Short Film Blow Out
Two Men
1. In 50 words or less tell what the film was about.
The film is about why you never stop two men running down the street. It goes in to all of the different scenarios that run through a man's head about why they could be running, and you never stop them because you just never know.
2. What was more important/memorable/significant? The plot or the characters? Why?
I think that the plot was more significant because we didn't really get to know the characters. It was the message that was more important because it was told us about the type of life they lead and could have applied to anyone.
3. What did you take away from the film?
I took away the understanding that some things aren't for us to judge, because we never really know why someone is doing what they're doing. If you try to stop them, you could be making a mistake.
Tokyo Glow
1. In 50 words or less tell what the film was about.
The film is about the fast pace life in Tokyo, but shows the light man from a crosswalk sign slowly walking through it all, wearing all white. It ends with him seeing the light up girl from the ladies bathroom sign, he pauses, and it ends.
2. What was more important/memorable/significant? The plot or the characters? Why?
I think that the plot is more important because the character (the crosswalk man) is mostly important because he shows the slower pace of how fast the world around it is going. The message is mainly about how fast the world around us is moving.
3. What did you take away from the film?
The world around us moves incredibly fast, and it's important to slow down and appreciate the beauty of everything around us. It has a very dream-like feel because it shows the light-up man walking around the city.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Short Film Critiques
10 Minutes Critique
1) Provide a brief description of the film.
The film is about the events of 10 minutes in two people's lives. While one Japanese man is traveling through Italy
and waits 10 minutes for his photographs to be developed, a young boy's life is turned around. Memo's story begins in his family's apartment, where his busy mother is trying to make dinner and comfort a crying baby. Just as his father comes home, Memo leaves to do the seemingly simple task of getting water for his family's dinner. On his way out he sees a man who is angry with him for not having parts that Memo promised him, and talks to two soldiers who are casually playing checkers. Suddenly, an explosion goes off, and Memo runs back to his apartment to find his family. The man who was originally upset with him turns around and tries to protect Memo from seeing the tragedy that has just occurred; the murder of his parents. The film ends with the first Japanese man receiving his photographs, showing him with his family.
22) What is the overall tone or mood of the film?
While the film starts off seeming light and casual in Italy, as shown by the bright colors and Italian music, as soon as the perspective switches to Memo's story in Bosnia, the mood immediately changes. Memo's apartment feels chaotic with a crying baby and busy mother, and the color is much colder. There are moments of happiness, such as when Memo sees his father and talks to the soldiers, but the overlaying feeling is tense. As soon as the bombing and shooting begins, the film takes a much more tense feeling while Memo rushes back to find his family dead, and the tone and mood are tense and dark. Although the film switches back to the light Italy shot, the viewer is left feeling the tragedy that occurred in such a short time.
3) How does the dialog influence the film?
The dialogue is important to the plot of the film; however, I don't think it has a very big effect on the ultimate message and mood of the film.
4) In what ways does the cinematography affect the film?
The cinematography contributes to the contrasts of the two story lines. The story in Bosnia took place in one single shot, which makes it seem like more realistic because there's no editing or effects, just the raw story being told.
5) What scene or part of a scene do you like the best? Why?
My favorite part is when Memo is having the light conversation with the soldiers because it shows how they try to be happy and have fun even in dismal situations and it shows how Memo interacts with others.
6) What is your opinion of the film?
I think this is a fantastic film. It shows how much someone's life can change in 10 minutes, while someone else enjoys such a light experience. It puts life into perspective in a short film which really impressed me.
New Boy Critique
1) Provide a brief description of the film.
New Boy tells the story of Joseph, an African immigrant to Ireland who struggles to fit in and is bullied. As he goes to his new school, he has flashbacks of his life and school in Africa, including his Father being taken away by soldiers. Through finding a common ground of laughing at the teacher, Joseph is able to laugh with the boys who had previously bullied him, and for the first time in Ireland, we see him smile as the film ends.
2) What is the overall tone or mood of the film?
The film has an overall feeling of starting over and accepting things that have happened. At first, Joseph has happy memories of his past and appears to miss it. As he is bullied and remembers the day his father was taken away, we see the struggles Joseph has gone through. Finally, at the end, when Joseph and the other boys are able to bond and laugh together, we see a flashback of him laughing with his father, but rather than being sad that he is away from him in Ireland, we see him smile. During the film, the mood was a little tense, but as it ends, Joseph's grin leaves the film with an overall happy mood.
3) How does the dialog influence the film?
The dialog in New Boy seems to be more influential in this film than in 10 minutes because we can hear the comments from the boys at Joseph's new school and their racist remarks. These are important because they make the audience more sympathetic to Joseph and elicit memories for Joseph to reflect on.
4) In what ways does the cinematography affect the film?
The cinematography adds to the overall happy mood of the film. The colors are warm, especially in Africa, and the angles help us to really see Joseph's point of view in coming to a completely new place.
5) What scene or part of a scene do you like the best? Why?
My favorite scene at the very end when the little girl is sassy to the teacher, and Joseph finally has a bonding moment with the boys and says one of the only words he says in Ireland to make fun of the teacher. My favorite moment is the final shot when we see him smiling and laughing.
6) What is your opinion of the film?
I think the film is really well made and tells a good story of how hard it is to start new, especially in Joseph's case. I also like how it shows children's ability to make friends with someone who you previously considered an enemy as soon as they find one thing in common.
Glory at Sea Critique
1) Provide a brief description of the film.
The film starts underwater after a hurricane and is narrated by a little girl who is under the water but is still alive. It shows the bodies of people underwater, but they're still living. One man is pulled out of the water after being shown with his girlfriend and ends up on land in the town of all of the people who were under the water. In the town, everything is destroyed, including all of the people who have lost loved ones. The man wakes up in the town but never gives up hope of finding the woman he loves. To return to sea and find her, the man starts building a ship, and through word of mouth, people slowly begin to join him and bring something lucky that they think will help them find the one they've lost. Although the preacher is at first skeptical, he realizes that those people who were lost are like his children, and he joins them as well. At sea, the boat eventually begins to sink directly over where the lost bodies are, and each person is reunited with the person they were hoping to find. The film is an abstract view of the hurricane.
2) What is the overall tone or mood of the film?
Although one might assume that a film about a hurricane would be dark and depressing, Glory at Sea takes a very hopeful and positive tone. The people never give up hope that their boat will take them to their loved ones, and although it is unclear what happens after they find them, there is a settling feeling of joy at their reunion.
3) How does the dialog influence the film?
The dialog (specifically the narration) has a big influence on the film. The film is narrated by a girl who is underwater, who almost has an omniscient view and knows everything that is happening both on land and under water. At the end, she quotes her dad saying that the reason their boat sunk directly over her was because God helped it. This is one of the main reasons that the film as a whole takes a positive tone and ends happily.
4) In what ways does the cinematography affect the film?
The cinematography is really important to the film. The filming underwater is especially impressive, and influences the mood of the film. Sometimes the people look like they are dead, but as soon as the people are reunited, they seem to come alive again. The shots of the wreckage are also very important to the film.
5) What scene or part of a scene do you like the best? Why?
My favorite scene is when the people from land are reunited with those underwater. Although I'm not sure if that means that they all died or what exactly happened, it seems like it doesn't matter. They have joyful reunions and seem to be happy which seems to be most important.
6) What is your opinion of the film?
I think that the film is a really interesting viewpoint of the hurricane, and although it is pretty strange, I like it because it has a joyful outlook on the afterlife.
Glory at Sea Critique
1) Provide a brief description of the film.
The film starts underwater after a hurricane and is narrated by a little girl who is under the water but is still alive. It shows the bodies of people underwater, but they're still living. One man is pulled out of the water after being shown with his girlfriend and ends up on land in the town of all of the people who were under the water. In the town, everything is destroyed, including all of the people who have lost loved ones. The man wakes up in the town but never gives up hope of finding the woman he loves. To return to sea and find her, the man starts building a ship, and through word of mouth, people slowly begin to join him and bring something lucky that they think will help them find the one they've lost. Although the preacher is at first skeptical, he realizes that those people who were lost are like his children, and he joins them as well. At sea, the boat eventually begins to sink directly over where the lost bodies are, and each person is reunited with the person they were hoping to find. The film is an abstract view of the hurricane.
2) What is the overall tone or mood of the film?
Although one might assume that a film about a hurricane would be dark and depressing, Glory at Sea takes a very hopeful and positive tone. The people never give up hope that their boat will take them to their loved ones, and although it is unclear what happens after they find them, there is a settling feeling of joy at their reunion.
3) How does the dialog influence the film?
The dialog (specifically the narration) has a big influence on the film. The film is narrated by a girl who is underwater, who almost has an omniscient view and knows everything that is happening both on land and under water. At the end, she quotes her dad saying that the reason their boat sunk directly over her was because God helped it. This is one of the main reasons that the film as a whole takes a positive tone and ends happily.
4) In what ways does the cinematography affect the film?
The cinematography is really important to the film. The filming underwater is especially impressive, and influences the mood of the film. Sometimes the people look like they are dead, but as soon as the people are reunited, they seem to come alive again. The shots of the wreckage are also very important to the film.
5) What scene or part of a scene do you like the best? Why?
My favorite scene is when the people from land are reunited with those underwater. Although I'm not sure if that means that they all died or what exactly happened, it seems like it doesn't matter. They have joyful reunions and seem to be happy which seems to be most important.
6) What is your opinion of the film?
I think that the film is a really interesting viewpoint of the hurricane, and although it is pretty strange, I like it because it has a joyful outlook on the afterlife.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
First Film Studies Post
Top 3 Films
1. The Harry Potter films are all some of my favorite movies. I'm drawn to them not only because I love the books, but also because they are so visually impressive. The way that magic is shown has always really captured my attention because it all looks and feels so real. There are people flying, ghosts roaming the halls, talking portraits, 3-headed dogs, giants, huge spiders, and so many more ridiculous creatures that all suddenly become real. The story, characters, and visual effects all appeal to me.
2. I recently saw War Horse, and while it may not have been one of my favorite movies of all time, it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. First, I really enjoyed how the story was told through the horse's journey. It showed the perspective of the war through both sides, and by the end I felt sympathy for the soldiers of both sides. I also loved how visually stimulating the movie was. When it could have simply shown a horse walking across the countryside, it instead showed an entire hillside at sunset with the most beautiful colors and a boy riding a horse across. Not only was it a great story, but it was filmed extremely well.
3. One of the first movies I remember watching and loving when I was little is The Santa Clause. It sounds silly now to say that it is one of my top 3 films, but it has stuck with me since the first time I saw it. Certain images associated with it still come to mind when I think of Christmas. One of the most appealing aspects of this movie is the soundtrack. It is almost entirely instrumental, but to this day, I can recognize the music and the exact part of the movie that it was played, and it still gives me that excited Christmas feeling that it did when I was little. I think that the reason this film is so appealing to me is not only that it's funny and about my favorite holiday, but also because the music, story, and effects are all so magical to me. It might not be one of those award-winning movies in history, but for me it will always be a favorite.
What I hope to learn in Film Studies
I love making movies, and have always made all of our class videos and our ASB videos for assemblies, but I would really like to learn how to make those better. I also hope to be able to become a better critic of films by watching a lot of great movies because watching movies is one of my favorite activities.
Types of films I'm interested in making, why, and how
I'm not interested in making a particular type of film, but I'm mostly interested in just learning how to make any kind of film. I want to be able to put together a good, creative, well-edited film about anything I need to in the future. I have always had to just make short movies that follow a simple plot, which I really enjoy and would like to get better at, but I'm interested in making any type of movie.
Top 3 Films
1. The Harry Potter films are all some of my favorite movies. I'm drawn to them not only because I love the books, but also because they are so visually impressive. The way that magic is shown has always really captured my attention because it all looks and feels so real. There are people flying, ghosts roaming the halls, talking portraits, 3-headed dogs, giants, huge spiders, and so many more ridiculous creatures that all suddenly become real. The story, characters, and visual effects all appeal to me.
2. I recently saw War Horse, and while it may not have been one of my favorite movies of all time, it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. First, I really enjoyed how the story was told through the horse's journey. It showed the perspective of the war through both sides, and by the end I felt sympathy for the soldiers of both sides. I also loved how visually stimulating the movie was. When it could have simply shown a horse walking across the countryside, it instead showed an entire hillside at sunset with the most beautiful colors and a boy riding a horse across. Not only was it a great story, but it was filmed extremely well.
3. One of the first movies I remember watching and loving when I was little is The Santa Clause. It sounds silly now to say that it is one of my top 3 films, but it has stuck with me since the first time I saw it. Certain images associated with it still come to mind when I think of Christmas. One of the most appealing aspects of this movie is the soundtrack. It is almost entirely instrumental, but to this day, I can recognize the music and the exact part of the movie that it was played, and it still gives me that excited Christmas feeling that it did when I was little. I think that the reason this film is so appealing to me is not only that it's funny and about my favorite holiday, but also because the music, story, and effects are all so magical to me. It might not be one of those award-winning movies in history, but for me it will always be a favorite.
What I hope to learn in Film Studies
I love making movies, and have always made all of our class videos and our ASB videos for assemblies, but I would really like to learn how to make those better. I also hope to be able to become a better critic of films by watching a lot of great movies because watching movies is one of my favorite activities.
Types of films I'm interested in making, why, and how
I'm not interested in making a particular type of film, but I'm mostly interested in just learning how to make any kind of film. I want to be able to put together a good, creative, well-edited film about anything I need to in the future. I have always had to just make short movies that follow a simple plot, which I really enjoy and would like to get better at, but I'm interested in making any type of movie.
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