting to me, this was a very eventful movie, with the orphanage, the leaving of the orphanage, the training in abortions, World War II, incest, and the list continues.
One reason why I thought that this film was interesting was because of the great acting in this movie. Although he didn't play a huge part in this movie, Paul Rudd is one of my favorite actors of all time and any movie he is in I am interested in, as well as Toby Maguire, and Mike Caine. This acting played a great part in this movie.
When analyzing this film, there are several things that as a viewer you need to be aware of, for example the theme. This movie is a drama movie so the theme of this movie is going to be somewhat complex, and from what I got out of this movie was making your own decisions. With that being said, this movie does a good job with all the twists in the movie it makes it unpredictable.
Looking at the overall evaluation of this film, I think this movie could be one of Toby Maguire's best performances. His quiet character who didn't even finish high school, he is actually quite skillful and modest character. I can't imagine how tough it would be for an orphan to be returned by families twice, and be beaten like he was by the one family. However, luck does change and Dr. Lach takes him and turns him basically into a doctor without the title of one.
I also thought this movie was interesting because not only is Dr. Lach a doctor, but he is also an abortionist, which is the first movie I have seen dealing with abortion. He also trains Homer to be an abortionist to, and later in this film he actually performs one, when Arthur impregnates his daughter and although Homer is against it, he performs an abortion in this situation.
This movie is all about your own decision making. And as the movie goes on it really develops because they are faced with difficult situations to deal with.
In chapter 15, it deals with film and society. And in particular how this movie may shape or reflect social and cultural values. I think this movie did both, because this movie is based in the WWII era, and that was not only different culturally, but they also helped form them to what they are today.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Avatar (extra credit)
I am choosing to blog about the movie Avatar for extra credit this week. I chose this movie because it is one of my favorite movies of all time. I have seen it almost a dozen times and i am able to pick something new up from it every time. I will still use the chapters that are needed in this section is 7-11.
Color is the first thing in chapter 7, and if you have not seen the movie Avatar, then you have not seen color in a movie. This movie is filmed on the planet "Pandora" which is a planet with a different species and different environment in general. The colors in this movie are breath taking. From the legendary floating mountains of Pandora, to the crazy looking Eywa trees and different plants and glowing leaves, this movie is unlike anything you have ever seen. The Avatar people or the Navi, are blue, and have there own tribal ways similar to natives in our world. The colors are a huge factor in why this movie is great.
The sound in this movie is also great. The special effects and the tribal sounds that they have in the back round of the scenes is perfect. The music in this film is not like anything from a modern movie of this time because lets face it, having the Dixie Chicks play in the sound track of this movie just would not fit in at all. This movie is all Earth like or nature sounding tracks, that really make you feel apart of the movie. The special effects of all the animals and action scenes, especially the explosions towards the end of the film are terrific.
Sam Worthington plays a terrific X-marine who took the assignment because he had nothing left. He plays an outstanding character as he becomes part of the Navi people. Other people in this movie aren't exactly your big time huge actors but that makes the movie that much better because you see different people in this movie that you have seen before, but this movie has put them back on the map.
The dialogue of this movie is also something that makes this movie great. The way Jake Sully has to prove himself in the Navi tribe and become accepted by the people, but at the same time he has to be a human and learn about the ways of his new people from Norm and Grace, but in the Avatar world he is learning to become one of them and also finding his love in Neytiri. This back and forth adaptation makes this movie something different and fun to watch.
The director of this movie, James Cameron, already has a reputation of having a great film making career, and he did it agian in this film, it is an action movie, a thriller, and a love story all in one, from the time the fighting starts, and Jake turns sides, and to the end, when Jake re joins the Navi, and leads them to protect their home land. This director has again established himself as one of the best directos of his time
The Graduate
I recently watched the movie the Graduate. And normally, I enjoy movies that are based on the novels, simply because that usually means that they made them for a reason, because more times than not, that means that the book was successful and that people should be interested in the movie as well. And that was almost the case in this movie. I didn't think the movie was great, but on the other hand, I didn't think it was horrible.
Although it was different, it actually had an alright story line. The color of this movie seemed nothing special, there were some nice places that they filmed at like the college campus. Since the technology was not so much advanced yet, the color really depended on the location of the filming, like at the hotel, it was nothing special, but it was a nice hotel to shoot at.
There was not a ton of sound effects in this movie, because there was not a ton needed since it was not so much an action movie, it was more of a drama with a little comedy. This played well in the dialogue of the movie because the way Benjamin acted different around Elaine compared to Mrs. Robinson, and even more different around his father and Mr. Robinson. This movie was a little different because you don't see alot of serious movies based off of an affair, and then he falls for the daughter after that, so this movie was definitely a first for me.
The music in this movie played a great part in the movie, and I actually enjoyed the music in this movie because it wasn't just the old time folk music, it was a new band that from the movie became famous. They helped keep the movie rolling with the at the time up beat songs instead of the same old school style of songs. This movie actually made the song Mrs. Robinson, which even though it wasn't in the movie, was based off of it.
The acting in this movie is actually very good. Dustin Hoffman plays a great character in Benjamin, who I can relate very well too, not because I have my parents wives after me, but because I am also a confused college student who is looking for a path to go on. This made the movie that much better to watch because of the story line of the college student and his quest for the marriage of his love Elaine. The women in this movie play very good characters as well, in Anne Brancroft and Katharine Ross. The characters in this movie where different from what I am used to seeing, but they did a good job.
The directors style in this movie is clear that he wants this to be a love story, however, he wants it to be a very weird style of love story. From the affair, to the hotel and then the falling for Elaine, to the drama between Elaine and Carl, to Mr. Robinson finding out about the affair, to the scene at the wedding. In the end it all works out the way the audience wants it. I particularly liked the ending of this movie at the church, and how I realized Waynes World 2 ends in the exact same way.
Some of the reasons why I liked watching this movie is to see what things were like when my parents were growing up, and to see a movie that came out during their time and compare it to the movies that we watch now. The acting in this movie I thought was good to, Dustin Hoffman is one of my favorite actors, and I liked to see him in this movie because without him might not have been near as good.
Although it was different, it actually had an alright story line. The color of this movie seemed nothing special, there were some nice places that they filmed at like the college campus. Since the technology was not so much advanced yet, the color really depended on the location of the filming, like at the hotel, it was nothing special, but it was a nice hotel to shoot at.
There was not a ton of sound effects in this movie, because there was not a ton needed since it was not so much an action movie, it was more of a drama with a little comedy. This played well in the dialogue of the movie because the way Benjamin acted different around Elaine compared to Mrs. Robinson, and even more different around his father and Mr. Robinson. This movie was a little different because you don't see alot of serious movies based off of an affair, and then he falls for the daughter after that, so this movie was definitely a first for me.
The music in this movie played a great part in the movie, and I actually enjoyed the music in this movie because it wasn't just the old time folk music, it was a new band that from the movie became famous. They helped keep the movie rolling with the at the time up beat songs instead of the same old school style of songs. This movie actually made the song Mrs. Robinson, which even though it wasn't in the movie, was based off of it.
The acting in this movie is actually very good. Dustin Hoffman plays a great character in Benjamin, who I can relate very well too, not because I have my parents wives after me, but because I am also a confused college student who is looking for a path to go on. This made the movie that much better to watch because of the story line of the college student and his quest for the marriage of his love Elaine. The women in this movie play very good characters as well, in Anne Brancroft and Katharine Ross. The characters in this movie where different from what I am used to seeing, but they did a good job.
The directors style in this movie is clear that he wants this to be a love story, however, he wants it to be a very weird style of love story. From the affair, to the hotel and then the falling for Elaine, to the drama between Elaine and Carl, to Mr. Robinson finding out about the affair, to the scene at the wedding. In the end it all works out the way the audience wants it. I particularly liked the ending of this movie at the church, and how I realized Waynes World 2 ends in the exact same way.
Some of the reasons why I liked watching this movie is to see what things were like when my parents were growing up, and to see a movie that came out during their time and compare it to the movies that we watch now. The acting in this movie I thought was good to, Dustin Hoffman is one of my favorite actors, and I liked to see him in this movie because without him might not have been near as good.
The Dark Knight
I watched the movie the Dark Knight for the o lets say tenth time this week. When I saw that this movie was on the list I was immediately looking forward to watching it again. The Dark Knight is one of my favorite movies I have ever seen.
For starters in chapter 7, they talk about the color. The color in this movie I think is quite effective. Other than the day scenes, most everything in this movie is actually quite dark. The scene itself might be a lit up, but the back round is quite dark, making you focus more on the scene. Maybe this is because most of the action shots are at night, but even if, they still use vibrant colors to stick out, for example the green green hair of the joker and then his white face with the red lip stick. These colors help things stick out that the director wants you to notice.
The use of dialogue and sound in this movie is a major reason why this movie is set apart from others. With the amount of explosions and things in this movie, and the way surround sound has evolved today, this movie was made to really capture the attention of the audience. For example when "the Joker" or Heath Ledger blows the hospital up, they use great sound there when he is walking away and how the buildings are blowing up as he walks away. The dialogue in this movie is also great, the way they make every character unique, from Batman's deep voice, to the Jokers indescribable voice, to the classic Harvey Dent. These things make all the characters unique, making the story line and how they communicate with each other than much better.
The points of view in sound, is similar to the movie in general, the movie is mostly shot through the perspective of Batman. This makes the movie interesting, for example when Batman sets the rope around the semi that the Joker is riding in, and it flips over, they use the perspective of both of them, but mostly the perspective of Batman.
There isn't a ton of music in this movie, other than sound effects and simple orchestra sounds, there really isn't any need for actual music in this movie, since it is based on the fictional city of Gotham, and the comic book. This movie movie doesn't have many slow parts in it, where there needs to be music to keep the audience entertained. There are mostly action parts in this movie, so it really is just based on special effects and simple orchestra sounds.
Wow, and now for the best part of this movie, the acting. This movie has so many tremendous actors. From a person favorite in Christian Bale, or to the Aaron Eckhart, who plays a great two face, and who could forget the best of them all in Heath Ledger, who plays the PERFECT psycho in the Joker. Christian Bale plays a great character with the distinct voice of Batman, and then the charismatic voice of Bruce Wayne. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) plays a great character in putting all his emotion towards the one he loves in Rachel (Maggie Gyllenhaal). The story line plays great with each one of the characters, perhaps the Joker the best, Heath Ledger plays of the greatest roles in any movie that I have seen. His ability to act came to an unfortunate ending, however his role in this movie is tremendous, the best example is his little giggle and lick of the lips that he does after his sentences.
The Directors style in this movie is a distinct one. He makes it clear that this is an action film. Like I said earlier, this movie does not have many, if any, down parts. There is always something going on, whether it be Harvey trying to clean up the streets, or Batman cleaning them up, or the Joker causing choas, between the three they pretty much cover the length of the movie. If this movie doesn't fulfill your action movie needs, I'm really not sure what your looking for.
For starters in chapter 7, they talk about the color. The color in this movie I think is quite effective. Other than the day scenes, most everything in this movie is actually quite dark. The scene itself might be a lit up, but the back round is quite dark, making you focus more on the scene. Maybe this is because most of the action shots are at night, but even if, they still use vibrant colors to stick out, for example the green green hair of the joker and then his white face with the red lip stick. These colors help things stick out that the director wants you to notice.
The use of dialogue and sound in this movie is a major reason why this movie is set apart from others. With the amount of explosions and things in this movie, and the way surround sound has evolved today, this movie was made to really capture the attention of the audience. For example when "the Joker" or Heath Ledger blows the hospital up, they use great sound there when he is walking away and how the buildings are blowing up as he walks away. The dialogue in this movie is also great, the way they make every character unique, from Batman's deep voice, to the Jokers indescribable voice, to the classic Harvey Dent. These things make all the characters unique, making the story line and how they communicate with each other than much better.
The points of view in sound, is similar to the movie in general, the movie is mostly shot through the perspective of Batman. This makes the movie interesting, for example when Batman sets the rope around the semi that the Joker is riding in, and it flips over, they use the perspective of both of them, but mostly the perspective of Batman.
There isn't a ton of music in this movie, other than sound effects and simple orchestra sounds, there really isn't any need for actual music in this movie, since it is based on the fictional city of Gotham, and the comic book. This movie movie doesn't have many slow parts in it, where there needs to be music to keep the audience entertained. There are mostly action parts in this movie, so it really is just based on special effects and simple orchestra sounds.
Wow, and now for the best part of this movie, the acting. This movie has so many tremendous actors. From a person favorite in Christian Bale, or to the Aaron Eckhart, who plays a great two face, and who could forget the best of them all in Heath Ledger, who plays the PERFECT psycho in the Joker. Christian Bale plays a great character with the distinct voice of Batman, and then the charismatic voice of Bruce Wayne. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) plays a great character in putting all his emotion towards the one he loves in Rachel (Maggie Gyllenhaal). The story line plays great with each one of the characters, perhaps the Joker the best, Heath Ledger plays of the greatest roles in any movie that I have seen. His ability to act came to an unfortunate ending, however his role in this movie is tremendous, the best example is his little giggle and lick of the lips that he does after his sentences.
The Directors style in this movie is a distinct one. He makes it clear that this is an action film. Like I said earlier, this movie does not have many, if any, down parts. There is always something going on, whether it be Harvey trying to clean up the streets, or Batman cleaning them up, or the Joker causing choas, between the three they pretty much cover the length of the movie. If this movie doesn't fulfill your action movie needs, I'm really not sure what your looking for.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Amelie
I recently watched the movie Amelie, and I have to say that it was very interesting. Not so much with the story but with the sub titles. That was the first movie that I watched were you had to read the sub titles, however the movie was actually pretty good. I liked this romantic comedy because its actually kind of cool to see a movie from another country and see the different life styles.
It was interesting watching this movie cause it was basically like reading a living book, and in some cases it was hard to take in some of the effects of the film because you had to read the entire time but it was still a solid movie.
In the movie, "Amelie" was out to seach for love because she didn't ahve the opportunity to experience it as a little girl. Her father, who was a doctor that kept his distance from amelie, so he was not there to show love for her, and her mother who was a school teacher, also was not around enough to truly show appreciation. Her mom died in this movie, and it may have possibly been the weirdest way I could even think of dying. A man jumped from the Nortre Dame and killed her. I just think that the director may have been able to come up with a little bit better story line if they were set on having this character die.
As she became older, her father grew even more distant and Amelie wanted to find love, but as a result of her childhood was really just incredibly shy and never really had the opportunity to learn how not to be. As the movie goes on she starts to really help people just to simply see them smile. Eventually, she runs into a man named "Nino" and she really tries to mingle with him several times but she is just way to nervous and shy. As the movie continues, she keeps giving Nino clues and hints that would lead him to her. Eventually, Nino finally shows up at her resturant, but Amelie is way to shy to say anything to him. So one of amelies friends takes nino aside and sees if he is a good man for amelie. Because of this there is now the rumor that amelies friend Gina is now dating him which is not the case. Amelie is heart broke but finds out the truth and finally meets up with Nino.
This movie had some amazing film techniques in it. In reading chapter 5 I learned about something called "fish eye". Its wear the lense makes it look almost a round appearance. I saw many of these suddle shots in this movie wich gave it a different affect. Also the different types of close up shots were incredibly clear. This was a definitly a different movie in the aspect that it was filmed in much thought and detail. I think that because this movie was so different was why I enjoyed watching it, because if it was just another film filmed in LA with american actors I don't think it would have been near as interesting the watch.
It was interesting watching this movie cause it was basically like reading a living book, and in some cases it was hard to take in some of the effects of the film because you had to read the entire time but it was still a solid movie.
In the movie, "Amelie" was out to seach for love because she didn't ahve the opportunity to experience it as a little girl. Her father, who was a doctor that kept his distance from amelie, so he was not there to show love for her, and her mother who was a school teacher, also was not around enough to truly show appreciation. Her mom died in this movie, and it may have possibly been the weirdest way I could even think of dying. A man jumped from the Nortre Dame and killed her. I just think that the director may have been able to come up with a little bit better story line if they were set on having this character die.
As she became older, her father grew even more distant and Amelie wanted to find love, but as a result of her childhood was really just incredibly shy and never really had the opportunity to learn how not to be. As the movie goes on she starts to really help people just to simply see them smile. Eventually, she runs into a man named "Nino" and she really tries to mingle with him several times but she is just way to nervous and shy. As the movie continues, she keeps giving Nino clues and hints that would lead him to her. Eventually, Nino finally shows up at her resturant, but Amelie is way to shy to say anything to him. So one of amelies friends takes nino aside and sees if he is a good man for amelie. Because of this there is now the rumor that amelies friend Gina is now dating him which is not the case. Amelie is heart broke but finds out the truth and finally meets up with Nino.
This movie had some amazing film techniques in it. In reading chapter 5 I learned about something called "fish eye". Its wear the lense makes it look almost a round appearance. I saw many of these suddle shots in this movie wich gave it a different affect. Also the different types of close up shots were incredibly clear. This was a definitly a different movie in the aspect that it was filmed in much thought and detail. I think that because this movie was so different was why I enjoyed watching it, because if it was just another film filmed in LA with american actors I don't think it would have been near as interesting the watch.
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